Disney's Frozen 5k

The title speaks for itself. Literally. It was beyond cold for this Florida girl. Record breaking temperatures the morning of our 5k. Not fun.

The expo wasn't to crazy, we went on Thursday due to us racing Friday morning. As always, there is never anything for 5k runners. Which stinks. Run Disney really slacks in this area. I loved seeing all the vendors and fun racing attire! 

I had to make some adjustments to our running costumes due to weather. Sadly all our race photos we were covered by jackets. Boo! It'll be another Disney race we won't forget! Wine & Dine had pouring rain and cold temps. Now a Frozen 5k. I'm starting to see a pattern... 

I was Queen Elsa, my daughter was Anna, and my son was Olaf.  We had to stick with the theme! I had a friend make our skirts and paint Lenee's shirt. They came out amazing! I think the gals should go into business!! What do you think?

We were in corral B. WOO!! However, it was a slow start for us. Buggy didn't like the cold weather at all, she was having trouble breathing in such dry air. She did a very fast walk until her body warmed up a little. I think by 1.5 miles she started to run a little. She was still freezing and miserable. Didn't want to stop for characters. I had to talk her into posing for a few photos. 

 

Her mood changed once she saw Elsa, Anna, and Kristoff. I wonder if they were as cold as us? 

(I hope so)!  Although I'm sure Elsa was loving this weather! 

I had a little knee pain, I used KT tape in hopes to be able to run pain free. Having the tape on helped some. Even though I still had pain, it was tolerable and I didn't feel that locking up feeling that always forces me to walk. 

By mile 3 Lenee was in a much better mood, only because the finish line was coming! She didn't want to take after photos. She grabbed her goodies and headed straight for the van. We had about an hour to keep warm before heading back out for Kaden's one mile race. Food and warmth. At the point I don't think anything was better than those 2. 

Trying to stay warm in the van!

As we walked over to the kids one mile starting point, my son informed us, that he didn't want us to run with him. He wanted to do it on his own. What?!? I was a little nervous about this. There were a lot of kids actually signed up for this race. I did love Run Disney's security point though. The parent's had to keep a tag that matched their child's bib number in order for them to come out of the finishing area. Fireman said let him do it, he's got this. I know, I know.. he's 8 and very smart for his age. But still! 

I finally caved and let him go to the starting line alone. My son is a perfectionist and is very competitive. ( I have no clue where he gets it from). The look in his eyes told me he wanted to win this, even though I told him that children up to the age of 13 were running and that everyone is a winner. 

Kaden certainly proved his determination. 7:44 for his mile run. He was in the top 10! Proud mom moment for sure! He finished and told me right away he wanted to run a 5k and then a 10k. I love that running has had such a positive effect on my children! 

My super cute Olaf with his prize! 

Both children have  running goals and I am going to make sure they achieve them! As soon as my knee issue is corrected we will began training! 

Speaking of knees, I went to the orthopedist yesterday. He believes I have Patellofemoral syndrome. So I will be trying some exercises and stretches to see if that helps correct the problem. My x-rays came back looking good. So that was good news. If I don't see an improvement in a month with exercises we will look into an MRI. Fingers crossed I don't have to do that. 

What a way to end a Run Disney race weekend. With Starbucks and a Dole whip! 

MRTT Winter Virtual 5k 2015

This was my second year of doing the MRTT Winter Virtual race. I love my local running chapter!
This was also my first run since seeing a chiropractor and having him adjust my ankles in hopes to be pain free while running.
I was looking forward to this run. WAS. I was going to do the 5k and planned for a 10k if my knee allowed it. However, my knee had other plans.

It was a very cold morning for Florida! We bundled up.

Do you like my beanie?! I scored it for a dollar! Hey... whatever keeps me warm! Plus I am wearing Mary Kay makeup. More on that later!

My run started out good with Fabulous.  I was excited and feeling great. The cool air is was refreshing. Then at about 1.5 miles in the pain hit. I walked, stretched. Pain seemed to go away so I started a slow run. The pain came back. I started walking again. I was getting mad. I took 4 weeks off to prepare for this run. I rested. I started the run walk stretch method over and over. The pain eased a little around 2 miles and I did some slow pace run / fast walk to try to keep my pace time somewhat decent. 

Fabulous called my cell. She knew when I didn't arrive a few minutes after her that something was up. She told me she would run back to meet me. It was after I hung up with her that I allowed myself to shed a few tears. Frustration. Anger. Sadness. But only for a minute. 

