I Run For Wine: Running

Showing posts with label Running. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Running. Show all posts

My First DNS - why I didn't run First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon

Friday, March 23, 2018
I had a dream weekend planned in Sarasota. My husband Gabe and I were going to run our fourth First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon Relay and we decided to make a lux weekend out of it by splurging my Marriott Rewards on a stay at the Ritz Carlton Sarasota. Things did not go as I imagined......

Let's take you back to Friday night. Gabe and I decided to have a date night at one of our favorite restaurants near our house. It's an Italian restaurant that has a live piano player, wood fired pizzas and wine on tap. Pizza and wine was exactly what I needed after my week, and it was delicious. When we got home later that night, I didn't feel 100% myself. I went to bed and woke up around 2am with pain I had never experienced before. I felt like a fire was lit inside of me. Apparently, I was experiencing my first ever acid reflux attack.

After a horrible night of sleep, we woke up and got a later than planned start to Sarasota. I felt really odd - I had no appetite and didn't want to do anything but lay around. We had to get to Fit2Run for packet pickup by 3pm and I wanted to get over to our hotel so we could enjoy the amenities.
While at Fit2Run I could feel my patience slipping away for no reason. Imagine PMS x 100. Everything was annoying me and I needed to get out of there. When we got to the Ritz, we were welcomed with champagne and learned we had been upgraded to a waterfront suite. That made my crankiness go away instantly! I took one sip of the champagne but it hurt to drink.

After going up to our room and picking our jaws off the ground, we decided to head down to the pool, which was pretty crowded at 3:30. Once again, everything was annoying me. From people taking fake instagram posed shots to kids splashing us, there was nothing I could do but put my headphones on and read a book, escaping from paradise. If I was in a better mood, I would have gone fishing off their pier! The amenities and activities at Ritz Carlton were pretty amazing.

We had plans that night to go to dinner at a restaurant called Indigenous that we were really looking forward to. Although I really had nothing to eat all day, I was not hungry. I also didn't want to drink, which is very odd for me! After taking literally 3 bites of my dinner, I asked for a to go box. I did not feel good. I felt full which was impossible and I had really bad pains in my abdomen. So we decided to walk over to Walgreens and get me some medicine. The only thing I wanted to do was go back to the hotel and take a bath.
After getting back to the Ritz, I tried my hardest not to be sad. Here we were in this gorgeous hotel, in walking distance to many places. We bought a bottle of Cakebread Chardonnay to drink on the balcony and I had no interest in that (it sat in an ice bucket in the bathroom instead). Rather than enjoying my night, I was laying in bed, trying not to cry or vomit. Well, both those things happened shortly after. Around midnight, I was woken up once again, with that same incredible burning sensation. I felt like a fire breathing dragon. I was able to go back to sleep only to be woken up again, about every 20-30 minutes. Around 2am, I vomited not once, but twice. Sitting on the floor of my hotel, I lost it. I knew right then and there that I would likely not be running in a few hours.
I've pushed through so many things with running. I ran the NYC Marathon with a sprained ankle (I sprained it at mile 4 and completed 22.2 miles injured). I completed the Dopey Challenge with a severe cellulitis infection (unknown to me at the time). I've ran hurt, I've ran sick. However, I mentally couldn't accept that I had to run half of a half marathon relay. I only had to complete 6.2 miles! Those 6.2 miles seemed like an Ultra Marathon and it was time (for once) to listen to my body.
My outfit that wasn't worn:
Shirt: Buy Me Brunch, Tequila & Tan lines

I got the 5:45am wake-up call and told Gabe I wasn't going to run. I was drenched head to toe in sweat, fairly certain I had a fever. My throat hurt and the room was spinning. We slept until 10am. The first thing I did when I woke up was to check on my friends who ran the race (Tracy, Haley & Denise). Bummed I didn't get to see them at the race, let alone cheer them on, or cross the finish line with my husband really put a damper on my weekend.

I went to the Dr. on Tuesday and I was put on medication immediately. Whatever is going on is not normal and here begins the testing until we figure it out. First step is food allergy testing. If nothing shows up there, I have to go get a camera shoved down my throat. No fun.
photo from Eat Drink and Be Tracy
Although I didn't get to run the First Watch Half Marathon (relay) this year, I know I made the right decision. There will always be other races and I will be back next year in Sarasota with a vengeance. Be sure to check out Tracy's recap of her First Watch Half Marathon experience. She has ran 7 half marathons in the past 5 months and is training for her first full!!
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2018 runDisney Princess Half Marathon Recap

Tuesday, March 6, 2018
Last Sunday, my best friend and I participated in the 2018 Disney Princess Half Marathon. This was a special weekend for both of us, as we celebrated milestones together. In 2012, Keri ran her first Half Marathon and I ran my first 5K during Princess Half Marathon Weekend. I spectated Keri's first half and at that moment, I decided to start my blog and journal my running. Needless to say, if it weren't for that magical weekend in 2012, this blog would not exist.
We made this a girls race weekend and spent time at the parks on Friday and Saturday. While I always tell people to be cautious and not overdo time at a park prior to a run, I didn't take my own advice. We ended up walking over 10 miles on Friday and 8 miles on Saturday. Oops. We had fun though!

