Disneyland Half Marathon

Last Sunday I had the privileged of participating in the runDisney Disneyland Half Marathon and completing the runDisney Coast to Coast Challenge!  The race was such an amazing experience.  I can't not wait to tell you all about it!

Race morning started out like most other--early!  The girls in my room and I got up at 4:30am.  We got dressed and left the room by 5:00am.   One thing I love about west coast races is that, due to the 3 hour time difference, the start did not feel as early.  I try to stick to Eastern time when I only go for a few days by getting up early each day of the trip.  A 4:30am wake up call does not feel as early in California as it does in Pennsylvania.

The great thing about staying at a Disneyland hotel is that we could walk to the start.  It was so nice to not have to wait for a bus and the make a ride to the start. When we got to the corrals, it was very crowded. My friends/roommates--Danielle, Chelsea and I were all in corral D.  We barely fit!  The race got started at 5:45am.  The race DJ's were good, but the start was rather uneventful.  I was expecting fireworks and a big send off for each corral.  Each corral got there own "Ready, Set, Go" but that is really it.   There was a huge TV screen showing the send off of each corral.  I really enjoyed that.

The beginning of the race went past the Grand Californian Hotel and then the Paradise Pier Hotel, where I was staying.  We made a turn and run behind California Adventure Park.  In the road were these big reflectors, each about an inch high.  At about the .5 mile distance, an older man tripped on one and feel.  He smashed his face and his nose was bleeding.  Some police that were directing traffic jumped into action and helped him off the course.  I hope he is ok!

By about mile 1.5, we entered California Adventure Park.  We entered the park in the Paradise Pier section--right near the roller coaster.  All the exciting rides really got me pumped!  After running through Paradise Pier, we ran over the bridge and toward Cars Land!  We did not run through Cars Land, but got a great view of it running by.  Next was the Back lot and Hollywood land!  This is where the California version of the Tower of Terror is.  My favorite new part of California Adventure is the Carthy Circle--a replica of where Walt Disney opened his first full length film--Snow White.  This is part of the complete transformation to California Adventure.  We exited CA and ran the short distance into Disneyland!

We entered Disneyland though an employee/service entrance.  We turned the corner and I got a glimpse of the castle!  Wow, it took my breathe away!  We headed toward Frontierland and then back behind Fantasyland.  Here I was--the big moment--the run through the castle.  This, to me, is the big moment of the race, even more than the start or finish.  So magical!

After the castle, it was on to the rest of Fantasyland, including my favorite Disneyland mountain--the Matterhorn.  This ride is like a tamer version of Expedition Everest in the Animal Kingdom.  After Fantasyland, we ran through Toon Town.  Toon Town is something extra special in Disneyland because it no longer exists in Walt Disney World.  When we were done in Toon Town, we exited Disneyland but were still on Disney property.  We were in that mystical place called the staging area.  I loved seeing all the pumpkins and fall decorations ready to decorate the fall.  One not so pleasant area of the staging area was the Disneyland Farm.  This is where all the Disneyland animals live--like the main street transpiration horses.  The horses were so stinky!  Did you know that all the "pardoned" presidential turkeys go to the Disneyland farm?

By the time we exited Disney property, we were only at mile 4.  I so enjoyed my run in the Disneyland parks.  It was nice to have them so close together.  Disneyland is so magical!  Running there was such a blessing.

To read about the second half of the race, click here...

A dream is a wish...

--Amy

Four Weeks and Counting...

Here we are ladies….the home stretch.  We have less than four weeks until the Princess Half.  My running has been going great.  The Galloway Plan has been working well for me.  I feel really comfortable with my 1/1 or 2/1 intervals.  My speeds have been consistently at 12 minutes per mile during my maintenance runs and 14 minutes per mile in my long runs.  My longest long run has been 10 miles, where I maintained my 14 minutes per mile speed.  I still have three long runs and twelve maintenance runs before the half (wow that does not sound like much!)  I feel like I am ready, but I still have some things to figure out.  There are lots of little tweaks I need to make before then. 

