When planning our Purple Day 5K event, I wanted to emphasize the phrase “fun run”. Many people are intimidated by runs because they think they’re too slow or they walk too much or they can’t run at all. To maximize participation among our friends, the Purple Day 5K was designed to be stroller friendly, kid friendly, walker friendly and even dog friendly.
Despite a frigid (by Florida standards) 48 degrees, we had a great turnout for a last minute fun run.
Plus, I bribed everyone to join us with purple cupcakes and other purple treats.
For the 5K, we ran along a 1.5 half route along a boulevard in our neighborhood and then turned around for a return 1.5 trip to the back to the community park.
“Mom, we’re beating you!” my oldest daughter, Allana, hollered out.
“We’re supposed to beating epilepsy, not each other!” I shouted back.
My SIL, Kirsten (an epilpesy advocate), worked as our race photographer and distributed first aid seizure cards and pamphlets to “talk about it”.
The purpose behind this Purple Day event was to educate and show support for epilepsy awareness, because someone we love needs a cure. There are approximately 65 million people around the world living with epilepsy. My niece, Meghan is one of them.
The response to our last-minute Purple Day 5K was truly overwhelming. We had people all over the world wearing purple, running and sharing photos. Thank you to everyone who supported our cause!
“Respect the purple!” – Allana, our own Cassidy Megan lookalike.
Cassidy Megan created the idea of Purple Day in 2008, motivated by her own struggles with epilepsy. Cassidy’s goal is to get people talking about epilepsy in an effort to dispel myths and inform those with seizures that they are not alone. The Epilepsy Association of Nova Scotia came on board in 2008 to help develop Cassidy’s idea which is now known as the Purple Day for epilepsy campaign. - Purple Day
To learn more about Purple Day and how you can help educate others about epilepsy, visit purpleday.org.
Simply striving to qualify for Bronze Level Marathon Maniacs, Chrissy, Larisa, Marie and I had no real strategy or finish time in mind for the Clearwater Marathon. After completing the Disney Marathon a week earlier, we anticipated taking many walking breaks throughout the course. With three large bridges in the first half of the course, we already planned to walk those.
At the start, the four of us all felt pretty good and no one was sore from last week’s marathon. We started out slow and around mile one, we began our trek across the Clearwater Causeway (the first bridge) into Clearwater Beach. We ran slowly over the incline and considered walking down, but we all felt as though we could run, so we kept a slow 10:30 pace down the bridge.
Around mile 3, we stopped for a stretching break since our legs were all nicely warmed up and then walked through the first water stop. After a few photos and a quick restroom break, everyone felt refreshed enough to continue running through Clearwater Beach.
Then, we reached the Sandy Key Bridge and it was time for another forced walking break.
View of Clearwater Causeway from Sand Key Bridge
Once we reached the bottom of the bridge, we started running again, especially since we knew our Suncoast Striders family would be cheering for us outside Sand Key Park. As we approached the 4.5 water station, Maribel and Daffodil cheered the loudest. Obviously, we stopped for drinks, orange slices and a few photos.
To our surprise, our friend, Carrie, ran with us through Sand Key Park. It was so much fun to catch up with her for that quick mile through the park.
Back at the entrance, the Striders cheered and hollered for us once more. With close to 60 people managing one water station, the Strider power and energy was invigorating. It was just what we needed for the next nine miles along Gulf Boulevard.
Those were the longest nine miles ever. Apart for the water stations, we didn’t see a soul for miles. No spectators. No cowbells (and I gotta have more cowbell). Nothing. Despite being surrounded by beautiful beach condos and gorgeous homes, not one beach dweller cheered for us. It was just the four of us and thank God we had each other to get through it.
Unfortunately, this was the point that my Achilles began to ache and I started to fall behind from my friends. I needed to stay right at 10:30 mm to avoid any pain.
At mile 10, we met the Largo United Soccer League. Next to the Striders, this was my favorite water stop. These girls lifted our spirits with an impromptu performance of You’re Gonna MissMe by Lulu and the Lampshades. I honestly wanted to hang out with them a little longer just to learn their cup rhythm. Instead, the tune played over and over in my head for the next 16.2 miles.