I had such a hard time sleeping the night of the race, more than the normal "did I set the alarm clock" anxiety. When the alarm clock went off at 3:15am, I had already been awake for 30 minutes. Something I haven't talked at all about on this blog is that I went vegetarian the month of February. Well, the night before the race, I ate Bolognese Pappardelle. To say I wasn't 100% prior to the race is an understatement. I vomited more than once prior to starting the race and felt so sick - dizzy, heart racing, etc. I honestly thought there was no way I would make it to the start, let alone finish 13.1 miles.
We got to Epcot and started making our mile long walk to the start line. The crowd was so dense and multiple people around me were saying the same thing. We hadn't even made it to the split of the corals when the gun went off for the wheel chairs. I knew right then and there we wouldn't make it to Corral D in time for our start. We were pushed to the very back of Coral E. This was 100% our fault for not being in the Corals at 5:00am like race instructions state, but there were quite a few volunteers let us walk up to D, only to be turned around. It was a cluster.
We finally crossed the start line, decided to do the Galloway 1 minute run, 1 minute walk and not stop for any photos prior to getting inside of Magic Kingdom (with the exception of the entrance of the TTC). I will say, knowing now what the rest of the race would be like, I 110% regret not waiting in the very long line for the Evil Queen and her Cauldron.
Our pace time was much slower than we should have been at, even with maintaining a steady 1:1. We ended up falling in with a 30:30 Galloway group around mile 4. Due to how packed the race was, staying with them made it a lot easier to get through the crowd.
The course has changed a little since we last ran Princess. Being the 2017 WDW Half was cancelled, I realized it had been over 2 years since we last ran this course. We had to make a quick stop to take a photo with Bay Lake sunrise behind us. We quickly caught back up with our new pace group and ran through the entrance of Magic Kingdom. I truly loved this change to the course!
After running through Main Street, we stopped for a few castle photos and at that time got separated from the pace group, which was fine as we planned on taking some photos inside of Magic Kingdom.
I spotted a long line near Gaston's Tavern. I noticed Gaston right away (I mean, how could you not), then I saw Belle. I told Keri we had to stop. We were told the line was about 15-20 minutes but knowing how rare this photo opp was, I really wanted to take advantage of it.
Do I regret waiting in line 20 minutes for that photo? Yes and no.... I will get into that later. We got to the back of Cinderella's Castle to see the Evil Stepmother and Stepsisters. The line wasn't too long so we stopped.
Then we ran through Cinderella's Castle and waited in line another 5 minutes for the Castle Photo. This is the epic runDisney race photo of all race photos.
We stopped for one last photo inside of Magic Kingdom which was for Cowboy Goofy. This was around mile 7 and I already knew we were looking at a 3+ hour Half Marathon. We decided not to take any additional photos until we got inside Epcot. What we weren't expecting is to be forced to walk for nearly 2 miles.
That 2 mile walk is the only reason I regret waiting in line for the photos at Magic Kingdom. For those familiar with the course, miles 6-8 were far narrower than I ever remember and there was zero chance at running during the majority of this time. Once the course widened, we had already been walking for those 2 miles and it was difficult getting back into it. We decided to do the 30:30 the rest of the course but almost everyone was walking and at times, doing such a short interval was impossible.
Did I mention how hot it was? I am talking nearly 90 degrees with near 100% humidity. It's February!! By the time we got into Epcot, I was beyond overheated and didn't realize how red my face was until my Mom responded to this photo.
I love Epcot - it is my happiest place on earth. However, I cannot remember the last time I was so happy to see the Epcot Ball.
I was mentally and physically over the day and wanted to take a nap, drink a glass of champagne, take a shower and drink a margarita....in that order.
We finally got through and saw mile 13. I was so happy to see that finish line.

A few thoughts after the race.....

I LOVE THIS MEDAL

#1 The Crowds: Why was it so crowded? I have ran MANY runDisnsey races and never experienced anything like this before. There weren't additional runners.... so odd.

#2 SO HOT: I am not looking forward to this summer in FL.

