#CignaRunTogether Event

On the Friday of Marathon weekend, I was invited to a Cigna Blogger Event, #CignaRunTogether.  I attend the event last year and had tons of fun so I was looking for to attending again!  This year it was held at the Odyssey Center in Epcot.

We started off with a yummy lunch and I saw Caitlyn, a fellow BDR Ambassador so I joined her group.

We had each been given a character sticker when we checked in and after lunch we divided into groups that matched our sticker.  I was team Mickey!

We played lots of games and learned fun trivia.

For the pencil challenge, we had to see how many pencils we could balance on the back of our hands, flip over and catch.  Talk about hand-eye coordination!  I got 4.

We played a trivia exercise challenge where a trivia question was given, and to answer the question, you had to do a specific exercise.

There was a balloon game where we bounced balloons around and when the music stopped, we grabbed a color and certain colors won or lost.

One we all had fun with was the dance/lyric challenge where a song would be played and cut off and you had to touch your body part that was the next lyric in the song.

There was a yoga tree challenge where you had to balance on one leg, close your eyes, then sway from side to side.  I got up to the very last part.  I guess all of those years of flying in cheerleading paid off.

There were other fun games but the last one we did was a pasta challenge.  You had to take raw a spaghetti noodle in your mouth and using only that thread penne pasta onto it and dump it into a bowl.  That was hard!

I learned all sorts of interesting facts but came away with 3 most important things to remember:

• Get an annual check-up.
• Know your numbers so you can take care of your health.
• Don't be like a third of Americans who say they visit their health care professionals only when they have a health problem.

At the end we got to take pictures with the main cheerleaders themselves--Mickey and Minnie!!

I had such a great time and hope to attend the event again next year!

Weekly Recap- January 18-24, 2016

No race this weekend!  Feels so weird!

Monday--3 miles in 29:36  Mile 1: 9:34, Mile 2: 10:08, Mile 3: 9:53, Average Pace: 9:52

Today was Martin Luther King Jr. Day which means a day off from school.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Tuesday--rest

I had another chiro appointment.  I feel so much better after them, although it doesn't seem to last long.

Wednesday--4 miles in 40:32  Mile 1: 10:19, Mile 2: 10:08, Mile 3: 10:07, Mile 4: 9:58, Average Pace: 10:08

I pushed myself to run the whole thing!

Thursday--rest

Cori and I went on one of our cupcake field trips to use a Groupon at Smallcakes.  Turns out we didn't read the directions and we were supposed to order a day in advance.  Fail!  Luckily the lady was super nice and let us customize our order (instead of the variety pack we were supposed to get) and Cori picked them up the next day.

Kory and I enjoyed dinner at Red Robin--yum!

Friday--rest

Saturday--rest

Faith and I were going to run but it was way too cold for this Florida girl!

Cori, Faith and I went to Taverna Opa with Tamara and a bunch of her friends to celebrate her 40th birthday.  I'd been wanting to go there and it didn't disappoint.  Yummy food and dancing on the table!!

Afterwards, we went to Blue Martini but the three of us left shortly after--we weren't feeling the band.

Sunday--6 miles in 56:16 Ran 41 mins (4.4 miles at 9:17 pace) then started 3:1s. Mile 1: 9:27, Mile 2: 9:15, Mile 3: 9:11, Mile 4: 9:17, Mile 5: 9:48, Mile 6: 9:15, Average Pace: 9:22

I worked in Tour Guide at the ride for 6 hours then came home and ran 6 miles.  Fun times!

Total miles this week: 13
Total miles in 2016: 80.06
Total miles: 2619.74

Race #100- Walt Disney World 10k

Wow!  I can't believe I've done 100 races!  The 100th was originally going to be the Disney Marathon, but I forgot about the race over the summer and then I added another winter one.  I can't help myself!

Dopey Challenge Part 2--diiiiidn't start out so great.  Faith and I drove separately since we would be pushing time to shower and get to work.  And as soon as we parked at Epcot, I knew I had screwed up.  I looked at her and mouthed that I had forgotten my bib.  Yup--left it sitting on my bathroom counter.

