Race Entry Raffle - Hogsback Half Marathon - September 28th - Colebrook, CT

Okay. So I know you all have been hearing me gush about Running for Rescues and how I am trying to raise money for this fantastic organization. BUT did I mention that Running for Rescues is the benefactor for a half marathon I am doing in September? Maybe...Maybe not. WELL IT'S TRUE. One of the only ways you can get me to do a half in CT is to either have a great cause or a great medal. The Hogsback Half has both!

Now even though my health has been what you would find in a field full of bulls after a large meal... I have been hitting the jackpot in life so far. Not only was work really good and productive this week but...

I won a roll of KT Tape from We Run Disney this week

AND THEN

I won a free entry into the Hogsback Half!..... Wait, but I already paid for it. Oh....hmm...

After learning I won the free entry I contacted the amazing company to give it away (Sonic Endurance) and they allowed me to give it away to one of you!


What I would like to do is ask that if you are interested in gaining entry to this EPIC half marathon you visit Sammy's and my fundraising page through FirstGiving.com.

Here is the link: http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/peaceloveandpitbulls/wineanddinehalfmarathon

Donate $5 to our fundraising and you will be entered into winning this entry (I will give the winner a code). I will draw the winner on September 14th. The race is on September 28th. The regular registration fee right now is $35 ($30 if you are a Friend of Running for Rescues). Please make sure you give me some way of contacting you so I may give you the code.

Here is some information about the race from Hartford Track Club's website:

Create Maps or search from 80 million at MapMyRun

• Course:
  *It is a fast course with a 100-ft net decrease in elevation. You'll run on country roads through the towns of Riverton, Pleasant Valley, Hartland and Colebrook with a beautiful finish on the top of the Goodwin Dam.
  *Course will be open for 3 hours and will close at noon (13:45 minute/mile pace)
  * There will be a lead bike and a sag bike to escort the first and last runners
• Race Day Schedule:
  *Packet pick up begins at 7 a.m. on race morning (September 28, 2013)
  *Race begins promptly at 9 a.m.
  *Awards ceremony will being at approximately 11:30 a.m. (you must be present to receive your award or have someone else collect it for you)
• Amenities:
  *Long sleeve shirts for all pre-registered runners
  *6 water stations at miles 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12
  *At every water stop there will be water and Skratch energy drink. At miles 6 and 10 there will be Clif Shot Gels
  *Great post-race food including apple pie, apple cider donuts, apples slices with peanut butter, nutella and caramel, apple cookies, fruit, bagels and lots of sweet treats
  *Bib Tag Electronic Timing by Platt Systems
• Awards:
  *Top 3 overall male and female
  *5-year Age Divisions (no duplicates): 18 and under 19-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65+
• Registration:
  * $30 - General / Open
  * $30 - Friends of Running for Rescues

Think about it... APPLE PIE..... Yup. You got me. I'm in. I was in before I knew this. But now. I feel even more psyched to run knowing that will be waiting for me afterwards.

Wordless Walt Disney World Wednesday

Animal Kingdom & Animal Kingdom Lodge

Dogs Of Disney Challenge Virtual Run

I have had such great success with the Run Your Tail Off Virtual Race that I decided to do another one to keep raising money for Running for Rescues...


This one is called The Dogs of Disney Challenge!

Here are the medals:

Lady and the Tramp $25
5k, 10k, half, full distance options

Nana (Peter Pan) $25
5k, 10k, half, full distance options

101 Dalmatians $25
5k, 10k, half, full distance options

Max (Little Mermaid) $25
5k, 10k, half, full distance options

Todd and Copper (Fox and the Hound) $25
5k, 10k, half, full distance options

Overall Challenge Medal $115
5k, 10k, half, full distance options

Sunday. Runday. Funday.

Warning Label for this Post: I am going to be all over the place.

(source)

It has been a little while since I have consistently posted. Work is going towards a really good place so I am hoping that I will be able to post more. Here are some of my life updates...


Health:

"Please pull up on the lap bar to make sure it is securely in place". Roller coaster Central. I have my follow-up meeting with a specialist to discuss their findings...anything would be a good direction to go in except "I don't know". So 10am tomorrow cross your fingers for me please.

