Vintage Minnie & Dopey Challenge Costumes

Happy New Year! 

This weekend was full of fun things, especially those related to our upcoming Walt Disney World trip for Marathon Weekend! Our bags are mostly packed and we are ready!

We will be spending our week at Port Orleans Riverside with plans for visiting all four theme parks over the course of seven days. Jason's even taking a Disney fishing excursion with a friend of ours where they will have the opportunity to fish in World Showcase Lagoon before EPCOT opens for the morning! He is SO excited!

As far as other plans go, we will be at the Expo on Wednesday afternoon and Brayden will be participating in his first 100m dash on Friday morning! 

For the races, I'll be sporting several different outfits, most of which I've already worn...whoops. The full marathon is a different story, though! A friend of mine wanted to run the full dressed as Steamboat Willie Mickey and that's where the idea for Vintage Minnie came into play!

Putting this outfit together was SUPER easy as it didn't require any extra work on my part. With running the full marathon, I wanted everything to be functional and easy to run in.

For the costume itself, I put together the following pieces:

• Solid black dry fit BCG brand shirt from Academy
• Sparkle Skirts sparkle light vintage blue skirt
• Legend Compression sleeves in black
• Vintage Minnie ears from Etsy (my running buddy purchased her Steamboat Willie ears from the same vendor so we will match!) 

I used this picture as my inspiration....

...and voila! 

Easiest costume ever!

For the 5K, 10K, and Half, I decided to bring back a few oldies to wear again. We had so much fun running as Anna & Elsa several years back for the Enchanted 10K, so that was a no brainer. Lilo definitely needed a redemption race since most of that one was spent under a poncho in pouring down rain (the Wine & Dine Half of 2014 aka the "Splash & Dash"). We couldn't decide what to run as for the 5K and as a last minute (literally) idea, we threw in Mousketeers to the mix (from the Disneyland Half of 2013).

Mousketeer - 5K

Anna & Elsa - 10K

Lilo - Half Marathon

So, if you happen to see me out there, please don't hesitate to say hello!

If you're running this weekend, have a GREAT time and enjoy every moment! If it's your first runDisney race, I hope you have a blast!!

Fall Training Plan

Fall. 

That word sounds so sweet to my ears! Although I'm not a huge pumpkin spice fan (don't hate me), I do love everything else about fall - the smells, sounds, decor, and above all, cool running weather.

Although we probably won't get decent weather here in the south until November, the temps still tend to cool off a bit from the crazy 100+ heat index of summer.


So, how will my training plan change for fall?

#1 - Higher mileage. 

As Dopey's Challenge grows closer and closer, the weekly mileage inches higher and higher. After a rough 10 miler in August, I've shied away from any double digit mileage since...at least until the weather turns cooler! Thankfully, cooler temps are hopefully around the next corner or two and I will be able to get out of this 6-8 mile rut!

#2 - Warmer Clothing.

Ah yes, the drawer of long sleeved shirts, tights, and compression socks that gets used for a few short months of the year will get to be used once again! I love sporting my WDW Marathon Weekend shirts, especially! :)

#3 - Later morning run times.

Sadly, the sun rises later once daylight savings time hits, which means a later start time for me. I'm a super huge chicken and hate running in the dark alone, especially downtown. Nope. Not happening.

How do your running plans change for fall?

Tuesdays on the Run hosted by Erika, Marcia, & Patty!

Items I Would Buy Again

Today's Friday Five Theme is: Items I Would Buy Again.

When I first heard today's topic, I began thinking of items that pertain to me in my everyday life right now - so anything from running to baby and holiday related.

Here's my list!

#1 BOB Jogging Stroller

I sure do love this jogging stroller and so does Brayden! The ride is super smooth and the handlebars are comfortable for holding on to. The BOB sure comes in handy for days when my only option for a run is to take my little guy along with me!

