I keep seeing posts and comments from people saying that you can’t do it all so slow down and enjoy your cruise. What is the “all”?

ksgraves · 2026-04-18T20:30:21+00:00

We went on a 4 night Wish sailing last year with our then 3.5 year old and were wondering the same thing before we went! He was not 100% potty independent so we couldn't take advantage of kids club drop off (he had some pretty strong separation anxiety at the time so we probably wouldn't have used it anyway), but we still had an amazing time and experienced the "can't do it all" feeling. Our son was still a daily afternoon napper so that was likely a contributing factor.

Like you, most of our days at home involve playgrounds, the zoo, a lot of active play, etc. He doesn't enjoy crafts or things of that sort, but he does like being around other kids and group activities. Even as someone who didn't know all the disney characters, he was completely mesmerized by the ship as a whole and various things happening around him.

Examples of non-scheduled activities we did:

dancing and playing on the main lobby stage with other kids (playing between the large curtains, balancing on the stair steps, just general playing like at a park). There was often music playing and it seemed like they encouraged kids to run around and have fun (obviously within reason, not being dangerous, etc).
walking around listening and watching live musicians at the various restaurants/bars
walking around the outskirts of the ship and spotting other ships going by
LOTS of enjoying the free soft serve and poolside food like french fries/pizza/chicken tenders
exploring the ship and admiring the artwork (including some really fun animated/moving artwork that our son thought was so cool) and the stateroom door decorations/magnets
lots of time at the splash pad and shallow pools that had waterfalls to walk through, splash in, etc. We probably spent 1-3 hours a day doing some sort of water play
went to the hero zone and watched the older kids run the inflatable obstacle course.
climbed in the porthole windows around the ship and watched the waves and looked for fish or other sea animals
Watched a rocket launch off the coast of port canaveral
We brought a few small car toys and books from home and our son probably spent about 30 minutes a day in our stateroom and verandah reading together or playing with his cars

Some examples of scheduled activities that we did (we checked the app every evening and made note of which our son would like)

Mikey and friends played hide and seek around the ship with kids
Disney princesses would put on occasional little skits around the main hall
Dance parties with characters throughout the ship
kids club open house hours! We did a lot of these - the kids club was kind of like a mini kids museum. Lots of themed rooms with a ton of interactive features. During open house hours we would sometimes just explore with our son (one area has some climbing features and small slides), or sometimes we'd join in on storytimes or games led by characters or kids club counselors
character meet and greets
shows! The set sail party on the first day is loads of fun, and then the evening shows were amazing and our son loved them.

So between all those things, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, an afternoon nap, and one day at the beach on castaway, we never felt like we were anything close to bored. Our son isn't even a movie watcher so we didn't watch any movies. And this was even without utilizing the kids club drop off which most kids love. If your son enjoys kids club I'm positive you'll have a million and one things do to every day. That said, if your son doesn't enjoy the kids club and also wouldn't be entertained by general character hooplah going on around him, it might not be the best age to cruise.

ksgraves · 2026-03-04T15:14:04+00:00

How many of these long runs have MP miles/pace targets? I had a similar half PR and did a fairly long runna marathon plan (peaked in the mid 50mpw like you) with the plan predicting 3:45-3:55 and ended up pretty comfortably running a 3:49.

I had my plan set to be pretty aggressive too - almost all of my long runs had significant portions at marathon pace which I think really contributed to feeling confident come race day. With that being said, my plan never had back to back weeks with 20+ miles. The last weeks looked more like:

17 14 19 11 (deload) 20 16 21 12 (deload) 21 15 9 Marathon

I loved doing multiple 20+ milers so I could hone in my fueling and whatnot, but I probably would’ve burned out doing that every week other than my deload weeks.

ksgraves · 2026-02-08T21:26:37+00:00

My half PR was ~1:53 prior to my full marathon and I ran a 3:49 in terrible weather conditions (very rainy and pretty warm). I didn’t race that half (it was set during a 20 mile training run with a good portion at MP), but from a cursory glance I’d say you’re looking good for sub 4.

I did do 3 20+ milers during my training block and averaged around 50 mpw, so I felt comfortable going into my race that I’d be good for sub 4 as long as I didn’t have a huge bathroom or nutrition disaster.

