Year in Review - 2013

I started this year as a non running person - I moved back to Florida January of this year and was approached by my daughter Shannon with the question -

Shannon:  "Mom want to run a race with me next January?"
Myself:  "Sure - when and where?"
Shannon:  "It's at Disney"
Myself:  "Sure - sounds fun"
Shannon:  "It's called Goofy!  You run a Half Marathon on one day and then a Full Marathon the next!" Myself:  "WHAT?"
Shannon:  "It'll be fun we can run it together and get Derek to run it too!"
Myself:  "Sure - why not"

And no time did I ever think that one simple question would open up my life and my world to so many other avenues.  Nor did I ever think that I would have opened my life and my heart to so many other people in it.  I never would have thought that one simple question from my daughter would have the change and affect it has had on my life.  SO, for those who think I am Bat Shit Crazy, Half Crazy, Totally Crazy, Out of my Mind..... you can blame Shannon, I do!  But I also want to thank her for this.  Without that question - I honestly do not know where I would be or what I would be doing in my life.

Fast forward to April 2013 - Shannon is out in Arizona with Derek and I am here in Florida house sitting their house.  Registration is opening in any moment and I am waiting by the computer - Rumor has it that The Goofy tends to sell out quickly - WAIT!!!!  Let's throw a wrench into the mix - Disney is adding a race and now has a race called the DOPEY!!!!!  It's a 5k, 10k, Half and a Full,  Four days in a row vs. the Half and Full!!!  hmmmmm decisions - decisions - decisions!!!  I have time - Registration is still a couple of hours away.

OH NOOOOO Linda fell asleep!!!!

I woke up the next morning and jumped on the computer - and still didn't know what to register for - YIKES!!!!

I sign on and there is the buttons - Dopey or Goofy - It is staring me in the face - taunting me - teasing - taunting - teasing - I look at the calendar and think - I could do this - I know I could - but do I really want to run a 5k then rush off to work?  Then the next day run a 10k and rush off to work again?  I opted for the Goofy - and it was almost $150 cheaper - SO I signed up for Goofy and decided that next year I will run the Dopey!

Registration is open - Registration is DONE!  Oh shit - this just got real!

Next I make a call to Shannon - "Did you register for Goofy?"  NO She didn't - Now what is a girl to do?  There is still time - it wont sell out yet!  I hope!

April comes, April Goes - May swings in to play and Angie from work wants to run a 5k called a Color Run!  Hey why now - I need to run and train right?!!??!

May - I run a Color Run with Angie - OMG - I could not help but laugh and loved every minute of it!  I do however have one suggestion - do not try to run backwards - it brings in to play a whole different group of muscles - HELLOOOOO

June - that comes in with nothing really fun or exciting - YAY!!!!!  LOL I did something I don't normally do - I took a thing called a Vacation.  I didn't really run much - actually I don't think I ran at all - other than one fun run 5k with Fit2Run on National Running Day!

July - This is where it all gets real!  THIS is where my life changed.  It changed for the better and I wouldn't ask for it any other way.  I ran two races in 8 hours and learned that my life would change for the better in so many ways in less than 24.  I started off July running the Kiwanis Midnight Run in Dunedin with Shannon - I hadn't trained much - if at all but we went and ran the midnight 5k.  We got separated at the beginning but we both ran and went for it.  Somehow I must have been right there with her but I stopped to take care of an elderly man who had fallen, broken his nose and gotten several facial lacerations.  After about a 15-20 minute pause in my run - I was cleared to go by the EMT's and resumed my run - stiff muscles and all.  I made it across the finish line, race to the race director and announced a down runner and advised his family where to meet up with him at which hospital.  We then went to McDonald's where she advised me I might want to wash my hands - I still had blood on me.  LOL  

After we finished here, we hoped in the car - picked up the second car and continued up the Interstate to North of Orlando to where Race #2 was going to be.  I know I know I was in the SAME outfit - but HEY I was in two races in less than 8 hours.  The race is about to start and we are walking around and I see some ladies laughing and taking some pictures - they looked fun.  Oops - Race starting - Headphones in - off we go.  I finish the race and all I heard was Shannon Yelling:  "WAY TO GO MOM!!!  2 RUNS IN LESS THAN 8 HOURS!"  She really made me proud and she really supported me - even if she still didn't sign up for Goofy.  

I get back home after that race - shower and sit down with Toshi - my computer has a name - and post in the Fit2Run thread about my two races and how I am hoping to still make it up for the Fun Run that night.  I then pop on to the I Run 4 Michael thread/page on Facebook that I had just signed up for to be matched with a buddy to run for!  I got my notification that I was matched with BEN!  I quickly posted a couple of pictures to him and told him about my runs.  THEN it happened.  I see a picture that is posted - The same crazy ladies that were taking a picture at the second race, one of them posted the picture I watched them take.  I mentioned that I saw them take that picture - and Angi Lanciano the Seminole County Moms RUN This Town Leader agreed to let me - a Hillsborough County Resident - join them and their group.  BEN - we have a whole group of new people to run with - we are going to be so excited and happy.  We are going to run our hearts out!

July we didn't run any other races - but we did have a lot of rain!  LOL 

August comes in to play and by now I am talking with the MRTT girls more and have even agreed to share a room with some of them in December at Space Coast - Shannon was freaking out "Mother, you don't know these women!  What happens if they are ....." I cut her off before she could finish when I said "What, they are crazy like me?"  She didn't have much to say after that.  We also found out that Shannon was pregnant and guess what - I'm going to be a GRANDMA!!!!!

August I then ran the MRTT Alice in Wonderland Virtual Summer Run 5k and I met some of the Mama's that I now call friends.  They were soooo funny and they accepted me into the group like we had known each other for some time.  

Sorry to all the Mama's I didn't have one with EVERYONE!!!

Oh and I also ran another Virtual 5k that day too - it was a run to help another Runner raise funds for his Dopey.  So, I ran the Dopey 5k too - WHEW!!!! What am I doing?

Next up was another 5k in August - it was the Flavor Run.  OMG - I laughed while I ran this one too - I ran it by myself but still had fun.  I was also BLUE for a week.  Even after I took 6 showers and washed my hair 4 times before going to work.  LOL 

I was learning to run in Tutu's and was a Flavor Fairy so I was wearing Wings.  Red is Bens favorite Color so I opted for Red and Pink Wings.  

The Following week - That is THREE Weekends in a row - I was convinced by my new friends that I could run a 10k with them.  I stayed with my new friends Brandyn and laughed so much that weekend, had a painting party and PR'd on the 10k - YAY GO ME!!!

September rolls into the picture and guess what - I keep running!  LOL Where did all of this energy come from?  

