Am I Tough Enough?

Well about 4 months ago we signed up for this little race (challenge) called the Tough Mudder. At the time it really did look like something that would be a lot of fun. Now with only 3 days until I do it- not so much fun.

This is what it says on the Tough Mudder website about this race...
"Tough Mudder events are hardcore 10 to 12 mile obstacle courses designed by British Special Forces to test your all-around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie. With the worlds most innovative courses, half a million inspiring participants, and over $2 million dollars raised for the Wounded Warrior Project. Tough Mudder is the premier adventure challenge series in the world."

Let's just start this by saying I am a wimp- I really am. I enjoy running and biking and swimming but lifting weights- um not so much! I really did plan on starting a lifting program solely to prepare for the crazy things that I am going to be expected to do during this race. Well you know what they say about good intentions- yeah me neither :)

This is what the website this is what kind of shape you are supposed to be in to participate...

"How fit do you need to be? Basically, you should be in good physical condition – complete slackers need not apply. At a minimum we recommend that you are running regularly (2+ times a week, working up to 5 miles per run), able to do 15-25 push-ups in a row, able to bang out 6 pull-ups in a row (especially the dudes), and able to swim 50 yards without stopping (although you can skip the water obstacles)."
 Ok- lets talk about  my fitness- running will be NO PROBLEM for me. I try to run 5-6 days a week and my short run is usually 5 miles so I am good there. I can do ZERO push-ups and ZERO pull-ups. I can swim 50 yards without a problem though so I won't be skipping those- ha!

"We mix up the drudgery with belly-crawling, wall-climbing, mud-slogging, ice-water dunking, monkey-bar traversing, huge slip n’ slides, etc. "

Did I mention I can't climb over a wall and the only way I am getting over it is that my strong husband is doing this with me.

"As we like to say, Tough Mudder is about completing a fearsome challenge and discovering a new sense of accomplishment, not about running your knees into the ground or testing your maximum lung capacity. So while some Mudders are ultra-marathoners and others are super-jacked Rambo clones, most are regular people who take care of themselves and are looking for a true all around challenge, a super fun day with friends, and a goal on the calendar that will force them to step up their workouts."

[geo_mashup_save_location lat="27.4272" lng="-82.3843"]

I am one of those crazy people who takes care of themselves and who is looking for a super fun day with friends. My only goal for this craziness is NOT TO DIE!!

I will leave you with a video of what I can expect...I have not watched it AT ALL because I would rather NOT KNOW than know too much and psych myself out. Yes that makes me a bit unprepared but at least I won't spend the next 3 days scared out of my mind :)

Am I Tough Enough? We will see on Saturday (if I survive look for my race report on Sunday)

Rock n Roll vs. Disney

Just got back from Savannah and it was really an AMAZING experience with my hubs (Dave). I really thought a lot about this post but I am just going to hit the highlights and write something a little more in depth in the future.

You all KNOW I am a Disney girl. Up until this point all races that they have, except the marathon, I have ran in. (I really wish they would bring back the Tower of Terror 13K- My favorite of all time!!!) So, Disney was all I really had to compare this Rock n' Roll Series to and there were some things that Disney could really learn from this organization.

Packet Pickup: Well, we got to Savannah early enough that we didn't really get to experience the crazy crazy traffic going to the expo. When you have 23,000 runner plus their families, you really shouldn't make packet pick up over a bridge with limited (and i mean limited- parking). With that disclaimer out of the way...my expo experience was flawless. I had already printed out my waiver and walked right up to my pick up my number...NO LINE AT ALL. Every Disney race I have done I have had to wait in line JUST to get my number then another line to get my shirt and goody bag. I had none of that with this race. I also had to change my corral which literally took me 10 seconds. I asked if I could move to Dave's corral and she gave me a sticker to move and that was that. No questions, nothing- and I was very impressed!!!

Expo: The expo was fun as always. There were a lot more name brands at this one compared to Disney but I would have to say that the vendors were evenly matched in this category.