Running:
Mixed emotions here. Here is this week in miles...
Wednesday: 2 miles
Thursday:    2.20 miles
Today:         5.03 miles

I guess I can't be too upset considering I got out there 3 times this week which is more than in weeks prior. I need to work better on my nutrition and health to have this feel better than it did today.

On today's run I knew I'd be going longer than my typical 2-3 miles and brought along a little energy. Island Boost. Have you heard of it? I had only heard of it because they followed me on Twitter but unfortunately where they sell it retail is about 20 minutes from me. THEN August's Stridebox came and there it was, in all its glory. I still have some PowerBar Energy Gels in my stash along with some other options from both StrideBox and Bulu Box that I didn't use today. What really secured this as my tag along energy was that I didn't need to bring water. Most if not ALL of the other energy gels I have taken tell you to drink them with water. I don't have a hydration belt. I'm on the fence with the idea of it to be truthful. So if I choose to bring water I have to carry it. I may have run a half marathon but I am still too lazy to carry a water bottle. So about mile 2.5 I could feel myself starting to slow, starting to crash.... I took the packet out of my Arm Pocket and downed it. The verdict... SO GOOD. The taste was amazing! I was more than pleasantly surprised and actually excited. Unfortunately, I took it too late and didn't feel the necessary kick, but that is my fault not the products. If you are looking for something with the same benefits as an energy gel, give this a try. No need for water and it fit easily into an Arm Pocket without taking up great space.

(My views and thoughts are my own, I was not compensated for talking about Island Boost, it was one of the samples in my monthly StrideBox).

Cross Training:

Yes you read that right. I have been saying it for months. "I need to start. I need to start". Miguel is writing me an exercise and eating plan tomorrow on his last day off before school starts... I don't know why it has taken me 8 years to ask him...but I need it now more than ever, so it's time to take his advice. I have also joined Blogilates.com. Stop by Cassey's site. She is a force to be reckoned with! That woman goes non-stop and seems to be so supportive and successful. If anything check out her store! Cutest tanks and tees.

Disney:

So Sammy secured our room at Pop Century. My flight is paid for. I just need to book my Magical Express transportation and the Dining plan. I know, I know. I'm going during the Food and Wine Festival. Even though EPCOT is my favorite park, regardless of the time of year I want to enjoy and not worry about out of pocket expenses at other places.

(source)

So I guess that's not toooo all over the place.

I'll leave you all with what I spent the majority of my day doing... (aside from a quick vineyard trip) runDisney TV!!! I love Dennis. I can't help but laugh out loud while watching these videos!

With all the excitement of the Dumbo Double Dare I needed a little reminder myself of why I am training. Safe travels and good luck to all those heading out to Disneyland this week/weekend <3

QOTD: What is the next race you are excited for?! Have you tried Island Boost? How do you keep your energy up on training runs?

And The Winner Is........

DESI LYNNE ROTTMAN!

I will be contacting you for your address to get these goodies out to you!



Every single one of you, THANK YOU for entering and for participating and helping me celebrate my runiversary! I enjoyed all your comments and loved hearing from you.

Please believe me when I say I will be doing more of these, I already have a couple more in mind :) Keep your eyes peeled!

MegLovin' Monday

Okay....so I've slacked. BIG TIME. Not only with MegLovin' Monday but with posts in general. I apologize. I haven't had much to say in the last week. And I know this sounds ridiculous but this was the first thing my doctor said to me last Monday....

"Well, you don't have cancer!" 

I don't mean to be dramatic but I didn't think that was even on the table.... Regardless I will celebrate that news and I promise to post more!




Sooooo. Back to MegLovin' Monday.

The woman I am MegLovin' this week is such an inspiration and is someone who I cannot wait to meet in person come Princess Half Marathon Weekend 2014. She is so positive and bubbly and I am so proud of her as her journey progresses in training for the PHM '14. If you haven't checked her out, you really must. You will not regret spending time reading through her blog. Not only are her pictures amazing but she is as real as they come.

