I've Got the Runs

Okay, not literally.  Well, maybe literally.  This week has been trying, as you may or may not have read in my last blog post here.  So what does that make me do?  It makes me desperately try to keep myself busy and surround myself with positive, uplifting people and running.  All. The. Running.

I signed myself up for my first trail run.  It is this weekend, local, and free (yay)!  It is the Rock It Racing event on Saturday morning.  I haven't run a trail run before, and I might already be regretting it.

I will be doing two conditioning runs this week, along with my normal Tues / Thurs Yoga to help me prepare for the hilly torture.  Fingers crossed I will love this event and may be signing up for some others.  You can be sure I will be updating you all on my experience!


I also got another email about the Hollywood Half Marathon for 2016.  They were offering $20 off the 5k, 10k, and Half runs.  So I reached out to two of my runner friends from high school - my BFF Ashley and Loren - to join me on this run.  Luckily they were both up for the 10k, so we signed up.  We decided to run as a team, and hopefully may get (sucker) a few other HS friends to run with us.  It will be like our 12 year reunion!  We are team We've Got The Runs.  Oh god, we may regret this.  But we wont be regretting running our little legs off for this beauty!

The three of us are excited to run down Hollywood Blvd together again (we drove to Hollywood once when we were a mere 18 years old and had the wildest time).  I can't wait to run this event, it looks like so much fun!

Is anyone else running either of these events?  Have any tips for my first trail run?

Disneyland Half Marathon 2015

Well, the Disneyland Half Marathon weekend is over (insert crying face).  I love how fun and exciting the Disneyland and Run Disney events are for everyone!  The event brought in over 29,000 people over the weekend, 29 THOUSAND! 29,000 runners, families, friends who all took part in the magical running weekend!  Of that, 15K of them were running alongside me in the Disney Half Marathon on Sunday, which was amazing, of course. 

If you have been a part of a Run Disney event, you'll know that you are required to pick up your packet before race day - there are no race day pick ups.  This, to me, only adds to the excitement and fun of the whole run-tastic weekend.  The Run Disney expo is always really great, with the biggest and best vendors that always have something fun going on, giving away, and selling to all the excited runners in attendance.  I went on Friday afternoon to pick up my bib and check out what was happening during the expo.  I love to check out what everyone is selling, new dress-up running trends, and grab a cheer sign or two! 



Lets cut to Sunday morning: I had laid out "flat Jessie" all ready to go the night before, any guesses who I'll be?

I was up early getting myself together, grabbing something to eat and drink to get a little nutrition in me before the long run.

 

The half marathon started bright and early, at 5:30am.  At this time, it is still dark outside, so it feels extra early!

One of my favorite parts of running the Disneyland events are all of the photo opportunities with characters, behind-the-scene areas, and volunteers / cheerers/ spectators.

 

 It was really great to see all of the Disney employees out there cheering us on, along with the other local spectators and local cheer teams / bands!  I have to give Mouse Planet a special "Thank You!" for the personalized sign, red vines, and sponge!  It was awesome to see a sign out with my name :)





It was also a really cool experience running through Angel's Stadium!  How awesome is this, getting to run on the field and have a huge crowd cheering you on!?

 

I was lucky enough to have Mike and my daughter there cheering me on, taking a blurry picture or two as I ran by!

 

 

It was a really awesome run, that was well organized, super fun, and a great time!  This was my first 1/2 marathon and I loved every mile!  I would definitely recommend this run to any seasoned runner, or first-timer who is ready to tackle on all 13.1 miles!

How was your Labor Day weekend?

10 miles Hijacking An Event

Hey!  Did you guys have a run-tastic weekend?  Did you spot me hijacking your event Saturday morning?  This was my last weekend running a long distance before the Disneyland Half Marathon on Sunday, September 6th (yay) - 10 miles for 10 days left!

Most weekends I run along Huntington Beach for a great outdoor distance run.  I like to save the long runs (from my 3 day/wk run training schedule) for outdoors, since running for hours on a treadmill sounds like torture!  Saturday just so happened to be during the Rockin' Summer Marathon, which apparently runs along my same weekend course. So - hi runners who apparently signed up for this event, and sorry - for hijacking your course route and running alongside those of you who signed up.