I was freaking out as I flew home--Faith, however was calm.  Luckily I live right behind the Magic Kingdom AND we always get to races early.  By the time we got back, we still had 45 minutes until the race.  I've never been so mad at myself though!

We decided to dress as Goofy since we'd be doing his challenge too.

We took this one a little easier and did intervals.  It's hard to believe that 11 months ago I could run a 10k straight through.  I really need to work on endurance and speed.

During the race we decided we need to do this 10k next year and not go to work after since there were several characters we wish we could have stopped for including Rescue Rangers and characters from Ratatouille.

We finished in 1:10:34.  I placed 3683 out of 11,004 overall( so just a little out of top third), 1374 out of 6282 for women (top quarter) and 252 in my division.

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).

Weekly Recap-- January 4-17, 2016

Last weekend was a big weekend, with Dopey and all, so I slacked on posting again.  But I do have to say that without a doubt, the WDW Marathon last weekend was the most fun I've had at a race--EVER!

MONDAY, JANUARY 4- SUNDAY, JANUARY 10

Monday--rest

I had another chiropractor appointment.  I do think it's helping.  We were back to school after break.  I needed more time!

Tuesday--rest

Wednesday---rest

Disney Marathon Weekend Expo!

 I love the Disney expos!  They always have such cute stuff!

And we picked up our race packets of course!

Thursday--WDW 5k..3.21 miles in 32:07 Dopey challenge part 1--WDW 5k. Mile 1: 9:58, Mile 2: 10:10, Mile 3: 9:54, Mile 3-3.21: 8:45, Average Pace: 9:56

We dressed as Dopey, since we were running his challenge after all.

I finally ran a whole 5k again!

We had to rush home, take a shower, and rush to work!

I had another chiropractor appointment to hopefully feel well during the big races over the weekend.

Friday--WDW 10k..6.41 miles in 1:10:34 WDW 10k Dopey Challenge Part 2. Mile 1: 10:54, Mile 2: 10:49, Mile 3: 11:13, Mile 4: 11:24, Mile 5: 11:18, Mile 6: 10:44, Mile 6-6.41: 10:29, Average Pace: 11:02

The morning started off rough.  We got parked in the Epcot parking lot and I realized I had left my bib in my bathroom at home!  I freaked out!  Luckily we always get to races early and I lived right behind the Magic Kingdom so we rushed home and back!  And still had 45 minutes until the start.  Whew!  But I was so mad at myself!

We dressed as Goofy, since ya know we ran his challenge too.

I really wish we had time to stop for pictures.  There were so many unique characters out.  At the 5k the day before, there was a cat I had  never seen.  Turned out it was the cat from Bolt.  Then at the 10k they had Rescue Rangers and Ratatouille!  But we had to rush home and then to work again.

I left halfway through the school day to attend a Cigna Blogger event!  It was so much fun!

I rushed home and got ready because my principal was retiring so there was a big party.  I met some friends beforehand at Crooked Can for a quick drink.

Saturday--WDW Half Marathon..13.36 miles in 2:35:08  WDW Half. Dopey Challenge Part 3 & Goofy Challenge part 1 complete. Mile 1: 9:25, Mile 2: 9:20, Mile 3: 11:04, Mile 4: 11:04, Mile 5: 11:04, Mile 6: 12:56, Mile 7: 10:33, Mile 8: 12:02, Mile 9: 12:19, Mile 10: 12:57, Mile 11: 13:43, Mile 12: 12:00, Mile 13: 12: 14: Mile 13-13.36: 12:53, Average Pace: 11:38

We dressed as Huey, Dewey, and Louie.

I started off alone but then Faith waited for me about halfway through and we finished together.

Later in the day I picked up Melissa and we headed to the Sparkle Skirthttp://sparkleskirts.com/ warehouse.  I needed a skirt for the race the next day since the one I had gotten was bothering me.  I ended up get the mermaid one  and it was so cute!  And I saw the new Princess one they're bringing out and I LOVE it!!