I am talking about Karen at Losing the Glass Slippers.

So go visit her. Really. Like now. I know you have time. 

Happy Runiversary to Me!!!

8/25/12.

That date is one of the most important dates in my life so far. It was the day I began running, or well taking it seriously. I can remember that day too. It felt like the worst run of my life. Miguel convinced me to run his parents neighborhood WITH HIM. I couldn't even keep up with his speed if I had been on roller blades... I think I may or may not have given him the finger as he was running ahead telling me to keep pushing it....(I thought "keep pushing it?! You push it where the sun don't shine bro...") 

Once I was done...and caught my breath, I was hooked.

Not only is August the 1 year anniversary of me beginning the life changing choice of running but it's also my birthday, Miguel's birthday and our 8 year anniversary, so to say that the month of August is about celebration is an understatement!

I want you all to celebrate with me too becuase so many of you have impacted my life in ways I couldn't even have dreamed! So I have talked to some amazing companies (my favorites) and they have agreed to donate products that have been an important part of my life the last year! Armpocket, Bulu Box, Sweaty Bands, KT Tape, The Sox Box, have all donated fabulous goodies for you

Armpocket is donating an Armpocket of your choice (style and color).

Bulu Box is giving the winner a box filled with goodies and a shaker bottle!

Sweaty Bands has agreed to give one of their bands. Seeing as how this is the MOST Disney-esk I think it is perfect. It is called the Lil' Bow Peep!

KT Tape is giving you the option of any color you'd like in the PRO Tape style.

The Sox Box has offered to giveaway any sock you desire (in stock). They are awesome by the way! Here are a couple of my favorites.

Power Ice will be giving a 6 pack of their electrolyte replacing ice bars, you choose the flavor. (Orange Blast is my personal favorite!)

Thank you all for celebrating with me!

Enter Below! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

"Bud, I might have to charge you with domestic abuse if you keep making her run." (Stay)cation Part 2

So after coming back from Niantic on Thursday and spending the night in my own bed with a cuddly puppy I knew I had to get up and complete my #WhereIRun themed post for 8/2. This was an idea from a fellow team mate of mine from #TeamFantastic with Girls Gone Sporty. (Here is my Ambassador link!!!) It was such a blast to do. Ace and I took our time and it ended up being a gorgeous morning. 3.24 miles done.

 After a quick breakfast and dropping Ace of at his grandparents we headed to the mall. I wanted to get an idea of what Miguel might want for his birthday but to my surprise he bought me a birthday gift! (Yes I still had 2 days.) I have been wanting this particular Alex and Ani bracelet since I learned about them. Now I have 2. Big Collector here hahaha!! I also have Cinderella's Castle that I bought before they were sold out. By now you know how crazy I am about dogs. I love that 20% of all proceeds are going towards the Mayors Alliance in NYC. Some of the saddest dogs I have ever seen are sitting in New York City Shelters and they are not No-Kill. Those dogs only have a limited amount of time to win someone's heart. It's devastating and to know I made a small difference made me feel good. I love this gift. <3

Afterwards we picked up our little beast and headed home to relax. Then for the first time. NOTHING. SIGNIFICANT. HAPPENED. We just were happy to be spending time the three of us.

Saturday (8/3) Ace and I did another morning run. 4.17 miles done and then, call the newspapers.... we just hung out again!! I spent some time with one of my girlfriends who just turned 21!! After I came home Miguel and I started talking about what we would do for my birthday. Originally we had planned on going to the Casino-Mohegan Sun but I didn't need money to be wasted so I said we could just hang out and maybe go to a restaurant around us. He asked what I wanted for breakfast. I didn't quite catch on, responding that I wasn't sure. He asked if I would want the egg sandwich from Guiliano's on Main Street in Niantic...I said yes.

Long story short. We decided to drive back to the beach house for breakfast. I did tell Miguel that I had made a promise to myself to run 10 miles on my birthday. Because I didn't end up registering for the soundRUNNER Sea Legs 10 Miler I was going to do the same mileage anyway and not give myself a reason to bow out. In all honestly I NEEDED to do it. For myself. To prove I still have it. I've been beating myself up about my low mileage and crappy preparations for the half's I have lined up. So we decided to go to bed and ended up with two crazy puppies jumping on and off the bed all night.

