Armageddon Ambush

Armageddon Ambush (link here!) was a lot tougher than Mike had planned. Seems like the race organizers had a lot of bad press but he had a great time regardless:)

 

Tower of Terror 10 Miler - we're back!!!

Last year we did the Tower of Terror 10-Miler and I think it was my least favorite race ever (link here). Several things went wrong for me that night but heat was probably the single biggest factor. I was determined to do it again this year and make peace with the terrible experience to put it behind me!

For our training we added a mile each week, ran in the heat, and didn't miss a single long run:). Lu came back from her cruise in the morning where she had done some hypnosis too so we convinced ourselves that we would PR and focused on the power of positive thinking...

We did the expo in the morning and showed up after a day of carb-loading not too early this time. And we didn't make the mistake of wearing the terrible, fugly shirts that last year didn't help one bit with the heat...

 

We kept telling ourselves it was cooler than last year but to be honest - I'm not sure that was true. It was still 400 degrees:(. But we were ready for it this time!

We had to wait for over an hour in the corrals but had a nice time with the other runners :)

 

And at about 10:30pm we were off!!

 

 

Last year I thought the entertainment wasn't very good (compared to the Princess Half) but this year I actually really enjoyed it. I think to be honest it was probably exactly the same but my expectations were just different. Funny how that works:). I really liked the lasers, running on the ESPN track and the final mile through Disney Hollywood Studios was just fantastic!!

 

 

The race was really tough though and the blister I had gotten earlier in the week started bothering me pretty soon in. My mind played tricks with me for most of the race so I fought really hard to stay positive and we stayed close to the 2-hr pacer the whole time to keep our PR dream in sight!

 

We both cried as we crossed the line!! It was such a victory for the power of positive thinking and we were so happy that we performed so well! The time was just under 2 hours and 3 minutes which was almost 6 minutes faster than last year!! And I placed in the top third of my age category which I am really proud of!

 

The photographers must have seen how happy we were and asked if they could take a picture of us for the Run Disney Facebook page! Are you kidding?! This is the moment we have been waiting for!!

 

 

We were the main picture the next day!!! Lu said it must be a "diversity shot" Hahahaha! The medals were as gorgeous as ever too...

 

 

But I knew I was hurting and when I finally got home at about 2am I got a look at that pesky blister...

 

 

No wonder I was in pain...which goes to prove the point - if I can run for 10 miles on that, it really IS about mind over matter! Now I just have to decide what I will do next :)

 



The Color Run

We had a great time at Color Me Rad in April so we signed up for the original Color Run in Orlando at the weekend:). The race was downtown but we parked about 2 miles away (on the wrong side of town) by accident so we got to walk through some of the poorest neighborhoods in Orlando before and after the race. We were both surprised how scary parts of Orlando are and it was a bit of a surreal start to the whole thing; we were really relieved to finally arrive safely and enjoy the usual pre-race festivities. We got packets and bibs quickly and there were thousands of participants and a really good DJ so our spirits lifted a bit as we got started!

 

Here's what the paint stations look and feel like...Lu loves pink!!!

 

 At the end of the race there was a massive party for the finishers and the next wave to go...

 

The organizers did a really nice job, and it was interesting to compare the two different races - but I have to admit - to be brutally honest, I don't think I'll be doing one of these paint runs again :(. The novelty is great the first time but just not the same on the second one. And there isn't really much running going on. In fact, at one point we were the only people actually running! :). That said, the highlight of the day was spending lots of quality time with lovely Lu. We always have fun - and these are some of my favorite pictures of us together :).

I'm really glad we did it - and I would still totally recommend one to anyone (particularly with kids who are new to running) but I don't think I'll be walking though Orlando covered in paint again any time soon ;)

 

And this will be the second (and final) time that I go to work with green highlights on Monday...

 

Mike's American Mud Race

Here's Mike at AMR all by himself! It takes a lot of determination to get yourself out of bed and drive an hour at the break of dawn to push yourself to the limit...

 

And without the girls needing help over the walls, he managed to finish in 48 minutes!! (Results here!)

 

 

And apparently had a great time...:)

 

 

Congratulations Mike!!

Celebration of Running 5K

It's been over 6 weeks since my last running event. Both Lu and I were really nervous but looking forward to getting back into the game today and the Track Shack Celebration of Running 5K came at just the right time!

I have missed Lu sooooo much - we work so well together! Today, we set our goal at just running the whole thing no matter how slow...

 

Tech shirts - always a plus!

 

It was really busy like most of the Track Shack events, well-organized, with a nice route and friendly spectators :)

 

We did it! And they gave out great medals too! And after running in the heat and humidity I really felt like I deserved one!



What a great way to start the season!! I have a long way to go but it's so great to feel back on track!

It's CROW time again!

Canoe Races of the World, also known as C.R.O.W., is a beloved, annual Cast Member event that dates back to 1963. Scores of Disney Cast Members arrive at Magic Kingdom before sunrise each July to participate! About 80 teams (each has 10 people on board) compete on the Rivers of America in the Magic Kingdom before the parks open in canoes that were part of the original Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes attraction. Teams that row around Tom Sawyer’s Island with the best times, averaging around five minutes, advance to the finals and get a chance to race against the clock in a championship round.

Last year we came in at just over 7 minutes. Not fast enough to place, but a very respectable first-time performance. (link here!). This year we had two boats and were really committed to training to improve our performance...I'm towards the front of the boat in the white visor...paddles up!

Watching the sun come up over the castle is just amazing :)

 

My boat buddies...

 

 

In the end we were just 12 seconds away from qualifying and over a minute faster than last year!

 

Which just goes to show that rowing is like anything else - practice makes perfect. So now back to some more running - I need to defeat this heat!

 

4 on the 4th!

June has been tough:(. I failed miserably at Juneathon (a virtual challenge to work out every day during the month of June) and struggled to run consistently each week. I didn't even do an event for a whole month :(. So now it's time to get back on track! I have started training for a tri in September (having a focus on a challenging training plan really helps) and I've taken to the treadmill to fit in runs at times when it's super hot. I love our new gym so that's working out well and swimming with Maddy which is lovely bonding time too :).

Mike and I decided to kick off July with a 4-miler on the 4th:). We saw this one in Oakland which is so pretty. I was really nervous since I knew it would be really hot and I haven't ran 4 miles in a while. I decided to run as far as I could and switch to intervals if necessary...

 

The crowd looked really fit (it was hosted by the local tri store) and they were fast! It was well organized and I loved the fact that they had a child sing the national anthem at the beginning :)

 

I managed 2 miles before doing 4:1 intervals and finished the 4 miles in under 45 minutes. Not where I want to be but there it is. I'm really happy that I did it though and I'm feeling energized and motivated to put in the hard work to push myself now:). Mike on the other hand ran like a speed demon and despite the heat, finished right around 33 minutes! Here we are, stinky and sweaty after the race...

Gorgeous trails in Oakland...

  

After the kids' race we drove around to see some of the houses that were all decked out for the Holiday and talked about what Independence Day means to us.

 

I feel very grateful today. I love my life, my husband, my daughter, my family and friends. And I love my country :) Happy 4th July!!

And the photos are in!!

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

 

Great memories!!!