• ·       Outfit:  I have lots of ideas, but not the total package yet.  Rapunzel is my chosen princess, but I don’t have much of a costume yet.  I do have an Under Armour tech shirt in the prefect shade of lavender, a tiara Bondi Band and my Brooks running shoes.  I still need to settle on Sparkle Shirt and some fun accessories. 

• ·        Nutrition:  My usual prerun meal is (don’t laugh!) a McDonald’s Egg McMuffin and sugar free iced coffee.  I eat in my car on my way to the race.  Since this won’t be possible on race morning, I have been experimenting with different ideas.  My favorite so far has been an English muffin with peanut butter.  I was also happy with pop tarts.  During my long runs, I don’t eat anything.  I usually eat a Luna bar right after.  I have quite a variety of during race nutrition to test out, like Sports Beans, Honey Stingers, GU Chomps and Clif Bloks. 

• ·      Timing and Intervals:  I have been very back and forth on this one.  My finish time is not that important to me, as long as I don’t get swept!  Do I take it easy and enjoy the race or do I push hard, giving myself extra time for photo ops?   I don’t want to be completely exhausted at the finish line, but I really don’t want to miss enjoying the race sights and sound, characters etc. 

• ·        Sleep:  I am quite the night owl and I really don’t enjoy waking up early.  This will be problematic for race day.  I am not sure how to work on this.  We have a very early flight into Orlando on the Friday before the race.  I am considering making a very early breakfast ADR on Saturday morning so I am tired and fall asleep faster on Saturday night. 

How is your race planning going?  Do you have it all figured out?  What is left for you to plan in this last four weeks?

A dream is a wish…

--Amy

No More Long Runs?

There was a very interesting article in Runner’s World Magazine this month that I wanted to share with you.  It questions whether long runs are really necessary.  The author lays out a plan that basically includes a lot of sprinting and lifting crazy heavy weights in place of the traditional long run.  

I saw this article and thought I was very timely for where we are in our Princess Half training.  Most of us are at or near the longest of our long runs.  These runs can be up to 14 miles.  Mentally, this seems like a huge mountain to conquer.  Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to skip those really long runs but still be able to perform well on race day? I bet you are thinking—wait, don’t I need my long runs to build my base?  The author says no.  She says that the cardio conditioning that comes from a large number of sprints builds endurance faster than long runs.  To build muscle, she tells readers to do lots and lots of heavy strength training.  There are no easy runs or recovery days with this plan.  It is intense, but the author promises fast results. 

For now, I will stick to my long runs. This plan may be to intense for where I am right now, being relatively new to running.  Once I can run a whole 5k and hopefully longer, I may give this plan a try.   What do you think of it?  Is this plan for you? 

A dream is a wish…

--Amy

***Pleasecheck out my Bondi Band sale!  All proceeds go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  

Are You Mentally Prepared for the Race?

I just wanted to say thank you for all the support and kind words you have given me and each other after my post yesterday.  The reason I started this blog one year ago was in hopes that I would meet some wonderful ladies like you all.  I would never have made it without each and every one of you helping me out and cheering me on. 

The self-doubt seems to be affecting everyone.  After I posted yesterday’s post, I got so many emails and Facebook messages from other new and experienced runners telling me about their doubts.  Doubts of not finishing, of being swept, doubts of not getting a PR.  No one is immune.  Please know that it is natural to have doubts.  It is part of being a distance runner.  There is a limit of how far out bodies can take us.  The rest is mental. 

We have reached the point in our training that our bodies are ready to race.  Now we must train our brains.  We must train our heads to believe in our bodies.  Instead of “can I do this?” tell yourself “I will do this.”  Will it be hard?  Yes.  Will it be worth it? Absolutely! 

What do you do to prepare yourself mentally for this race?