I start the month off with a 5k to Honor a young man who lost his battle.  He was in a horrific Auto Accident as a child and lived his life to the fullest daily.  When he passed, they did a 5k to honor him.  I ran it!  BOY was it HOT!!!!  I have NEVER run an afternoon 5k and I was sweating bullets and wanted to die - I was so miserable that I didn't even stay around for the free beer!!!  LOL WHAT?!?!?!?  

 I look like I was serious and like I was on a mission!!!














Nope I just wanted to finish - It was soooo
 damn HOT!!!

I vowed I would NEVER run another afternoon race again unless it was cooler!

September turned in to my Month to run in Memory of others - Not only did we run the Ryan Shuck 5k we ran a 5k for the Memory of Sweet Talia who had also earned her wings and now sits among the angels.  I also introduced Shannon in to the mix of Wonderful World of Moms RUN This Town.  Seeing as she is pregnant.  We had a blast at this event - I laughed, talked, learned so much more about my Running Mama's and when I saw this picture - realized I needed to get into shape and lose a few pounds - I wasn't taking my running really serious and wasn't being smart - I needed to get serious.

October brings in Tricks and Treats and Puppy Dog Feet!

I wasn't able to get a bib for the Disney Tower of Terror but I WAS able to BUY a bib from a fellow Mama!  I had an amazing time and a wonderful run.  This was my first 10 miler and I hadn't really trained for it but let me tell you - I learned A LOT!!!  I learned to train for hills and slopes and I learned that I needed new running shoes.  I learned a new way to run - the Galloway Run-Walk Method.  I learned that if I start out feeling too comfortable, I am going too fast.  I also learned that running in the dark is something that we do here in Florida a lot of and when it is warm out - you can run in the early morning hours or in the late evening hours.  I also learned that Complete Strangers are going to be there on some part of the race course even if your family can't be.  Shannon and Derek were back at the finish line and this sweet little lady was just past the half way part and she pushed me on and made me realize that I CAN finish this run.

                           


October continues with a bang and a whirlwind of a weekend.  I being the crazy runner that I have become decided that I was going to run three (3) yes, THREE races in 24 hours!  WHAT was I thinking?  I know I am not Wonder Woman - I am not a Super Hero - I am just a runner.  Hey - There are worse things to be addicted to right!?!?!?!

My whirlwind of a weekend began on Saturday October 19th.  I Ran the Rattlesnake 5 miler - I had always wanted to run this and finally got the chance.  I ran it on my own but didn't care - I had a blast.  It was a hilly course but I didn't mind - I enjoyed it!  I got in my zone that I have become accustomed to and off I went.  I finished - hung out for the first time ever after an event and just continued to enjoy the day.  I then realized that I don't always smell good after a race - I don't mind - I know I am working hard and running my buttocks off.  I was informed by a complete stranger that I did in fact, STINK!  I called Shannon and told her that I would trade her a lunch out at Cracker Barrel for a Shower! SCORE!!!!!

 After Showering and Lunch with Shannon - I continued off to Brandyn's house where I would meet her and Dawn Marie and we would head off to what would be Race #2 for me.  Remember, I have done that before - 2 in a day right!!!!  So, OFF We Go!  I meet up at Brandyn's and we head off to the Neon Run 5k.  They (race directors) told me that there weren't any strobes - guess what - there was!  I still had fun and laughed but decided that this was one that I will NOT do again.  No Water!!!!!   After that - we left and if you ever see anyone driving down the road with a crazy lady in the passenger seat with glow light glasses on - it might be me!  I also guarantee I will make you laugh!  LOL   THAT is what memories are made of.

Home - Shower and Off to bed I go.  Brandyn and I wake up the next morning for what is my third and final race.  We are running the Pink Feet 10k for Breast Cancer Awareness.  We also ran this for Mama T's Birthday!  By the time I was done with this, I was having two really sore knees but I made it through.  I learned that Ice really IS my friend!  

But lest we forget that my 2nd Vacation of the year comes around and my kids freak out because Mom just doesn't do that!!!!  LOL But I did - went on a Cruise with my Bestie and had an amazing time.  I also spent a week living a Disney life.  3 Days on the Magic and 4 days at the Parks - HEAVEN!!!!  Food and Wine Later - enter a VERY tipsy Linda - I had to get in a virtual 5k that the time was running out - OH NOOOO - I did it - and realized that I run better and make better times when I run with at least one drink.  LOL SO, I completed my 5k and didn't even hurl - even though twice I felt like I was going to!  

Enter November - One of the biggest days of my life - November 6th I signed up for Team in Training and signed up for the Marathon in Paris France.  This I did it for the memory of my Father, Glen Proffitt!  I had lost my father to Cancer on November 7th 30 years earlier I figured if I was going to run - I was going to help in the research of cancers.  SO Enter Linda into the world of Team in Training.  Wanna talk about Shit getting real!?!?!?!?  

Can you say Back to Back AGAIN?????  This particular weekend I decided that I was going to do another back to back double.  This would be my THIRD back to back since I began running - WHAT?!?!  Crazy, Nope!  Addicted!!!

I started this weekend back up at Brandyn's and we ran Saturday doing the Peace Love Cure 5k.  I wasn't feeling it but did it anyway and so I did this with Angi.  I pushed her when she didn't want to go and encouraged her.  SO many people have encouraged me along the way that it was time to give back.  I ended up pushing Angi and guess what - she PR'd!  I did a lot of laughing in this one too.

I then Ran the Orlando Runners Classic 5 miler!  WHAT ?!?!?!  I must be crazy.  Nope - I'm not - just living my life in the world I have begun to enjoy.  I really had fun running this one and hope to run it again in the future - It was fun and let me tell you - they have the BEST Post Race Expo!  OMG the Meatballs!!!!!!

                        

Enter December - Remember - Shannon had gotten pregs and couldn't run her Space Coast Half Marathon.  I had missed out on getting registered so, I ran under her bib, even marked it as Shannon's Mom!  LOL I loved it.  Got in to the wrong pace group and zoned out and off I went.  I LOVED this run and WILL be doing this again.  This was my first half this year and guess what - I knocked off 40 minutes from my previous Half.  PR!!!!!    I can't wait to run this one again - there aren't many I say I will run again but THIS is one.  

  Finisher of the Space Coast Half

Look, Shannon's Mom Ran a Half Marathon.

  I told you ICE is my best friend!  

 Two weeks after the Half, I ran the Masters of All Terrain 10 miler.  Note to self - I have to remember to charge my iPod when I run!  I ran this one with some other Mama's and felt sooo bad not running with Brandyn and driving by the exit to my other home and not stopping!  LOL  I guess you can say these running Mama's are like family.