Sunday-- WDW Marathon...27.62 miles in 6:34:51  WDW Marathon, Dopey Challenge & Goofy Challenge complete. Had to stop my Runkeeper a few times. Garmin says 27.62 miles in 6:34:51. Stopped for soooo many pictures and rode Everest. Literally the most fun I've ever had in a race! Mile 1: 10:38, Mile 2: 11:57, Mile 3: 13:37, Mile 4: 14:41, Mile 5: 12:51, Mile 6: 16:27, Mile 7: 19:32, Mile 8: 12:46, Mile 9: 13:46, Mile 10: 13:34, Mile 11: 13:44, Mile 12: 12:49, Mile 13: 18:30, Mile 14: 18:45, Mile 15: 14:31, Mile 16: 12:38, Mile 17: 14:54, Mile 18: 13:01, Mile 19: 18:37, Mile 20: 12:16, Mile 21: 16:01, Mile 22: 14:18, Mile 23: 12:22, Mile 24: 13:23, Mile 25: 13:07, Mile 26: 15:38, Mile 27: 12:26, Mile 27-27.62: 13:05, Average Pace: 14:18

I dressed as Ariel.

This was by far my slowest marathon--by an hour.  But it was by far the most fun I've ever had at a race.  Our main goal was to ride Everest.  And we had to hit it when it was open.  So we knew we had to slow down our first half to 3 hours.  So we just played.  We stopped for a pic at every mile marker and came up with a silly saying, stopped for other pics we wanted and just had tons of fun.  And I felt great after!!

After an Epsom salt bath, shower, and quick nap, we headed back to the Magic Kingdom to get pictures with all of our medals!

Total miles this week: 50.6
Total miles in 2016: 53.6
Total miles: 2593.28

MONDAY, JANUARY 11- SUNDAY, JANUARY 17

Monday--rest

I surprisingly felt really good!  No pain or soreness at all!

Tuesday--rest

Another chiropractor appointment.  I think they're really working.

Wednesday--TrampoLean Fitness class at AirHeads.

I attended the class with some Central Florida Lady Bloggers.  I was originally worried I would be too sore to attend but I was feeling great.  But holy cow.  That one class was harder than all of Dopey!  The trampolines weren't as springy as the other place so it was harder to jump on.  My calves were killing me!  But it was a blast!

Thursday--rest

I went with Faith to Ava Joy's gymnastics class and then we had dinner at Tijuana Flats.  I love that kid!

Friday--rest

Faith and I drove home to Jacksonville since we were running the Best Damn Race the next day.  We played with the puppies some

and had dinner with my parents at Your Pie (all the cheeses!!)

Saturday--Best Damn Race Jacksonville Half Marathon...13.46 miles in 2:11:46 Best Damn Race Jacksonville. Not bad for a week after Dopey! 2nd best Half Marathon time. Mile 1: 8:33, Mile 2: 8:55, Mile 3: 9:40, Mile 4: 10:12, Mile 5: 10:12, Mile 6: 9:49, Mile 7: 9:39, Mile 8: 9:48, Mile 9: 9:43, Mile 10: 10:09, Mile 11: 10:00, Mile 12: 10:53, Mile 13: 10:00, Mile 13-13:46: 9:08, Average Pace: 9:48

I felt really good, especially since it was only a week after Dopey!  And I was surprised to see that I had gotten my second best half marathon time.

We headed back to my parents house for a quick shower and then drove back to Orlando.

Sunday--rest.

Total miles this week: 13.46
Total miles in 2016: 67.06
Total miles: 2606.74

Weekly Recap- December 27, 2015- January 3, 2016

Things got way out of hand.  I got a little behind on the recaps and then I kept saying I'd make them up.  And I just never did.  And it's been 2 and half months (and many races including 2 marathons) and I haven't.  So I'm just going to start up again.  I'm sad that I don't have details kept about those but I need to get over it!

Sunday-- 8 miles in 1:39:30 Leg is hurting :( Stopped for a spiderweb & a #snowfieforolivia Mile 1: 10:48, Mile 2: 11:16, Mile 3: 12:27, Mile 4: 12:09, Mile 5: 14:22, Mile 6: 12:53, Mile 7: 12:29, Mile 8: 13:06, Average Pace: 12:26

Kory and I spent Christmas at home in Jacksonville like we do every year and we drove home today.  Then Faith and I ran later that night.  Because my leg has been bothering me, I haven't done a training run since before Space Coast Marathon so I hadn't gotten to see the house with the insane lights.  Luckily they were still up tonight!

