Sarasota Half Relay

It was my birthday weekend, and what is a girl who loves to runs suppose to do for her birthday? Well, run a race, of course! And, what a race it was!

 

 My Sol Sister, Jen and I headed out bright an early at 5:00 am to Sarasota, FL, to run our first ever relay at the Sarasota Half.

 

Luckily for us, some of our running friends from Team #runDisney were running this race too. So, we meet up with everyone and tried to stay warm (yes, it gets cold in Florida, it actually was in the low 60's that morning) till the start of the race.

Team #runDisney

First up was Jen's first six miles of the relay. She started at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and headed out on the John Ringling Causeway (which is kind of a step bridge), circled around the famous St. Armands Circle, and then made her way back across the causeway to a relay meeting point set up on US 41.

Van Wezel Performing Hall

Jen's picture she sent me from the causeway.

Relay Exchange

This is where I was waiting to take the ankle strap timer off Jen's foot and head out on my seven mile half of the relay. I started north on US 41 (which was all businesses) and ran up to the beautiful Ringling Brothers Museum, then headed back south, weaved in and out of residential areas by the water, till I ended up back on US 41. I finally got back to the relay meeting point where Jen was waiting and we finished out the race together!

 

Ringling Brothers Museum

My picture I sent to Jen to let her know I was coming!
 

It was a great race for both of us! We both had personal records on our legs of the relay and together we came out with an awesome half marathon time of 2:20:03!

 

Place: 52 No. 288 Team Name: SOLE SISTERS Class: F  Split: 30:51 Split: 1:07:44 Net Time: 2:20:03 Pace: 10:42

Jen & I after the finish of the Sarasota Half Relay.

Afterwards we hooked back up with our Team #runDisney friends again to celebrate our awesome accomplishments. First Watch Cafe was the sponsor of this race and they offered each runner a yummy fruit parfait, normal post-race food, and even a beer for those who were interested (a little to early for me) at the end of the race.

Happy Team #runDisney Finishers!

DJ & Beer Vendor at After Race Party

Even with all the yummy goodies we were given, Jen and I were still starving after the race so we headed to a nearby First Watch Cafe. Neither of us had been there before, but had heard rave reviews from some of the other runners. Well, let me just tell you, everything they said was true! This place was unbelievable and it totally made a great ending to an awesome race!

Our Yummy Breakfast at First Watch Cafe





My Running Anniversary- Princess Style

It is so hard to believe that this February marked my three year running anniversary! And boy has the time flown by. It seems like only yesterday, I was heading out in the wee hours of the morning to my very first 5k at Walt Disney World. I was full of nervous energy and couldn't help but wonder if I would even be able to make it to the finish line. Well, I did make it to the finish line that day, and even though I didn't run that first 3.1 miles is record time, I did have one of the best experiences of my life. The other runners at that race were so encouraging and genuinely fun to be around, and when I actually made it across that line, the sense of accomplishment I felt was overwhelming. I wore that medal proud around Walt Disney World that weekend, and I knew deep down in my heart, I would be back!

 

 

Well, this year I heading back to Walt Disney World for Princess Weekend but this time instead of running the Royal Family 5k, like I had done for the past two years, I was ready to conquer my second half marathon. My weekend was crammed packed with activities and I was looking forward to each and every one of them. The first stop was the Fit For A Princess Expo. This year the Expo was extremely crowed, probably because of the new venue at Coronado Spring, and it seemed to take allot of time to pick up your bib, get your goodies bag and then try to weave in and out of all the great vendors. I am sure the limited release of the New Balance Mickey & Minnie running shoes or the line-up of great speakers like, Olympian Jeff Galloway didn't help with all the congestion of the event center but, these are the things that make Disney Expos so much fun.

Next up on the agenda, my friend, Jen, and I decided to meet up with some of our Facebook & Twitter friends at a tea party thrown by Erin Williams from For The Love of Disney Running. This big girl tea party was held at the Garden View Tea Room in the Grand Floridian and besides hanging out with a great group of girls, who happen to love running as much as me, Dennis Marsico from RunDisney TV was there as a special guest. He really is a super nice guy in person and lots of fun to talk to.

Of course, you can't come to Walt Disney World without spending some time in the parks, and I made sure to visit the new Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom and the newly renovated Test Track at Epcot. 


Obviously enjoying the new Test Track!
 

Last up on the weekend agenda, the whole reason we were there, the Princess Half Marathon. Overall, I felt like this run was one of my best! Not because it was the ideal weather, oh no, the weather was awful, it was hot, rainy and the humidity was so high you were instantly wet! But because I physically and mentally felt good the whole race. I couldn't believe how strong I felt, and when I came to the finish line, I honestly felt like I could of just kept on running. This run made me feel so proud of myself for how far I have come over the last three years of running.  I have learned so much (like proper health, nutrition and hydration), and although I know there is still so much more to learn, I feel like I can actually call myself a runner! So, even though I can't tell you that I had a personal record in time on this race (I am sure the bathroom break in Frontierland didn't help), I can honestly say this race was a personal record to me in so many other ways!

 

Moms RUN This Town

As many of you may know, I have a deep love for running. Although, that has not always been the case. I was once enlisted in the United States Army and while I served I honestly loathed the fact that I had to run everyday! But, that all changed three years ago when I reconnected with an old friend and the two of us made the decision to support each other, train together and run our first ever 5k! The friendship, support, and accountability that came with having Jen by my side helped me to get through the ups and downs (and there was a lot at the beginning), and actually achieve more than I ever thought was possible.

Jen & I at our first 5k

 

So, fast forward three years, 2 - Half Marathons, 1- Half Marathon Relay, 1- 10- Miler, and numerous 5k's and you have the start of a local running club that offers that same support, accountability and friendship... Charlotte County, FL Moms RUN This Town!

 

Our local chapter of this national running club is only in it's infancy stages (it just started in January) but it already is taking off with a bang. We currently have 20 active members and the support and friendships that have begun are priceless. Charlotte County MRTT has even been lucky enough to have it's first official sponsor, Lily Bomb Athletic Wear. If you haven't heard of this company yet, they are the customer friendly maker of sparkle skirts at an affordable mom friendly price! The owner of Lily Bomb Athletic Wear, Marina, was once even a member of Moms RUN This Town, so she understands, the benefits of being part of such a great organization. I am so excited to see what the future holds for Charlotte County, FL Moms RUN This Town and if you would like to join in the excitement visit the website http://momsrunthistown/charlottecountyfl or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/charlottecountymrtt/.