Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow...

Early in the summer, my Aunt was diagnosed with cancer.  She had surgery and is doing well, but she has to
My before pic! 
get chemo.  When she was first diagnosed, I told her that if she loses her hair, I would cut mine off and
donate to.  Last week, her hair started to fall out.  So today, I got my hair cut off!

Before today, I had very long, very very thick hair.  I loved my hair.  But, because my dedication to cancer patients does not end with fundraising, I was happy to give up my hair to kids in need.  I took my daughter to preschool and headed to the salon.  My mom and my sister met me there for moral support.  After no time, I had two long pony tails in my hands, all ready to donate.  

My after pic1 
It was scary, but I really feel like it was worth it.  

A dream is a wish...

--Amy 

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Pre-race Breakfast

As I put the finishing touches on my packing for the Disneyland Half marathon ? Dumbo Double Dare this weekend, one thing I am still undecided on--my pre-race breakfasts.  Typically, I pack my race day breakfast and take it with me.  I find this to work best for me.  You never know if your destination will have what you typically eat, so taking it along is a good idea.  My dilemma--what to pack?  I did a little pole on my Facebook page, asking typical prerace breakfasts and here is some of what I heard:


  • Bagel
  • Banana
  • Instant oatmeal 
  • Meal bars--such as Luna Bar, Balance Bar, Power Bar, Clif Bar
  • Waffle with peanut butter
  • Cereal with milk
  • GU
  • Chews
I have tried some of these on race mornings.  My tummy tolerates all of them well.  I think the oatmeal and the bars will be the easiest to pack and store, so that is what I am taking with me.   


A useful pre-race breakfast tip is to avoid to much fiber, fat or protein.  These can be hard for your
stomach to digest.  A good rule of thumb is the 3-1 rule.  For every three calories of carbs you eat race morning, eat one calorie of protein.  Also, avoid eating anything new on race morning!  Make sure you try out your race day breakfast before a training run to make sure you tummy likes it.  And make sure to drink plenty of water.

What is your go to race day breakfast?

A dream is a wish...

--Amy

Monday, August 26, 2013

Pro Compression Review and Giveaway!

Recently, I have been given the chance to try of Pro Compression socks and tell you what I thought about them.  I have been a big believer in calf compression for a while now, but I usually wear calf sleeves, and just
after a long run.  For this test, I decided I would wear Pro Compression socks before, during and after a long run.

What originally got me wearing compression on my calves after a long run was a horror story I heard from a girl in my running circle.  Her sister who was in excellent shape and health had run a marathon on the west coast, and with in two hours was on a flight home to the east coast.  She got home fine, but the next day she began to feel short of breath.  She was rushed to the hospital and they found a pulmonary embolism--a blood clot in her lungs.   After a few days in the ICU, she was ok.  She went home and continued to run regularly with no problems ever again.  Her doctors suspect that after six hours of running immediately followed by six hours sitting caused her blood to pool in her calves, and then it began to clot.  A clot broke off and got stuck in her lungs.  She was lucky--this could have been fatal!

I heard this horror story right before my first half, so I went out and go calf sleeves.  I faithfully wear my calf
sleeves after long runs, but what about wearing compression socks during a long run?  I decided to give it a try.  Yesterday, I put on my SparkleSkirt, my runDisney Princess Half shirt and pulled on my hot pink Pro Compression socks.  A friend and I went out to our local rail trail for a hot and steam 8 mile run.  I was not sure what to expect, but  I was ready to give these compression socks a try.  We started our watches and began to run.  I could not believe it, I could feel the difference right way!  My calves felt tighter, stronger than usual.  I felt like I was getting more power, easier power from my calves right way.  I also could feel a difference every time my feet hit the trail--my calves stayed tight and did not take any of the impact.  I think I am hooked!

So now that I have found Pro Compression, I need a few more pairs!  Pro Compression gave me a discount code to use and to share with you!  The code is:  PCBLG.  This code gets you 40% off your order!  I used it to get some new socks for the Dumbo Double Dare that is coming up this week!  I am also giving a pair away!  Check out how to enter below:




a Rafflecopter giveaway Good luck!  I will choose the winner on 9/3/13 and Pro Compression will send them out a pair of Marathon
socks!

Do you wear compression gear?  Why?

A dream is wish...

--Amy


Thursday, August 22, 2013

runDisney Packing List

It's a week before I leave for the runDisney Disneyland Half Marathon and I am almost finished packing!  I'm really excited, if you can't tell.  I wanted to share with you my runDisney race weekend packing list.  It can be easy to forget something important, so I use a list to be sure I have all the essentials.

