Race day nerves and nightmares

October 24, 2013 by vfreile

The gun sounds and hundreds of runners start their 26.2-mile journey at a picturesque race course in central Pennsylvania.

Me? I’m running TO the start line, which is off in the distance of rolling hills and lush trees. I’m sprinting while pinning my race bib to my shirt. I drop half the safety pins on the ground as I go. I’ve also forgotten my Garmin watch and all of my race day fuel in my rush. It’s all I can do to get myself to the start line.

I can see the crowd moving further and further ahead of me as they head down the gentle slope of a hill. I trip over my feet and land on my face. I scramble forward, reaching the start a good 10 minutes after the last racers in the pack left the starting area.

I run toward the start line, which is already being dismantled by an overachieving race crew. Event organizers stop me, “You’re too late. You can’t run here today, at least not as part of this marathon.”

I gape at the man. What? How can that be? I. AM. READY. I might be late, I might look like a Mack truck ran me down, but I am here. And I want to run!

“Sorry lady,” The man shrugs. “Next time, be here on time.”

My heart is racing as I wake from the vivid nightmare. I bolt upright in my bed with a sheet tangled around my ankle. I’m panting as I look around the room.

Reality settles in and I realize, I haven’t missed anything. I say a small prayer and thank a higher spirit that big race is still over a week away.

My handbook arrived! It’s getting real.

Like many runners, my worst fears take over as race day approaches. Mainly, I worry about oversleeping on race morning and getting lost on my way to the start line. Sometimes I worry about getting sick and being too ill to run.

Occasionally, I worry about tripping over another runner’s throwaway clothes, injuring myself as I start the race. (I saw this happen at the start of the Pittsburgh Marathon last spring. Yikes!) Sometimes, I wonder how it will go if I can’t use a port-o-let in the start area.

And there’s always the nightmare about forgetting to pack my sports bra in my pre-race overnight bag, leaving me without any support for 26.2 miles the next morning.

Wait, that one actually happened.

Thank goodness a friend drove the item to me at my pre-race hotel, saving me from my “efficient” self. Now, I triple-check everything before a big race.

Let’s face it, I’m not going to sleep the night before my marathon. I will toss and turn and get up to use the bathroom at least a dozen times. I know this, so I need to cope.

I do so by hydrating for 2 full weeks before a race and getting plenty of sleep race week. I cut back on my coffee (caffeine) intake and I rest my legs as much as possible.

The finish area in NYC’s Central Park this week. It’s ready and waiting. Thanks to friend Liren Chen for the pic

To remind myself I’m not to only one with pre-race jitters, I asked a few good friends if they shared some similar concerns.

Meri told me that she typically gets nervous the night before a race. “I immediately realize I’m doing everything wrong – not enough hydration, can’t sleep and so on.” She said her friends and running partners typically talk her down or break up the anxiety with a joke.

Another friend told me she’s had nightmares that she will be called into work race morning. Some runner pals last week joked about getting lost on the course. Can you imagine?

I can!

Brooke said she has numerous unfounded concerns the week of any big race.

“The easiest thing to do is mentally reassure myself that it’s just that – an improbable fear,” Brooke said. “Once I start running it all disappears anyway, and I’m solely focused on the run.”

Another good friend Jen suggested I remind myself that I’m running because I WANT to run. “Race day is the reward of all my hard work!” she said. “The outcome doesn’t matter so just have fun!”

That’s solid advice, ladies. Thank you.

So in the next week, I’ll be hydrating, resting and packing. I’ll also be avoiding black cats, ladders and sidewalk cracks. Don’t judge me.

Tell me about your pre-race nightmares. Do you obsess for days before your big race? What do you do to calm your nerves?

Coming To A City Near You…

October 23, 2013 by beewhobabbles

It’s no secret that we Chicks love a themed run. We’ve satisfied our ice cream cravings at Jog ‘N Hog, we’ve run in neon, we’ve begun a race in pristine white and arrived at the finish covered in color. We’ve done the princess thing, the villain thing, the fairy thing, and we’ve got something cooking for the food and wine thing in a few weeks. Themes! Costumes! Photo Opportunities! Gimme, gimme, gimme! Last week though, I received a race advertisement that made me wonder if the whole gimmicky race gimmick had gone too far.

The Tap’N’Run is a 4k race with four beer chugging stations along the course. I love beer and I love running but…really? What’s next? What other wackiness is already out there? (And do we really need to prop up running this much? I think it’s sorta cool on it’s own.)

