tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24838085245826241892024-03-17T04:24:06.835-04:00Sparkly RunnerSarah S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09861496043188311237noreply@blogger.comBlogger359125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483808524582624189.post-34810337020755020252019-02-11T08:00:00.000-05:002019-02-11T08:00:57.352-05:002019 WDW Marathon Weekend: Marathon Recap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>This recap covers the marathon. Check out more 2019 WDW Marathon Weekend posts about <a href="http://www.sparklyrunner.com/2019/02/2019-wdw-marathon-weekend-spectating.html" target="_blank">spectating the half marathon</a>, the <a href="http://www.sparklyrunner.com/2019/01/2019-wdw-marathon-weekend-cigna-blogger.html" target="_blank">Cigna Blogger Meet Up</a>, and <a href="http://www.sparklyrunner.com/2019/01/2019-wdw-marathon-weekend-health.html" target="_blank">the expo</a>! </i></div>
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Going into this year's marathon, I felt pretty good. I'd hit the majority of my training runs, had no major injuries, and didn't get sick in the days before the race. Woohoo! I was <b>ready.</b><br />
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Matthew and I got up early on marathon morning and got our bags packed and ready; mine with snacks, body, glide and flip flops for after the race, Matthew's with snacks, cow bells, and sunscreen. The weather forecast had changed dramatically from the few days prior. It was scheduled to reach 79 degrees with 95% humidity by noon. runDisney had already sent an email with a heat advisory. Yay.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-A_IGljZdpqmBucRK7UYoNSE7P1saJxKjk5lXzrY9oS_0DUrMGSc06BG8CA8lTgZlmQ8flmGWdBqHLDB3h7nHNyZcjzoZETr3bysgs55V0I5-aE4YWFjd_QLqXxZ4vGikiM0WmQw19wt/s1600/20190113_030435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-A_IGljZdpqmBucRK7UYoNSE7P1saJxKjk5lXzrY9oS_0DUrMGSc06BG8CA8lTgZlmQ8flmGWdBqHLDB3h7nHNyZcjzoZETr3bysgs55V0I5-aE4YWFjd_QLqXxZ4vGikiM0WmQw19wt/s640/20190113_030435.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kDNSvUVGhUQqSEQ8ra91IVThqM8wgwxM5AX4nNLtfBskciGZF2n0GUrzqQo5GC22NBPheDch5-PToKLn9kACkiIoPSVh0UnQw5X-faJtVL12LbRy1ssOVqh671OcJIB4Qrg0oiIjGhCG/s1600/20190113_025742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kDNSvUVGhUQqSEQ8ra91IVThqM8wgwxM5AX4nNLtfBskciGZF2n0GUrzqQo5GC22NBPheDch5-PToKLn9kACkiIoPSVh0UnQw5X-faJtVL12LbRy1ssOVqh671OcJIB4Qrg0oiIjGhCG/s640/20190113_025742.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best spectator ever.</td></tr>
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We grabbed an early bus over to Epcot and went to meet up with our ohana. Matthew and I discussed where he'd see me: mile 4 at the TTC, mile 7 at the Grand Floridian, mile 14 in AK, and then mile 25 in Epcot, right around France. With a solid race strategy, we said our goodbyes and I walked back to the corral with Coach.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtS6WRD9Hy3p8oCu8erZYXQbxJadBeh1apC5mwNjqc9uh33up4xdEKBoqRNsyBNyQJq_Qi7gVcjIup3r0Kz8DhMDaIVlpIaYFry13NIWLYOoYcaBtz2qgP8bOnejJoPQe4bhMnnp5_j5X/s1600/20190113_041414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtS6WRD9Hy3p8oCu8erZYXQbxJadBeh1apC5mwNjqc9uh33up4xdEKBoqRNsyBNyQJq_Qi7gVcjIup3r0Kz8DhMDaIVlpIaYFry13NIWLYOoYcaBtz2qgP8bOnejJoPQe4bhMnnp5_j5X/s640/20190113_041414.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I bought that bathrobe from Goodwill to throw away, so damn it, I was going to wear it to the start!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBwcuXZDvE2s39Ikb3umlWKN7TWObVjN_oCGJR5Fn2LuFpa3icskZuY69NK7KLFq5ACa_h5hNy2HSOCwgJKe2nkpQ3WCOJ4j9MQVRvELV7F9F7D_rV6QeuKIMjGQ3YKDRMSLy_XCE2Jde-/s1600/20190113_042225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBwcuXZDvE2s39Ikb3umlWKN7TWObVjN_oCGJR5Fn2LuFpa3icskZuY69NK7KLFq5ACa_h5hNy2HSOCwgJKe2nkpQ3WCOJ4j9MQVRvELV7F9F7D_rV6QeuKIMjGQ3YKDRMSLy_XCE2Jde-/s640/20190113_042225.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We look cute for 4 am.</td></tr>
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I had earned a spot in corral E with my time from the <a href="http://www.sparklyrunner.com/2018/04/race-recap-review-capital-10-miler.html" target="_blank">Capital City 10 Miler</a>. Though I had tossed around starting with the 6 hour pacer (my A goal), they were all the way back in corral G. I felt like I'd worked hard to get to E so I decided at the start that I would run my own race and start in the corral I'd earned.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5XAx_RQs8iqjF104eNREBQR2FFmWPRzK9VM_Fno4WLEhYzLx13Im3oVBEmAigBchRyM3MJX0CC-2CzuNyQ7m4frEkqCDxeDJpVdfrvksdlekmuhE6og73YKgQ6mdcrl48J-PGv_kVpbV/s1600/20190113_050447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5XAx_RQs8iqjF104eNREBQR2FFmWPRzK9VM_Fno4WLEhYzLx13Im3oVBEmAigBchRyM3MJX0CC-2CzuNyQ7m4frEkqCDxeDJpVdfrvksdlekmuhE6og73YKgQ6mdcrl48J-PGv_kVpbV/s640/20190113_050447.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solidly middle of the pack for this one.</td></tr>
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I have to be honest, it was VERY weird being in the corral by myself. I have never run a runDisney race on my own and it was kinda lonely. Matthew was sending me motivating text messages to pass the time and I was just trying to relax and get in the right mindset to run. In fact, I actually did a quick guided meditation (via the Insight Timer app) sitting in the corral!<br />
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Somehow, in a see of 11,000 runners, I found Brittany! She was a friend we met last year on the Disney Dream during the Castaway Cay Challenge cruise. She was absolutely <b>crushing</b> her Dopey and it was such a boost to see her before the race started. We chatted and made small talk as we worked our way towards the start.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVRz2i7LW901XZqLMPKacfprj75ufCZAEFTh1S8S4JRQoyZlDyzMjGVQUEYG86JGJksG5Gge0cIEI9QtSGOALBxsQK8SR6jR3K4nQSMgdIdiaZASwoXi5leTq6KVKz3iS-4FnkItfoNPU/s1600/FB_IMG_1549847101339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVRz2i7LW901XZqLMPKacfprj75ufCZAEFTh1S8S4JRQoyZlDyzMjGVQUEYG86JGJksG5Gge0cIEI9QtSGOALBxsQK8SR6jR3K4nQSMgdIdiaZASwoXi5leTq6KVKz3iS-4FnkItfoNPU/s640/FB_IMG_1549847101339.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Congrats on the Dopey finish, Brittany!</td></tr>
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The race started at 5:30 am and our corral was off by 5:51 am, so we only waited about 20 minutes until E corral was on its way.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTdhNrzX8hsVXlSa9qjLeyQSMnqOEN3pSd3NjcIfgHkL5OYetLfVhT8jHrlh7QBemmB_PQUijqW8kKdHw2U5tezxceo2skfl1rvgtRCrzhYpAJvNv8RL0JSE46DkFcy27pSjV1v0jWndY/s1600/20190113_055012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTdhNrzX8hsVXlSa9qjLeyQSMnqOEN3pSd3NjcIfgHkL5OYetLfVhT8jHrlh7QBemmB_PQUijqW8kKdHw2U5tezxceo2skfl1rvgtRCrzhYpAJvNv8RL0JSE46DkFcy27pSjV1v0jWndY/s640/20190113_055012.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carissa, Rudy, and Mickey counting us down!</td></tr>
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As the race started, I planned on sticking to my strategy of 30:30 and keeping my early miles around 14-15 minutes per mile. My fastest marathon at Walt Disney World was a 6:32 and I was really hoping to get a course PR in 2019. I knew it was improbable that I would get a PR; I hadn't trained for one and honestly, the marathon is such a beast, I'm just thankful to finish upright and smiling.<br />