A dream is a wish…

--Amy

***There are still lots of Tiara Bondi Bands available.  All proceeds go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  

Bondi Band TNT Fundraiser

I love BondiBands.  I cannot run or workout without one.   I have to many to count.  Bondi Bands were the very first company to believe in my blog and offer to do a giveaway for you.  I have an intense loyalty to them, so when I was offered the chance to do a Team in Training Fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, I was so excited!  One of my favorite products helping out one favorite charities—sign me up!

Knowing that we are training for the Disney Princess Half Marathon, they sent me a huge box of Bondi Band’s with tiaras on them—so cute and the perfect tiara for the Princess Half!  Bondi Bands are no slip, no drip headwear so you can look good and get on with your life.   The most important thing I was looking for in the Bondi Band was that is stayed put during my entire workout.  I always wear a headband when I work out to hold back all my long, thick hair.  I HATE when I have to slow down and readjust it.  I am happy to tell you that the Bondi Band did just as I had hoped…no readjusting during a long run or an hour spin class.  This is a huge plus for me.   Something else wonderful I have discovered about Bondi Bands over these past few cold, winter months—Bondi Band work as great ear warmers. 

 I have to admit it, I am a girlie girl.  I like to look cute when I work out. The Bondi Band looked good on me while I worked out and even after.  I often run errands on my way home from the gym.  The Bondi Band kept my hair in place and looking good during and after the workout. Since it does not look like workout gear, I felt fine wearing my Bondi Band to the bank and the grocery store on the way home from the gym. The Bondi Band headband is made out of Lycra, so it wicks sweat. Like many of you, I am a sweater when I work out. The Bondi Band held back the sweat from running down my face!  

Bondi Bands sold me a lot at wholesale cost, so all the proceeds go to TNT.  I will be paying the shipping cost, so every dime over the wholesale cost will go to this great cause!  For the bands, I am charging :

$10 for one

$18 for two

$25 for three

If you want more of than that, e-mail me.  We can work something out.  Please check out the pictures of the bands on this page.  If you see some you like, please e-mail me ( amysmith7@comcast.net)  and let me know what ones you want.   You can also find me on Facebook.  Please help support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and get some cool headbands for yourself at the some time! 

A dream is a wish…

--Amy

My First Race!

I did my first 5k today!  It was the Baltimore Women’s Classic in Baltimore, MD.  What a day!

My day started bright and early at 5:30 am.  The kids, Mike and I all piled into the car and were on the road by 6am.  After a trip through the McDonalds drive thru, we were cruising down 83 into the city.  We parked and were on the race field by 7:30.  The festivities were well underway when we got there.  They had the music pumping and the crowd was already getting pumped.  Lynn Brick, a local fitness celebrity, did a quick warm up with the racers and we were off to line up! 

The start of the race was lined with bright yellow signs that have minutes per mile printed on them, and then walker/stroller.  I joined the crowd at the 13 minutes per mile sign.  In no time, the gun went off and the race started!  The beginning of the race was slow.  It took me about 3 minutes to actually cross the starting line.  Very quickly, I learned that I put myself to far back in the line up. Most of the first mile I spend weaving in and out of walkers, jogging stroller and slower runners.

 Once the crowd thinned out some, I hit my stride.  I tried to run about 3 minutes and then walk about 1.  The course had some slight hills, but was nothing too difficult.  This being my first run, I was pleasantly surprised by the number of spectators all along the course cheer one everyone, not just their loved ones.  I really appreciated that and it kept me going.  The first water station came at about the 1.5 mile mark.  That brought another first run surprise.  The wonderful volunteers handed out water in small plastic cups.  There were plenty of trash can to dispose of the empty cups in, but there were many women who chose to just drop their cup—right there on the course!  I found this very rude, and it really slowed me down.  I could not run though all the trash right on the course. 

The final quarter mile was by far my favorite.  I was getting tried and could feel myself loosing stream. Then we turned our final corner and ran right along Baltimore’s inner harbor.  The water is so beautiful and inspiring in the morning.  I got my second wind and finished strong.  As I was running down the finish line, I glanced at the official clock.  It read just at 44 minutes.  Crossing the finish line was a great feeling!  I actually did it! 

