Dopey Challenge Training – Week 28 Will I make it to Disney

My last training run was actually an 8 ½ ride on my new exercise bike.

 

I packed up my gear and went to bed early the day prior to departing for Disney. I have a super early flight out of Spokane.

 

I arrive at the Airport at 4:00am for my 6:00am flight, however my flight got cancelled and rescheduled to 8:00am. This would not give me enough time to go home and come back, so I just hung out in the most boring airport in the nation for 3 hours.

 

I made it to Phoenix, AZ where my flight was delayed by another hour, so what to do…. What to do?? Airport bar hopping of course. I taste tested all the restaurant and lounges that served my favorite beverage…. Margaritas. 

Halfway through my adventures I got a text that my flight was coming in early and then shortly after it was moved back to an hour later. Good lord I’m never getting out of Phoenix. 

FINALLY way after midnight I arrived at my hotel in Disney world. I slept in before heading to the race expo to pick up my bib and buy any merchandise I can’t live without. 

The line to get into Merchandise was wrapped around the building and I was in line for well over 3 hours so when I got in I felt obligated to spend way too much money on merchandise, and I have absolutely no regrets about that at all. 

Training is all done, costumes are all complete and I made it to Disney. It all starts tomorrow. Stay tuned for all my race recaps on YouTube: runrunrosie.

 

Check out my final week of training, just click here!

Dopey Challenge Training – Week 27 We’ve come so Far

This week I competed all my runs on the Treadmill and it was also a week to look back at everything I’ve done over the past six months to get ready for the Dopey Challenge.

 

I started the training on day one with 112 degree sweltering in the heat to ending the training plan in below zero temperatures. There was also that black cloud the first few weeks of training where registration hadn’t even open up yet and the dread that maybe Disney wouldn’t open up in person running. 

 

It was all worth the pain and sometime misery because next week I leave for Walt Disney World and I can’t be more excited. Please Mother Nature, don’t do anything to delay my flights.

 

Next week………………….DISNEY WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

To watch Taper week click here!

Dopey Challenge Training – Week 26 Christmas Time Taper

This is the week I have looked forward to from the beginning…. TAPER TIME! I am taking taper much too literal. I skipped my Tuesday run because I was so sore from that Dopey run through. Then on Thursday I used this day to get last minute Christmas things done and wrap up any lose ends at work, so I could take Friday off to begin the Christmas holiday.

 

Being the silly gal I am, rather than jumping on the tread mill, I battle the snow and ice for my first training run Friday morning. I’ve made it this far in the Training, why do I chance it by risking injury. I did manage to slip and slide through 3 miles during my 40 minutes out in the snow and ice. 

 

Christmas morning, right after a breakfast of Mickey pancakes and opening presents, I went out the door with Baxter for a little walk around the park. 

 

I’m working on packing and figuring out how I’m going to transport my running costumes and making sure I have supplies to complete or fix any last minute costume mishaps. 

 

My pups could hardly keep their eyes open by the end of the Christmas day, actually me either. 

 

Merry Christmas everyone!

 

Watch Taper Week by clicking here!

Dopey Challenge Training – Week 25: Dopey Run Through

This week I’m doing my practice runs for completing the Dopey challenge. I just wish that Mother Nature was a little more cooperative. 

 

The first of my four practice runs was Thursday night after work. I had a late start due to an unexpected snow/ice storm. It took over an hour to drive home from work because the roads were a sheet of ice and apparently everyone forgot how to drive in winter conditions. I did my run/walk through the park near my home, little scary in the dark. My advice is to not run in a park at night. 

 

Run number two was a five miler on the treadmill, it was again after work but at least I was in my climate controlled basement and not slipping around outside. Happily my leg is feeling much better!!!

 

 Run number three was Saturday morning in the middle of a snow storm and as the miles went along I was losing my desire to be out. The snow continued to fall and trying to run through all the snow berms was getting more difficult with each step.

