Keeping Your Activewear Fresh & Clean

Handling running and work out clothing once they've been worn can be a challenge, especially in the hot and sweaty summer months.

Confession: I don't sort all of my dirty clothing out into piles for washing (darks, whites, jeans, you get the picture) because seriously, ain't nobody got time for that.

Including me.

However, I DO wash my workout gear separately from the rest. Running any time of year here can be unpredictable, but it's almost always warm (except for maybe January) and by the time I'm finished with a run or workout, I'm a mess.

I'm very thankful for the companies who recognized the need for sport specific detergent in athletes. A favorite around here is WIN Detergent. This is not a sponsored post, by the way - WIN is just the favorite of all the ones I've tried. 

Source

The detergent has a very light scent and definitely leaves my active wear clean and fresh! We love the blue bottle of detergent, but there's also a green, unscented and dye-free bottle available for purchase as well.

For drying purposes, I also make sure to lay my favorite sports tops and sports bras on top of the washer/dryer to dry flat. For non-clothing items such as the FlipBelt (that are ok'd for the wash), I also chunk them in the washing machine with the rest of the active wear which is a super nice perk. 

Saturday's around here are usually for washing clothes, so I have two separate loads of my own - one for regular clothing and one for active wear clothing...and that's all there is to it!


How do you keep your active wear so fresh & so clean?

Join Kookyrunnerand Zenaida every Tuesday for the Tuesday Topics Linkup!

Running Fuel

I find it highly amusing that the topic of today's "Tuesday Topics Link Up" is all about how you fuel for a run.

Why is this funny, you may ask? Well, let me replay my Friday evening.

9:00 p.m. - Hey Jason, you wanna watch that Bird Box movie on Netflix? Sure.
11 p.m. - Movie is over and I'm SO WIRED because I don't do suspenseful or horror movies. I think I'm about to lose my mind.
Midnight - Still can't sleep. Hey, let's work on trying to transfer all 100,000 pictures from my iphone to my computer. No time like the present, right? (But for real...it's like 24,000 pictures. Anyone else feel me?!)
1 a.m. - If I don't go to bed, I'm seriously not going to wake up for my long run in the morning (and not waking up was seriously not an option)
2 a.m. - Barely asleep, I heard the sound of Brayden crying because he wanted "momma's bed". Alright, kid...come in momma's bed.
4:30 a.m. - The toddler was giggling in his sleep. Giggling. It was cute but 4:30 a.m.? Really? His giggling got him transferred right back into his own bed.
6 a.m. - A crazy freak storm moved through the area. Every time it thundered (happened at least three times), I JUMPED out of bed like the Bird Box ghost was headed my way.

Needless to say, it was not a productive night of sleep. Oh yes, and Brayden's monitor decided to have a sporadic connection which then caused the machine to annoyingly beep and beep and beep. It got itself turned off on two separate occasions during the night.

So, when my alarm went off at 7:15 a.m., the rain had just passed and I was ready to just get my long run over with.

What did my sleep deprived foggy brain have me do? I got dressed, grabbed a bottle of water, then headed out the door.

It was around mile 4 of my 10 mile run that I realized I didn't eat breakfast. Not even a typical pre-run bar or a banana. (Totally NOT in my norm...like at all.)

When I started getting light headed at mile 9, I realized I also didn't have any gels, GU, chomps, sports beans, not a single thing on me.

What. In. The. World.

Y'all, I've been a runner for 10 years now. I've run 6 marathons and 30+ half marathons and definitely know better. What possessed me to forgo any and all nutrition, food, gels, or gatorade at the least?! 

I'm not sure I know the answer, but the breakfast Jason had waiting on me when I returned home was everything I'd ever dreamed of!

All I can say is, I blame it on the Bird Box. Thanks, Sandra. 

Join Kookyrunnerand Zenaida every Tuesday for the Tuesday Topics Linkup!

