Wow, what a week it has been! We can't believe that the first week of March is over already. It will be Spring in only a few days so I certainly hope the weather starts reflecting it!
So what did we do this week? I for one really made an effort to stick to a schedule of working out and stretching. I even got Scott to work out with me 2 nights last week (which seemed to be the highlights of my evening). He travels a lot for work which makes it hard for us to work out together. I'm hoping we can increase the workouts to 3 nights this week. In addition, I stuck to a schedule with my bike as well. I got in 10.5 miles this week. It's not great, but I made the effort to ride a little bit every other day and it's a start. -M
5 Favorite Running Books
It's going to be Spring in just a few days yet this winter seems to be hanging on so tightly. The doldrums of winter weather sometimes lead to a lack of motivation for some people. Since today's Friday 5 themes was "Favorites" we thought we would share with you our 5 Favorite Running Books. These are sure to motive and inspire anyone who seems to be in a winter running rut.
Plus, if you see more snow in your upcoming forecast, that will be a good time to curl up with one of these books.
Running Like a Girl by Alexandra Heminsley
Alexandra is a British author who documents how she went from non-runner to training for the London Marathon. She tells her comedic anecdotes in a Bridget Jones like fashion. She goes through things we all go through as runners and wonders about things that most people would never say out loud. She answers plenty of questions that are helpful to new and seasoned runners. We have a full review of this book HERE.
The Big book of Running for Beginners by Runners World
Even though this book says it is for beginners I think everyone at any level of running could learn something from this book. some of the best runners share their stories and tips. You can see our complete review of this book HERE.
The Runner's World Cookbook
This book is such a phenomenal cookbook and a great resource to keep in the kitchen. We've shared a few recipes from this book on the blog already. You can read our complete review HERE.
Easter is coming up. Perhaps you might want to surprise a runner with one of these books in their Easter basket.
Do you have a favorite Running book?
Plus, if you see more snow in your upcoming forecast, that will be a good time to curl up with one of these books.
Run by Dean Karnazes
I have read this several times and each time I read it I think about signing up for an Ultra. The book is so Inspirational. I love reading all his crazy stories and how he began running. Running 30 miles to celebrate his 30th birthday and ordering a pizza during a run are just a few.
My Life on the run by Bart Yasso
Bart has run on every continent. He brings humor while talking about all his races and experiences he's encounter, one being chased by a rhino. It wasn't until after reading his book I fully understood what the Yasso 800 is and how he came up with it. In the back of the book he also breaks down different training plans for newbies, seasoned, and hard core runners.
Alexandra is a British author who documents how she went from non-runner to training for the London Marathon. She tells her comedic anecdotes in a Bridget Jones like fashion. She goes through things we all go through as runners and wonders about things that most people would never say out loud. She answers plenty of questions that are helpful to new and seasoned runners. We have a full review of this book HERE.
Even though this book says it is for beginners I think everyone at any level of running could learn something from this book. some of the best runners share their stories and tips. You can see our complete review of this book HERE.
The Runner's World Cookbook
This book is such a phenomenal cookbook and a great resource to keep in the kitchen. We've shared a few recipes from this book on the blog already. You can read our complete review HERE.
Easter is coming up. Perhaps you might want to surprise a runner with one of these books in their Easter basket.
Do you have a favorite Running book?
We Race, We Carry On
We thought it was time for another Think Out loud Thursday post. Can you believe that I am just now finishing up my laundry from my last Race-cation Disney trip? Seeing as I probably only do (my own) laundry about once a month, that is not hard for me to believe at all. What is hard for me to believe are the crazy prices the airlines charge for their luggage. I know this might seem a little random for me to be bringing this up but as I was unpacking my clothes I was thinking about it.
Back in November, when we were flying to Las Vegas for the RnR Las Vegas Marathon and Half, I flew an airline that I have never flown before. It had good flight times there and back, was a direct flight, and it was cheap. After I booked it I realized why it was so cheap. They were going to charge me $100 to carry on my luggage! Oh, no, this was NOT going to happen. Personal items were allowed on for free. My mission was to fit everything I needed into my "Personal Item". This meant I was layering clothes on like I was going to Alaska!
I packed one of those drawstring backpacks ( you know the ones that you sometimes get at race day packet pickup). I folded this up and put it in my jacket pocket. When I got on the plane, I un-layered myself, put all my extra clothing in that drawstring bag and used it as a pillow for that long flight to Las Vegas! This technique worked out well and I saved $100! And actually that first layer paired with the gray cardigan in layer 4 actually became an outfit for one of the days I was there. I have some very deep pockets in that jacket I wore ( layer 5) so I was able to stash more items, including my magazine for the trip.
