Race Brook Rocking Road Race 5k Recap

 So I have to begin with this photo...my baby watching me leave. He gave me many good bye kisses.

GPS told me it would take an hour and 5 minutes to get to Orange, CT from where I started....only took me 45 minutes. Which worked out really well because I got a great parking space at the most adorable Elementary School in Connecticut. It wasn't overly modern and wasn't outdated. It was so cute. The kind of school you'd be proud to work at or have your children attend.

So I will be completely honest...the two biggest reasons for doing this race are...the price of it, and the fact the schools mascot is a raccoon playing a guitar...I'm sold. I love raccoons  It's a problem. I realize that now. 

They had these signs up everywhere.

Race registration was clearly located, the women running the table seemed kind enough, they knew what they were doing and were pleasant. 

How cute is this....I'm in love.

 Tech shirt and bib...look how fabulous it is!!! It is officially my favorite of all my race shirts. Soft, light weight, simple.

 Take away bag, a razor, pens, Chili's gift certificate for a free kids dinner (might help if I had kids), I really was impressed with the number of sponsors they had. Great job to the parents who worked so hard.

This view right here gave me chills....I am so proud to live in this country...and as much as I would love to get out of Connecticut one day I am proud to say this state is my home.

So the race....

The start line was NOT identifiable other than 'raccoon prints' on the pavement, cute idea unless, well, you can't see the pavement. The principle of the school made a short speech to let us know 50% of the proceeds would be going to the Sandy Hook PTA. Incredibly generous gesture considering how many people showed up and the sponsorship they had for the event. The race started with a conch shell. All the runners were as confused as I was. The race started slowly but everyone around me picked up pace fast. 

(I myself had not run since the Wednesday before the Wednesday before the race....about a week and a half. My week sucked. I booked myself to be in too many places at the same time and worked 12 hour days Monday-Friday and then 7 hours on Sunday. Saturday, race day was my only day off...I didn't eat very healthy...and well the cherry on my pre-race week was that my best friend was moving to Florida and was leaving Saturday....so obviously I drank a bottle of champagne Friday night...you know....the night BEFORE my race because I was...am, sad. I wish I could have the same get up and go that she does for her dreams. I'm really impressed by her.)

So my pace was round a 10:45-11 mm...I felt like molasses. The course was open. I have to admit that prior to actually beginning the race and seeing cars out on the road I didn't know what 'OPEN' meant. Apparently an open course is one where very few, if any of the roads are closed to runners. So those wearing headsets were shocking to me, cars where at every turn and driveway. About Mile 1 there was water, but I didn't take anything because I was only about 10 minutes in....Mile 1.75 there was water...again, didn't realize it would come up so fast that I didn't get a chance to take anything with my water. I was hoping another water station would show up. It didn't. I walked a couple times, maybe 5 in total. And I would only walk 2 house lengths and then pick it back up. I ran every hill like a champ. I have to make sure I say that, becuase usually I wimp out on hills. I like to use them as my 'walk breaks'. But there were so many that I wasn't about to let my time suffer. Once 2.75 miles came around I started passing people with my energy reserve, a very small amount of energy left, but it was still there. 

At the point I started passing people I ended up pacing with a father and daughter. The little girl had to be about 8 maybe 10 years old. The father turned to her and said, "this is where everyone else gives up...this is where you give it all, never quit". His daughter turned to him, a friend of hers jumped on the course and she started sprinting. I turned to him and told him I thought he was a good Dad. I thanked him for instilling some sort of drive into his daughter as someone that might hire her one day. He blushed, (or was dying from heat exhaustion, pick one) and thanked me, said he was doing the best he could. They crossed the finish, then I crossed. I looked up at my time..........34:something...ugh. Really, 34?!? I had wanted my post Vernon Mothers Day 5k Race to break 30 minutes.....After feeling really bad for myself for about oh 10 steps children in the back of a truck gave me some water and I found the food tent. 

All the way in the back to the left, in black with my favorite pink shoes.

Subway donated easily 100 foot long subs and cookies, there were orange slices (my favorite) and of course....the holy grail, the most beautiful loaf of Olive Oil Ciabatta bread...and yes, I did go back and get two. 

I sat down, stretched, ate and hung around waiting for them to call top age finishers.....then I occurred to me. If I didn't meet my own best time, then there is no way I ended up top 3. I walked back to my car content with the fact that even after the week from hell I followed through with my race. I feel like I've got my drive back. I'm pretty excited.

 Do you see what I see?! PUPPYTIME!