I love to waste time on my smart phone, so I did the research for you, friends. Here are some other crazy themed races, possibly coming to a city near you:

1. Thanksgiving Dinner 5k- eat a traditional Thanksgiving dish at each kilometer! Cross the finish line and have a slice of pumpkin pie. Each runner gets a pair of Thanksgiving pants with an adjustable waistband.

2. Backwards One Miler- Begin this race at the finish line where you will receive your medal; then race back to the start while walking backwards.

3. Burlesque Run- Race along the Strip in an event that claims it’s the most running you can do with almost none of your clothes on! Remember, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. (No race photography allowed.)

4. #insta5k is the only race that combines a run with a photography competition. Tag your photos along a scenic course!

5. Balls in the Air 5k- You’ll juggle- yes, juggle- along this flat course. Don’t drop the balls!

6. Dash for Mr. Darcy- It’s a truth universally acknowledged that Austenites will do just about anything that involves Darcy. Run this 5k dressed as your favorite character from one of Jane Austen’s novels and cross the finish line to the Wedding March.

7. Reality Run- Vlog your way through this one mile fun run and then post it on our event page. Everyone gets their 5-15 minutes of fame in this race!

8. Pie in the Face Relay- This four mile run is a team event in which each runner gets a pie to the face before they begin. Hope you like banana cream!

Click here for more information on any of these races.

Tell me about your crazy, silly, fun themed races! Real or imaginary.

I’ve got whosits and whatsits galore…

October 22, 2013 by Meridith

Welcome, welcome, one and all. This weekend I tackled a ridiculous feat…

The semi-annual cleaning of the running drawer. (It should really happen more than it actually does but let’s not make too big of a deal about that!)

I’m assuming that everyone has a drawer like this. It’s as messy as a “junk” drawer, but there’s NO JUNK in this drawer. It’s all gold, my friends, and it’s all extremely important when it comes to running.

Uh, except for maybe this. Not sure how this wound up in the running drawer…

Okay, so let’s get down to the good stuff!

I’m a big fan of the cinch bags that some race series give out at their expos. I use these bad boys to bring things to Track and Field practices and meets for the kiddo and at other races (way to publicize!). And every time I use one, much like a race shirt, it takes me back to that race. Memories, like the corners of my mind.

I’ve got gadgets and gizmos a’plenty! Need a spoon on a string (and who doesn’t)? Check! That was from the Jog ‘n Hog this past summer.

credit: Jog ‘n Hog Boss Hog

Foot Rubz ball? We’ve got two; Jay has the other one squirreled away somewhere. I use it after every. single. race. Stickers! Blister Treatment! (Knock on wood, I haven’t had any blisters lately.) And of course, my trusty Road ID. Okay, well, the Road ID box. The actually Road ID itself doesn’t usually make it back into the box because I use it so frequently.

Ah, the cold weather gear. How necessary yet how unfortunate that it’s necessary. In my perfect world, I’d not need these. It would be lovely fall weather all the time. Alas, such is not the case here in New Jersey and it’s already getting to the time of the year when we have the windows down, heat up.

Rocking the $3 Target hat (notice the gloves in hand) at last year’s Cooper Norcross Run the Bridge.

When I began running Vic took me to Target, pointed out the men’s hats and told me to stock up. When you spend a couple of bucks on a hat or a dollar on gloves, you don’t get too broke up if you need to throw them to the side if you get too warm while running. The Lululemon ones? Those don’t get tossed (added bonus: they were a gift from Jess).

Not shown: Strong Mama Sox Box Socks
They’re in the wash.

I have a socks drawer but that’s not where my long socks live. Oh no, they have a special place of honor in my running drawer! And each time I pull out a pair of the socks, it brings me back to when I got them and where I’ve worn them. (My mind likes to retain random information that is pertinent to exactly nothing.)

Heart Running Skirts socks at runDisney’s Tangled 5k.

Thanks to Brandi for this group shot of us outside of the Septa station.

Red ProCompression Socks at the Broad Street Run

And finally…

I’ve got fuel! I’ve got arm warmers (that are actually Baby Legs)! Tissues! Safety pins! Handheld water bottle! SPIbelt! These are the things that float around the drawer, usually toward the top, because I need them more often than most.

It should be noted that the drawer stayed neat for maybe a day and a half before it got all messed up again. Yep.

What’s in your running drawer? Or where do you keep all your “Stuff” with a capital S?

Where to run: San Francisco edition

October 17, 2013 by writeitdownjess

I live in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I know this not only because I have eyes, but also because millions upon millions of people converge upon the city by the bay every year. Tony Bennett even left his heart here, so you know it’s got to be a pretty legit place. Tony wouldn’t leave his heart just anywhere.