This was fun and I met some other GREAT runners - I can't believe the world of running and the people I meet!  I realized in this one - it doesn't matter if I brush my hair - I'm still going to stink when I get done running!!!  LOL

Then just two weeks later - what do I do?!!?!?  I finish out my year with another Half Marathon!  Shawn and I went up to Panama City Beach and I ran the Biggest Loser Half Marathon.  This was such a fun run too.  I found another run that I will do again!  My girlfriends from 7 years ago - this was for them.  I have been with these girls from FTTAT for that long and I owed them this race.  These 13.1 miles were for them.  I did meet some additional fun runners and learned that Mind over Matter I can do what I put my mind to.  I also learned that the previous contestants on The Biggest Loser - they are real people!!  

SO, there you have it - I began to run again JUST this year - and began running seriously in JULY!!!!!  Six months later did you count what we ran?!!?  In the past six months, I completed 11-5k's, 2-10k's, 2-5 milers, 2-10 milers, and 2- Half Marathons.  19 races in six months and only able to run every other weekend!  WOW!  I am addicted and I LOVE IT!!!!

SO, I go back to the original statement from the beginning of my year in review.  SO, for those who think I am Bat Shit Crazy, Half Crazy, Totally Crazy, Out of my Mind..... you can blame Shannon, I do!  But I also want to thank her for this.  Without that question - I honestly do not know where I would be or what I would be doing in my life.    I am now CRAZY Awesome and Runner Babe!  That is what I go by with my friends and I wouldn't trade it for any other name.  I know I am crazy and I know this why - because there are worse things to be addicted to.

SO, with 2013 in the books - what will 2014 bring?!!??!  Well - we know it will be taking us to Disney for Goofy - Thanks Shannon, It will take us to Paris, it will take us to Texas, Georgia, California and Connecticut all for runs.  

May your life be a blessed one and may 2014 be an amazing CRAZY AWESOME Running year!  

I am a TEN!!!!! Ten Miler Finisher that is!

I like it when I am a Ten.... Ten Miler Finisher that is!!!!!!  

When you are a finisher of anything, you are a Ten.  We have Ten more miles in the books now!  YAY!!!!

This past Sunday we ran the Masters of All Terrain 10 miler and we actually had a good time.  This was the first time I have ever run a Trail Run and was actually impressed with the time I finished in.  '

The last time I did a 10 miler was the Disney Hollywood Studios Tower of Terror 10 Miler.  I did that without any training and practice and finished it in 2:23.  I was happy and impressed with that.  Who wouldn't be really - you know - no practice etc.  So Sunday I ran the Masters of All Terrain 10 Miler at the Seminole State Forrest.  This was the first Off Road Race I have done.  I enjoyed it and at the same time - hated it - LOL

I realized a few things while I ran however:

* I can not run without music - My iPod died at Mile Marker 4,  That left me with 6 music less miles to run.

* I was sweating and contemplating taking off my shirt to run in just skirt and sports bra - Then I realized that 95% of the US was freezing.

* The guy in front of me - really nice butt - He was also soooo funny.  

* I do NOT like Muscle Milk

* Gatorade is my friend

* If I don't brush my hair - It is ok - because it is a hot mess when I finish so hey - who cares?!?!!?  LOL

* I have never run with a camel back and now I know why.  UGH!  That is one of the reasons I didn't take my shirt off, I was afraid it would chafe my back.  

I finished my run in 2:24 and seeing as that was only 1 minute longer than Disney - That is AMAZING.  See Disney was road race - Masters was NOT!  

Masters started out on a dirt road for about 3 miles - Then we turned on to another dirt road - If it hadn't of rained that morning - it would have been a Sugar Sand road - NOT fun!  We then came to MM4 - this is where it got interesting.  After a brief Gatorade stop and the realization of CRAP - My music died - we went on to a single track hiking trail of hills and roots.  This was the most beautiful part of the run.  I realized I would like to take my bike up there and ride one day.  The rest of the race was single track but it was still really nice.  I really did enjoy this race and can't wait until the 3rd and the 4th in the Hog Wild Run in the Wild Series Off Road Series.  

What is really good is that I placed 3rd in my age group.  I was really excited about that and hope to better it at the 3rd and or 4th race - wooo hoooo yay go me!  LOL

If you are interested in running an off road race THIS is the one for you.  Nick puts on an amazing and beautiful course.  The atmosphere is amazing - the Runners all make it an enjoyable event and we all run it having a fun and enjoyable time.  There are amazing medals and everyone gets one, as long as you finish it.  They also have really nice and comfy shirts as well.  

Here are the Mama's that I ran with - we all finished and we all got our medals.  

Cancer - we have been given Clearance to Run!!!!!

Ahhh - when you don't have a bathtub - do the next best thing!!!!

We are good to go to start running again and we will get in about 4 miles tomorrow - if not, then Tuesday.  Tomorrow is a work day - so depending on how we feel at the end of the day - will determine if we run on Monday Night or Tuesday sometime!!!!!  

From here on out - well at least until January 12th - we are running twofold!!!!  We are running training runs for the Goofy Challenge as well as our training runs for the Marathon de Paris.  WE WILL ROCK AND MAKE THIS!!!!! 

I have come to a conclusion as well - I have realized that alllll of my running is my daughter Shannon's fault.  LOL See, if she hadn't of asked me in January of this year to run Goofy with her - then I wouldn't be where I am and doing all of the crazy things I do running wise - two and three runs in 24 hours or less.  Going to another Country and trying for all these different runs and races - GOOFY, DOPEY, DUMBO!!!!  (Dopey will be in 2016 however) oh and let's not forget applying for the Lotto for NYC Marathon!  Dare I also mention that I have finally found the time I need to Qualify for Boston!?!?!?  

So I would like to say - THANKS SHANNON!!!!!!  Oh and You ARE running Tower of Terror with me in 2014 as well as Space Coast!!!!!  NO If's And's or But's about it!  LOL <3 you!!!!!

So, I am just going to say Good Night and let you all go - because tomorrow we are running AGAIN!!!! (or Tuesday)

Good Night all - May your Running Shoes be ever pleasant and smell like roses!  

To The Moon and Back

Almost a week ago - I went on a fabulous journey.  Space Shuttle Columbia carried me to The Moon and Back.  I really enjoyed this trip and realized that this is a trip that I will take again.  