Typical after race car & bib shot. A big shout out to Urban Suburban Apparel. I am wearing their Don't Bully My Breed shirt. Also had to have my black glittery Sweaty Band on for my race.

All in all I will definitely be doing this race next year, good course, good food, good swag, good people, great cause.

"If you're lost and alone or your sinkin' like a stone....carry on."

In all honestly this is how I have felt since my last race, the Cheshire Sea Dog 10k....I don't know why exactly. I guess it could be partly due to having a bit of a health scare this past week or so... My mothers' side of the family does not have the best genes for a girl to have, they're a blast to hang around with, but their genes suck. A lot of cancers...yada yada yada. I know it sounds awful I say it like that but it's true and if you really let it weight you down you will become paralyzed. When I was 20...I had a breast cancer scare and had a lump removed that they could 'neither confirm nor deny' was cancerous...but because breast cancer runs in my family no one wanted to take a chance. Thanks Doc for saying I'd barely notice the scar. Prior to that, about 10 years ago this January, my aunt (rest her soul) passed away from colon cancer. The day before  she was diagnosed with Colon Cancer that spread to her liver, then spread to her lungs my mother was diagnosed with Stage 4 Melanoma Cancer. My poor, poor Nana (Irish Grandma). I can't imagine what that woman went through....not 1 but 2 of your children are given death sentences.... I'm actually starting to tear up thinking about it now...

I'm going to side-track you for a moment...well...because this is my blog and a I can... hahaha

This woman, Nana Moran, and my Babchi (Polish Grandma, not pictured) are two women whom I will eternally be indebted to for the way I am. They are inspirational, bad ass, women. Nana Moran was famously quoted in our family as saying "The sights you see when you don't have a gun." (Please don't think badly of her, she was just openly honest.) What makes me laugh is she, for her age, was not one bit racist (and never violent), she didn't care who you were, if you were a bad person she wouldn't like you for that, not your skin color. As stubborn and Irish as she was she had a gut feeling about people. I can't count the number of times I went to her and said "Nanaaaaa, Miguel did this/said this...I'm so angry". She would make me Bagel Bites and hot chocolate (with milk) no matter the time of day and tell me things would work out, that he was a good man. I am devastated that she will not be at my Future (as long as he stops dragging his feet) wedding to this "good man". 

I was always put on "Nana Watch" at family functions which became more and more fun the closer I got to her. You know those small little Dixie cups children use to rinse their mouths out after brushing their teeth. Well I got them for jello shots and didn't use them all, I gave my Nana Dixie cups of Smirnoff Ice at functions and her and I would sit and laugh and talk. I truly didn't realize how much I would cherish those times with her once she was gone....I guess I thought she would be around forever. I hope I have made her proud...

Okay...before I actually start sobbing....back to my rut.

So the health scare...then this past week at work was the LONGEST WEEK OF MY LIFE. 

I did 5 consecutive 12 hour days. I taught lifeguard training plus worked on getting the summer season up and running. Had guards that I was banking on...quit. Unnecessary stress, worth ethic isn't what it used to be. It was just a bad week....thank goodness it is over....I'm only doing 4 days this week (including Sunday) Wednesday is my half day. Thursday and Friday are off <3 Friday I have a 10k in Niantic and then Saturday I have a 5k in Manchester. I am looking forward to both very much. I am hoping that I pulled myself out of this rut...I'm not sure 100% though because my best friend just left to go live in Florida....I already miss her so much but like I have been saying all week...I am very proud of her. She has the guts to go live her dreams and isn't side tracked by anyone. I wish I was more like that.

Okay...so now that I got that off my chest...I hope you could all follow it...I'm sorry if it's a whole lot of rambling....but I will definitely say it explains my Blogger absence. 

QOTD: Have you even fallen into a rut...how did you get out?

Glass Slipper Challenge. Disney's Princess Half Marathon 2.0

FINALLY we get to see the pricing for next years PHM! There had been talk of a 10k being added and the Glass Slipper Challenge being announced.....

I AM SO EXCITED!

(from Petite Tiaras)

Okay, let's get down to business...

Cash money talk....
Princess Half Marathon Price: $160 (pretty sure I paid $135 last year, significant hike)
Enchanted 10k Price: $95
Cinderella Royal Family 5k Price: $60

GLASS SLIPPER CHALLENGE PRICE
Half Marathon & 10k: $270
19.3 Miles of sparkle...
You'll get 3 Medals: 1 for the Half, 1 for the 10k and 1 for the GSC
You'll get 3 shirts: 1 for the Half, 1 for the 10k and 1 for the GSC (LOVE THIS IDEA)
Either Men's OR Women's cut shirts.