I can proudly say we woke up on August 4th and went into Downtown Niantic to run 9.03 miles. I do not even care about not making it 10 miles....Miguel ran with me. That means more to me than anything else. And for that, anything else that happened in the day doesn't matter. The man I love the most, did my favorite thing in the world with me. He didn't have to. I gave him plenty of outs. He even said he could have gone longer but he was over the fact it almost took us 2 hours. I was just starting to get PHM sore so I figured it would be best to call it quits. While we were running around Niantic the Niantic Bay Tri was going on. So we got to run beside the cycling part of the tri which was so motivational. The title of this post also had to do with our running...while going down one of the streets with the cyclists we happened to frequent a road being occupied by a Police Officer helping with traffic on the open course. Him and I had sporadic conversation in which he told me I was in first place after I thanked him for stopping traffic for me, someone not in the tri. Then after seeing me and Miguel a couple more times jokingly said to Miguel that he would charge him with domestic abuse if he kept making me run. I responded telling him "Officer, it was my idea!" (I hate to even have to write this but I am in no way making light of domestic violence or abuse to anyone who has been through it, I do hope no one takes offense to it.)

We then had breakfast, our favorite egg sandwiches, I showered, compression sleeved it up and KT Taped up and relaxed with my puppy until lunch time.

Miguel's mother took Miguel and I out for lunch at the Main Street Grille in Niantic. It wasn't impressive enough to waste time on so I will pass on explaining. Then we packed up the car and headed home with our son.

After unpacking and relaxing I decided I wanted to go to Red Robin. Miguel and I had very very good meals there, probably the best so far, AND the little sneakster went and told the waitress it was my birthday so we shared a little of a sundae after the famous restaurant birthday singing commenced. (He also got me a Nike Sportwatch, it should be here Friday eeee!)

I apologize for the lack of pictures. It's funny how that happens though, the less I try to make the day special the more it is. This was probably one of the best birthdays I have ever had, minus the ones at Disney.

QOTD: What was your best birthday? Why?

Hopefully This (Stay)cation Will THAI Me Over Until Disney In November.... Part 1

'Stay'cation-Vacation....

Ugh. What dreadful words. There are few things worse than a 'stay'cation. I liken it to a root canal or stubbing your toe on a coffee table or the foundation of your bed... Unless of course it means NO WORK and getting to spend time with your two best friends!!!

Miguel and Ace

Well sort of. Wednesday morning (7/31) we packed the car, to the point of bursting...I think we both thought we'd actually make it to Monday at the beach house....silly us. We had two suitcases, our bag of work out clothes & accessories, a bag of toiletry items and medications, of course a box of shoes and a bag of laundry that we thought we might want to wear so we would do a wash. Miguel's mother came and picked Ace up and we were off!!!

It's hard to explain the raccoon...but just know we are children and that Miguel is the love of my life because he always makes me laugh

After we got to the beach house we unpacked and relaxed. Even though I'm 26 (I KNOW RIGHT!!!) I still get car sick. So I usually need to lay down after car rides longer than 30 minutes. That usually ends up being okay with Miguel because usually that's when he works out. 

We had such big plans for this vacation but alas did not act up on all of them. One that we did was going to the Clinton Outlets. They aren't incredibly high-end but have some gems.

Entrance

The bag confirming the purchase of my new leopard print bag <3 . Love

I ended up falling in love with an 'affordable' bag and Miguel got it for me. Birthday present #1 [Happy]. I have more that a purse addiction by the way. It is totally a curse. But I have been good since running, I have actually almost considered selling some of my Coach bags just to finance races and gear! *GASP* It is true! I would rather spend my money on things I can actually use. While at the outlets we also visited the Finish Line store that was not an outlet with lower prices, and the Nike Outlet which had okay prices but the deals you get online during sales are better. After our car trip, mini nap, and shopping we got hungry. 