 

Halfway through, I noticed people have finally started waking up and shoveled the pathways. As I reach mile 8 I decided to complete only 9 miles today as I slipped and reinjured my leg. I needed to get back home and rest up for tomorrow’s extra-long run. But I first have to finish up Christmas shopping, my holiday baking and put together my Christmas dinner menu. Holy crap!

 

Run number four will definitely be on the treadmill because I am NOT coming out in this weather again.  I got up super early on Sunday morning and hopped on the treadmill and to my surprise completed 20 miles in 3 and a half hours, so proud of myself!

 

This completes my Dopey run through and I feel so ready for these races in January. This week also ends those long runs, thank goodness taper begins next week!! It’s all downhill from here. 

 

To watch my Dopey run through click here!

Dopey Challenge Training – Week 24: Let it Snow

This week I’m still walking, but with the help of ice, heat, massage and a little stretching, my leg is feeling so much better. But I find running still kind of painful.  I took Thursday off from running (walking) but I have used my new bike every day. I’m a little addicted. I’m not a big fan of biking outside, just never felt very sturdy, so it was never very enjoyable for me. However, I look forward to coming home after work and jumping on for 30 minutes and easily cycling 8 plus miles. 

 

I did my mid-week run on the treadmill and my final training run I went outside but continued to walk, my goal was to complete 7 miles and I DID! 

 

I know some people don’t like to run in hazardous conditions, but I actually love running in the snow, snow that is …. Not ice. I find it very peaceful with a layer of white and the crunching sound my shoes make running on the snow. But this is not for everyone. 

 

When it comes to snow running shoes for snow and ice, you may be surprised to find that your trail running shoes are a perfect fit. Until you start getting in to potentially icy conditions, they will provide enough traction and are often waterproof as well!

 

Remember that slowing down or turning corners will be more difficult, so you’ll need to slow down. It’s time to be cautious, not set any personal bests.

 

If you are an early morning runner, plan your run later in the day if possible so you can use the sunshine to spot ice and possibly warm it to at least slush.

 

I will head for snow over slightly shoveled areas because I find there is more traction there. 

 

I’ve never used them, but I have friends who use tracs for thier running shoes, it’s like studded tires for your shoes

 

You also want to run in layers, so you can shed them as you warm up. I also always have:

•          Gator – my neck is always cold

•          Beanie that will also cover my ears

•          Gloves – don’t have to be super thick

•          Running tights – thicker than my capris

•          Cold weather shirt (under armor) with another shirt over it and then my jacket

•          Sunglasses only if it’s sunny out, otherwise just my regular glasses

 

If the snow is really bad and the temperature is just too darn cold, consider staying indoors and hop on the treadmill. Those are my cold weather tips, hope they help.

 

This week was Baxter’s first visit to Santa, he was a little nervous in the beginning, but he warmed up to him pretty quick. I got some really cute photos of him too. 

Recipes this week is are from the Disney’s Simple Family Cookbook – Turkey nuggets and from the Princess cookbook, I made Sweet Potato coins. I guess I’m still in the Thanksgiving mood. And because I was a little thirsty my cocktail is the Enchanted Martini, because this drink is made with apple schnapps, I would substitute the olive with maybe frozen purple grapes. But, there is nothing wrong with olives, I love ‘em.

 

I thought I was doing everything just perfect, until I realized I bought frosted flakes instead of corn flakes. 

 

Must pay more attention to the ingredients in the recipes!!!

 

These turkey nuggets were doomed from the beginning. 

 

My Sweet potato coins were very pale compared to the photo in the cookbook, and they were mushy and not very tasty. I guess they can’t all be winners.

 

This is what they were supposed to look like............ however.......

This is how mine turned out. 

The sauce for my turkey nuggets tasted just like celery, not sure that’s what they intended, but that’s what I made. And my turkey tenders made with frosted flakes, well I suggest you read the recipe and make your nuggets with corn flakes. I’ll leave it at that!