#3 Long Distance Running: At this point, I think I am done running anything longer than a 15K. This may change....I've said this before.

#4 Judgmental Friends: I am not going to call anyone out, and can write an entire post (or two) on this.....but when did running turn into a judgmental sport and when did friends become our judges? It doesn't matter how long it takes someone to finish a race. They are out there for their own reasons and if that reason is to take it easy and enjoy the experience at Disney, you should still support them. Running is personal and it is not a platform to make fun of others because they are slower than you.
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Key West Half Marathon Recap

Thursday, January 18, 2018
Hello from freezing cold Florida. Seriously, it was in the 20's when we woke up this morning. I am back from a recent girls trip to Key West. It was an amazing 5 days and we did not want to come home. During the girls trip, we ran the Key West Half Marathon. I will share all the other amazing activities we did while on the trip but first, let's talk about the race!

The girls trip included by best friend Keri and my former roomate Tara. We have been friends for over 20 years and know how to have a great time together. This was Tara's first half marathon since she had her daughter and being the 20th anniversary of the Key West Half Marathon fell on her birthday weekend, we decided to make a girls trip out of it.
My Outfit: 
Shirt: Help Me I'm Sober by Buy Me Brunch - Similar

FL has been hit with a few crazy cold fronts over the past month (including what I'm experiencing right now). While I realize it's nothing like my friends up north are experiencing, this is not weather Floridians are used to. On Sunday morning, we woke up with 20mph winds with temps in the 50's. I will take 50's all day for running but not the headwinds. We rode our bikes to the start line and we were freezing. 
We did not bring throw away clothes so Keri and I ran our first few miles of the course with our race finisher shirts on. I will NEVER again give anyone a look for wearing their race shirt before they finish a race. Being the first part of the race was on Duval St, we were luckily able to ditch our shirts at our hotel!

Keri and I were running the 13.1 miles for fun. We did a 1:1 and took a ton of pictures, enjoyed the beautiful scenery and had a great time together. We chose the 1:1 over other intervals because we've had success with it in the past with not being tired or sore following the race. Since we were on vacation, that was important to us. Tara came with another plan as she wanted to leave the island with a PR. 
The first few miles were on Duval Street and brought us out to A1A. We passed The Southernmost Point, South Beach, and other popular spots. Those headwinds decided to join the party and we had them until the turnaround point at mile 7.
Around our mile 5, we saw Tara who was with the 2 hour pace group. She needed to finish under 2:04 to PR and I knew at that point, she was going to do it!
Oh this shirt......we had an average of at least one person a minute commenting on our shirts. I will say, this shirt brought more attention than any other we've worn during a race.
Between miles 9-10, we got the text from Tara that she had finished with 2:03! She did it!! We ended up running down White Street Pier for mile 10, ran back to the Southernmost poinnt and found ourselves on Whitehead St. Keri wanted to grab our shirts from the house and made another detour. I told you we were in this for fun!
Before we knew it, we were at Mile 0 with a mile left to run. We ran into my Mom and Aunt who had located Tara. Tara crossed the finish line twice so we could get at least a few race pics together (which all came out god awful lol).
Overall, I have nothing but amazing things to say about the Key West Half Marathon. The course was gorgeous and flat. The course had a ton of entertainment on it and the volunteers were incredible. I would 100% come back and do this race again.
If this race is on your bucket list (which if it isn't, it needs to be), I suggest signing up for 2019 as they have a limited time race registration discount for only $73.99! Next years race day is Sunday, January 20th. Click here to head over to the 2019 Key West Half Marathon registration page.

Disclosure: I received a free entry into the Key West Half Marathon. As always, all opinions are my own.
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Planning for a destination race and currently loving the #WaveRider21

Monday, December 4, 2017
Hi friends! I visited my hometown of Daytona Beach this weekend and realized it had been 3 months since my last visit. Where does time go exactly and how is it December already? My husband Gabe stayed in Tampa to finish our bathroom remodel. That has been quite a journey and will be sharing all the positives and negatives on doing a DIY bathroom remodel soon (let's just say it was supposed to be finished in October).
While visiting home, I took the opportunity to catch up with Keri and Tara, my two friends running the Key West Half Marathon with me. Yesterday marked the official 6 week countdown for the race and we went to brunch to chat about all the things we'd be doing while in town for our girls race weekend. Keri has been my best friend for 31 years and Tara is my former roomate but it is a very rare occurrence that the three of us are together. Needless to say we are all looking forward to spending 5 days together in Key West.

