2 on Tuesday

It's my favorite time of every two years - the Olympics! I've talked about it a little before, but I love the Olympics. I grew up loving the Olympics and still do. Going to the Athens games was (without a doubt) some of the best weeks of my life. Yes, there are some issues with the system (athlete pay/support, issues with sponsors/non-sponsors), but I still love watching them and supporting the athletes. Oiselle has 3 athletes going to the games, including the awesome Kate Grace who won the 800M at the trials. So excited to cheer for everyone starting on Friday!

This weekend, I got to go to one of my favorite New York things - Shakespeare in the Park. I say one of my favorite things, except 11 years in NYC and this is only my third time going. In case you don't know what it is, it's a summer program The Public Theater puts on at an outdoor stage in Central Park. It's almost always Shakespeare, although occasionally they do non-Shakespeare (Hair made it's debut here years ago before moving to Broadway). Tickets are free and distributed day of to people who wait in line (from about 7am until noon when they give out the tickets).

Luckily, a vendor we work with is a sponsor and they have some tickets to distribute. So I got to go this past Saturday. The show was Troilus and Cressida. I had honestly never heard of it before, but it was so good. We brought some wine (you can bring in alcohol as long as its not in glass) and snacks and settled in to watch it. In the rain. Did I mention it was raining? It started light, but got so heavy they had to take a 20 minute break. But they came back and finished the show. And it really was so good. The staging was modern (modern clothing and furniture), but even in Shakespearean language, it still made sense. This also might qualify as one of the few times I have ever been to a show where the actors applauded the audience for sticking around in the rain.

Race Recap: Wine & Dine Half Marathon 2014

Wine & Dine Half Marathon
November 8, 2014

State: Repeat (Florida)
Lifetime: #49

Let's face it... this race should really have been called 'Do you know how to swim?'.  I am sure you heard, but it rained.  The entire time.  As this is one of my favorite races (don't worry, it still is!) and they usually have great characters out, I was bummed by the rain.

We knew it was going to rain all week.  But being an optimist (or delusional, take your pick), I was hoping it would hold out.  It did... for a teeny, tiny, little bit.

We had spend the morning at the expo and Downtown Disney before heading to the room to rest for a while before the race.  As is tradition for this race, I was running in my Wine O shirt.  I got that shirt made for the 1st Wine & Dine and have worn it every year since (and will continue to do so).

We headed to the buses around 7:45 and while there was a bit of a line, lots of buses where coming by and it went quickly.  There was definitely some traffic heading to WWOS, but since we'd just be sitting around once we got there, I didn't mind sitting in the (warm) bus instead.

Upon arrival, we met up with the group already there and of course had to take a group photo.  Loved everyone's costumes!

From there we did the normal pre-race things: check baggage, wait in line for bathrooms, head to corrals.  While waiting in the bathroom, it did start to rain.  Lightly at first.  I kept hoping it would just do this for the rest of the night.  No such luck.

While waiting at the corrals, it started to rain harder.  And it wouldn't relent at all for the night.  Fortunately, I was in Corral B and didn't have to wait around too long for the start, but I felt bad for everyone behind me waiting.  It's not great to run in the rain, it's even less fun to wait around to run in the rain.

This course is fun because you get 3 parks in it: Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Epcot.  Usually, the course is lined with characters, some of which you rarely see.  However, because of the rain only a handful were out and not everyone had the same ones out (some that I saw, others didn't and vice versa).

On the way to Animal Kingdom, they had the bears from the Country Jamboree out (at least, I think that is what they are from - please correct me if I'm wrong!).  Since you hardly see them out, I stopped for a photo.

Night running = flash does weird things

From there we headed towards the front of the park.  They always have a character out front and I've always stopped for a photo.  I almost missed it this year as Rafiki was under the covering where they do security heading into the park.  But I saw him at the last minute and was able to continue my traditional picture!

The tradition continues!

Running through Animal Kingdom is always a favorite for me during this race.  It's so fun to be there at night and it is so pretty lite up.  However, due to the rain, I spent more time looking at the ground then taking in the scenery.  It can be uneven and with all the construction going on, I really needed to make sure I didn't trip.  I saw a couple of people stumble throughout the park.  Do the entire thing (just my personal opinion).  Sorry, mini-rant over.

I did catch Timon in Africa though!

From there we headed out of Animal Kingdom and started to head towards Hollywood Studios.  There weren't a lot of characters on this stretch so I just kept running.

While you are heading out of Animal Kingdom, you can see the people heading into Animal Kingdom in the later corrals.  I have to say, I saw a lot of people jumping the median and cutting the course.  I'm guessing it's because they were concerned about getting swept, but I (personally) don't think that's right.  If I pass you and you are walking with a bib from corral G or H, I know you cut the course.  Not cool, people, not cool.

By the time we headed into Hollywood Studios, I have to say, I was SO over the rain.  I was soaked to the bone and my skirt (while adorable) is layered and ruffly and it was so heavy from the water.  We headed into Hollywood Studios by Rock n Rollercoaster, down Hollywood Blvd and into Pixar Place.  This portion of the course seemed different to me.  I don't remember it going that way in different years, but I can't place my finger on what exactly changed.

