Operation Sparkle Recap: The Enchanted 10K

Hey there readers!

Well, I had made it. After a REALLY cold morning 5K and a rather chilly day in Hollywood Studios, the first day of the Glass Slipper Challenge had arrived! Once again, the alarm clock went off WAAAAAY too early, but once again, laying out all my clothes the night before really helped make the process of getting dressed that early stress free.

We then headed to the bus stop, where once again the bus was waiting. We noticed that it was already feeling warmer than it had the day before, so that was a good thing. I spent some time staying warm with all my blankets and then I handed them off to mom and kept my "throw away jacket" to stay warm  in the corrals since I had a t-shirt that morning. If you wear old clothes to the start of the races but dispose of them before the start of the race or on the course, runDisney will DONATE them to a charity. So that's a win.

The wait in the corral the morning of the 10K definitely felt the longest of the weekend. I don't know why. It wasn't as cold as the 5K and there weren't as many runners or corrals as in the half, but it felt like it took forever to get to start. But soon enough there were fireworks and we were off!

I once again didn't stop for any character pictures. I don't regret this one as much as the 5K because 1) I didn't really see many characters I wanted to stop for and 2) the lines were RIDICULOUS. I didn't want to risk being swept and not getting to complete the Glass Slipper Challenge, which is what I had come to do. But I did stop for pics with my own phone, like the stilt guys above or my Belle sign selfie, below.

I'm also pretty proud of my jump shot. I can't believe I pulled that off without looking ridiculous. But soon my 6.2 miles were over and I could see the finish line. Once again, it looked pretty sweet! I crossed, hands held high and got my medal (which mom took a picture of me getting because that's where she was waiting for me) and then went for my official finisher's portrait.

We then headed back to the hotel for shower/rest and then it was off to Epcot, where we had a Princess brunch in Norway. That was a new experience for me and it was pretty fun. Not something I'm sure I need to repeat, but I'm glad I can say I did it.

Then we walked around the World Showcase meeting more characters before having dinner at the Electric Umbrella (DELICIOUS Quick Service) and then heading back to the hotel for bed. Another early wake-up was in our future.

to be continued

(This blog has been cross-posted in some form at The Main Street Mouse)

Operation Sparkle Recap: The Literal Frozen 5K

Morning readers!

It's time to talk the 5K! The only downside of Disney races is the alarm clock going off at 3 am. I'm a morning person, but even 3 am is early for me. But it went off and mom and I got up. We had laid out our clothes the night before, which I highly recommend, because it made getting dressed so much easier. I wasn't pacing around the room trying to find my socks or gloves or anything.

Luckily, when we got to the bus stop, the first bus was already there and waiting for us. And most importantly, it was WARM, which was good because Florida was experiencing RECORD LOWS. I HIGHLY recommend that if you are preparing for a Disney race that you weather watch like a hawk. Because I did, I was able to switch my regular running tights for my thermals and order a long-sleeved shirt to replace the tee I had originally planned with this costume from Amazon Prime. If I hadn't done that, I would have been too cold.

The coldest part of the morning was the waiting for the start. Especially once I had to head into the corrals because I had to hand over my blanket to Mom. But I had a trash bag and tried to get close to people for warmth. Soon though we were off!

Slow start because everyone wants a picture.

Entering EPCOT like a CM

1 down, 2.1 to go!

It was an odd race experience for me because I never actually got warm. I got warm enough, but I never felt myself break into a sweat. My only regret about this race is that I didn't take my time. I found out later I could have stopped for a character pic and still been okay since the 5K 1) isn't timed and 2) wasn't part of the Glass Slipper Challenge. But hindsight is 20/20...and honestly, staying out longer would have meant being cold longer. I did stop for a couple non-character pics though!

Anna was mic'd and asked if I had shopped at Wandering Oaken's

I found Catie at the finish and we had a pic taken! Then I had my first official Finisher portrait, found mom and we had breakfast at the finish!

This was an add on and I have to say the food was DELICIOUS. If you are considering a runDisney weekend, I have to say, consider one of the weekend breakfasts. It's in a tent, protected from the elements, and for Princess weekend, they had Princesses I could have met. I chose not to because we were meeting the appearing princesses in the parks, but if I hadn't been going to the parks or if a princess I hadn't planned to meet elsewhere had been there, I would have jumped in line! For Princess weekend there was a breakfast like this after the 5K and the 10K. We chose the 5K because 1) it was going to be my fastest finish, so sooner breakfast and 2) we already had 10K brunch plans. But I highly recommend the experience. It was nice to have good, hot food with little wait.

Then it was back to the hotel for a shower, a rest and then onto our chosen park for the day! I include some of my fave pics from that day at Hollywood Studios.

I beat Mom at Midway Mania!

Midway selfie!

The night ended with Fantasmic, one of my favorite nighttime shows, and then it was back to the hotel for another early wakeup call.

to be continued...

(This blog has been cross posted at The Main Street Mouse)

Operation Sparkle Recap: The Race Expo

Good morning people!

It has been over a week since I returned from Disney and OH! What a week it has been. I've discovered that I can never go on vacation again, because work gets a little weird in my absence. But I had fun while I was at Disney and cannot wait to go back, so let's get to the recaps, shall we?

I'll start with the race expo, which was crazy! I mean, I knew to expect people and things and lots of things I couldn't afford, but I don't think I expected that level of crazy.

I arrived Thursday afternoon and saw the GREATEST sight in the world:

The only downside to this site was that mom wasn't with me. Her plane had been delayed to mechanical difficulties, I was on my own the first few hours of the trip.

