run Disney Costume Ideas: Princess Mulan

For these costumes, I'm always trying to come up with characters that maybe are not as popular at run Disney events. And I think Mulan is one of the least popular princesses, although she shouldn't be, because she is the epitome of girl power & bravery. But she would be such a good choice for a race, simply because she is so strong and dedicated.

1. Believe in Yourself Tank & Matching Tutu
I think this is an awesome race day ensemble. You can purchase these pieces separately or together via this etsy seller.

2.  Earrings
Aren't these absolutely precious earrings, I would wear these even if I wasn't racing! Find them here.

3. Bracelet
This bracelet features one the best lines from the movie it reads, "The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all." Find it here. 

4. Ribbon People Head Band
I love, love, love these headbands this seller makes. In fact, both Jana and I bought one (featuring Belle and Ariel) for our upcoming races. You can find this Mulan one here.   

Be True to Your Heart,
Brittany


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Run, Interruppted

Yesterday, when I woke up, I was so ready to go out and conquer that 9.5 training run on my schedule! I was nervous but pumped. When I opened the front door, I saw it was pouring!!! How disappointing. I could not bring myself to do that run on the treadmill (knowing I would have to be on there for 2 plus hours). So instead my husband and I ran some errands in town, and I resolved to try again that evening.

I went out about 7:30, and it seemed very clear (hadn't rained in an hour). I was having an excellent run (mostly sub 13 minute miles). And even though I was overwhelmed by the distance I had to go, my legs felt good, and I felt confident. About mile 3.5 it started to slowly sprinkle and I thought, "oh no." But I was determined to finish. But right when I hit mile 5, the deluge hit. It was way to cold out to run in that rain and wind (didn't want to catch a cold). So I had to call my husband to pick me up.

It rained all night, and I woke up sore this morning, and I did not want to risk overdoing it. So I'm going to try again either Thursday or Saturday.

Stupid weather. That is all I have to say.

Brittany

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runDisney costume idea: Mary Poppins

I've had a couple of sick days this week and what is better to do when you're sick than check out some Disney movies? My niece and soon to be nephew-in-law gave me Mary Poppins for Christmas, and I was so excited to break that out. Which of course gave me inspiration for today's costume.

1. For Every Race that Must be Run Shirt

I actually designed this shirt on my own at Customink.  I just wanted to show everyone that if you can't find anything you like, you can make your own. I love the little phrase I came up with as well, "With every race that must be run, there is an element of fun." 

2. White Shirt

If you didn't feel like designing your own top, this pretty white shirt with the Peter Pan collar is very Mary Poppinish.

3.Mary Poppins Hat

If you get some really good clips this hat would be such a great addition to the costume.

4. Spoonful of Sugar Necklace

I love this spoon and sugar cube necklace. So perfect!

5. Headband

If you don't like the idea of wearing a hat, this headband would be a great way to keep the hair out of your face, during the run.

6.Magic Band Bow

Since you have to wear a magic band in the parks, you might as well dress it up. I love this Magic Band Bow!

7. Running Sparkle Skirt

I love this Mary Poppins sparkle skirt! It would complete any Mary Poppins race day outfit! 

Have a Jolly Holiday,

Brittany

 
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Viva La Diva 10k

 

A few weeks ago was the day of the big 10k race that Jana already blogged about, and I had a lot of nerves leading up to it. First, I had never ran more than 5 miles, and now I had to go 6.2. Second, my first and only 10k in Auburn two years ago (when I wasn't training at all) was very difficult for me (although rewarding). Third, I had two semi-mediocre 30 minute training runs this week, where I just felt somewhat sluggish. Fourth, I read on the internet that the course was somewhat hilly,  I hate hills, and I rarely train on them. I didn't even know if I could run a big hill or how much they would slow me down.

Jana came into town Friday night to do the race with me. We went to bed at a reasonable time, but I slept fitfully (maybe I had some jitters). So I didn't feel the best when I woke up that morning.  Regardless, Adam, Jana, and I piled into the car and drove the hour up to Franklin, Tennessee, where the Viva La Diva 10k was taking place.

My heart sunk when we got to the course, I saw this big ole hill that the 5k runners were in the process of running up. I did not think I could run up a hill that big and my confidence was shaken by it.  Even the race start line was at the bottom of a hill. I thought I would be drained before we barely even began running. My husband tried to be comforting, but there is not much people can say to me when I get super anxious, I just have to ride it out.

Did I mention it was 33 degrees out? It was so cold! I ended up running in a t-shirt, long sleeved t-shirt, old navy jacket, headband, and gloves! It was that cold. Better cold than hot I guess!

We did our race preparations, snapped some photos, and then it was time to line up for the race. I had set my running app prior the the race so all I would have to do was press a button to start. But of course, it failed me for the first time ever once the race began. So I spent the first little bit of the race fooling with my phone and not paying attention at all to where I was running. I finally got the music/app started, and perhaps the malfunction was a godsend, because by the time I was done fooling with it I was at the top of the first hill, and I had barely noticed the incline!