When we got out to Cocoa Beach, we signed in to the hotel that was "ONLY 1 MILE FROM THE START LINE!"  LOL It's a really good thing that they didn't measure the race course by the guy who measured the distance from the hotel to Cocoa Village.  The girls and I went in to the Village and learned that having an afternoon snack was good and that we really enjoyed the village.  SIP AND SHOP!!!!!  LOL Team Vino was born and I had one of the most enjoyable days with some of my best friends.  After a while of playing in the village, shopping and laughing - while totally being photo bombed.  We headed on back to the Hotel to get ready for dinner where we would join roughly 100+ other runners at the local Olive Garden.  Need Cheese - just ask - I will raise my hand and I will only ask for one bread stick in return!  LOL Oh the things you and your girlfriends can laugh about on what was not just a Race Weekend but an amazing Girls Weekend.  

As we all settled in for the night - we realized that sleep is an important thing and getting more than 3-4 hours is really rather important!

Race Morning, we all woke up and can you believe that we all made the 4:15 a.m. bus?!?!  LOL Neither can we!  BUT we made it and we were off on that remember - ONE MILE RIDE - I think it was actually like 5-6 miles!  We made it and then began the wait prior to race.  This is when we found that we too could be astronauts, we could visit, we could meet up with some new Mama's and have an amazing pre-race time.  

RACE TIME!!!!!  Well - let me tell you - When I run after work - it is one thing to run in the dark - but running at 0600 and it's still dark - at least I knew the sun would be coming up and hoped that it would be a pretty sunrise.  I had forgotten two very important things when I got ready to go.  1.)  My Sunglasses - That's ok - it was really foggy and dark.  2.)  My Hat - it has a Lamp that I love to use when it is dark - makes seeing the road really easy!

The girls and I got into the Corrals - guess what - we got into the wrong corral.  That's ok though because we made it work - oh and THANKS ROB!  We really appreciate your bringing down the Advil prior to race start.  

12 - 11- 10 - 9 - 8 - 7 - 6 - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1 BLAST OFF!!!!!

The race was on and we were off - YAY!!!!!

The girls and I headed out with the agreement that if we fell behind - it was ok - so we went.  Guess what - the Corral was crowded.  We quickly got separated - or so I thought.  I thought the girls I was running with, Brandyn, Trisha and Richelle had gotten in front of me in the 2:15 pace group so I was just pacing and trying to keep up - didn't realize that I was ahead of them - Oops - my bad.  I didn't realize this until Richelle tapped me on the shoulder and I asked her where they came from!  LOL I had no idea I was ahead of them, I was just trying to keep up.  

The course itself was really nice and wonderful.  I really enjoyed running through the course and seeing all of the locals along the course who had come out at the early hours of the morning and were there to cheer us on.  They were there for the full 13.1 miles cheering us on, yelling encouraging words and offering drinks - NOT Just WATER either!  I honestly thought that the Vodka was for them for being out there to watch us - LOL.  Trisha - you rock!  I did make sure that I stopped and EVERY water table that was manned by a child that was NOT associated with the actual race.  If those kids were going to get up that early in the morning to come cheer us on - I was going to make sure that I High Fived them and took the water that they offered.  

I enjoyed everything of this course.  The meeting and running with the new people.  The Mile markers and the BEAUTIFUL Course.  I had gotten into my zone, enjoyed my music and kept going.  Then, it was just before mile marker 10 I began to talk to myself.  The topic of the race, at least with myself at that moment, was well, I could just pee on myself - I wouldn't be the first, nor the last.  I could just pee over by the waterway - but my luck I would fall in and there aren't any bushes to hide behind - oh what's a runner to do?  Praise God - there's a Port a let!  Mile Ten was the bathroom break!  

I was really enjoying this race and then when I got to mile marker 13 I was in the homestretch.  I turned right on to the cobble path and the throngs of people there to cheer me on.  Yes, ME!!!!!  I was one of the thousands of people there that they were cheering on!  I was finishing my Half Marathon.  I was doing this.  Then I realized WHERE I was.  Kick it in to over drive!  Where does this extra energy come from?  The picture from above was me sprinting through to the finish.  I have never had to weave in and out of so many people before in my life but guess what - They were in my way!!!!!  I was off and on a mission.  I was aiming for the 2:45 or better mark and when I saw that clock, I was NOT going to go OVER the 2:45 mark.  Total finish time, 2:44!  SCORE!!!!  Not only did I make it under the 2:45 (Even though I was aiming for 2:30) I knocked off 40 (Forty) minutes from my previous half marathon.  It's gotta be the Sparkle Skirts!  

Finished Space Coast Half Marathon with a time of 2:44

After I had finished my race, I was looking for my friends - well, they told me that they were over by the Medical Tent so, I went to look for them.  Then I saw one of the most amazing sights in the world that any runner who just ran a long distance both love and hate to see.  ICE!!!!!!!  I was half jokingly asking the medical staff if that was my ice bath!  They asked me if I needed an ice pack and I told them "Nope, I want to sit in the ice!"  They didn't think I was serious but for those of you who know me - know me well!  (insert evil giggle here)  They didn't think I'd do it and said they wanted to take a picture so guess what - I gave them my phone too.  I only wish that I would have sat in it longer - it really felt good.  I told them that it wasn't a big deal because I was riding the bus back and that it didn't matter if my butt was wet.  LOL  

All in all - it was an amazing race and I really had a blast.  I had a great time with some friends and made some new friends.  I am already waiting, very impatiently I might add, to sign up for next years.  Next year, I will be running with my same friends, my new friends and my daughter Shannon.  Not as "SHANNON's Mom"

And As Always - I RUN 4 BEN!

#tntParis

4 + 3 = I LOVE Running

Today was National Go Hug a Runner Day - aka Go HARD!!!!!  SO, I did.

Last night I went out for a 4 mile training run with fellow Team In Training members and even got to meet a fellow Marathon de Paris runner - we ran 4 miles and we pushed each other which felt great.  I realized how much I love training and running with other and not just by myself.  I still don't like to run on a Treadmill aka Dreadmill next to someone but will run training runs and races with people on either side - LOL tooo funny.  I haven't run with training partners since High School and have done all of my current training for the past 10 months by myself.  WOW what a difference it makes when you train with someone.

The 4 mile run was followed by a Kick Off Conference Call and I learned a lot of things I needed to know and will learn many more - Note to self - renew my passport!!!!

Tonight I went out with some fellow Mama's from my Moms RUN This Town Running Group and we met up and ran a 3 mile fun run for G.O. H.A.R.D.  Globally Organized Hug A Runner Day!  I gave and took hugs from fellow runners and loved every one of them!  I love sharing my passion with others that love it as much as I do.

Tonight my CRAZY Awesome Friend Trisha pushed me and she didn't even realize it at first.  When we started out - she was a bit ahead of me and I kept her in my sights and kept the pace with her.  It was what I needed again tonight.  I love running with her and to be able to keep pace with her makes me realize that I am improving.  I am by no means a Kenyan nor will I ever be one but to run with my friends that push me and will support me - that is better than winning a prize purse.  Like I have said before - my prize is my health.  YAY!

