Tuesday, April 29, 2014

I need Speed Work help!



I need help with Speed Work.  I've read info on Yasso 800s and those seem pretty straight forward (except do you just run all out for those 800 meters each time?).  And are those the best to do or do you have other speed workouts you follow? 

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Orlando Yelp Event- Mini Blow-out Party at Mosaic Hair Studio

This was such a fun event!  I was so excited to see some Yelpers and the great Mosaic Hair Salon!




When we first got to the cute little studio, we were welcomed with Cecils BBQ.  Yum!  And then we enjoyed some cupcakes by Frosted, a business run by a 15 year old!!



Once inside, we were treated to a hair service.  I saw several girls getting their hair straightened, several getting their hair curled, and a couple with an updo. And it was great to chat with friends in between.





 I wasn't going to have anything done since I had softball later that night and didn't want to ruin it but the owner of the studio took me back and suggested a French braid.  Perfect!!



It was so nice to be pampered.  And of course we didn't walk away empty handed!  In our goody bags were some samples and a gift certificate to use on a later visit!




Thanks for a great night Yelp Orlando and Mosaic Hair Studio!

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Virtual Expedition Everest Challenge Hop Links!



Virtual Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend Blog Hop Directory




Virtual Expedition Everest Challenge Blog Hop
Follow these authors for your virtual race success.
Let these "Sherpa experts" be your guide!


.


Event Host Resorts/Transportation~ Kelly Carson & Judy Roszkowski     The Main Street Moms

Expedition Everest Challenge~   Andrea Howell     Once Upon a Run

Expedition Everest Challenge Post-Race Party~   Mary Beth Jackson     tutus and tennies

Obstacles~   April Shuping   Run the Great Wide Somewhere

Scavenger Hunt~   Kimberly Kahl        DIStherapy


Yeti?  I Thought They Said Spaghetti!!~   Anne Martin    OutRunningtheFork

The Pros and Cons of Nighttime Races~    Abby Brocato    Abby's Road to Amazingness

Celebratory Charity (The International Snow Leopard Trust)~   Didi Marie       DIStherapy


Thank you- oh knowledgeable ones!  Special recognition to co-host Andrea, @OnceUpon a Run1, and blogging at Once Upon a Run, for blazing the Expedition Everest Challenge path for us.



Looking for more Virtual runDisney adventure?






Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Virtual Expedition Everest Challenge Hop--Everest Challenge

I am so excited to co-host the Virtual Expedition Everest Challenge Hop!


Are you looking for a 5k with a little something more?  Maybe something with obstacles during the run and a scavenger hunt at the end?  Then runDisney's Expedition Everest Challenge is right up your alley!  I've run it for the past three years and had a blast!

Expedition Everest Challenge starts at 10:00pm on Saturday, May 3rd at the Animal Kingdom.

Runners can run either individual or in pairs.  I haven't run this race as an individual but it's so much fun to have a friend with you!

Once the fireworks go off, you start off running through the Animal Kingdom parking lot.  Obstacle 1 comes in about half a mile to 3/4th of a mile in.  The last two years it's been a hay barrel to jump over.  (Don't worry, it's a low one!)  Then you run in through the entrance to the park and around some of the lands in Animal Kingdom.  The second obstacle is usually a tire walk.  This gets crowded.  Really crowded.  As in last year, it was step in a tire, pause, step in another tire, pause.  The third obstacle course has varied.  Last year you had to crawl under a cargo net.  2 years ago you had to climb up and over a cargo net.  And you always have the option to go skip the obstacle if you want (but hey!  That's part of the fun!)

After you finish the last obstacle, you're pretty much done with the race only part.  Next up is the scavenger hunt.  The two years before last it was mostly wordy-language-y problems.  Last year it was different--harder to explain.  But I found it more difficult.  You have to solve the clue, give the answer to a volunteer, the volunteer gives you your next clue, and off you go.  Once you have all the clues, you have to solve for the final answer which you need when crossing the finish line.