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The first few miles of the marathon course are always dark and quiet. While there's palpable excitement at the starting line, it's almost like reality sets in as soon as you embark on the 26.2 mile journey- everyone is hushed and focused on their own race.<br />
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I silently chipped away at the miles, looking forward to seeing Matthew at mile 3.9 at the TTC. My body felt stiff and achy and it was already incredibly humid. It usually takes the first few miles of a long run for me to find a rhythm.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxtRYO226TqOvFiay_Cq04IkIHrpzAEvaZSXULTx3ZYVzMNzMb4iPT0QtpZyBMnJat0BT5Wq_aY93PMLPLGH8cnJb6d9QlphkyV10BfH9NmAosQSiAXJiYdY3PCMwZTiPdNZGxSXsK0Lt2/s1600/20190113_064808_050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxtRYO226TqOvFiay_Cq04IkIHrpzAEvaZSXULTx3ZYVzMNzMb4iPT0QtpZyBMnJat0BT5Wq_aY93PMLPLGH8cnJb6d9QlphkyV10BfH9NmAosQSiAXJiYdY3PCMwZTiPdNZGxSXsK0Lt2/s640/20190113_064808_050.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hellooooo Matthew!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AxbzlIqpGJm7_KtFb4kHAY4JLNjOmlrPru_CfPW9IOxOPyRlvY47ZeDoigiqw-KwgV09jEk2hYvmWS4FNecKnq7N9BbLraqnzFg7GhOyizXbf0fBHyaOfZPAMximw_JTiJQqaDR30Ew1/s1600/20190113_064828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AxbzlIqpGJm7_KtFb4kHAY4JLNjOmlrPru_CfPW9IOxOPyRlvY47ZeDoigiqw-KwgV09jEk2hYvmWS4FNecKnq7N9BbLraqnzFg7GhOyizXbf0fBHyaOfZPAMximw_JTiJQqaDR30Ew1/s640/20190113_064828.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He peeled me a baby orange. 😍</td></tr>
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Seeing Matthew was just the boost I needed to power me through to the Magic Kingdom. As I was leaving him, I saw one of the women I had been standing near the day before when I was cheering for Matthew. Seeing a familiar face on a marathon course, even if you don't know their name, is just the coolest thing!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SuTnu1ODu0IvdpxmY0r5U_-lhlV3_BQDg5rjT2I38ioOuvprHvkXZwhOwOiGzEpC739TSPTGLyy-7MehL-LDdjvlhQHJq7Yy9AyN0tYKUwnAVXvB4GTZeVZTJGP90HtdEtUOTWJfxlCU/s1600/20190113_064913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SuTnu1ODu0IvdpxmY0r5U_-lhlV3_BQDg5rjT2I38ioOuvprHvkXZwhOwOiGzEpC739TSPTGLyy-7MehL-LDdjvlhQHJq7Yy9AyN0tYKUwnAVXvB4GTZeVZTJGP90HtdEtUOTWJfxlCU/s640/20190113_064913.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh hey, girl! Always making friends. 😊</td></tr>
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From the TTC, I made my way towards the Magic Kingdom. Like last year, we entered in the front gates of the park due to construction. I absolutely <b>love</b> entering the park this way and I hope runDisney keeps it this way even when the construction is complete.<br />
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I have always wanted to reach the castle in the dark, but I'm not quite that fast yet. However, it was absolutely <b>gorgeous</b> to watch as the sun was coming up just before we got to the castle.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmtFy__vREzTmrsZHJ36CDnNflkEUDqReCTtJ9CtvT1Lo1O5JJlq-8VYXhQ0B_5OpXdRN0cSNhDvKyZ3m8cohjkzv_aVGGRl-GVFW3Wx4iCVHuZtErVa0boosIkVIN00bJY7Wlmb3hoyb/s1600/20190113_070535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmtFy__vREzTmrsZHJ36CDnNflkEUDqReCTtJ9CtvT1Lo1O5JJlq-8VYXhQ0B_5OpXdRN0cSNhDvKyZ3m8cohjkzv_aVGGRl-GVFW3Wx4iCVHuZtErVa0boosIkVIN00bJY7Wlmb3hoyb/s640/20190113_070535.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1 down, 3 to go.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ylJL9PJ8BpwqDb40Zh2qS_v1_Jr3bzU9o62Fef3ZtuE99ACXNofOIqHN610QxVRbDeulQm7VWBF83PGeR89hh9yJuVTfCqj7_dXWLdc8jjfEPz6sU5u9xaHFySjTCAwhyphenhyphen7yd4ZsaOhR4/s1600/20190113_070741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ylJL9PJ8BpwqDb40Zh2qS_v1_Jr3bzU9o62Fef3ZtuE99ACXNofOIqHN610QxVRbDeulQm7VWBF83PGeR89hh9yJuVTfCqj7_dXWLdc8jjfEPz6sU5u9xaHFySjTCAwhyphenhyphen7yd4ZsaOhR4/s640/20190113_070741.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There she is. 😍😍😍</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bchTjt_8h0uvegfN6TW8IGayuqKw2IXMXMffTwoxYY5mFrTtBGesFV7Q6eeLYYzAxbmZ2XrNclfC47lvuIkqi_lxurQhn2va2AOwJp1Ses7P0Exh-nmnFdG3Nh8EGJQTmpczpGDKExx1/s1600/20190113_070831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bchTjt_8h0uvegfN6TW8IGayuqKw2IXMXMffTwoxYY5mFrTtBGesFV7Q6eeLYYzAxbmZ2XrNclfC47lvuIkqi_lxurQhn2va2AOwJp1Ses7P0Exh-nmnFdG3Nh8EGJQTmpczpGDKExx1/s640/20190113_070831.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Paging Mr. Morrow, Mr. Tom Morrow."</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzU-RrLfK3NFrNxKo3lNkIsCKLFuE_TDpxQE-SghXZvpy3f6ry8WzWDQ8qo5B-Eo8rUrUQQBJDcu0EGLe-2I-DbhwmViGEBSlapxR0CS__X3hoAk1ezL06WTvVWYu991h23ObjUtoUm089/s1600/20190113_070906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzU-RrLfK3NFrNxKo3lNkIsCKLFuE_TDpxQE-SghXZvpy3f6ry8WzWDQ8qo5B-Eo8rUrUQQBJDcu0EGLe-2I-DbhwmViGEBSlapxR0CS__X3hoAk1ezL06WTvVWYu991h23ObjUtoUm089/s640/20190113_070906.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mid-race purple wall selfies.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqcac1B8pJ9Zsy0zNtS8yIhy4IwcNa0ZbvE1Yg4aDfJWoHwtBJUdx8Oap5enh8EAcmXvpYLJtBbZEEX7OeyxryyaURuzKv5Oq1wYxfaqPa_-1BXPIRqPEzvAzUG484Szi7ynNROODG_dJ/s1600/20190113_071751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqcac1B8pJ9Zsy0zNtS8yIhy4IwcNa0ZbvE1Yg4aDfJWoHwtBJUdx8Oap5enh8EAcmXvpYLJtBbZEEX7OeyxryyaURuzKv5Oq1wYxfaqPa_-1BXPIRqPEzvAzUG484Szi7ynNROODG_dJ/s640/20190113_071751.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out those sunrise colors.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After a quick pit stop at the least-crowded bathroom on the whole course (near Pinocchio's Pizza!), I took a stroll through the castle and continued running through all the lands of Magic Kingdom. Running through the castle this year was the least crowded it has ever been- and I've done this eight times in six years. Compared with 20,000+ runners in the marathon last year, for 2019, only 11,000 runners completed the course so it felt significantly less crowded this year.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpyT-HeUAhmjsllA3PxOA-W66do55Pq_A7Ddy7szj-LBpCHlqnqU9CQcmQcOTTelkWOgGORwc5wrQTFex85VsnCsqGdbsJwO9PeL9s3iY62BdZHOUnMylanOQ7oAHEArZXiyELRi6g0f-/s1600/23b04d87-998b-4414-a532-6065b479b1cf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1065" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpyT-HeUAhmjsllA3PxOA-W66do55Pq_A7Ddy7szj-LBpCHlqnqU9CQcmQcOTTelkWOgGORwc5wrQTFex85VsnCsqGdbsJwO9PeL9s3iY62BdZHOUnMylanOQ7oAHEArZXiyELRi6g0f-/s640/23b04d87-998b-4414-a532-6065b479b1cf.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That smile is so genuine. I was having a <b>blast</b> in MK!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmuy66iptbIlrQ0IylRgo_KnMyWWcVnOxNF8zFaTKmI62NpmhXcGhrEgSovlLA8Y4z6gE5-48ZMSwA3E5-FzJ88G2lTGbPj9OUsfrpFQpQYzGRWftUI3Mwjt9LLsxk5yBqt9rZQaXney2P/s1600/ee6f7e22-4c12-4d78-b987-49cce1b05dce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1064" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmuy66iptbIlrQ0IylRgo_KnMyWWcVnOxNF8zFaTKmI62NpmhXcGhrEgSovlLA8Y4z6gE5-48ZMSwA3E5-FzJ88G2lTGbPj9OUsfrpFQpQYzGRWftUI3Mwjt9LLsxk5yBqt9rZQaXney2P/s640/ee6f7e22-4c12-4d78-b987-49cce1b05dce.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Castles = Jazz Hands.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkQEV1Y0WWDncOMDmvOcpJXOobUaUMoSwJ7nbGBAnHbxeRumdSF1O5bQtYt4Uv12koUZj_4B5tXm3x2ziY5gZSXkUlK_UJhbkBtP5LFqd3ByDVQS9aIxM5_k9Ho3kY3AqtPVTYEuoXVFY/s1600/6ab59a23-118a-4fbe-9eef-e7c8a1366e50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1064" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkQEV1Y0WWDncOMDmvOcpJXOobUaUMoSwJ7nbGBAnHbxeRumdSF1O5bQtYt4Uv12koUZj_4B5tXm3x2ziY5gZSXkUlK_UJhbkBtP5LFqd3ByDVQS9aIxM5_k9Ho3kY3AqtPVTYEuoXVFY/s640/6ab59a23-118a-4fbe-9eef-e7c8a1366e50.