Pre-Race Corralling: This one goes to RnRSav as well. My major pet peeve with Disney is having to be at a 5:30 race at 3:30 am just to go sit in a parking lot for 2 hours. We left our hotel at 7 and walked to the start line and our corral left at 7:45ish. I also liked that they sent the corrals off at 30 sec. to 2 min intervals instead of every 5 minutes. I also liked that the people monitoring the corrals weren't crazy like the volunteers at Disney. If a few people move corrals it should not be a HUGE deal like they make it at Disney.

Race start: Even though I told Dave I DID NOT want to be at the front- we ended up there. And it wasn't that bad. Where as Disney races starts are always jammed with people and the first mile is AWFUL, this race was on a wide road where I felt extremely comfortable the whole time.

Race: I thought that they did a great job of having some sort of band at every mile. The people of Savannah cheering us on throughout the race was really a nice surprise too. I liked (although Dave didn't) that they clock was easy to read at every mile marker. I also thought they did a good job of providing water and sports drink along the way too. My only major complaint is about the course. I was truly looking forward to running through beautiful Savannah- and that really wasn't what I got. We ran through VERY URBAN areas which turned out ok because there were people all around cheering us on BUT I really didn't get to see the downtown Savannah area with all the

pretty houses.

Finish and Medal: Medal goes to DISNEY- honestly the ugliest medal ever!!!! I thought the finish was really not that bad. I was nervous that I wouldn't break off from the full and that thought freaked me out a bit but all went well and I finished the half in 2:16:23.

NEXT UP: Tough Mudder- December 3rd and hopefully RAGNAR!!!!

3 Years Ago

I just got back from my last run before Dave and I run the Rock n'Roll Savannah Half Marathon. I began this training cycle running 3 miles and appropriately my last training run was 3 miles as well. 3 is having a big significance for me. Today is the 3rd (ha!), I have 3 kids, and 3 years ago was a definite change in my life.

3 years ago, I went into labor at 33 weeks on October 30. Dave and I made it to the hospital and I just kept saying "please don't let my water break" to which the nice nurse told me that even if it did they could keep my baby in until 36 weeks (what?!?). I remember going into that hospital worried, but feeling ok. They put me in a triage bed and gave me the shots to stop my contractions and nothing happened. They gave me some more shots and still no change. I wasn't dilating (which was good) but I was still having contractions (over 10 an hour). The nurse looked at me and said we are admitting you (i thought for the night) and we are going to give you Mag (magnesium sulfate)- she said " the first 3 days are hell" and i just laughed, little did I know then.

They brought me down and started my IV and gave me a bolus of the dreaded Mag because they have to get you into a therapeutic range. I don't really remember much of the next 3 days. People visited, my husband was a saint, and I was sicker than a dog and have NEVER been so hot. Literally, it burned the skin off my face and it raises your temperature. I really thought after the first 3 days they would let me go home- that was not to be. They didn't want me to go home and overextend myself (me-overextend- NEVER-ha!) I was in the hospital for 14 days. Laying on my back- with Edward, Jacob, and Bella to keep me company. My kids were shuffled between my husband and my sister in law, and I felt useless a lot.

Why am I telling you all of this??

Because in 2 days I will be running, and I will be running 1 mile for every day I was in that bed!! I will be running for my sweet Alexis who is the feistiest little girl and has been from the first day I held her, almost 3 years ago. I will be running because I can and enjoying every step and when I feel like I can' t do this or I want to stop- I will remember those 14 days where all I was allowed to do was sit, eat, and sleep- and I will press forward simply because I CAN!!

WDW Wine and Dine Relay 2011- Part 1

So, about 3 months ago Dave and I were running and he said that we should sign up for the Wine and Dine Half Marathon. When I went to sign up the race was full :( and I was very upset (because I ran it last year and LOVED IT!!!!). So we signed up for RnR Savannah ( I have "met" some great people through this race) so I just figured it was a blessing in disguise.
My birthday was the 28th and on Sunday my friend Jessica texted me and said that her partner for the relay had backed out on her and would I be able to run with her. Backstory is that Dave and I were going to go away for my birthday to West Palm Beach and I didn't think we could change the hotel so I said sadly I could not :(
Well on Tuesday, we decided that instead of a trip to WPB, we would make a trip to my happy place- WALT DISNEY WORLD!!!! I got a great annual passholder rate to the Animal Kingdom Lodge and I was happy to go but sad to be going on a runDisney weekend and not run. I talked with Dave and he gave me the green light to call Jessica and see if she still needed a partner and she did :) So I became Runner #1 of Team J Squared!!!

