COUNTDOWN to the Disney Princess HALF MARATHON! :D

KFJAKSDJAISK! IM SO EXCITED! I've been taking it easy, and honestly slacking (too much) the past few weeks. I've been swamped and overwhelmed with school work - finals are next week but then I am DONE!  I graduate December 13th! I can't wait.

ANYWAYS....

I'm very thankful I signed up for the Disney Princess Half when I did, because it's sold out! I'm excited to graduate, then concentrate on my training again :)

Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis

Today was the first race I've done that has directly affected ME. The Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis is a race I've been wanting to participate in for a long time. I'm glad I was finally able to! I got my best friend from home, Ashley to run (it was her first 5k ever!) and my 11 year old brother, Nolan (2nd race!), and Shane ran for a time today!

I, as usual, have some photos from the race today. It was so fun dressing up! I also have a some info about arthritis - if anyone is interest in the basics :) 

The Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis is all over the US! Check out the website if you'd like to run one! :) 

http://www.arthritis.org/jingle-bell-run.php

Arthritis hurts someone you know.

•               Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States.

•               Fifty million Americans (I in 5 adults) have been diagnosed with arthritis by a doctor.  

•               Nearly 300,000 children under the age of 18 are affected by juvenile arthritis.

•               Two-thirds of people with arthritisare under the age of 65.

•               Arthritis prevalence increases with age. Approximately 50 percent of adults 65 or older report an arthritis diagnosis.

No one is immune to this disease.

•               Arthritis strikes every racial and ethnic group including more than 34 million Caucasians, more than 4.6 million African-Americans and nearly 3.1 million Hispanics.

•               The term "arthritis" encompasses more than 100 diseases types that affect joints, and other connective tissues. Arthritis can cause mild to severe pain in the joints, as well as joint tenderness and swelling.

•               Sixty percent of all people who have arthritis are female, and several of the more common forms are more prevalent in women.

The cost to the economy is staggering. 


Each year, arthritis results in:

•               More than 40 million outpatient visits

•               Roughly a million hospitalizations.

•               Over 9,000 deaths

•               21 million people with activity limitations.

•               $128 billion in costs of treatment, lost wages and reduced productivity.

 But the cost to American families is even worse.

•               Arthritis is a more frequent cause of activity limitation than heart disease, cancer or diabetes. 

•               Pain, fatigue, and inflammation can limit everyday activities, from simple tasks like bathing and dressing to the ability to maintain employment. 

•               Caring for a family member with a prolonged or chronic illness is stressful and draining -- mentally, physically, emotionally, and financially.

The Arthritis Foundation helps. 

The Arthritis Foundation is the largest national nonprofit organization soley dedicated to the prevention, control and cure of arthritis, the nation's leading cause of disability. We're also the world's largest nonprofit contributor to arthritis research, investing more than $450 million since 1948 toward medical breakthroughs that have led to better treatments and therapies, restoring mobility to countless patients. We help individuals take control of arthritis by providing health education, pursuing public policy and legislation, and conducting programs proven to improve the quality of life for those who live with the disease. Information is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-283-7800 or www.arthritis.org

The Color Run (Charlotte)

The Color Run in Charlotte was fun! - I convinced my 11 year old brother Nolan to run with us ! He's never been on a run before, and I thought the Color Run would be a perfect race for a first - timer!

We walked/jogged and he LOVED it ! It was great helping him cross the finish line :) 

Shane did great, as always. 

It's really a fun race, for all ages. Check it out for 2013. 

Disney's WINE & DINE HALF MARATHON!

If you can dream it, you can do it - Walt Disney

I DID IT!!! I did the runDisney Wine & Dine Half Marathon!! It was the most incredible feeling ever crossing the finish line. I ran it in 2:40:21 with a 12:14/mile pace. I know it's not the best time ever, but I ran the ALL 13.1 miles!

The first 6-8 miles were a breeze! I was honestly shocked at how comfortable I was through the first 8 miles. When I finally got to mile 10, I was getting tired. The girl above (Alicia) was someone I met in line waiting for the race to start. If it wasn't for her, I probably would have started walking but she kept me going - kept me up with my pace and hers, and was great company. I love this girl!

The course was GORGEOUS! We ran through Hollywood Studios, The Animal Kingdom, ect. They had characters along the course and light up things - it was  really really well done. 

We stayed at the All Star Sports Hotel (one of the host hotels) and they had buses going to and from the Expo, the race itself, and all the parks. It was INCREDIBLY helpful and convenient. Definitely worth staying in a host hotel.

