Inaugural runDisney Enchanted 10k

My Ariel costume!

The morning of the inaugural runDisney Enchanted 10k started like every other runDisney event--early!  Staying at a monorail resort allowed me to sleep in a little, but still--3:30 is early! Taking the monorail torace morning added a of extra magic.  Riding up to the race area and seeing all the people just added to my excitement--this was my first every 10k in Walt Disney World!

Heather, me, Jackie

I got to Epcot and headed toward the start area to find my friends.  Before heading to our separate corrals, we checked out each others costumes, took some pictures, and wished each other luck!  Our master plan was to start in our assigned corrals and meet up in the picture lines.  The goal for this race was to have fun and get lots of pictures.

Queen Elsa! 

The race started out in the Epcot parking lot.  For the first mile we ran toward the Magic Kingdom, away from Epcot.  On top of the first over pass we ran under, there she was--Queen Elsa from Frozen!  She, along with her sister Anna, are the two hottest Disney character rights now. At the first mile marker, runners made a sharp turn around, back toward Epcot.  The first three miles were all highway.  They were kind of boring, but we know Epcot and the Disney Boardwalk area were ahead of us--so we keep going strong.

Right after the 5k mark, we entered Epcot--near the Germany area.  By this time, I was running with my friend Jackie.  Jackie and I ran into our friend Heather in line to see Tiana and the Princess and the Frog characters.  That is the best part of runDisney events--running with friends and getting character pictures!  Once we made it into the park, we saw lots of characters.





Half way through Epcot's World Showcase, we left Epcot for a whirl around the Disney Boardwalk.  The Boardwalk is one of my favorite places in Walt Disney World.  It feels so much like an actual Mid Atlantic Boardwalk, yet is still very Disney.  The Disney Boardwalk is a most idealistic version of the a real Boardwalk, as Main Street USA in the Magic Kingdom is an idealistic version of any main street in America. In line to see baseball Goofy at ESPN Zone, our friend Allison caught up to us. Together, the four of us ran the one mile trial around the Disney Boardwalk, past the Swan and Dolphin hotels, and past Disney's Yacht and Beach Clubs.

We got into our last half mile as we reentered Epcot.  Runners were treated to something very cool there--giant Lumiere and Genie parade floats. They were very neat to see.  After a few more character stops, there was mile six!  Only .2 left to go!  The four of us ran the last .2 miles to finish strong.  Our official race times were nothing to brag about, but running with friends makes a slow time so very worth it.   After crossing the finish line, I collected my beautiful medal and then got it line for my Glass Slipper Challenge bracelet.  After some water and snacks, I headed to Hollywood Studios for a fun filled Disney day, and a ride on Toy Story Mania.








A dream is a wish...

--Amy

A Secret Film Illegally Shot in Disney World

In the past week or so I have been seeing things on Twitter about some mysterious guerrilla film that was secretly filmed at Walt Disney World.  This immediately got my interest--people typically can't sneeze at Disney without them know it.  You are always being watched there.  This fact does not bother me, but its a simply fact.  How did these people shot a film without being detected?

I followed a link and watched the trailer.  Wow!  This is a dark film.  After reading the comments, I got a better sense of how it was done.  The film makers used typical consumer video cameras, like every other family in the parks.  They kept scripts only on their phones--they did not bring paper scripts into the parks.  Something I found very interesting is the film was shot in black and white.  I wonder why?  These guys did a great job at not getting caught.

Would I see the film?  Sure!  I am always up for anything Disney related, no matter what it is.  My favorite episode of "Full House" as a kid was the one where they went to Disneyland.  I watch all the documentaries about how the park was made, how its run ect.  As you know, I am a sucker for all things Disney!  If I can yell out--"look its Space Mountain", I'm in!  I don't think I will go out of my way to see it though.  I think I will just wait for it to hit Netflix.

What do you think of this movie?  Will you go see it?

A dream is a wish...

--Amy

Why do you runDisney?

Mr. runDisney TV  #saveDennis

There has been a lot of rumors swirling around social medal over the past 72 hours about some shake ups at runDisney.  The rumors have been about budget cuts, job cuts, reorganizations, personal issues ect.  I have read the opinions of so many runDisney enthusiasts upset about the shake ups, saying that some of the things we have grown to love about runDisney will be "no more".   While these are parts of runDisney I will very much miss, I got to thinking--what made me do my first runDisney event?  What got me to become a huge fan of runDisney?

