Dumbo Double Dare 2013

This year was the first runDisney Dumbo Double Dare!  It was held at the Disneyland Resort--the first official runDisney challenge held on the west coast.  As soon as it was announced, I knew I had to be part of it.  I am such a fan of Disneyland and runDisney, how could I not?

The Dumbo Double Dare is a two part runDisney challenge.  It consists of the Disneyland 10k on Saturday morning, followed the Disneyland Half Marathon on Sunday morning.  I like to consider it a mini version of the of the Goofy Challenge held in Walt Disney World.  (Goofy is a half marathon one day, followed by a full marathon the next day.)  The DDD sold out in a matter of hours, but I knew getting into the race would be the easy part.  I had done ten half marathon before the DDD, but a back to back race like this one was a whole different animal.

Luckily for us runDisney lovers, Jeff Galloway put together a great training plan.  Most weeks, you walk a
long walk on Saturday, and then do a long run on Sunday.  I found the training plan to work very well.  Besides to follow the training plan and all other tips that go with running a half marathon, I have a few tips that are specific to the DDD:

• Get lots of rest Thursday night.  If you are like most runners, you will not sleep well the night before the races. 
• Take Friday easy.  Go to the expo and then relax at the pool.  Your body needs the rest. 
• Carb load Friday and Saturday.  Your body needs to build up and then rebuild up those glycogen stores. 
• Start hydrating on Thursday (or before), and then never stop!  Carry a water bottle with you and keep filling it up.  Doing two back to back races makes it even more important that you are hydrated.
• Don't push yourself to hard the at the first race.  You have an even longer race to do tomorrow. 
• After the first race, again, take it easy.  I know, there are two Disney theme parks waiting for you--how can you take it easy?  How about a compromise--just a few hours in the parks and then you take it easy? 
• Eat a bland, well balanced diet on Friday and Saturday--nothing that will upset the tummy before your big races.  
• ENJOY YOURSELF!  You are in Disneyland! 

Do you have any other tips I should add to this list?  

A dream is a wish...

--Amy 

Disneyland Half Marathon 2013

By race morning, I was already exhausted!  With the first part of the Dumbo Double Dare, the 10k, the day before, a day of flying cross country and two days taking in the parks--I was one tired runner!  Good thing the Disneyland Half is a west coast race--it felt like I got to sleep in a little, but a 4 am wake up call is still a 4 am wake up call no matter the time zone.  At the last minute, I decided to dress as Rapunzel--check out this Raw Threads top.  A few days before the race, I donated 12 inches of my hair to Locks of Love.  With this awesome shirt, I got my hair back!  So many people recognized me on the course from my new, shorter 'do.


Staying at a Disney resort made getting to the start a piece of cake!  We rolled out of our room at 5 am for a 5:30 start...it does not get easier than that.  I got to my corral and meet up with some Endurance Sports Connection. This group is such a hoot!  It is easy to pick them out in a crowd--they run with pig balloons. They are always elaborately dressed up and a bunch of fun to hang out with.  This race's costumes--Dumbo and company of course.  The time till the start and until my corral's turn to start went fast with good company.  My corral (D) got our Ready, Set, Go!  Complete with fireworks just for us!
friends at the

The first mile of the race was out and around the back of Disney's California Adventure park.  After about 1.5 miles, we were in the park!  By this time, the sun was coming up.  We entered the park at the end of the Paradise Pier section, right where they show World of Color!  They had the World of Color music playing--I loved it!  Next, we ran through Cars Land, and then Hollywood Land.  Then it was on to Disneyland!  Running up Main Street and toward the castle is always my favorite part of a runDisney event.  It takes my breath away every time.  A big highlight of the Disneyland Half Marathon this year for me was running with Jeff Galloway!  I just happen to see him at the top of Main Street, as we were turning toward Adventureland.  I was so excited to see him!  He is such a personable, and I feel like he made running possible for so many--me included.  I chit chatted with him for a bit.  How cool is that--I ran with an Olympian!