Eventually, we caught up with our Strider friends Cindy and Clark. Cindy.was running her first marathon at 60 years young.
Just past the halfway point, we turned onto Park Boulevard (the third bridge) for our return journey along the Pinellas Trail. We remembered this bridge all too well from the Holiday Halfathon. We walked it then too. Funny, it was gray and yucky that day too.
At mile 15, I took a quick potty break and realized my knees were beginning to hurt so I took three ibuprofen. Larisa waited for me outside the bathroom and we ran together for a bit until we caught up with Marie and Chrissy at the base of the first Pinellas Trail overpass, which we all walked.
See, although there are only 3 bridges along the said “flat” course, there also three trail overpass which as are just as difficult to run over as the previous bridges.
Mile 16 wound us through the same park we ran through for the Holiday Half. We were rewarded for our efforts with water posing as beer.
Around this point, I was really struggling with pain. Although I expected to experience Charley horses or issues with my heels, I was feeling pain in my knees. To avoid any further pain, I now needed to slow down my pace to around 11:00-12:00 which caused me to fall even further behind from my friends. As long as I could see them, I was fine.
Around mile 20, I caught up to my friends at the water station just as Daffodil phoned me to get a full race report and our anticipated finish time. “I’m in a lot of pain,” I reported. “But we should finish in about an hour.”
To everyone’s surprise, Chrissy and Marie informed us at mile 20 that they’d like to PR. “I can’t do it,” I reply. “But you should definitely go for it!” With that, Chrissy, Marie and Larisa take off to PR the marathon.
For the next two miles, I was in a really ugly place in my head. What was I thinking?! Why am I doing this?! We were supposed to stay together! I hate these stupid Clearwater races and their dumb ass bridges! Why is Land O Lakes so flat? Why am I the only in pain?
Those are some of the PG-rated thoughts that boomed through my head. I found myself walking more than before and I cussed every overpass. I really hated myself and my legs for hurting so much. I hated the long stretches along the trail. A few random cyclists passed me and I felt very alone for the next couple of miles. If it wasn’t for the water stations and the police manning the intersections, I don’t think I would have seen anyone. Flashbacks of Space Coast flooded my mind.
At the base of the third overpass, I reached mile 22. I stopped for another potty break. (I was drinking a lot of Gatorade and water throughout the race.) I took three more ibuprofen. It was time to focus. I needed to shake the horrible thoughts happening in my head and finish the race. “C’mon there’s only four more miles. That’s nothing. You got this!”
Although I ran around an 11:00 mm, those were probably my strongest miles. Somehow, I overcame the mental and physical hurdles and I felt great again. Maybe it was all the ibuprofen (I’m sure my liver is failing and I need dialysis.), but for whatever reason, my whole outlook changed. I then began to catch up to other runners.
At mile 25, I wouldn’t allow myself to hit that same wall I faced at Disney. I clicked through my MP3 player for the right tunes to help me finish the race. “Pitbull, take me home!” I hollered. “Don’t stop the paaaarrrty!”
The next mile led us through a gorgeous residential neighborhood. Thank goodness for the orange cones which I followed like breadcrumbs, because I’m sure I would have been lost with all the turns.
The last 0.25 mile of the race was the most ridiculous. As much as I wanted to be finished, I stopped to take a photo of this part of the course: a spiral pedestrian path leading back to Coachman Park. I thought my ankles would snap.
At the bottom of the spiral path, I was so disoriented and confused. I didn’t know which way to go. Once again, the orange cones showed me the way.
As I approached the finish line, my friends ran to my side and the Marathon Mamas ran across the finish line with me.
Of course, I cried.
I did it.
Division Place 24/31
Overall Place 244/282
Gun Time 5:35:25
Chip Time 5:34:42
Half Split 2:46:45
Ave Pace 12:48
We did it. These crazy-ass determined Marathon Mamas earned a spot in the Marathon Maniacs without crawling across the finish line and lived to tell about it.
As for Chrissy and Marie, they beat their Disney time by nine minutes. First-time marathoner, Cindy, finished strong too and we were all there to cheer for her.
At the post-race party in the park, we celebrated two marathons in one week and still walking with ice cold beer (not water posing as beer).
