You Know Your Face Is Blue, Right?

I'd mentioned in my last blog that a lot of people participating in the Disney races dress up in costumes and even take pictures with the characters along the way. What I had meant when I said that was to show you just how ridiculously OCD I am that even in Disney, I still can't let go and just enjoy a race. There's a part of me that wanted to be out there in all the bells and whistles, hamming it up with Mickey and Donald and just having a good time..But I'm insane, what can I say.

With that in mind, I had wanted to do something to stand out a bit in whatever way I could. Originally, I was going to buy neon colored gear on clearance at Dick's...until I noticed the majority of stuff on clearance was neon green......Tink's colors!

I snatched up a green t-shirt and shorts, and white knee-high socks for my arms. With the neon striped socks mom got me for Christmas, I was runner Tink!

But why let the solid-color green space go to waste? Why not draw a Tinkerbell on my shirt and write Tink on it to jazz it up? So I grabbed some Sharpies and went to town.

The back

And there in lies my big mistake..........

I told you I have toxic sweat

After I crossed the finish line, I noticed black on my thumb. I thought it must be mascara from my crying so I asked a raceworker if I was a raccoon. She said I was fine. SHE SAID I WAS FINE!

After about 20 minutes of hanging around and chatting with my fellow finishers as we all waited for our friends, one of the girls I was with goes "You know your face is blue, right?"

WHAT!??!?!?!?!?

Then, I looked down at my shirt and saw what had become of my brilliant work of Sharpie art. Sharpie and sweat do NOT mix. I rubbed frantically at my face with my arm socks to de-smurf myself. How could that raceworker tell me I was fine!?

As I scrubbed away, I saw Ryan Sutter coming through the tents with his brother. Yay! Now's my chance to apologize for seeming like a stalker yesterday and tell him I'm really not crazy.

Oh... Right.... I look like a smurf. Somehow I don't think trying to tell Ryan I'm not crazy while I covered in blue will improve my chances of him not filing that restraining order. Dammit, I think as I sadly watch him head toward the busses.

When I got back to the hotel room, I discovered just how bad it was

Next time, I'm going to invest in some laundry markers!

Disney World 1/2 Marathon: Part 2

BEEEEEEEP BEEEEEP BEEEEEEEEEP! 2:25am and its time to get ready to fly!

I'm not excited. Nope. Not in the least.

After quickly brushing my teeth and nudging the Turtle awake, I sent a quick text to my brother (don't believe the lies, revenge is sweet) and we were off to catch the race bus to Epcot.

I tried to keep my hyperness down to a reasonable level as we walked (skipped... :) ) to the baggage dropoff. It was pretty chilly at 45 degrees, and after standing around for a half hour, I started to uncontrollably shake, even with the Turtle wrapping his arms around me.

After downing my breakfast of Excedrin and 2 Shot Blocks, we started walking the 3/4 mile to the race corrals. I sent my Turtle off to Corral D and continued on to the front of the line to Corral A. I stretched and hammed it up for the Megatron camera (Turtle says he saw me on it twice!).

Unfortunately, I had sandwiched  myself  next to the 2 most annoying, Hills-wannabe girls in the world. What is this, MTV auditions? Hmm..how obvious would it look if I pushed past people to get away? Can we start this thing already before someone gets hurt?

At 5:35am, 5 minutes after the wheel chairs took off (and 20 minutes into a very deep and thought-provoking conversation of 'Like, OMG!' ), Corral A was released from our gate to the cheers of Mickey, Donald, Goofy and fireworks! (Can I start all my runs with fireworks?)

Mile 1 & 2: I booked it over the start line like I was on fire. What's that sound? Ahhh....just the sound of feet pounding, my iPod and NO 'whatEVERS'.  "Every Tear is Waterfall" comes on as my 2nd song and I feel like crying I am soooo happy to be there! Feeling awesome, running past fun floats and giant balloons set up along the course

Mile 3 & 4: To the left, to the left! Under the bridge to the Contemporary, a wheelchair racer had a wipeout and we had to narrow down to get by. What's that I see up there? The Castle! Hurray! Time for my favorite part of the whole race!