They had some Toy Story characters out in Pixar Place (including Lotso who I am now sad I missed) but I was so not in the mood to stop and wait in line.  I was cold and just wanted to be done, honestly.

I stopped for a professional picture in the Osborne Spectacle of Lights, but of course it still hasn't shown up in Marathonfoto.  I searched for it and never found it.  Sadness, I was really looking forward to that one!

From there we start the trip to Epcot.  Once you leave Hollywood Studios, it's the same path as the marathon.  Definitely brought back some memories!

While on the path near Boardwalk, the girl running next to me was suddenly like, 'Is your name, Sarah'?  Caught me by surprise!  She did look familiar and she told me she remembered me from the TOT 10M corral.  A group of us had started talking to kill time and she was from there!  We ended up running the rest of the race together.  It was a nice reminder of how friendly runDisney racers are and a nice boost to the end!

After finishing, I got my medal, heatsheet and snack box, then headed to baggage.  I only had to wait a couple of minutes but I heard it got really backed up later!

I skipped the finish line beer they were handing out as I was freezing and made a beeline for the park to get changed in a real bathroom.  After that it was on to the after party!

I loved the medal this year and the fact that they brought the Spaceship Earth design back while still including Chef Mickey.  Fortunately, I didn't have one of the broken ones!

Overall, this is still one of my favorite races.  The course is great, I love that we get 3 parks and I love the after party (more on that later).  It's unfortunate the rain put a damper on things this year, but runDisney can't control that (although it is Disney so wouldn't be surprised if they could!).  I'll definitely be back again for this race!

Results
Official: 13.1 miles, 2:06:09, 9:38 pace
Garmin: 13.36 miles, 2:06:07, 9:26 pace

Crappy Weather in NY

So this weekends plans got derailed a bit by the crappy weather. The Snowflake 4M was changed to a "fun run" because of the snow. I choose not to run it. It was gross out and I (selfishly) wanted to sleep in. Instead, I went to the gym and did some cross training.

Sunday morning is the Terrier Team run, which I also choose not to do. I woke up and was all for it, until I realized it was only 21 degrees outside. I love to run, but I like not to freeze more. Instead I went on Sunday afternoon when the weather was more favorable (40 degrees).

And today, it is raining out. I was going to try and get a workout in CP in, but unless its like 80+ degrees out, I don't like to run in the rain. Instead, I'll go to the gym and do a hill workout on the treadmill.

Weekend run

Went for a short run this weekend. Looked like the weather was going to be crappy - it was pouring here Friday night and freezing. But by Saturday morning, it has stopped raining, but was still cold. Went for a quick 5 miles run. Less than a week to Philly! This week is all about the taper. And lots of stretching. So excited to eat lots of food at Thanksgiving, which conviently falls 4 days after philly :)

Weeknd Run

This is the last long run before the marathon (which is in 9 days, holy crap!). We'll be running about 6 miles. As of now, the weather looks like it may be crappy (rainy or potentially snowy!), so if it is, I will probably run on the treadmill. I'm feeling like I have a cold coming on and can't risk running outside in that kind of weather.

If you're interested in learning more about the half-ironman, check out: www.timbermantri.com
It'll tell you all about the event I'll be doing :)

Running filled weekend

Definitely did a lot of running this weekend. Got up on Saturday for my last long run prior to the marathon. And it was raining. And not a little bit of rain, a lot of rain. But marathon training does not wait for nice weather, so I ran. In the rain. Got the 20 miles done. I felt good, towards the end I started to get some rubbing in my shoes from the wet socks, but other then that it was a good run.

On Sunday, I did the Poland Spring Marathon Kickoff 5M in Central Park. It was cold (only 53 degrees), but a nice cold. Ran it nice and slow (still recovering from the 20 miler, so no need to push it) and finished in 47:46 - a 9:33 min per mile pace. Not bad for my first race from Chicago.

Only 20 days until Philly!

Running in the Rain...

So training on Wednesday was not one of my best ones. It was pouring and for some reason, I had the worst side stitch. Still got about a 5.5 mile run in, which is good. Also got up on Thursday morning and went for a run. Park to Park 10k this weekend.

Disney is less then 6 months away! We just booked our dinner reservations. Can you tell we're excited?

Rockstars

We are rockstars. Especially after last night. Tuesday training, tempo runs. Did one lower loop for a warm up and then ran the rest of the 5 mile loop at a hard pace. But that's not what makes us rockstars. It was the fact that we did this in the POURING RAIN. And when I say rain, I don't mean a drizzle. It was pouring. And it was cold. But we did it. I won't lie, I have never been so wet and cold in my life. Nothing like finishing a run and standing around in wet clothing.

In fact, after training, Jenny and I went to the New York Running Company in Time Warner and BOUGHT dry clothing. I kid you not. I did need a new running shirt, so that was good. And I really like the one I bought. Didn't really need new shorts....but they were dry so that's all that mattered.

My lower back has been bothering me since yesterdays run. Feeling better today, but last night it was tight. Hoping doing a light run and lots of stretching will help it feel better.