Time to reveal the official winner of Run DMT’s Gracie’s Gear Giveaway! So, here is the lucky lady with the help of random.org.
Yay for “The Other Denise”! Congratulations! I hope you enjoy your new Gracie’s Gear tank as much as I do! Thanks again to all the wonderful women who entered the giveaway!
This is the speech roast…er…I mean toast I gave at my sister’s wedding. For your viewing pleasure, I’ve also included a video of the toast. Thank you, Randi for recording it.
When Simone and I were kids we would put on these elaborate productions and skits for parents and their friends. It usually involved costumes and costumes changes for each number. We even brought our childhood friend, Jen, into the act. Do you remember our theme song? Can you help me?
It’s Showtime! It’s Showtime!
It’s get up and go time!
I tell you the Sweeney Sisters had nothing on us!
Well, this is one hell of a show you have put on here today. You’ve raised the bar. Jen, I don’t know how we are ever going to top this.
Simone and I were always very proud of our ancestry. I always felt more connected to the Italian/Spanish side of the family and Simone felt more connected to our French heritage. In high school, I took 3 years of Spanish and Simone studied French for 2 years. Despite Simone’s years of grueling translations and repetitive drills, the only French expression she remember is “J’aimerais une tomate”. I would like a tomato.
Simone even went through a phase where she added an accent mark to the “e” in Simone, which caused everyone to pronounce it “Seemonay”. I guess she thought it made her more ethnic, more worldly, more exotic or even European. It just confused everyone.
In recent years, Simone has been rediscovering her Italian heritage. As you know, Matt and Simone will be spending their Honeymoon in Venice and touring Italy. She has even learned to speak the language: Gucci, Prada, Dolce and Gabana.
With those champagne tastes, I feel so sorry for the man she marries. DOH! Sorry, Matt! Sucker.
Simone and I were never into the Guido type. As you can tell by our husbands, we even picked pasty partners. We also picked some pretty tall men to marry. The Mestanza family is evolving. We’re even starting to walk up-right.
But, they make a great couple, don’t they? Some people call the perfect couple bookends. Since the beginning of our dating days, my mom shared the charming expression, “Every pot has its cover” with my sister and me.
Well, Simone and Matt couldn’t have found a better match. This pot has truly found its cover. Now, I don’t know who is the pot or who is the cover. I guess that would determine who likes to be on top.
So, here’s to Simone and Matt. The pot has found its cover.
The Carnival of Loyal Commenters continues with Chloe of Running with a Bottle of Wine.
Chloe stumbled upon my blog from a comment I left on Absoult(ly) Fit. I believe it’s the alcohol references that draws us together.
In my comment, I mentioned that I was training for the Disney Marathon. Chloe was also training for this race. Now, when I learn about other bloggers attending the same races as me, I try to coordinate a Kodak moment to capture our encounter. However, Chloe and I never coordinated our rendevous point at the race, so our photo opp was lost.
As my race partner, Tiffany, and I walked to the start line of Disney, we bumped into Chloe and her friend. It was the crazy coincidence ever! And since that crazy coincidence, Chloe has been a loyal commenter here.
As you probably gathered by the name of her blog, Chloe has a wicked sense of humor. Her posts are always upbeat and fun. She writes about her life along the Florida Gulf Coast and how her training fits into it all. More than an on-line journal of stats, she records her adventures and we’re all along for the ride.
So, thank you, Chloe of Running with a Bottle of Wine for the giggles and for being a loyal commenter! I’ll drink to that!
This is what I will be reading at my sister’s wedding rehearsal tomorrow night. This cracks me up!
A few weeks ago, we visited the Florida Aquarium with our Scottish cousins. At the sea turtle exhibit, Emmalynn played mama to the little baby sea turtles.
For the Gasparilla marathon, Gracie’s Gear hooked me up with the most amazing running tank top ever!
But you know the old rule of thumb for races: You’re not supposed to try anything new during a race. But when Gracie Gear graciously gave me this long lean contoured running tank, I couldn’t resist and I simply had to test out this fabulous product during the marathon.
I first fell in love with its fit. Its contour shape hugged my torso like a glove without feeling too snug.
Next, I desperately needed the extra pocket. With my SPIbelt filled to maximum capacity, I simply needed more storage space.
Since the Gracie’s Gear long tank features a flexible Power Pouch, it held my cell, my ID and two Cliff shots which left my SPIbelt less bulky and more manageable. When the rain came down harder, this Power Pouch also held my camera.
But I have to admit, I was a little nervous about wearing a top that covered my stomach. The sports bras I usually wear leave my torso exposed and I was worried that I could overheat in my new Gracie’s Gear Long Tank. However, the MRT technology (moisturereleasetechnology) built into the tank really did leave me feeling cool.
As my running partners will attest, I am constantly knocking my iPod off myself while run. But not anymore! The little loop on the shoulder kept my iPod cord in place without making feel too tied down or trapped.
I absolutely love this Gracie’s Gear long tank and to spread the love, Gracie’s Gear is sponsoring a giveaway.
