All I Want For Christmas...

Christmas is just around the corner.  If you are like me, I'm struggling to figure out what to get for my Secret santa, friends and family.  Do you have a runner in your family or in your circle of friends?  Well, I've compiled a list of items that could be on a runner's wish list.  Be sure to check out my friends at Joyful Miles for some other ideas to.  They have a great video too.  Check out my video where you can see actual samples too.  So, without further delay...here is my runners wish list:

1.  Garmin Forerunner 235 - this is TOP on my list.  Check out the features:

For the active child in your family, Garmin has an activity tracker for them:

Check out their website for more information and pricing.  

2.  A Running Coach - I would love to grow and improve as an athlete.  I'd love to have a personal coach to help me to train smarter and improve my speed and form.  Check with your local running store for recommendations.  

3.  Running Clothing - There are so many options here.  Check out these sites for more ideas:

• Sparkle Skirts
• Sparkle Athletic  
• Procompression Socks
• Feetures Compression Socks
• Compression Sleeves
• Active Wear or try this one

4.  Motivation- I am loving the items made by Momentum Jewelry.  These can be great stocking stuffers.

5. Running in the Dark - Does your runner usually run when it is dark outside.  Check out this article from Runner's World for ideas. 

6.  Body Glide -  a MUST to help prevent chaffing.

7.  Road ID - I've been using the free app, but this is also great to have on your person in case something were to happen during your run.

8.  Foam Roller - These are great to work out the soreness.  Check out this one that comes highly recommended from friends.

9.  Visors - A visor is great for blocking the sun, rain and sweat from coming in your eyes.  So far, I have two.  I bought one at my local Academy Sports and then I got one to go with my running outfit at the runDisney Expo from my friends at Sparkle Athletics.

10.  Flip Belt - This is great to store your keys, money, phone, etc.  

11.  Fuel - I love the Honey Stinger Waffles, but there are so many options.  Here are a few:

• Honey Stinger Waffles
• Sports Beans
• Gu
• Cliff Bars

12.  Headphones - I use these, but feel free to research for some other great brands.

13.  Phone Charger - I LOVE my Mophie Case.  It even worked great to keep my phone charged in the parks at Disney.  

14.  Running Shoes - These are essentials for runners.  If you don't know your runners favorite shoes, a gift card to a local running store or amazon.  Plan on spending about $100 or more.  

There you have it!  Here is my list of some of my favorites for runners.  Be sure to refer back to this post and also this one for a few of my favorite things.  I go into more detail in these posts.

runDisney's Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend Video Recaps

It only took me about 2 weeks, but the video recaps of my experience with the Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend are up!  If you are curious as to what a runDisney race experience is like, then take a look at them.  This was how I prepared for my runDisney race experience.  I looked up every video that I could find so that I could see what the races would be like.

Check out my video recaps here.

Here is the first video in the series:

Have you run in any runDisney races or do you have plans to in the future?  I hope to see you there!

Disney's Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend 2016-10K

I was so ready and excited for day one of the Lumiere's Challenge.  Unfortunately, Angie and I had the same luck with the buses as we had the day before on the way to the 5K.  Yes, we had to wait another 30 minutes for the bus that we had just missed.  Boo!  No worries though.  We got to the race with plenty of time to spare.  We didn't have any time for pre-race pictures with characters though.  That's okay because we made up for it during the race!

For this race, Angie and I were in Corral C.  We had a plan for this race.  Angie would run ahead (she's so good at weaving around other runners and she is fast!) and save us a spot in line for pictures with the characters. Our plan worked great!  I was never too far behind her and she didn't have to wait in line long before I caught up to her.  I had so much fun in this race.  The route took us along some highway, World Showcase in Epcot, and the Boardwalk.  We were able to stop for EVERY character!  Woo-hoo!  

It was amazing getting to do this race!  I got to meet so many runners from my running group during this weekend.  The course was fun and there were so many character stops along the way.  This race has made me even more excited for the Princess Half Marathon in February.  Running with friends is definitely the best too!