For me, it was just being at Walt Disney World on a random race weekend.  I did not know runDisney even existed until I was on a trip at WDW during the first week of January several years back.  They were setting up for marathon weekend.  As the week went on, more and more runners ascended on WDW and the excited began to mount.  I loved it!  The thought of running through the castle was the only thing that could ever get me to start running.  My favorite moment of every Disney vacation is the first glimpse of the castle in Magic Kingdom.  I started to think of--oh cool would it be to actually be part of a runDisney event?  I decided that the next year, I would be one of those runners!

What got you first interested in doing a runDisney event?  Where you a Disney fan first and then became a fan of runDisney or where you a runner first who decided to try out a runDisney event?  Do the "celebrities"  at the events make you want to be a part of it?  What about what you read in social media and in blogs?  The celebrities play absolutely no role for me in doing a runDisney event. Now I love being part of runDisney social media, but it had nothing to do with me becoming a Disney runners and it has nothing to do with me coming back for future events.  I am not saying that I have all the answers or all the facts--this is just one runners opinion.  If marketing costs was the issue, maybe cutting the cost of the celebs could be an answer.  It can't be cheap to cover all their costs.  Even though its not why I do the events, certain personalities of race weekend that were cut will be missed! Race morning just won't be the same.

That was my "why".  What is yours?  Why did you sign up for you first runDisney event?

A dream is a wish...

--Amy

My Disney Experience Magic Bands

This is how the bands will be shipped out to guests!

While in Walt Disney World last week, I got a special sneak peek of the brand new, not yet released, My Disney Experience Magic Bands!  This is a brand new, state of the art technology that Disney is pioneering.  This band has a RFID chip in it.  It's your park ticket, your room key, your fast pass, your meal plan ticket, your credit card, your photo pass, and child ID system--that right its, well, magic!

Getting to check the bands out before they are released was so cool!  I got to ask the Cast Members lots of questions.  My first questions was "when are they coming out?"  I did not get a straight forward date, but I did get a "in about two months."  The CM explained Disney wants to hold off on release until they are certain all the kinks are worked out.  With the bands doing so much, there is alot that can go wrong.  I, for one, am happy to see them wait rather an hype up something that does not work very well.  Each family member will get to choose their own color band.  The first one will be free, but there will be a fee if the first one it is lost and need to be replaced.  Disney also has plans to introduce themed bands based on characters, movies, themes ect.  for purchase.

When I was wearing the band, it felt comfortable--just like wearing a watch.  Disney devised a genius way to
ensure that one band can will fit everyone.  See the outer dark gray part?  That part can be separated from the main band, making just the brightly colored part perfect for a child.  The bands are water proof, so they can be worn at the pool and water parks too.  The bands are meant to enhance your Disney experience.  Does your child love Mickey?  How magical would it be for your child to walk up to Mickey and be greeted by name?  This would make them feel so special.  How much do you hate carrying a park ticket, your room key, your fast passes, your photo pass, your credit cards ect all though the parks?  This band makes it so much easier to go hands free.  If you band can carry that much info, security must be a big concern, right?  Disney has thought of that one too.  First of all, no guest will be forced into the MagicBands system.  If you prefer, you can get an old fashion ticket, room key ect.  Each band is protected by a four digit PIN, just like a debit card, so someone else using it will not be a concern.  What your child's privacy?  Again, you can add or omit as much or as little info about your child as you would like. I like the band features for child safety.  If your child get separated from your group, their band can be scanned by a CM and your emergency phone number can be called, rejoining them with the group quickly.

What do you think about the MagicBands?  What is your favorite feature?

A dream is a wish...

--Amy

Exploring the Disney's Port Orleans Royal Rooms

Over the runDisney Princess Half Marathon weekend, I had the chance to check out Disney's Port Orleans Riverside.  I had a big group of clients staying at this resort in the Royal Rooms, so headed over to the resort to make sure everything was ready for them.

Port Orleans is a charming resort that transports visitors to the land of the beautiful Mississippi.  The main building holds the registration area and resort's quick service restaurant.  Outside of the main area is a giant water wheel that actually works.  The building is right on the Port Orleans water way.  A key highlight of Port Orleans is that along the water way travels boats to and from Down Town Disney.  How perfect is that with the theme of the Mississippi!