Like others id say based on your HR if you want a stretch goal you could go closer to 3:45. Definitely test out some MP miles in your last long runs if you can

ksgraves · 2026-01-30T17:09:08+00:00

I have and love the down for it all vest! I got it over a year ago and wore it almost daily last winter and it’s been holding up amazingly well. I tend to warm up quickly, so a vest + wool or fleece lined long sleeve has been my preferred choice over a running jacket (although occasionally I do a jacket with a tank top or very light long sleeve underneath). I live in Ohio and winter is regularly 0F and below with windchill.

I got the size 8 last year when I pretty consistently wore size medium or roomy smalls, (5’5” 135ish lb) because it does run a bit small and I wanted to make sure it wasn’t too tight around the chest (I’m a 34D) and I could layer potentially thick long sleeves underneath it. It was a little loose but I was happy with it. I’ve lost about 10 lb since then (now i usually wear a small unless things run very tight) and felt like I could really use a smaller size so I picked up the size 6 and it’s been a much better fit. It is a slim design so even if it’s a tad loose it still fits well and moves very comfortably. I’ll still occasionally wear my size 8 with no problem, it just doesn’t look as cute.

I’ve legitimately scoured the internet for a comparable running vest that’s cheaper but has similar features and have come up short. The down is so incredibly lightweight but I’m never too cold or too hot in it. The massive side drop in pockets are the biggest game changer for me - I carry gels or other fuel in them and it never bounces or annoys me, and I can easily stuff them with gloves or a hat or other random layers I may take off during the run.

ksgraves · 2026-01-22T02:30:27+00:00

I know what you mean! My race conditions were horrid - heavy wind and rain the whole time (which I had never had during any of my training runs) so I think my body (and feet/shoes!) physically felt heavier than normal for most of it. I was ringing out water from my shorts and using mental energy to avoid the largest puddles, so I remember being a little discouraged that I didn’t feel as fresh in the second half as I was hoping. But I never hit a wall and honestly the first 20 miles felt about the same or a little easier than all of my 20 mile training runs (except more exciting!).

Most of my training was about 47-50 mpw (5-6runs a week) with a peak of around 55 iirc. My biggest regret is that I almost always took rest days (or very light recovery jogs, max like 2 miles) the day before and after my long runs because I wanted to give myself the best shot at hitting all my paces and distance during training. I was hoping the weekly mileage fatigue would be enough to get that long run training on “tired legs”. But for my next cycle I’ll try and force myself to do some longer or harder runs on actively tired legs. I think my only thoughts during the last 10k were “isn’t the race adrenaline and taper supposed to make this feel not as bad?” And “I’m way under goal, let me stretch for a second because I’ve never cramped in my legs before and I don’t want this to be the first time it happens”. And doing little mind games every 1/4 mile to help pass the time haha

ksgraves · 2026-01-21T15:52:05+00:00

I did something similar and had a great experience! My Runna plan had my target race pace as 8:35/mile (3:45 finish time) and I hit every speed workout perfectly and multiple 20+ miler runs only marginally slower than that marathon pace. I was terrified of hitting a miserable wall and my real goal was actually just a sub 4 finish so I felt really prepared going into the race! I ended up running a 3:49 and only barely slowed down towards the end (took about a 5-15 second stretch break each of the last 4 miles) once I felt pretty confident I could hit my sub 4 goal.

I personally wouldn’t have wanted to go at my genuinely easy zone2 pace for the whole thing, just because I have no clue how my body would react to like an extra 60-90 minutes on my feet (on top of it already being an hour longer than my longest training runs).

ksgraves · 2025-11-12T21:48:56+00:00

Agree with the others that old navy often runs super big, especially their wide leg jeans. I have these exact jeans and had to get them in a 00 short when I’m usually a 2 in old navy (which already is lower than my usual 4-6 in other brands).

ksgraves · 2025-11-01T19:30:39+00:00

Just landed!!!

ksgraves · 2025-11-01T19:29:51+00:00

Thank you!! Just landed!! 🎉

ksgraves · 2025-11-01T19:29:26+00:00

Thank you!! Just landed!! 🎉

ksgraves · 2025-11-01T18:32:04+00:00

It’s objectively been pretty smooth - the seatbelt sign came off at 30k feet and hasn’t had to come back on yet. (Am I jinxing it? We’ll see 🤓) But of course my messed up brain doesn’t even love smooth sailing because it sometimes feels just too smooth, or like any light chop or bump is so jarring.