Note to self though...when you are running a race with a friend, make sure that you are either side by side with them while crossing the finish line, or make sure that you are well behind them.  This is what happens if you don't.

Baahaa!  I laugh every time that I see these pictures.  After we got our medals, we headed over to Kona Cafe for some TONGA TOAST!!!

We spent that afternoon at Hollywood Studios and then met some of my sweet friends at Ohana's for a Pre-Race Dinner for before the Half Marathon.  Nothing beats friends and good food.  After dinner I headed back to the resort for a good & longer night's sleep (thank you daylights savings).  

Did you run in the 10K?  What did you think of it?  Be sure to check out my YouTube page for video recaps of the races.  If you'd like to read more about the runDisney Races, check out my friends at Joyful Miles and their YouTube page.

Disney's Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend 2016 - Kids Races

When I signed up for the Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend back in March, I also decided to sign my girls up for the kids races.  I signed Lyla up for the 1 mile run and Mia for the 400 meter dash.  My best friend signed her 8 year old son up for both of those races as well.  Lyla started "training" by running her first mile race in May.  In September they both ran a 1K, and then in October Lyla ran another 1 mile race.  In addition to this, they've done a few 1K races with our local running club and we hit the track the last few weeks before we left.  They were ready and super excited.

The kids races are on Friday and Saturday.  I chose Friday for this weekend so that I would have enough time to get through my 5K, go back to the resort to get ready and then meet them at ESPN Worldwide Sports Complex.  The Meter Dashes began at 11:am.  Mia's was the last one (it's a good thing because we were running a little late).  I'm not sure what the crowds were like for Saturday, but it wasn't very crowded for us.  I am so glad that I had my best friend, Debbie and her husband, Mike with us.  Mia wanted me to run this race with her.  Mike and Lyla went to stand at one of the corners so that he could get video of us running by.  Debbie went to wait at the end so that she could get us crossing the finish line.  I thought Mia would mostly walk this race.  She isn't all that into running.  Well, I guess all of that training helped.  That girl took off and never stopped until the finish!

I was so proud of my sweet girl!  She didn't even stop to high five Chip & Dale (mommy did though!)!  Once Mia & Zachary got their medals, we went to get their pictures taken before heading over to the starting line for the 1 mile race.

It was a little bit of a hike to where the 1 mile race started.  Since Mike was running this one with Lyla and Zachary, Debbie, Mia and I walked all the way back to the finish line.  We had plenty of time though.  Mia and I even got to make cheering posters for them.  Apparently Lyla took off and didn't hold back.  Zachary had tried to catch up to her at one point but she stopped for about 2 seconds and then kept going.  I found that as the first set of kids were coming around the corner towards the finish line, I started to get emotional.  I definitely had tears in my eyes as Lyla was coming around the corner.  She started to slow down until she heard Debbie and I cheering for her.  She looked over at us, smiled, waved and took off to cross the finish!  After her race, we took more pictures and then headed on over to Epcot for the afternoon.

We wouldn't have been able to do the kids races had it not been for Debbie and Mike.  If they hadn't been there, Mia would have had to do her race without me.  She would have done it, but I bet that she would've walked most of it.  I also wouldn't have been able to get footage during and at the end of their races.  Oh and if you are wondering about getting your child after their race, don't worry...Disney has that covered.  If your child runs without a parent, there is a tag on their bib that you detach and show a cast member before they will allow your child to leave the race area.  

We had a blast at the runDisney Kids Races!  We can't wait to do it again in February at the Princess Half.  I think that it's safe to say that if mommy will be running a runDisney race, then so will Mia & Lyla.  Has your child done a runDisney Kids Race?  What did you think of it?  Be sure to check out my YouTube page for video recaps of the races.  If you'd like to read more about the runDisney Races, check out my friends at Joyful Miles and their YouTube page.