My clients were staying in my travel agency's room block at the new and beautifully themed Royal Rooms.  These rooms are Princess themed!  All of the classic princesses are represented.  No detail is over looked--from the bedspreads, the carpeting, the light--it was all perfectly themed.  The fixtures are trimmed in gold. "Chip", the teacup from "The Beauty and the Beast" lines the ceiling on a beautiful boarder.  Around the room are framed portraits of all of your favorite Disney Princesses 

These rooms are fit for royalty.  The headboards light up!  Going with the theme of the Mississippi, Princess Tiana from Disney's "The Princess and the Frog" is the featured princess on the headboard.  The bedspread represents all of the Disney princesses, with little hint of each woven in--an apple, a glass slipper, a rose, a mirror, and a lamp.

The bathroom faucet is a golden magic lamp.  The clothing rack is a magic pumpkin.  The shower curtain is "The Little Mermaid" themed, complete with dingle-hoppers, snarfblats, star fish and glowing jewels.  The carpeting is royal blue, with Aladdin's magic carpet mixed in.

Anything princess is usually pink, frilly, and flamboyant.  These rooms were none of those.  Disney really had families in mind when they designed these rooms.  There is no way I could talk my husband or son into staying at a "princess" room, but these Royal Rooms even he would love.  The Disney touches are very subtle  but still there.  We had so much fun walking around the room and looking for all the princess references, and a hidden Mickey or two.

To say I was impressed with the resort and the Royal Rooms is an understatement.  These rooms are perfect!  I can't wait to take my little prince and princess to stay in them.  Even if I wasn't a self described Disney nerd, I would love these rooms.  They are amazing.

A dream is a wish...

--Amy


If you are planning a Disney trip--please contact me!  My services are free!  amy@mousekeplanner.com

Be Our Guest

With the opening of the all new Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom, "Be Our Guest" is the hardest reservation to get right now in Walt Disney World.  If you do not make a reservation 180 day out at 6 am, you will not get in.  The restaurant is Beauty and the Beast themed.  The Beast is there for pictures after your meal. I loved the character meal hybrid.  It was not crazy busy like a character meal, but you still get to see a hard to catch character with almost no line.  I hope they do something like this again with another restaurant   

My family got to Be Our Guest and checked in.  We were asked to wait on the bridge for our name to be called.  It was amazing beautiful.  The sun was just setting in the distance behind the Beast's castle.  It was a perfect way to wait for our turn.  We asked to be seating in the "west wing" section.  We had to wait a bit for it, but the wait so so worth it.  The west wing was perfect--so life like and true to the movie. In the West Wing dining room is the rose!  It looked just as it would when Belle snuck in to see what the Beast was hiding.  Pure Disney magic!

When my family was seated I could not help but notice all the attention to detail that Disney is famous for. At each setting was a rose made from a napkin.  My kids and I raved about how cute it was.  The waitress stopped what she was doing and gave a lesson on how to make the roses.  This gave the kids something to do while we waited for our food.  After we ordered, my husband and I wondered around the dining room to take it all the magic.  We were so impressed. Every few minutes, it would thunder and the lights would dim.  The room was quiet and had an eerie feeling to it.  

Our meals came in no time.  I got the pork chop, my husband got the steak and french onion soup.  The food was very good.  The service was good too.  I doubt this restaurant is ever know for its food or service.  No matter how good they may be, its ability to take you right inside a Disney movie is what Be Our Guest will be famous for.  My family loved our experience at Be Our Guest.   Don't forget to ask for the Grey Stuff--its delicious!

A dream is a wish...

--Amy

The New Fantasyland

When I was in Walt Disney World for the Wine and Dine Half Marathon, I had the opportunity to preview the brand new but not open to the public yet Fantasyland.  I was not sure what to expect.  There has been so much hype, could Disney live up to it all?

My family got to the roped off section that leads to the new Fantasyland and we were all given wristbands that gave us access to the rides and attractions.  Our first stop was Story Time with Belle.  This attraction is so innovative!  You wait in a line that leads you through Belle's yard, then through the cottage, then into Maurice's workshop.  This is when the show starts!  I don't want to ruin all the surprises for you, but it is a truly magical experience.  Members of the audience are invited to play parts of the story.  My son was asked to be the Beast.  The show was so well done.  Not a single detail was overlooked.  We loved the experience so much, that we did it three times.  After Story Time with Belle, we explored Belle's village.  We stopped in Gaston's Tavern for a famous Disney cinnamon roll.