While I was running with Jeff, I also ran into my friend Jackie.  We do lots of local events together, so it was great to see her.  We ended up running the rest of the race together.  We ran through the castle, and of course got some awesome castle pics.  Then it was on past the Matterhorn, then Small World, some "back stage" areas, then out of the park.  In my opinion, this is the down side of the Disneyland races--the first few miles in the parks are amazing, but then there is lots of miles outside of the parks, in Anaheim.

This weekend in Disneyland, it was ridiculously hot and humid!  I have read reports that by 9 am race day it was from 90-94 degrees, 70-80% humidity.  I, like many others, was not prepared for this weather--at all!  Even the water on the course was warm.  It was hot, sticky and miserable.  The sun shined down on us blindingly as we were running toward it.  The conditions were out of anyone's control, the conditions were brutal.

After 5 miles through the streets of Anaheim, we approached mile 9 and could see Angel's Stadium.  This was a fun part of the race--the crowd was amazing!  You feel like a rock star running through a stadium full of fans cheering for you.  After the stadium, we hit mile 10!  I started looking for signs of Disneyland--the Tower of Terror and the Matterhorn.  After about a mile, I could finally see the Matterhorn--I knew I was almost there.  As we got closer and closer to the finish, the crowd started to get thicker.  As we ran again behind California Adventure park, there was a high school marching band paying for us.  It brought me back to my high school days as a cheerleader and gave me a second wind!  I really need that.  After a few more minutes, I saw the mile 13 sign.  Jackie and I started to sprint to the finish!  After a high five from Mickey, I crossed the finish line!

Jackie and I got our Disneyland Half Marathon medal, then our Dumbo Double Dare medal.  The thing I was most thankful for at the finish was a nice cold towel.  After getting some water, Gatorade and some snacks, I headed back to my room for a nice cool shower!  My race clothes were so sweaty, I looked like I
just jumped into the pool.  Like all runDisney events--the Disneyland Half Marathon was a fun race that I was happy to be part of!  I can't wait to runDisney again in January at the Tinkerbell Half Marathon!

Have you done a runDisney event?  Which one was
your favorite?

A dream is a wish...

--Amy

runDisney Princess Half Marathon 2013

This was a special race for me because one year ago, the runDisney Princess Half Marathon was my first ever half marathon.  I trained for over a year for the 2012 runDisney Princess Half Marathon.  I worked so hard to achieve that goal, it was so cool to go back as a runDisney four time veteran.  I did not have to deal with any of the first timer worries--would I be able to find my corral, would I be fast enough, on no--what about the sweeper, ect.  This time, I got to just take it all in an enjoy the experience.

I stayed at the Beach Club this trip.  I woke up at 3 am and tip toed around my room so I would not wake my husband or my kids up.  I put on my Cinderella inspired race day outfit, got all of my gear and I was off to catch the bus.  It was not until I was on the bus that I noticed I left my breakfast on the bathroom counter in the room...huge bummer!  I texted all my running friends but no one had anything extra.  Oh well, I would have to make the best of it.  I got off the bus at the Epcot parking lot and meet up with a few friends.  We walked to the corrals together.  After no time, it was time for the race to start!

In true runDisney style, each corral got there very own Ready! Set! Go! followed by fireworks.  Cinderella's Fairy Godmother gave each corral their very own "Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo"!  I started in corral C, so I did not have to wait very long to start running.  For the first mile, I could hear the corrals behind me set off.  Their fireworks lite the sky.  After no time, I could see the arch way to the Magic Kingdom!  That is one of my favorites parts of the race.

Race day was so hot!  For those of us from up North, the heat was a huge change from what we were used to training in.  Combined with the 97% humidity, this was one of toughest race for me yet.  With no breakfast, combined with the heat and humidity--I knew I would have to take this one easy.  At a runDisney race--this means lots of pictures!!!