Once I was though the shoot, volunteers on both sides of me started handed me things.  Not knowing what to expect, it was a bit overwhelming.  I was very tired and excited at the same time.  I was first handed an ice cold BWC logo towel.  It felt great to cool down and wipe off some sweat.  Then another volunteer handed me a bottle of water—another very welcome finishers gift!  I was so thirsty!  I was then handed a beautiful pink rose, and then a bottle of Muscle Milk.  Once I was out of the finish line, I stopped, looked around and just enjoyed the moment! 

Now the hard part was over and it was time to reunite with my family.  We got some snacks and took some pictures.  They had a lot of snacks to choose from—like bagels, apples, oranges, and watermelon.  After a whole bottle of water and some water melon, I met up with some new friends.  We then hit the race expo (I got some new Bondi Bands!)  After that, it was time for lunch with the family. 

I was very happy with how I did in my first race. The BWC was a good choice.  The other runners were very supportive, and it was nice to run in a women only race to get the hang of it.  It was a good learning experience of where to start, how to deal with crowds and how to pass other runners. The race goody bag and shirt are awesome!  I will post about that tomorrow!

My official chip time was 41:55. 

A dream is a wish your heart makes......

--Amy

If you have enjoyed what you read, please click to the right to follow me!  Or even better, click at the right to share my blog with your Facebook friends!

****I have been working hard to set up some more GREAT giveaways for you!  Keep an eye on my blog to find out what they are!

What “technology’’ do you use?

A blog follower/new friend recently e-mail me and ask me what running stop watch I use.  I replied to her that I do not use a stop watch, but that I do us Runkeeper on my iPhone.    Since you all were so helpful and gave me some really great suggestions when I asked about a running playlist, I have another question for everyone.  What type of running “technology” do you use? 

I am not much of a technology buff.  I like my laptop and love my iPhone, but I use them to do basic things.  When I first started running, I did things kind of old-school.  I used a regular old pedometer and the stop watch on my iPhone.  Once I got into running more, I looked into running apps on iTunes.  I don’t really like to pay for apps, so I downloaded a few of the free ones.  I downloaded Run Keeper, Nike+ GPS and Endomondo.  I have given all of them a try and I have chosen the one I like best. 

RunKeeper is a really easy app to use.  You just tap the app to open it, tap activity type (running), tap to start playlist to get the music pumping, and then tap to start activity.  It’s so easy!  There is a place to tap to hear how far you went, you total time and you minutes per mile time. The app also periodically chimes in to report your progress.  You can control your play list right in the Runkeeper app, and even take a photo of your surroundings.  Once your run is over, you tap on activity complete to hear the details of your run and see your run mapped out by GPS.  The run is then uploaded to Runkeeper.com, so you can log your progress. 

The other apps, Nike+ GPS and Endomondo, worked well but I like Runkeeper better.  What type of running “technology” do you use?  Do you use a GPS watch, an iPhone app, or something else?  What do you like and dislike about it? 

A dream is a wish your heart makes......

--Amy

If you have enjoyed what you read, please click to the right to follow me!  Or even better, click at the right to share my blog with your Facebook friends!

****I have been working hard to set up some more GREAT giveaways for you!  Keep an eye on my blog to find out what they are!

What’s on your running play list?

I am starting to get really bored with my running playlist.  Here is what I have:

I Gotta Feeling, Black Eyed Peas

Tik Toc, Kesha

Hold it Against Me, Britney Spears

Pretty Girl Rock, Keri Hilson

The Time, Black Eyed Peas

Stronger, Kanye West

Only Girl, Rihanna

Rolling in the Deep, Adele

Blow, Kesha

Firework, Katy Perry

Like a G6, Far East Movement

On the Floor, Jennifer Lopez

What is on your running playlist?  Do you have any recommendations?