But San Francisco isn’t just beautiful for living; it’s absolutely awesome for running. Most of the major races make a pit stop here, there are a variety of neighborhoods, parks and trails to run on, and the weather is mild year-round – never too cold, never too warm. It’s no wonder the running community here is robust: SF is practically a runners’ utopia. Forbes even named it one of the 10 Best Cities for Runners in 2012.

I could go on and on, but instead I’ll get to the point: if you ever find yourself visiting this heavenly place and have a hankering to go running, there are a few places to bookmark. Want to know what they are? Read on!

Crissy Field

This beach and park is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. On any given day, you’ll find a mix of dogs and their owners, families setting up blankets and picnics on the sand or grass, and, of course, runners. Lots and lots of runners. The pebbled path here takes you along the water all the way down to Fort Point, which stops right underneath the Golden Gate Bridge. The route is 1.5 miles one way, so it’s a great practice route for 5Ks.

Plus, hello, it’s stunning!

Golden Gate Park

This is the West Coast equivalent of Central Park. With over 1,000 acres, it’s a gorgeous green sanctuary right in the middle of our bustling city. Not only is there a ton of stuff to do in general (I recommend the paddle boats and snack shack at Stow Lake), you could run for miles and miles here while soaking in the beautiful scenery.

Park anywhere, get out, and hit the road. The urban jungle awaits!

You can take it slow too: a leisurely stroll with Bug.

The Valentine’s Day Dash 2012 in Golden Gate Park. Thumbs up!

Golden Gate Bridge

At the very least, if you visit San Francisco, you need to walk across this piece of architectural history. But it’s a great place to run, too. The bridge itself is about 1.7 miles long, and there’s a great lookout on the Marin side of the bridge. Make sure you bundle up if you do this one – it can get blustery up there.

It’s also probably not the best option for those of you who are afraid of heights. That ish is tall.

What’s big and red and pretty all over? The Golden Gate Bridge!

The Embarcadero

This is one of my very, very favorite places to run, the Embarcadero stretches from AT&T Park where the San Francisco Giants play (an insanely beautiful place, though I am an A’s girl) alllllll the way down past Pier 39 – wave hi to the sea lions! – stopping at Pier 45. It’s nice and flat, so it’s not too terribly difficult a run. AT&T Park to Pier 39 and back is right around 3 miles, but you can easily go further to make it a longer run.

Hint: when you reach Pier 39, make a pit stop at Trish’s Mini Donuts. These things are piping hot and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

Hint hint: once you turn back and hit the Ferry Building, reward your efforts with Gott’s Roadside, a ridiculously good burger joint with outside seating perfect for people-watching.

The clock tower at the Ferry Building. Oh, and some beautiful sunshine and blue skies.

Running along The Embarcadero during The Giants 5K back in August!

Lyon Street Steps

I’ve never actually run here, but I would be remiss not to include it on this list. Made up of 288 punishing steps, this stairway connects the Pacific Heights and Cow Hollow neighborhoods. This is a runners’ favorite, but I have yet to attempt it. Probably because I’ve heard how hard it is!

Still, the view might be worth it.

Pic source: http://www.sfgate.com/outdoors/article/Lyon-Street-boasts-the-perfect-steps-3794332.php

As you can see, Forbes wasn’t lying, and my list is just the tip of the iceberg. Try dragging your heart with you when you leave here. I guarantee it’ll put up a fight.

Do you have favorite running spots where you live? Tell me about them in the comments!

Returning from an Injury: Atlantic City 10k

October 15, 2013 by Meridith

Let me start by saying, at the beginning of last week I wasn’t sure I was going to run this race.

Exactly a month ago, I injured my right quadricep muscle, right near the knee. Since then I’ve done everything to move the healing process along. Rest. Ice. Compression. Elevation. I’ve worked with my trainer (mostly upper body). I’ve visited a doctor and gone to Physical Therapy for two weeks. I skipped last week’s scheduled 5k because I wasn’t sure I was ready for it. But given that my leg has been feeling really good and I need to get back into running for next month’s runDisney Wine and Dine, I decided that I was going to give the 10k at one of my favorite race series a go.

To say that I was extremely nervous about it would be a vast understatement. Originally I’d planned to drive down to AC solo. However as race day drew closer, I started dropping subtle hints that I thought I might want my husband to come along for the trip. And by subtle hints, I mean bribery.

“You could GAMBLE while I run! Won’t that be fun, Jay? And I get a beer at the end of the race and I’ll give that to you. I mean, granted, it will be 10 in the morning but I’m a very good sharer. Hey, you can even drive!” I know, those are very convincing arguments and ones that could not be denied. Once I solidified my mom’s babysitting services, he joined me for both the expo on Friday night and race Saturday morning.

