Leibster Award 2013

First off, THANK YOU to both Kim at Confessions of a Domestic Goddess and Karen at Losing the Glass Slippers for nominating me for a Liebster Award! If you are thinking, what the heck is a Leibster Award, you would be thinking the EXACT same thing I was this morning. The Liebster award is a way of personally recognizing your favorite up-and-coming blogs that inspire you. I love this idea and I am so glad I am part of it because it is a fantastic way to connect with other bloggers. It's always a good feeling when you are able to have even a small impact on someone's day.

This is how it works:
1. Write 11 random facts about yourself.
2. Answer the 11 questions given by the person who nominated you.
3. Create 11 new questions.
4. Nominate 11 bloggers and mention them in your post.
5. Thank the person that nominated you and tell the people you've nominated. 

Leggo!

Random Facts:

1. I met the 5 Time Worlds Strongest Man, Mariusz Pudzianowski. I'm literally obsessed with him. He is part of my larger obsession which is Strongman Competitions. It's the one BIG thing my father (Ojciec) and I have in common and that we enjoy sharing time watching.

2. I would love to work for animal charities if I had an endless supply of money and time, if not start my own. 

3. I could live in leggings. I don't feel the need for any other type of pants.

4. I met the most amazing man a girl could ever dream of at 17 and have been head over heels ever since. (Well mostly haha). He is the male version of me, we complete each other (I know gag...but its true) This summer will be 8 years together. We have a handsome son and a beautiful house. I don't know what I would do without him. He takes care of me and is my best friend. He has pushed me to be who I am today, knowing that he is there to catch me if I fall or to encourage me when I need it is what true love is. What we have is not textbook anything. We make our own rules (sex and the city reference anyone?).

5. I could eat jalapeno's for every meal. Spicy food makes me happy. I may or may not be part Mexican. It's the only food I crave....EVER.

6. I will hold a normal, rational conversation with Ace no matter where I am or who is around.

7. I believe margaritas should be acceptable breakfast beverages. The world would be a happier place.

8. I have spent 80% of my childhood at Disney. Which has caused me to become obsessed. Only a certain group of people get how this can be rational. Thank you if you are one :)

9. I genuinely like the smell of tequila.

10. I'm obsessed with skulls. 

11. My favorite place in the world is in the sand by the ocean. No matter if it's Cape Cod or Jupiter, Florida.

11 Questions from Kim:

1. Why did you start blogging? I started blogging to have a place to follow my journey towards Disney's Princess Half Marathon 2013. Well, I didn't do so well BEFORE it, so now I am making up for it after. I want to give others who don't know where to start with their health or running a place to look for advice. I'm not certified in anything so it's just a regular girls advice. If I can do it, anyone can do it!

2. Do you have a nickname and how did you get it? Currently my nickname has been Rapunzel, it's because my hair is stupid long, like down to my hips. And no, I will not be cutting it off. haha

3. If you could have any car, what would you drive? I'd like to not have a car. That to me would mean that I lived in a place nice enough to walk with everything I needed within walking distance :) I hate driving.

4. When reading, do you prefer an Ebook or physical paper book? EBook

5. Do you cook? What's your favorite meal to make? After successfully making only small fires in the kitchen I am now finally somewhat successful as a chef. My favorite meal to make is the Beer Cheddar Soup from Canada's Le Cellier. My boyfriend claims in 8 years it is the best thing I have ever made.

6. What's your favorite wine? ANY Connecticut wine I try on the CT Wine Trail.

7. Milk or cream in your coffee? I'm not a coffee drinker.

8. You have a month of vacation and money is no object- where would you go? Everywhere I have ever wanted to. Poland to see the Motherland and maybe look for family, China to feed a Panda on my lap, I would run as many races as I possibly could AND I would of course spend time at each Disney location.

9. Funniest thing that's happened to you recently? Funny things don't happen to me, only Twilight Zone Moments happen haha.

10. Favorite TV show that's on air right now? Pitbulls and Parolees

11. Mac or PC? PC. I have an iPad and an iPhone but haven't yet bridged over my computer..

11 Questions from Karen:
1. Tutu or Sparkleskirt? I'm not that girly, but if I had to pick one, I'd go Sparkleskirt, I saw some ladies struggling in those port-o-potties with their tutu's for the Princess Half, talk about wardrobe malfunction!
2. How many furry kids do you have? 1! AND HE'S THE BEST BABY EVER! His name is Ace, he is (we think) a lab/pit/greyhound mix. He was 'born' 11/11/11. He likes older women, rotisserie chicken, has his own spot on the couch and recently became involved in a love triangle. His favorite toy as of this month is his hedgehog and he does not like fireworks. He knows when bedtime is and sleeps like a human next to me. I know you only asked the number but I'm so in love with him I can't help but keep talking haha.
3. How long have you been running? Since August 2012
4. What's your profession?  Aquatics & Wellness Director, I am a life-long lifeguard (10 years) and was able to make a career out of my passion, I'm one of the lucky few.
5. What's one of your favorite childhood memories? At Disney of course! I remember my Ojciec (Dad) making dinner plans for him and I and we went to the Whispering Canyon at the Wilderness Lodge. I can remember sharing a skillet with him and laughing and having a blast, loud music and Cast Members dancing around and I remember the food being amazing too. My father works so incredibly hard to give my family everything they want and I can just remember him smiling and seeming so relaxed. Him and I haven't spent as much time just the two of us. I really enjoy and treasure the time that him and I spend just us two.
6. Do you fuel during runs? What and when? I only recently started doing this. I have been using Power bar's Strawberry Banana Energy Gel, it really helped me one time when I had a horrible cramp, I take it about 2 miles in to my run, about 20-25 minutes. 
7. What was the last book you read? 50 Shades of Grey Trilogy... I don't read unless it's this good. haha
8. Favorite race/distance you have run? I really enjoyed the Princess Half, although I was exhausted afterwards I couldn't stop smiling the whole time.
9. Three songs you love to run to? I do not run to music, I prefer to run with my thoughts BUT when I do give in it's definitely 'Pound the Alarm' - Nicki Minaj, 'The Good Life' - Three Days Grace, 'I Love It' - Icona Pop
10. Where is your favorite place to vacation? Easy. Florida, whether it is Disney OR Jupiter
11. Why do you love running? I know this gets asked a lot, but I never tire of hearing what runners love about running! I love pushing myself past what I once thought was only a dream. I continue to love to run when I motivate others to run too.


11 Questions for my blog picks
1. Do you run with a partner?
2. What race is tops on your bucket list?
3. What is one piece of advice you have gotten about running that you always think of.
4. Tequila, Rum, or Vodka?
5. Favorite movie?
6. What do you bring with you on a run?
7. Do you cross-train? If so, what do you do and how often?
8. When you are not running, how do you spend your time?
9. If you won $1 Million what would you do with the money?
10. Do you have a pre or post race ritual?
11. What do you look for when choosing races to run?


So I don't know many 'up-and-coming' blogs so I am putting those I follow and read frequently. <3

Karen @ Losing the Glass Slippers
Kim @ Barking Mad About Running
Patty @ Margaritas, Miles, and the Mouse
Abby @ Abby's Road to Amazingness
Amy @ Pumpkin to Princess
Erin @ For the Love of Disney Running
Jen @ Hello Fitness...We Meet Again
Julie @ Run. Walk. Fastpass. Repeat
Rebecca @ 50 Half Marathons in 50 States
Melody @ Sweet Like a Song
Mindy @ Road Runner Girl