Tomorrow will be another training run - how far?  I don't know but I do know I will enjoy it.  It is going to be a Fun Run with Fit2Run at the Orlando Florida Mall.  Saucony will be there and we will get to run in THEIR Shoes.  I currently DO run in Saucony Kinvara's and really do like them.  I am interested to see what they are bringing for us to run in tomorrow.  When Nike did this - I really liked their Lunar's but my toes don't - LOL Another good thing about running in their shoes - if it rains again like it did tonight - I don't have to get MY shoes wet or dirty!!!

And with that - I am out!  To quote Trisha - I hope you all have a Crazy Awesome day and with that, Runner Babe is out!

Tomorrow we will see what we run - and what shoes we run in.  It is like Christmas or your birthday -

I hope that you are enjoying my posts, and I hope that you will follow me at the following as well:

pages.teamintraining.org/vtnt/paris14/lsouthard

Happy Running!
Linda

Back to Back - AGAIN!

Finished the back to back weekend and had a BLAST!!!!  I was able to spend time with my fellow Mama's, my daughter Shannon and get in some amazing runs.

Like mentioned before - I ran the Peace Love Cure 5k on Saturday with my Moms RUN This Town Mama's.  I had a great time and won my prize - HEALTH!!!!!

Saturday I spent it with Shannon and Derek and then took Shannon with me to the Sunday Orlando Runner's Classic.  I couldn't justify spending $8.00 for just myself to park so I brought Shannon along because she was off from work - SO she thought - LOL

We get to the race and Shannon is showing me the Bear from Build A Bear and she ends up getting to work a few hours with her co-workers because they ended up needing her!  Go Linda, Go Linda!  LOL

The race started and I had an amazing time.  I ended up cutting off 6 minutes from my personal best to make a new PR at 59:30.  I went in with the hopes of getting in at an hour and when I saw the clock, I KICKED IT IN!  I ran it like I owned it and wasn't going to share it!

I then grabbed me some chocolate milk which is amazing after a race and went for a hug - Bearmey didn't mind that I stunk even! 

Then - off to the Expo!  

For a race that was benefiting a food bank - let me tell you, they really know how to feed you and take care of you.  I really did enjoy all of this and the weekend as well.  

I was telling Shannon that when I do these back to back races within a 24 hour period, I use them as training runs.  I have the Goofy Challenge coming up in January so doing this is GREAT practice and training. 

I'm thinking that today I may just have been the most fashion fauxpau runner of the day!  LOL I love my loud shoes and my skirt - thank god I washed clothes at Shannon's and my bright colors.  

Well - tomorrow will be a rest day - because I have a 12 hour shift to work and didn't get my Ibuprofen in before 7 p.m.

Tuesday we are back to running and will be trying to talk Angi in to the weekday runs as well.

Till then - Night all and as Mama T would say - Have a Crazy Awesome Day!

Crazy Awesome Running everyone!

Another weekend of back to backs

Well, here we are, another weekend off so what is a girl to do????

Why RUN Of course.  And those of you who know me know that I can't be happy with just ONE race so I scheduled back to backs again.  I kind of like doing them too - because it is getting me ready for the Goofy Challenge that I will be doing in January.

Today was the Peace Love Cure 5k which was done at a not so well pace however, it was done.  I wasn't feeling well this morning so I took it slow and stayed with another Mama that I run with and we had fun.  This was more like a recovery run for her and a lets push her run from me to her!  I wouldn't let her finish last and I was determined to have her finish strong and hard.  She did!!!!

While we were running - we joked, we laughed, we cheered other runners on and I even got permission from the Sanford Police Department to "Run a Red Light", So, I did!  We also realized a few things and one was that we aren't in it for the prize purse, our prize is in our health and our heart.  Knowing we can go out there and make a difference even if for just one person, we can say we made that difference.

When people ask me WHY do you do this Linda?  I have nothing else to say other than, Because I can and I am able to.  God blessed me with two good legs, two good lungs and the slight misfire in my brain that I have now realized is a part of alllllll runners.

I Run 4 Ben.  Ben is 2 and is just learning to walk and is using a wheelchair and walker.  Ben has a smile that will melt your heart and a Mama that is stronger than any woman I have ever met.  I run for Tyler, he is a patient of mine that I just met.  I feel honored to run for him and blessed that he and his family are allowing me to run for him this weekend.  ( By the way, Tyler picked the 8k for himself - so Sunday is for him)  I run for Bubba.  This adorable little man whom has an amazing mother and a former co-worker of mine.  I run for Tim Boyle and his buddy Michael.  For without them, I wouldn't have met some wonderful people who helped to open my heart and my eyes.  I run for Thomas.  The father to some dear friends who are like family to me.  They lost their father three years ago this month, just like I did my father - but mine, 30 years ago.  I run for my own father Glen.  Without my father's love and affection while I was growing up, I wouldn't be here doing ANY running.  He supported me while I was growing up and running in school.  I run for so many people and I LOVE IT!  I don't have a lot of time to run for myself though.  Maybe one day I will run for Linda but for now, I run for others.  THAT is why I do this, THAT is why I schedule so many races in such a short period of time.

SO, tonight, I will sign off and say Good Night from Florida.  It is a full Moon out there so I am hoping for a PR tomorrow - oh wait, I will have one - because THIS is my FIRST 8k.  LOL PR For Linda - woot woot!
I am going to leave you with a picture or two - LOL - from today's run

Peace, Love, CURE and Out

We are Training for Paris!!!

Well, we are off and running and so far - so good.

Did get in to the gym the other day to get some Dreadmill time in as well as work on my legs and hips. I remember why I hate the legs and hips workouts - UGH! I also remember why I prefer to run on the roads vs. running on the Dreadmill.  Why is it I can run in a race with THOUSANDS of other people but I can't stand to run in the gym on a treadmill with someone on each side of me?  It doesn't make any sense but I guess it does!  It kind of is like when I go bowling - I can't bowl when I see the person next to me so I guess when I am on a treadmill/dreadmill, I can't run when I see someone next to me.  I either need to go when there is NO ONE in the gym, run only on the roads or wear blinders like horses do!  THAT would be a site!

This week we have on tap three planned training runs and hope for a fourth. We also have two races this week as well. We have a 5k on Saturday and an 8k on Sunday.

Here's to a great week - Let's get it started.

Running is Real - And PARIS is in my Future!

Yesterday was a big day for me - I was enjoying my Rest day at work after the weekend of running and was checking my email at lunch.  Well, it just got REAL!!!!  I had a message in there from Team in Training and immediately made that call!!!!

GUESS WHO IS RUNNING IN PARIS BABY!!!!  I don't mean Paris, Texas either!