*Big THANK YOU to my friends, David, Aaron and Larisa, for sharing their wonderful photos with me!*
As this vlog demonstrates, I’m recovering well after the Disney Marathon. I feel great! I did fail to mention that after the recording, I was off to volunteer at my kids’ running club. So much for resting during my recovery week!
I only ran/walk a mile and my 7 year old daughter helped me stick a very slow, easy pace, but I did feel a little something in my Achilles afterwards. Lots of stretching today!
Watching the video, I just realized that I received a notification during my recording which is the “DROID!” you hear at 3:27. Whoops. I forgot to turn down the phone volume and/or turn off the notifications. Damn, Facebook! I should have lifted up my backside, like I let one rip.
Chrissy and I finished the Disney Marathon under 6 hours (5:31:46).
It was brutally hot and the last mile was the worst. I hit my wall at mile 25, but I wiped away the tears and pushed through it. Of course, not before we stopped for one last photo in front of Spaceship Earth with only a quarter mile left to run.
We started this journey together and we finished together.
And we’ll do it all again next Sunday at the Clear water Marathon to join the ranks of Marathon Maniacs.
And I’ll be ready for two more big ass bottles of champagne.
(Stay tuned for a full Disney marathonrace recap later this week.)
With that, I’ll be posting weekly vlogs every Thursday in a new featured entitled Soup du Jour because I’ll be “serving hot and tasty vlogs every Thursday”!
Sure, why not?
I decided to make this new weekly vlog feature a blog hop and I would love for you to take the leap into the vlogging with me. Step outside of your comfort zone and into the world of YouTube with me.
Make a short video. Upload it YouTube and link up your vlog here. Then, while you’re here, watch and subscribe to a few of the YouTube channels listed.
A big THANK YOU to Jenny of Metamorfit for hosting a Virtual Commitment Day 5K! Even my running partner and friend, Daffodil, joined us for our fun 5K. Thanks to Jenny, my family and I were able to start 2013 on a healthy, fit foot.
My family walked with Jenny and her family as Daffodil and I ran. It had been two weeks since I last run and my lungs and legs were working hard. At times, I found it hard to breathe and the strong wind didn’t help at all, but my legs loved moving again. Even with my occasional hacking cough fit, it felt good to be outdoors and running again.
So Day 1 of the Janathon is complete and what a slow great start!
3.1 miles Time 33:44 Ave Pace 10:53 Max Pace 8:33
Since I only have less than two weeks until WDW Marathon, I will skip the speedwork for the time being. As for the rest of the week, I’ll play it by ear lung. If I’m not hacking, then I’ll get up and run. Otherwise, I may cycle instead to keep my resolution of cycling more this year. Or maybe I’ll try my hand at a core work-out online. As long as I do something every day, I’ll maintain the conditions of the Janathon.
Speaking of doing something every day, I totally blew the #fitgift challenge thanks for this stupid chest cold. All the other participants did GREAT! They ran in the snow, cycled, ran and did pushups. They seriously killed it. Instead, my stupid cold killed me. Oh well. It’s a new month and a new challenge! Onto to the Janathon!
Since my February race calendar is full to the brim with race bibs, I decided to defer my Ft Lauderdale A1A marathon. Now, I’m considering running the Clearwater Marathon a week after Disney to be a Marathon Maniac. I know that’s crazy, so nothing is set yet. I’ll decide and possibly register after Disney.
Funny thing, with all my races between January and February, I’ll be a quarter of the way into 13 in 2013 by the second month of the year! Madness!
Have you set your racing goals and registered for your races yet?
If you’re looking for some new races to try, let me sway you with a few race discount codes.
The $5 discount for the Best Damn Race expires next week. Register here. Have you seen the medals? So cool!
Register NOW for Dirty Girl Mud Run events scheduled from January through June. Prices increase on 1/8/13 at 11:59pm CST. Use the code: FLBLOGGUEST for 20% off.
For Pretty Muddy, receive a ONE TIME offer of $20 off the full price registration with promotional code: GIRLTIME. The $20 off deal ends on January 31st. Register here.
What are your running plans for the week? Got some sprints to share? What other work-outs are you doing? What are your fitness goals for 2013?