The rest of the disney trip with my family was great too. We got to see the Magic Kingdom decorated for Christmas and ride Space Mountain :) 

Here's a bunch of pictures - better ones will come when I buy them from brightroom. OH! Brightroom did an AWESOME job. There's even videos of me crossing the finish line !! :)

I also signed up for the runDisney PRINCESS HALF MARATHON in February!! I can't waittttt !! :)  

Charity Miles App

I just found this app online while doing research for a project - It absolutely amazes me! If you're a runner, seriously check this out! 

Charity Miles Facebook

Wine & Dine HALF MARATHON!

Leaving tomorrow for the Wine & Dine Half Marathon!! I can't wait!! I'm so nervous, but definitely more excited. My brother is running the 5k; I'm really happy my entire family is coming down to Florida with me! Tons of pictures to come :)

Greensboro Zombie Run

Last weekend my brother Shane & I ran the Greensboro Zombie Run! It was only 2 miles, but it was a fun little run. The zombies were really awesome, the shirts were cute, the whole set up was done really well. Have a few pictures :)

I tried to sprint and beat my brother at the finish line, and a little girl ran infront of me and I accidentally took her out :/ Whoops! I helped her up and found her mom though :) The bruise on my thigh hurts pretty bad though, hahaha. 

TOUGH MUDDER COMPLETED!

Hooray!! I completed Tough Mudder! 11 miles, 22 obstacles, a bum knee and a fractured foot....whoa! It was such an amazing race! The energy there, the runners, the people working, the volunteers, everything - so great. The 11 miles weren't actually that bad! I was honestly a little nervous - those obstacles were HARD though. I'm so so sore today. We dressed up in costumes & volunteered the second day. It was a blast. One of the best race's I've done :) Definitely check it out if you want to get into these mud runs.

www.toughmudder.com

3 DAYS 'TIL TOUGH MUDDER!!

Alright - if you're into doing these mud runs, I hope you've heard of Tough Mudder. 

"Tough Mudder events are hardcore 10-12 mile obstacle courses designed by British Special Forces to test your all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie. With the most innovative courses, half a million inspiring participants, and more than $2 million dollars raised for the Wounded Warrior Project, Tough Mudder is the premier adventure challenge series in the world."

My friends Cassie & Sara are running with me - we all got super hero tank tops ... WITH CAPES! :) So so so excited!

Hero Rush

My brother, our family friend Brian Mckeon, and I ran the Hero Rush last weekend in Charlotte, NC. This particular race was special - it was dedicated to the families of the lost firefighters of 9/11. It wasn't really a mud run, but more of just an obstacle run (designed by actual firefighters.) ...and my god, it was tough. Fun though!

The “343″ wave is dedicated to the firefighters lost on 9/11. Each runner wears a commemorative racer’s bib showing the name of one of these fallen heroes. The wave is an additional $10, which will be matched by Hero Rush and donated entirely to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

Definitely check out their site and look for 2013 runs (and discounts!)

www.herorush.com

Todays Food Intake

BREAKFAST - 4 egg white omelet (188 calories) w/ mushrooms (15 calories) and cheese (113 calories)
                            1 glass of almond dark chocolate milk (120 calories)
                            1 serving of strawberries (47 calories)
                            1/2 cup of blackberries (31 calories)

The Electric Run

My friend sent me a link to this today - MUST DO!!

www.theelectricrun.com

 Electric Run is a 5k run, a show, participation art, and celebration of life. One million watts of light and sound will transform the 5k course into an electric wonderland. Participants will join in the show by lighting up with glow sticks, LEDs and anything else their imagination can conjure up.

Today's Food Intake

BREAKFAST - 2 Nature's Path Flax+ Waffle (200 calories) 

                              2 tbsp of Skippy's Natural Peanut Butter (190 calories)

                              1 glass of Almond Dark Chocolate Milk (120 calories)

LUNCH - Medium sized Argula Salad (20 calories) with 4oz of Baked Chicken (110 calories) and Mushrooms (21     

                  calories)

                  Pretzel Crisps : 11 crackers (110 calories)

                  Hummus : 3 ounces (213 calories)

SNACK - Vanilla Iced Coffee

DINNER - Chicken Caesar Spinach Wrap w/ 1 Small Potato Cake

4-miler

For some reason yesterday and today I had NO motivation to work out :[ I don't know whats up, maybe I'm just stressed from school & work....