Mile 5 & 6: There is nothing like running down Main Street of the Magic Kingdom, with people screaming and cowbelling you on, as you run toward the castle. After a little loop into Tomorrowland and Fantasyland, its thru the castle, past a million Brightroom photographers. I raise my hands up to make sure my bib number is not blocked from their lens, and.......throw myself off balance in the process and almost trip myself up. Slick Tink.

After, shouting at Jack Sparrow about where all the rum had gone, I was back on the road toward Epcot and the finish line. (There are characters lined up throughout the race and yes, people actually STOP to TAKE PICTURES with them DURING THE RACE!! I know a lot of people consider the Disney race one where you aren't concerned with your time because it can get so crowded, but I start twitching at the idea of wasting precious seconds from snapping a photo)

Mile 7 & 9: Is it raining? I swear I feel drops even though the sky is clear. I'm pass the run/walkers who are just starting their 13.1 and try to see if I can pick out the Turtle. No luck, but man, I am soo glad I'm on this side of the road then just starting out!

Mile 10 & 11:  Do you run the 13th mile or just 12 in a half marathon? Oh my mind is gone. Where's my mylar blanket? I'm done!

Mile 12: Once I passed the Mile 12 marker into Epcot, I started checking my Garmin every 5 seconds to see when this would be over...even though I already knew where the finish line was and how much I had left, I couldn't stop checking! I made the turn around the Christmas Tree in Epcot and headed past Spaceship Earth toward the finish, ready to just flop over in a heap.

.1 to go: That .1 is just .1 too many! Somehow I managed to sprint the last .1 and DONE! 1:38:48!

Yes, that blubbering idiot leaning on the fence was me. I was so proud of myself! Going into this race with my new routine of 18 miles and 1 bike day a week and with the hip flexor issues, I wasn't sure what to expect. I was sure I'd get in under 2 hours, and was really hoping to get around 1:45. But to see that I made it in the same amount of time as the Air Force Half in September, when I'd had a whole summer of normal, pain-free running, I was beside myself. I've never felt more proud.

Clock time: 1:38:48    80th woman of 12,331 | 561 out of 22, 435 finishers | 16th place in my division

Turtle finished in 2:44! 1 minute faster than '10

Learn all about how I killed a Smurf after the race in Part 3.........

Disney World 1/2 Marathon Recap: Part 1

Corral A!!!!!!!!!

The 2012 Walt Disney World Half Marathon is still the most magical race ever!

The day before the race started with me getting up at 2:45am to be properly lash curled, lipsticked and hair straightened for our 5:55am flight. I figured it would be good practice for getting up at 2:30 the next day for the race!

After meeting up with my friends and fellow runners from home for our Cleveland connection, we were off to the races (ha ha).

The 2012 Disney Cleveland Team!

Once again, the Race Expo was complete chaos and disorganized. For how great Disney is, they need some serious Race Expo 101 classes. Maybe give a print out of a check list of all things needed to be accomplished at the Expo. Lucky us got to the Expo just as the Volunteers working it were having a shift change. Needless to say, a lot of information was NOT given, resulting in a lot of back and forthing between the 2 different buildings. When you're running on 3 hours of sleep and 1 Kashi bar, this did not bode well with my already limited patience.

BUT, I can't fault the Volunteers too much, because if it weren't for them holding us up, I wouldn't have met one of the men of my dreams at the Goodie Bag pickup. Yes, it was meant to be. Ryan Sutter, winner of the 1st Season of the Bachelorette, married with 2 kids to Trista Sutter for 7 years....touched me. SQUEAAAAAL!

It was like a dream, I was shuffling down the arena's steps with the herd, just about to turn to the Turtle to bitch about how people don't know how to walk, when I saw him (and Trista), making their way to the staircase. Ryan and I locked eyes. He clearly could tell he had been spotted, like a gazelle by a lion. I frantically tried to think of something to say to him that would make me seem cool, casual and unstalker-like.