Since it worked out so well, it now became a game with me. When it was time to go to Disney for Marathon weekend I flew a different airline yet I happily paid for extra luggage because I had lots of "Giveaway" items for our meet-up. I was seriously surprised that all those Lara bars did not put me over the weight limit..lol.
But when Princess weekend came around, I didn't see any reason why I couldn't pack all my stuff in a "personal" item bag again. I got this great Thirty-One bag for Christmas and it was the perfect size!
I didn't have to do nearly as much layering as I did on the Vegas flight ( but I probably could have since it was so cold). I can't believe how much stuff I was able to fit in this bag. I attribute it to packing all my race outfits in ziplock bags. I don't like to wear the same shoes to the park that I will be racing in, so I slung an extra pair of shoes over my shoulder strap and no one ever said a word about it.
I packed one of those drawstring backpacks ( you know the ones that you sometimes get at race day packet pickup). I folded this up and put it in my jacket pocket. When I got on the plane, I un-layered myself, put all my extra clothing in that drawstring bag and used it as a pillow for that long flight to Las Vegas! This technique worked out well and I saved $100! And actually that first layer paired with the gray cardigan in layer 4 actually became an outfit for one of the days I was there. I have some very deep pockets in that jacket I wore ( layer 5) so I was able to stash more items, including my magazine for the trip.
Since it worked out so well, it now became a game with me. When it was time to go to Disney for Marathon weekend I flew a different airline yet I happily paid for extra luggage because I had lots of "Giveaway" items for our meet-up. I was seriously surprised that all those Lara bars did not put me over the weight limit..lol.
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| All of this fit in my Thirty-One bag. The 3 ziplock bags have race outfits in them. As you can see, I came home with more than I left with. |
But when Princess weekend came around, I didn't see any reason why I couldn't pack all my stuff in a "personal" item bag again. I got this great Thirty-One bag for Christmas and it was the perfect size!
I didn't have to do nearly as much layering as I did on the Vegas flight ( but I probably could have since it was so cold). I can't believe how much stuff I was able to fit in this bag. I attribute it to packing all my race outfits in ziplock bags. I don't like to wear the same shoes to the park that I will be racing in, so I slung an extra pair of shoes over my shoulder strap and no one ever said a word about it.
I certainly took advantage of every nook and cranny in that bag. Yes, I even snapped my Magic Kingdom popcorn bucket to the handle.
Like I said, this has become a little game for me just to see if it can be done. I was able to pack everything I needed but I did have a comfort in knowing that I was traveling with my sister who is a flight attendant and can pack pretty much everything we need ( for free)..lol
I'll be traveling cross country for my next race-cation so I have a feeling I might need a bigger bag next time. -M
Where are you traveling on your next race-cation? Will you be flying?
Making Goofy
The other day we talked about some new things (and lack there of) that we tried at Disney. This reminded me of something new that we did see when we visited Disney back in January for Marathon weekend.
If you remembered, I wasn't crazy about the marathon necklace that I pre-ordered, so I returned it. My plan was to purchase a necklace at Aribbas Brothers (a jewelry store at Downtown Disney) and have it engraved. I found it odd that they would engrave medals but not necklaces. There goes that idea.
While we were at Aribbas Brothers, we saw something else that caught our eye. The artist inside the store was making these glass Goofy's. Since we had just completed the Goofy challenge, we were intrigued.
This artist was amazing! He started out with just long sticks of glass. He would put them in an oven to make them plyable and then heat them over his torch as he bent them into shape.
Then it was time to start all over again. We were intrigued and spent a good amount of time watching this artist.
Have you ever watched someone "create" something at Disney?
If you remembered, I wasn't crazy about the marathon necklace that I pre-ordered, so I returned it. My plan was to purchase a necklace at Aribbas Brothers (a jewelry store at Downtown Disney) and have it engraved. I found it odd that they would engrave medals but not necklaces. There goes that idea.
While we were at Aribbas Brothers, we saw something else that caught our eye. The artist inside the store was making these glass Goofy's. Since we had just completed the Goofy challenge, we were intrigued.
I'm not sure how he made the color on the hat, ears, and gloves because he had those pieces all made ahead of time and then just connected them to the Goofy as he went along. After putting the pieces together, he then put the finished piece in a cooler.
Have you ever watched someone "create" something at Disney?
The Best Post Race Experiences from 5 different races
The Tuesday's on the Run topic this week is Post Race treats. I suppose you could talk about treats as in snacks, but we are going to talk about treats as in what we are "treating" ourselves to after a race. Some races offer some great "treats" after the race and we think this totally adds to the race experience.