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">💗</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After having the time of my life in MK (seriously), I headed out of the park towards the Grand Floridian and Matthew. I was feeling pretty good and was actually running way too fast- around 12 minute miles in the park.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohb_2eAgAxU3uGZvJsUl2stdFtvDeLvWjFOGNrXPUq2sbkr329rT6P5RB3OpG6WnkbrscV7H0Y10SP9JrEroUnVoRKcKqUFuX6ny3zX28ANk8hj_6KtaPqk4LFW2-WZ8kgzE_E6kliJPc/s1600/20190113_073510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohb_2eAgAxU3uGZvJsUl2stdFtvDeLvWjFOGNrXPUq2sbkr329rT6P5RB3OpG6WnkbrscV7H0Y10SP9JrEroUnVoRKcKqUFuX6ny3zX28ANk8hj_6KtaPqk4LFW2-WZ8kgzE_E6kliJPc/s640/20190113_073510.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More baby oranges!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrPVASgZURa1p4fcletMoL-C6Q94EAA7YWc8cmgBQxI7MJCPtvqV8p2uI6be88zP6AreLgknfU8RiBoIGyNTJxDW5Ss7ePrV1O342iVQRvmehcYm7jfyGNvz-B0NI0nHX6CPjxIUIReWV/s1600/20190113_073716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrPVASgZURa1p4fcletMoL-C6Q94EAA7YWc8cmgBQxI7MJCPtvqV8p2uI6be88zP6AreLgknfU8RiBoIGyNTJxDW5Ss7ePrV1O342iVQRvmehcYm7jfyGNvz-B0NI0nHX6CPjxIUIReWV/s640/20190113_073716.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My hero.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
By the time I made it to Matthew I was in some serious pain. My legs were fine, my feet were fine, but my stomach was tore the hell up. I have been having recurrent digestive issues (mainly indigestion and trapped gas) for months now and of course, it flared up around mile 6 of the marathon. I mean, really?! Of all times?! UGH.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I took some gas relief pills (that I'd packed in my skirt for just this reason) and soldiered on towards Animal Kingdom. The miles during this stretch aren't the most fun- especially the out and back just before AK. And of course, this was just as the sun was really starting to shine directly on us. It was really starting to heat up at this point and I was just trying to stay focused on the mile I was in and get to the next park.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzniLllMvObh01Z9UI_W4iqwuMKc8L16ZhS1xqjPiEjNb193PEiHiuD7GsxAt1854TV68EajJ0T8vQ9rkpfb5wmm9sGMXol5Mr2ERh2kbTJANXSUgzcnrhBt9xlT4NOOYqkZX0_rV0hQZk/s1600/20190113_080029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzniLllMvObh01Z9UI_W4iqwuMKc8L16ZhS1xqjPiEjNb193PEiHiuD7GsxAt1854TV68EajJ0T8vQ9rkpfb5wmm9sGMXol5Mr2ERh2kbTJANXSUgzcnrhBt9xlT4NOOYqkZX0_rV0hQZk/s640/20190113_080029.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anyone know what/who these are?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0e_xjUpUtt0Fcj7r6FzD84IUCxMt8dtghAGj9DHItUEFq5LWDzFhiuhQa627vPVv7CJMR7CW2d8tadf5qDaOjX0zLTzXdcQZou9dEzW1Si4A5Oc-jw_W1ijNKjWA9aYH5RppgtXxTdL1i/s1600/20190113_080723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0e_xjUpUtt0Fcj7r6FzD84IUCxMt8dtghAGj9DHItUEFq5LWDzFhiuhQa627vPVv7CJMR7CW2d8tadf5qDaOjX0zLTzXdcQZou9dEzW1Si4A5Oc-jw_W1ijNKjWA9aYH5RppgtXxTdL1i/s640/20190113_080723.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Adventurers Club!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pxaB8uUk0O7tPrmsiEQg4kTzkFGK049wkerHFsnKkGDIuv8u3HQRDqfCnhWScMCtBVkEax8JffWJbBj9XeDROuffrlwrtmAEV5oIDG_uqilEFMOhOEIIIFDv5XCRXJ-htLyiVTcZz6n5/s1600/20190113_083212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pxaB8uUk0O7tPrmsiEQg4kTzkFGK049wkerHFsnKkGDIuv8u3HQRDqfCnhWScMCtBVkEax8JffWJbBj9XeDROuffrlwrtmAEV5oIDG_uqilEFMOhOEIIIFDv5XCRXJ-htLyiVTcZz6n5/s640/20190113_083212.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, hi Florida sun. So glad you could join us. 😞</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qb7763NGPaW4i2fJIvYvVQICxyyT_4hHFaFrYUDXA-IQRhGwoaaboS2pA9esvLD4OJZ3jlaQpUWkLqCOCp9DN6jGU1aLca2yhVw8x5wpFAbU9UuhV8Glzj2xXKI53LDOSmH8lJU6Db5W/s1600/20190113_085655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qb7763NGPaW4i2fJIvYvVQICxyyT_4hHFaFrYUDXA-IQRhGwoaaboS2pA9esvLD4OJZ3jlaQpUWkLqCOCp9DN6jGU1aLca2yhVw8x5wpFAbU9UuhV8Glzj2xXKI53LDOSmH8lJU6Db5W/s640/20190113_085655.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 down, 2 to go.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkphwhLDMDNYmP_QW7oMCEKiShNcfiuQPgq1dILMeP4vhER3TnmRTAo4spkcqmfQp1_YlD2VtGNebdl9K6YxaL_rix7UqYje6_2rm0fgvFCw4qIf_5bUP3t-eSPXTxhzRn8o1TqROlfoY/s1600/b7b5bea1-63a0-46bb-93d4-ff5b23973f21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkphwhLDMDNYmP_QW7oMCEKiShNcfiuQPgq1dILMeP4vhER3TnmRTAo4spkcqmfQp1_YlD2VtGNebdl9K6YxaL_rix7UqYje6_2rm0fgvFCw4qIf_5bUP3t-eSPXTxhzRn8o1TqROlfoY/s640/b7b5bea1-63a0-46bb-93d4-ff5b23973f21.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Timon!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Shortly after I entered AK, I crossed the 13.1 mile mat. I was actually feeling pretty crappy and was not looking forward to another half marathon. But then I saw the entrance for Expedition Everest. It was a few minutes after 9 am- the park had just opened. It's long been a dream of mine to ride Everest during the marathon- I mean, what other marathon offers you the opportunity to ride a roller coaster in the middle of it?! And in my mind, since I was already thinking this would be my last marathon (because I was feeling like absolute crap), I made the split second decision to get on the ride.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qzho-GAugio2lll4mgCgmk50cKPjv9or-RNCuknxh3Ojabe4p7NHbcVBLtaln9zujRrZHW8S6hXAjFX5LUykeqynUMSjJ6ZNkwVwfuZDfp6Yw34h-zm-lJPNx7nebtQLSTDwhNEEngJH/s1600/20190113_090640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qzho-GAugio2lll4mgCgmk50cKPjv9or-RNCuknxh3Ojabe4p7NHbcVBLtaln9zujRrZHW8S6hXAjFX5LUykeqynUMSjJ6ZNkwVwfuZDfp6Yw34h-zm-lJPNx7nebtQLSTDwhNEEngJH/s640/20190113_090640.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So excited!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrU9hk_wj_s-6eOldO37vLvwTWHmAmRaM9lbMm36YqCfvOsVS406dwTj2-5oUtQ9w0sum-gGlJg6bADI2Qe-l-djpip0bkVhACQBMb227X_C_qzU5JI-8SlUsV466h_ey1uuMnIIsB4qY/s1600/279e73c6-ce6a-456a-a403-0a4b85c49634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrU9hk_wj_s-6eOldO37vLvwTWHmAmRaM9lbMm36YqCfvOsVS406dwTj2-5oUtQ9w0sum-gGlJg6bADI2Qe-l-djpip0bkVhACQBMb227X_C_qzU5JI-8SlUsV466h_ey1uuMnIIsB4qY/s640/279e73c6-ce6a-456a-a403-0a4b85c49634.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Probably the coolest thing I've ever experienced in a marathon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