After checking out the village, we went under the sea.  We rode the Voyage of the Little Mermaid.  The ride it's self was a lot of fun and very well done, but I had rode it before.  It's the same ride as in Disneyland's California Adventure park.  What was extraordinary about the east coast version of the ride the ride entry queue.  There were no people in the line for the ride, but we still chose to take our time and take in all the wonder that was the ride entry line.  The Imagineers really out did themselves on this one!  The way they take you from a beautiful seaside village to under the sea is simply amazing.  The intricate attention to detail is astounding. The ride vehicle is a clam shell.  The ride it classics Disney animatronics, but with a modern update.

After the ride, we again went under the sea, but this time for a visit Ariel herself at Ariel's Grotto.  The same attention to detail was observed at the grotto as it was the ride.  When it was our turn, we got to visit with Ariel--the mermaid.  My family has met Ariel plenty of times in many different locations, but she was always wearing her human legs.  It was so much fun to meet Ariel the mermaid.  The actress did an amazing job.  She stayed in character the whole time, flipping her fins and asking my kids how far their swim was to get to her.  Her costume was so beautiful and life like.  The experience as so much fun and so magical for my family.

After the princesses, we had a chance to check out the new Storybook Circus area.  This is where not one, but two Dumbo rides are.  Disney created a new and innovative ride queue concept with this attraction. Guests are given a pager, just like the one you get at a restaurant.  Families can play in the brand new, indoor circus play area until they are paged.  The line area for this ride is very short--you do your waiting in the interactive play area instead of a boring line.  What a great way to pass the wait time for your ride!  When it's your turn, you pager goes off and you head to the ride.  Also in this area is an arcade and the Barnstormer, a children's roller coaster.  As with all of the new Fantasyland, the attention to detail with the new Dumbo ride is amazing.  I could have spent all day just marveling at the details put into the designs.  

My family was so fortunate to be part of the new Fantasyland preview.  Disney really outdid itself on this one.  I had very high expectations for the new Fantasyland.  My expectations were met and surpassed for sure.  As Walt would say, they took a great idea and they "plused it"!  The new Fantasyland grand opening is December 5th, 2012.

A dream is a wish...

--Amy

Disneyland

Sleeping Beauty's Castle (photo by Danielle Ryan)

I just got back from an amazing trip to Disneyland!  My main reason for crossing the country was to run in the runDisney Disneyland Half Marathon.  I am not going to lie, I was just as excited to visit Disneyland again   as I was to run in the race.  I love Disneyland!  It's the original--its the park that Walt built.  His spirit can be felt all over the place.

My favorite DL mountain--The Matterhorn

I am the Disneyland guru at my travel agency.  People often ask me which I like better--Disneyland or Walt Disney World?  Well, that is a tough question!  Usually the one I like best is the one I was at most recently.  Honestly, I can not answer that question.  I love the size of WDW.  There is always something new to do or see, even when you go as often as I do.  The history and nostalgia of Disneyland can not be beat.  I tell people I can not chose my favorite.  And then I ask them theirs.  If I hear that they have not been to both, I then insist they go!  As similar as the two parks are on the surface, they have two distantly different feels.

Splash Mountain

The Magic Kingdom in WDW and Disneyland are very similar.  In both parks, guests enter the park to a Main Street.  At the end of each Main Street sits a beautiful castle.  Both parks have a lot of the same rides--Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, The Haunted Mansion, Small World, ect.  While these rides are not exactly the same at each park, they are similar enough to hold the same name.  Disneyland has more rides than the Magic Kingdom, but it is a smaller park.  My favorite ride in Disneyland is the Matterhorn, a mountain ride that is similar to Expedition Everest in WDW's Animal Kingdom.

The Haunted Mansion

The Disneyland Resort is much smaller than WDW.  The Disneyland Resort has just two theme parks, Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure. The resort has just three resort hotels.  I will tell you more about this on another day!  If you have any questions or want more information on a Disney vacation, contact me at amy@mousekeplanner.com

A dream is a wish....

--Amy

Heading Off to the Disneyland Half!