 

Here are the Turkey nuggets from the book.

Surprisingly, mine look very similar. Can't tell how sweet they are from the photo !?!?!?!?!

 

If you want to watch Week 24 click here!

Dopey Challenge Training Week 23 Take Time to Heal

I had fully intended to get back onto the training plan this week, however my leg and foot have really been hurting. I’ve been using my massage gun every night and all my training “runs” have been walking in the hope that next week I’ll be in better physical shape to start running again. 

 

I’m a pretty fast walker and even though the weather was sloppy rainy and super cold I did all my walking outside. So much more fun than the treadmill.

 

I finally had time to take my sweet Baxter for his very overdue nail clipping. He hasn’t been since before Wine and Dine Weekend.  He’s not so fond of the actually nail clipping experience, however he somehow knows that after nails we go for Pupuccinos!

 

This week I feel so much calmer, I think it’s because craft shows are done, I’m caught up on the race recap videos, work is going well and the busy Thanksgiving holiday are behind me. 

 

This week started the pup’s advent calendar, full of snacks and toys each day till Christmas. I also have a grown up advent calendar, wine each day until Christmas – I think mine is better, but the pups don’t agree. 

 

I ended the week with my Covid booster shot, third one and thankfully no reaction this time. YEA!!!

 

 

Check out Week 23 on my YouTube channel right here!

Dopey Challenge Training Week 22 It's Turkey Time

My first run of the week didn’t happen until Wednesday. I needed some down time after such a busy month. I went in late to work, because our Interim GM left for the holiday and I have “Manager” duty until 8:00pm……. The day before Thanksgiving. 

 

I used this late morning to get my run in as well as decorating the house for the Christmas holiday. After work I went to bed early, because I need to be up at the crack of dawn to prepare the turkey and get ready for the annual Turkey trot.

 

And that’s just what I did. Thanksgiving morning after I seasoned the turkey I put on my Pilgrim costume and headed out to the Turkey Trot. Burn the calories before consuming the calories

This time of year always reminds me of the time when my son was very young and I used to take him to all the different churches and synagogues, houses of worship, etc. around Spokane to educate him on all the other ways people serve the lord. I did this because I wanted him to know there were more religious then just Catholic. One year we visited the Jewish temple during their annual open house. I love doing this every year, because it is so beautiful. The music, dancing and food were all so amazing. They also have a meal after their service and then we exit into a “gift shop”. It’s one of the ways they raise money. I bought him a dreidel and a gefilte fish flashlight. He was in preschool at the time and during one of their show and tells he brought his Jewish toys and somehow convenience all the kids as well as the preschool teacher that we were Jewish. I was not aware of this at the time, however when we entered the month of December that year, I received a Hanukah card from the teacher. When I confronted by sweet boy, he confessed to telling everyone he was Jewish. OMG!

 

So as a joke many years later, I bought my son a Mensch on a Bench, same concept as Elf on a Shelf. I would start hiding our Mensch 8 days prior to Christmas to keep with the Hanukkah theme. 

 

This year my son volunteer to help organize the Thanksgiving Turkey trot and I think he did that to get out of running it with me. After the race I showered, changed into something warm and enjoyed our Thanksgiving feast. 

 

I went to bed pretty early after our celebration because one of my best friends and I always get up at 3:30am the morning after Thanksgiving and head out for black Friday shopping. 

 

We usually stay out most of the day and try to get to bed early again because………………

 

The civil war games are the next day. Not the normal civil war, but the college football rivalry between the University of Oregon ducks and Oregon State Beavers. Now,  neither my friend nor I went to either of these schools, so I really don’t know when the tradition of celebrating this started or if we just needed an excuse for a party.

 

The Training plan went out the window this week, so I need to get serious or I’ll be in serious trouble! With most everything done, expect Christmas I will be able to concentrate on my running, because we are getting scary close to Dopey. 

Check out all the fun during Week 22, just Click here!