Regardless, I finally was able to make myself go on a run. I ran to work and back which was about 4.2 miles. The run there was great, but my calfs really began to hurt on the run back. I need to stretch better.... I also noticed that I really liked running in the chilly weather (like in NY) than I do the warm...Guess I need to start waking up earlier.

UPCOMING RACES - This Saturday I'm doing the Hero Rush with my brother, Shane. (He has a school meet 3 hours before Hero Rush...he's such a trooper!!)

Then next weekend is TOUGH MUDDER! Ahhhhh! So excited!

Costume pictures for both to come!

:)

Todays Food Intake

BREAKFAST - 1 Nature's Path Flax+ Waffle (200 calories) 

                              2 tbsp of Skippy's Natural Peanut Butter (190 calories)

LUNCH - Boars Head Turkey Sandwich : 2 slices of turkey (60 calories)

                                                                     2 slices of sourdough bread (110 calories)

                                                                     1 tbsp of canola mayo (100 calories)

                                                                     2 slices of vermont cheddar cheese

                  Pretzel Crisps : 11 crackers (110 calories)

                  Hummus : 3 ounces (213 calories)

SNACK - 1 Fiber One Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar (90 calories)
DINNER - 1 Italian Style Chicken Filet (140 calories)
                    1 serving of Fettuccine (210 calories)
                    1/4 cup of Creamy Alfredo Pasta Sauce *GLUTEN FREE* (100 calories)
SNACK - Small Vanilla Iced Coffee (270 calories)

 TOTAL CALORIES : 1933 / 2150

*Just incase anyone was curious, I'm using MY NET DIARY app on my iphone to track all this :) It's awesome.

Rock 'n' Roll 10k - New York

Last weekend I took a trip to NYC to visit my best friend Stefanie. She recently moved there to go to graduate school at Columbia University. She's a runner, and so I signed us up for the Rock 'n' Roll 10k in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.

Race day was INCREDIBLE. Woke up at 5am, had a bagel and banana, an hour subway ride to Brooklyn, and started shedding layers at the start. (It was about 45 degrees outside.)

As soon as the race started, it automatically wasn't so cold anymore. This was the first race I've done that I was completely comfortable at race pace and ABLE to actually run (with out taking a break) the entire course. The first 5k went by like it was nothing, and I picked it up after the halfway point. My playlist I made the night before definitely played a big part. Not to mention how happy I was to be running in New York, and Prospect Park was SO beautiful. I felt so strong the entire run. The last 300m I sprinted to the finish line to try and beat the clock. I finished strong, which is something I had trouble doing the last 10k (and 5k).

Overall, this was the best race I've had since HIGH SCHOOL. It's definitely the happiest I've been in a while; running that race.

The Rock 'n' Roll crew were AMAZING. Extremely organized, and very helpful. They did a great job with the set up and with the vendors.

Check out their race series! I highly recommend it. http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/new-york

NO EXCUSES.

I saw this video on the Spartan Beast facebook...and WOW. Everyone needs to see this.

Chris Davis weighed was 700lbs. He measured the distance he could walk in feet, and had to plan his route from car to office carefully. He says "If I can achieve this, nothing is impossible."

Today finds him in Pittsfield Vermont, home of the Spartan Race "Spartan HQ," where has been training for The Spartan Beast. It's a 13+ mile obstacle course on the face of Killington Mountain. We've been documenting his progress in weekly videos for the last 20 weeks. Watch the incredible shrinking man!

This video produced by Madmotion with videography by Marion Abrams, Blake Farnham and Forrest Call.

http://www.spartancoaches.com/

small break...

So, last week I got in a car accident. No one was hurt, but my car is totaled. I took this week off to recover - mentally, more than physically. I hope to get back into my groove in the next few days :)

Country Park Run

I drove out to Charlotte yesterday to watch my little brother Shane run a cross country meet for school. He did great! 6:20 mile pace (definitely beats me haha).

Anyways - I went to Country Park today on Battleground and ran the loop a few times, ended up with 3.49 miles (with an 11:00 mile pace). I really need to stop running in the middle of the day, it's still too hot :/ But it was a good run! I tried this GU Gel - I heard these great things about these gels..but ugh! It tasted awful :[ I was a little sad, I'm running out of things to eat/drink/check/whatever for my half marathon. (A lot of foods dont sit with my stomach because of IBS). But the search must go on!

