Destination Runs pt 2

I have to run 10 miles in the morning. And it is NOT in the happiest place on earth.

Here we go now, RunDisney!

DisneyWorld started with the Marathon weekend and it has exploded from there. 8 major races, including those that line up with major park events like Food and Wine Fest in Epcot or Halloween. Last weekend was the Disney Princess Half and it's taking a year of planning and saving, but I will be running it in 2015. Beyond excited!!

You know how Disney takes such great care of you when you're just a person at the park? Well it's just like that only better when you are running a race. They do EVERYTHING well! It is the race expirience of a lifetime!

  

Destination Runs: Pt 1

Ran my 5 miles today wearing one of my favorite running shirts. I try to buy a new running shirt in every town we go visit, from their local running store. It supports their economy, and clothes my body! Lol!

This shirt is from Lincoln Nebraska, which you wouldn't think would be a running Mecca. But as home to a Division I University, it has a lot of active twentysomethings. My hubby and I lived there for 6 years when we were in college and for two after. It is one of my favorite places, especially in the Midwest! And, has a pretty vibrant running community. All the great flatness of Nebraska is great for PR's! 

Here are some of my other favorite run towns:

Glenwood Springs Colorado/Denver Colorado: obviously Colorado is beautiful and full of health-nuts. But it's also quite a fun challenge to run at high altitude if you are used to running at or below sea level!

Sioux Falls, South Dakota: why have I been to Sioux Falls you may ask? My in-laws live there and it is absolutely beautiful. Very exciting arts community, very very healthy (read:granola) people live there as well. Miles and miles and miles of trails make it an ideal running city!

Central Park/Prospect Park, New York: of course there is no better cinematic-type running experience then running in the majestic Central Park in Manhattan. But don't forget it's sister park in Brooklyn, Prospect Park. Both have excellent trail layout for many many miles of running enjoyment. I ran a race in Central Park with a great charity called "gods love we deliver" a few years ago, it was such a thrill!

Los Angeles, California: probably not known most for it's running trails, but the beach has excellent areas for you to jog on whether you like the sand or not. I like to go in the early morning when the sun is just peeking over the mountains to the east. If you park down by Venice Beach it's much less crowded and you can get a nice long run towards the Santa Monica Pier. But it is a little...um...shall we say, "colorful" down by Venice as there is a homeless community and lots of interesting head shops along their boardwalk. But especially beginning at Santa Monica, up the coast it is just beautiful!

Orlando, Florida: you can probably guess why I've run in Orlando and it starts with a D I S and ends within an N E Y! Disney Princess Half Marathon weekend starts today, we will talk about runDisney tomorrow!

So, on your next vacation think about finding a local race or running club. At the very least, buy a T shirt!!!

That's dedication!

Sorry y'all for the brief travel hiatus!

So today I'm getting back into the routine. Packing the lunch, laying out clothes, packing for the gym, etc. I was excited to get back to the grind!!

Also I have a judging gig later today so I was going to shower and get ready again. So, I packed towels and shampoo and blow dryer. 

And then I finished getting dressed looked down and realized… I forgot my running shoes! Not just my running shoes, any workout shoes. So what did I do? 

Rowing Machine!

Now that's dedication!

8 Mile (s)

I have run 8 miles exactly 3 other times in my life. And despite the fact that my quads were still KILLING me from squats in Thursday, this run was really not too bad! I took it slow, walked when I needed to, and finished around 1hr30m.

And then I had to go to solo and ensemble.

And then I sat down all day.

And then I stood up and Oh. My. GOSH was I sore!!!!!!

Atrophy. Not cool quads, not cool!

Stay on your side?

(New Sweaty Band. LOVE these!)

Have you ever gone to the gym at the wrong time and felt like you were in an alternate universe?! I did this yesterday and here's what happened:

A) someone was in MY locker. While I recognize it's a community locker room situation, I still feel ownership.

B) there were 100 extra people around, who were into things like raquetball and aerobics.

C) I ran into 3 current students, 2 other teachers, a lunch lady, and a friend from church. And they ALL wanted to talk!

So... Lesson learned! Go at your appointed time!

1/2 Marathon Training

Friends who are looking just start running often ask what training program I use. The answer is always Hal Higdon. He works for "runners world" and is obviously a world class runner himself himself. Hal's programs are very easy to follow as well as graded for your ease. Right now I'm using his half marathon training program in an app that I purchased. It's awesome!

Return of the run

So, I was unable/unwilling to run since last Thursdat due to travel. So today when I went to do my usual 3, oh my. I was DYING. Like, now my whole body is like what the heck was that?!

Mentally though, it felt SO good to get back on the horse!

On to 4 tomorrow and 8 this weekend!!

Weirdest night ever!

Well hi! Sorry I dropped off the planet! Told you that might happen during show choir competition season!

Anyway, we are spending the night on the buses on the way home from Nebraska, stopped at a truck stop cause the roads are too icy! Crazy huh?!

So, I modified the run schedule this week due to my time constraints. Back to the run grind tomorrow!