"I had your picture hanging on my bedroom wall until I got married!" didn't seem quite appropriate, so I settled for "OMG! GOOD LUCK!" Real smooth Tink, real smooth. I then asked him what corral he would be in and told him I knew he was fast from running in some Iron Man races (Really Ryan, I'm not a stalker). He told me he wasn't sure, which I knew was a complete lie because in order for him to pick up his goodie bag, he'd have had to gotten his corral assignment first. ("Sure Tink, I'll tell you what corral I'm in so you can stalk my all 13.1. Riiiight)

Since I had already completely blown any chance of not looking like a crazed Tiger Beat fan, I asked for a pic with him. The Turtle was completely amused by the trainwreck enfolding in front of him.

I've got the crazy eyes

After the Expo, we got situated in our room and had a quick bite to eat. I went completely into 'I'm in Disney World' mode and was fully prepared to stay at the parks until close. The Turtle however, had other ideas. He made some stink about needing sleep for the race, and said we had to go to bed after only riding the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Carribean. Naturally, I pouted the whole way back to the hotel.

After prepping my bib number and shoes for the race (I sleep in my running clothes when I run in the morning), we went to bed around 9pm...only to be woken up minutes later by the fireworks from Illumintations at Epcot....only to be woken up minutes later from a text from my dear, sweet brother telling me it was 'sleepy time'. How thoughtful.

Stay tuned for the recap of the actual race!

M-I-C-K-E-Y-M-O-U-S-E!!!!!!!!!!

OMG OMG OMG! I'M GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!!!!YAAAAAAAAAAAY! Last night I stuffed as much of my wardrobe into my suitcase as I could fit (you must have at least 8 different white tops to choose from!).

What's that weight limit again?

I also worked on my race outfit. So far the forecast is low of 54, high of 75 with partly sunny. But as I start running at 5:55am, I should be finishing up around sunrise! I know a lot of people will probably be dressed up in crazy Disney outfits, but as my main goal is speed, I don't want anything that would restrict that. And since my 2nd goal is to get in as many pictures and/or videos as possible (I'm looking at you Official Disney Marathon Weekend videographers).....I found a happy compromise I think:

I am Tink afterall!



Back



Front

I am beyond excited and canNOT wait to get down there! Now all I need is a little faith, trust and pixie dust that I'm fly like Tink!

What's On Your Playlist?

7 days til the Disney Half Marathon!! I spent the last few days editting and adding to my race playlist. I call my list 'Kick It' and have been using it for a few years now.



Yes, even my iPod has to remind me to click the lap counter on the track


I'm pretty OCD about my running music. There are the songs I listen to when I run, and the songs I listen to when I race. And I will not listen to any of these songs outside of their designated time. If I hear one on the radio or it shuffles on my iPod any other time, I flip it off faster than you can blink. I don't want its novelty to wear out (or I'm just a complete freak, whichever you like).

I mostly run to rock or songs with really fast beats. Here is a sample of what you can find on my playlist:

• 'No Line on the Horizon' - U2 - the song I start every race with
• 'Closer to the Edge' - 30 Seconds to Mars - one of many 30STM songs on my list. Was this close to playing it in my dressing room (Greek School classroom) before my wedding
• 'Chase This Light' - Jimmy Eat World 
• 'Songs That Saved My Life' - Kill Hannah - One of my fav bands, great beat 
• 'Go West' - West End Girls - A Pet Shop Boys coverband, very dancey
• 'Jai Ho' - Misc. Artists - From Slumdog Millionaire Soundtrack. Completely random 
• 'Theme Song' - Boondock Saints - Irish jiggy, very anthemic
• 'Tonight I Have to Leave It' - The Shout Out Louds - Love love love this song!
• 'The Best Things' - Filter - 1st song I ever played in my first car
• 'Kernkraft 400' - Zombie Nation - Reminds me of Cleveland Crunch indoor soccer games
• 'Show Me How to Burlesque' - Christina Aguilera - hangs head in shame...
• 'Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride' - Jump5 - Remix from Lilo & Stitch movie..It is in Disney after all!
• 'Fembot' - Robyn - Dancey pop
• 'Confrontation' - Damien 'Jr. Gong' Marley 'Saturday Love'
• Angels & Airwaves - A fav band..also have several from them on the list
• 'The Catalyst' - Linkin Park
• 'Potential Breakup Song' - Aly & AJ - Pop guilty pleasure
• 'Green Mind' - Dink
• 'Speak of the Devil' - Sum 41
• 'Season of Love'- Shiny Toy Guns