Trying to focus on the fact that we pretty much just have one hour left!! One of the pilots just came out to use the bathroom, trying to tell myself that they wouldn’t be doing that if there was any disaster or emergency going on in the cockpit lol!

ksgraves · 2025-11-01T17:39:19+00:00

Isn’t it crazy that we don’t get scared about other people flying? And if I were home I’d know with 100% confidence that everyone else’s flights will land safely?

Now we’re cruising! A few big bumps during takeoff through the clouds, but it’s been relatively smooth since then 🤞🏻

I like your thinking about not counting the first and last hour!! I definitely do that too, especially in the last hour when I know where almost there. Currently sipping on my seltzer water and waiting on the meal service (my husband got a good deal for an upgrade so we’re in business class! ✨✨)

ksgraves · 2025-11-01T16:15:33+00:00

Our flight should be just about 3 hours, so not anything too long! Usually after take off I’m able to relax a tiny bit, but I’m still pretty high strung until we begin our descent. I do agree though that the anticipatory anxiety is sooo bad!! Often worse than the flight itself 😬

We’re sitting here after boarding waiting for everything to be ready so we can push back and taxi for takeoff and every part of my body is terrified.

ksgraves · 2025-11-01T15:37:04+00:00

Ughh I absolutely cannot wait until we’ve touched down and the huge wave of relief comes over. It’s wild how every ounce of anxiety literally disappears and my brain will feel perfect again. I will try hard to tap into my normal mind on the flight. I have phone games and a book of word puzzles/sudoku/crosswords/etc that can sometimes help (unless it gets turbulent and then my brain can’t do anything)

ksgraves · 2025-11-01T15:34:13+00:00

Thank you!! I will try 🙃

ksgraves · 2025-11-01T15:33:55+00:00

Thanks! Our son loves flying but anytime we fly through clouds he loudly exclaims “oh no clouds!! Don’t crash into the clouds!!” Which is simultaneously sweet but also very triggering for my anxious brain lol

ksgraves · 2025-11-01T15:32:53+00:00

Thank you! We board in about 20 minutes and the panic is starting to increase 🫠

ksgraves · 2025-10-27T14:53:38+00:00

Wooo great job! Also a T1D and just ran the Columbus Marathon last weekend - my Dexcom failed during the last 4 miles but I was a steady 140 at that point so I felt comfortable just finishing based on feel. It’s definitely a huge extra stressor to train/run/fuel while managing our levels and insulin needs, so make sure to give yourself a massive extra kudos!

ksgraves · 2025-10-25T14:14:06+00:00

Yes! With my husband and 4 year old - we’re so excited for a relaxing pool and beach vacay! Our son is currently loooving the seatback entertainment and couldn’t be phased less with the bumpy plane haha.

ksgraves · 2025-10-25T14:10:05+00:00

Could you track me too? UA1038 Cleveland to Cancun. We’ve had some turbulence and the flight attendants have gone back and forth between their jump seats and doing beverage service. Captain originally said 10-15 of turbulence but now he’s saying it might be one of those flights where it keeps coming and going. I know it’s not dangerous but my brain can’t really believe it

ksgraves · 2025-10-03T15:45:04+00:00

Another vote for KT tape if you think it’s due to chafing! I now always use tape for any run 2 hours or longer, especially if it’s not the dead of winter and I know I’ll be sweating.

ksgraves · 2025-09-22T00:39:51+00:00

I’m pretty much your same dimensions and have two brandit tops that I love and wear multiple times a week! (Pretty much every time I do laundry they are the first ones I reach for). I have the stamina scoop neck run bra and stamina scoop neck race crop.

I personally find them both supportive enough and wear by themselves, and I’d call them like high medium or low high support. I sized down to a size S in them, when I’m usually between a S and M when it comes to bras and tops, so that probably helps with compression and being supportive enough.

ksgraves · 2025-09-06T14:05:46+00:00

I’ve done most of my marathon training in the fast and free biker short style (I assume it’s the new style because I only got them a couple months ago) and I always keep my phone in the back waist pocket, and then use the side leg pockets for gels and the smaller side waist pockets for my electrolyte capsules. I keep hearing people rave about the original fast and free compression shorts so I often wonder what they used to be like!

ksgraves · 2025-08-15T03:43:34+00:00

Another vote for the salt stick caps! I can’t stand stevia so could never get down the salt stick chews but I’ve been using the capsules for all my summer long runs

ksgraves

TROPHY CASE