Race #99- Walt Disney World 5k

Dopey Weekend was here!  Part 1 of the challenge was the WDW 5k.  Fatih and I decided to dress up as Dopey since we were running his challenge and all!

We were in corral B so only had a short wait before we were off and running.  We saw Holly in the corral!

It's been a few years since I've run a Disney 5k but they're so much fun.  We saw quite a few characters (including a black cat that I couldn't place--it was Muffins from Bolt) but we couldn't stop for any pictures since we had to head to work after the race.

I actually ran the whole thing without stopping for a walk break (it's been since spring since I've been able to do that).  And our time was 32:07.  Not bad! (I apparently forgot to stop my runkeeper).

Race #59- Blue Talon Bistro Turkey Trot 5k

The first thing I did when I found out that my family was going to my grandparents' house in Williamsburg for Thanksgiving was to find out if there was a race up there that day!  And I was so glad to find the Blue Talon Bistro Turkey Trot 5k.  It started and ran all through Colonial Williamsburg.

We picked up my race packet and shirt the day before.

The weather was FREEZING! And with 10 minutes before Target closed the night before the race, I realized that I had left my running gloves and ear warmers in Bella's bag at the people who were dog-sitting her.  Ooops! Thankfully, my dad came to the rescue and we rushed to Target with about 3 minutes to spare!

The weather in the morning was in the 30's and right before the race started, it started to rain/sleet so everything was slippery.

 I took it a little easier than I normally would have because of the wetness on the cobblestone/brick streets

But it was so much fun to run along a course that I visited so many times growing up.  I really want to run the half marathon that goes through Colonial Williamsburg one day.

My official time was 27:50, my second fastest 5k race at the time.  Not bad!  I was 555 out of 1,824 overall, 175th out of 971 for females, and 26th out of 103 for my division.

Race #57- Give Kids the World Gingerbread Run 5k

I was so excited to run the Give Kids the World Gingerbread Run 5k back in November!

 I've been wanting to volunteer at the village and so was interested in getting a look around.

I met up with Kelly, Kacie, and some of their friends as well as Meghan.

I wasn't quite sure what my plan was for the day.  I had the Wine & Dine Half that night so I decided to just run how I felt.

As soon as I started, I knew I felt good so I took off!

The run was absolutely amazing and inspiring.  The village was not at all what I was expecting.  It's like a themed neighborhood with all of these fun things to do where children can escape from their illness for a while.

All along the route, there were signs telling stories about the kids that were there.  There were also lots of characters out and about and families cheering the runners on.

I pushed it hard and got a big PR!!!  I finished in 26:55, a 2 minute PR!  I really wasn't expecting it!!

(Oh look, a picture of me stopping my watch--shocker!)

We walked around after the race was over.  There was some yummy treats and characters to see.

I came in 59th out of 1276!!  Not bad!

I absolutely loved this race.  It was small enough to where I felt competitive but large enough that I felt like it was a fun race.  And not only that, the race was for an important, inspiring charity.  I definitely think this is going to become an annual race for me!

Race # 54- Disney Cast & Family 5k Fun Run

This year, for the first time (well, that I know of), Disney had a Disney Cast & Family 5k Fun Run.  Luckily I signed up pretty early because it sold out.  I was really excited to run it but had no idea what to expect.

I have to wear a new outfit for every race and I had the perfect shirt for this one.  I had won a shirt from Disney in Your Day and it was perfect!!

I met up with my friend Nicola and her hubby.  We chatted for a bit before the race began.

Soon everyone gathered to start.  The emcee announced that the faster people should be in the front but there were definitely a lot of people who were not used to races.  I started in the middle and had to weave around lots of people running, right from the start.  But I knew it was a fun run so it didn't bother me.

The absolute best thing about this race??  That there were character stops with no lines!!  And the pictures were free!  Call me silly but I was so excited by this!  First race I've ever stopped at every character stop!!

Here I was waving to the person who shouted out that she loved my shirt and wanted it!

I love that you can see Mickey's hand in this one!

There were also "fit stops" with little activities like kicking a soccer ball into the goal but I skipped all of them.  I just wanted the characters!

They would only let the winners take a picture with the Boss but I snapped a quick one.

It was a really fun race/fun run and I hope they do it every year!

Oh and there was a cute tee too!

I finished in 32:38.  Not bad 3 picture stops too!

Flavor Run Orlando Entry Giveaway!

Looking for a fun run??  Come join me at the Flavor Run Orlando on January 24, 2015!

The Flavor Run Orlando is a family fun, un-timed 5K walk/run that includes a new fun twist on the popular color runs by engaging all of your senses; taste, smell, touch, hearing, and sight. Instead of traditional color stations, we have "Flavor Stations" where runners/walkers are covered in fruit flavored color powders! The Flavor Run Orlando is meant for all levels and ages of runners. Children 6 years old and under participate for free! A portion of the proceeds generated from the Flavor Run Orlando will be donated to Girls on the Run. 

