Several weeks deep into full marathon training my husband and I decided to take the kids to Disney World to say bye bye to summer in the funnest way a kid can. While packing, I managed to pack my running clothes, Garmin, earphones, ipod, running shoes and the clincher, my set of 10lb free weights. My husband eyes me as I put them into the back of the car and then he agreed it was a great idea because we were going to totally work out this vacation... Sure we were...
So we hit Orlando and first thing we do is grab a delicious burger at a restaurant. Ok, we bargained. We just got here, we are hungry, the kids need food and it's late. Tomorrow we wake up and get a quick run in before hitting the parks. We went grocery shopping and bought our healthy food and snacks and off to rest we went. Next day, our 2 yr old wakes up ready to hit the parks and we are all ready to see Mickey, so we decided it was best to do the runs after the parks. I think Mickey was already laughing at us at this point just waiting to wave his cotton candy bag under my nose. We hit the parks with our turkey sandwiches and water bottles and healthy snacks but who can resist ice cream sandwiches and cotton candy? I mean seriously?! So we ate the sweets and got back to our room about 12 hours after we left. I looked at my running shoes and smiled. My husband came in the room and picked up the weights then moved them to the other side of the dresser and said "Yep that was a great workout". He did this for the next few days and every time a wave of laughter came into the room. I've come to the conclusion that Mickey puts some addictive agent in cotton candy and ice cream sandwiches. You can't just eat one. Or maybe we are both weak.
7am again and we need to get in the rides we didn't do the day before so we pack up our healthy lunches and run off to the parks. Again, we skipped our protein bars snacks for sweets. Mickey is now really laughing at us both. It's like the park should be called Mickey Mouse and HIS Sweet Factory. I kept glancing for ice cream stands. Then we made the mistake of getting a Coke Icee which would become my son's preferred choice of drink. We would give him water and he would refuse begging for a "coco icee". Thanks again Mickey for putting whatever you put into these darn things! The days followed in the same manner. We rushed through parks, rode the attractions, waited in line, laughed and had a great vacation. In between the ice cream sandwiches, we found ourselves having fried food, ice cream, pizza, laughing, enjoying life and feeling the joy that you find in family getaways. We let ourselves go a bit and just lived the moment. We turned off all electronics as well. This was family time and it was FABULOUS! Still not a run between both of us and the weights kept moving from one end of the dresser to the other.
But, we got back to Miami and that very night, my husband went out for his 10 mile run and the very next day I was off on my 8 mile run. Back on track and no more cotton candy nor Mickey Mouse ice cream sandwiches. (To be honest, I think we are are still daydreaming of them!)
Lesson learned, you can take a few days off, eat sweets, break your training rules and then get back and find your groove again. I learned that the discipline you have will remain long after you cheat on a few meals and treat yourself to a few forbidden treats. Once you get back home, the discipline you have maintained will get you back on track as if you never skipped a beat.
I'm now about 16 weeks away from my first full marathon and I am more determined than ever! See you soon 26.2!