Just prior to the rain, we were having some entertainment.

The weather had been looking ominous the days leading up to the weekend. We were feeling the after effects of Tropical Storm Karen; the rain and wind had been bad in AC both Thursday and Friday and it wasn’t looking promising for Saturday’s race. And sure enough, soon after we arrived, the rain started. But as a wise woman always said to me, “You’re not made of sugar, you won’t melt.” Thanks for that, Gram.

Especially since the rain wouldn’t stop for the majority of the time we were running.

I ran on these boards during the April Fools half in both 2012 and 2013 so it was comforting that I knew the route. Prior to running I’d decided to follow the Galloway method with 3:1 intervals – three minutes of running, one minute of walking. Considering I hadn’t actually run for a month, I really wasn’t sure what to expect.

If I was hurting, I knew I could walk or just turn around. I planned to listen to any cues that my body was sending. Sometimes I push through pain if it’s just a cranky hip or a tweaked knee, but if my quad even gave a little shout, I planned to call it quits.

After the singing of the Star Spangled Banner and a quick countdown, we were off! Jay waved his “I’m so excited, I made a sign” sign and bid me farewell.

The rain was both a blessing and a curse. It forced me to put my phone in my SPIbelt and not be tempted to take pictures during the run, which I believe was a good thing. Jay was tracking my phone so he knew where I was at any given point in time, which was comforting. The curse, of course, was slick boards, wet glasses, wet clothes, and feeling like I was going to be blown away at certain parts of the race.

The out-and-back course is entirely along the boardwalk with the start at Bally’s casino. The rain really started pelting us about a half mile in. While the conditions weren’t ideal, I was just happy to be moving! I felt good and while I might have gone out a wee bit too fast (caught up in the excitement of the start and being able to actually run without pain), I soon fell into a comfortable pace with the intervals.

I “hung out” with my friends, Blue Pants Minnie Shoes, Pink Jacket, and Orange Hat the majority of the race; they were both doing intervals as well and we would catch up to each other throughout. I chatted a bit with them, mostly about the weather and Disney. Soon enough we were at the 5k turn around and a good amount of the runners peeled off, heading back to Bally’s.

I was totally jealous of those 5k runners, for the record.

Although, I suppose I shouldn’t have been TOO jealous. The wind was at our backs on the way out… the 10k turn around brought more wind and rain to the face.

Not so much fun.

I tried to curl a bit so that the top of my head was getting the majority of the wind, but it was difficult to run that way. The volunteers were out at the water stops with smiles and encouraging words. It helped to continue on and not just say “Screw this, Jay come get me.” That thought might have passed through my mind more than once. Also, I was singing “The rain in Spain falls mainly in the plain” repeatedly to the tune of whatever song was on my iPod.

The mile 5 marker had a clock indicating I was slightly under an hour, which was promising. Promising in that I had arrived at mile 5, there was only 1.2 left, and that I was going to finish in just about the same amount of time of my last 10k.

Right around that time, I spotted Orange Hat a bit ahead. Orange Hat reminded me of my friend, Moe, who I’d run the April Fools half with in the spring. I was missing Moe hard at that moment (I always miss Moe, but more so in that miserable rainy moment) so I caught up with Orange Hat and said, “Let’s get this done” and we fell into pace together.

I fell back at one point, then she did. But we kept meeting in the middle, pushing each other to the finish. And finally, I saw the glass walkway that indicated we nearly were at the end! She said, “I can hear the announcer!” We picked it up a bit and brought it home.

You can see that I’ve spotted Jay and it’s the finish line and HOORAY, I can almost go inside and out of the rain. Because while I’m not made of sugar, my clothes were sticking to me and I couldn’t see very well (rain and glasses = muy mal), and oooh, I get a medal!

I wore my SKORA Cores for this race – was afraid they might slip on on boards but they were awesome!

After getting our medals, I walked over to Orange Hat to thank her for motivating me throughout the race. I then found out that her name is Emily and she and her family are attempting to do a 10k in every state! Go Emily! (And seriously, if you’re reading this, thank you again! You really helped me, especially in that last mile.)

Wore my Chicago Marathon hat as a shout out to Moe (who ran this weekend) and all the other marathoners!

I was able to maintain my 3:1 intervals the entire race and finished in 1:13. Given the disgusting weather and coming off an injury, I’m very content with that! If I can maintain that pace for the Wine and Dine half, I’ll be golden. I think doing the Galloway method helped me stay consistent throughout and that’s my goal for Wine and Dine too!