I am excited to start 2013 with a Track Tuesday post to share this blog hop with my co-host, Meghan of runMeganrun!!! Link up and train along with us.
Now begins the time to create goals and set resolutions, if you haven’t done so already.
For me, it’s change.
I want the changemy physique. I just can’t to shake this muffin top and pooch. It’s so frustrating! I want flat, tights abs again. To make my pooch disappear, I foresee more core work in the coming year. In 2013, I want to be even stronger and fit.
I also want to change some things on my blog. I’m not sure if I want to participate and host in memes. Does it limit it me or does it force me to stick to a schedule and blog every day? Do readers enjoy memes, like Music Monday? What do you want to see and read about here on Run DMT?
Track Tuesday will definitely still be around in 2013 because it keeps me accountable. I also really love Friday Food Fight because…well… it’s revolves around food.
I’ve been told that I need to start vlogging more because apparently, it’s the thing to do. Readers want to see you and hear you. They want to see your personality. Although I find the whole idea of vlogging a bit narcissistic while leaving me even more vulnerable to criticism, I’m struggling with finding a way to make it fit on my blog. Do I create another meme just for vlogging?
What changes are you considering for 2013? What are your goals?
I’ve been feeling some soreness in my shins and Achilles, which could be a sign that more stretching is necessary. Although soreness has me thinking about purchasing a pair of compression socks. Runner’s World gave a run down on some different brands and their targeted purpose. I thought I was supposed to wear them while running, but from what my running friends have informed me is that you wear them on your rest days.
Do you wear compression socks? Do you wear them while running or do you wear them on resting non-running days? Do you notice a difference in your recovery?
Speaking of recovery, I started drinking chocolate milk after my runs again. I had completely forgotten about chocolate milk as a recovery drink until Chrissy and I visiting a local Cuban cafe for a pit stop (and a clean restroom) after our long runs. I would order a café con leche, but Chrissy doesn’t drink coffee so she would order chocolate milk.
As I stated in a previous post, “After an intense work-out or a long distance run, your body becomes depleted of glycogens, therefore, it’s important to replenish those lost minerals with some carbs and proteins. The potassium, magnesium and calcium found in an 8-ounce glass of chocolate milk offers a substantial amount of minerals needed to rebuild tired muscles and offer some recovery. Water rehydrates while sports drinks replenish fluids and electrolytes, but chocolate milk rehydrates and rebuilds.”
Can you believe I forgot this?! Unbelievable! What woman forgets about chocolate especially chocolate that’s been deemed good for you?
Since I can’t drink protein powder due to the high cholesterol content, I haven’t been drinking muscle repairing recovery drinks. So last week, I started drinking chocolate milk (8oz skim milk with about two Tbsp of Ovaltine) after my runs again and I really noticed a huge difference. I felt so much better. My leg muscles definitely thanked me with less cramping and tightness. I felt less tightness and soreness in my heels, shins and Achilles. Plus, it will help with my vitamin D deficiency.
One insane week of hubby traveling down and one more to go. Last week, I wasn’t able to run as much as I wanted to thanks to hubby’s travel schedule. Thankfully, so far this week I’ve been able to fit in a little better. Chrissy and I also need to run 12 miles in on Friday morning before I leave for Girl Scout camp.
Chrissy and I ran 14 miles last Saturday, which was her longest ever. She’s doing so great with her marathon training. I’m so proud of her!
14.1 miles Time 2:42:51 Ave Pace 11:33 Max Pace 8:09
Then, I did a slow and easy 3 mile recovery run on Sunday.
3.1 miles Time 30:32 Ave Pace 9:51 Max Pace 8:17
Monday I ran 6 miles.
6 miles Time 58:32 Ave Pace 9:46 Max Pace 7:07
Today is Track Tuesday. I missed last week’s speedwork session due to DH’s traveling, but it probably was a well-deserved break. The weather change was a welcomed break too. Since the mornings over the past week have been cooler with little humidity, it finally feels like fall. Though my lungs love the change weather, my legs don’t seem to care about it because the cooler weather didn’t change my speed at all. However, I changed my usual speedwork session with a light jog between sprints so maybe that affected my overall performance.
