Bobby Doyle Summer Classic & a Clam Bake

On Sunday I ran in the Bobby Doyle Summer Classic in Narragansett, RI. I participated in this run last year and really enjoyed it. Narragansett is about an hour and a half from me. Packet pick-up is the day of the race so you have to get there early enough to get your bib number and shirt. The run starts at 9 so we left at around 6:45 to get there in plenty of time. There were a ton of people there when we got there. They really love this race. After finding my bib number I headed into the school to get my bib and my shirt and use the bathroom before the run started.

I didn't discuss my goals for the race except in my own head. Last year I ended up getting sick during the run so that was something I didn't want to go through again. My goal was to beat my time from last year (1:00:18). I started out doing 3:1 intervals. Between mile 1 and mile 2 my right knee started to hurt. I knew I went out to fast and due to lack of training I was not prepared for that. I switched my timer to 2:1 intervals and just kept going. The sky was gray and it was windy this year which kept the temp down. I felt pretty good (besides my knee) the whole race. While I was running I kept going back and forth with this man. (His name was Al because a lot of people were yelling his name.) At one point he was ahead of me. I could always see him, but I told myself to finish in front of him. As we were just about to turn the corner to head to the finish back at the school I got ahead of him and really pushed to the finish. I finished in 56:36.

This years medal!

After the run we headed to Nate's parent's house in Falmouth for a clam bake. (I was having chicken as I don't eat clams or lobsters.) Nate & I ended up taking a nap for a little bit while we were there. I found a CSI: Miami marathon so I got caught up in that. We had a ton of food which was all good. Nate's sister made us all wear lobster hats, which we all just kept on and felt normal in by the end.

Thanks Jess!

And I can officially say that I will be going back to California in May to participate in the Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend! 

I'll be participating in the 5k and the Pixie Dust Challenge (the 10k and the half).  I'm excited to head back to California! I want to explore Disneyland more and maybe even meet up with some friends out there. 

The Color Run

On Sunday I finally got to be part of The Color Run. I've wanted to do this run for years, but never had anyone else to do it with. A few girls at work were up to do it, so we formed a team. The run was at Patriot Place in Foxboro. The forecast was calling for rain so we were hoping that it would off until we were done. (Spoiler: it did!)

As you can see you start off really clean and by the end you are covered in colors. It was not super easy to get the color off, but not super hard either. This years theme was Shine, so there was a silver powder with sparkles in it. I'm still finding sparkles all over the place! That seemed to be the hardest to get off. I did bring baby wipes to clean what I could before the drive home. I'm so glad that we got to do this run and as a group! I don't think I would ever do this run alone, but with others absolutely! You have so much fun! I will definitely be doing this run again in the future.

Expedition Everest Challenge

This post is long overdue. Sorry for that.

Last month I was back in Disney for the Expedition Everest Challenge! I've always wanted to do this race and this was the last year that it was being offered. Leading up to the race we had very little communication from runDisney. (I actually only saw the race information on the website one day when I was looking for something else.)

Let's start with the expo. The only information about the expo that we received was that it was at the Animal Kingdom on Friday or Saturday. We went to the Animal Kingdom for breakfast at Tusker House on Friday which allowed us time to go get our stuff after that. On the bus there were other people who were running who were not sure where to go either. No one really seemed to know where to go, but we would figure it out. The expo was actually in the parking lot. Usually I take pictures of the expo, but this was so sad that I couldn't even bring myself to do that. The only good part was the quickness of the whole process. There was one tent where we picked up our bibs and shirts.

Then you could buy the I Did It! shirt, pin (same as the pre-order), a lanyard that said runDisney, and a runDisney hat. I picked up another pin and the I Did It! shirt. New Balance was there with the shoes that they released in January. Good Sense was also there handing out samples and coupons. That was it. There was nothing else.

The next day we took it easy until it was time to head back to Animal Kingdom for the race. We got there really quickly and had plenty of time to hang around and take pictures and sign the wall.

 Soon we were at the starting line ready to get our run on!

Along the course there were a few character stops including Chip and Dale and Timon. We didn't stop for anything, but kept going. The first obstacle was jumping over hay barrels. The next obstacle was the tires. This wasn't too bad. I hadn't been drinking enough water while on vacation so I was feeling the humidity really bad. I just kept going though. The final obstacle was going under a net. None of the obstacles were that bad and broke up the run nicely. Soon the 5k was over. (I'm not the only one I saw notice this, but the run was not even 3 miles.)

Once we finished the 5k we got a water, a cold towel, a sharpie with flashlight, and our first clue. 

This was not easy and everyone seemed to have issues. I still am slightly confused about it. As you can see I have lots of numbers on the card. 

The second clue was slightly easier. Or at least I thought so until I saw someone say the answer the carabineer. I'm not sure what happened with my answer, but the guy gave us clue 3 with my jumbled letters.

Carrick was really good at this clue. I just starred at it like it might come to me. Once he said "Mountaineers" it made a lot more sense. 

Clue 4 was also a little strange to me. I tried saying it out loud, but it wasn't exactly happening. I can understand how it becomes elevation, but not really speaking it too much.

Clue 5 was a little better for me! A crossword! Much better. We had to find the words a certain number of times before we could find the answer to this clue. (Keep in mind I had a wrong answer!) Luckily I could start seeing some words forming from the other letters that were not circled. 

I understood that there was a hidden yeti at the finish. In reality we got to the finish and figured out that we needed to hold up the hidden yeti. On the back of the second clue there was a yeti that we needed to hold up to get to the finish line.