Directly from the runDisney website....

Race participants in the Glass Slipper Challenge will receive:

• Champion Short-Sleeved Tech Shirts for the Half Marathon, 10K and Glass Slipper Challenge in Women’s or Men’s Cut*
• Special Glass Slipper Challenge Finisher Medal, along with Disney Princess Half Marathon and Disney Princess Enchanted 10K Finisher Medals for completing the Half Marathon and 10K*
• Official Race Program Guide*
• iGiftBag
• Personalized bib (Must register by December 1, 2013 for name to appear on bib)*
• On-course and post-race refreshments
• ChronoTrack B-tag timed races, with live runner tracking signup for friends and family for both events
• Personalized results website

To receive the Glass Slipper Challenge Finisher Medal, you must register for the Glass Slipper Challenge. Registering for the 10K and Half Marathon individually will not make you eligible to receive the Glass Slipper Challenge Finisher Medal.

Glass Slipper Challenge 2-Princess Team

Don't want to go on your magical journey alone? Grab a partner, register and run the Half Marathon portion of the Glass Slipper Challenge together as a 2-person team! Team registration is a fun way to compete in the Princess Half Marathon with added perks for each princess on your team.

Team Registration Fee: $15 per Team

Runners participating in the Half Marathon or Glass Slipper Challenge can sign up to be a Team to run in the Half Marathon.  There is no Team division for the Disney Enchanted 10K.

Each team that participates in Disney Princess Half Marathon will receive:

• All of the Individual registration inclusions plus…
• Commemorative Team Bib (Must register by December 1, 2013 for team name to appear on bib)*
• Commemorative Sash
• Team Photo area at Packet Pick-Up
• Eligibility for Team awards
• 2-person team registration includes added perks for each princess on the team**

Dates, times, prices and inclusions subject to change. All races are subject to capacity limits and may close at any time.

*Participants must attend Packet Pick-up at the Disney Fit For a Princess Expo to receive their race packet, bib, and tech shirt. Finisher medals will be distributed to finishers during the race. None of these items will be mailed to registrants.

**Note: Not a relay – both participants run the entire Half Marathon race.

Sammy and I have already confirmed we will be doing the TEAM thing!!!! I feel slightly insane....but SO excited! We will be thinking about costuming and such soon!

Petite Tiaras

Will you be there!?

Proud to be an American

I will do my absolute best to not go off on a tangent here that might offend or upset people but I want to express what Memorial Day or any other national holiday for that matter means to me...

A little background.... Both my Mothers side of the family and my Fathers side of the family have been in the armed forces..Navy and Marines to be 100% sure so, I have American pride running through my veins. I don't believe to be an American you need to be either Republican or Democrat, but what I feel happens is people lose sight of what being an American means. I feel all we have been doing recently is splitting into two sides. This absolutely disgusts me. I personally believe there is nothing more unpatriotic and distasteful than someone putting down our military personnel. You can either believe war is necessary or unnecessary all you want, but it has happened and will continue to happen until those who want to oppress open their eyes. I do not believe war is either fantastic nor evil, but what I do believe is is that if someone is willing to risk their life so I can sit here on my porch with Ace laying in the sun beside me on this beautiful day (after 4-5 days of rain, thunder and lightning, coincidence?) then I will support them until I can no longer breathe.

I am proud to live in a country where there are numerous people, men and women, who feel like they have the obligation and duty to protect the country they love and millions of people they will never meet to the degree they are putting their lives in most certain danger.

I would like to ask all of my followers/readers/friends/family to not speak of the First Lady's attire today, the upcoming healthcare reform, the battle for seats in the house.... None of these things have anything to do with life or death. Instead think of someone, anyone: family, coworker, friend who  gave their life for this amazing country or is currently fighting for us all.

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

May 2013 Bulu Box Subscription Review

Okay.... So I have this minor issue, if a company shows me any attention and has fantastic customer service and LIVES BREATHES AND EATS their mission statement I'm immediately hooked. Bulu Box is just that. They like your Instagram Photos and retweet you, and direct message you. If you give me the customer service I expect, I will most likely fall in love with you, the only way to guarantee love is to rescue puppies for me. So they are in pretty good standing thus far.

Here is the videoblog of my first Bulu Box!!

Like a dummy I didn't take photos of the products, I will do that and update ASAP.

