Hello, friends!  I’m writing this as I rest post race at Walt Disney World with an ice pack on my left knee and two new shiny metals glittering on the nightstand next to me.  It’s been one heck of a busy week for this busy bee, but also one filled with many accomplishments (or personal triumphs, as I like to call them).  I’m so happy to be able to share my thoughts on the past week with you.  Your continuous support never ceases to amaze me!

Cramming It All In Before WDW

I mentioned I’ve been even busier this week than usual.  That’s because I did a whole lot of filming, editing, uploading, and scheduling to cover my three YouTube channels while I’m away.  I knew I didn’t want to leave a ten day gap with no content whatsoever and it turned out to be quite the feat to get all I had planned ready before my departure.  I am proud to say I managed to complete seven videos in advance to publish on YouTube while I’m away – one on OLJ, one on MHWL, and five on TBBB.   Doing this while keeping up with my regular content posting made for a week’s worth of early wake up calls, but it was worth it.  I actually met all of my deadlines before we left on Thursday for our trip.  That’s always such a good feeling!

Growing Braver in New Social Situations

As some if you may know, I suffer from social anxiety, which makes personal encounters challenging for me, especially when I’m meeting people I don’t know.  I’ve been doing a lot of growing and changing in this area for the past couple of years.  I receive frequent requests to host meet-ups where you guys can come meet me.  Just the thought of it completely terrified me up until recently.  After a botched attempt at piecing together a meet-up at the Tinker Bell Half Marathon last month, I decided I was ready to actually give it a real chance.  I committed to a bonafide meet-up at the race expo on Saturday with an exact time and location.  No backing out of that one (which was the point)!

I actually met one nice family at the Magic Kingdom on our first night here and was shocked that someone recognized me in the crowd!  (They actually were able to identify us due to Don’s “distinguishable head.” 😉 ) A couple of people found me at the race expo on Friday (which was an absolute zoo!), too.  I was a complete ball of nerves for the latter half of the week leading up to the meet-up, but luckily I had Don’s hand to hold, which is always helpful.  I really didn’t have anything to worry about, because everyone I’ve met so far has been incredibly sweet.  I met ten people at the meet-up, which far exceeded my expectations.  Thanks to all who came to visit me!  I also met about five more people who recognized me during the race this morning.  All in all I had an extremely positive experience this weekend meeting new people.  It was such a pleasure to meet you all!  Please feel free to come up and introduce yourself if you ever see me somewhere in the future.

When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going

This crazy week culminated in the Princess Half Marathon, which took place this morning.  O.M.G.  It did not go quite as I had hoped, but proved to be one of those real life learning moments.  Sometimes life throws you curveballs and you just have to deal with them, no matter how big or small.  I was coasting for the first four miles, feeling really solid and strong. Suddenly the outside of my left knee started to twinge.  By mile six I could barely keep up a steady run.  I resorted to a strange walk/run/shuffle combination until mile eight when the pain was so great I had to stop running altogether. Fortunately I was able to walk pretty fast without too much pain.

I had to really battle with myself and my expectations to come to terms with the situation.  First I was upset that I couldn’t run the way I wanted to.  My lower legs felt solid and my lungs and heart were strong, but my left knee just couldn’t deal with the impact, even at a shuffle.  I managed to let go of my disappointment and moved on to sheer determination to will myself through the last five miles of walking.  By mile eleven I had started to really hurt again, but gritted through it because I was just so darn close.  Once mile twelve rolled around, I had entered Epcot for the final leg of the race.  At this point I was filled with a sense of euphoria and walked the whole last mile with a huge grin from ear to ear.  I managed to hobble over the finish line, finishing in just under three hours.  Not only did I earn my beautiful Princess bling, I also picked up the Coast To Coast medal, an honor awarded to those who complete a Disney half or full marathon on both coasts in the same calendar year.

I can’t bend my left knee right now and I’m uncertain how serious this injury is just yet, but I am ecstatic nonetheless.   I think the race means even more to me since I had to overcome this unexpected hurdle.  I know it’s not the worst thing to happen to a person in the grand scheme of things.  I am just so grateful that I was able to deal with the loss of my race expectations and set new goals on the spot.  This is definitely a personal triumph for me in itself.  Finishing the race with two new medals to add to my growing collection is just the icing on the cake.  What a way to celebrate turning thirty!  What can I do at thirty-one to top this? 😉

This week was all about personal triumphs for me.  The thing is, it’s not easy to get there, but once you do it is more than worth the effort in my experience.  It’s all about the journey, friends, and I’m so happy to be able to share it with you.  What a week!  I hope you all had a great one.  If you’ve had any personal triumphs lately that you’d like to share, please do! ((HUGS))

** Knee Update – I started recovering very soon after ice, Advil, and a restful afternoon post race.  I am already able to bend the knee  and walk normally just one day later.  I can tell it will need a longer break from running, perhaps a couple of weeks.  I wanted to thank you guys for your kind words, congratulations, and well wishes for a speedy recovery.**

(FYI – the Internet situation at the hotel has been spotty at best, so please forgive me if it takes me some time to approve your comments and get posts up on WTZ for the next week.)