Soon, I had done my first mile in 13:38, not the optimal pace for me, but I knew the hills were slowing me down some. I tried not to focus on my time, and I just kept truckin' up and down the hills. Yes, I got nervous every time I saw a hill coming, but I was just determined to keep my feet moving. I hit the 3 mile marker, and it was a cruel trick they played on us runners because you actually have to run past the finish line, when you are only half-way through. I briefly wanted to just run through the finish line then and get an awesome finish time. I kid, I kid.

Around mile 4, I started to feel that I would be able to finish with no breaks in running. Although mile 5 was my slowest mile by far (14:28), due to having to run up the biggest hill ever! Plus, by then I was starting to feel somewhat sore and pretty exhausted. But I just thought to myself I will be done so much sooner if I run and not walk, so I kept running and running and running.

I hit mile 6 with the finish line in sight. I saw Adam jumping up and down and cheering me on. He ran with me the last .2 miles. Seeing how happy he was for me made me feel amazing. Once I crossed the finish line, he was actually teary eyed because he said he was so proud of me. Later he told me, " It was pure joy watching you come running down that hill." He is seriously THE BEST. 

I crossed the finish line at 1:26:57, that is an average of 13:43 per mile. That was under my 90 minute goal time! I do think I could have been faster without the hills. But conquering those hills and still finishing at a decent time, gives me a lot of confidence that I can do well at the half-marathon.

After Jana finished a little after me, we headed out to lunch. We had just burned 1,300 calories according to my app, and it was time to refuel. Adam's favorite fast food place in his hometown is Culvers (he lives for their butter burgers). They aren't popular in the South, but they happen to have one in Franklin. So we went there. We just ordered a mixture of burgers, fries, cheese curds, and ice cream concretes. I loosened the reigns a bit, and I had one or two bites of everything. Which still figures into very little calories due to how little I can eat. But it tasted sooo good.  

Once we got back to Athens, we headed over to my mother's to jump into her hot tub. That helped with the soreness so much. I'm super stiff today, but it is the good kind of stiffness. The I kicked serious butt kind of stiffness/soreness.

I submitted my time to the runDisney website, and I'm hoping that will bump me up a corral or two. But we will see! I'm just happy to have my first full running 10k in the books!

 

Since then I have successfully ran 7 miles and 8 miles! And I continue to get faster, little by little. I'm thrilled.  Disney here we come!

 

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7 Miler Comeback...

It's been a while, but we are BACK! :) Forgive B and I for our non posting the last few weeks. The holidays got the best of us. However, we are still running so no worries! :)

Three weeks ago we ran in a 10K in Franklin, TN. The goal was to get a really good time so that we could move up in the Disney corral and sadly for me, my shoe completely blew out at mile 4. When I say "blew out" I mean that I had a huge hole in the bottom of my shoe. I pretty much finished the last 2 miles of the race with my sock and the ground. I ended up getting a giant blister, which was very painful and made for a not so fun walk looking at Christmas lights. However, I still beat my first 10K time I ever had, so I guess it wasn't that bad. :)

B and I FREEZING our butts off! It was 23 degrees at the beginning of the race. It was only 35 by the time we finished!

 

Oh, you know...just chilling with our bestie. ;)

 

Trying to enjoy looking at the lights even though I was in a lot of pain.

 

A week went by and then it was time in our training to do our 7 mile run, which is the furthest that I have ever done before. I was feeling pretty discouraged because I had finished my 10k in 1:43:08 and that was not good enough to move up in the corral. To add insult to injury, I had almost been swept from the course, but thankfully made it to the 5 mile marker so they allowed me to finish. So needless to say, I was really feeling overwhelmed about trying to get in 7 miles and it not taking forever.

 

I was at my parents visiting for Thanksgiving so I laced up my shoes and headed out to the track across the street from their house. Each lap is a half mile, so I knew I had to do 14 laps to get in my mileage. I put on my headphones, turned on my Nike Run app, and started out. I realized pretty quickly that for some reason I had almost finished a full mile and it didn't seem like it had taken that long. When my app updated me on my distance I cheered loudly! I was super proud! I had beaten my fastest mile EVER!

 

After knowing I had a sub 13 mile, I kept pushing myself. When I hit 3.12 miles, I got the next major update that I had beaten my fastest 5K time. I was so excited! I was not quiet halfway there, but I knew I was getting closer.

When I FINALLY hit my 10K goal, I got the shock of my life! I had beaten my time of my previous 10K just two weeks before by 20 minutes! Why couldn't I have had that time when it mattered? Ugh! LOL! (B's time was 1:24:00. We could have finished pretty close together!)



When I finished my 7 miles I was so overwhelmed. It was officially the furthest I had ever run.

Knowing that I am now able to do over half of my half marathon distance is so awesome! I cannot wait until I crush my 8 mile run this weekend! And I know I can do it because I've got the drive and the want and a friend who won't let me fail!

Get out there and run, run, run... In the words of Peter Pan..."You can fly, you can fly, you can fly"

Always,
Jana

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