While it took about 13 minutes off my time, I absolutely don't regret getting on Everest for a second. I got off the race feeling <b>awesome</b> and ran to find Matthew at mile 14. He gave me more body glide, helped me reapply sunscreen, and got more oranges ready for me. It was a miracle that he had even made it to the park. Buses weren't running to AK when he was trying to get there from Grand Floridian and he was worried by the time he got a bus, he would miss me at mile 14. Lucky for Matthew, he ran into Doug, a Minnie Van driver, who gave him a complementary ride to AK! Talk about Disney magic!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZC73NMc2ggptgK3zC_pXvX7JFe0XySV677fA5yhDplv_coytg83F1-DUb9DUUJzdEilLLyENqXFS3vAhKKZEsdBekHW5osQc00UYEWiifVFsFJCg56DYoLQQICYNMT-9bE7hDB5oQfoS/s1600/20190113_081947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZC73NMc2ggptgK3zC_pXvX7JFe0XySV677fA5yhDplv_coytg83F1-DUb9DUUJzdEilLLyENqXFS3vAhKKZEsdBekHW5osQc00UYEWiifVFsFJCg56DYoLQQICYNMT-9bE7hDB5oQfoS/s640/20190113_081947.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks, Doug!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsX7lZuDQlDTniPlRDhXUxTHxkKeDEbSuGev-KnXmnmxOUAHEF0YeqVcfKwazq-S7Pv9y4TVCgk5kAPdcPDEiufoCqvdU7cHl0uL4Yyv7GHj6f5i-btQPvxfEij0z6gmOinyTGJnL2p7p/s1600/20190113_092028_029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsX7lZuDQlDTniPlRDhXUxTHxkKeDEbSuGev-KnXmnmxOUAHEF0YeqVcfKwazq-S7Pv9y4TVCgk5kAPdcPDEiufoCqvdU7cHl0uL4Yyv7GHj6f5i-btQPvxfEij0z6gmOinyTGJnL2p7p/s640/20190113_092028_029.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So excited to see my boo!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After getting all fueled and glided up, I headed back out on the course to embrace the next 11 miles until I saw Matthew again. These sections of the course are some of the most boring- lots of highway miles and then what feels like never-ending miles through Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex.<br />
<br />
But, I pushed on. My stomach cramps had returned, it was stupid hot, and I was seriously questioning my life choices by this point. I was not having a very magical race at all.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyaj0aJgocMHnOjm3F2XFNOebIvCI9bncic0AhIV1qSXT79XzA-uJVF2jxzQDwb-7gjNLicTDPGIX-yCX7L0KsKIL3X10kssl6ax_xWFzuV5iuJ7h6Zy8q6EPbOzl2NgHbY-AFDPVnony/s1600/20190113_100108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyaj0aJgocMHnOjm3F2XFNOebIvCI9bncic0AhIV1qSXT79XzA-uJVF2jxzQDwb-7gjNLicTDPGIX-yCX7L0KsKIL3X10kssl6ax_xWFzuV5iuJ7h6Zy8q6EPbOzl2NgHbY-AFDPVnony/s640/20190113_100108.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Single digits left.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdGywjuhbbfKpthYgpv6vv4Ac9n2K8J6MP4_tjPp27Ct9QNE-DtKkA0vrt1tsSHd2z49oO6Ur18GrnfNFmEgfBGFKgSRfNVa3knZg63XhRs9n-cmvRW_ebV9iaojFZ0I0sRzvLOLw62E-/s1600/20190113_100733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdGywjuhbbfKpthYgpv6vv4Ac9n2K8J6MP4_tjPp27Ct9QNE-DtKkA0vrt1tsSHd2z49oO6Ur18GrnfNFmEgfBGFKgSRfNVa3knZg63XhRs9n-cmvRW_ebV9iaojFZ0I0sRzvLOLw62E-/s640/20190113_100733.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Headed into WWOS. Those folks on the left are at mile 21, we are at 17. Talk about a mental game. 😔</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg682QqSHrZtmc6xDKXf0XWtk6-TWyZnn0rYnqnSnvHJoLBsnKoDbQHg3fcUVza10s5ZhoKgrgTiRCe5rqCxrHN9v5p-wv1fPYvrdhPGCDlOZaNL56s3o_3vtBwWahVi_zg0JtFlHAkL8T_/s1600/d35c71fa-e438-4365-9c36-7c49afb084f0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1065" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg682QqSHrZtmc6xDKXf0XWtk6-TWyZnn0rYnqnSnvHJoLBsnKoDbQHg3fcUVza10s5ZhoKgrgTiRCe5rqCxrHN9v5p-wv1fPYvrdhPGCDlOZaNL56s3o_3vtBwWahVi_zg0JtFlHAkL8T_/s640/d35c71fa-e438-4365-9c36-7c49afb084f0.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking through Champion Stadium around mile 20. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I powered through WWOS and started on the two mile trek to Hollywood Studios. At this point, I was crying and really feeling awful and so damn hot. I started to debate if I wanted to quit now- but I kept thinking, "who quits a marathon at mile 22?!" They gave us cold sponges somewhere in WWOS and at every water station, I dipped it in water and then tucked it in the back of my sports bra- it was awesome and helped relieve some of the heat.<br />
<br />
Finally, I made it to Hollywood Studios and climbed up this horrible (but short) hill at mile 23. At the top of the hill, there are bathrooms on the right and volunteers with chocolate on the left. I stopped to use the bathroom and texted the following to Matthew:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGs9FScx7gbArPNWbX8lGOUsl9qwfid-ujRaCTSpdyJrXHh4QmYymt8Cm_aOJguvfarNGn087pUZ68hhXDmSBbxh8z1DklDUOSRT3hyI-V3SPIIYm0yu3olt9P3iLukU_rDYiYIh_Cxa8/s1600/Screenshot_20190210-200620_Messages.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="779" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGs9FScx7gbArPNWbX8lGOUsl9qwfid-ujRaCTSpdyJrXHh4QmYymt8Cm_aOJguvfarNGn087pUZ68hhXDmSBbxh8z1DklDUOSRT3hyI-V3SPIIYm0yu3olt9P3iLukU_rDYiYIh_Cxa8/s640/Screenshot_20190210-200620_Messages.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Both my language and my attitude <br />
are foul at mile 23. 😉</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Somehow, I managed to keep moving down Sunset Boulevard and out through the front of the park. There was lots of Gondola construction so we ran a weird little route towards the boardwalk and Epcot. This year, we entered the boardwalk and turned right instead of left which was a welcome surprise.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio0pCg6EeNQUOXFx_GsDq-DqQE2qB-lZDY98tYkswmwMuFDJCkNhmqNL8Qv7s1DCQ8NlkDgcwmP-4tIoQHb5RJRBgJzjeyysN-bFZ7_r6Fu9UNrs_Y0074i5yo-wzaWsKpMQYv2jb1yS9n/s1600/0834702b-ecbd-4dec-99de-86aad7a0ec58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1063" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio0pCg6EeNQUOXFx_GsDq-DqQE2qB-lZDY98tYkswmwMuFDJCkNhmqNL8Qv7s1DCQ8NlkDgcwmP-4tIoQHb5RJRBgJzjeyysN-bFZ7_r6Fu9UNrs_Y0074i5yo-wzaWsKpMQYv2jb1yS9n/s640/0834702b-ecbd-4dec-99de-86aad7a0ec58.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just thinking finish line thoughts.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlzFIon6ZgVFOS6gNvfs9sjzVK0ihV0xLw2nau84YDZFjinvMLlms-Mlo64u1jJAlqsRxTalRq5FfaBLTJGZXkBgEbNrXiqefx26P4qxDtv-iK6uCB3p9HL96cbroX9IjUl-43ehXy8D0/s1600/20190113_112911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlzFIon6ZgVFOS6gNvfs9sjzVK0ihV0xLw2nau84YDZFjinvMLlms-Mlo64u1jJAlqsRxTalRq5FfaBLTJGZXkBgEbNrXiqefx26P4qxDtv-iK6uCB3p9HL96cbroX9IjUl-43ehXy8D0/s640/20190113_112911.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 down, 1 to go.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Once I got into Epcot, I threw my hands up and thanked God that I'd made it to the end, which is weird because I am in no way religious. Marathons are weird, man. Matthew was waiting for me just before France with a cold Schofferhofer (from the Germany pavilion) and a piece of schoolbread (from the Norway pavilion). He is literally the <b>best</b> spectator on earth.<br />
<br />
I grabbed the food and the beer and Matthew started walking with me around the World. We saw our friends Matt and Kim and grabbed sweaty hugs and selfies before heading on towards the finish.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjG6ZiI6iIFJxWfiT-nJzx_Bo8_bJam_-chZVkgcKdH2fQHonUNDBYPzHUdXYNy3h1uKKO3vJzAj9AY3scacjyY_TskKwP0etAfo9X3LyuKXXJA5jpEGEyAkpYfWj6A3CUNHTCngNq9-K/s1600/20190113_115337_041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjG6ZiI6iIFJxWfiT-nJzx_Bo8_bJam_-chZVkgcKdH2fQHonUNDBYPzHUdXYNy3h1uKKO3vJzAj9AY3scacjyY_TskKwP0etAfo9X3LyuKXXJA5jpEGEyAkpYfWj6A3CUNHTCngNq9-K/s640/20190113_115337_041.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running towards my two loves, Matthew and beer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtvoZKA5cocH2-sKhSEiXwoF55JUeJSng6rdiewwIFAQr1FPl8yRBgo63m4JZS6vFFMeE_qjZr2PDrGSSxyE9fq2bnw2cvnL3zzmSoAZSIlKrBImqPlYICZ59lv-ovf66sXqB7dTYBYzR/s1600/20190113_115523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtvoZKA5cocH2-sKhSEiXwoF55JUeJSng6rdiewwIFAQr1FPl8yRBgo63m4JZS6vFFMeE_qjZr2PDrGSSxyE9fq2bnw2cvnL3zzmSoAZSIlKrBImqPlYICZ59lv-ovf66sXqB7dTYBYzR/s640/20190113_115523.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt and Kim!