February Half Marathons Training Log

Hello there and happy Friday! It's been a while and I do mean a LONG while since I posted on a Fitness Friday topic, but since I'm approaching a couple of half marathons next month, this is long overdue!

Currently Training For: 

• Spooky Trail 10 Miler 
  
• Cowboy Gallop 10K (Didn't run - was sick)
  
• Rock n Roll San Antonino Half 
• Rock n Roll New Orleans
• Fairy Tale Challenge (Princess 10K + Half Marathon)

Monday of this week was my only chance for an early morning workout at Orangetheory, so I snagged it! 

This was a strength workout and well, those inclines...ouch.

Early morning workouts are my favorite because I love being able to go home and relax after work.

On Tuesday, I went for a 3 mile walk with Brayden and my friend Melissa. The weather was supposed to be hit or miss this weekend and it was a pretty afternoon, so we took advantage of it!

After arriving home from work on Wednesday, I was ready to RUN! I usually don't like to do too many back-to-back days because of my crazy knees, but I decided to go for it anyway!

Brayden and I were racing the sunset and made it home just in time. Sadly, it was too dark to finish out the last half mile, so we called it quits at 2.5 instead!

Thursday afternoon called for another Orangetheory workout and this time, it focused on endurance and power. 

The floor workout ended with planks...and lots of them! It was incredibly tough for me but I am seriously proud of how much of a change I've seen with my overall strength since starting Orangetheory. It may seem like a small thing to some, but before starting OTF, it was ROUGH for me to hold a plank for 30 seconds and now, I can hold them for longer without shaking! I love to see an improvement when you've been working so hard at something!

In other news this week, Brayden decided to surprise me by counting to twenty! He's had 0-10 down for a while, so we added 11-20 just about a week and a half ago. Much to my surprise, I asked him to count for me this week and bam...he knew them all! It's crazy how much toddlers soak up and learn in such a short amount of time! 

He's also been obsessed with the Alexa that Jason received for Christmas. He knows how to tell her to play a multitude of songs as well as how to turn the volume up. Sadly, she doesn't respond to him all of the time because he calls her "Wexa" which of course makes me giggle. It's so funny to hear him talk to her!

Tomorrow is a planned 10 mile training run in preparation for Rock n Roll New Orleans! The race weekend will be here before we know it and I can't wait! It's going to be a fun one!

I hope you all have a great weekend! 

Magic Where You Are

New Year's Resolutions aren't something I've made, ever. I find that I don't stick to them, I forget about them as the year goes on, I get bored...you get the picture. However, I do like to make goals. Goals are relatively easy for me to stick with and I love when a goal is accomplished. 

With this new year of 2019, I've been toying with an idea in my mind and it's all about magic. 

For the Disney fan, magical moments are huge at the Disney Parks and Cruise Line. They happen all over the place and they happen quite often. Why, Disney itself is pure and simple magic. 

Instagram is full of accounts of those who spend time at the Disney parks and fill their Instagram feed with Disney magic. I absolutely love looking at them and seeing pictures and stories from the happiest place on earth! 

However, the thought hit me one day...what if that same magic...that butterflies in your stomach, make you smile, fill your heart with love type of magic can happen to us wherever we are? For those who live away from the parks, finding that Disney type of magic can be easier than you think! 

Have you ever truly taken the time to watch a sunrise or a sunset? How about giggling right along with the sound of a child's laugh? Or reaching a fitness goal you've been working on for a long time? What about a Disney movie? (Take Mary Poppins for example - I left the theater feeling the Disney magic for days!) 

Last week, I was pulling weeds (glamorous, I know), and as the sun started to set, I began to notice the sound of crickets. Now, you might be thinking that the sound of crickets doesn't sound very magical to you, but when I leaned back on my heels and closed my eyes, I envisioned the Wilderness Lodge. That sound brought me right back to a place that's 13 hours from my home - my favorite resort on property and it made me smile. 