The Road to $5,900.00 has begun as has the life of a serious runner.  I will be running the Paris Marathon and feel like the Running life of Linda just got real!!!  I know it has been real up to now because I have had some PR's in the past 5 months since I began to run again.

OMG it has only been 5 month?!?!?!?!  It feels like so much longer

Just couldn't hold this in, had to share it -

SOOOO excited that come April 6, 2014 I will be running through Paris France and by the Eiffel Tower!

3 Runs in 24 hours - What did you do today?

YUP, I DID IT!!!!!

I was a little nervous at the beginning but I DID IT!!!!  I scheduled and ran in three different races in 24 hours and COMPLETED all three of them!  I did come to the conclusion that I really DO need to implement Hills into my training.  All I could think of during the Rattlesnake 5 miler was "Killer Hill" from my days of Cross Country while we would run up the final hill at a meet - WE could do it because Coach Knapp would make us train on it and, Rolla has hills!!!!!  Other teams had trouble with it because they didn't get to drain on that hill.  I felt like those other teams that day!

Run #1  Rattlesnake Festival 5 miler
This was nothing but hills - and some off trail.  UGH two of the things I dislike - A LOT!!!!

I was doing the giggle to myself before the race because as I had thought, I was the only one in a tutu and it caught every one's attention - LOVED IT!!!!  Little girls were asking their Mothers about it as well as the tape on my leg - "Mama, what happened to her leg?"  LOL I just pretended I was listening to my music.

There was some cute signage along the course - my favorite - "Yield to Rattlesnakes"  LOL Thankfully I didn't see any.  I did see the bumps that were labeled - Whew - that would have been really bad if I had fallen.  Then there was the decision I had to make - run on the grass up a hill or on the steps going up the hill?!?!?!?!    I opted for the stairs - figured it was the better of the two evils!  I'm glad that I did the stairs - good workout and it was better on my ankles in my opinion.  LOL  I'm definitely going to do this again next year and will make sure that I incorporate hills into my training next year!

Final time for this 5 miles was 1:04:50!  I'm really proud of that seeing as I hadn't run for two weeks since I did the Tower of Terror - YAY!!!!!  I'll take it!

Here is the finisher picture

And with that - we are off Orlando - LOL

After a brief stop in Zephyrhills to see the kids, I found out that I really did stink!  The one thing that I miss with my nose is that I can't smell anything including myself.  After a run like this in Florida - I need to know when I smell - or as Shannon would say - ANYTIME I run - just assume I smell.  Anyway, I stopped briefly in Wal-Mart to see Errin and Sean and to pick up Gatorade Gels and when I asked an associate, he kinda stepped back a step or two.  I wasn't offended by any means I actually thought it was humorous.  Didn't see the kids so I paid and left to continue up towards Orlando.  Made a deal with Shannon that if she would let me shower, I'd take her out to lunch!  AHHHHH the Shower! 

After Showering, Lunch and spending time with Shannon - Thanks again for Febreezing my Car - I headed on up to Brandyn's so that we could get ready for the Neon Run 5k (Run #2)

Run #2 - Neon Run 5k

NEVER Again will I do this one.  I did mention I don't like to go off trail right!?!?!  This was at the Orlando Fair Grounds and if you ever wanted to attend an UN Organized Run - go to this one!  By the time we started - we finally were off and jogging only to bottleneck and stop about 100-200 yards later!  WHAT?!?!?!?!  This was due to they were spraying up with some sort of oily water substance and THEN we were bombed with a GREEN powder substance.  YUP - I was definitely glowing by now!  As the "run" continued - we came to the one and only water stop that had NO water or cups.  Guess what - there wasn't any at the end of the run either!!!!!!!  We ended up getting water at a gas station that we were afraid we would get TB or any other ailment!  LOL I actually had politely declined to checkout at that window - I didn't have any Lysol.  Although I did have a blast laughing with my girls as we drove down I-4!  Have you ever seen glowing eyes glaring at you while you drive down the interstate?  I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

Here is the beginning of the run and then the end of the run!!!!

Jazz Hands Anyone?


I "mustache" you a question.... Does this Tutu make my butt look big?

Just wanted you to know that you can turn your light off tonight, I am here to be your nightlight!

Off to shower and bed so that I can wake up for Day #2, Run #3

Run #3 - Pink Feet 10k

Woke up a little tight and stiff but off we went!  Enjoyed running the Pink Feet 10k with all my Mama's and to celebrate Trisha's 40th Birthday!  We've dubbed this the "Trisha's 40th Birthday Run" instead.  

This started out with yet - Another incline and hill!!!!!  there were a couple more here and there dotted throughout the course - the only bad thing about this run - ok there were two things.  First - The HUMIDITY!!!!!  OMG I thought my lungs were going to burst.  Second - about mile 4 my Left Hip went and I knew what was next.  I knew my knee would go.  Next, at about mile 4.1 my Left Knee went and I felt it - I still plugged on and dug deep and carried through.  I did this knowing that at the end of the race, Ad Kore was there and they were going to be giving me a nice FREE Stretch after I finished.  I hobbled over (Thanks Mama's for the ice) and filled out my paperwork like only a kindergartner could and took a seat icing my knee while waiting my turn.  

1:28:33 Not a PR but at least I finished it!

This ALSO meant that when I finished this, I was done with my 14.3 miles for the weekend!

I did realize a few things this weekend though.

1.)   The importance of training on hills - I will now incorporate them into my training routines.

2.)   The importance of Stretching - I didn't get a chance to do any of that before today's race.  I DID however get to stretch rather nicely before yesterday's and rocked it!  Good Race Day = Stretch Good

3.)   I really shouldn't plan 3 races in 24 hours however, this was GREAT training and a GREAT eye opener for the Goofy Race in January at Disney!

4.)   I'd love to take an ice bath and will make sure that I enjoy those during Goofy weekend!

5.)  Running while Dancing - or is it Dancing while Running isn't just a release for myself - it brings laughter and smiles to the workers along the race route.  When you see me running and flailing my arms - it's a pretty good bet that I'm singing and will start dancing soon!

Next up - planning a Training schedule and getting MORE serious about this - time is running out!

Crazy Running Babe Signing Out for now!

Love you all

3 in 24 - Can I do it?!?!!

Tomorrow is another one of my infamous "Hey, I think I will run Three races in 24 hours" days.  WHY do I do this and WILL I ever learn?