I will preface this by saying I am very hesitate about trying new foods as I am incredibly picky, that being said. I. Love. Crab. We decided to go to Johnny Ad's because Miguel heard that they had a soft-shell crab sandwich. He has been talking about trying soft-shell crab for at least 2, maybe 3 years. I'm so glad I let him talk me into trying it. I will say the idea of eating a crab AND it's shell after only eating it after I cracked it's shell threw me for a loop until I did eat it.

Sign from the road

Menu, sorry it's so hard to see

The inside has a ton of character.

We sat outside in the beautiful weather. You can see Miguel in the back.

Drum Roll Please! Here is the gorgeous sandwich!

One happy boy.

We ended up splitting the sandwich because I wasn't sure if I was going to eat it, plus it was like $12 for the thing. But I will say it was absolutely delicious. I am impressed with myself for trying something new and so happy I did!

We then went back to the beach house and relaxed and talked about what we wanted to do for dinner. I spent some much needed time on mapmyrun.com looking up routes of where we could run around the ocean and such....and maybe a nap happened too, who's to stop it?! We then got ready and excited to go into Old Saybrook and visit Touro Grill a Brazillian style Rodizio which is like 'Meat-Fest-[enter year here]'. Rodizio's are usually pricey but are worth the money. Waiters bring around different meats on skewers and you get to try sometimes 15 different things and always have a buffett of sides you can have too. Brazillian food is probably Miguel's and my guilty pleasure...

The car ride from Niantic to Old Saybrook is maybe about 15 minutes. I tried calling Tuoro Grill to see if we could get a reservation but no one picked up....We didn't think anything odd of it....until we got there and noticed no one was in the parking lot and that the lights were off inside. We realized maybe they didn't pick up because they were closed...like out-of-business-closed. After that heartbreaking discovery we traveled around for another hour looking for a place to eat and finally in a last resort attempt went back to Main Street in Niantic.

Best. Choice. Ever.

Restaurant sign

Food Menu

Drink Menu

Our complimentary appetizer, like pillows of delicious air

Miguel looking over the menu.

My meal. Drunken Noodles w/ chicken.

Miguel's Meal. Drunken (Jasmine) Rice with beef.

We got orange slices with our check.

Delicioso. Then we went back to the beach house, satisfied with our meal choice and very full and relaxed and watched movies.

The next day (8/1) I had planned on waking up and running but couldn't move. I don't know if it was the way I slept or the bed I slept on but I had not gotten a good sleep at all. We decided to go to this little bakery on Main Street we had been to one time before and gotten dessert for his parents. We hadn't eaten there though.

This bakery is like an Italian gem.

Menu on the wall

Cases filled with goodies

Miguel and I both got the Bacon, Egg and Cheese sandwich.

Can you SEE how much bacon!

It is officially my favorite breakfast sandwich ever! I was so happy we had another good meal! Afterwards we went back to the house and just hung out. Miguel as usual worked out and I spent time online and we decided to watch movies. It is so rare we just get to be lazy and relax. We definitely took full advantage of the no plans and doing nothing...but something didn't seem right...something, or rather...someone was missing....

ACE! We couldn't bare to be without him...so yes...our 6 day vacation was cut short. We came home. Once we got home and unpacked Miguel's mother dropped our baby back off. We could not have been happier to be with him. <3

Not only is Ace our 'dog' but he is our son, our best friend and the love of both of our lives.

August 1st is also the unofficial, made up anniversary date for Miguel and I. We never did the whole "Ohhh 4 months, 3 days, and 5 hours, love you bae!" thing, sorry if anyone does that but we aren't like it. We celebrate years, if we celebrate at all. This year...is 8! August technically is our anniversary month but I refuse to share my birthday with anything else. Yes, it is bratty.

These are some of my favorite photos over the years. Not in any particular chronological order...I'm genuinely sorry that I am gushing too. It's just after 8 years he still gives me butterflies (even if I want to stab him with a fork every now and then).

Ugh. He is my other half.

We spent the rest of the night relaxing with Ace and loving up on him for the night he spent without us.

QOTD: Have you ever cut a vacation short for any reason? This was my first time ever. I'm curious about you guys!