Last "really long" run

It's officially 1 month until the Rock and Roll NOLA Mardi Gras Half Marathon! I'm really excited to run this one because I am doing this one for a time. I ran Disney for fun, I stopped and took pictures, etc. but this race, I am going to try and go strong until the end. Hopefully I make it! Our goal time is 2:30 minutes. We'll see if we make it! I'm running this one with a good friend of mine, Heather. Hopefully the crowds aren't so thick that we can't get through like they were at Disney!

Yesterday, my running group ran our last "really long run" before NOLA. The halfers were running 12 and the full people were running 21. It was REALLY cold and overcast outside (I was almost having Disney flashbacks..lol). It had rained the day before so it as a little wet out, too. Yuck. I ran with a few friends and we walked at the beginning and we still finished before 2:30 so hopefully Heather and I will reach our goal at NOLA.

After running, I took the longest, hottest shower ever on record! lol I just felt like I couldn't warm up! My husband checked the mail later on in the day and gave me a package that he had ordered for me! It was a total surprise!! He had ordered this for me:



Isn't he sweet? I LOVE IT!! It came with 2 so I can put one on my car and put one in my scrapbook!

I'm for sure taking today off. Although I'm not a sore as I thought I would be! That really shocks me! After the half, I was so sore I couldn't even sit crossleg on the floor! Now I feel my hip flexors but they are not nearly as bad as they were last time! Which is GREAT! I'm so excited about that!!!! Maybe I'm getting better! lol

Field of Dreams

If you know me, you know I'm a huge Baseball lover. I've grown up watching baseball, I spent my summers at all star tournaments, I've collected baseball cards over the years..I just really truly love the game of Baseball. Well, last night, I was watching American Idol and afterwards, I came across FIELD OF DREAMS on CMT! What a classic! That movie is one of my all time favorite baseball movies! It doesn't top A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN though (of course).

It made me so excited for Spring Training! I can't wait for the Boys of Summer to return!

By the way, I'm a HUGE Astros fan!!! lol Gotta love the underdogs!!!

"The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It's been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt, and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game, is a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good, and that could be again. Oh people will come, Ray. People will most definitely come" –Terrence Mann - "Field of Dreams"

In running related news, I did 4 miles yesterday by myself. I felt really good after I finished! I still have all this sinus mess going on but I dont' feel like I usually do when I'm sick with a cold and feeling bad...I'm just all stopped up! Hope it goes away soon...if nothing else, it's really just annoying!

Madalynn

This is my little girl Madalynn. She is a dog that we adopted about 5 months ago. She is a Cocker Spaniel and she's such a sweet heart! I also own another dog, a Yorkie who is about 5 lbs. Madalynn has become my new running buddy on my week day runs! She LOVES to run! When I do 4 miles, I usually run 2, then go inside and get her and she runs the rest of the way with me. It helps for her to run cause she can get some of her pent up energy out! Hah!

We walked/ran with my mom on Sunday night. It was supposed to be my off day but I couldn't help it - the weather was too gorgeous! We got in 2 miles before it got too dark to see anymore!

Last night, I was supposed to do 4 miles but I was SO incredibly tired and I felt like I was getting sick again so I stayed around the house and watched Make it or Break it and Secret Life! lol I went to bed about 9 p.m. and I feel much better now so hopefully it wasn't me getting sick again! We'll see!

So that means that today will be 4 miles! I think my mom is going to do some of it with me too! I'm glad she's getting into it more...I think it will give her something fun to do and it's definitely a stress relief!

New friends!

"Run hard, be strong, think big!" - Percy Cerutty

Today was our new season of training for the running group I'm in...www.gorunla.com. We start up every 6 months with new training. Well, all of us who are running the Mardi Gras half and full are still on the old training schedule. So we all had to get to the group meeting earlier than usual this morning. The newbies were running 3 and we had to run 8! I started off running by myself which I don't like to do since it's still dark but my fellow Disney half runner was ahead of me and I could see him when I started out. After following our route a little, I lost him and I got scared so of course, I was running faster than usual. I knew that would hurt me later. Before too long, I came across a group of 3 girls who I've talked to and seen around in the past...they have been in the running group since July like me. I decided to slow down and tag behind them for a while...at least until it got daylight. I'm so glad I did! As I was slowing down, this creepy looking character passed us up on the sidewalk. That's why I HATE running by myself before daylight! So the girls turned around and saw me and we started talking and that was it! We ran the rest of the way together! YAY! Another guy along the route asked us if we had any cash to spare! Seriously...I've NEVER had this problem before but I'm glad I was with other girls and not by myself! It was nice running with them, too cause they kept a really good pace and it felt good!! Now we are all Facebook buddies! lol! I felt really good after the 8 miles! Not too tired and my joints didn't ache too bad! After the run, I drove over to Smoothie King and got a smoothie! Now I'm home, I'm showered, and I'm ready to start the day! I LOVE Saturdays!!!