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-9CDVJWIpcTRKecg-noCrLRKpIabySC598nxJ_iWxIsNeRFPNnQuuOHSC-dP7jIPTw4n0IToTp_VHXhhA4gM5M6az_goQ65pk-EcFY418VfOfN6YjJDiRiKERecD7NH896X45Kq6e_Bu/s1600/49691963_10157028555992445_172406262208659456_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-9CDVJWIpcTRKecg-noCrLRKpIabySC598nxJ_iWxIsNeRFPNnQuuOHSC-dP7jIPTw4n0IToTp_VHXhhA4gM5M6az_goQ65pk-EcFY418VfOfN6YjJDiRiKERecD7NH896X45Kq6e_Bu/s640/49691963_10157028555992445_172406262208659456_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out that beer holding technique. 😅</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Matthew stayed on the course with me as I made my way around the rest of the World Showcase. I swear, that last mile feels like it takes <i>forever</i>. I grabbed a bunch of silly pictures, sang horribly and loudly to "Go the Distance," (which you can hear in the video below) and then said goodbye to Matthew as I turned the last corner to head to the finish line.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5YctpWXKFKFUUlGmbQvGUsAU4uQIk-HgxDhEQ2p4F-OYRnHsVewzN_SpSKgzBaMC3moniA36EJ3LxUMk05WD2Tgw2Rjggmhccz6941tKsWwamKuW80uJ2_QUBbA5kXh3tQnSTnn_YrNX/s1600/20190113_115402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5YctpWXKFKFUUlGmbQvGUsAU4uQIk-HgxDhEQ2p4F-OYRnHsVewzN_SpSKgzBaMC3moniA36EJ3LxUMk05WD2Tgw2Rjggmhccz6941tKsWwamKuW80uJ2_QUBbA5kXh3tQnSTnn_YrNX/s640/20190113_115402.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Making my way downtown, walking fast, place is packed and I'm home bound.."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxh9yZXFawXogjYGpaCvD5MGA6V9LwUpoDZS22m_DYtRAalUVhxUUvwhzOLRq8pCDCEXjHCaqFk2ZSTL4QXwx4mLYjY2oa1wBKvSlNb2IFUci0MS3v1-8rQ8VK0Iwu94bYBMfAXI3LAIag/s1600/20190113_115619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxh9yZXFawXogjYGpaCvD5MGA6V9LwUpoDZS22m_DYtRAalUVhxUUvwhzOLRq8pCDCEXjHCaqFk2ZSTL4QXwx4mLYjY2oa1wBKvSlNb2IFUci0MS3v1-8rQ8VK0Iwu94bYBMfAXI3LAIag/s640/20190113_115619.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morocco! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAkwpJ8A4oUgz4EffGwiUL7hCUru236HlARlsZZISVKODfL4G7vkbVmMr5EfYYiGwMFlj_mBPjJ7swdmabSLASyQe4F-Jx9tIjtC0u5T_kprIcVgykRsAB4Yns4gwvqCIgHcaiIoC3lvU/s1600/20190113_115658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAkwpJ8A4oUgz4EffGwiUL7hCUru236HlARlsZZISVKODfL4G7vkbVmMr5EfYYiGwMFlj_mBPjJ7swdmabSLASyQe4F-Jx9tIjtC0u5T_kprIcVgykRsAB4Yns4gwvqCIgHcaiIoC3lvU/s640/20190113_115658.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dancing towards Japan.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRx5wqDFVFxHZNVsuO5JgtoyTfPUlaGKAn_WX4xfGFyBcehMd13Xu0QABhyGWNtvbt64sdvkgMFOMZAYp7-UFtsGiY12pqgAaQYN9i9R8tVYOuzsvVehlekGcmnJjAMlnKkGxdSc-0k0Z9/s1600/20190113_115959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRx5wqDFVFxHZNVsuO5JgtoyTfPUlaGKAn_WX4xfGFyBcehMd13Xu0QABhyGWNtvbt64sdvkgMFOMZAYp7-UFtsGiY12pqgAaQYN9i9R8tVYOuzsvVehlekGcmnJjAMlnKkGxdSc-0k0Z9/s640/20190113_115959.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Germany!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Hus5BhNIH-E/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Hus5BhNIH-E?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3T88X-APVyblhZV4pWFT48pxBfez8V4ADvD-1pSvftkpVTOhB0je42W778eDAzvGPFooAorwYIxCfRSdXZ7Hq17r_H8kKhYXiJOCqgtJqbmVaUz9RU8ivdmgfHYvvabGcbS1oxaNTP98/s1600/20190113_120734_008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3T88X-APVyblhZV4pWFT48pxBfez8V4ADvD-1pSvftkpVTOhB0je42W778eDAzvGPFooAorwYIxCfRSdXZ7Hq17r_H8kKhYXiJOCqgtJqbmVaUz9RU8ivdmgfHYvvabGcbS1oxaNTP98/s640/20190113_120734_008.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost there.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTeEBqp5MzFaEDFrQzqplpSSo-yRXyeTAn0YoH_rfEfaHCGcyHJTTn0BoMC0j_odu-bvrj3ldFa6wtEb_nLg6eaLii8Lh8VbrcC-WX8KU8QIwukb72juq2UuBz9YQYGxQXSOZLBl4wJpHI/s1600/20190113_120804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTeEBqp5MzFaEDFrQzqplpSSo-yRXyeTAn0YoH_rfEfaHCGcyHJTTn0BoMC0j_odu-bvrj3ldFa6wtEb_nLg6eaLii8Lh8VbrcC-WX8KU8QIwukb72juq2UuBz9YQYGxQXSOZLBl4wJpHI/s640/20190113_120804.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4 down, 0 to go!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkq1YVlwD2Os-_HhUK-Ik0ghNNCEzM-jhJX1-MLeUSU4IprjsVVYcWr4WY6oCDozgKSMQ4vPDhEWaopMyUbajVUJKQDjpu-OdLIgC_Xe79alMlHL1HGzf_Z61maMEQYqhuNqYsod4M4sk/s1600/3d6921bd-6548-4591-935f-a18276f4c8de.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1062" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkq1YVlwD2Os-_HhUK-Ik0ghNNCEzM-jhJX1-MLeUSU4IprjsVVYcWr4WY6oCDozgKSMQ4vPDhEWaopMyUbajVUJKQDjpu-OdLIgC_Xe79alMlHL1HGzf_Z61maMEQYqhuNqYsod4M4sk/s640/3d6921bd-6548-4591-935f-a18276f4c8de.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So close I can taste it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I ran past the gospel choir, grabbed a high five from Rudy, and then finished my fifth marathon. Five. Freaking. Marathons.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_wiXWpqcNMzbFcoT7H6jyIcgIUKA__ys7_EhJtKLGLmy2KLBlAgc4AWX6AOnlEohm9GWzeQs1hv0NQyIft0dd1OXkccOmfbk76aX6Zmp_3vUgUZ66yzqxOPqlAioA2SmBTts_wcO-uie/s1600/a233eaba-25b0-4dd4-98c8-ad9550ca0204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1065" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_wiXWpqcNMzbFcoT7H6jyIcgIUKA__ys7_EhJtKLGLmy2KLBlAgc4AWX6AOnlEohm9GWzeQs1hv0NQyIft0dd1OXkccOmfbk76aX6Zmp_3vUgUZ66yzqxOPqlAioA2SmBTts_wcO-uie/s640/a233eaba-25b0-4dd4-98c8-ad9550ca0204.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing with a beer in hand and a course PR. </td></tr>
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I finished my fifth marathon (and fourth Disney marathon) in 6:18:51- a new course PR and my second-fastest marathon ever.<br />
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While I didn't come close to my A goal (6:00 or under), I did cross two things off my bucket list that I'd always wanted to do during a Disney marathon: ride Everest and cross the finish line with a beer in my hand. Check and check.<br />
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I met up with Matthew and Nathan in the family reunion area. Nathan had already finished his marathon, went back to his hotel to shower, and made it back in time to see me finish- he's wicked fast! And a solid friend- thanks for coming back to cheer me on, Nathan!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6SBjbcTJr2q3dFES8KoWwPKdsS2tazdGpHWdwyQF-sGF6I4hhlI6QrylQ4YQCqaVSMvyrublDTPgawZFqWHKmf6Uge7EW3ctnfVQKdtMXSQJEIP8EN4clikw3p38tj-7RkTu0J33rILo/s1600/4306cd9c-658a-4708-a4c2-18f7cf817f99.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1063" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6SBjbcTJr2q3dFES8KoWwPKdsS2tazdGpHWdwyQF-sGF6I4hhlI6QrylQ4YQCqaVSMvyrublDTPgawZFqWHKmf6Uge7EW3ctnfVQKdtMXSQJEIP8EN4clikw3p38tj-7RkTu0J33rILo/s640/4306cd9c-658a-4708-a4c2-18f7cf817f99.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm so out of it, my skirt is tucked into my shorts pocket. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xeLTTzFGmwofqTj5mxsA9usj0S7S11IC2QzR5sZBUSO6Uovr3NEHEOL0cFZhQkqpSyt4MMpQekSYSGMVto1zZZFQ9ijSU7kOTACMmAv-m7eI7awe8E0UeKcQVwO4n0Qlogm_QJXxaL4T/s1600/20190113_122704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xeLTTzFGmwofqTj5mxsA9usj0S7S11IC2QzR5sZBUSO6Uovr3NEHEOL0cFZhQkqpSyt4MMpQekSYSGMVto1zZZFQ9ijSU7kOTACMmAv-m7eI7awe8E0UeKcQVwO4n0Qlogm_QJXxaL4T/s640/20190113_122704.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfectly Dopey Nathan.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmesXb2O0BlDIoKCC10ejjQcPs0_HtTovT8VgdEpKqEw1wawK_xhXKLjlYMwnsSZrLUw7Lp___SMX08r97HeiYNrxELO1qNULzVFTy8EFyV3gxk6vXKWoSAr1EyQkry4ci4GvY1wl2KWd6/s1600/20190113_122720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmesXb2O0BlDIoKCC10ejjQcPs0_HtTovT8VgdEpKqEw1wawK_xhXKLjlYMwnsSZrLUw7Lp___SMX08r97HeiYNrxELO1qNULzVFTy8EFyV3gxk6vXKWoSAr1EyQkry4ci4GvY1wl2KWd6/s640/20190113_122720.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My guy. 💕</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPdJX-g5NZxWI42hjRBzVda_Uu5UQjmDyhOEEoXXv3_9dMJ7Bkujbf005dqBinI_Kn5XU4ajHoFiGVGYx5rSmxzO9VhZNfsAy2opyXsW5WqZsB9Sr5LlNRJgosaLZDKByg47cSmQGqrot2/s1600/20190113_122806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPdJX-g5NZxWI42hjRBzVda_Uu5UQjmDyhOEEoXXv3_9dMJ7Bkujbf005dqBinI_Kn5XU4ajHoFiGVGYx5rSmxzO9VhZNfsAy2opyXsW5WqZsB9Sr5LlNRJgosaLZDKByg47cSmQGqrot2/s640/20190113_122806.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Number 5 in the books.</td></tr>
