Dark Side Challenge Expo

The day started with a mimosa...



I am not a big drinker, so I asked the waitress to make sure the Mimosa was weak. She must have been celebrating opposite day, because it was the strongest drink I ever had! I couldn't even finish it... I hope this was not a sign of things to come.

When I finished breakfast, it was about 9:15 and the Expo began at 10. I was looking forward to getting in there nice and early, so that the lines weren't too long. The bus didn't pull up to the Beach Club until 9:45, this was not a good sign!
We arrived at ESPN just after 10, and I headed right for the banners.









I made a beeline for the bib pickup, which I breezed through with no problem. Then I went to the small merch area and got a shirt and some ornaments.



Time to brave the main Expo. They organized things a little differently this time, and had us walk the long way around. It was way too hot for such shenanigans.



The line to get into the Expo merch area was 25 minutes long.... and the line to pay for my pin and tee was about 10 minutes long. It was very organized, and fairly pain free!
I was back on the bus to the hotel by noon. Pics of merch and swag to come....

posted from Bloggeroid

Wordless Wednesday

posted from Bloggeroid

Packing for the Dark Side Challenge

I'm all packed! I am sure I've forgotten something, but I don't leave the house until 10:30 tomorrow morning, so I have time to remember!



I've done tons of posts about packing for races, so I'll spare the pics of what's inside my suitcase. You're welcome!
Just a few must haves....
ponchos.... I buy them at Wal-Mart for $1 each. I have one for each race day, just in case.
Sweats.... yes, it will be 80 degrees every day, but nights can get cold, and I may want them for the plane ride home.
Long sleeved hoodie.... I always bring my Run Disney hoodie, again, for those cold nights.
You should always put your favorite race outfit and your sneakers in your carry on. Luggage gets lost, y'all, and you can't run a half marathon in new shoes without paying the consequences!
Plenty of socks and undies. Florida is sweaty. 80 degrees. Every day. Enough said.
Snacks. I didn't get the food plan, so I am bringing some snacks for the evenings.
Bling.



I might need a new one on this trip!
Pretty nails....



I'm calling this look galactic gels. Nothing fancy, but kinda spacey, right?

Even though I'll be getting 3 new race shirts, I brought shirts for every day. You never know what color the new shirts will be, or if they will be comfy! Every shirt I brought has a Star Wars theme to it!

Skirt Sports.



I seriously have one for every day, plus every race. And I'm leaving some home. It's a sickness.

50th half marathon brag swag....



I'm sure there's tons more, but I have a group run and yoga tonight, and I have to change and hit the road in 15 minutes!
Picture posts to come, be warned! The next 6 days or so will be all Disney all the time!

posted from Bloggeroid

Happy Easter

posted from Bloggeroid

Thursday Training Update with Maine Coast 26.2

***I received entry into the Maine Coast 26.2 Half Marathon as part of being a Bib Rave Pro (ambassador). Learn more about becoming a Bib Rave Pro, and check out BibRave.com to read and write race reviews!****

One month from today I will be at the beautiful Maine Coast running the half marathon with my friend Shannon! I am so excited, for two very good reasons.
#1. I miss Shannon! We haven't run together since last January! Over a year!
#2. Maine is one of my happy places. It's so beautiful, and I just can't get enough of it!
I still have to book our flights but hotel reservations have been made.



Training has been going really well. I've been pushing through and trying not to make any excuses!

Thursday: Even though I was achy from 9 Round, I showed up and ran with the group. Luckily, my running partner that day wasn't feeling it either and we ran a couple and then walked it in. 3.7 miles done!



Friday I took it easy. I had a hilly half marathon planned for Saturday and I wasn't taking any chances. I wanted to have nice strong legs!

Saturday was race day. We trained all winter for this and our running club had a strong presence that morning.



It just about killed me but I finished. This was followed by a shower and then a trail hike with the hubs. Two more miles of hiking and geocaching.



Sunday We took the pups on a trail hike, 4.5 miles worth.



Monday became a rest day. I was so tired! I did walk in place for about 40 minutes to loosen everything up.

Tuesday, I speed walked 3 miles with my club in the morning and ran 3 with them that night, followed by an hour of yoga at Run For Your Life.



Wednesday I was back at 9 Round and it was burpee day. It was quiet and I'd been gone a week, so Matt really pushed me. It was a crazy sweaty workout!



What was your favorite workout this week? I think mine was that nice relaxing yoga workout!

posted from Bloggeroid

Wordless Wednesday Dark Side Edition

posted from Bloggeroid

Active Weekends

I LOVE being active in the weekends, but the hubs? Not so much!



I have been trying to find fun things to do that will keep us moving and this past weekend I was pretty successful.
After my hilly half marathon, and a nice long bath, we hit the Andrew Jackson State Park for some history and geocaching....







We managed to find 2 of them, and covered at least 2 miles while we were at it!

On Sunday we took the dogs on a hike through the Carolina Thread Trail and managed to cover 4.5 miles...







We thought about doing some geocaching afterwards but decided we had done enough! That's how he ended up on that hammock, it was pure recovery time.

What's your favorite way to stay active on the weekend?

posted from Bloggeroid