The first place on the course we had a lot of spectators was at the Ticket and Transportation Center.  There were so many people there!  This was mile 4, but I was having a tough time.  It was so great to have all the spectators there cheering us on.  It was just what I needed to keep me going.  After the TTC, we ran under the water bridge.  This always fascinates my kids--cars go underneath a water way for boats.  There was a really fun DJ on top of the water bridge with HUGE mickey hands on.  He was so funny and a great distraction!

It was time!  Time to run through the Magic Kingdom!  We entered the MK from a backstage area, then turned a corner onto Main Street USA.  I glanced up, and there it was--Cinderella's castle!  I always get a little emotional when I see the castle.  At the top of Main Street, we made a right into Tomorrowland.  I was hoping we would run through the new Fantasyland  but we did not.  One more turn and I was at the castle!  This year, they had trumpet players standing on the castle balcony.  This was a really cool touch.  Everyone was so busy taking pictures and videos that we came to a standstill and then walk inside the castle.  Of course I stopped for several pictures at the end of the bridge.  After I was sure I had enough castle shots, we ran toward Frontierland.  This is where I ran into my friend Malina.  We did alot of training runs together, so it was great to see her on the course.

After a few more picture stops in the MK, it was time to be on my way.  We exited the Magic Kingdom and headed back toward Epcot to the finish.  There were lots of spectators as we passed the Grand Floridian, the Polynesian and Shades of Green resorts.  After this is the toughest part of the course for me--the two miles of highway before we get near Epcot.  Disney did a great job at keeping us entertained with some characters, a huge princess balloon and music.  Before I knew it, I was at the dreaded overpass.  This is the part of the course most people consider the toughest.  For me, its not that bad. The hills is my neighborhood at tougher, but if you are not used to hills I can see it being tough.  Sarge from Toy Story was there, along with his soldiers to "motivate" runners.

After the overpass, I could see it--I could see the big "golf ball" inside Epcot.  It was about mile 10, but knowing the end was getting close always gives me a second wind.  It was getting very hot and sunny by this time, so I was ready to be done.  We entered Epcot from a back stage area, then we ran right past the big ball.  I knew the only thing between me and the finish was a jog to the entrance to World's Showcase and back.  I usually hate the word jog, but that is really all I had left in me.  The last half mile felt like forever!  I left Epcot and could hear the choir singing.  At the PHM that means you are almost done!

The finish felt so surreal this time.  I was so ready for it to be over, but I wanted to take it all in.  The first time I was so proud I had actually done it.  This time, I just wanted to hear the crowd, feel the excitement.  I looked around and could see huge smiles.  I saw lots of women crying.  It was amazing to be part of something like this.  I crossed the finish and went for my medal!  This years medal is so pretty--I could not wait to have one in my hands that was all mine.  After getting my PHM medal, I went to get my Coast to Coast medal (for doing a runDisney half on each coast in one calendar year.)  After getting my medals, I got some water, some snacks and meet up with some friends.

My second runDisney Princess Half Marathon was everything I had hoped it would be.  I was afraid that this being my second, it would some how lose some of it's magic.  I am so glad I was wrong! All the Disney magic was still there.  I can't wait to run the Princess Half Marathon again next year.

A dream is a wish...

--Amy

runDisney Tinkerbell Half Marathon Meetup

On Friday morning, I was so given the opportunity to attend the runDisney Tinkerbell Half Marathon meetup.  I was beyond excited when I found out I was attending, but the experience was so much better than I had even imagined!

It was still dark when those of us chosen to attend gathered at the Sorcerer's hat just outside the Disneyland Hotel.  Each attendant was asked to check in with the runDisney rep and sign our waiver.  We then got our exclusive, only for attendants black runDisney tech top.  I meet up with some of the runners at the event, many of whom I know from reading their blogs but never in person.