Give Bulu Box a try!

Cheshire Sea Dog 10k

Okay. I'll admit it first... I ALWAYS think of the Cheshire Cat when I think of Cheshire, CT. I can't really explain why. I know there is nothing about Cheshire that justifies that thought process but it still happens. So anyway, this was my first 10k. I didn't really run races in the logical order 5k, 10k, half, full... I did 5k, half, 5k, 5k, 10k....oops. 

Well, first off, the Southington-Cheshire YMCA did a fantastic job with the race today. Not only did they make it a family affair by having local businesses and vendors by having a "doggie dash" on top of the 5k and the 10k but they had a very interesting and somewhat challenging course. (As well as an awesome shirt!)

I will admit that I was a little thrown off by the fact that I had to go to one tent to get my bib number and then go to another tent to get my bib. I would have preferred that was put in a pre-race email. That to me is not typical for a race like this and added a bit to my pre-race anxiety. Once I picked up my bib, shirt, shoe laces (kinda cool) and looked at the start line I headed back to my car to stretch and get pumped up. The lady who parked next to me and I started talking about races and the course. She had done the Cheshire Half Marathon and said the course was perfect, not too many hills but enough to keep it interesting. This race was both our first time at Bartlem Park so we were both unsure what was in store. She then proceeded to tell me her favorite course of all time in CT was in Colebrook. I must have looked shocked because she said to me, "do you know where that is?" I of course have no idea where Colebrook, CT is but on September 28 I am running the Hogsback Half Marathon in that town (proceeds are going to Running for Rescues, sing up NOW!) We said we would probably see each other there and parted ways.

 I had had a ton of water and wanted to go to the bathroom prior to the start of the race. The line for both the regular park bathrooms and the port-o-pottys was longer than any race I have been too. Not only were people taking WAY TOO long but an 11-year old child cut in front of myself and the 4 people in front of me 5 minutes before the race was too start. I get a child needed to use a bathroom, I'm not heartless but where is the parent?! There is a certain etiquette to follow....like standing in line. I do not like to rush to the start line I like to take my time, this was very upsetting. Luckily a third stall opened up and I was able to be to the 10k Start Line with 60 seconds to spare.

Although the 10k and the 5k began in two separate locations we merged about .10 of a mile after the start. We then ran together for about .50 of a mile until the 5k went left and the 10k stayed straight. The course was actually really pretty, running through the neighborhoods of Cheshire was very calming. There weren't as many spectators as the Vernon Mothers Day Dash but the amount of volunteers out on the course made you feel like there were people there to see you run. Another positive for the S/C YMCA. I did wish that there was maybe 1 more water station but I was appreciative that there were two spaced out. I lined up close to the start line and boy did I get passed by many many people after the first mile. After that little (yeah right, little) blow to my ego I decided that if I were to at least beat my best 10k time so far, 1:14 then I would still be proud of myself. The runners for the 10k were real deal serious runners. If was to come in last it was going to happen going up against some great runners. I pushed myself more than I had ever before in a race. I had my first 3 miles under 10 minutes (WHAAAAT!?!) It only drizzled a little, luckily there were no downpours. The finish line was across the street from where the 10k started. I was able to pass one or two more people the last .30 and as people were crossing an announcer was calling out their name and what town they were from. I was so relieved to be done!! AND! I had beaten my best time!! I finished at 1:04!! 10 MINUTES OFF! WOOHOO!!! Forget the fact there were 250 people registered and I was 235!!! I didn't come in last! Yayyy!!!

I grabbed some water after passing under the balloon arch and had to hobble back to my car back across the street. Ooooowweeee. It felt like a longer walk than the run I had just completed. I had packed my bag with a change of clothes just in case it did rain. I am very happy I did. Not only do I detest sitting in workout clothes but I had to show off my new shirt!

Love Bulu Box! This shirt is soooooo soft. I still have to post my subscription review. I'll do that after I am done with this post. After changing I walked around their expo, grabbed a delicious and much deserved orange slice and half a bagel. I looked at the race results and headed home. There was a puppy date about to happen!!! My Partner in Crime, my Better Half, my Disney Twin just rescued General a 3 month old German Shepherd and even though he's only been 'home' for 3 days we knew Ace and him needed to meet A.S.A.P....plus I had a bottle of Sachem's Picnic waiting to be sipped. :)

General and Ace meet for the first time! 

I will leave you with pictures of these two. Nothing is better than a puppy butt <3

"When you're the best of friends...."