Must haves for a great runDisney weekend:

Race day costume:

  • SparkleSkirt, tutu, running skirt, capris or shorts
  • cool, comfortable (cute!) top 
  • comfortable, tested and worn in shoes (not new!)
  • wicking socks
  • throw always clothes to keep you warm at the start line (trash bags work too!)
  • sunscreen 
  • body glide
  • sports bra and panties
  • race day fuel ( I like Honey Stinger Waffles)
  • inhaler
  • headbands! (I love Sparkly Soul!)
  • extra hair bands
  • a running belt 
  • Galloway timer
  • Nike+ Sports Watch
  • race day breakfast (Balance Bar for me)
  • water bottle
  • phone or camera to take all those character pics
  • tissues 


For enjoying the parks after the race:


  • compression socks
  • comfy shoes ( I like Nike slide sandals) 
  • Rock Tape
  • Don't forget to proudly sport your race shirt and hard earned medal




Other things to pack for an enjoyable race weekend:


  • toiletries (shampoo, soap, toothbrush, deoderant, ect)
  • small makeup bag with essentials
  • comfy park walking shoes--not your race day running shoes
  • dry shampoo 
  • chargers for you phone, watch ect
  • shirts from past runDisney events
  • swim suit for your rest day at the resort or hitting the hot tub

Did I miss anything?  What are your must haves for race weekend?

A dream is a wish...

--Amy




Sunday, August 18, 2013

Stand Up Paddle Boarding

I spent the past week in Ocean City, Maryland with my family.  We swam in the ocean, walked the boardwalk, flew kites on the beach, went crabbing and had lots of fun together.  For me, the highlight of the trip was the morning I snuck away and took a Stand Up Paddle Boarding lesson.  I have wanted to try SUP
for a few years now, but never got around to it--until now!

I did a little search on Google and found Walk on Water SUP company.  I gave them a call to get their schedule and choose a Wednesday morning class.  I got up and got dressed for the class while everyone was still sleeping.  I quietly snuck out of the house--nervous but excited!  I was not sure what to wear so I wore my swimsuit with capris and a tech shirt over top.

It was a chilly, windy morning.  As I pulled up to the meetup location, I could see the rising sun shining off the bay.  The group had already gathered and we got started.  After a brief lesson on
shore, it was time to get started.  The instructor asked for someone to volunteer to get into the water first.  I looked around--no one else volunteered, so I did!  I kicked off my flip flops, took a deep breath and climbed down on the floating pier.  This was it--it was time for me to SUP!  The instructor told me to slide on my knees from the pier to the board.  I was very wobbly at first, but I found my balance and started paddling into deeper water.  As the rest of the group got on their boards and paddled out, I was starting to get the hang of paddling.  Then came the scariest part--standing up.  The instructor told us the easiest way to stand up.  I was most nervous when it was my turn to stand up, but I did it.

The instructor was great.  As we paddled, we gave us tips and tricks, but did not criticize.  He made his students feel comfortable and confident.  I was very unsteady for the first half of the lesson, but I caught the hang of it quickly.  My biggest tip for someone new to SUP is to never stop moving!  The instructor kept telling us to keep moving, keep moving--it is easier stay standing on the board if you are moving.  Boy was he right!  The morning was very windy.  A big gust came and my board came to a stand still.  I came very close to falling off the board several times, but when the wind stopping me in my tracks--it almost did me it!  From that time on, I learned to paddle harder and faster when the wind blew.

As the hour lesson came to a close, it was time to go back to the pier.  I was sad my lesson was over, but I was so proud of myself for what I did.  A few years ago, I never would have had the confidence to even give SUP a try.  If I had never started my weight loss journey and never started running, I would never have given this a try and I would have miss out on an amazing experience.  I still can not believe that I did not fall, not even once!  After my lesson, I felt like I got a good work but I was not sore.  The only part of me a little sore was my toes--from gripping the board so hard.  I am so happy that I gave SUP a try.  I can not wait to go back for another lesson next time I visit OCMD!

Have you ever tried SUP?  How did it go?

A dream is a wish...

--Amy

Monday, August 5, 2013

And the Winners Are!!!

My raffle to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has come to an end.  I am so proud and thankful to report that the raffle raised $1,310 to fight cancer--woohoo!!!  I would like to thank the 48 people who entered.  We had a total of 459 tickets purchased.  I used random.org to pick the numbers.  Here are the results:

The first prize winning number was #167 owned my Patty Holliday!


The second prize winner was #124 owned my Cheri Gibson.

The third prize winner was #262 owned by Elizabeth Kostrub.

Again, I would like to thank everyone who entered.  With your help, a cure is certainly in sight!!!


A dream is a wish...

--Amy