I started this long 10 miler at 9am Saturday morning.  Its been a warm summer lately, so I wanted to get out before the hot afternoon.  Its killer running in the sun and heat, but Ill do it if I have to.  This time, I didn't have to - so I started nice and early.  I was out there amongst the other early runners and cyclists who ride along the beach path and stayed out with the late starters and weekend beach-goers.

This 10 miles went by in a flash.  I have incorporated a run / walk situation when running these longer distances.  After running about 2 miles or so, often I go off of how I feel, I walk for a few minutes and then pick it up again.  I also stop for many water breaks to ensure I am hydrated for a long run in heat - because if you haven't experienced exercised induced dehydration, its awful!

Anywho, I had a great long run.  Next week is two 30 minute runs and a quick 4 miles.  I can't wait for this half marathon - I have been prepping for the past 6 months!

Oh also, I bought a new hat - yay!  Any of you use the Nike Running app - add me!

Run Tink, Run!

Who ran over to their computers this morning at 8:55am, like I did?  You know it, RunDisney time!  This morning, Run Disney opened up the registration for the Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend for May 5-8, 2016.  Yes, for any of you non-Disney runners, it's for next year.  I talked my bestie into running it with me because Disneyland runs, specifically the Tinker Bell 10k, is my favorite.

 

So, I ran over to my computer, signed us both up, and we're in!  Two tinkers ready to fly away May 7, 2016.  This is my third year participating in the Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend and so far, it has been my favorite.

2014, Family 5k

 

2015, Tinker Bell 10k

  

If any of you are still interested in signing up, there is still room.  Just a few spots left - but hurry up and sign up here!  Come join us on the most magical run ever!  Who else is going?!



Laguna Hills Memorial Day 10k

I love the celebration for Memorial Day and the patriotism it brings out in people, even if only for that day / weekend / event (even though we all know they are deserving of more).  I digress.  This was my second year in participating in the Laguna Hills Memorial Day Half Marathon Weekend, running the 10k event.  I have always enjoyed this run for many reasons:

* The event raises funds for the DARKHORSE Battalion - the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, of the 1st Marine Division Infantry Battalion based out of Camp Pendleton.  So cool.
* The run is super close to my house (ie: lazy)
* The run takes you through a senior community where many of the older folks come out to cheer you on and many of the senior men are veterans, themselves.  Who doesn't like a friendly wave, smile, and cheer from their senior community!?
* The Marine's come and run with you in formation, which is intimidating and inspiring.
* Many veterans come out and participate, so it is the coolest group of people to run alongside!
* The after run expo is pretty legit

So I was able to sucker my honey boo in to running with me this year.  This was his first ever running event, and first time in purposely running 6.23 miles.

 



And of course he did great.  We both finished under 1:07 and had a great time running the super hilly course, seeing all of the spectators, enjoying the post-run expo.

 



 

You will see me out there again in 2016 for another great 10k event.  Hope to see you there too!



Fly Away With Me, Tinker Bell 10k

Who doesn't love a Run Disney race?  If you haven't been fortunate enough to experience the joy that is running through Disneyland / Walt Disney World, then I am sorry, my friend.  This is my second year participating in the Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend. 

I participated in the Never Land 5k back in 2014 with my friend Lelaina:

 

 

We had an amazing time, but I was determined to run the 10k in 2015 because, quite frankly, the 5k goes really fast!  As we all know, I'm not the speediest runner, but I wanted to enjoy the experience for longer than 33 minutes.

So of course I was excited to put together my running gear to be as Tinker Bell-like as I could be.

The start of the run is really fun and exciting.  Run Disney doesn't take any shortcuts into making the whole running experience magical.  Even the entertainment at the start was fun!

The on-course entertainment and the run through the parks is my favorite part (of course).  I stopped at every photo opportunity to take part in all of the fun.  I mean, who actually pays $100+ to run through Disneyland as fast as they can?! I want to soak up every magical minute!

The run was so much fun!  I loved every minute and every mile.  As someone who has run both the 5k and 10k, I would definitely recommend signing up for the 10k!  I am all set to run the Disneyland Half Marathon in September - my first half marathon.  I couldn't imagine experiencing my first half marathon without a Run Disney medal at the end!

Who else will be participating in the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend this September?