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After resting for a bit, I got cleaned up as best you can in an Epcot bathroom, and Matthew, Nathan, and I did a few laps around World Showcase to stretch out the legs. A few beers and snacks later, we headed back to the resort for a real shower. Later that night we ate at Skipper Canteen (which was fantastic!) in MK, walked around Disney Springs, and then finally went to bed around 11 pm. Pretty sure I put at least 30 miles on my feet that day. 😉<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How else do you celebrate a marathon?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just goofin around in Germany.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzmxVWnMZUGDIld5c1dQgw__fr-srZtqEaRl8l6KFrY1T4VBw-XbRSL1cz4QdyoveQM99BEbY4tpTlY2fiH_OINd8dzuQHyUirhFGwPKWTIFKs0AzgeZADMO8REs54GzGUpTC2VmnYKr7c/s1600/050eae3d-5527-408b-8e7b-35b2c98f658a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzmxVWnMZUGDIld5c1dQgw__fr-srZtqEaRl8l6KFrY1T4VBw-XbRSL1cz4QdyoveQM99BEbY4tpTlY2fiH_OINd8dzuQHyUirhFGwPKWTIFKs0AzgeZADMO8REs54GzGUpTC2VmnYKr7c/s640/050eae3d-5527-408b-8e7b-35b2c98f658a.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Accomplished.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0Zt4knpd4ll3hWa6iXYVHcjqjNxsWlRmhMmnfkbE5lIjoRCSkXnO0s-3QwNH_3PPCf4Vn2F3bqoJacm8X1bf2GJFk1HQxz2rmZ4XGPjyxDLLXDYlQokmxyFKrWrWQ8pe_tDgNvvnyWnF/s1600/20190113_181035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0Zt4knpd4ll3hWa6iXYVHcjqjNxsWlRmhMmnfkbE5lIjoRCSkXnO0s-3QwNH_3PPCf4Vn2F3bqoJacm8X1bf2GJFk1HQxz2rmZ4XGPjyxDLLXDYlQokmxyFKrWrWQ8pe_tDgNvvnyWnF/s640/20190113_181035.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"When you wish upon a star..."</td></tr>
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While there were so many awesome friends I saw on the course, and so many amazing volunteers, I have to save the biggest thanks for Matthew. <b>This was a horrible race for me.</b> 80% of the time, I had horrific stomach cramps and it was so stinking hot. I wanted to quit so many times. But Matthew kept me focused, kept me laughing, and kept me in the race.<br />
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Thank you, Matthew, for being my biggest cheerleader and for believing in me when I can't find the strength to do so. I am so, so, so grateful I get to do life with you. Thank you.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXUHo7inUqnCJ98SNSaqAPwXUJmlLTHMN4pMT5KHO-_tNguIlhqbR93qO8dA7_ez39kKB4YuFFvEgW6F6A7eL1aVf87LFSBK1gTFB8grvJ_jakOF9MsdZtUyP7MzkmGh_QCy33HT4V7G9U/s1600/1600c54c-1fbe-4844-8539-d9dc57aded89.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXUHo7inUqnCJ98SNSaqAPwXUJmlLTHMN4pMT5KHO-_tNguIlhqbR93qO8dA7_ez39kKB4YuFFvEgW6F6A7eL1aVf87LFSBK1gTFB8grvJ_jakOF9MsdZtUyP7MzkmGh_QCy33HT4V7G9U/s640/1600c54c-1fbe-4844-8539-d9dc57aded89.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy. </td></tr>
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Will I do the Disney marathon again? Hell, will I do <b>any</b> marathon again?<br />
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If you would have asked me right after I finished this one, the answer would have been a resounding <b>HELL NO</b>. However, now that I've had time to recover, I can't say for sure that this one was my last. I still have the desire to run long distances and maybe even an ultra. Time will tell to see what my future race calendar holds.<br />
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Will we be back to Disney for the 2020 WDW Marathon Weekend?<br />
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Absolutely! So many of the issues we've had over the years (crowded expo, crowded race courses) were not at all a problem this year. The whole weekend was so enjoyable- we will be back in 2020 for sure. Which races we'll be running, that's still a mystery at this point. Though I'm sure I'll post about it here once we decide. 😊<br />
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P.S.- if you want to see what the route looks like with a roller coaster thrown in there, check out my relive below!<br />
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<i><b>Have you ever run any of the races during WDW Marathon Weekend? Which is your favorite?</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>Sarah S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09861496043188311237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483808524582624189.post-49145448114514100502019-02-04T04:30:00.000-05:002019-02-04T04:30:08.340-05:002019 WDW Marathon Weekend: Spectating the Half MarathonFor 2019, Matthew and I each chose one race to run during the weekend. I chose the full, he chose the half. So a few Saturdays ago, we woke up at o'dark thirty and headed to Epcot for the start of the 2019 WDW Half Marathon. <div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three Dopeys, a Donald, and a Mickey.</td></tr>
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We met up at the usual spot with our ohana (Jeff, Katherine, and Nathan) who were all doing the Dopey Challenge- in fact, they are all PERFECT FREAKING DOPEYS! How amazing are they?</div>
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After we chatted for a while and planned where I would see everybody on the course, the runners headed back to the corrals and I headed for the monorail... with a quick pit stop for a coffee and a breakfast sandwich on the way. 😉</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-mktUi38tHv-3OMT4f_mw6TfxwF_H7yMZ72sD0LhS8fZxUw3bI4iDUwqL9-PwKAwEH0tk8HD-7bssvrBzsV6Vr5C2wAGdqtFuhrbbM3vu42yFPF0YaIg4ovxZUWk_M4RPFVAOoex6D6-e/s1600/20190112_045523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-mktUi38tHv-3OMT4f_mw6TfxwF_H7yMZ72sD0LhS8fZxUw3bI4iDUwqL9-PwKAwEH0tk8HD-7bssvrBzsV6Vr5C2wAGdqtFuhrbbM3vu42yFPF0YaIg4ovxZUWk_M4RPFVAOoex6D6-e/s640/20190112_045523.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you, runDisney, for having quick service meals available at the start. 👊</td></tr>
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I walked towards the front of the park and got on the monorail for the Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC). This way, I would be able to see Matthew at mile 3.9 and then jump on the monorail to the Grand Floridian and see him again at mile 7.2. </div>
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When I got to the TTC, it was pretty empty and I was able to pick out my spot at the very end of the TTC, right as the runners are leaving and headed back onto the highway. I started chatting with a very nice young man [oh God, does that make me an old lady now?!] who is a sophomore at UCF. His mom and sister-in-law were running the half so we made casual conversation for about 30 minutes before the first runners came through. I didn't catch his name but I did catch a picture of his awesome sign:</div>