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| Getting post race massages after the April Fools and Disney races. |
1.One of the best post race "treats" are when races offer massages. The first year I did the April Fools race on the boardwalk they were giving out FREE massages at the finish line. There was nothing more relaxing than a post race massage while looking out over the ocean.
Every time we run at Disney we opt to get a massage right there at the finish line too. Of course these massages will charge you but at only $1 per minutes, who can pass it up!
2. When you run a race where your post race food "treat" consist of more than a banana or bagel, you know you've found a good race! We love races that offer "real" food! The Wicked 10K in VA Beach (and other J & A races) offer warm soups in bread bowls. We've also got sandwiches and other post race "picnic" type food at the Run for the Dream race.
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| The VIP Post race party was held at Rockfish on the boardwalk |
3. If you are lucky enough to experience a VIP race experience you will get a catered meal at a restaurant (like we did at RnR Va Beach), or a meal at the post race tent like the one at Big Sur. Other VIP events include post race parties. Some of these parties are open to all runners, at an additional cost. Some of the events are just meals, and others events like the one I was invited to at Big Sur will include a meal, drink vouchers, large screens that will show pictures from the race earlier that day, speakers ( usually the race director), and raffles for goodies.
4. Speaking of RnR VA Beach, What makes this race so special is the post race "treat" of a free concert! After the race all runners are invited to the headlining act. We've seen Train twice, Third Eye Blind once, and a bunch of smaller bands.
5. The post race "treat" I have been most impressed with was the free tickets to Busch Gardens after the Run for the Dream race in Williamsburg, VA. I have said before how generous this race was. We not only got free park tickets, but we also got a meal voucher for inside the park, free transportation, and a 2 day pass for Colonial Williamsburg.
What is the best post race "treat' you've been treated to?
Disney's Princess Half Marathon
We decided to break up during this race and each of us run in our respective corrals so each of us will tell a recap from our own race.
Since I have been having IT band problems I didn't know how I would do. However I do know that it hurts less when I run at a consistent pace rather than doing a run walk method that I did when I ran the 10K with my sister the day before.
There were a few firsts for me this year, one was that I didn't carry a water bottle or wear a hydration belt like I usually do. Since I wasn't going for time, I didn't care if I had to take time out to stop at water stops. Since I had my Ipod on like always do, I can not hear what anyone says so when I got to the first water stop I grabbed some. It wasn't until I had the fluid in my mouth that I realized it was the Propel drink. Then I realized that water was always going to be at the second stop. It was still dark at the first stop so I didn't see what color the cups were. I never take an electrolyte drink during my races but I actually liked it so I did take it a few more times along the course. I did feel like it gave me a little pep in my step after taking it. I am so thankful that it sat well in my stomach.
I started in corral "A" again this year. I started in corral "A" last year and regretted not bringing my phone because there were no lines for the characters when I passed them. This year I had no goal time in mind so I was going to stop for pictures if I got there before lines started to form.
I was glad to be able to stop for a lot of pictures. Unfortunately some ended up being blurry ( like with the Sleeping Beauty and Prince Philip) or didn't turn out because it was too dark. But I did get a few good ones. I always stop for the 5k and 10k but never for the half and the half always has a lot more photo opportunities with different characters.
I did have my GPS on but honestly I did not look at it at all. I was just running on feel. I impressed myself because even with all the picture stops, I still finished in less then two hours. -L
My mom and I started out in the same corral so we decided to run together for a while. I didn't have any expectations for this race seeing that I have been rehabbing a bad knee. For the 10K the day before and for this race, I had been able to manage the pain a little bit better than I did for the half marathon and marathon last month. I knew just how far I was able to bend my leg before the pain got to be too much. Plus I'm sure resting helped some too. I was pretty proud of myself that I was able to stick to my run walk intervals for the most part.
I was proud of my mom for coming in under 2:30 ( 2:28) and had she not started off running with me, I know she could have done much better.
I'm actually pretty happy with my time too. I only came in a few minutes after her (2:34) and I actually beat my time from last year! I know it's not my best or what I would be capable of doing on a "good" day, but with a sore knee and exhaustion kicking in, I'll take it. I guess I would call this Glass Slipper Challenge a success!
Even though my times this year for both the 10K and the half marathon were better than last year, I have to say I was exhausted running both of them. I really think that running the Goofy Challenge last month (the half marathon and full marathon) and then the 5k and 10k this weekend really left me fatigued for the half marathon. Add to that an injury as well. I really need to come up with a better plan next year. And I think that plan might be NOT running all the Princess races. I may just pick one. -M
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| Princess half marathon shirt and medal for 2015 |
We thought the shirts for this year were very cute! Since the medals were the same design as last year (just a different lanyard), we were glad to see that they were silver this year.