Buddy runs!

Well I think I've run more this week than I have in a LONG time! Kayla and I did 3 miles yesterday morning and it was nice! I love having a running buddy. I know I am motivated to go much further without stopping when I have someone there with me to run with me! :0) It's nice visiting time, too! There was still a little bit of coolness in the air yesterday morning, so the muggyness wasn't too bad yet. Wish we were running again today...my cocker spaniel has WAY too much energy this morning!! lol Today is an off day since tomorrow is an 8 mile run!

We start up with our running group Saturday morning again. This season is for 5K and 10K training. I'm looking forward to it! Hoping to increase my speed a little! In the meantime, I'm working on the Mardi Gras Half schedule that our running coach gave us. So I guess that's what I'll be doing until the end of February! Can't wait for the race! It's going to be fun!!!!



It's all about the bling!! Haha!

On top of my busy week, yesterday, we burried my grandmother, she passed away Sunday night. She has been sick for a long time and her poor body was tired. I'm glad she's in a better place, away from the pain and suffering of this world. It doesn't make it any easier to know that, it's just merely a comfort. I'm sure going to miss her.

Muggy Weather

I ran yesterday morning, and I sweated. It was so gross. I'm soooo not used to this weather at all. I ran 3 miles and it felt good but boy was I HOT when I was done. The weather had a slight breeze to it but it was still very humid, very muggy, very warm outside. Yuck. I'm going to hate it when summer comes back around! UGh.

Now my sister in law and I are about to go out for another run! We'll see how it goes! :0)

I Run For...

My first training run since the Half Marathon was today...I've been sick (because of all the crazy weather in Orlando) so I'm finally feeling like I can breathe again! I ran 4 miles today in the gorgeous weather! I actually sweated a bit and it felt strange...lol! I'm in training for the Mardi Gras Half. It's coming up in New Orleans at the end of February. It's a part of the Rock and Roll Series.


A booth at the Disney World Expo got me thinking...why do I run??

Well, I run for multiple reasons!

I run because running inspires me. When I run, I feel free...I feel like I have no burdens or no problems in the world! It's an exhilarating feeling and I love it!

I run for my health. I used to be a runner about 10 years ago in High School. I wanted to get back into running to become healthier so hopfeully I'm sort of achieving that goal!

I run because I can. I'm so blessed to be able to run when I want to and how I want to! Being healthy is a great thing!

I like running FOR things...good causes, etc. It makes me feel like I'm doing something good for someone! :0)

I run because my parents have always believed in me and made an impression on me that I can do whatever I put my mind to! They were right...if I think I can, then I CAN!!! (Still trying to convince myself that I CAN run a Full Marathon! Haha!)

Now this upcoming Mardi Gras Half Marathon, I'm running for my grandmother. She passed away last night so this race will be in memory of her.

Neat "GoRun" Tribute!

www.gorunla.com (This is my running group)



From our running coach....

Scott Lounsberry gets the Goofy Medal!

He ran the Half-Marathon Saturday (in the snow)
then ran the Full Marathon Sunday! (30 degrees)

Congratulations to
Kristina Lounsberry
for completing the Disney Marathon!

*even with the weather being raw*
They are my heros!

Congratulations to
Karen Seal &
Scott Lounsberry
for completing The Disney 1/2 Marathon!

Karen is the newest
member of the 13.1 club!

Walt Disney World Half Marathon - January 9, 2010

I had a hard time falling asleep Friday night, the night before the Half. I was nervous, worried, scared...I really wasn't sure what to expect! At 3 a.m., my cell phone alarm went off! It was time! I could also hear wake up calls coming from the rooms around us! Maybe I'm not the only crazy fool waking up to run in the freezing rain!

Here's an article on what we had to endure for the Half....http://www.disunplugged.com/2010/01/11/temperature-low-but-spirits-high-for-2010-disney-marathon/

I got up, put on a sweatshirt, and went to the food court for some hot water. I wanted to drink my tea! :0) After getting my fill on green tea, I went back to the room and changed into my running gear.



Never have I run in weather like this! It was insane! I bought a $5 sweatshirt from WalMart at the last minute before we left and I'm SO glad I did! I definitely needed it!!!

After getting dressed, I walked to the bus stop, then realized I forgot my hot hands and my bottle of water so I went back to my room, then went back to the bus stop! lol There were SO many people that we were filling up all the charter busses so they had to call out a few Disney Transportation busses! That's what I ended up riding on. I did end up forgetting my Garmin which was plugged into the wall charging but oh well!



I got to the race and met up with Laura and Holly, a few friends! We talked for a while then lined up to walk to the start line. Our walk took forever...it was like a half a mile walk! Crazy!



These guys were everywhere telling people what to do! Haha!