#2 Baby Brezza

I was first introduced to the Baby Brezza by my friend Heather when we visited her last year. This thing is amazing and reminds me of a Keurig for babies! If you are planning on formula feeding at all, the Brezza is a LIFE SAVER! I highly recommend it!

#3 Legend Compression

I know I've discussed my love for all things compression in the past - and although I am a Legend Compression Ambassador, I have to say that these are by far the best compression socks I've ever owned. I wouldn't say that if I didn't mean it. The compression is just perfect to fit my needs and I love the wide variety of colors available. If you're interested in a pair, check out my referral link - it will save you $15 on your first order! These are great for Christmas gifts, too!

#4 Fit Bit

I love love love my fitbit! When deciding on a type, I went with the fitbit One (clip on style) - that way I could wear it at all times no matter the outfit! It's fun to see how many steps I've taken each day and it's motivating to look back at the end of the day and see if I need to take a few more steps.

#5 Garmin

Although I have asked for a new one from Santa, I can't run without my Garmin! This watch has been with me through marathons, lots of races, and many training runs.

Bonus: #6 Operation Christmas Child

Although none of these items were purchased for myself, I did help put them together for a great cause! Operation Christmas Child grants Christmas "boxes"/gifts to children in other countries who wouldn't otherwise receive a gift. I love this cause and they were fun to put together!

That's all! I hope you have a great weekend!

What's one item you would buy again?

LEGEND Compression - Right Not Tight

Hi there and happy Friday! Sorry things have been quiet around here this week. Someone decided that this was the week of less sleep (hint: it wasn't myself or my husband)...therefore, no one got any sleep! I'm definitely not complaining. Even as I held my little guy in my arms at 3:30 a.m., I kept telling myself to cherish even those moments because one day he will be grown and I'll never have those moments back.

Anyway...today, I'm here to share my updated thoughts on a compression product I've been trying for several months now. Although I'm an ambassador for the company, please know that I am sharing my honest opinion with you and I wouldn't promote a product I didn't truly love!

LEGEND Compression is a fairly new company on the market and they've so graciously allowed me to try out a pair of their compression socks and a pair of compression leg sleeves.

I LOVE compression and for me, it's an essential part of my training and recovery. After a major race, I wear compression tights. If I've run a long run and my legs are fatigued, I wear compression socks...even if that includes wearing them to sleep that night or to work the next day. When I am in training for full marathons, I even wear them for my really long runs. I also wore a pair of compression socks to run my first full marathon back in 2011.

I said all of that to say, I'm definitely a believer of compression and its benefits for the runner and recovery!

Why LEGEND and what sets them apart, you might ask? Well, out of all of the compression gear I've tried in the past, I love the graduated compression offered in LEGEND's products (both the socks and sleeves I've tried). Their compression gear offers 15-20 mmHg of compression (a therapeutic level of compression) - I can honestly say these are some of the most comfortable compression socks I've ever worn, yet they do their job!

Their goal is to fit runners with a product that's "right, not tight". They believe that the right amount of compression is what's necessary to do the job without having too tight of a product. So far, I'm giving this thought a thumbs up!

After Saturday's long run, my friend and I decided to travel out of town. I knew I needed to wear something on my legs for the drive over. I initially had my bright blue compression socks on but just as we were about to pull out of the driveway, the mail lady drove up with a package that contained a pair of compression sleeves just for me! Win win! (No, I didn't wear them to shop in the mall, just on the drive over!)

I love the mission of LEGEND® Compression Wear - their goal is to improve the performance of every athlete—from the casual jogger to the competitive triathlete. They also promote the notion that LEGENDS are created from great people, great courage and great accomplishments and their goal is to extend the life of your legs during the course of your entire athletic career. How cool is that?!

Would you like to try a pair of LEGEND Compression socks or sleeves? Click here and be sure to enter code: AmbFriend2016 for 15% off your order!