Soon we had our medals and were heading to the after party. The medals are really cool. You can open the medal and it is a compass. I do wish there was something to show that it was the last Expedition Everest Challenge, but I love the medal regardless. 

We didn't stay super long at the after party. We did ride Expedition Everest. That ride is so much better at night. It was like riding it for the first time all over again. 

I hope that runDisney brings a similar run back one day. This was a great run for all ages.

Countdown to Disney

In two days I'll be back at Disney!

I feel like it's been forever since I've been, when in reality it was January.

As excited as I am to go back I'm not at the same time. I think I've just been so down for so long now I can't get that excitement back. I want this trip to be special for Carrick. (No one wants to remember having an awful time!) I also want it to be special for me. It's rare that I go somewhere that doesn't involve me running. Yes I will be participating in the last Expedition Everest Challenge a week from today, but I will also have a lot more "relaxation" time.

That changed last night! All over a silly breakfast reservation.

I had made breakfast reservations at Be Our Guest the day it opened. I've eaten lunch and dinner here before and wasn't planning on going back this time. Then they announced breakfast.

©Disney Food Blog

I'm excited to try out the breakfast here. I've never been let down by food here!

Back in January I noticed a restaurant in Epcot. I've probably noticed it in prior trips, but never gave it a thought. It's called The Garden Grill.

©Disney 

This is a restaurant that spins (very slowly) while looking into the ride Living with the Land. I'm excited to try this place for dinner. We will be joined by Chip & Dale along with a few friends dressed in their favorite overalls.

What reservation helped change my excitement back around? 

Tusker House breakfast! I went with Nate in January and have been talking about it ever since. This was a last minute plan and I'm excited to eat delicious breakfast with Donald and the gang! 

Now I will countdown until I get a Dole Whip in my hand!

It's Been Longer Than Expected

I haven't written in almost 2 months. I guess a part of me just hasn't had much to say. Another part has a ton to say. Then there's the part that is scared to say anything.

The winter took it's toll on me. I've been super depressed and anxious for such a long time that I don't know how to go about living without it. I keep telling myself to go outside and enjoy the sun and the warmth that we've waited months for. The thought makes me so stressed that I stay inside.

When the Black Cat race got cancelled a huge part of me was relieved. I wasn't running...at all. It took away some stress and negative feelings by not having it.

A few weeks later I did go up to Salem to take on the Nutty Irish 5k Cocoa Run. I enjoyed myself even though it was snowing and had some harsh conditions to go through. The run was on a golf course. A golf course that was covered in snow. (Keep in mind as snow melts and it gets cold again it turns to ice.) There were some steep hills to go up and down, but we did it! I let Carrick finish ahead of me for his first 5k. He's been training a lot better than me so I was fine taking my time.

Our next step is the Expedition Everest Challenge next week! I'm in desperate need of a vacation. I'm excited to experience Carrick's first trip to Disney with him! It's going to be a great time.

Last week I went into Boston to participate in the run group She Runs Boston. I've never gone to any sort of group runs, but I gave it a shot. I was alone so it was a little weird because I didn't know anyone. I chose to do the 3-mile run. I haven't been training so I didn't choose the 4-mile group. They believe in a no one gets left behind mentality which is awesome. If you need to walk, you walk. If you want to run a 7 minute mile you go! I got to talking with a couple of girls about half way through as we did a run-walk. They were newer runners and none of us had a time limit on ourselves. I can't go back for 2 weeks, but this is something I want to try to go to consistently.

And yesterday was the Boston Marathon! I headed to the finish line so I could catch the elite runners finish. This is something I've set out to do, but always miss by minutes. The weather wasn't going to be so great and I didn't have any close friends running so I wasn't planning on staying there for long. It was great to see the wheelchair athletes and the elite runners finish. They are super speedy! It was a wonderful day in Boston regardless of the weather. I'm so proud of anyone who participated in the marathon! It is quite the accomplishment!

Cancelled Races Are All The Rage

Tuesday I received an email that the Black Cat 10- or 20-miler was going to be postponed. There is so much snow everywhere it is causing major safety concerns. A lot of races have been cancelled lately in the area so I almost expected this.

Yesterday we got word that the event is cancelled.

I can understand the reasoning why. I've wanted to do this run for awhile now so I'm slightly disappointed, but it's okay.

While refunds are not being provided, they are offering a discount code towards any of their other races. They are also allowing you to pick up your bibs, shirts, and extra merchandise that you paid for.

A part of me is really relieved. I haven't been training since completing the Dopey Challenge. The weather is not helping either.

The next thing up on my list is a 5k, happening in Salem at the end of March. I'm looking forward to doing that run. It will be the first run for Carrick and the first time that Nate will be with me running, not just watching.

I'm looking forward to getting outside and running. Hopefully some snow will melt away so that is more available for me.

It's Still Snowing!

I haven't written in almost a month. It's snowing again. If I never see another snowflake I'd be happy.

The Black Cat 10-miler is coming up really quickly and I've barely run. The snow makes it next to impossible to run outside. I'm sorry it is way too cold and I don't plan on dying by getting hit by a car on the narrow roads. I've run a couple of times at the gym, but it hasn't been too consistent.

Hopefully I'll be able to get it more together soon.

Unless it's still snowing in April!

Everyday I'm getting more excited for Disney by the minute. I decided to buy an annual pass last night. Prices went up today (good lord!) so I went to my local Disney Store to get the pass. I'm planning on going down at least twice in the next year so it makes sense to have the pass.

I'll just continue to dream about Disney during this winter.