1 mile 9:54
Lap 1 – 0.25 Time 1:56 Ave Pace 7:37
Lap 2 – 0.25 Time 1:52 Ave Pace 7:29
Lap 3 – 0.25 Time 1:57 Ave Pace 7:58
Lap 4 – 0.25 Time 1:59 Ave Pace 7:52
1.1 mile Time 10:33 Ave Pace 9:37
So how did your runs, speedwork and work-outs go this week? Link up and tell me all about it.
To join our Track Tuesday linky party, do your speed work (at least 4 quarter mile sprints) on Tuesday or any day you that works best for you, blog about your times and remember to add our cool Track Tuesday button to your post. Then, link up your post at either Ricole Runs or Run DMT to share Track Tuesday Speed Work Sessions. To show support for our other virtual running partners on the Track Tuesday Team, be sure to visit the other blogs listed in the linky party. Give them a virtual high-five and leave some comment love too.
As I mentioned the other day, October will be batty. I have so much going on at the moment as well as trying to train for marathon number 4. Although with my plantar fasciitis (PF) acting up again, I may be forced against my will to slow down a bit. But for now, this week will be anything but slow. In fact, if this RTT post seems erratic and scattered, then that’s a good reflection of how I feel right now. So brace yourself for a RTT that’s truly random.
I recently joined the Try It Before You Buy It Team for our local news station, Channel 10. It’s basically a 2-3 minute segment during the Tuesday noon program where people test out the As Seen On TV Products. Since my kids are As Seen On TV junkies, they were so impressed with mom’s new job.
The producer stopped by my house yesterday for our first taping and filmed me trying out the Shed Pal. Once I tested the product on my dog, I explained my findings and opinions with a “thumbs up” or “thumbs down”. Other than the vlogs I shared here, I’ve never done anything like this before and I was so nervous! The segment should air in a week or two, but once I know an exact date, I’ll post it here.
This Thursday, I’m sharing Pumpkin Snickerdoodles for 5 Minutes for Food over at 5 Minutes for Mom. Watch for my post and please leave a comment!
A few weeks ago, I posted an unedited side-by-side comparison photos taken by my two cell phone cameras: my old Droid and my new Incredible. Even after a couple of months with the Incredible, I am still constantly amazed by the photo quality of the 8MP camera in this cell phone. Seriously, the quality just blows me away! The colors are so crisp and bright! Isn’t it impressive?!
With my PF bothering me and in turn affecting my knees and my Achilles, I took a couple days off after the Race for the Cure 10K (a full recap tomorrow). This morning I didn’t feel like speedwork but I prefer to call it “Off-Track Tuesday”. Though my feet felt a lot better, I didn’t want to push myself. So, I ran an easy four miles.
4 miles Time 40:01 Ave Pace 10:00 Max Pace 8:10
Tomorrow I assist with my kids’ running club, which means I’ll run at least two miles at an easy 13 mm pace with my girls. Then on Thursday, I’m hoping to run about 6 miles. Saturday, my marathon crew and I are planning to run about 14 miles. I hope my feet hold up for that.
So how did you do this week? Is your October crazy too? Link up and tell me all about it.
To join our Track Tuesday linky party, do your speed work (at least 4 quarter mile sprints) on Tuesday or any day you that works best for you, blog about your times and remember to add our cool Track Tuesday button to your post. Then, link up your post here to share your Track Tuesday Speed Work Sessions. To show support for our other virtual running partners on the Track Tuesday Team, be sure to visit the other blogs listed in the linky party. Give them a virtual high-five and leave some comment love too.
The other day, I received my Sweat Pink shirt from my SPA sisters at Fit Approach. It’s so soft and comfy and fits perfectly. I couldn’t wait to wear it and when I did, lots of people commented on it.
I almost love the shirt as much as my SPA sisters! Between the races, their fitness achievements and healthy lifestyles, these women are so inspiring!
“Ideal for this summer’s triathlon season, Cool Point from Trigger Point Performance Therapy could become a runner’s best friend.