While at brunch, the girls were quick to ask me about my shoes, the new Mizuno Wave Rider 21. This is a neutral shoe with AIRmesh Upper for breathability and Intercool technology, a ventilation system that reduces heat and humidity build-up inside the shoe while running. Both are great perks for Florida runners!
I ran my first full marathon in Mizuno's in 2013 and they also pushed me through 48.6 miles during the Dopey Challenge in 2014. I am excited to take the Wave Rider 21 on a long run this weekend. The enhanced SmoothRide allows for softer heel counter than the previous models which makes me a happy girl. Along with SmoothRide, the U4icX Midsole is lighter than previous models and the Strobel Lasting Board ensures a comfortable underfoot feel.
Tara is training to beat 2 hours at the Key West Half while Keri and I are running for fun (that means more wine & champagne for us!). Aside from running 13.1 miles, we have a packed itinerary. Since the three of us hardly gets together, we are using this time to be carefree, kids at heart and I have planned a ton of activities for us. This is just a sneak peek of our destination race girls trip. Hard to believe we are less than 6 weeks away.
Wednesday: Air Adventure Helicopter Tour
Thursday: Eco Adventure Tour
Friday: Jet Ski Tour & Wine Sunset Cruise
Saturday: Parasailing
Sunday: Key West Half Marathon & Champagne Brunch!
Monday: Go home (and Tara's Birthday!)

If you've been to Key West and have any suggestions on amazing restaurants, please send them over!

Here are some outtakes from taking pictures of the Wave Rider 21....let's just say Tara's daughter is a riot and copied everything I did.


This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Mizuno. The opinions and text are all mine.

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Key West Half Marathon and 5K Giveaway

Wednesday, November 22, 2017
Do I have an amazing giveaway to share with you! My friends at Key West Half Marathon and 5K have given me an entry to BOTH their Half Marathon and 5K to giveaway to two readers. This is a great opportunity for anyone looking to run one of Runners World Magazine top 10 Destination Races.

I will be running this event with my best friend Keri and former roomate Tara. It will be an epic girls weekend for sure and I look forward to sharing details about our event planning soon. In the meantime, here is some updated information on the event!

The 20th Anniversary 2018 Key West Half Marathon Medal Revealed
I love this medal! When I first signed up for the event, I thought we would get wine bottle medals like the past, however, this one is so much better than I expected. Plus the lighthouse lights up every two seconds. How awesome is that?! Mile ) and the Southern Most Point are also highlighted - and it wouldn't be very Key West without a rooster.

The 5K medal is a smaller version of what you see below - it doesn't light up but is an amazing 5K medal to add to your collection!

Cheap quick flights from FL
As of the date I wrote this post, you can get tickets from Orlando and Tampa to Key West for less than $200 a person. Come party with us! If you aren't one of the lucky readers to win an entry, you can still save 15% on by using Key West Half Marathon Coupon Code: LOVEWINE. Click here to register.

Here's a bit of what to expect from the race weekend:

Key West Half Marathon - 2017 Promo from Vantage Point Aerials on Vimeo.

Race Shirts
All runners who sign up for the 5K and Half Marathon will receive these amazing gender specific dry fit shirts. I have more race shirts than I know what to do with but this is one I will proudly wear! I love that the back has the city directional sign on it and you can vaguely see New Orleans, which is my favorite city in the US!

Guys Long Sleeve Dry Fit Shirt

Ladies Long Sleeve Dry Fit Shirt

Best Spectators EVER!
I have had a few friends run Key West Half Marathon before and have heard stories of spectators handing out beer, mimosas and shots along the course. There will be entertainment and the amazing  volunteers encouraging you along the way. Plus you have all the key west roosters cheering you on with their crowing.


Packet Pickup:
Key West Half Marathon and 5K Expo/Packet Pick-Up:
Outside the Half Shell Raw Bar, 231 Margaret Street
Friday, January 12, 2018 3pm – 6pm
Saturday, January 13, 2018 12pm – 6pm

Start Line:
Corner of Caroline Street & Grinnell Street – Less than a block from Packet Pick Up location
Half Marathon Start Time 7:00am
5K Start Time 7:30am

Finish Line:
Near Margaret Street & Caroline Street – also right near the Half Shell Raw Bar
Awards Party 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM with a concert by Howard Livingston & the Mile Marker 24 Band
Half Shell Raw Bar: $5 Bloody Marys and Mimosas Race Day ONLY starting at 7 AM.

After Party:
Key West Half Marathon is known to have one of the best race after parties ever. I mean, it is Key West - so this should be expected, right? Free beer, food and raffles plus a concert with Howard Livingston and the 24 Mile marker Band! I can guarantee you we will be there partying after our 13.1 miles.

Key West Half Marathon Course Map

Key West 5K Course Map

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