We all gathered around the Sorcerer's hat to listen to Bob Hitchcock, the big guy at runDisney.  He welcomed everyone and introduced the special guested--Ali Vincent from the Biggest Loser, actor Sean Astin, Tara Gidus, and the New Balance rep. Jeff Galloway spoke for a bit and explained that we would be doing his run/walk/run method for the meetup. Our intervals were :30/:30.  We started our run from the Disneyland Hotel toward Disneyland while running through Downtown Disney--an outdoor mall type area full of fun shops and restaurants.

As typical for me, my first glimpse of the castle always takes my breath away.  It was so beautiful running through the castle just as the sun was coming up.  After about a mile into our run, we stopped for our first surprise -a meet and greet with Tinkerbell herself.  At this time, I stopped to chat with Ali Vincent.  I did not know who she was before that morning.  It was amazing how much our stories paralleled.  I was inspired by her positive attitude. We chatted for a while, and when the run started again we ran together for a while.

After meeting with Tink, we ran to California Adventure.    The park is so beautiful and unlike any of the Walt Disney World parks.  It celebrates everything that California is known for--Hollywood, the beach, its history, and cars!  After our run was over, some other very special guests paid us a visit--Minnie, Mickey and Goofy--all in their 1920's attire.  The runDisney folks gave us plenty of time to get all the pictures we wanted.  Then they announced our next big surprise -that we all were riding Radiator Springs Racers!

This ride is the hottest ride right now is all of the Disney parks.  It features the characters of the "Cars" movies, as they race through Radiator Springs. My little group ran over to be the first in line.  I got to be in the very first car of the day!  After the ride, while we waited for everyone else to ride, we got to meet some of the Cars characters.  Once everyone had a chance to ride, runDisney Bob announced another surprise -we were having breakfast at Napa Rose!

Napa Rose is a five star restaurant in the Grand California Hotel.  They offer an amazing gourmet food and wine menu.  I have always wanted to eat there, but the price and the dress code have kept me away--until the meet up!  It felt so strange to be there is sweating running clothes.  We got into the dining room and found our seats.  I sat with some of the girls I had meet that morning.  The Napa Rose had prepared a wonderful breakfast spread for us--bagels, danish, fruit, yogurt, assorted juices and of course coffee.  It was perfect after a run.

Once we all had eaten our breakfast, it was time for the speakers.  runDisney's Bob Hitchcock started it off by thanking us all for attending and being so devoted to runDisney events.  Up next was the New Balance rep.  The latest runDisney phenomenon is the runDisney themed New Balance shoes.  The rep told us they are simply overwhelmed by the demand for these shoes.  Then he did a drawing for four pairs of the shoes!  I did not win, but I will have them one day!  Hopefully I will get them at the Princess expo.

Next up to speak was Sean Astin, an actor turn runner.  He told us about his #run3rd campaign.  First, we run for ourselves, second we ran for our families, but then we all should run third.  Run third can be for anything--any cause we believe.  Cancer research ( my #run3rd) , diabetes, children's charities, military,  domestic violence, ect--the list can go on and on.  The important thing is that we all #run3rd.  That we all have something important out there to keep us running, that we help others while we do something good for ourselves--to give back!  I was so moved by hearing Astin speak.  It was nothing I expected to here from him, but something I was blessed to hear.

The next speaker was Ali Vincent, the first women to win The Biggest Loser.  I heard so much of her story along the run, but she is so fun to listen to.  She is so animated and positive!  After Ali, we heard from Tara Gidus, the runDisney nutritionist.  Along with Tara giving us some nutritional tips, we also got a cooking demo from the Napa Rose chefs on how to cook a great post run black bean cake and poached egg breakfast.

As the festivities winded down, Bob announced the biggest giveaway yet--a free entry into the Dumbo Double Dare!  Again, I did not win, but that is ok.  I got to attend the event--that was enough for me.  Bob thanked everyone for coming and announced our last surprise -that we all were getting a free one day park hopper pass!  I was so excited!  What a great way to end an amazing event! As we were leaving I thanked Jeff Galloway for changing my life.  I quickly told him my story.  Just as the other times I have met him, he seemed genuinely interested.  I stopped over and quickly told Bob Hitchcock my story too and thanked him for running runDisney.  I would not be where I am today without the runDisney experience and I wanted to make sure they know how important what they do is to so many of us out here.