In just 12 short hours, I will be on my way to the airport--heading out to the Disneyland Half Marathon!  I could not be more excited!  I am meeting my running besties for a fun girls weekend.  I also have some work to do while I am there.  First, I have to take lots and lots of pictures of the brand new Cars Land is Disney's California Adventure for my travel agency's website.  Also, I am working the Expo on Saturday morning at the SparkleSkirts booth.  Can these things really be considered work?  Taking pictures at the happiest place on Earth and helping ladies try on the best running skirts out there?  Probably not.

The Disneyland Half Marathon is Sunday morning.  This will be my second runDisney half.  I am expecting the really early morning to be easier since it is on the west coast.  I love races on the west coast--a 3 am wake call feels like 6 am due to the time change.  I am a Californian a heart I guess.  I am also stoked to get my Coast to Coast medal.  runDisney gives a special medal to runners who run a race in Walt Disney World and Disneyland in the same calendar year.  Since I did the Princess, the Disneyland half will qualify me for this honor.

I can't wait to see all of the changes to Disney's California Adventure.  So many changes have been made since I was there last year. Cars Land is finished.  The park entrance is completely different.  I am so excited to see it.  The Disneyland Hotel is also all new.  The brand new pool looks amazing, with a slide featuring the park's original monorail.  I also can't wait to be in Disneyland again.  It is the park that Walt build.  Disney World was his dream, but he never got to put that dream into action.  Disneyland is all Walt.  You can feel his spirit as you walk down Main Street.

A dream is a wish....

--Amy

What's next?

About fourteen months ago I made the goal of my life—I was going to run the Disney Princess Half Marathon.  To be honest, I was not sure back then that I would be able to do it.  After all, I had a hard time running the mile during physical fitness week in junior high. When I played softball, I had to be able to hit really far because it took me a long time to get around the bases.  Me, 13.1 miles?  Really?

 I started this blog as a place to meet new friends, but also to keep me accountable.   If I stopped training and in turn posting, I knew some of you would call me out on it.  It happened last spring.  I was having a hard time accepting that things were not improving with my daughter’s health.  Because of my readers who called me out, I got back to training and back on track.   I trained hard, along with all of you right there with me, and I accomplished my goal. 

So now that I have completed my first big goal, what now?  I have been asked that a lot over the past two weeks since the Disney Princess Half marathon.  Would I keep running or was it a “one and done” deal for me.  Well, I am happy to tell you that I will keep at this running thing.  The princess was a wonderful first half marathon, but now I need to get a great PR.  I have come to far to stop now.  I have more half marathons line up for this year, as well as some smaller, local 5 and 10k’s.  Here is a list of what I have planned for 2012, so far anyway. 

• Hershey Park 10k April 15, 2012
• San Diego Rock and Roll Half to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society: June 3, 2012 (click to the right to donate wink, wink)
• Baltimore Women's Classic 5k: June 24, 2012
• York Rail Trail 10 Miler: August 25, 2012
• Disneyland Half Marathon: September 2, 2012 (anyone need a roommate???)
• Diva Half Marathon: Long Island, October 7 2012
• Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon: November 9, 2012

As a lofty goal, I am considering doing the Walt Disney World Goofy Challenge in January 2014.  The Goofy challenge is a half marathon on Saturday and then a full marathon on Sunday.  Crazy, right?  To do this, I am going to try to do a full marathon some time in 2013. 

Since the princess is over, what are you running plans now?  Was the princess your only half marathon, or are you now hook on running , like me. 

A dream is a wish…

--Amy

***Please remember to register formy virtual 5k.  Registration is just $20 and all proceeds go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to help kick cancers a$$!  You walk or run the distance between now and March 18.  As a thank you for supporting the LLS, I will send you a finisher medal—BLING included.  I am also giving away a heart rate monitor watch in a raffle of all registered.  Will you help us to kick cancers a$$?  

Tangled Royal Family 5k

Last Saturday, February 25, I had the pleasure to participate in the Tangled Royal Family 5k.  The day started very early for me.  I woke up at 5:30 am and met my friend Robyn and her hilarious eleven year old son, Shawn, for our drive from Bay Lake Tower over to the Polynesian Resort.  Before we caught the bus to the race, we stopped in Captain Cook’s for some much needed coffee.  Then we were off to the Epcot Imagine parking lot at the race staging area. 

We got there around 6:15.  The staging area was rocking with a fun DJ and lots of characters.  I meet some friends and had a blast taking photos and passing the time.  When it was time to head to the start line, a Disney singer beautifully sang the National Anthem.  The start line was a bit chaotic with kids and strollers mixed in with the runners.   runDisney tried to get faster runners up front and walkers/stroller in the back with minutes per mile signs up at the start, but they were not generally followed.  The race started and we were off!