By this point, it was sleeting. Yes, sleeting. I live in Louisiana. I don't run in the cold, especially not the freezing cold. This was a bit much for me!



These were a bunch of guys who couldn't wait for the portapotties while walking to our corrals! HAha

With this being my first Half, I got stuck in Corral G! Ugh. The Corrals went from A-G. Of course I was in the last one! Oh well. At least I had a running buddy, Laura! We made an awesome team!!! She actually went back a Corral so she could run with me!



Finally 40 minutes after the first runners started, it was our turn! YAY!



It took us a little while to reach the Start line.



These guys were cheering us on!!



Along the route were bands, cheerleaders, choirs, etc. there to keep us going! It was awesome!



No this was not our real time...we started way behind the real time!! About mile 3, my heart decided to be stupid and jump into this abnormal tachycardic rhythm that it does sometimes. I tried to walk it out and hold my breath but it wouldn't stop. I was SO MAD that it decided to do that so early into the half. UGH. Laura bend down to tie her shoe and I did the same and I finally got it to stop. It usually only happens if I'm overheated so I don't understand what happened there....



Anyway, we continued running and finally we saw the Magic Kingdom sign...couldn't wait to run around the Castle!



Mile 4 - This is about the time the falling ice was pelting us hard in the face. That mess hurt!



Mile 5...almost halfway!



We ran through the back parkling lot into the Magic Kingdom!



I couldn't believe every park still had their Christmas decorations up!



Running down Main Street...no feeling like it in the world!



I stopped for a picture in front of the Castle!



We looped in through Tomorrowland, then curved over to Fantasyland...



Where we saw Alice and the Queen of Hearts!



Mile 6 was in the Magic Kingdom



We also saw Princess Tiana and her friends in Liberty Square...



And these guys played a tune for us!



At mile 7, we stopped to refuel. I really waited too long to do that but I didn't want to stop while in the middle of the Magic Kingdom. Now I know better what to do for next time!



We finished off our refuel while waiting in line for a picture with Mary Poppins, Bert, and the Penguins!



Mile 8....the rest of the stretch was so boring! Nothing to see or do!!



See what I mean...just mile marker signs along the way! I will say that I always refuel with GU ... either the gels or the shot blocks. At mile 8.7, we were given Clif Shots...wow...that was the nastiest thing I've EVER put in my mouth! The GU gels are kind of a lighter consistency. The Clif Shot tasted like pure paste in my mouth! It was so disgusting. I threw the rest down on the ground! Ugh...



Mile 10...this is the point that I started to get miserable! Besides the cold and the freezing rain (which by this point had turned from ice pellets to RAIN), I was hurting bad. However, Laura and I kept it up and kept on going! We worked together really well!



Mile 11...almost there! The only time we really walked was at 11.5 miles. We walked until we saw the 12 mile sign, then we ran it on in home!



I was NEVER so excited to see this EPCOT ball! I kept praying for a sign or anything that even SAID EPCOT on it!!! lol YAY I wanted to kiss the ground when I saw this! Hah!



Finally to Mile 12...



...and it was a MISERABLE mile 12...see? lol We started running after that and ran all the way to the finish! I guess I got a burst of energy or something! Haha!



Getting closer!



We were almost there!



A gospel choir singing us in home!! Haha

\

Mile 13...YAY!



The Finish Line! As I was crossing the finish line, I started to cry. I was crying not only because I was miserable and cold and hurting, but because this dream of mine, a dream that I have pursued for an entire year has finally come true! If you can DREAM IT, you can DO IT!!!!



Lots of Donald Medals!



Unused Portapotties! lol



We found Chip and Dale after the race!



and we found Daisy too!



Me and Laura, my awesome running buddy!



Yay I did it! Can't believe I ran a half marathon! What an amazing, exhilarating experience! Yes we were cold and miserable the entire race, but we made the best of it, we had a positive attitude, and we finished the race!

13.1
I DID IT!

Thank you, Disney! I really did have "The time of my LIFE"!!


This blog isn't finished yet, there's lots more races on the horizon! Next race: The Rock and Roll Mardi Gras Half in New Orleans! Yay!

Disney World Marathon Weekend - Health and Fitness Expo

Wow what a weekend we had! This past weekend was the 2010 Disney World Marathon weekend. Thousands of people came out to run these exciting races!

We started our trip by visiting Disney's Health and Fitness Expo on Thursday.



On a bus on the way to the Expo



Disney's Health and Fitness Expo at the Wide World of Sports Complex









Expo Floor! Insane how many people were there!




I was running the Donald!



Loved the Running Skirt girls! They were so nice to meet!



The I RUN FOR booth! See mine? :0)

Got my running number, got a few pieces of merchandise, then we left and went to Downtown Disney!

Up next, Disney's 2010 Half Marathon!