Tell me, have you come back from a “time out” from running? How did you get back into running? Do you do run/walk? Who will I see at Wine and Dine next month?

RagNapa!

October 14, 2013 by camoozle

The Ragnar Relay Series has this persistent deal where you can earn a double medal for doing certain races within the same year. It’s all very clever because even though I already have a Gold Rush medal for running the SoCal and Napa relays in 2011, I simply had to do it again! I couldn’t pass up the opportunity for extra bling.

Plus, look at the pretty!

Getting a team together for Napa was no easy feat. Ragnar changed their website and it is ruining my life. I had the hardest time finding runners to fill our team. I had to search on Facebook by posting on the Ragnar page and the Napa page that the ninjas were in need! I was still searching for runners up until the week of the race, which has never happened during any of my races as Captain. Finally, Facebook and my new fella, Ian, came through in the end. A full team we did have.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. Bringing a new, only recently declared, boyfriend along on a 200 mile relay might be the death of a budding relationship. But if you think about it, Ragnar is a huge indicator of character and/or the ability to follow a theme; two factors that are huge when I consider a prospective love interest. Besides, if we can survive Ragnar and not hate each other in the end, this thing might actually have a chance.

We’re cute.

So Ian, the new dreamboat, Amy, the RIPPED chick and climbing buddy, and myself all piled into the van for the eight hour drive up to San Francisco to meet the rest of our team. Some veteran ninjas were running, Josh, Crista, Dana, and Greg. Shanta’, Paul, Dru, Amy H., and Becca were our new ninjas.

The first time I ran the Napa course was the inaugural year. I was eager to check out the changes to the course. The biggest change was a new start line location. The race started at Golden Gate Park. Google severely mislead me to believe our drive time was about twenty minutes shorter than it actually was so after picking up Josh and Crista, we raced to the start. Normally, you’re supposed to be there an hour early to check in and get your stuff. Yeah, we were there just 15 minutes before our 7:30 AM start time! We rushed through the gear check and the safety meeting, and got Josh all pinned up seconds before he took off.

Runner 1 ready to take off!

I was in Van 2, so it was time for us to rest. Or rather, make ninja stars and play at the beach. I was runner 7 this time, which is, by far, the best running position. Not only do you get to start off the race for Van 2, but you’re the first one done! Instead of sitting around waiting anxiously for my turn, I knocked out my 4 miles out and was ready to play. A tagging I shall go!

This is how ninjas train.

These first legs were pretty enjoyable. We were all feeling pretty good and ready for real food by the time Amy K. passed on to Van 1. We traveled to the next major exchange in lovely Santa Rosa and decided to find a restaurant. We ended up eating at this cool pub and taking in some electrolyte recovery drinks.

Waiting for Crista!

Here she comes!

Finishing up my first leg.

And Ian finishing up his first Ragnar leg ever!

Normally, the night run is my favorite. However, about an hour before we were supposed to start running, it started to rain. And not just a nice, misty sprinkle, but a torrential downpour. I have horrible vision and neglected to procure any contact lenses before leaving for Ragnar. And I swear, Santa Rosa has the most poorly lit streets in the world. You can see where I’m going here, right? It’s like the perfect storm. I had to take my glasses off because they kept fogging up and my head lamp was illuminating nothing but the rain drops. All I could see was the streaks of light reflecting off the rain. I was running much slower than normal because I was afraid of slipping or running into something. I must have been over-focusing because after awhile, I noticed there weren’t any other runners in sight. And I hadn’t seen a Ragnar sign in about fifteen minutes. When I got to the end of the street and there were no directions as to where to go from there, it hit me…I was lost. At 2 AM. In the dark. In the rain. And I couldn’t see. This totally crushed my spirit. It was the first time ever I wanted to give up in the middle of a race.

Preparing for the rain!

I started walking toward this gas station on the corner, thinking I could ask for directions. I notified my team that I had indeed gotten lost and that I wouldn’t be arriving as planned. I pulled up the map on the Ragnar site, (Thankfully I had service! Yeah, smart phones!) kicking myself for not downloading the pictures earlier. I asked the cashier which way I had to go to get back to the course and he pointed me in the right direction. When I saw those blinking butt lights, I jumped for joy. Overall, I ran about a mile over the intended 6.6 mile leg. Which wouldn’t have so bad if there hadn’t have been a ginormous mile-long incline at the end. Which I mostly walked. By the time I handed off to Ian, I was cold, tired and cranky.