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Matthew was running with his phone so we had been communicating during the start and the first few miles. He texted me when he was at mile 3 so I knew when to start looking for him. While I waited for him, I got to see Nathan and Katharine and our friend, Justin.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvQWDVGo6W-qyRIQVtCQ_YIhaDXkqCcoKPrlLnGXbimHvtIx7jNBdJfM5L38Pf_9i1FC8qL-TvaTFPoDoJks7y_2n5r5-hnu69O1aT9mgeNBR09o06AHydcSDmsK9WbGY7G_I4smgNuxM/s1600/20190112_060823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvQWDVGo6W-qyRIQVtCQ_YIhaDXkqCcoKPrlLnGXbimHvtIx7jNBdJfM5L38Pf_9i1FC8qL-TvaTFPoDoJks7y_2n5r5-hnu69O1aT9mgeNBR09o06AHydcSDmsK9WbGY7G_I4smgNuxM/s640/20190112_060823.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a casual hello during a half marathon. Hey, Justin. 😉 </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ujPhCEm8kzmJMNHiZF2o0SvuwLJMnxB93vDt6PGGG9b7M3pmfiyRQqffcqqqr8qla1xApdMcvRIyx_aYDthInZbjfCkvc_kQmPxBdoowdaZ876gaMuFJdRhSUCuZXhoo7T61MxkQ98p6/s1600/20190112_061234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ujPhCEm8kzmJMNHiZF2o0SvuwLJMnxB93vDt6PGGG9b7M3pmfiyRQqffcqqqr8qla1xApdMcvRIyx_aYDthInZbjfCkvc_kQmPxBdoowdaZ876gaMuFJdRhSUCuZXhoo7T61MxkQ98p6/s640/20190112_061234.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To answer your question, yes, I am available as a race photographer. 😜 Nathan and Katherine kicking ass.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I had a supply of clementines, beef jerky, and crackers available for Matthew and at mile 3.9, he was requesting clementines. So I peeled a baby orange and got it ready for him as he headed towards me with Jeff- they were running the half together. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3T9htmiGHQ6cqwXB2Tt1AO_gk4IF1n2ZGyyLdjLc1BKblWGMOtAeu4NuJoX2B1u80YM-3mi9OkUu6n7VLQoshexIy0I51Wx88fkFWc6OHi2hsz3lIlsI7CkqGcS_k2-yPzVXzDoSl660_/s1600/20190112_062033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3T9htmiGHQ6cqwXB2Tt1AO_gk4IF1n2ZGyyLdjLc1BKblWGMOtAeu4NuJoX2B1u80YM-3mi9OkUu6n7VLQoshexIy0I51Wx88fkFWc6OHi2hsz3lIlsI7CkqGcS_k2-yPzVXzDoSl660_/s640/20190112_062033.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What some people will do for a free piece of fruit. Ha!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxPqdV4PidgY3Fsy7W-SVeYBgdkuHNk7PJ7kG7rXr3TJ0JCd0D_yd2eBs_td8K7YauvpODW0vMLiKrMqt05S0UxmRs5P_iutP2IBPF8QQM3Xi7KiWnZfweT8Wpf3zEouB5La3gaPF7mny/s1600/20190112_062048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxPqdV4PidgY3Fsy7W-SVeYBgdkuHNk7PJ7kG7rXr3TJ0JCd0D_yd2eBs_td8K7YauvpODW0vMLiKrMqt05S0UxmRs5P_iutP2IBPF8QQM3Xi7KiWnZfweT8Wpf3zEouB5La3gaPF7mny/s640/20190112_062048.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you tell how humid it was?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After seeing my guys and making sure they were ok, I headed back to the monorail to get to the Grand Floridian. The race route goes right past the Grand Floridian Convention Center so it's very easy to get from where the monorail lets you out to the race course. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWlcnxw_4m4bL0Sl79f4fI0r6l7KPPfT60IYAzBCgd3DVU7WtgY6yWQQqW7eOtGQgH8yy3VMlbQrxl8mMpHGmg1aHigOIjT_jiPQ1A-1ydkyqbxRZiBo3_0pRT9gcupb_BhLEofJdNf5nF/s1600/e1f972c5-75b0-407b-880b-468d4a7aae59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1063" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWlcnxw_4m4bL0Sl79f4fI0r6l7KPPfT60IYAzBCgd3DVU7WtgY6yWQQqW7eOtGQgH8yy3VMlbQrxl8mMpHGmg1aHigOIjT_jiPQ1A-1ydkyqbxRZiBo3_0pRT9gcupb_BhLEofJdNf5nF/s640/e1f972c5-75b0-407b-880b-468d4a7aae59.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While I rode the monorail, Jeff and Matthew stormed the castle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Matthew texted me at mile 7 so I knew to when to start looking for him. I had more oranges ready for him as he was just about halfway to the finish.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSlxj3stswdvEsC8ScnL1YtjM-eHcBPd5b2GbfcYnqLUPbepAChGjxcfyo1MVwQcJLurMKDbZIpxQFug6ftEVSIIib3wsGeSPy4u3Ch9miChvIvo4IICaWzKfonsgmwee08IV3Sm6BvAhi/s1600/20190112_065026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSlxj3stswdvEsC8ScnL1YtjM-eHcBPd5b2GbfcYnqLUPbepAChGjxcfyo1MVwQcJLurMKDbZIpxQFug6ftEVSIIib3wsGeSPy4u3Ch9miChvIvo4IICaWzKfonsgmwee08IV3Sm6BvAhi/s640/20190112_065026.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Have cowbell, will spectate.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2V4btEuzpkr8heFB3ChR_AKrTTky_Qqws2Sgz0KyYbn5natpU6w92A59drKu0gczWPqAmuQZsoRCZt-C2yVB88FeCq6AaXOW6M-mn36WDKtHnXq-USpFm9Anv4azRUtwZS9BExAJeC2cH/s1600/20190112_065747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2V4btEuzpkr8heFB3ChR_AKrTTky_Qqws2Sgz0KyYbn5natpU6w92A59drKu0gczWPqAmuQZsoRCZt-C2yVB88FeCq6AaXOW6M-mn36WDKtHnXq-USpFm9Anv4azRUtwZS9BExAJeC2cH/s640/20190112_065747.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There they are!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvOuZC82I_Xt4uwelZG-sn9KqeClKOCTj8pS9Ybua2H8JBcoO-mtNIrgi0aOpomiPKr-JiGKuyCxEded5PQLCp-xtiiKOykPsrjDyAbcuubu9lQClcR2_j3FVId2_XafOX1W6FsNEwZSe/s1600/20190112_065809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvOuZC82I_Xt4uwelZG-sn9KqeClKOCTj8pS9Ybua2H8JBcoO-mtNIrgi0aOpomiPKr-JiGKuyCxEded5PQLCp-xtiiKOykPsrjDyAbcuubu9lQClcR2_j3FVId2_XafOX1W6FsNEwZSe/s640/20190112_065809.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sweaty guys. 💜</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After seeing them off, I headed back to the monorail to get to Epcot to meet them somewhere between miles 11 and 12. We didn't have a defined meeting spot because I wasn't sure exactly where I'd be able to get to by the time I got back to the park. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On the monorail, it was very cool to see the sunrise over the Grand Floridian and then see the runners on the highways around Walt Disney World. Having never spectated the half before, it was a pretty awesome experience to watch the race from above. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrD0UH3TeNbqjOL3U0JnCt9FHCVPw4gm7NieQtlC6WqB_mGm6_V8_7tcJzkhnTRKNfhrGxN4zBqL8AEOG-fnXZbYEgedez5_vxpLJJAnPCkXB-xRZxrv3uDgekZxbFNexukIHexad3Uje/s1600/20190112_072726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrD0UH3TeNbqjOL3U0JnCt9FHCVPw4gm7NieQtlC6WqB_mGm6_V8_7tcJzkhnTRKNfhrGxN4zBqL8AEOG-fnXZbYEgedez5_vxpLJJAnPCkXB-xRZxrv3uDgekZxbFNexukIHexad3Uje/s640/20190112_072726.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPUG4u048qSvTrRkJswiOkPG2CH5I7vJWZ9VOiRdCRHYqG9pep0UlAKJbjeP02MdK9VsaavCv3rNrE7EbBRThZ7PxF780-IeSJ2iwwL0H3CjxKtPIo5mPRXuvBpb4Uwh-6li8u9-OhIYFf/s640/20190112_074859.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That sun is hotter than it looks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCp1k-uY7U_6Z9tgLrDfI5cRgYyJdMhCZJ7zrQxrwFYxpMnUyq_yxAqFgYboomRehXSLajPBDwPgRITgpJafYer4QR5QBA8dm8LPvU8U4GoBPV5lGktQHMQfay0HXJVA5sO_UHzIWcjdM8/s640/20190112_074901.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hi, runners! 👋</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When I got to Epcot, I headed over to the park exit near where the buses park. I texted Matthew to let him know where I was. I had gotten there just in time to see him one last time before the finish.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJYACzChgs1Bwuzrr_cZf4abJWOm-IN1p2bpE9BuhCbJCF1K84eqYnkgsUwfQQGiPEZGyDlvrQPMgURNK5_T14Pdr89BiwmCL3OSS2msuRSa6Ql6Iv4VFYPlIRp1tlt4cf_-wxj4E753K/s1600/20190112_080203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJYACzChgs1Bwuzrr_cZf4abJWOm-IN1p2bpE9BuhCbJCF1K84eqYnkgsUwfQQGiPEZGyDlvrQPMgURNK5_T14Pdr89BiwmCL3OSS2msuRSa6Ql6Iv4VFYPlIRp1tlt4cf_-wxj4E753K/s640/20190112_080203.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost done!