Spring Sprint 5K

Posted on March 24, 2012 by Run DMT

“Mom, do you plan to run this race easy or hard?” Allana asked.

“I was planning to run with you, so whatever pace you want to do.”

“Well, Katie, Jackie and I are going to run easy, so you should just run how you want to, Mom.”

Before the start of the Spring Sprint 5K, my pre-teen gave me the “all clear” to run the race hard, but in reality I think she chose to be with her friends over me. It was my first taste of the teen years to come.

Honestly, for the time being, I’m o.k. with it as this was a chipped race and selfishly, I wanted a good time on my Active.com profile. I’ll worry about being blown off for friends another day. This mother runner needed to finish a 5K in under 30 minutes! (Just call me Domino’s, because I can get there in 30 minutes or less.)

Although the race was in its second year, this was our first time participating in the Spring Sprint 5K, race to raise funds for autism awareness and education projects. What a great little charity race from start to finish!

As logistics go, the race event coordinators had it together. Oakstead Elementary hosted packet pick-up the evening before the race which was a smooth operation. Parking on race day was also smoothly orchestrated. As any runner will tell you, packet pick-up and parking are HUGE factors for any race and the organizers behind this race worked out every detail beautifully.

The start line was clearly marked as well as visible. Both the 5K and 1 mile Fun Run had their own start line banners.

As for the course, it was right in my backyard, so to speak. The 5K course wound through the flat and scenic streets of my neighborhood, the very same streets I train on. We ran past my kids’ school, the middle school and high school.

We even ran past my Publix and my favorite running store, Suncoast Running, who cheered for us as we ran by.

The sunrise was like any other running day in my neighborhood, but the sun seemed to be shining just a bit more brightly today. Maybe the sun knew it was a great day for a race?

For a small race with less than 500 participants, there were a great number of volunteers and spectators, many I believe to be faculty and staff of Oakstead Elementary. The finish led us back to the high school where we ran a half lap around the track.

DJ Elvis called out our numbers as we ran past and people in the stands cheered for us as we crossed the finish line.

*Photo provided by Suncoast Running.*

Gun Time 28:39

Chip Time 28:34

Ave Pace 9:14

Division Place 10/35

Overall Place 139/415

As for Allana, she did GREAT. She ran it without stopping, a first for her. However, I missed Allana crossing the finish line as I had to be at the start line for the 1 mile Fun Run with Emmalynn. My husband snapped these photos of Allana and her friend, Jackie.

Allana’s Stats

Gun Time 50:16

Chip Time 50:00

Ave Pace 16:11

Division 26/27

Overall 409/415

For the 1 Mile Fun Run, we ran back onto the road in front of the high school and then looped back onto the school groups to finish on the track once again.

Of course, I was so proud of both girls, but I was extremely proud of Emmalynn. She held onto a nice pace and avoided side stitches.

By doing so, Emmalynn earned a personal best for this race and redeemed her Gasparilla Jr. performance! Way to go Emmalynn!

The sun was right. It certainly was a great day for a race. Even my friend, Chrissy, did well and finished 6^th in her division with a chip time of 29:23.

On a side note, with this race falling on Saint Patrick’s Day, I thought everyone would be all decked out in green. I totally expected to see others wearing sparkly green running skirts and silly St. Patrick’s Day hats or runners dressed as leprechaun look-alikes. Um…not so much.

I did not expect to be one of the very few people wearing green not to mention being the only one wearing a green tutu. Talk about feeling like the belle of the ball and making a spectacle of myself. Wow.

Kermit wasn’t kidding. It’s not easy being green but then I don’t think Kermit ever wore a tutu and a little leprechaun hat. Well, at least I’ve raised the bar for next year.

And we’ll definitely be back next year.