We arrived at Animal Kingdom Lodge Friday morning and tried to check it- hence no rooms were ready so we decided to head over to HEAVEN (the Wine and Dine expo!!!) I was able to pick up a really cute Tshirt, CEP hot pink socks, a green Running Skirt (which I LOVE!) and some other odds and ends that only runners can appreciate. We then headed back to the hotel to see whether or not the room was ready and seriously their computers were down for 3 hours and they couldn't let us know one was or another if our room was ready. So, we headed down to the pool and chillaxed until their computers came back up.

We had reservations to eat of the California Grill on the top of the Contemporary and it DID NOT disappoint. I had the zucchini blossoms as an appetizer and then the Snapper for dinner BUT the best thing there is the S'mores cake with Peanut Butter gelato. I was stuffed but it was SOOOOO worth it. Then we went out on the observation deck to watch the Halloween fireworks (my favorite of all time.)

On Saturday morning, we got up and went to Animal Kingdom and even though we go to Disney a lot, we don't often go without kids and our kids don't always meet height requirements for all of us to be able to ride. Dave really wanted for me to go on every ride that I never can go on. I went on Expedition Everest (twice), Primeval Whirl, and Dinosaur. I really enjoyed the kid free time. Then we went back to Heaven (the expo so I could meet up with Jessica and get my race number). We then went to one of the best kept secrets at Downtown Disney- Raglan Road Pub.

This little jewel is located right next to T-rex and the restaurant is beautiful inside. I had such a hard time deciding what to eat but I ended up ordering a burger and chips (almost as good as the ones from Epcot in England but not quite). Then we got their Bread Pudding dessert and it was SOOOOOO good!!!! Dave said that he would go back and just eat that and coming from Dave that is a major compliment.

We went back to the hotel and took a nap (i am old and do not EVER stay up late so I needed this to make it through the night-ha!!) We went down to the pool and I soaked my legs for a while and then it was time to eat a snack (chicken flatbread) and head over to All Star Sports to meet up with my partner, Jessica, and head over to the race.

Part 2 (the RACE)...coming later :)

And the second week...

...was crazier than the first.
We spend the weekend in West Palm Beach with my sister and mother in law. It was an interesting time and even though I love them it was really nice to be home. On Sunday I ran a very nice 5 miler and felt super fabulous. Monday I did NOTHING-UGH!! I really don't like to take days off- it's just the way I am wired. Tuesday, Dave and I swam and I only could get in 1000 M because there was thunder in the area and the Y closes the pool when that happens (all the swimmers were mighty peeved!)
Wednesday I felt like I had been a massive slacker- so I took Lexi to the kidzone and I ran 7 miles
ON THE TREADMILL!!!!
I really dislike running 1 mile on the treadmill but i knew that I could do it and I just kept going. I won't lie- it was very very boring but my mind won the battle (score!).
Thursday I ran 3 in the am, did Kenpo X (so sore!), and then ran 3 more miles that night. Yuppers not the smartest thing I have ever done but I needed to feel like I was pushing myself.
This morning I dragged myself back to the pool and luck was on my side. There was no rain and I was able to get in 1750M which is the farthest I have gone yet. I am loving this swimming thing. I find it extremely relaxing. I just concentrate on my stokes and breathing and I put zero pressure on myself to go faster, I just go my wonderful manatee pace and I LOVE IT!!!

I think that I am getting stronger every day and I can't wait to see what the next few weeks hold.
Stay tuned because I will be doing a post on my FAVORITE green smoothie recipe and my love/hate relationship with Nuun.

One healthy choice made today...how about you??

