Wednesday, November 5, 2014

It's almost time to 'Wine & Dine!'

Tomorrow is the day- we leave for our 4th Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend! The very first trip Matthew and I took to Disney was for the 2011 Wine & Dine Half Marathon. Matthew ran the half and because I wasn't quite ready yet, I did the 5k offered in the morning. In 2012 and 2013, we both ran the 5k Saturday morning followed by the half Saturday night/Sunday morning.

Our first runDisney race together. Wine & Dine used to be in October, hence the Halloween themed 5k.

While I am unable to run the half marathon this weekend, my orthopedic doctor has cleared me to walk the Jingle Jungle 5k! I'm excited about this for a number of reasons:

  1. It will be AMAZING to be back in a race. 
  2. Walking through Animal Kingdom before it opens? Awesome! 
  3. EVERYTHING IS CHRISTMAS-THEMED! :-)


Jingle Jungle 5k 2012

Jingle Jungle 5k 2013

Other reasons why this will be a fantastic trip? This will be my dad's first half marathon! He and his girlfriend (Margie) are joining us for the whole vacation. It will be so fun to do Disney with my dad- the last time we were in Disney together was my first-ever trip to Disney World- 14 years ago! I can't wait to show him all the changes in the different parks.

We are also meeting up with Matthew's cousin, hanging with a bunch of runner friends, and we've booked a breakfast feast at Boma Flavors of Africa with our friend Matthew of Hokeyblog fame after the 5k Saturday morning. And then there's the post-half marathon after-party in Epcot where we'll be eating and drinking our way around the world. Lots to look forward to!

I have to admit, I am a little sad and disappointed that I won't be able to run the half marathon this year- hands down, this is my all-time favorite race. And it would have been amazing to cross the finish line of my dad's first half marathon with him. But, I know he's in good hands with Matthew and he'll have a blast running through the parks at night.

Now, for a costume reveal! Matthew and I originally planned other costumes but after my injury, I felt this was more appropriate:



With a little help from my friends at Sparkle AthleticSparkly Soul, and Enell, I'm ready to walk my first post-stress fracture 5k! Matthew will be walking with me as Superman- isn't he the greatest? I have to give him a quick shout out: Thank you, Matthew for dressing up in costume with me for races! You are earning your stars in heaven! :-)

I'll be posting a ridiculous amount of pictures on instagram, twitter, and facebook this weekend so make sure you're following along and if you see me or Matthew, please say hi!


Who will we see at the Wine & Dine Half Marathon this weekend?!


13 comments:

  1. YAY! Hope you guys have a fabulous time.

    Random note about when it used to be in October...the half in 2011 fell on my 30th Birthday and my Mom tried very hard to talk me into doing it. But after my horrendous Princess Half in 2011, I was still swearing off running. My how the times change... :)

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    1. Isn't that something?! I could have kicked myself for not doing the half in 2011- I was too scared! Progress is a great thing :-)

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  2. I'm so happy that you were cleared for the 5k! There's no greater place for your first post injury race than at Disney! Can't wait to see all of your pics throughout the weekend!

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    1. Thanks, Kathryn! And thank you for all your encouraging words these past few weeks- you are so awesome!

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  3. Yay! That's so great you were cleared to walk the 5k - definitely better than having to sit both races out! I'll be there, and I hope to meet you and Matthew in person at some point over the weekend :)

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    1. Yes, please! Are you running the 5k and the half?

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    2. I am! It's my first year with the 5k and third year for the half - I'm so excited :)

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    3. Oh you will love this 5k! Lets meet up in the morning!

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  4. Woo-hoo! I can't think of a more awesome place for you to make your comeback than at Walt Disney World! I'm so glad that you will be able to walk the 5K! I'm looking forward to meeting you before the half marathon, although my method for picking you out in a vast crowd of people was going to be to look for the person in the scooter. Happily, that will not be the case! I am alternating between excitement and anxiety about the race--hopefully the excitement will win out! :)

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    1. Excitement will definitely win out! I'll email you my phone number so you can text me :-)

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  5. Sorry you cannot do the half, but so glad you'll be able to go and walk the 5K

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  6. Breakfast at BOMA is gonna be awesome :) I can't think of a better carb-loading station before a night race. Plus we can discuss other fascinating blog-related promotional stuff and I can impress everyone with my buttkickin' Isicathulo dance moves! And by "buttkickin" I mean they'll probably kick my butt right outta there for terrifying parents and making young children cry :-\ I better leave dancing to the other Matthew...

    See you real soon!

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