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Random Thoughts about Green Things and Other Gross Stuff

Posted on March 13, 2012 by Run DMT

Little Lion Man’s green snot situation is still sticking around. Poor little dude can’t shake whatever he’s got and then this morning it escalated into a hacking cough. I debated calling the doctor, but since I had to run some errands, I thought I’d call the doctor on the way. No appointments were available until the afternoon, so against my better judgment, I decided to stop by Target while I was out.

Once in Target, Little Lion Man’s hacking developed into a projectile vomit situation and he puked three times in his stroller. I made a mad dash to the cart wipes area to clean the mess. As I attempted to clean up his entire stomach contents, Little Lion Man notices the bananas nearby. “Mama, nanas.”

Yes, there are bananas over there.

“Mama, nanas, please.”

“Seriously, dude. You just puked all over yourself. Now you want a banana?” He replied with a huge grin across his face.

Wondering if this is a good idea, I reviewed the BRAT diet in my head. “Bananas are good for upset tummies and we really do need diapers. And Allana needs a science board and cough drops. Right then!”

As I ran off to finish my shopping, I hoped no one would sniff him or the stroller while we shopped.

On my way to the infant aisle, I spotted some fun skinny jeans. Before you judge, the women’s section is right next to the baby stuff and I didn’t try them on! I swear! I just looked.

Anyway, I love the animal prints and the variety of bright colors for spring. Thank goodness I didn’t spot anything sparkly. Poor Little Lion Man would have really suffered.

Later at the doctor’s office, I learned Little Lion Man has a nasty respiratory infection and some fluid in his ears. Poor little guy!

Although Little Lion Man is my latest patient, it’s been like revolving door of a hospital ward in this house. Someone has had some infliction or illness for the past month. It’s crazy which also makes me crazy because it’s difficult to squeeze in my running when I’m playing nursemaid.

However, last Saturday, I ran in the Armadillo 10K (full recap to follow shortly). Then, I ran 3 miles on Monday, but I forgot to charge my Garmin, so no stats. This morning, I did some speedwork. Nothing fancy, just 1 mile warm-up followed by 4 quarter sprints and a mile for a cool down.

1 mile

Time 9:46

Lap 1 – 0.25

Time 1:44

Ave Pace 6:53

Lap 2 – 0.25

Time 1:48:65

Ave Pace7:18

Lap 3 – 0.25

Time 1:48:22

Ave Pace 7:12

Lap 4 – 0.25

Time 1:50

Ave Pace 7:29

1.1 mile

Time 10:39

Ave Pace 9:43

My girls and I have the Spring Sprint 5K this Saturday. I’m excited to run our first 2012 race together and of course, we’ll all be wearing green for St. Patrick’s Day. Hopefully, Little Lion Man’s snot situation won’t coordinate with his shirt by then. That’s an accessory I can do without.

*Proudly submitted to Stacy Uncorked, because when I blog about my training, it’s usually pretty random.*

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Raising Runners, Part 3

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Run DMT

As part of our annual running tradition, I registered the girls for the Too Good for Drugs Gasparilla Junior Distance Classic. Due to her ripe old age of ten, this would be Allana’s last year to run the kids’ race.

For Allana’s age group she had to run 1 mile (four times around the University of Tampa track). Last year, Allana was nervous to run the track, but this year she exuded confidence.

She paced herself nicely and thanks to her pink bandana, she was easy to spot. She’s a stunner (stylish runner) in the making for sure.

And my little stunner wore her hot pink bandana and confidence all the way to the finish.

Unfortunately, Emmalynn didn’t quite have the same experience.

Due to a poor PA system, we didn’t hear the all call for the 6 year old start. She missed her race (1/8 mile) and she had to run with 7 year olds (1/2 mile), although it didn’t bother her because she could run with her friend, Lily.

Emmalynn, like Allana, started with a lot of confidence but with a little too much speed. About half way into her race, she got a cramp in her side.

But poor Emmalynn just couldn’t run and walked the remainder of the way. The pain was too intense for her.

Allana tried to encourage her to keep going by running with Emmalynn for part of the way.