Decent run, iced my knee right after. Made this italian style baked chicken and spaghetti for dinner. nomnomnom! Anddd and apple and peanut butter :)

I really, really work on my milage :/

4-MILER

Woke up today feeling a little refreshed (probably from ACTUALLY sleeping..imagine that). It was sunny and cool out (perfect!) and decided to run to work, see my friend Sharene, and run back. It's only about 2.1 miles there, then 2.1 miles back. The run there was awesome, kept my pace steady, felt good, my leg wasn't giving me any problems. On the way back though I went a little slower. Half because I had taken a break to talk, then half because I ran a different way home and I ran out of sidewalks :[. I managed! It felt like a great run, but now my knee is swollen and aching :/. I'm icing it, lets hope I'm okay for a run tomorrow!!

PMA :)

Race the Bar 5k - Downtown Greensboro - Natty Greene's

Saturday, I ran the Race The Bar 5k downtown with my friend Steven. I'm not going to lie, it wasn't a very good run. I just wasn't into it, and I couldnt keep my pace. Regardless of my frustration, I finished with in 32:57. BUT....I did beat my ex-boyfriend...which kind of ruled. :) And there was free beer....I'm okay with that too, haha.

Check out the race series HERE!

feeling a little better!

It's been off my medication for about 3 weeks now. The side effects of the Cymbalta were just getting to be too much and affecting my daily routines (work, school, sleep, ect). 

I've been cooking dinner now, (crazy, I know), and stopped playing soccer. I hurt my ankles at a practice and decided it was too risky to keep playing since my half-marathon is so soon. (NOVEMBER!!!!) 

Yesterday I did Zumba at Level 5 Studio - and I was actually surprised at how intense it was! It was a really comfortable studio and it was a great workout! I was determined to go running afterwards; I desperately need to get back into my running routine. 

Work Out (yesterday)

• Zumba - 1 hour
• Run (outside)- 1 mile - 10:30 pace - 104 calories
• Walk (treadmill) - .75 mile - 15 incline/3.7 speed - 130 calories
• Stairstepper - 10 minutes - 40 calories
• Run (outside) - 1 mile - 11:00 pace - 100 calories

Work Out (today)

• 5k run (outside) - 37:29 time - 11:55 pace - 328 calories
It was GORGEOUS outside today! It was probably one of the best runs I've had in a while. 

THIS SATURDAY is the Natty Greene's 5k Beer Run - super stoked :) My friend Steven signed up with me! Photos / results then :)

Hero Rush 5k Mud Run

CHARLOTTE/GREENSBORO FRIENDS! My brother Shane and I are running the Hero Rush in Charlotte, OCTOBER 20th!

We're running the Charity 343 Heat - its dedicated to the firefighters lost on 9/11. Each runner wears a commemorative racer’s bib showing the name of one of these fallen heroes. The wave is an additional $10, which will be matched by Hero Rush and donated entirely to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

We'd REALLY love to get a team together to do this. PLEASE let me know if you'd like to sign up and do it :)

PLEASE check out this awesome race! http://www.herorush.com/

Rock'n'Roll NY 10k

I just booked my flight to NYC to visit my best friend! We're signing up for this to run together :) So excited!!

http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/new-york

Half-Marathon 12-week Program

I found this online, and thought it was REALLY useful. Check it out :)

http://greatist.com/fitness/half-marathon-running-training-plan/

Awesome List of Races!!

Guys - some of the BEST races are on this list! If you want something different from a normal road 5k, check these out!

http://greatist.com/fitness/best-themed-running-races/#

First Day of Classes!

Today was the first day of my last semester of college! Woo!! I was exhausted all day but pushed myself to go on a run after class.

WORKOUT - I ran to the gym (1.12 miles / 117 calories), walked on the treadmill for 17 minutes at the highest incline (1 miles / 165 calories), and walked/jogged back home (1.1 miles /110 calories). I also rode the bike for 5 minutes/.5 miles !! After the first few minutes, I was feeling great. I really, really need to get my miles up..badly.

Running/Abs tomorrow!! :) I'm excited!

NUTRITION - I had Special K cereal for breakfast. It was the first time I've had breakfast in a while. It didn't upset my stomach thing (great!) I slept through lunch (oops)...but had baked chicken, brown rice, and green beans for dinner. It was increeeedible!

Note to self - make a better running playlist.

Trail Run Challenge

I ran my first trail-run 5k! It was an amazing trail, great views, and overall felt like a good run. My brother ran it with me, (and beat me, as usual.) Check out the website :)

http://www.trailrunchallenge.com/