Flavor Run Orlando event info:

Location: Bill Fredrick Park Date: January 24th, 2015
Time: This year we will be holding TWO back-to-back Flavor Run events at Bill Fredrick Park
- The MORNING Flavor Run - Starts at 9 am  
- The AFTERNOON Flavor Run - Starts at 2 pm

Your ticket to the Flavor Run Orlando includes:

- Entrance to the 5k run and post-run Flavor Festival

- Awesome Flavor Shirt (unisex and women’s sizes available)

- A packet of Flavor

- Race bib and Flavor Tattoo

- A 2015 Delicious Strawberry Finisher’s Medal

Interested??  I'm giving away two free entries into the Orlando race!!  Fill out the Rafflecopter below to enter!

And didn't win?  No worries! Use code  ONCEUPONARUN30 to get 30% off your entry!  Head to  https://flavorrunorlando.eventbrite.com if you want to register.

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Race # 52- Oakland Park 5k

For the 5k at Oakland Park, I had 3 goals.

 I wanted to get a sub-30 5k time.  I hadn't been feeling that confident since I started running after my injury and I really wanted this. My second goal was to run the whole thing.  My third goal was to try to beat my PR time of 29:44, even by just 1 second but I was pretty sure that wasn't going to happen.

It sounds silly but I loved how they lined the path with these torches.

This was to be the first race where I didn't know anybody running.  It was a little awkward standing around by myself but I quickly got over it.  And right before the start of the race, I saw one of my moms from my class from a couple of years ago.  But I was ready to go!

I took off pretty fast and was feeling good.  When I looked down at the half mile mark and saw that I was running under a 9-minute mile I had to decide quickly to keep going at that pace and know I might burn out and have to walk, or slow down.  I had never run a mile in a race that fast so I decided to keep going for as long as I could.  I kept it up for 2.5 miles before I had to walk a minute.  I did 2 2:1 intervals then ran the rest.  As I was coming through the finish line, I couldn't believe my time.

I did it!  I hit 2 of my goals!  Not only did I get a sub 30, but I got 28:55!  I didn't think I would really beat my PR, much less get a sub 28!!  I didn't stick around long after the race, but I was so proud of myself!

The results don't show my overall place, but I got fourth in my age group!

(And as I write this, I have since PR'd again, and if I had that time during this race, I would have gotten 2nd place!!)

Race #50-- Hit and Run 5k

When I first found out about the Hit and Run 5k--I couldn't wait to sign up!  A 5k combined with Wipeout-like obstacles??  Yes please!!!  We signed up as soon as registration opened.

Then I started reading reviews.  How horrible the lines were.  How the water was muddy.  Just lots of negativity.  Luckily, I had nothing negative to say and I'd definitely sign up again!

Our group was called Tangled Feet (carried over from races Cori and I have done together).  We put word out that we wanted to get a group together and we had fun group compiled!

Nicola, Steve and Kerry joined us.

When we signed up, we registered for the first wave.  And I honestly think that's why everything worked so smoothly for us.  I think the longest wait we had in line was MAYBE 5 minutes.  But I could see by the end how the lines were getting long.

I didn't take my phone because I didn't want it to get wet so I don't have any close up pics of the obstacles...only 2 far away ones.  We had brought a GoPro to use, but unfortunately the case cracked open and it met its untimely death on the water obstacle.

There were several obstacles: (And since I didn't bring my phone, I'm taking these from the Hit and Run 5k website with my commentary before it).

~Running across an inflated balance beam-type thing that was slippery with soap.  Nope--didn't make it across.

~ A wall to climb that was soapy.  The foot places were inflated and tiny so they didn't help.  You had to use the strap to pull yourself up.  I was sore for days!
 (They have a different obstacle and pic online..sorry!)

~The dreaded wall that has doors that suddenly open up and smack you.  All while there are people throwing dodge balls at you. I was so afraid of this one.  And poor Nicola went first and right at the end got smacked pretty hard.  One of race people controls it and I think he felt pretty bad.  Good news was that if you go first, you get to throw the dodge balls at your friends behind you.  Steve went last---you can imagine how much fun we had!

~The Big Balls!  I COULD NOT WAIT to try this!  They're not as big as in the show, but you still have to jump far to get to them.  I fell of the first ball.  So much fun!

~ The water obstacle where you have to kneel and crawl across this balance beam while these big balls rotate around above you trying to knock you off.  Luckily I only lost my footing once and only my left foot splashed in the water.

The run ended up being only about 2.6 miles.  Nicola wore her watch and it took us 39:45 to complete.  Not bad!

As for what goodies came in the packet--this tee and a sweatband.  There was also other tees and fun socks you could purchase.

I had an absolute blast.  Would I do it again?  Definitely--but on one condition--I would have to sign up for the first wave.  If I couldn't get the first wave, the line would be too long.