As for the Bondi Band Giveaway!!!  The winner is Patty!!!!  She will receive the Minnie Dots headband, which is what she chose as her favorite when she visited the Bondi Band website.  Please e-mail me with your mailing address at amysmith7@comcast.net so I can forward the info to Bondi Bands. Congratulations!!!  Your headband will be shipped to you directly from Bondi Bands. 

A dream is a wish your heart makes......

--Amy

If you have enjoyed what you read, please click to the right to follow me!  Or even better, click at the right to share my blog with your Facebook friends!

****I have been working hard to set up some more GREAT giveaways for you!  Keep an eye on my blog to find out what they are!

Bondi Band review and Giveaway!

I was so excited when the great people at Bondi Bands wanted to send me one of their headbands to tryout. Knowing that I am training for the Disney Princess Half Marathon, they sent me a Bondi Band with a tiara on it—so cute!  Bondi Bands are no slip, no drip headwear so you can look good and get on with your life.  The price on Bondi Bands is very fair at eight dollars each.

To make sure I could give you an accurate review, I have been using the Bondi Band for about a week now.  I have worn it during a long run, as well as a spin class.  The most important thing I was looking for in the Bondi Band was that is stayed put during my entire workout.  I always wear a headband when I work out to hold back all my long, thick hair.  I HATE when I have to slow down and readjust it.  I am happy to tell you that the Bondi Band did just as I had hoped…no readjusting during a long run or an hour spin class.  This is a huge plus for me. 

Bondi Band headbands are cute!  I have to admit it, I am a girlie girl.  I like to look cute when I work out.  The Bondi Band looked good on me while I worked out and even after.  I often run errands on my way home from the gym.  The Bondi Band kept my hair in place and looking good during and after the workout.  Since it does not look like workout gear, I felt fine wearing my Bondi Band to the bank and the grocery store on the way home from the gym. The Bondi Band headband is made out of Lycra, so it wicks sweat.  Like many of you, I am a sweater when I work out.  The Bondi Band held back the sweat from running down my face!  Over all, I really like my Bondi Band and plan on getting a few more.

The best part of my Bondi Band review is that the nice people at Bondi Bands want one of you to try a Bondi Band free!  That’s right; I am doing a Bondi Band giveaway!  To enter the giveaway, you must be a follower of this blog. Here are the ways to enter the giveaway:

1)      Go to the Bondi Band website; check it out and comment below which Bondi Band headband pattern you like best (mine is the pink leopard!).

http://www.bondiband.com/index.php

2)      Like Bondi Band on Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/?closeTheater=1#!/pages/Bondi-Band/150788588853

3)      Share this page with your Facebook and/or Twitter friends.  (To do this, click to the right where is says “Share this on Facebook” or “Tweet this”.)

Each blog follower can enter the giveaway up to four times (check out the website and comment below, like on FB, share this page on FB and Twitter.)  In your comment below, be sure to tell me how many entries you get.  You can enter until 3 PM Eastern time on Saturday June 18^th, and then I will choose a winner!  Check for a new blog post that evening to see who the winner is!  Bondi Bands will send the winner their favorite headband!  Good Luck everyone! 

Should I hire a trainer?

I have been considering getting a personal trainer and would like some advice.  My reason for getting a trainer would be for weight training, not marathon training.  For marathon training, I am reading Marathoning for Mortals by Bingham and Hadfield (I will review the book when I have completed the program!).  Many of us have heard that weight training is a very important component to losing weight and getting fit…but I feel a little lost as to where to start. 

Weight training videos were my first venture into weight training, but they become very redundant after doing then a few time.  I have also done some web searches to find some good weight training moves, but I am worried that I am not doing then correctly.  This brings me to the question of good form.  Having good form when exercising is very important.  If your form is bad, you risk injury, or not getting the desired results.

I already know who I would choose as my trainer.  Her name is Mary B and she works at my gym, Strictly Fitness in York, PA.  I LOVE her spin classes.  Mary chooses awesome music for class and sequences the exercises perfectly.  She is great at motivating me, while giving support and encouragement at the same time.  Others at my gym rave about Mary as a trainer.  I would love to give it a try, but I have a few questions for my online friends. 