My poor baby learned an important running lesson that day. Sometimes you have good races and sometimes you have bad races. Just never give up and you’re always a winner.

But like The Penguin always says, “The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.”

Random Thoughts about a Swelled Head, a Shrinking Waist and a Princess Problem

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Run DMT

Marathon Training In the past few weeks, Run DMT has been spotlighted on several websites and it’s giving me a big head.

Marathon Training Schedule compiled a list of top running blogs and Run DMT is #64. Then, RN Central.com shared 50 Inspiring Blogs for Your Post-Pregnancy Weight Loss and Run DMT is #5 on the list. How exciting is that?!

I’m flattered to be considered an “inspiration” to others for post-partum weight-loss and I hope yours is going better than mine because I’m sill struggling to lose the last of my baby weight 19 months later. What’s that old pregnancy rule of thumb for weight-loss? Nine months up, nineteen months down? That sounds about right.

Five unflattering pounds are still sticking around from my pre-pregnancy weight but I don’t put a whole heck of a lot of value on the scale since most of my old clothes are fitting me.

So the numbers on the scale are not dropping but I am definitely toning and shrinking inches, thanks to our Love My Abs Challenge. If you haven’t been following along, you should go over there RIGHT NOW and check it out! Each week, I’ve been sharing photos and a brief recap of my progress.

Tomorrow, we’re moving onto to Week 4 and 200 reps, but it’s not too late to join in the fun. Even if you fell off the wagon, you can simply start over at 100 reps at Week 1. It’s not about how many reps or how long, but more about making a commitment to a better you.

Speaking of wagons, I will be catching a carriage ride over to Orlando this weekend for the Disney’s Princess Half Marathon. I don’t feel prepared at all for this race, but it has nothing to do with training. I still haven’t figure out what to wear!

Should I be Belle or Tiana?

Both princesses are equally smart, brave, fearless, beautiful and good role models for my girls (next to their mom, of course). But…
If I dress as Belle, I’ll wear a yellow running skirt, matching yellow top, a tiara and carry a red rose.

If I dress as a Tiana, I’ll wear a green top, green shorts and a magnolia rhinestone hair clip in my hair. I wanted to find a green tutu to wear over my shorts, but I haven’t had any luck yet.

As any stylish, runner (a.k.a stunner ) will tell you, tiaras and tutus are a must for any Disney Princess race. I think what I wear will be a game time decision, but I would love to hear your vote: Belle or Tiana?

The girls have the Gasparilla Jr. Race on Saturday. Next year, Liam will be old enough to run the Gasparilla Jr with Emmalynn, but this is Allana’s last year to run it as she’s getting too old for it now. The thought of it makes me all melancholy, but she’s moving on to bigger distances with her mom.

And who knows maybe she’ll run a Princess race with me someday. Then she can be Belle and I’ll be Tiana! There. Problem solved. Hopefully, by then I would have found a green tutu or made one or bought one of these shnazzy sparkly skirts. A runner mom can dream, can’t she? Like a wise mouse once told me, “If you dream it, you can do it.”

And now for my running stats!

I suffered from a stomach bug for two days after the Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon, but I think the forced rest helped me run under 30 minutes for the first time in nearly a year.

2/15

3.1 miles

Time 29:35

Ave Pace 9:33

Max Pace 7:31

2/16

4 miles

Time 41:09

Ave Pace 10:17

Max Pace 7:59

2/18

6 miles

Time 1:13:27

Ave Pace 11:51

Max Pace 8:56

2/21

3.1 miles

Time 30:21

Ave Pace 9:48

Max Pace 7:06

*Proudly submitted to Stacy Uncorked, because when I blog about my training, it’s usually pretty random.*

Kiss Me

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Run DMT

For this week’s Music Monday, I’m co-hosting with Xmas Dolly and her Monday’s Music Moves Me crew: Lorie, Stacy, Callie and Cathy. These ladies are such wonderful, supportive people and I am THRILLED to be part of this with them!