Monday--1 mile in 9:17  Owwww

We were supposed to run 16 miles for our last long run but teachers got free Tijuana Flats so I visited with Faith, Blair, Ava Joy & Jordan after Ava Joy's gymnastics class.  We ran a bunch of errands after and were still too full so 1 mile it was.

Tuesday-- 1 mile in 10:23  Faith's birthday run!

We did our tradition of running a mile and then catching up at Starbucks!

After a shower and a nap, it was time to celebrate the birthday girl!  First up, we went to Rebounderz!  I'd been wanting to try a trampoline place and was excited when Faith wanted to go there.  This was so. much. fun!!

Then we headed to Chick-fil-a for lunch.

I went home for a little break and then we all met up again along with Heather, Chase, and Cori at Winter Garden Bowl.  It was so much fun!  Cheap games, cheap alcohol and a totally throwback to my childhood feel.  I'll definitely be back!

We ended the night at Chili's for dinner/snacks.

Wednesday-- 8 miles in 1:32:38  Last medium run before Dopey! Mile 1: 10:44, Mile 2: 11:00, Mile 3: 12:03, Mile 4: 11:31, Mile 5: 12:05, Mile 6: 11:51, Mile 7: 11:59, Mile 8: 11:26, Average Pace: 11:35

I had a chiropractor appointment.  It was my first one ever and I wasn't sure what to think going in.  They were really nice and seem to think they could help.  Too bad I waited until the week before Dopey.  We had planned on running 16 since we shortened on Monday but we decided that since we were hurting, to keep it at 8.  I'm starting to get worried about the full.  Not really sure how it's gonna go.

Thursday--rest

I worked in Tour Guide at the Great Movie Ride for 4 hours.  I've worked every New Years Eve since I started so I wanted to get a few hours in.

I figured out my stats for 2015: ran 950.15 miles and 36 races: 11 5ks, 1 6k, 1 4 miler, 3 10ks, 3 15ks, 1 half that wasn't a half, 10 half marathons, and 6 full marathons. I placed 1st in my age group one time and 2nd in my age group one time. And I completed the Goofy Challenge, Glass Slipper Challenge, Pixie Dust Challenge, Coast to Coast Challenge, Milky Way Challenge and 2,015 miles in 2015 Challenge! It was a great running year!

 Then we had our annual pajama party at Cori's house.  It's always a blast!

I had to get one more family pic for the year when we got home (only a few minutes late).

Friday--rest

Kory and I went to Buffalo Wild Wings to watch the Gators play Michigan in the Citrus Bowl.  We lost but I have to keep remembering that we did much better this season than we expected!

Saturday--3 miles in 37:27  Continuing the trend of running the first run of the year with the munchkin. Mile 1: 10:58, Mile 2: 12:48, Mile 3: 13:39, Average Pace: 12:28

I met up with Faith and Ava Joy for lunch at Panera and then we ran some errands.

Sunday--rest

I just chilled out at home.  I am so not ready for break to be over.  I don't want to go back to work!

Total miles this week: 21
Total miles in 2015: 950.15
Total miles in 2016: 3
Total miles: 2542.68

My 2015 Running Stats

So I didn't realize I had been so bad--I haven't posted since October!  Blogging has just been off for me lately but I'm going to try to be better.

My 2015 running stats: ran 950.15 miles and 36 races: 11 5ks, 1 6k, 1 4 miler, 3 10ks, 3 15ks, 1 half that wasn't a half, 10 half marathons, and 6 full marathons. I placed 1st in my age group one time and 2nd in my age group one time. And I completed the Goofy Challenge, Glass Slipper Challenge, Pixie Dust Challenge, Coast to Coast Challenge, Milky Way Challenge and 2,015 miles in 2015 Challenge! It was a great running year!



(And since I was bad at keeping track during weekly recaps, I've run 2539.68 miles total!)