Things I never wanted to do- but I did

So, we were supposed to do our long run on Sunday morning but we decided to go to my sister in law's new apartment in West Palm Beach for her housewarming party. All I can say is that my Ryan DID NOT GO TO BED UNTIL 1 AM!!!! and we were supposed to get up at 5:30 to run. I was really looking forward to running in West Palm (seeing that I spend 4 years of my life there and I would move back tomorrow) but at midnight I just kept thinking that there was no way I would be getting up to run. My kids didn't end up getting up until 9 and to us that was like noon (ha!) So, we had to adjust and honestly, I'm not the best adjuster. I like all my ducks in a row and this threw me off A LOT! We decided to push the long run to Tuesday night (since I like running at night) and then Dave called and said we should run while Lexi was in school (brilliant) except that means that we will be running at 9:30 a.m. in Florida. Yes, I was being Negative Nancy but then I didn't even know what the route was yet, so I agreed. We decided to meet after I dropped Lexi off and Dave would be on his way home from shift.

I got there and all I could think of was this...

Yes, that is a bridge and on MILE 1!!! It usually takes me at least 2-3 miles to get into my groove and he wants me to run over this bridge on Mile 1. Well, I gritted my teeth (and I may have been having some not so nice thoughts) but we made it over the bridge and that is when I realized that I was going to have to do it again at mile 11- and I began to dread the return trip.

We kept running and came to St. Armands Circle which I LOVE to shop at, so I window shopped while we ran and we got to Lido Beach. Thing number 2 I never really wanted to do...run on the beach.

Today the weather was optimum. It was about 85 and overcast as we started our beach run. I give lifeguards many props because running on sand is way different than running on asphalt. I finally found a bathroom (had to go when we started) and we continued running on the beach. I tried to look for the hardest packed sand so as to not injure myself since I knew that when we go to the end I would have to turn around and run back (over that dang bridge!!!)

I really enjoyed the running on the beach. It was very peaceful and every time the negative thoughts would creep in, I would look out at the ocean and just enjoy the moment. Dave really helped me out by making jokes and helping me to find the hardest sand possible. He was going to go toward running on the street back and I told him that we could run back on the beach. Who knew I would actually like it? We headed on back and I was feeling really good, until we got to...THE BRIDGE. At this point, we had ran about 10 miles and I TOTALLY psyched myself out. I tried to look at one of the buildings in the distance so I wasn't looking up at how far I had to go, but as I almost reached the top the negative thoughts came back, "You are too slow, You can't do this!" and I began to listen- Dave would NOT let me give up (yup, I have the best husband ever!) and although I did have a mental meltdown with just feet until the top, we did make it and running down of course was a breeze.

11 miles done in 1:45 with 2 times over that dang bridge and 6 miles in the sand plus all the road leading up and back. I am happy that we did it, still have no desire to run over bridges but the beach run was pretty nice. Maybe if we just park there and run the beach it will help me get stronger for the Tough Mudder.

Thankful for my hubs for not giving up on me and for not allowing me to give up either. By far, the hardest run I have done to date- but I did it :)

One healthy choice made today...how about you???

Obtacles

Today I swam! I had not attempted this for a little over 8 years and I found out that I did much better than I thought I would. I met my friend Lanell at the YMCA and I honestly hoped that I would be able to go up and back once. I did it 20 times and I felt really good. I could have done more but I didn't want to push my luck and I also didn't really want to leave Lexi in the kid zone for too long (she tends to get into trouble if I leave her too long!) Almost everyone keeps asking me are you training for a Triathlon and my answer is the same every time...

Maybe

I love running but my legs have been protesting that I am using them too much and not giving them enough time to recover. Plus there are days that I just want to switch it up a bit and with the kids all in school 2 days a week and my older 2 gone from 8-3 everyday, I have a lot of free time. Yes, I should be cleaning or meal planning but I am love to be active and swimming, running, and biking are my favorite 3 things to do. I like the fact that when i get bored with one discipline I can always turn to one of the other 2.

Right now I have no triathlons on the horizon but I will continue to keep trying me best and trying to do better and we will see where it leads.

I told Dave, I wish that I could get a job where I could exercise all day (ha!) although most people are faster than I am or am stronger- I don't think that anyone can beat me in passion, joy, and excitement :)

So I will keep training and loving it and who cares if I am slow- I surely don't :)