Triathlons often demand peak performance, pace setting and dealing with fatigue, yet finding a balance between the three is a runner’s biggest challenge. Cool Point utilizes thermoregulation signals sent from the hand to the brain and keeps athletes feeling refreshed and performing at their best. Being durable and reusable, runners or cyclists now have the ability to control their performance and delay fatigue using Cool Point’s Stay Cool Technology. Just freeze the cooling gel and fit to your palm and see how Cool Point can take advantage of the hand being the body’s natural radiator.”
I actually used my Cool Point at the Tarpon Triathlon. With the adjustable Velcro straps, I could fit it perfectly in the palm of my hand.
I’ve also used my Cool Point when I’ve missed my 5:00 a.m. run and found myself running a little later in the morning. By 9:00 a.m., the Florida sun radiates some serious heat, but with the Cool Point, I combated the heat and avoided the fatigue brought on by summer sun. Since the 90 degree temperatures are holding strong here in Florida, I’m still using my Cool Point into October. It’s perfect for those short training runs.
As for my training runs, I ran 6 miles last Thursday and felt pretty good about my performance at Race for the Cure. It looks like I may actually finish under an hour.
6.2 miles Time 1:01 Ave Pace 9:52 Max Pace 7:02
On Saturday, Chrissy and I ran 13.1 miles but that was a horrible run and nothing like last week’s 12 miles. It was hot and humid and I just couldn’t shake how tired I felt. Thank goodness, Faith came along to finish the last 5 miles with us.
13.1 miles Time 2:36 Ave Pace 11:17 Max Pace 7:37
On Sunday, my 7 year old woke up around 7:30 asking to ride her bike. “Can we ride to Publix and get donuts for breakfast?” Sure. Why not? I needed to do a recovery run anyway. So, Emmalynn rode her bike 3.1 miles while I ran beside her. Let’s just say she helped maintain an easy pace for me, but the run was truly a win-win (even though I passed on the donuts). Emmalynn loved riding her bike with mom and I enjoyed my time alone with her. Plus, I’m really enjoying the benefits of recovery runs.
3.1 miles Time 40:21 Ave Pace 13:28 Max Pace 8:11
Monday I rested, but there was no resting today because it’s Track Tuesday, and boy it was another hot and humid morning. UGH! Once the weather cools, I’d like to up my quarter mile sprints to 6 quarter sprints or half mile sprints, but until then, I’m still struggling with these. It’s obvious that the humidity is dragging me down because I couldn’t finished under 1:54 until the last sprint.
In the last 1 mile lap, a toad or frog or something slimy hit my leg and it totally toad-ally freaked me out. I thought it was the Frogalypse all over again.
1 mile 9:39
Lap 1 – 0.25 Time 1:48 Ave Pace 7:23
Lap 2 – 0.25 Time 1:56 Ave Pace 7:37
Lap 3 – 0.25 Time 1:52 Ave Pace 7:29
Lap 4 – 0.25 Time 1:54 Ave Pace 7:39
1.1 mile Time 11:06 Ave Pace 10:07
So how did you do this week? Link up and tell me all about it.
To join our Track Tuesday linky party, do your speed work (at least 4 quarter mile sprints) on Tuesday or any day you that works best for you, blog about your times and remember to add our cool Track Tuesday button to your post. Then, link up your post at either Ricole Runsor Run DMT to share Track Tuesday Speed Work Sessions. To show support for our other virtual running partners on the Track Tuesday Team, be sure to visit the other blogs listed in the linky party. Give them a virtual high-five and leave some comment love too.
When planning our Purple Day 5K event, I wanted to emphasize the phrase “fun run”. Many people are intimidated by runs because they think they’re too slow or they walk too much or they can’t run at all. To maximize participation among our friends, the Purple Day 5K was designed to be stroller friendly, kid friendly, walker friendly and even dog friendly.
At the base of the third overpass, I reached mile 22. I stopped for another potty break. (I was drinking a lot of Gatorade and water throughout the race.) I took three more ibuprofen. It was time to focus. I needed to shake the horrible thoughts happening in my head and finish the race. “C’mon there’s only four more miles. That’s nothing. You got this!”
I did it.
every day, I’ll maintain the conditions of the 
I’ve been feeling some soreness in my shins and Achilles, which could be a sign that more stretching is necessary. Although soreness has me thinking about purchasing a pair of compression socks. 