I don’t remember much more about the night runs because, with a gentle nudge by the crisis averting boyfriend, I curled up on a bench and passed out. This was also the first time I got a decent amount of sleep at a Ragnar! We didn’t have to run again until about 10 AM, so I was rested and ready to finish up my legs. It was still pouring down rain but Van 1 came in ahead of schedule.

Supporting our Runner!

My last leg was an easy peasy 3.1 miles on a beautiful trail along a river. The rain turned from downpour to a lovely light shower just as I started running. There wasn’t a one mile to go marker on this leg so when I neared the exchange, I was actually really bummed. I wanted to keep running! But my turn was over and now it was time to play!

Me and Amy playing in the grapevines.

The rest of my team finished up easily, running along the vineyards of Napa. It seemed like everyone turned on the speed and before I knew it, we were crossing the finish line. It was a Ragnar of firsts, the first time I got lost, the first time I actually slept, and the first Ragnar with a new beau. Who impressed the heck out me, I might add! This is the beauty of Ragnar, even though I’ve participated in this series a whopping 8 times, it never gets boring.

Double Medals!

N.W.A. Napa 2013

runDisney’s Tower of Terror 10-miler

October 10, 2013 by vfreile

Saturday’s race was like none I’d tackled before.

For starters, we ran at night. We also tackled 10 miles in Florida’s heat and humidity.

But what really “made” the event? I ran, skipped and sashayed with Cinderella’s evil stepsisters, Anastasia and Drizella.

That’s right! The zippy ladies bickered, hurled snide comments at Cinderella (and each other and some other runners) and chased each other, with me in tow. And they looked amazing!

Let me rewind. Last week, I headed to Walt Disney World for runDisney’s Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-miler.

I spent a few days in the parks with friends, visiting with our own Brooke and my dear friend Jen.

We headed to the race expo on Saturday, a self-inflicted move made in part to keep myself from spending too much money. (It worked!) There, I ran into pal Kelly, who runs Sparkle Athletic with several girlfriends. We started chatting, and before I knew it, I had agreed to run with Kelly. She assured me she wouldn’t be racing the 10-miler, which I greatly appreciated since the run fell the week between my two 20-milers in my training for NYC next month. (We won’t even delve into how crazy fast Kelly is…)

Fast forward to Saturday evening. I checked my bag, hit the port-o-lets and bid my friends and travel partners farewell. (They had all planned to race the event. So I took myself out if the mix as to not to be tempted to go too fast.)

The gang: Aaron, Jen, Ray and me

I entered my corral and quickly found my racing partners Kelly and Carrie. I’d love to give you a play-by-play of the run, but truth be told it was all a blur!

Fireworks signaled the start of the 11,000-person race, and scared the bejeezus out of me to boot. Our happy group set off, including the lovely Krissy (an Oiselle teammate) and Megan. We parted from Krissy quickly since she’s a speedy speedster.

I’d love to be able to share a detailed run down of all the quips, zings and silliness we encountered on our run, but the race went by in a flash!

We laughed, we ran and we laughed some more. We stopped for each and every character stationed along the 10-mile course, and yet the entire race flew by. I didn’t even look at my watch until our last mile through Hollywood Studios.

The gang’s all here, with villains from The Lion King.

“WHY ARE YOU SO FAST?” Drizella yelled to Anastasia around mile three. “What’s wrong with you and how did Cinderella trick us into this ball? It’s the worst. There aren’t any princes.”

Off with our (gulp) heads!

Posing with Megan and Jafar (pic from Megan)

As we ran, the stepsisters graciously adopted me as a third and hurled “insults” my way as well. Anastasia (Kelly) repeatedly yelled out my name as we ran and as she hit the pavement, searching for a prince. Drizella (Carrie) accused me of being a mouse-sympathizer (aka, one of Cinderella’s friends). They chased each other, screaming and “cheered” for others as we ran.

“Move it people! There’s a ball to get to!”

I unwittingly started a game of tag just after mile four. oof! We dragged other runners into the game, laughing all the while. We heckled our way through the trail area as we entered the Wide World of Sports complex. We were thrilled by the bounce of the complex’s track and were spooked by several ghosts who weren’t ready to let us leave after posing for a photo.

“This is the worst champagne ever!” Anastasia yelled after downing a cup of lemon-lime Powerade at one of many water stations along the course. She hurled the cup with gusto and stomped forward. “The water?! Is it from Figi?”

The stepsisters also repeatedly reminded volunteers and supporters to cheer for all the runners. And they certainly let crowds know when they weren’t living up to their duties.

Don’t mess with us

I can honestly say I’ve never had such a fun time running a road race. Carrie after the race said she couldn’t recall ever taking her race character so seriously before. She also giggled that they drew me into character as well.

