Monthly Archives: April 2012

ChaLEAN Extreme

For some time, I have been planning to add a weight lifting routine to my running.  And for some time, I’ve been putting it off.  I picked up ChaLEAN Extreme and got started, then promptly stopped after injuring my wrist while doing something other than working out (I’m still not sure how I injured it, but it didn’t seem to be fitness related).

So I’m back to the weight lifting.  So far, so good.  I really like ChaLEAN Extreme.  Chalene focuses on heavy weights and slow movement.  So you may only do a max of 12 reps, but those 12 reps are killer.   It’s been a good addition to my running routine because it’s not cardio based – though there is an additional cardio workout as part of the videos.

I can’t say that I see any difference yet, but I’ve only been back to the program for four workouts!  But I can definitely feel the workouts after I’m done.  I just need to stick with the program this time.

What a cool day!

This has been an awesome week.

Well, it was mostly Tuesday.  Tuesday was awesome.

On Tuesday morning, Space Shuttle Discovery was scheduled to arrive in D.C.  And for the purpose of sheer awesomeness. the jet carrying the shuttle planned to circle the city a number of times so that people could see the journey up close.  Unfortunately, I had training scheduled for that morning, but thankfully, our instructors agreed that this was a once in a lifetime experience so we all headed up to the roof to check out the view.

And it was amazing.

I did not take this photo – it was taken by a coworker from our roof.

Definitely a worthwhile experience.  People just kept repeating “This is so cool!”

Later that evening, I had choir sectionals at the National Cathedral.  It was a small group – fewer than 20 people were able to attend.  And as a special treat, after rehearsals ended (so around 10 pm), our director decided to take us up into the tower.  That’s right, a nighttime tower climb at the National Cathedral.  If you’ve read about tower climbs, you know that there are outside ledges you can access through windows.  We did not go outside.  But we did climb up a number of spiral staircases and hang out with the bells in the bell tower for a while.  It was such a cool experience and the view of the city at night was absolutely phenomenal.   I can’t wait to do a tower climb during the day.

No photos from that event.  It was dark and I just had my cell phone with me.  But trust me.  Very cool.

Tuesday made the rest of the week seem very  boring by comparison.

Race Report: St. Charles 10-Miler

This weekend, I ran a slightly smaller race, the St. Charles 10-Miler.  This race was located in Waldorf, MD.  There were only 328 finishers, which I must say is a disappointment.  This is a great race and more people should check it out.

Caveat – they bill this race as flat.  It is not flat.  There are some sizeable hills.  But they aren’t lying when they call it scenic.  It is an absolutely gorgeous course.  And the course support is amazing.  I have never seen so much food on a race course. There were water and Gatorade stops every two miles and at each stop, there were Powerbars or Gu.  I only picked up a Gu (and pocketed it for a later run), but I was impressed to see that much fuel out there.

The cheering squads were quite impressive.  The volunteers were clearly excited to be out there, and it makes it a lot of fun to run.

Post-race support was also great.  Lots of snack options, and the race premiums?  A shirt AND a really nice gym bag.  Can’t complain there.

This race is definitely slower-runner friendly.  I ran with two wonderful friends and we treated it as a training run (as we have two half marathons in the next 3 weeks), and even stopped for a few minutes when one of the ladies got a nosebleed.  We were near the back of the pack but still had great support.   There were also some walkers in the race, and I think the last group of finishers crossed the finish line around 2:50.  That’s what I call a great race!  A race that supports its winners as well as the people who are just out there to finish.

If it works out, I will definitely be back next year.

News from runDisney!

As a past Meetup participant, I just received the following to share with all of you!

New Elements Await Runners as 20th Anniversary Walt Disney World Marathon Registration Opens

2013 Disney Marathon to feature new commemorative medal, new post-race party and enhanced entertainment; Race expected to be a sellout

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – (Apr. 10, 2012) – Runners competing in the 20th anniversary Walt Disney World Marathon – registration opens today – will experience several unique features, including a special 20th anniversary medal, new entertainment elements and a new post-race party.