You can also follow Legend Compression Wear on the various social media sites listed below:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Google +
• Instagram

Through the month of October, Legend Compression is running a $100 giveaway contest so stay tuned here for upcoming details on entering the giveaway! 

 

 Have a great weekend!!

Girls Weekend

Running, Shopping, McAlisters, and spending time with good friends - all things I love! This past Saturday, I had the chance to do all of the above!

It began on Saturday morning with a long run - my longest run since having a baby, at that! My friend Heather and I completed 10 miles! It was so humid, we were soaked from head to toe by the time it was all said and done. We have 12 miles next week, so I'm hoping for cooler weather and less humidity!

After the run, I came home to shower and get ready for a day of shopping out of town! Initially, I was wearing my bright blue compression socks for the drive over. However, as we were just about to leave, the mail lady pulled in my driveway with a special delivery....

My Legend black compression sleeves had arrived! Naturally, I had to change! These were so comfortable and just what my calves needed! Although I didn't wear these to shop and walk around, they made a world of difference with leg stiffness after a long drive in the car!

THIS little turkey spent four hours with us in the mall and he did great!

When we discussed places to eat dinner, McAlister's was the first thing on my mind! Isn't that sad....we were out of town and had a multitude of amazing places to eat but we chose McAlisters because they are no longer open in our town and we've been dying for a glass of their sweet tea for months? Story of my life. Whomp whomp.

This was EVERYTHING I'd been dreaming about!

The patriot with no tomatoes. I did try their Mac & Cheese for the first time and it was delicious!

So we might have been so excited, someone went overboard with ordering all of their favorite items. Eat.All.The.Things!

Needless to say, a to-go box was definitely used!

I might have been in McAlister's heaven.

After a little more shopping, we decided it was time for dessert! There's a place where you can get a scoop of ice cream and a Great American Cookie and a drink in a combo deal!

When you go out of town, the calories don't count, right?! 

The sunset on Saturday evening was gorgeous!

My little sweet pea and I had a great time at church on Sunday, too!

He was SO exhausted from Saturday, he took a FOUR and a half hour nap on Sunday afternoon!

Oh yes, we also tried green beans for the first time this past weekend!

I think it's safe to say, he liked them! 

Do you have a favorite restaurant you go to when you travel out of town?

Legend Compression Ambassador

During the third trimester of my pregnancy, I was asked by the kind folks at Legend Compression to be a part of their Ambassador program. Although I wasn't able to participate in physical activity at the time, they still graciously accepted me into their group!

Now with my return to fitness postpartum, I am excited to have a new pair of compression socks to wear as I will soon begin training for next season's set of races.

 

I first wore these after my 5 mile bike ride on Saturday and I fell in love!

For starters, let's talk about compression and why it's necessary for athletes:

• Helps promote circulation
• Reduces muscle fatigue
• Reduces soreness post exercise
• Accelerates recovery and healing
  Source

Legend Compression Wear also incorporates graduated compression technology which helps improve blood flow and oxygen levels - this aids the athlete in running stronger, training harder, and recovering faster.

Do I even need to mention their super cute color options? Yes, I do...

I opted for the aqua pair as it's one of my favorite colors...and it didn't disappoint! Other available colors include black, blue, purple, pink, white, and yellow! 

 These also run true to size. As an 8 to an 8.5 shoe size, I received a size medium which fit perfectly!

Want to snag a pair for yourself or a fellow athlete?

Here's how!

Head over to the Legend Compression website, click on Athletic Wear.

Choose Performance Socks.

Pick your favorite color and a size.

Add them to your cart...

Then enter coupon code AmbFriend2016 for 15% off your order!

You can also follow Legend Compression Wear on the various social media sites listed below:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Google +
• Instagram

 Happy Running! :)

Are you a compression wearer? Do you like to wear compression while running, for recovery, or both?

*Please note, this post contains affiliate links. I also received a pair of Legend Compression Socks in return for a review - all opinions stated are my own.*