Fabulous came up and gave me a big hug! I needed it. It's a reminder that all runners love each other. We're in it for the same reasons. 

I finished my 5k in 43 minutes. Not my best time, I finished. That's all that matters. I could have given up at mile 1.5 but I didn't. I kept on. 

The end result was worth it. I got this medal and it sparkles! What is better?! 

I do have an appointment with an Orthopedist in 2 weeks. I'm counting down. I will find answers and a solution. 

And yes I was wearing makeup for my race! I'm a Mary Kay beauty consultant. Mary Kay CC Cream is a great option for those wanting to wear makeup and workout / run! I love it!! 

My next 5k is Friday. I see a lot of walking... Disney's PHM weekend I'll see you soon! 

December Dash 5K Recap

The first annual December Dash 5K was held yesterday.   (also the cupcake's 2nd bday). Proceeds go to support my son's school so I am all for it!!

Being the first race the school put on it, I was impressed with the turn out. There is always a flaw or two with races that are put on for the first time. Being our town is small, many do not like to do the first year because of it being unorganized, or chaotic.  I went pretty smooth though. I can't complain and had a blast! 

It was held on the local high school's cross country track. I was excited for a new course, not so much all the mud and puddles. It rained the night before pretty good. The ground was pretty gross. My first thoughts were puddles, and wet feet all over again from Wine & Dine. I was not looking forward to it as we walked to the starting line. 

I ran with my 7 year old. He was anxious and ready to go! Already full of mud before the start of the race. Now let me give you a little background on him. He ran his first 5K in 2012 and walked most of it. He was not a good sport over it. I was in the hospital ( I had just given birth to cupcake). Yes, we are a committed running family! Since that 5K his running has been lazy. Bubba is very fast, but always starts to fast and to hard and by the time he hits a mile he is done. There is no telling him anything different. He's very bright and it has to be his way. With that, I was telling everyone that Bubba can find a friend and run the course, I wasn't walking or waiting on him. HA! I know mean mom.. but it was a race and I really wanted to run it and work on my time. Turns out that bit me in the rear. Read on..

We get to the starting line and he is right up to the line. Very front. I stayed back a little bit because I didn't know the course at all and didn't want to get lost. My luck, I would. I kept telling him, to not run hard at first, to pace himself. He had found some friends and could have cared less what I was saying to him. The race started and he took off! I said to myself he'll be walking within minutes.  

I started off a little faster than I wanted too. I had to slow down and get my breathing under control; all while worrying about holes and trying not to sprain anything.  I kept waiting to run past my son. I hit mile one and didn't see him. I had lost sight of him on the course. My amazing daughter, opted out of this race in order to volunteer at the water station. She is wonderful! 

Somewhere after mile 2 my outer left knee started to hurt or lock up I don't really know. (Knee issues are new to me). I walked a very fast walk because I am awesome like that and then started to run again. I was able to keep my 11 minute per mile pace still so I was happy. The pain would go away for a few minutes then come back. It was pretty annoying. I didn't know if it was because I was running on a grassy, mud course with a few hills or what. But I kept on going. Never once did I see Bubba. Where was he? 

I saw Fireman taking pictures as I was coming up to mile 3 and asked where Bubba was. He told me he finished. What?! My son, the one who gets tired to quickly and likes to walk had ran the whole thing and finished?! No way! Way! He did it in under 31 minutes!! What?! Sticking my tongue out was all I could do! 

 This is one proud mommy here!

My little man  ran hard!! I am a very happy mom to know that he gave it his all! 

So much for all that smack I talked about him walking. HA! 

My offical time was 34:38. I really think this is my average. I seem to be stuck between 32-35 minutes. I don't aim to be fast, Just to be better. My knee stopped bothering me and I enjoyed the refreshments and chatting with others. 

This was a fun race even though our shoes are now junk. That just means new shoes! 

I did have a lot of pain in my knees at night. I had to ice them. I am going to go to my local running store and have them look at my running technique. I am in zero pain today, aside from sore muscles. I am hoping it is my run and that I just need to get an insert or different style shoe. Fingers crossed.

Wine and Dine 1/2 recap

I. Ran. A. Half. Marathon.

Say what?! I did it. I really did. In the rain, along with the wind and temperature dropping. 

Let's start with the expo.