There is not other way to describe this experience other than amazing.  It was surreal, for a complete Disney geek like me, it was unbelievable!  Thank you so much runDisney for giving me this opportunity!

A dream is a wish...

--Amy

Breathing While Running: What Worked For Me

Breathing has always been the most problematic part of running to me.  For my entire first year of running, I could not run more that two minutes straight without a walk break.  I did my first half marathon like this.  As much as I believe in the Jeff Galloway run/walk method, I wanted to improve.  To me, that meant running more, walking less.  At first, I blamed a lot this on the extra weight I still needed to lose.  While I have lost some weight in the past year, my running remained unchanged.  I would see women that had more weight than me to lose, but could still run their hearts out.  Could there be something else going on with me?

I am lucky to have the best Team in Training running coaches out there.  I am closest with Coach Barb, so I talked to her about my concerns.  She happens to also be a retired Physician's Assistant.  We ran together a lot this Spring at Team runs.  She told me to see my doctor about asthma.  My doctor gave me an albuterol inhaler to use before I run.  I was so happy!  I thought this would be the thing that would really improve my running!

After about two months of using the inhaler, my running was not improving--at all.  Coach told me to go to back to the doctor, so I did.  This time the doctor gave me something different.  I got on a combination asthma/allergy pill as well as an inhaled steroid.  My doctor told me not to expect results immediately -it could take up to a month to really feel the results.

I went about my normal running routine.  After about two weeks, I decided I was going to run as far as I could until I felt out of breath and see how far I got.  I got 1.2 miles!  For me, that is amazing!  It was hard for me to run more than a quarter mile without a walk break before.  After almost three months on my new drug combination,  I can run several miles without stopping.  It feels so good!  I feel like I am actually improving after a year of stagnation.  I had never thought of myself as having asthma.  I have always had bad seasonal allergies, but never considered something else was going on.  It feels so good to have this figured out.

The funny thing about all of this is that my overall running speed has not gotten any better.  I fell a lot better when I run, but I still average a 12 minute mile.  Whether I run the entire thing or run/walk, I still average the same speed.  I guess Jeff Galloway really does know what he is doing....

A dream is a wish...

--Amy

Official Training Begins

Ok Princesses--It's time!  Our official training plan begins tomorrow!

I am a big believer in the Jeff Galloway run/walk/run plan.  If it were not for this plan, I could never have completed a half marathon.  When I started running a year and a half ago, I could not run more than one minute straight.  While I can run longer than that now, there is no way I could ever run an entire half marathon.  Honestly, I am not sure I would want to.  What I love most about the run/walk/run is that I don't get tired or get that taxed lung feeling.  I can run/walk/run for the entire half marathon and feel great at the finish.  I have seen people who run the entire half that are tired and sore after.  After a half marathon, I feel great!  I can walk around the Disney parks and celebrate another accomplishment.

What intervals should you do?  My answer would be the one that feels best to you.  For a very long time, I did a one minute walk then a one minute run.  This is what I did for the 2012 Disney Princess Half Marathon.  Lately, I have been trying longer runs with a one minute walk.  I am doing this in hopes of getting a faster half marathon time.  I will report, mostly it is not working.  While I try running two, three, or four minutes with a one minute walk, my time is not that much better.  I am guessing it is because my three minute run is slower than my one minute run to breath easier and get less tired, and my one minute walk is slower because I am recovering from a longer run.  My average is a 12-13 minute per mile time no matter what interval ratio I use.