In a perfect world, I would like to meet about once a month and get a program to work on for the month.  We would meet again the next month and tweak the program a bit and continue this until I felt I could do it myself.  How realistic does this sound to you? 

So, I have come here today to ask, what has your experience been with a personal trainer?  Did you find it worthwhile…and worth the price?  How much did it cost and how often were you required to meet with the trainer? 

A dream is a wish your heart makes......

--Amy

If you have enjoyed what you read, please click to the right to follow me!  Or even better, click at the right to share my blog with your Facebook friends!

I still have a few extra princess bands! If you want one, follow me and comment below. I will send you one as a thank you!

Supermarket Challange!

I have been looking into ways for my family and me to eat healthier....but how?  In our world of fast food on every corner, high fructose in everything, carbs are evil culture…how does a mom know where to start?

 I started to think about my local grocery store, Giant.  Where in the store is the healthy food?  What part of the store should I avoid?  It occurred to me, for the most part, that the healthiest foods are around the perimeter of the store.   Fruits and veggies in the produce depart on one side wall, meat and milk on the back wall, eggs, other dairy products (proteins) and whole grain breads along the other side wall.  Eating healthy would be easy if only I made good choices while shopping only the perimeter of the store.  So, I decided to challenge myself!  I would go grocery shopping for the family and try to buy at least 75% off our food from the perimeter of the store.  Wish me luck!

Pushing my cart through the doors of the store, with my daughter Andrea in the seat, I was ready!  First, we start at the produce department.  I pick up carrots and cucumbers to snack on. We then head toward green beans and broccoli for dinner sides.  We finish up in produce by getting some apples.  Next, I pick up a rotisserie chicken and half a pound of turkey at the deli.  Now it’s time to enter the forbidden zone, the center aisles.  My husband favorite dinner is Spaghetti with meat sauce, so we head down the pasta aisle for a box of whole wheat pasta and some spaghetti sauce.  I also make a stop in the cereal aisle for a box of oatmeal. 

Now it’s time to hit the meat section.  I start out by picking up some lean ground beef for Mike’s spaghetti.  I also choose some chicken breast and pork chops.  Andrea and I keep moving across the back of the store to the milk section, where we get some skim milk.  We turn the corner to the other side wall of the store and pick up some Chobani Greek Yogurt (my favorite!!!) and some fat free regular yogurt.  We continue toward the front of the store to the bread section and grad some Weight Watchers Whole Grain bread to go with the deli turkey for lunch.  Now it’s time to round out the shopping list and head into the forbidden zone one last time.  This time, on the agenda is apple juice for the kids and almonds for my snack. 

I look over my list one last time.  I have enough here for three healthy dinners for my family, plus breakfast and lunch for me while Mike is at work and Nathan is at school.  The big question is:  did I meet my goal?  Did I get 75% of my grocery purchase from the perimeter of the store?  Here is a list of what I got:

From the Store Perimeter	From the Forbidden Center Aisles
Carrots	Whole wheat pasta noodles
Cucumbers	Spaghetti sauce
Broccoli	Oatmeal
Fresh Green Beans	Juicy Juice
Apples	Almonds
Deli Turkey
Chicken Breast
Lean Ground Beef
Rotisserie Chicken
Pork Chops
Skim Milk
Chobani Greek Yogurt
Fat free yogurt
Weight Watchers Whole Grain Bread

So, how did I do?  I got a total of 19 items, five that did not come from the perimeter.  That means only 74% of my purchase came from the perimeter.  I did not meet my challenge, but I think I did a pretty great job!

Now, I challenge you!!!  Try to get a majority of your food from the perimeter of your grocery store.  How did you do?  Tell me what you found easiest and most difficult about shopping this way?  Do you have any tips or advise for others about healthy grocery shopping?  I would love to hear from you!