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| Glass slipper challenge shirt and medal for 2015 |
You can read about the Disney Frozen 5K from that same weekend HERE.
Peek in Our Week and Disney Old and New
As you know, we spent time at Disney earlier this week. Since we've come home, there hasn't been a whole lot of training. Okay, I don't think either of us did anything but go for a walk...haha. But all that will be changing this week. I am determined to stick to a strength training and stretching schedule for the next couple of months. I am not as sore after finishing Glass slipper challenge as I was when I finished the Goofy Challenge, so this gives me hope that I may be on my way to healing and that I just might be "okay" for Tinkerbell in May!
Before we left for Disney, we said we wanted to do some new things that we have never done before during our visit. As we find our favorite things to do or eat at Disney, it does get harder to try other things. We thought we would share some of our favorites and "new" things we've done.
Resort: Polynesian ( same as last year)
So far, trying something new isn't not going very well.
Restaurants visited:
Contempo Café: Visited before
Rainforest Café: Visited before
Ghiridelli: Visited Before
Gasparillas: Visited before
Picabu: Visited before
Kona Island: New For Lacey
Kona café: Visited before
Cape May Buffet Character Breakfast: ( We have been to this restaurant a few times for dinner but never for the character breakfast).
Tony's Town Square: Visited Before.
Plaza Ice Cream Shop: Visited Before
We totally failed on trying new restaurants.
Attractions outside the theme parks.
Fantasia Gardens Golf : Visited before
Typhoon Lagoon: Visited before MANY years ago but doing it again this past week was like doing it for the first time. It was SO much fun. We relaxed in the lazy river but then did all the tubing water slides.
Rides:
Dumbo: We FINALLY rode Dumbo!
7 Dwarves Mine Train: We finally got to ride this too. We always pass it by because the line is SO long ( we always miss getting a fast pass). This was the first ride we went to when the park opened and we only waited about 40 minutes ( maybe less).
I think trying 2 new rides was a success!
Character Meetings:
We've met many of our favorite characters ( but in different costumes) but I won't count them.
The NEW characters that we've met that we've never met before were Ana and Elsa ( and believe me if the theme of the race hadn't been "FROZEN", we wouldn't have waited in line to see them. We are not that serious about meeting characters....haha.
We also met the Tweedles this visit, and a few new characters along the race course.
So in all, we totally failed at eating at new restaurants and trying new attractions but meeting new characters and riding new rides counts as a success. I think we will make more of an effort to do new things during our next trip ( I know we say that each time..lol).
Did you try anything new this weekend?
Before we left for Disney, we said we wanted to do some new things that we have never done before during our visit. As we find our favorite things to do or eat at Disney, it does get harder to try other things. We thought we would share some of our favorites and "new" things we've done.
Resort: Polynesian ( same as last year)
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| We had a spectacular view from the Fiji building at the Polynesian Resort. |
So far, trying something new isn't not going very well.
Restaurants visited:
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| Tony's Town Square is one of our favorite restaurants in Magic Kingdom. It is known as the Lady and the Tramp restaurant. |
Contempo Café: Visited before
Rainforest Café: Visited before
Ghiridelli: Visited Before
Gasparillas: Visited before
Picabu: Visited before
Kona Island: New For Lacey
Kona café: Visited before
Cape May Buffet Character Breakfast: ( We have been to this restaurant a few times for dinner but never for the character breakfast).
Tony's Town Square: Visited Before.
Plaza Ice Cream Shop: Visited Before
We totally failed on trying new restaurants.
Attractions outside the theme parks.
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| Typhoon Lagoon is one of two water parks at Disney. |
Fantasia Gardens Golf : Visited before
Typhoon Lagoon: Visited before MANY years ago but doing it again this past week was like doing it for the first time. It was SO much fun. We relaxed in the lazy river but then did all the tubing water slides.
Rides:
Dumbo: We FINALLY rode Dumbo!
7 Dwarves Mine Train: We finally got to ride this too. We always pass it by because the line is SO long ( we always miss getting a fast pass). This was the first ride we went to when the park opened and we only waited about 40 minutes ( maybe less).
I think trying 2 new rides was a success!
Character Meetings:
We've met many of our favorite characters ( but in different costumes) but I won't count them.
So in all, we totally failed at eating at new restaurants and trying new attractions but meeting new characters and riding new rides counts as a success. I think we will make more of an effort to do new things during our next trip ( I know we say that each time..lol).
Did you try anything new this weekend?
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