Jeff Galloway teaches that it is best to use shorter intervals.  I had the privileged to meet him at this past Disney Princess Half Marathon.  I was asking him about getting faster.  He suggested that I use a 15 second walk with a 45 second run method.  He told me this is what he and his wife often run.  I tried it a few times and it felt strange to me--to much stopping and starting.  But I really do see the genius in it.  Such frequent breaks keeps your body and lungs from getting fatigued.

Here is a link to the Galloway training plans on the runDisney site. This year, I am going to follow the time improvement plan.  Last year I followed the beginner plan and was very happy with it.  I will spend these next five months experimenting with run/walk ratios and find what works best for me.  Good luck with your training.  See you at the finish line!

Do you plan to follow the Jeff Galloway run/walk/run plan for you next half marathon?

A dream is a wish...

--Amy

My Toughest Run Yet...

This past Saturday morning, I ran with my TEAM.  We meet at an all new location--Spring Valley Park.  I was excited about this location because it is the closest location to my house that my Team has ever run.  We meet there nice and early at 7:30am.  After the usual introductions and dedication, Coach handed out maps, and we were off!

Very quickly in the run I could tell this was not going to be an easy run, not easy at all!  The park was beautiful to run in, but nothing but hills--very steep hills!  They seamed straight up and up and up.  It was very unnerving looking off in the distance and seeing four plus story cliffs and knowing that is where I was running to next.  It was very hot and humid outside and the mosquitoes were having a feast--on me.

Coach Barb and Coach Scott

The combo of the heat, humidity and hills tired me out very quickly.  It was next to impossible for me to stick to my Galloway run/walk/run method.  The up hills were just to steep for me to keep running, and the down hills were so steep I was slipping on the gravel.  By mile three of seven, the sun was out and it was getting hotter.  I was feeling miserable!  I even considered quieting before my seven miles were done.  I walked a lot more of the run than I would have liked, but I stuck to it and completed my miles.  My time average was 17 minutes per mile, while my normal long run time average is 13 minutes per mile.  The hills and walking really killed my time.

Since I like to keep things positive, here are some wonderful things about the run.  My running buddy Maureen and I stayed together the whole time.  It was nice to have her to chat with and take my mind off the tough course.  We also were treated to seeing a momma dear and her two babies who run across the road right in front of us.  Running through the park was so tranquil and beautiful. While the sun was beating down on us for much of the run, the trees in the park offered us some shady areas to cool off a bit.

I am so lucky to be part of such a wonderful team.  My team mates are so supportive and positive.  We have some of the best coaches out there.  They work so hard to see use succeed.   When I woke up on Sunday, the DOMS were in full force! My gluts and hammies are so sore from all the hill work.

I was feeling really down over the weekend about my run on Saturday.  Now I am trying to look at it as an opportunity to improve.  Not all runs can be good ones.  Next week will have to be better.  How do you move on after a bad run?

A dream is a wish...

--Amy  

Couch to 5k

I have decided I am going to redo Couch to 5k to work on speed.  After not improving on my speed much this past year, it is something I have been really thinking about.  I have shaved about 5 minutes off my 5k time and about a half hour off my half marathon time since I started racing--which is great!  But I want more results!

A running friend told me her coach told her to redo C25k to improve her speed.  Something about the walk breaks making it easier for her to run faster during the run parts.  When I first heard this, my first thought was that is sounds a lot like the Jeff Galloway run/walk/run method, so I was instantly intrigued.  It makes a lot of sense to me--you run fast starting for a short period of time and you build on that slowly, increasing your endurance and stamina.

I started C25k at the beginning of the week.  It should fit nicely into my half marathon training plan, for a while anyway, because right now I am in the beginning of  Disneyland Half training.  All my "long" runs are still relatively short.  After my long runs actually get long, I plan to still do C25k during my weeknight runs and then do my long run on the weekend.  This program is nine weeks, so I will be finished a few weeks before the DL half.

Have you ever done Couch to 5k?  What did you think of it?  Did it make you faster?

A dream is a wish...