  And then you get your fun bling!  (The last 3 years its been an awesome compass!)



Then the party starts!  You head back into the Animal Kingdom for rides and food and drinks (you have to buy these) and party the night away!



















The Expedition Everest Challenge is so much fun!  I hope everyone gets the chance to run it!  Want to read my race recap from last year?  Check it out here.

Want to read more about the Expedition Everest Challenge? Check out the Blog Hop!
Virtual Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend Blog Hop Directory

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Thursday, April 17, 2014

I'm just plain Goofy!

Well, I did it!  I signed up for the Goofy Race and a Half Challenge on January 10-11, 2015!  For those of you that don't know what it is, it's a Half Marathon on Saturday and Full Marathon on Sunday!



As RunDisney.com says

"Celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge - two days, four parks, 39.3 miles of fun!"

It's the 10th anniversary so the medal is always special.  Check out this bling!




It will be my second marathon.  I never thought I'd run one, much less my second one a day after a half marathon!  I must be just plain Goofy!



Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Runners/Writers Wanted for a Virtual Expedition Everest Challenge


Do you hear the drums?  Are you ready for the next Virtual runDisney endurance contest?  A virtual peek- registration to finish line- at the upcoming  Expedition Everest Challenge?

Attention runners!  If you have participated in this adventure, or like me, merely wanted to, we need you as our guide!  My co-host, (D Marie, @Distherapy, and blogging at DIStherapy ), and I are looking for runDisney warriors who will join us in a Virtual runDisney Blog Hop on Wednesday, April 23, 2014.  Each potential writer will choose a race topic, (from scavenger hunt details to Post-Race Party), and cover each wild detail, from an instructional and/or personal point of view. Together we'll map out the journey of the Expedition Everest Challenge, for both the benefit of first timers and to whet our wildest appetites.




Would you like more details?  Would you like to claim your favorite leg of this runDisney quest?  Please contact D Marie HERE.  The blog hop is open to all species of bloggers and non-bloggers, elite runners and newbie mountain climbers alike. Remember, every post completes this wild narrative!

For reference:

Virtual Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend Blog Hop

Virtual Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend Blog Hop

Virtual Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend Blog Hop

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Orlando Yelp Event- Kings Bowl

A few weeks ago, I was so excited to go to my second Yelp Elite event--at Kings Bowl.  I was so excited for this event!

I got there a little early to watch the Gator game but soon the place filled up.  First we played a Meet the Elites Bingo game.  When  you RSVPd for the event, you had to include a fun fact about yourself.  For the game, you had to meet people and try to find the people with the facts to make a Bingo.  I won!  Wohoo!





We were treated like Royalty.  There were so many food and drink offerings!  There were sesame ginger wings, lollipop wings, crispy & spicy calamari, maple glazed scallops, southwestern spring rolls,  buffalo wontons and kings famous steak tips (just to name a few).

 There were also drink samples to be had: sangria, The Dude, and Strawberry Pop Rocktini












Their drink list was amazing!



We were also given two drink tickets.  With my first one, I got the Orange Creamsicle.  And the bartender knew I was a Gator fan, so he added some Blue Curacao to make my drink orange & blue!



We had to get a picture with their mascot

Then it was time for bowling!


We headed into the back Royal Room (perfect name!)






We had so much fun!  There was a DJ playing this awesome mix of current and 80s and 90s hits.  We were up dancing and singing the whole time (when we weren't bowling, of course)!


 And just having an all around great time


 For my second drink I had the Strawberry Peach Lemonade (I wanted the Fizzy Lifting Drink--it had Snozzberry Syrup!  But they were out of the stuff they needed for the special effect)


 There was also the Snap Studio Booth to take fun pictures in!






And we got some great Yelp swag!



We had so much fun at Kings Bowl.  I cant' wait to go back!