Infinity Gaunlet Virtual 5K & Race Challenge

Do I have any Marvel Universe fans up in here? I know I'm incredibly excited to see both Captain Marvel and Endgame, what about you? I'm also sad I never had the opportunity to run any of the Marvel themed runDisney races at Disneyland, but that's another story for another day.

Are you missing those Disneyland races, too? Well, Level Up Virtual Runs rose to the challenge, and here's your chance to earn an amazing infinity gauntlet medal by participating in the Infinity Gauntlet Virtual Race and Challenge. This medal is beautiful and the detail included with it is impressive! I love how the lanyard is relevant as well!

I was initially intrigued by this virtual race because it also offered the addition of a race challenge along with it! During the months of March and April, runners can earn pins by completing 50, 150, and 250 mile milestones for the challenge, along with their medal for doing the virtual run as well. You can earn the medal by running any of the following distances - 5K, 10K, Half, or Full!

Level Up Virtual Runs is utilizing an app called Inkin where your challenge miles can be tracked and stored. It's super easy to use and also connects to your fitness apps to keep track of your daily mileage as well!

These races are super fun and easy to do from your home, gym, trail, or anywhere you run! Sign up today, using code GAUNTLET10 at checkout for 10% off the registration fee. 

Hope to "see" you there! Happy running!

Disclaimer: I received entry into the Infinity Gauntlet Virtual Race free of charge in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Fitness Friday - Dopey Challenge Style

We have returned from another fabulous runDisney event weekend and I know I say this all the time, but I cannot believe it's over already! On the morning of the 10K, I never thought the full marathon would get here and now that it's all said and done, I'm kind of sad.

Many MANY hours were spent walking and running throughout the parks over the past week, so I'm going to recap them here along with my step count.

As a disclaimer, I was not a good girl as far as the first time Dopey participant went. I actually didn't stay in bed or relax at the hotel every day. Instead, I spent time at the parks with my family and friends. Whoops. However, I did make sure I was in bed by at least 8 or 8:30 p.m. every night so I could have an adequate night's rest.

 
Currently Training For:

• Dopey Challenge 2018 - Walt Disney World
• Rock n Roll New Orleans Half Marathon 2018 - New Orleans, LA

Dopey Challenge Week:
Thursday, January 4 - 5K (daily step total 29,600)
Friday, January 5 - 10K (daily step total 34,400)
Saturday, January 6 - Half Marathon (daily step total 45,700)
Sunday, January 7 - Full Marathon (daily step total 69,300)

Monday, January 8 - Animal Kingdom - 14,000 steps
Tuesday, January 9 - Magic Kingdom - 16,800 steps
Wednesday, January 10 - Travel Day - 6300 steps
Thursday, January 11 - REST DAY!
Friday, January 12 - Afternoon walk with Jason/Brayden

What a week! My fitbit hit its highest mileage ever on the day of the full marathon which was quite exciting! (And maybe cheating since I used it while I was running a race but oh well..steps are steps, right?)

Also, I want to put this out there - no, it's not a grand idea to venture all over the parks while doing a race of this magnitude. However, I do not live a sedentary lifestyle on a regular basis and I work at a job that has me on my feet all day (as a nurse), so I knew my body's limits and when it was time to return to the room to sleep or take a rest on a bench, I did just that.

Honestly, I felt that walking so much helped my body not become stiff or terribly sore. I did hobble around a little bit the evening after the full but by Monday morning, I felt great and was ready to go! I also wore a lot of compression (CW-X compression pants were worn nightly for sleep and Legend Compression socks or leg sleeves were worn daily for most of the races and around the parks) which helped TREMENDOUSLY!

Would I run Dopey all over again? Probably not.
Would I run another Full Marathon? Maybe...still on the fence about this one. (This full was my 6th so far.) 
Did I have an AMAZING time? YES!
Could I have used more sleep? YES.
Was the training hard? YES!
Was it worth each and every mile? DEFINITELY!!

I am so happy I had the opportunity to run this challenge and having my friend Melissa to run it with me made it that much more exciting! We had a BLAST stopping for character photos and I had the chance to do something I wish I'd done on the last Disney Marathon I ran - I had the chance to ride Expedition Everest around mile 14 in Animal Kingdom! I know it's crazy, but my main reason for wanting to re-run the full is because I didn't ride Everest the previous two times I ran this race - it  was totally my "cherry on top" for this race weekend!

Now for the opposite side of the coin (I'm not being negative, just giving my honest opinion)....

Traveling with my husband/son and friends was hard because I felt as if I was missing out on times with them while having to leave the parks at 7 to catch a bus and be in bed on time. During the morning of the full marathon and about half way through the full, I texted several people and said "I'm NEVER doing this again, EVER!" Am I still holding true to that? Yes, more than likely for Dopey at least (I'm still on the fence about running another full).

Here's the thing - it all depends on the mindset you go to Marathon weekend with. Is it to run a race and have a Disney vacation (our style - sun up to sun down) all at the same time? Or are you there strictly for runDisney? If you're just there for a fun running weekend and don't mind a ton of downtime at the resort, then Dopey is a great idea! My personal favorite are the shorter race weekends like Princess or Wine & Dine because I feel as if I can have that runDisney experience by participating in a challenge (10K and half) or a half alone and still have time to enjoy the parks with my family. Again, not being negative as I had an AMAZING time, I'm just sharing my thoughts! :)

There will be recaps to come as well as several vlogs for those of you who asked, so stay tuned! Again, this past weekend was an incredible one and I'm grateful I had the opportunity to run and complete my first Dopey Challenge!

Did you run any races over the past weekend? Have you ever run Dopey? If so, what are you thoughts and would you run it again?

November’s 5 by the 5th

This Fall, I am participating in Mommy Run Fast’s 5 or 10 miles by the 5th Challenge.

For the months of September-December, challenge participants  run 5 or 10 miles by the 5th of the month and document their accomplishments in a spreadsheet. Prizes are up for giveaway each month and medals are available for purchase at the end of the challenge. I’ve enjoyed being a part of this challenge so far! Here’s recaps of my September and October runs:

• September 2013
• October 2013

Saturday morning was crisp, clear, and cold. A “perfect weather” running day. The previous weekend, I struggled with IT Band issues and barely made it to 3.5 miles. I rested all week while incorporating  PT workouts back into my routine. I hoped it was enough to make a difference for Saturday’s long run.

Heather and I really took advantage of the cooler temps on Saturday morning. I noticed my IT Band was tight around mile 5, so we stopped for water and I stretched. Thankfully, the pain was not near what I experienced the previous Saturday. We continued our run and finished out at 8 miles total! I felt tightness in my leg/hip and was glad that 8 miles was my goal for Saturday. I could not have continued on much further. Even so, I’m very grateful I was able to make it that far. A huge improvement over 3.5 miles!

4 + 4 = 8….except we look like we are throwing up gang signs…we aren’t, I promise! :0)

After the run, Kelli and I enjoyed breakfast at Panera.

I giggled when I placed my order because I requested a skinny vanilla latte without whip (the latte was free on my rewards card) and a cinnamon/sugar bagel. :0)

Seriously though, have you ever tried their cinnamon/sugar bagels? Oh my goodness…they are SO good! A must try for sure!

After breakfast, I wandered around our brand new Dick’s Sporting Goods and discovered these bad boys…

I tested one out in the store and all I can say is WOW. I think these should be called a “Torture Roller”, not a “Rumble Roller”.

Guess what’s now on my Christmas list.

How was your weekend? Anything adventurous happen? Who’s running Wine & Dine? I hope you have a fabulous time! Can’t wait to read your recaps and see your updates on social media!!