Enter #MagicWhereYouAre

This year, I am making it my goal to slow down and take time to capture those magic moments that happen to me wherever I am and I would love for you to join in the fun with me! On Instagram all year long, whenever I find a moment that reminds me of that special magic, that Disney feel type magic, I'm going to capture it in photo, hashtag it with with #MagicWhereYouAre and if you do the same, I'll be able to follow in the fun along with you! This is all about discovering those magical moments whether at home or at the parks - wherever you are! 

I hope you'll join in the fun with me! I can't wait to see what magical moments await in 2019!

2019 Race Calendar

Twenty nineteen is here and that means a whole new year of opportunities! I'm super excited for all this year has to offer and can't wait to "dive in" so to speak.

After looking over my race calendar for this year, I've found several races that will work and I'm super excited to run them all. (These are definitely subject to change at any given time...cause you know, toddler...and you never know...)

Anyway, here's a synopsis of my 2019 race calendar!

February 2019

Rock n Roll New Orleans

This is a tradition for us and the 10th year of this race! We will only spend one night in New Orleans but are looking forward to lots of fun in store!

Princess Half Marathon and Fairy Tale Challenge

Princess is just around the corner! I cannot wait to return to Walt Disney World with my parents and Brayden as an (older) toddler! I know there's going to be so much magic in store!

March 2019

Athlete's Corner St. Patrick's Day 3 Miler

This is a local race I've run many times in the past and is part of the "trifecta" of local races - for running all three, you receive a triple crown medal!

May 2019 

Contraband Days 5 Miler

Yet another one local one I've run for many years - this is the second race in the triple crown series. It's always really HOT and I ran last year on dead legs from the Relay for Life the previous night.

July 2019

4th of July 4 Miler

Wanna talk about hot? This race is the hottest of all of them for sure but I always seem to enjoy it! :) This race is the 3rd in the triple crown series!

November 2019

Wine and Dine Half Marathon (Two Course Challenge, maybe?)

So I have this thing and I know it's silly, but it's how I've done Wine & Dine over the years. Back in 2010, I ran the inaugural race, then in 2014, I ran the 5 year anniversary Wine & Dine. Since 2019 is the 10th year anniversary year, we have to go back, so that's what we're doing! We are also planning on combining this trip with a 4 night Disney Cruise (like we did for the inaugural year)! This time we are planned to sail on the Disney Dream and it will be Brayden's first Disney Cruise! So exciting!!

As the year continues, I know races will be added to this list, especially local 5K's.

Have you made a race calendar for 2019 yet? Will I see you at any of the races listed?

Life Lessons From Mary Poppins Returns

On New Year's Day, I had the opportunity to see Mary Poppins Returns with a few of my friends and absolutely, positively loved it! Seriously, when can I see it again?

This movie is whimsical, heartwarming, magical, and everything I ever dreamed it would be. I might have cried once or twice throughout the movie. Ok who am I kidding, I cried a lot (happy tears)!

 Source

The inclusion of Dick Van Dyke and Angela Lansbury in this movie was absolutely perfect. I'd tried to keep my eyes and ears out of everything regarding this movie because I wanted to be surprised. Although I did hear about Dick Van Dyke's return, I had no clue about Angela Lansbury being in the film! When she appeared on screen, my friend and I literally looked at each other with our mouth's gaping open in surprise! Disney definitely did right by the original on this one!

Something I also loved about this movie were the "life lessons" taught throughout. Included in the script and soundtrack were little nuggets of advice that I found fascinating for both children and adults alike.

Here's a few of my favorites:

"Perhaps we've learned when day is done, some stuff and nonsense can be fun!" -Mary

I mean, why not? Life isn't meant to be taken so seriously all the time - have a little fun every once in a while!

"Nothing is gone forever, only out of place." -Mary

 Of course, this was relating to the Banks children and the loss of their mother-but I feel like this can relate to all of us in one way or another!