To mark two decades of the Walt Disney World Marathon, the 2013 marathon, which anchors the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna, will have enhanced entertainment at Mile Marker 20 to celebrate the 20th anniversary. And the finishers will take home a specially-designed 20th anniversary Mickey Mouse medal, plus they can celebrate their achievement at a new post-race party at Downtown Disney.

The marathon weekend, which is expected to draw a sellout field of more than 20,000 for the 26.2-mile marathon, is Jan. 10-13 and will again feature Kids’ Races throughout the weekend, including the Mickey Mile, a Family Fun Run 5K on Friday, the Half Marathon on Saturday and the Marathon on Sunday.  There is also Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge which involves running the Half Marathon and the full Marathon – 39.3 miles!  The Health and Fitness Expo runs throughout the weekend at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and features the latest in running technology and fashion, as well as renowned running experts like Jeff Galloway, the official training consultant for runDIsney.

Runners can register at www.rundisney.com.  There is reduced pricing for early registrants.  Below is pricing and the schedule of events for the 2013 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna.

EVENT April 10 – June 19 June 20 – Sept. 25 Sept 26 – Jan. 13
Full Marathon

$150

$170

$190
Half Marathon

$150

$170

$190
Goofy Challenge

$320

$350

$380
Family Fun 5K

$55

$55

$55

EVENT DAY TIME
Disney’s Health and Fitness Expo

Thursday

9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
 

Friday

9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
 

Saturday

10:00 AM -5:00 PM
runDisney Kids’ Races

Thursday

3:00 PM
 

Friday

11:00 AM
 

Saturday

11:00 AM
Mickey Mile

Thursday

4:30 PM
 

Friday

12:30 PM
 

Saturday

12:30 PM
Disney Family Fun Run 5K

Friday

6:30 AM
Walt Disney World Half Marathon

Saturday

5:30 AM
Walt Disney World Marathon

Sunday

5:30 AM
Downtown Disney After Party

Sunday

 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

About runDisney

runDisney is a series of events providing runners unique opportunities to run various distances through Disney theme parks.  Race participants earn Disney-themed medals, experience legendary Disney entertainment and guest service and ultimately celebrate their accomplishments with a Disney vacation.  The original event in the series, the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by CIGNA, takes place in January followed by the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend in February, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler in September and the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend in November.  Disneyland hosts the Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend in January and the Disneyland Half Marathon in September during Labor Day Weekend.  More than 100,000 running enthusiasts participate in runDisney events each year. For more information, visit runDisney.com and follow us on Facebook (runDisney) and Twitter @DisneySports.

What did I just do?

Yesterday, an email went out.  An email with a promo for Disney Visa cardholders.  We could sign up for 2013 Disney Marathon Weekend with a discount ($15 off the half and full, $30 off Goofy).

And I did it.

I signed up for my first marathon.

And now I am terrified.

It was funny, actually.  As I was filling out the form, my heart was racing.  What in the world am I doing?  Can I actually do this?

After all the testing I underwent with my weird heart and having to slow down my running permanently, I said that I would never do a marathon, that I was destined to be a half marathoner.   But then I talked to some friends.  Friends who said “We want to get the 20th Anniversary Medal.”  Friends who plan to run nice and slow, with a 1:1 run/walk pattern.  Friends who just want to finish under 7 hours and who believe that if one person has to give up on the run and just walk, then everyone walks.

And I thought “I can do this.”  If my heart rate gets too high, I can just walk.  These friends understand what I go through and that I have to make sure that my heart rate stays in check.  They don’t make fun of me for my slow speed.  And they will be there with me every step of the way.

So maybe I can do this.  I have to admit, no matter how this goes, I don’t see myself signing up for any marathons other than Disney.  But I’m very excited at the thought of finishing my first marathon hand in hand with wonderful friends.