My Magical Disney Vacation...

I'm just back from my 6 day stay in sunny Florida. Temps were in the mid 80's and, sunny. I flew home to 50 degrees and rain in Ohio...sad face. But spending all day every day in the sun got me a great tan!

I won't even dwell on the fact that my flight home was delayed 45 minutes due to a problem with the plane, and  how I saw it all unfold via my coveted window seat......because  I'm home safe and sound, and that's all I prayed for!

The electric parade at the magic kingdom

I had the best time with my high school friend who lives in Orlando. She was a great hostess and took me all over and spent time doing the things she's done a billion times just so I could have a good vacation!

She also works at a Disney resort, so she got me into the parks, including fast passes for several rides, ALL FOR FREE!

My vacation days started before the birds got up, and ended around midnight, we walked on average 7-12 miles a day in the sun, and I loved every single second of it all! I found Disney to be AMAZING!! I had never been! I think I enjoyed it much more as an adult than I would have as a child anyway, seeing how I understand that it costs a buttload to go there, unlike most of the screaming, ungrateful kids I saw at all of the parks!

Here are a few picture highlights in no particular order!

I got to dance with the Parade Characters! (the incredibles here)

We drove almost two hours to see Clearwater beach. I had never been to the gulf.

I could see my feet in waist deep water!!!

I mean...look at this beach!

I just loved this one-legged seagull..

I'm 100% sure that one legged seagull wasn't the jerk that poo'd on me!

A show at the Magic Kingdom

Animal Kingdom Safari

the chimp on the tree of life at Animal Kingdom

 the streets of hollywood studios!

The animatronics were so life-like it was creepy!

Meeting Canadian Lumber Jacks at Epcot..with Sangria!

The Epcot Ball!

 Hollywood Studios

Cinderellas Castle at The Magic Kingdom

You would be surprised how awesome Billy Ocean is when you have been drinking wine all day!

Disney Parade

Spent an entire day two fisting way more wine than food at the food and wine festival

Found a winery that had two resident weiner dogs...I mean I was in heaven!

I had the best vacation! We did so much every day! I got to enjoy the Epcot food and wine festival, Hollywood studios, Animal Kingdom, Clearwater beach, and the hilight.......the Magic Kingdom. 

After watching the electric parade, followed by the lighted castle show, and fireworks at Disney World, I couldn't help but be caught up in all of the Magic of Disney!

I am still riding my Disney high, sorting through over 1,000 pictures, and sporting a super sweet tan!

I am already thinking about my next visit...I plan to run the 2016 princess half marathon at Disney!

I love my life!

Half Marathon #5...and Being a Real Runner...

I still don't refer to myself a runner, despite the last 3 years of training, and all of my races. I think like most aspects of life, you see those that are better than you, and you try to compare yourself, or live up to their levels.

For instance, at most races, I consider the "real runners" to be the ones running around 30 minutes before the race even starts, while I just awkwardly stretch out my leg muscles 10 minutes before start time.

Some say, if you run...you are a runner. I'm trying to embrace this philosophy!

With that said, I had my final half marathon of the season! I did fantastic with my bronchitis, and food issues until around mile 7. I started to count down the miles at this point, which any runner knows...is never a good thing.

Around mile 10, my feet hurt so bad, the numbness turned back into pain, and I started walking/jogging until mile 12. I finally thought...the faster I run, the sooner this will be over!

I finished at 2:38. my best time ever was 2:30 so I was on track to beat that if not for my issues.

I still had fun, the course was beautiful, and I  am celebrating with one...or two glasses of wine while my feet are on ice.

The course is gorgeous!

medal number 12! I am in love with medals!

Speedy Feet Update....

I had my visit to the podiatrist, and turns out I have what is called Morton's Neuroma.  In short, my second and third toe bones are so close together that strenuous activity causes them to aggravate the nerves between the toes, causing a benign nerve tumor.

The Doc was confident that with anti-inflammatories, strategic icing after activity, and some fancy (and expensive) shoe inserts, I would be fine to run my relay, and possibly my upcoming half marathon. If not, he would treat me with cortisone injections right before my race. No fractures, and I didn't have to stop running!

After one run in with my fancy inserts, I developed blisters on the back of my heels because they cause my shoes to fit differently. I didn't have time to break them in slowly, so, I had to forgo the inserts for my 5.5 mile leg of the Akron Marathon relay.

As luck would have it the night before the race I developed bronchitis!! But in true form, and against my Momma's wishes...I pushed through and ran for my team...(ok, and maybe I have a problem admitting defeat!). I even had a 10:14 pace, my average is 9-10, so I was really surprised at that because I felt like I was running in slow motion, and I had a hard time breathing.

The upside? My feet held out for me, and I got my awesome medal. I heart medals!

I visit the foot Doc at the end of the week for my follow up. I am thinking I may need to see him after my half as well, since I won't be able to use the inserts this close to the big race. But I'm more worried about my horrible cough. 

After my half marathon, I'm jet-setting off to Orlando for vacation with one of my oldest friends, where I will celebrate the end of my official race season by drinking large quantities of wine, enjoying Disney (for the first time), the beach, and a week's worth of girl time!