"You've forgotten what it's like to be a child." -Balloon Lady

"Of course the grownups will all forget tomorrow." -Balloon Lady
"They always do." -Mary

 Sadly, it is SO easy to forget! Having a child like heart and spirit can completely change our outlook on life. No, I'm not saying to ignore the important stuff, but we sometimes need to find the magic in things - it can completely turn a situation around!


"Everything is possible, even the impossible!" -Mary

 How true is this?! We've seen impossible things happen around us all the time!

"Some people think too much, of that I am certain!" -Mary

 Serious over-thinker here. I seriously need to work on that this year.

"There's a different point of view awaiting you if you just look up." -Jack

"You see, when the world turns upside down, the best thing is to turn right along with it." -Mary

"When you change the view from where you stood, the things you view will change for good." -Mary

Sometimes we just need a new perspective on situations or life in general. Looking "up" or changing our view can make all the difference in the world!

"There's nowhere to go but up!" -Ending Cast 

When you're finally at the end of a very long journey and things start looking right again...when your heart feels as light as a balloon...there's nowhere to go but up!

The bottom line? You've gotta see this movie! Your childhood heart will thank you, for that I am certain!  If you have seen Mary Poppins Returns already, what are your thoughts? 

Favorite Race Memories from 2018

Happy happy 2019! I hope you all enjoyed your New Year's Eve/Day celebrations and kicked off the new year on a good note!

Last week I shared a little about the medals earned during my 2018 races, but I didn't share about my favorite race moments and memories! There were several high points to races for me this year, so I thought it would be fun to share them with you today!

Hands down, the highlight of my year was the Dopey Challenge at Walt Disney World in January of 2018. Running all four races throughout the parks for a total of 48.6 miles was nothing short of magical. Sure, the early mornings x 4 were gruesome, but crossing the finish line of the marathon made up for it all!

Stopping for character photos and seeing familiar faces throughout the race course added to the fun! Being around so many runners who were attempting to accomplish the same "crazy" goal made it all the more exciting. I'm not going to lie, I'm feeling a little FOMO for this upcoming Marathon Weekend in just a few short days.

Another highlight of the year for me was when I placed at the Warrior 5K held by the high school where I graduated. I'm not quite sure how it happened, but I managed to keep the lead in all of the women and I crossed the finish line in first place! Yes, it was a smaller-ish 5K but I still won a pair of shoes from our local running store for placing! The fact that the race was put on by my old high school made it fun for me, too!

In May, I ran the Contraband Days 5 Miler after having planned and helped execute our local Relay for Life event the evening before. I didn't get to sleep until after 1 a.m. the morning of race day and after having been on my feet ALL day the day before, I was running this one on dead legs. Needless to say, this wasn't my greatest race but it's definitely one I can laugh at because I'm still wondering what in the world I was thinking by registering for it!

The 4 Miler on the 4th of July was another fun one this year. I'd just started Orangetheory about 6 weeks prior to the race and the consisted cross-training proved itself as a plus. Although I had to stop for a minute to get my heart under control mid-race (because it did that crazy PSVT thing), I still landed a 30 second PR! I couldn't believe how great I felt during this race (minus the heart part)!

In the fall, I ran my very first trail run at the Spooky Trail 10 Miler. To be honest this wasn't a fun one for me but it was definitely memorable. I was sick and running this race probably had a hand in turning said sickness into full blown bronchitis. Also, running trails alone in the woods is not a fun thing for me as I'm seriously the biggest chicken in the world. Needless to say, I stuck like glue to the runner in front of me. I probably won't be running this one again anytime soon, at least not alone.

Last but not least, I ran two Rock 'n' Roll events this year with Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans and Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio. Both were great runs and great ways to see both New Orleans and San Antonio. The bands at every mile were fun and I loved how each race included a unique glimpse of the culture of the area - New Orleans included a second line/jazz band and San Antonio had several mariachi bands along the way!

2018 was a great year, running wise and I'm excited to see what 2019 has in store!

What was your favorite running/race memory from 2018?