In total, I have 5.5 hours of music on my list..but I like having a cushion.

What about you? What song do you have to listen to when you race?

Christmas Recap

I hope Santa was as good to all of you as he was to me this year! He was a little too generous to me this year...Not only did I get all kinds of fun running gear and sparkly baubles, I also got a cold! (Really Turtle, you shouldn't have)

So cool!

Despite all of my efforts to avoid his cold, I was defeated. Driving up to Cleveland with the sick Turtle and his sister on the 23rd, I rolled down the windows in 15 min intervals to get fresh air in, I didn't touch my face, I even stopped at a WalMart (on the 23rd!!!) to pickup Airborne to put in my waterbottle. And then, after safely sending the Turtle off to his parents for a weekend quaratined away from me...I started to feel that tell-tale tickle in the back of my throat. Drat!

But have no fear, I didn't let a little sniffle stop me from running! I proudly dripped my snot onto the Rec's track for my Christmas Eve and Day After Christmas runs. And I'm happy to say I am almost back to normal, just a sneeze here and there.

Oh yes, and I performed another successful surgery on my running shoe. I should reconsider careers. Or I should just start designing my own shoes. Ran 9 on them already and no rubbing! Take that Mizuno!

I'm getting really good at this

Other than that, it was a really nice weekend...

RockBand Marathon

Teddy reading the Hunger Games over my shoulder

I gave my brother and his wife the painting I'd been working on for them...

My niece inspects

A better view of the painting. 24" x 36"

And I finally got one of those lovely blue boxes......

Thank you Santa Turtle

9 Days til the Half Marathon! YAY!!!!!!

'Twas The Week Before Christmas

'Twas the week before Christmas and all thru Ohio, Tink was running, and biking, and wrapping, and shopping and baking, and drawing, and  filming, and waiting on hold, and watching marathons of TLC shows....it's been a busy week! Here's what I've been up to...

I've made enough truffles for an army. And coated counter tops, door knobs, and floors with truffle dough and chocolate.

Low fat, of course

After freaking myself out that I need to get off the bike and run, pain or no pain, I ran 4 miles yesterday (1 more than I intended) after 45 min. on the bike (not to mention the hr and 20 I spent on it on Monday)...and wait for it.... my hip didn't feel too bad or make me feel worse today! Wahoo! I can still run with Frank and my brothers over the Christmas holiday! Not to mention all the training runs I have until the race (15 days away!)

I filmed a PSA for No Texting While Driving for work. My job has some of the best perks! Today, PSA commercials, tomorrow, Hollywood! I think I gave an Oscar-worthy performance as a texting-driver. I have experience after all ( I know I know, for shame).

TV star!

At the last minute, a friend of ours decided to throw financial responsibility to the wind and will be joining us in Disney for a portion of our trip! Wahoo! Even better, because the Turtle's sister can't handle a lot of rides and that frees the Turtle and I to hop on the Tower of Terror 8 billion times in a row! This also resulted in my being on hold with 3 seperate Disney departments to make sure our friend got added to reservations, like our tasty California Grill dinner (best food ever with the best view!)

View of sunset and Grand Floridian taken from California Grill

And lastly, I finished one more painting. This one is definitely going to be the one I give to my super dentist, Dr. Jim for his office.

"Maui Beach" 11" x 17" Acrylic

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone! And Thank You all so much for all the lovely comments you've left me since I started this. I've had some trouble figuring out how to directly reply to each one, but they all make me smile, so thank you very much!