The first mile or so was run in the Imagine parking lot.  I spent most of the first mile bobbing and weaving between children, walkers and stroller.  This was alright with me because it was a fun run after all.  I had lost my friends by then.  That is okay with me, as I prefer to run my races alone.  I love having friends to hang out with before the start and at the finish, but I prefer to run alone.  As we approached Epcot, I got a nice glance at the back of World’s Showcase and Test Track.  I find it so fascinating to see the “behind the scenes” stuff. 

Running through World’s Showcase was amazing.  We entered the park at the Mexican pavilion.  World’s Showcase is one of my favorite places in Walt Disney World, so seeing it in a different light was very fun.  I don’t usually get to see it that early in the morning, with the pavilions empty.  There were characters at about every other country, but the lines were very long so I did not stop.  About half way through the countries, I ran into a friend from back home.  We both knew each other would be at the race, but with 5,000 runners, I did not expect to see her there.  We ran out of World’s Showcase together.  Then it was on to Future World, out of Epcot and through the finish line!

At the Tangled Royal Family 5k, I earned my first race medal. I will cherish that medal forever because it was my first.  Going into the race, I looked at it as practice for the half marathon.  I practiced what to eat, how to get to the Poly to park, getting my coffee, riding the race bus.  Doing all these things the day before the half put me at ease for the big day.  I had two outfits for the half that I could not decide between.  I wore my purple SparkleSkirt! I got at the expo and my princess Balancing Act Clothing top.  I decided that since this was a Rapunzel race, I had to wear my purple outfit for the 5k. 

Did you run the Tangled Royal Family 5k?  What did you think of it?  Have you ever had a “practice race”? 

A dream is a wish…

--Amy

Single Digits

In less than one week, I will have that bib in my hands.  I will have my official princess half shirt, and hopefully my new Dooney and Bourke wristlet.  My goody bag will be spread out on my bed at Bay Lake Tower.  My race outfit will be hanging in the closet.  I will be looking out my window at Cinderella Castle.  Yes ladies, we have entered the single digit countdown until the Disney Princess Half Marathon.

It seems like forever since I started my training.  Actually, it’s been over a year.  After all that time and all that training and I am a week out from one of the biggest goals I have ever set for myself.  Now that we are just one week out, you would think I would be nothing but a bag of nerves, right.  That I would be a crazy, nervous mess?  Yea, so did I.  Well, none of that is true.  I am happy to report that I feel a strange calm.  I am not calm about anything!  I feel like I have put the time in, that I am as ready as I am going to be.  That I am ready!  There is nothing to do now but pack my bags and head to Walt Disney World.

I have three runs left before we go.  I plan to do around five miles on Sunday, but that could prove difficult with an impending snow storm destine to hit.  Hopefully I will get my run in before the bad weather hits.  Then I have my 30 minute runs on Tuesday and Thursday.  That’s it!   Walt Disney Princess Half Marathon, here we come!

How do you feel in this weekend before the race?  Are you nervous, confident, calm, ready?  

A dream is a wish...

--Amy

My First Running Injury

I don’t know if this is something to complain about or something to brag about, but it seems I have my very first running injury.  Apparently, I have an injury to my Patellair Ligament—a ligament just south of the knee.   

My daughter sees a physical therapist a few times a week. The physical therapist, Mary, was nice enough to look at my knee for me.  She told me it is a very common injury to runners, probably caused by coming to abrupt stop.  That makes sense to me because the Turkey Trot was a very crowded course and I did a lot of bobbing and weaving with many instant stops.  Mary told me that since this is a small, thin ligament it does not get much blood flow.  Not getting much blood flow means it will heal slowly.  She suggested Aleve and rest.   

The Aleve feels like it is working. The rest part is going to be difficult for me.  Last week, my family visited Walt Disney World.  We had a great time, but as you know, you walk all day long at Walt Disney World.  Now that I am home, I plan to take this whole week off from running.  I am hoping to heal enough to get back on my Jeff Galloway Disney Princess Half Training plan on Monday.  If it takes more than a week to heal, I will take all the time my body needs to heal.  I will not let this temporary injury become permanent. 

What types of running injuries have you sustained?  How long were you on the side line? 

A dream is a wish…

--Amy