Thank you, Kelly and Carrie, for an incredible run! I laughed so hard I nearly cried and I loved every moment, even in the crushing unseasonable Floridian heat. Can’t wait until my next runDisney event!

We did it!

Have you ever run a night race? Have you chased others, or heckled running partners, along a course? Do you know which villain I portrayed?

LuBelle Fit Review and Giveaway

October 9, 2013 by beewhobabbles

Shopping, running and reading are three of my favorite things. If I could figure out how to combine all three, I totally would. (Actually, I haven’t tried audio books on a run. Hmmm…) Shopping and running go hand-in-hand though, don’t they? Runners always need new gear. Just nod your head, please. (See, husband? Everyone here agrees with me.)

My athletic attire often becomes my momoflage, as I take the kids to school before (or sometimes after- stand back) my workout. Naturally, I want something pretty, as well as functional.

So, you can imagine how thrilled I was when LuBelle Fit offered to send me one of their t-shirts. LuBelle Fit is an active apparel brand that opened this past July by two mother runners. The shirts range from flowy to slim fit, to performance-wicking bamboo.

I received the Run For Your Life tank just in time for my weekly long run. This organic tank is a blend of 67% Bamboo Lyocell, 29% cotton and 4% spandex jersey. You know those t-shirts they sell at Anthropologie for $80, that you want to live in because they’re soft and super comfortable? This tank is even better than those. The first word that came to mind when I opened the package was “luxurious.” I loved the fun graphic and the beautiful color for fall too.

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How did it perform? It felt great during my long run in humid (and sunny, then rainy, then sunny again) Florida. It’s lightweight and doesn’t get clingy once you start to sweat. The fit is true to size and it washed beautifully too. Full disclosure? I wore it on Sunday and ordered another style on Monday morning. (The Aqua Heart tank- a design that is even more lovely and detailed in person. And in one of my favorite colors!)

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LuBelle Fit is adding new designs and retiring old ones as they go. They’re also going to offer long sleeve tees for fall. I’m a fan! I can’t wait to see what these gals come up with next.

LuBelle Fit was sweet enough to offer a top to a Scoot reader, and it’s the winner’s choice! Just click on the happy little rafflecopter pic below. Giveaway ends at midnight (Eastern time) on 10/16.

Disclaimer: I received one LuBelle Fit tank to review. All opinions are my own.

Kids Will Be Kids: Inspiring and Motivating

October 8, 2013 by Meridith

Pooks is at the stage in his running career when as soon as a race ends, he immediately asks “When is my next race?” Which is awesome because that enthusiasm is beautiful at age 8… and at age 36.

After this past Sunday’s 5k with Jay, he’s ready for the next race and wants to know what we have on the agenda. He’s actually signed up the runDisney Kids Run next month during Wine and Dine. (We’re surprising the kids with this trip so shhhh, don’t tell!)

Now, I’ll also say this. While he’s runs with gusto, he’s not extremely fast. He’s not winning any age group awards.

He’s racing because he enjoys spending time with his parents.

He’s racing because he has that enthusiasm for running that doesn’t come with the love of winning, but with the pure love of moving.

Pooks is one of those kids in constant motion and has been since he was a baby. He might not be the best, he might not be winning any tangible prizes or medals, but he’s doing his best. The Cub Scouts motto is “Do your best” and it’s one that we try to foster within our household. Note that doesn’t say “Be the best”… it says do your best. Practice doesn’t make perfect, it makes better.

I’ve said to before but for the people who are new to this blog (or don’t keep track of my every move), I didn’t start running until two years ago. I run for myself but the fact that my kids are watching me certainly motivates me to keep going. These little people that we created are watching our every move. They look to us for guidance in every aspect of their lives at this point and that is priceless.

I want to do right by them.

And while I’m sidelined by my own injury, I still want to encourage their love for motion. I want them to have fun while exercising and it needs to have some glimmer of fun for me, too. Otherwise, I wouldn’t do it. And they probably wouldn’t either.

What is absolutely fantastic is that when Pooks gets home from a race, Little immediately wants to have a race of his own. Complete with a bib.

This “race” was four laps around the yard. The finish line was my husband and myself holding a ribbon for him to run through.

A few months ago, bamagirlruns posted videos on Instagram of her husband doing workouts with her children and what looked like all the kids of their neighborhood as well. Inspired by this, my kids and I took our yard for our own workouts.

Getting planky with it. Notice that Little makes the downward dog modification.

We have stations in the corners of the yard, some at my suggestion and some at theirs and we run from corner to corner. My Little has Autism and is very selective on what foods he will eat (white and orange foods). While I have very little control over that, he’s always down for a good frolic in the yard!