WHY?  Because I can and I do it for those who can't.  God gave me two good legs, two good lungs and a slight misfire in the brain - Running is a Mental Sport and we are all a little insane!  LOL   That and my Epilepsy - maybe that will be another entry one day!?!?  I also run because it is that one time I get to get out there and run and let the world go by the wayside.  I don't have to worry about anything  but putting one foot in front of the other.  I don't have to worry about anything or trying to please anyone but myself - I just literally have to remember TWO things:  1.) Breathe In, Breathe Out, 2.) Left, Right, Left, Right.  How hard is that?  NOT!!!!  If you can breathe and you can walk you too can do this - but I wouldn't recommend three in 24 hours - LOL - at least not at first!

WILL I ever Learn?!?!?  Doubt it!  As long as I am capable of doing this, I am GOING to do this.  It goes back to the first one to where I am out there by myself.

Tomorrow I will literally be running 14.3 miles, three runs/races in three towns!  I will literally be running by myself in one of them by that is ok - it is one I have always wanted to do.

First out of the starting block - the Rattlesnake 5 miler in San Antonio Florida.  Race starts at 8:00 a.m. and I hope to be there by 7.  (Guess I should type faster then!)  We will be wearing our Black, Brown and Tan Tutu and I have a feeling I might be the ONLY tutu there tomorrow but you know what - THAT IS OK WITH ME!!!

This run will be my morning wake me up and get right with the day run.  I just want to finish it - it is ONLY 5 miles.  I will be happy running this - only thing is, I secretly wish I had someone there to cheer me on and meet me at the finish line - that is where I will be feeling awkward.  Errin and Sean asked what time the run was but they will have to be at work before I start - so I'm thinking I will go in afterwards and say Hi to them in my tutu - LOL

The second run is the NEON 5k in Orlando.  I will be running this one with my Moms RUN This Town Group from Seminole County.  I am looking forward to seeing all my girls again.  Love when we can get together and have fun.  This one will be fun to run with the girls - every now and then I do like to run with friends - just don't get that chance a lot.

Finally we will be waking up on Sunday and going to run the Pink Feet 10k.  This has also been dubbed Trisha's 40th Birthday Run!  LOL   Again I will be running this one with my MRTT Mama's and we will have a different shirt than what is posted here and I am soooo excited to see them - we are going to be some smoking hot mama's running that race!

Well, I really must go now, I am up WAY past what I wanted to be and I have to get up early to leave here by 6:00 a.m.

3 in 24!!!!

To Quote Trisha - Run and be Crazy Awesome!!!

Still Running - 10 Miler Down

That is another Race and another 10 Miles in .......

Last night was the Disney Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10 Miler......Glad THAT is over - LOL

Was a long day as I went to the Mickey's Haunted 5k to watch Shannon and Derek do the 5k.  (I realized that I am a better Runner than I am Spectator!)  After the kids completed their 5k, we spent the day at Epcot - Was so much fun to spend the day with the kids.  I was SURE tired as the kids saw, I took a nap in The Land while they went off for an hour and I charged my phone.  Shannon has the pics - LOL

So the Tower of Terror - WHERE do I start?!?!!?

First off, I can say that I am no longer a Run Disney "Maiden".  I have completed and finished my first - even if my name WAS Patrice McFadin.  LOL I was able to buy my bib off a fellow Mama from my Moms RUN This Town Group.  SO, I guess as LINDA I am still a Maiden LOL

Well, WHERE do I start?  At the Starting line you fool!!

While planning my weekend out, I ensured that I would give myself PLENTY of time to get to the start line.  I am glad I did as the Transportation from ESPN Wide World of Sports was CRAZY.  We boarded our buses and took the short but lengthy trip to the start up where upon arriving - all I saw was a wave of other CRAZY runners like myself.  There were soooo many people.  I never knew that many people could run a race together at one time and I RAN HOUSTON!!!!!  That was the largest for me until last night.

I thought I would take one last restroom break and went to get in line and that took FOREVER but I finally realized that the inner Port-O-Lets had shorter lines due to everyone like me was standing in the outer lines.

I finally got into my Corral and finished my stretching so that we could begin our walk up to the Start line - this was about a mile away - but that was ok.  I used that time to finish getting head ready.

While standing in the holding corral before they began the waves, I saw some amazing spectators to include my daughter and son in law.  THANK YOU Shannon and Derek for coming out.  It really meant a lot to have someone there to cheer me on and wish me luck - other than the little boy who held a sign that read, Way to Go, you have 10.0 miles to go!  I giggled and kept walking.  So are you ready for the thoughts through the race?!?!?!

I think I really like Disney Races and I will so be doing them in the future!  Ok, I KNOW I will be doing them in the future!

Start Line:
As they announced Runners to begin - they shot off Fireworks.  It was actually really cool.  We joked in our Corral that we would probably get Sparklers but we got Fireworks and at that moment I felt like a TRUE Disney Runner.  We were warned of the Speed Bump and WHEW thanks for the warning - it was there.  We headed out and ran under the Laser lights that I felt like I was running under a motion detector and that I was in one of the MI movies.  I felt like a Special Agent.  As we kept running we headed out of Hollywood Studios and again got a warning that there was "Sharp Left Turn Ahead".  Made that Sharp Left Turn only to be met by an On/Off Ramp.  I never noticed while driving just how much of a SLOPE those have.  I also realized that I need to work on Slope/Hill training.  I also realized that I would be retiring my shoes after this race.  There was SOOO much heat due to they had a "Fireball" going off now and then in the retention pond that this ramp encircled.  It sure got HOT!  I also at this point shook my head.  There were people lined up to have their pictures taken with characters.  I was wanting to run and finish and thought, "These people are crazy".  After getting up the slope, we were heading down the Parkway and before I got to Mile Marker (MM) 1, I looked across and noticed along with everyone else that the first runner was making his way down the road.

MM 1:  I was still running and that was a major accomplishment seeing as I started the race with an injury.  My KT Tape was holding well and I was happy I was following the advice from Mr. Jeff Galloway himself.  "If your pace feels comfortable, slow down some".  I was staying hydrated and kept going.

We continued on towards Animal Kingdom

MM 2 was just about the Toll Plaza at Animal Kingdom.  More Torch Lamps, Whew HEAT!  There were some amazing characters here as well and the first Water Stop.  I opted for Powerade due to my water I carried with me.  Guess what, we had another SHARP LEFT Turn, I am now beginning to feel like a NASCAR Driver.  Oh and did I mention that this was on another SLOPE?!?!?!?!

MM 3:  I picked up a Rabbit at this point.  I had been continually running - again major since I was running with a injury.  I had gotten behind a lady who kept watching her watch and I realized when she shortly after that began to walk that she must have been doing the Run Walk Run program.  So, I thought why not, I would follow her!