I have to say, I love the new online check-in service Disney is offering. While I was on the bus to my resort, I got a text telling me my room was ready and the room number which meant I could go straight there when the bus dropped me off. Which I did. And it was conveniently next to a bus stop. So I unloaded my carry-on tote (as I took advantage of the Disney checked bag luggage delivery service), repacked what I needed for the expo and was off to ESPN!!

 When I got there, the first thing I did was head to the packet pickup. I picked up my GSC bib and had my picture taken with it (so they could verify I was running). It's important to note that YOU have to pick up YOUR packet. They check IDs to make sure that you are you. This makes it difficult to sell bibs but it's also an added safety feature after Boston.

After I got my GSC bib, I went and picked up my 5K bib and my race shirts. I double checked that the sizes were good, because there is an opportunity for shirt exchange and then it was on to the fun part: SHOPPING.

There are so many vendors at the runDisney expos that it can be a little overwhelming, but that's why I went in with a plan. I didn't want the shoes or the Dooneys, but I had decided I wanted a GSC jacket. When I got there, there appeared to be plenty in each size, but more importantly they had one in mine! I also got an "I Did It!" shirt for the GSC and two GSC headbands. It all cost more than it should have, but YOLO right? I also had the opportunity to meet some princesses, which definitely helped brighten the start of the trip!

 Then I picked up some online orders I had placed with a couple vendors. This is definitely something to look into if a vendor you like is going to be at the expo! Several have the option for you to pick up at the expo, which saves time, and saves shipping costs. Plus you guarantee what you want in your size!

I stopped for one more picture and then it was back on the bus to the hotel to meet mom, who was finally on her way on the Magical Express and we headed to Downtown Disney for dinner, some shopping and then it was time for an early bedtime...3 am would come early the next morning.

to be continued...

 (This blog has been partially cross-posted at The Main Street Mouse)

Operation Sparkle: Flat Addie...NOW with REVISED weather appropriateness!!!!

Well, tomorrow is the day! I get on the plane and I'm off to Orlando and I honestly have no earthly idea how I'm going to get through work today.

I'm very proud of myself because I've gotten to work early every day this week to get ahead on my reading and I've warned everyone I work with that my email checking will be limited and this may actually resemble a REAL VACATION. Except the part where I have to wake up at 3 am every day.

But I'm also almost entirely packed! Even my last minute purchase to make my 5K outfit weather appropriate came yesterday! Especially since runDisney put this out yesterday...

Appropriate, no?

But when I was repacking, I realized y'all have yet to glimpse my costumes! So here we go.

5K Costume: "Anna" from Frozen

The long-sleeved shirt is actually blue. And then I embellished the black top and made the caplet and skirt. And hat with braids. Added some gloves and my long thermal pants. Hopefully I'll be warm...My hat with the braids is probably my favorite this I made for this. 

10K Costume: "Belle" from Beauty and the Beast-Ballroom Scene

I'm a little worried this will prove cold, but hopefully not because I think its so cute! I know her dress is only gold in the movie, but I wanted to add in the pink rose embellishments to tie in one of my favorite icons from the movie. This is also the costume I'll be wearing a tiara with!

Half Costume: "Belle" from Beauty and the Beast - Provincial

This is my favorite Disney outfit EVER. I just hope it's obvious I'm Belle...not Alice in Wonderland...haha. I added some 'hair" to the bow headband so it looks like a ponytail. Hopefully that helps clear it up. This is my simplest costume and that's what I made it the half costume. I wanted to be comfortable.

So those are the costumes! They are all packed up and ready to go! Thanks to Space Bags, they are all in my carryon in case the airline offers to check my bag. And of course, Sven has claimed his spot. 

For those of you who don't know, this is Sven. He travels with me. And poses for Instagram shots. 

Operation Sparkle: A Reflection

So when I said a blog everyday for the week leading up to the culmination of Operation Sparkle...I meant weekdays ;)

Yesterday...well, yesterday it hit me. I think it's been slowly building since the countdown hit single digits...but yesterday, it hit me just how close we actually are. And how far I've come.

I told you last week that there were friends who admitted to me recently that when I told them that I was doing this they doubted I would follow through. Honestly, I doubted I would follow through in some moments. And then over the summer when I found myself registered, I knew that wasn't going to be the case.

I decided to do this a little over a year ago. I had been a runner for approximately 4 months. I had barely finished the couch to 5K program and Catie had just returned from doing the Dopey Challenge at Walt Disney World, where, at my request, she had sent me all sorts of pictures and I thought "I want that. I want to do that." It was further cemented when, a month later, when Catie returned from Princess Weekend.

I started a 10K training program. Then a half marathon training program. Before that was over, I had to register for this weekend and I registered for all three races. Because I'm crazy. Or I will run for bling. One or the other.

In August, I booked my flights and that was the day that my mom decided to come too. And I was so excited. We're staying at a hotel I've never been to and I've been planning since August where and what we were going to do. In September I started GSC training, which saw me through this past weekend, which I decided to skip in favor of not risking injury before the big weekend.

In between January 2014 and now, I've logged over 500 miles. I've run four 10Ks, one 5K and 2 half marathons. I have to admit, it's been challenging. It's been life-changing. Sometimes I can't believe how far I've come and how much of this journey I've still got left. Not counting next weekend, I'm already registered for 5 more half marathons this year, and intend at least one more and a 10-miler. I've got Operation 2015 to complete. And then who knows what's beyond that. The plunge of a full? Time will tell.

But now...now it's almost time to complete the task that started this whole journey. It's crazy to think where I was a year ago...where I am now. How far I've come.