And what better way to show my love and appreciation then with a kiss? I mean, it’s Valentine ’s Day and all. Well, how about a juicy, wet kiss from Little Lion Man?

He’s refined his kiss a bit since the holidays. Now, he can blow you a kiss…

…with a little smack of a sound at the end. Muwah!

How stinking cute is that?! Don’t you just want to smother him with kisses?

Now it’s your turn. What love songs have you hitting re-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat?
Show some Music Monday/MMMM love and join our linky party. Be sure to visit our spotlight dancers also, Introducing Mr. Cool and I Made It Through the Rain

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I’m a Sucker for Pinterest

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Run DMT

As you know, Pinterest is my guilty pleasure. It truly is like getting a new magazine in the mail every day. Not that kind of magazine, silly! Sheesh. Get your mind out of the gutter!

For me, it’s like Shape, Runner’s World, Better Homes and Gardens, Food Network Magazine and Family Fun all rolled into one happy space. But I didn’t realize how literal that was until I stumbled upon this awesome Valentine’s Day idea.

How adorable and creative are these Valentine’s Day cards? It sure beats the perforated, punch out Sponge Bob stupid pun cards my kids would beg me to buy.

And it’s no wonder because the blogger behind this idea, Design Mom, was featured in the February issue of Family Fun magazine.

So when you’re flipping through Family Fun and you wonder, “Who are all these amazing moms?” All those amazing, creative moms, dads, grandparents and teachers do indeed exist and can be found on Pinterest. So go follow them (and me too)!

And then you can try to replicate their ingeniousness like I did.

I started with a photo shoot…

…and a tiny bit of tweaking and editing in Picnik (which I will not be happy to lose on April 19) to add the text “Valentine, I’m a sucker for you.”

Then, a few small cuts for a heart-shaped lollipop and voila!

Our classmates’ cards are complete.

Thank you Family Fun Magazine Design Mom Pinterest!

More Gasparilla Booty

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Run DMT

I captured so many great photos from the Gasparilla Children’s Parade and I wanted to share some more, If you missed my previous Gasparilla post, gather ’round to hear the tale again, me hearties.

They Have a Dream

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Run DMT

The girls had Monday off from school, but I wanted it to be more than a long weekend. I feel it’s important to understand why we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Every year, we observe the holiday by watching Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Then, we discuss it and follow it up with a writing activity. When I saw this MLK writing activity floating around Pinterest, I thought it would be a great extension to our usual MLK activities.

After we watched the speech, we discussed what Dr. King’s dream was for our country. Did Dr.King’s dream become a reality? Are all people treated equally today? What’s your dream?

When Emmalynn said her dream was to be a pony, I realized I needed to clarify the question, “What’s your dream?” I explained to Emmalynn, “It’s not a dream that you have when you sleep. It’s a hope for the future of the world or for others.”

What’s your dream for the community or the world?

She understood the difference and wrote a wonderful response.

“My dream is to help the world. I would help people by making sure that they have homes, families and don’t get separated.”

I love Allana’s dream too.

Aren’t they beautiful girls with big, beautiful dreams for the world? And speaking of beautiful girls, my niece, Meghan, joined us for our MLK fun. You can read about Meghan’s dream here.

Allana’s Compassion in Action

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Run DMT

“Look, Mom! My shirt matches the sign!” Allana proudly exclaimed when she spotted wings on the Angel Crossing sign.

A few days before Christmas, Allana and I volunteered at the Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent. It was a wonderful learning experience for her as she saw firsthand how our donations to the food bank help others. Allana enjoyed helping the families and throughout the evening she often commented on the graciousness and cuteness of the children.

A couple weeks later, I realized just how much the experience impacted Allana when my friend made some remarks about her high school students’ poor their hygiene. I didn’t know Allana had heard my friend’s comments until she chimed in, “Well maybe they’re homeless and they don’t have any running water. Maybe they live in their cars. You really shouldn’t judge, because you just never know someone’s situation.”

