Mermaid and the Mouse

08/04/2026

The biggest lesson marathon training has taught me so far?

Sometimes getting faster starts with slowing down.

This week I even dropped down a pace target level in the Peloton app. It wasn’t the easiest decision (my ego had some thoughts 😅), but I knew my long runs needed to be easier.

So this weekend I kept my pace about 1–2 minutes per mile slower than goal race pace, stayed mostly in heart rate zones 2–3, and the difference was incredible.

Today I don’t feel exhausted. I don’t feel like I got hit by a bus. I actually feel energized and ready to tackle another week of training.

That’s the goal of a long run. Build endurance. Recover well. Come back ready to train again.

Trusting the process isn’t always glamorous, but it’s working.

✅ Week 5 complete.
🏃‍♀️ Week 6 of 16 starts now.
🎯 Marine Corps Marathon… let’s do this!

If you’re training for a race this fall, have you had to swallow your pride and slow your pace too? Let me know below! 👇

08/03/2026

90 minutes ✔️

Today’s run came with a little ego check… and honestly, I think it was the right move.

I dropped down a pace target in Peloton for my long runs because my heart rate was creeping way higher than it should. It’s not always fun to slow down, but easy runs are supposed to be… easy.

The goal isn’t to win today’s workout. The goal is to be strong enough to keep showing up for the next one.

I’m trusting the process, getting my time on feet, and reminding myself that marathon training isn’t about proving anything on every run.

Now I want to hear from you! 👇

🏃‍♀️ What are you training for right now? A 5K, half, full marathon, RunDisney weekend… or are you just getting started?

Let’s cheer each other on. 💜

08/01/2026

Long run reality check. 🏃‍♀️

This week’s run reminded me of something I already knew… but apparently needed to learn again. 😅

I was trying to hold a pace that was just a little too ambitious for a long run, and my heart rate let me know about it.

So I made the adjustment.

For now, my long runs are about 1–2 minutes per mile slower than my goal race pace. It’s not always easy on the ego, but it’s exactly what my body needs to build endurance without digging myself into a hole.

Slowing down today means running stronger on race day.

Who’s with me?
👇 Are your long runs 1–2 minutes slower than race pace, or do you follow a different strategy?

07/30/2026

If you’re running your very first runDisney race… save this now. 💜🏃‍♀️

And don’t skip Tip 4… it’s the one thing that completely changed how I do race weekends.

There are so many little things nobody tells you until you’re standing in the corrals at 4 AM wondering why you’re awake before the birds. 😂

A few things that surprised me:
✨ The wake-up calls are BRUTAL.
✨ Lemon-Lime Powerade becomes a personality trait.
✨ Character stops are worth it if you aren’t chasing a PR.
✨ Disney transportation makes race morning so much less stressful.
✨ Crossing that finish line? Somehow it’s even more emotional than you imagined.

Every race weekend teaches me something new, but these are the things I wish someone had told me before my first one.

👇 If you’ve done a runDisney race, what’s ONE thing you’d tell a first-timer?

And if you’re training for your first race… welcome. You’re going to have the best time. 💜

07/30/2026

Disney Cruise Line just won some amaing rewards!? Have you experiened a Disney Cruise yet? Maybe its time!

We have BIG news! Thank you for naming us the Best Large-Ship Ocean Cruise Line in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards. 🚢 ✨ Have a favorite spot on board? Drop it below!

07/29/2026

💸 Disney planning besties… one of the biggest mistakes I see is people forgetting to budget for Single Lightning Lanes.

These attractions aren’t included with Lightning Lane Multi Pass, and prices change daily based on demand. Knowing what they typically cost before your trip helps you build a realistic budget and decide if they’re worth it for your family.

This guide gives you the average price range for every Single Lightning Lane attraction at Walt Disney World so there are no surprises when booking day arrives.

📌 Save this post for your trip planning—you’ll thank yourself later when you’re building your park budget.

👇 Which ride would you spend the extra money on: TRON, Guardians, Rise, Flight of Passage, or Seven Dwarfs? Let’s hear your pick! 💙

07/29/2026

72% of you said you ALWAYS buy Lightning Lane Multipass… and honestly, I get it. 👀

But here’s my hot take…

You don’t have to buy Lightning Lane to have an amazing Disney vacation.

Will it save you time? Absolutely.
Can it make your day less stressful? For a lot of families, yes.

But if it doesn’t fit your budget, that doesn’t mean your trip is ruined.

The best Disney vacations aren’t built on buying every add-on—they’re built on having a strategy that matches your priorities.

Whether you’re team “rope drop,” team “Lightning Lane,” or somewhere in between, there isn’t one right way to do Disney.

✨ I’d rather help you make the most of your budget than tell you to spend more.

What’s your unpopular Disney planning opinion? Drop it below. ⬇️

07/29/2026

Planning a Disney holiday isn’t just about getting to the fireworks… it’s about getting back to your resort. 🎆✨

In this clip from The Planning Lounge, we’re talking about our very different 4th of July strategies.

🏨 I booked BoardWalk so we could simply walk back from EPCOT after the fireworks.
🚐 Brian opted for a Minnie Van to skip the transportation crowds.

Different plans. Same goal: avoiding the end-of-night transportation chaos.

💡 If a holiday trip is in your future, don’t just think about where you’ll watch the fireworks. Make sure you have a plan for how you’re getting back to your resort afterward. It can make all the difference at the end of a long Disney day!

Which would you choose: a walk back to your resort or a Minnie Van? 👇

07/28/2026

If your dream weekends involve early wake-up calls, sparkly race outfits, castle sunrises, and celebrating with Mickey after crossing the finish line…

I think we’d get along. 🏰🏃‍♀️✨

I’m all about making runDisney feel doable—even if you’re a working parent, a middle-of-the-pack runner, or just starting your journey.

If this is your vibe… let’s be friends. 💙🧜‍♀️

Tell me: what’s your dream runDisney race? 👇

07/27/2026

What do you think is most over rated restaraunt in Walt Disney World?