MM4:  Still following my Rabbit I thought I would pull out my phone to see what Map My Run said and realized that it shut off while I was putting it back into my pocket.  So, I used this time to send a text to Shannon and Helen saying super short and sweet "4 Miles in"  End of text.  LOL  Phone went straight back into the pocket on my LOVELY Sparkle Skirt and kept on plugging.  I was also just going along with the flow and my mind was going into neverland.  I kept looking at the bobbing ponytails in front of me and the man with the shirt that read I Vote for Blerch.  Who is Blerch?  WHAT is a Blerch?  Why are all of these Ponytails bobbing back and forth?  Why am I doing this?  This sounded like a really good idea last week!  Have I lost my ever loving mind?  Those are the things I kept saying to myself - The answers were Blerch - I still have no clue.  Ponytails - because we women rock and can do anything we put our minds to.  I'm doing this because Running is a mental Sport and we are all a little insane.  Also I am doing this for those who can't.  Ben can't run but I can so I am doing this for him.  Even though it sounded like a good idea last week, it still sounds like a good idea.  Keep going Linda - Keep going!

MM 5:  I had just passed the first Medical Tent and we turned on to a dirt road.  I was glad I wore my running hat due to there were spots not lit up.  I quickly got a gathering of people when I turned on my lighted hat and continued running - can't run and hurt myself now can I?!?!?!  This took us through parts of the Haunted 5k course and I confirmed I HATE Trail runs.

MM 6:  Coming out of the darkness and into ESPN Wide World of Sports, I realized that there are some Really RUDE Runners out there.  They had set up Mister machines that would mist you as you ran by.  One lady totally cut me off and ran in front of me to get it.  She then cut me off to run to the Bathrooms.  I was really mad at her and apologized to the man I almost knocked in to and he said, "Not your fault Ma'am".  That made me feel good and confirmed that I am a better runner - not amazingly fast but I am nice!  This is where I decided that taking my Gel pack would be a good move - God it tasted good!!!!!  LOL  Running through the Baseball stadium where the Braves practice was amazing.  There were a good number of spectators there and everyone of them cheered everyone of us on.  I loved all of the signage that people held up and kept chugging along and smiling.  I quit worrying about my time at this point but kept going.  I knew that whatever I got tonight time wise would still be a PR - it was my first 10 miler so I PR'd!!!!!

MM 7:  This is roughly where I saw my favorite Spectator.  Little old lady in a wheelchair that held a sign that made me feel good and renewed my energy - or was it the gel - or maybe both.

We then made another turn back on to Osceola Parkway where I began talking to myself again.  Same questions.  LOL I need new material in my head.  By now I had long past run past my Rabbit and had been continuing on my own form of Run Walk.  I ran a song, Walked a song.  I was doing good until 'Freebird' came on for a RUN Song - LORD, That is a long song - it felt like it was 25 minutes long!

MM 8:  Brought us back to the first Slope that I really hated.  Guess what, I hated it going DOWN hill also.  Then I looked to my left and thought out loud, I just got passed by a wheelchair!!!!  The lady next to me said, "It's ok, we are going down a hill, she has the advantage!"  Then my brain thought - AND she started a good 30 minutes before you - so Nice Runner Linda let her have the down hill draft and I didn't try to catch her - like I could?!?!   Hello she was on wheels going DOWN the hill.  This brought us back through near the Start line and I realized I AM ALMOST DONE!  Then I was telling myself:

1.)  I am back on Property so I wont be getting picked up by the DNF Bus - WHEW!!!!!  

2.)  I have run the Houston Half Marathon and finished it so I GOT THIS!  I can and I will do this and I will do it with my head held high.  Here is where I sent a text to Shannon telling her "2 to go".  I also read her text from earlier that they were waiting in a specific spot so I made sure to be on that side to see her and Derek.  I thought I might need the encouragement.

MM 9:  This took us through the back side of the studios and the last time I went through there was April of 2012.  Brain talk - OMG I KNOW WHERE I AM - Where did this hill come from?  Then a couple of tenths of a mile further we run out into the public and WHOA there were soooo many spectators I felt proud.  I was soooo excited and adrenaline kicked in.  By now, I was tired of carrying my water - Sorry to any spectators if I hit you with it!  LOL  I was aiming for the ground so I really hope I didn't hit anyone.  It was one of the handheld $1.00 bottles from Wal-Mart.  I was carrying it to ensure I was staying hydrated through the race.  I kept on plugging.  I did see Shannon and Derek and I have NO Idea what they said but it felt good to see them and I knew I was going to finish.  I then finished the race on my Run/Walk to the final song that came on - Meatloaf's 'Paradise by the Dashboard Light'  Yup - I ran that whole song!  It was an invigorating song and I finished hard, strong and singing!  

Finish Line:  THANK GOD!  I finished and I was in pain.  My knee injury was really bothering me.  I collected my Chill Towel, Medal (which is AMAZING) and drinks/food and inhaled my banana while drinking some powerade - ok so I took Powerade AND water - LOL I just ran 10 miles y'all.  I made it up to the top of the hill and found the medical section and quickly turned in.  I have never in my life and running of races ever gone to a medical tent.  I went in, sat down and said, "Knees.   Ice.   Now.   Please."   After getting both of my knees iced down I sat and relaxed for a bit.  I then kept on and continued walking to find the kids.  I even opted for the Finisher Photo - she was nice and left my knees out - but I didn't care - I think I would have liked it - shows I did it!  I made my way through the rest of the backside of Hollywood Studios and the next turn I make, I make into a throng of people.  The Spectators and family members that were there waiting and cheering on everyone was overwhelming and felt great.  I was sooo honored to have run this.  Even though I didn't finish first or even in the top 10%, I was #6364 overall and out of the 12,000 runners, I was one of the 9,478 that finished!  I found the kids - took the transport back to ESPN Wide World of Sports and we headed on back to Shannon and Derek's so that I could shower and sleep.

I am definitely running this again next year and will be in a better state of training.  See I really didn't train for this and wasn't able to run any the week before.  Next year - we hope to make it a family event.  Shannon and Derek will run with me and if we can't talk Errin in to running it with us, maybe we can still talk her and Sean in to coming up to help and watch and have a fun filled family weekend.  I am also going to talk to my Sister, through Thick and Thin, Betty Sue, to see if she will come out to watch - as she LOVES Disney and see what Resort she can help us book a room or two in.  

Next up - getting serious on training and doing the other three races I have this month.

Saturday October 19th Rattlesnake 5 miler in San Antonio, FL in the morning

Saturday October 19th Neon Run 5k in Orlando with my fellow Mama's from Seminole County Moms RUN This Town

Sunday October 20th Pink Feet 10k with my Mama's again

More to come as we make this journey together - LOL you didn't know you were running with me did you?

Love you all and Have a wonderful day.

Tower Of Terror 10 Miler 2013

2:23

(Oh and it glows in the dark too)