Halloween Costume Run

Lu and I decided to join the Disney running group for their annual Halloween costume run in Celebration. We didn't spend any time planning an outfit so I just threw on some of Maddy's cat ears and Lu found some Minnie ears. Unfortunately though, we didn't actually manage to find the group so we did it alone. So we were a cat and a mouse running around Orlando for no good reason. Ridiculous :)

The Neon Run!

There are just tons of novelty races doing the rounds right now. We had heard that the Neon Run was a lot of fun so we signed up for the Orlando race to find out for ourselves. We were not really sure what to expect...or what to wear...

 

When we arrived, there were absolutely thousands of people and some fantastic costumes!

 

Our goal was just to have a fun workout and experience something new :)



We covered ourselves in glow paint but it just didn't do anything in the dark really...

 

At the Start line there was a great buzz. Lots of dancing and positive energy and a really great DJ. And then we were off...

 

There were 5 main stations and each one blasted you with more glow paint. After getting soaked you got to run through a tent tunnel full of UV lights. When we saw everyone glowing for the first time - it was so cool!!

 

 

Each station was a different color and we all had a great time laughing and taking pictures of each other! And there was music throughout the whole event - not just at the stations :)

 

 

It was very difficult to get a decent picture on my camera so the photos don't really do the experience justice. But you get the idea from these :)

 

 

 

Needless to say, there wasn't much running going on :). In fact the first mile took over 24 minutes! But we had a great time :)

And the photos are in!!

The professional photos from Color Me Rad were awesome!! I couldn't resist these :)

 

Great memories!!!

Color Me Rad!

Color Runs have been HUGE this year so Lu and I signed up for Color Me Rad in Tampa so that we could see for ourselves what all the fuss was about! We weren't quite sure what to expect but dressed in white T-shirts just like they recommend on their website and bought some matching bandanas to get ready for some color...

 

 

 

The atmosphere was amazing when we got there - the DJ was playing great tunes and everyone was dancing and having a great time!

 

 

Start line fun...

 

 

After 5 different color stations (3 powder and 2 liquid - one for each K) we were all finished! We both said it was the fastest 5K we'd ever done - not because we were running super fast ;) but because the time just flew by! The crowd and spectators were really great - everyone was just so happy the whole time :).

 

I love our 'Team Daaaaaamnnn! 'sweaty hug' picture!!!!

 

 

The paint is just cornstarch so not dangerous at all (so they say;)) and they have tons of water stations since it does make you thirsty. It's not difficult at all to get completely covered in paint and get some great pics for facebook :)

 

 

It is, however, far more challenging to get one of those fancy 'jumping' shots. But we had a blast trying and these solid efforts were my fave pics of the day in the end - they still make me laugh out loud :)

 

 

Aaah - the old faithful 'back to back' shot...always a winner :)

 

I can't wait to do another color run and totally recommend them to anyone! If I were a doctor I'd be prescribing Color Runs for depression - it would be completely impossible not to have a fantastic time. :)

 

Definitely one of the BEST runs ever!!!!

 

More AMR!!

The photos came in from last weekend and they are great! Can't wait until the next one!!

Team Daaaaamn! looking good before the race...

 

Yep - that's as far as I made it on the monkey bars!

 

 

The cargo net was huge!

 

We all made it!!

 

Mike loved the slide at the end :)

 

The big finish!

Exhausted and exhilarated!!

Love my team!

Watermelon 5K photos

The photos are in. I told you I had a tough time. Big baby..:)

It could be worse. Watch out Mike, that 8 year-old girl with the pink socks is about to take you...

Tri photos

So the photos are in from the weekend....I totally love this picture of me on the bike. I was just as happy as I looked :)

And I felt just like that when I crossed the line...:)

But wait - I'm pretty sure my hat was green...other than that I can totally see how the photographer got us two mixed up...

Well thank you Disney!!!

After a blissful couple of months eating pretty much whatever I want I finally checked into Rehab enrolled in Weight Watchers ;). I was not looking forward to the meetings at all but actually they have been incredibly helpful and upbeat and so far it's going really well. I met Luciana at one of the meetings and we instantly hit it off! I've lacked running motivation a bit lately so she has really helped me get my mojo back too. We did our first run together today at the North Ridge Bridge 5K. Now if I'd paid closer attention to the name of the race I would have realized it involved bridges and chickened out altogether. It was only after it had already started that we realized what we were in for! We decided to make the best of the situation and focus on the extra calories that we would burn on those hills!!

Not sure if it was the 'bridge' thing that put other people off or the fact that this weekend is the big marathon weekend at Disney or the fact that it has been freezing all week but for whatever reason, there were hardly any other runners at all!

So we cheered each other along...

...and just enjoyed the scenery ;). About halfway in I realized that there was hardly anyone else who looked like they were in my age category and I might actually place!!!

And whaddya know - I came in SECOND!!!! 

Despite the fact that my time was only 31:22, and they were clearly handing out trophys like cheap candy at Halloween, I have to admit - this was a very exciting experience for me. I am already fully bonded to my new treasure, particularly since it is significantly larger than the two that Mike has won so far...

Later I saw that they had been rearranged...

But the highlight of the day was the fabulous company - we had such a GREAT time!! Thank you Luciana!!!