--Amy

Hitting the Wall

This past week, a few of my running friends have mentioned to me “hitting the wall” while running.  Jeff Galloway says “Your wall is normally the length of your longest endurance session within the last two to three weeks, provided you are going at the pace you could on that day. Even a little too fast in the beginning will introduce you to the wall sooner.” 

This wall sounds like a scary thing.  I do not think I have ever hit my wall while running.  I would like to say that I have always been faithful to training plans, but the truth is I have not.  I have been close to faithful, but never 100%.  The reason I think I have not hit my wall is because I have never run past a half marathon length—13.1 miles. 

While discussing this with a group of running friends, several opinions were brought up.  One friend suggested that the wall is mental.  This very well could be true.  After running for two plus hours, the body and brain get tired.  Another cause for hitting the wall could be hydration.  We sweat a lot more then we realize when running.  If those fluids and electrolytes are not replenished, the body and brain do not function properly.  One last thing that could be causing a runner to hit the wall is improper fueling.  Our muscles use glycogen as energy.  Glycogen comes from the carbohydrates we eat.  When running for long distances, we deplete our glycogen supplies very quickly.  Low glycogen, like fluid and electrolytes, need to be replaced for optimum performance. 

So, what is the best way to refuel and rehydrate?  The answer is simple.  There is no best way.  Everyone is different.  I have heard all kinds of different ideas.  For fluids—water, Gatorade, Nuun and Power Aid are common.  I like the low calorie Gatorade because it is less sweet.  For fuel, the possibilities are endless.  There are tons of companies that make fueling product—like GU and Cliff.  They make gels and candy like solids.  I prefer a less conventional way of refueling—pop tarts.  I love them, but don’t eat them on a regular basis because they are so high in calories.  What better excuse to eat some Pop Tarts--"I have to replenish my glycogen supply".  Jeff Galloway recommends gummy bears.  I have friends who swear by Skittles and even Twizzlers.

Do you feel like you have ever hit the wall?  How do you refuel and rehydrate on your long runs?

A dream is a wish…

--Amy

Please check out my updated BondiBand Leukemia and Lymphoma Society fundraiser!

Team Run

I am really enjoying my work with Team in Training, both the fundraising and the team runs.  This morning was a team run and I thought I would tell you a little about what goes on there.  

Each Saturday morning the team meets to run together.  We usually meet at a different place each week for variety, like local parks, a college campus or different sections of the rail trail.  As team members arrive, we gather and start stretching.  Once everyone is there, the coaches get the meeting started with announcements etc.  Everyone introduces themselves and what races they are training for.  While this is going on, maps/directions are handed out.  The coaches will recommend a distance based on the training schedule for each athlete.  The last thing that happens at each group run is called a “mission moment.”  This is where a team member will share something moving—either about their honored teammate (cancer survivor) or something else meaningful that happened mission related.  Sometimes mission moments are good news, sometimes they are sad news, but they are always a great way to get the run started—by reminding every one of the real reason we are all there.  A team photo is taken, then it’s time to run!

Add this to the list of cool things
 I have seen while running.

My run today was six miles.  Very quickly on I meet and started running with two girls whom I will also be doing the San Diego half with.  We hit it off quickly and found a lot to chat about.  I stuck with my 1/1 ratio for the whole run.  The girls seemed very surprised that I could keep up and even pass them doing my Jeff Galloway run/walk/run method.  Our running coaches drive the courses to check on the runners and provide water stops.  The coaches also set up snacks and water at the end.  After chatting and selling some Bondi Bands, the team run was done.  The girls and I made plans to ride to the airport together race weekend. 

What I love most about the team is how supportive everyone is.  No runner is ever left behind.  Everyone cheers each other on and is there to help when someone is having trouble.  I am so thankful that I found Team in Training.  The San Diego half will certainly not be my last Team in Training event.  If you are interested in joiningTeam in Training, check out this site or email me! 

Getting my medal at the
Disney Princess Half Marathon. 

A dream is a wish…

--Amy