Right now the boys have gym class once a week in school. New Jersey requires physical education throughout all years of schooling but the short amount of time they have at school for active play isn’t enough. So we supplement at home and thankfully my boys are willing participants.

I’m not concerned so much with their form at this point, that will come with time. Right now, they’re out there, they’re having fun, and they’re moving!

Bear crawls and crab walks are among their favorites.

Fall is always our “busy” season. Actually, so are winter, spring and summer. But fall is when things really seem to get crazy. We’ve got school, homework, after school activities, Cub Scouts, piano lessons, etc etc etc. Setting aside 10-20 minutes a day to getting moving with my boys is something I look forward to because it’s ours and because I love seeing them turn to me with expectant looks on their faces, asking, What’s next?

What are some family activities you do together? How did you find the love of running (or swimming, or cycling)? Any ideas for fun “stations” for the kids? (I saw a friend used a game spinner the other day during her workout and I’m definitely thinking that’s something I’ll have to incorporate.)

The Need For Speed

October 4, 2013 by beewhobabbles

I try not to pay attention to my pace. No, really. I try. My primary focus is adding to my mileage, and I know that I’m not setting a PR at Wine and Dine or any other races I’m doing this year. After taking a year off to have a baby, I’m just not there yet. And I’m okay with that. Mostly. It’s not easy to see the numbers on my garmin and know that I can do better. A lot better. For that reason, it’s just better for me if I don’t pay too much attention to it.

Typically, I run with a garmin, but I don’t check my pace until I finish. I log it into Daily Mile and that’s about it. (Okay, I also text my husband if I’ve had a really good run. Gotta celebrate the little things, you know?)

My treadmill running is a completely different story. I have to pay attention to my pace- it’s right there, after all. There’s also the urge to finish my run as quickly as possible, now that I’m running longer distances- who wants to be on the treadmill for over an hour? (I can’t believe that I once ran 12 miles on the ‘mill. There aren’t enough My Drunk Kitchen episodes in the world for me to do that now.)

Lately, I’ve been doing at least one treadmill run a week. Sara and I are both in half-marathon training, but we also have a five miler coming up soon, and for that, we have a time goal. Hooray! Treadmill days are speed days.

Speedy runs require fast beats. I danced for most of my childhood, and later taught aerobics, so my internal metronome still tick, tick, ticks to most sounds. I can’t help but try to match my feet to the beat! I also dig faster tunes on the ‘mill because it motivates me to run faster more naturally, instead of just keeping up with whatever pace I’ve selected.

My current favorite run-faster song (there are times I will listen to it twice during a run) is Church by T-Pain featuring Teddy Verseti. (I’ve said it before, but the Step Up 2 soundtrack is king.)

There are websites that list songs for a specific pace, but what’s the point of having running buddies (and blog readers) if you can’t ask them for advice? I turned to some members of Team Scoot A Doot to find out their speed jam recommendations.

Mer-
B.O.B. – Outkast
Blister in the Sun – Violent Femmes
American Girl – Tom Petty

Brandi-
Let’s Go – Neyo
Applause – Lady Gaga (even though I am not a Gaga fan)
Where The Streets Have No Name – U2

Kyle-
Eye of the Tiger – Survivor. Because it’s hard not to run fast when the music is telling you to be like Rocky.
Stronger – Kelly Clarkson. Self-explanatory.
Applause – Lady Gaga. This one is new and since I still really like it (and it hasn’t been played to death on the radio) I get excited when it comes on and I always go a little faster.

Megan-
Dog Days are Over – Florence and the Machine
Red Hands – Walk off the Earth
Little Talks – Of Monsters and Men
Cruise (Remix) – Florida Georgia Line, featuring Nelly
Some Nights – Fun
The Idea of You (Live) – Dave Matthews Band
SexyBack – Justin Timberlake (featuring Timbaland)
More – Usher
Sexy and I Know It – LMFAO (yeah, what can I say…)
The Truth about Love – P!nk (featuring Nate Ruess)
I Will Wait – Mumford and Sons
I Know You Want Me – Pitbull
Stronger – Kanye West
Let it Rock – Kevin Rudolf

I didn’t ask Vic, because she runs sans music, but I did get to pick her brain about pace plans for upcoming races over breakfast yesterday. She’s in my ‘hood for the Disney Tower of Terror 10 miler, and she skipped a morning at Magic Kingdom to hang with me and my little dude. That’s real friendship, y’all.

Vic and Brooke

I’m ready to hit up iTunes, so please share your speed jams with me! Are you racing this weekend? Good luck!

Scootadoot

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