Our short time volunteering had a big impact Allana but at that moment, I learned something too. My daughter is growing into a truly beautiful, compassionate human being.

A Run DMT Year in Review

Posted on December 29, 2011 by Run DMT

January – The F Word

In 2011, the number 40 was more than milestone. At the beginning of year, I proclaimed a goal to run 40 miles before my 40th birthday and my desire to be fit at forty all with the emphasis of the f-bomb.

During the winter break, we built Florida Snowmen with Auntie Kirsten and Meghan which produced some fabulous photos.

February – My Air and Water Diet…Not so Much

Although there was enough love in February to sustain a city, it would take more than hearts, love notes and valentines to keep this mama going.

In a funny vlog, I share a pile food I ate and still lost 18 pounds, ‘cause mama loves to eat which is why I run. When you watch this crazy long vlog, count how many times I drop another f-word. Fantastic.

March – Education

March was a time of reflection and education. It started with a random act of kindness and which led to Lucy joining our family. Then, a Gallery phototheme had me hunt down an old photo from my teaching days. Those students taught me more than I ever taught them.

Also, spending more time with my niece, Meghan has educated me and made me more sensitive to epilepsy. Since March is Epilepsy Awareness month, we recognized it with a spontaneous purple picnic.

April – What Tomorrow Will Bring

In 2011, Liam and I showed our determination and fortitude to reach the finish line.

In April, I waited with bated breath for the NYC marathon lottery selection, which didn’t happen for me. Watch the NYC Marathon video and you’ll understand why I’m applying again this year. Applications for 2012 NYC Marathon lottery open at noon on January 2, 2012. God, I hope I get it. Keep my fingers, toes and shoelaces crossed again.

May – Run DMT’s Top 10 of Summer Don’ts

With May, came lots of sunsets and summer, my favorite season. I heart summer almost as much as I love writing lists.

June – Airplanes

Sometimes my youngest daughter, Emmalynn, has her head in the clouds sometimes and I love her for it. I can totally relate. During the summer months, my head is usually there too.

July – Loving You for Your First Birthday

Although we have three birthdays in July in this family, two of those birthdays were milestones this year. First, our little Tiny Cool, Emmalynn, turned six. Then Little Lion Man turned one and I hit 40. In our first Music Monday vlog duet debut, Little Lion Man and I share our best Minnie Riperton impersonations to recognize his first birthday.

August – Get the Party Started

In August, I blogged a lot of back to school posts and summer coming to end stuff.

But we ended the summer on a high note when we celebrated my 40^th birthday in August and it ROCKED! Plus, I met my goal of losing 40 lbs and 40 miles before my 40^th birthday.

I also organized a Tampa Bay Blogher Meetup. (Another one is in the works for March 2012.)

September – Things Heard at Our Girlfriend Getaway

Summer heat and celebrations were still in full swing in September as well as our annual girlfriend getaway. You may need to take a few shots of Whipped Pinnacle vodka to understand most of this post, but it still makes me chuckle four months later.

October – Random Thoughts about Tigers, Honey Badgers and Bunnies

In October, I transformed into a bad ass honey badger and Amy Whinehouse and transposed my likeness onto some photos for a funny list of 22 Things I’ve Never Done.

November- Ten Years with Our Soul Sister

When November came, my family and I gave 30 gifts in 30 days and counted our blessings. My oldest daughter, Allana turned ten and requested her ears to be pierced. Her milestone birthday hit me harder than my own. Where did a decade go?

December – A Serendipity Style Date

I’m not sure if blogging and Pinterest is making me a better mom/wife/friend or a worse one. How can anything that helps plan dates like this be bad?

Of course, there was some of running happening throughout the year too. After all, I am a Mom on the Run. All my race recaps from this year and previous years can be found here.

	secret mom thoughts on Our Own Joan of Arc
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	Stacy Uncorked on Our Own Joan of Arc

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