There was so much going on! The lines however, for picking up bibs and shirts were short. I was able to walk up with no line at all. This was a first!!  I was a little sad that there were no character spots though. With PHM weekend, there were characters and we did pictures. I'm a nerd yes, but it helps set the mood for a Run Disney event. 

Pictures! (even if the baby is on his back)!

We finished up at the expo and went back to the vacation rental to relax.  After naps and carb loading on pasta, it was time to get ready. My son fell ill during this time with a fever and was complaining of neck pain. It was scary and nerve wrecking to not know what is wrong. Thankfully grandma was there though. She is the best! We got him settled and I finished getting ready. 

I was very undecided about what to wear; capri's, shorts, or pants. The weather was going to be chilly, but then rain got added into that factor, (thanks Florida weather). So I just decided on shorts. Looking back I am glad with that decision.

We went with a pirate theme for Pirates of the Caribbean. Simple not over doing it. 13.1 miles is a long way to go and I didn't want to be uncomfortable. 

We got to ESPN for warm ups and had a lot of fun dancing along to the music. 

As you can see it was nice a dry! That lasted until it was time to line up in our corrals (again, thanks Florida weather). 

As we got in line the rain started, We pulled on ponchos that grandma had told us to pack. They were super thin so it wouldn't be so hot. But just the thought of running in one was irking me. I didn't train with a poncho. HA! I also didn't train in cold, windy weather. The odds were not with me. I was a little nervous as the fireworks went off. Go time for real! 

At first, the rain wasn't bothering me so much. Sisnlaw and I just took it slow and laughed it off at first. That only lasted so long. Then came running through puddles that we couldn't see because it was dark and lighting wasn't the best everywhere. Wet shoes = wet feet, which is NEVER fun. Yes, I was wearing features, but at Animal Kingdom the puddles were really bad. We smiled and carried on. 

 The temperature started dropping and It just felt like it was getting colder by the minute. Of course that could have been because my feet were wet, who knows. By the time we hit mile 6 my hands and feet were numb. There is no mile 6 picture either, To much rain, and wet hands, clothes that we couldn't get the phones to open the camera. Dang touch screen!  I was still smiling though. I was still happy. Enjoying the race just chatting away with sisnlaw. By the way, we didn't listen to any music. 

We stretched every few miles and made sure to take water from all stops. 

The mile pictures didn't come out so good, Very bright lighting and I was not taking the time to adjust my camera settings in the rain. I got pictures, that's all that matters right?! 

By mile 10 Sisnlaw was over it. I was almost agreeing with her. Our half marathon had turned into an endurance half marathon. The saying "you never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have", Yup that is exactly how I was feeling at that point. 

Just keep running Just keep running. Before I knew it we were coming into Hollywood Studios! I was so excited to see the Osborne lights! I think that might have been my favorite part. And maybe because at Hollywood Studios it stopped raining and I yanked off my poncho! 

It was beautiful. I could have cried, except I was still to numb. 

We carried on through the park and I actually felt like I was warming up. That lasted maybe 5 minutes total. Leaving the park to make our way towards Epcot the rain came back. So much for that little dry spell. My knee started to bother me at this point. I just kept telling myself a little further you only have a little further to go. Running the path to the Beach and Yacht club and Boardwalk was not fun. It was narrow and way to many people. Some were walking and they had no care to move over to the right side, I even said as we came up on them, runner to your left. Not one person moved. No one. It was a little annoying. I just wanted to get through the herd and finish. The Boardwalk was very slippery. I did do a very fast walk through most of that as I didn't want to fall or injure myself so close to the finish line. (Fireman told me later a runner slipped and hit her face. He helped her to the nearest cast member). How scary! 

Gosh I was so happy to see mile 13!!! The end was near!! 

The finish line was a blur. Fireman took photos, but they didn't come out, the guy running next to me blocked all pictures. Not his fault, it happens. I don't even remember if I cried. I was in so much pain because of my knee I just wanted ice for it. 

I will say the volunteers and spectators were amazing! They stayed in the rain for us! I thanked so many as I ran by. It's one thing to run in the rain, but to just stand there and cheer runners on or hand out water. Just an amazing feeling!! People are good!! 

The after party was still rainy and cold, We brought cothes and changed and attempted to enjoy the early morning! The food was great! 

In Mexico, Donald was waiting for us! It was nice to be dry for a few minutes!

Overall, I will say this race was an experience! Would I do another half marathon? Maybe. I'm not opposed to it, I would just want better weather conditions. HA!