So, for your chance to win a Gracie’s Gear Long Tank, visit graciesgearandtraining.com and view The Long Tanks. Then, post a comment stating which color and size Long Tank you would like to win.
Hurry and leave your comment, because this giveaway ends Monday, March 16!
For additional entries and to better your chances to win:
<a href=”http://denisermt.wordpress.com/2009/03/09/run-dmts-gracies-gear-giveaway/”><img src=”http://gi101.photobucket.com/groups/m49/CU1U6CYOCA/GGGiveaway-1.png” border=”0″ alt=”Photobucket”></a>
Remember, Run DMT’s Gracie Gear Giveaway ends March 16. Good luck to everyone who enters! Thanks for visiting and playing along! 
We’ve had a few good runs. You were there for me during the glory days of Disney and for the pain of Gasparilla. You’ve been so supportive through it all and I just want you to know that it’s not you. It’s me. I think our relationship has hit bottom and the feeling of being on Cloud 9 just isn’t there any more. With the constant reminders of what we once had, I simply can not endure the pain any longer. So, I am sorry to have to do this, but I need to move on to another love.
Truth be told, I’ve already found a replacement for you. This may sound harsh, but I think it’s best to level with you. We can still have some good times together, like hiking through the woods and weight lifting. I understand if you need some time.
But, if you’re ready to meet her, I’d like to introduce you to my new love, Brooks Infiniti 2. Isn’t she pretty in pink? Actually, she’s burgundy, like wine. See how much we have in common? I’m in love…again.
Thank you to The Running Center of Tampa for my love connection and finding the right match for me once more.
Since my DH had to leave early for work this week, my training days were not quite what I had initially planned. On Saturday morning, I finally squeezed in an easy 6 mile run. My average pace was 10:18. Total time: 1:02. I felt no pain, but I realized that my dogs are tired and I needed some new shoes.
On Sunday, I forgot to set my clock ahead and I was late meeting Jackie. Although I have a really bad reputation for being tardy, I am never late to my Sunday runs. I swear!
I searched feverishly for my phone and I was digging through my car when Jackie drove past my house. I apologized repeatedly for my tardiness, which now caused us to get a late start on our early run. Funny enough, Jackie was actually grateful for the mistake, since this is her first time running before 8:00.
Since Jackie needs to slow down and I need to pick up the pace a bit, we met at the middle with a 9:40 pace. Probably still a bit too slow for the both if us, but this is still my first week post-marathon and Jackie’s first run longer than 4 miles. Total time: 58:03.
After our 6 miles, I felt like I could do a few more and wanted to try pushing myself further. I took the next few miles a bit slower with more walking and water breaks than the first 6 miles. I ran another 4.1 miles with an average pace on 10:37. Total time: 43:36. My shoes are shot for sure! Not to worry, I bought a new pair yesterday.
At the end of the month, I am planning to run in the Chasco Challenge (formerly Rally to Remember). I still haven’t decided which race to run in, the 10K or the half-marathon. Last year, I placed first in my division and I would love to beat my PB, but I would love to also qualify in my division for the half. Decisions…decisions…
Over the next few weeks, I will try to push myself a bit more and wait until the last minute to decide which race.
As for training this week, I need to get into routine now that my DH’s schedule is back to normal again. I also need to incorporate more strength training and cross-training back into my schedule. I’ve been so lazy and sloppy over the past few weeks.
For my half-marathon training, I am following Hal Higdon’s post recovery plan with the Runner’s World on-line Smart Coach, which uses my past times to develop a plan right for me. However, I think the paces on the Smart Coach are a bit too slow.
My body is crying for yoga today. I need to stretch. This week, there will be lots of short runs and another long run on Sunday. I think I’ll do 10 miles again. I never did hop on my bike last week and I really want to put biking back into my work-outs. If only my DH meeting’s would stop messing with my training! Sheesh!
A few weeks ago, we had family visiting from Scotland. Allan’s Aunt Christine, his cousin, Pamela and her three children booked a last minute flight across the big pond and pleasantly surprised everyone with their arrival.
With the recent passing of Granny Taylor, Aunt Christine felt an escape from Edinburgh and its constant reminders of her mother would help with her healing process.
I first met Aunt Christine about 9 years when she and the rest of the Taylor Clan flew over to for our wedding.
Then, five years later we introduced the Taylor Clan to our wee bairn, Allana. During that visit, Allana met her cousin Lucy and Aunt Christine for the first time. She also met her Great Granny Taylor, which Allana clearly remembers four years later.
When Emmalynn met Aunt Christine for the first time (nearly the same age as Allana when she met Aunt Christine), she told her, “You look just my Grandma Elizabeth.” Straight away, Aunt Christine fell in love with our wee Emma, which is so easy to do.
But what tickled me the most was watching Lucy and Allana becoming reacquainted and instantly becoming the best of friends. They bonded over Bratz, Disney Princesses, Harry Potter and imitating fish at the Florida Aquarium.
They had similar mannerisms, the same spunk and ‘tude. It just goes to show you that you just can’t fight genetics no matter how far apart physically you may be.