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After seeing him start his victory lap of the park, I headed over to the family reunion area near the finish. We had a predetermined meeting place right outside of bag check. When I got there Nathan and Katherine were already waiting and together we waited for Jeff and Matthew. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgerieUXmRXmMKfb-X-ToNXsDHBqmoU0QN_aEYplf-SxY_MG-zV-2y_vHjq6qebkDNusRg4ZcN0z-wfuaQMF5gFAW37SjJzzP-Fa9TXi79j-qUgIDRSwOCGkOmcfFl7VABz665VUERGFz3l/s1600/299a973d-94c2-48fe-b180-7b531bad00cb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1063" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgerieUXmRXmMKfb-X-ToNXsDHBqmoU0QN_aEYplf-SxY_MG-zV-2y_vHjq6qebkDNusRg4ZcN0z-wfuaQMF5gFAW37SjJzzP-Fa9TXi79j-qUgIDRSwOCGkOmcfFl7VABz665VUERGFz3l/s640/299a973d-94c2-48fe-b180-7b531bad00cb.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost to Future World.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDAmgsmCH-uPBezQY_sSZbE0wX3limfq8XQHnBre7bxs6yowngf60knH7vZnIWV63fMnUpekU0b3dfdfl2eitvvEhSf7L0j-XOvDSfCcMjfkd7LwxM8sJOK0ZxZ5nBOb5pjc53FBMbdpD/s1600/d05f62c8-2a5a-4e9c-bf79-0d1349e90ef8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1064" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDAmgsmCH-uPBezQY_sSZbE0wX3limfq8XQHnBre7bxs6yowngf60knH7vZnIWV63fMnUpekU0b3dfdfl2eitvvEhSf7L0j-XOvDSfCcMjfkd7LwxM8sJOK0ZxZ5nBOb5pjc53FBMbdpD/s640/d05f62c8-2a5a-4e9c-bf79-0d1349e90ef8.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close to mile 13!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHFp72OqOHTQGZiBUwdumHjXnNWmtbAF6oL3MssWpu7v77R4acaHZtVt2kgNa3U-kwTVrcevrToQL4pIbo8a2UrRZG5XFrNLRCYbDLVJ9wL3qmzT4TKi7g-6FbQaiX2uIaGGIJ4-GkiGC/s1600/eaa401e1-2187-4799-8bf2-3f006e82adcf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1065" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHFp72OqOHTQGZiBUwdumHjXnNWmtbAF6oL3MssWpu7v77R4acaHZtVt2kgNa3U-kwTVrcevrToQL4pIbo8a2UrRZG5XFrNLRCYbDLVJ9wL3qmzT4TKi7g-6FbQaiX2uIaGGIJ4-GkiGC/s640/eaa401e1-2187-4799-8bf2-3f006e82adcf.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finishers!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div>
Finally, we saw Matthew and Jeff come through bag check and got to congratulate our finishers! After sitting for a while, we headed into Epcot to enjoy a lap around World Showcase before going back to our resort to rest. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9peDGu3Z7oiR06xNYm8TsNtDC3l1kMXKs5bd6oSuwDoKLwSvW8J3Wm9cb__7eAb95eExtHNJjOrlekuQqEO7MDKOJ-AZdRYPI3YIRSl_L8HK5l0ccOc46WcCg3ng38UofV3ksaBaMpMeN/s1600/1204a8ba-3b39-4ebe-9e55-2b1365df549f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9peDGu3Z7oiR06xNYm8TsNtDC3l1kMXKs5bd6oSuwDoKLwSvW8J3Wm9cb__7eAb95eExtHNJjOrlekuQqEO7MDKOJ-AZdRYPI3YIRSl_L8HK5l0ccOc46WcCg3ng38UofV3ksaBaMpMeN/s640/1204a8ba-3b39-4ebe-9e55-2b1365df549f.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SbGemHsYjhhoht5W7TB2sg97WkS-91jfaJaA-Af89Za3F8KNUgl1ZBrPgHFIPyAC-OUySoVp1eF9ED0X5FLkLoIQN0pg7jdfhI1ln3cINpgg_YAB8avJRt8ZHLpJf4CsSqKKQhqJqyWv/s1600/20190112_083642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SbGemHsYjhhoht5W7TB2sg97WkS-91jfaJaA-Af89Za3F8KNUgl1ZBrPgHFIPyAC-OUySoVp1eF9ED0X5FLkLoIQN0pg7jdfhI1ln3cINpgg_YAB8avJRt8ZHLpJf4CsSqKKQhqJqyWv/s640/20190112_083642.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy finishers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxVE4dnguc25PlLknyNpWI7zMUA5vllH0cte2UEUhN8GcDWA1wxvFSH1kbRJWlOcilwW4_tFcwvlzgX8sFgcemBW1Uj3grasqCTcTy5jV9F672XV04Vas_jaaGqegwqO2StenF2SDpd32/s1600/20190112_084008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxVE4dnguc25PlLknyNpWI7zMUA5vllH0cte2UEUhN8GcDWA1wxvFSH1kbRJWlOcilwW4_tFcwvlzgX8sFgcemBW1Uj3grasqCTcTy5jV9F672XV04Vas_jaaGqegwqO2StenF2SDpd32/s640/20190112_084008.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So proud of my finisher.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<div>
While we were in Epcot, the race was actually still going on, so we got to cheer on the last finishers. We also stopped at Starbucks and ran into these two guys, still running, who took a break to grab a frappuccino on their way to the finish. 😂</div>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4hC-HidB9DIrhKFf_ujn4zMb4Y_QOpAI0RjgLnekxivAnN5szCX6T-OJG6X174atXmSbylW_EPejj_VRSa2syXifzS9qtoPVeOPlxIqmN6rekrytfozvTq3lxEGxijCQkr6YSGbPFeH7/s1600/20190112_095156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4hC-HidB9DIrhKFf_ujn4zMb4Y_QOpAI0RjgLnekxivAnN5szCX6T-OJG6X174atXmSbylW_EPejj_VRSa2syXifzS9qtoPVeOPlxIqmN6rekrytfozvTq3lxEGxijCQkr6YSGbPFeH7/s640/20190112_095156.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I'm going to hang by the bar. Put out the vibe."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<div>
And in true Disney wall fashion, Matthew took a picture with the infamous bubblegum wall. 😏</div>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDCfQl7N4hx-vlG8d0JdtlLpqicshMBqewJ9z-B6b_8mwaie-RhqJwLHHt_m71msnfzcFrCRm6s7eb9d7p1PfVqirHG8On2h1vtsjAW2crr-B7Dcg17YqMX1tEvZcXkUNc6jT0iUAvbJXh/s1600/20190112_094146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDCfQl7N4hx-vlG8d0JdtlLpqicshMBqewJ9z-B6b_8mwaie-RhqJwLHHt_m71msnfzcFrCRm6s7eb9d7p1PfVqirHG8On2h1vtsjAW2crr-B7Dcg17YqMX1tEvZcXkUNc6jT0iUAvbJXh/s640/20190112_094146.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So trendy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<div>
All in all, it was a successful day of running and spectating. Watching other people run sounds like the most boring thing in the world, but it is actually really inspiring. Watching Matthew complete his half marathon made me so proud- he's a freaking rock star. </div>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHs_kj5U9bB58fObN6DfwTDBQ1T6oUISYp1CtIIrLYUpk3kJOzbdBnkzDdlX48Z6KEZsrDm2q2jCeoeOsy_pn0Y6G49EhUhUJSNxZtx76PTPttwtKj9O0rWJ0a7aZITFQoPXcLBVfZztiW/s1600/b9e15e50-e1f9-4f82-ab91-5001cf33c082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1063" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHs_kj5U9bB58fObN6DfwTDBQ1T6oUISYp1CtIIrLYUpk3kJOzbdBnkzDdlX48Z6KEZsrDm2q2jCeoeOsy_pn0Y6G49EhUhUJSNxZtx76PTPttwtKj9O0rWJ0a7aZITFQoPXcLBVfZztiW/s640/b9e15e50-e1f9-4f82-ab91-5001cf33c082.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So proud. 💙</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<div>
With the half marathon complete, Matthew and I packed our bags for the marathon and tried to get some rest. We had another long day of running and spectating in front of us! </div>
<div>
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<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBdQvcb4GFJ6I_6kA-TXaiM6fonvU6AqPfg9H-VJDSE8lE9vpfvIVcLmcS-cbrfAkdptuulXXfvZlR014GtOF_3-xtRGu5GAVRVKdG1rqeK0NoftaJNwS-u4Ra2mYYfzokTqOTcpkMBkTo/s1600/20190112_174801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBdQvcb4GFJ6I_6kA-TXaiM6fonvU6AqPfg9H-VJDSE8lE9vpfvIVcLmcS-cbrfAkdptuulXXfvZlR014GtOF_3-xtRGu5GAVRVKdG1rqeK0NoftaJNwS-u4Ra2mYYfzokTqOTcpkMBkTo/s640/20190112_174801.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flat runner for the full marathon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<div>
<i><b>Have you ever spectated a Disney race? </b></i></div>
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<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
Sarah S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09861496043188311237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483808524582624189.post-17532093717576760312019-01-31T04:30:00.000-05:002019-01-31T08:31:57.758-05:002019 WDW Marathon Weekend: Health & Fitness Expo<i>This recap covers the Health & Fitness Expo. See the <a href="http://www.sparklyrunner.com/2019/01/2019-wdw-marathon-weekend-cigna-blogger.html" target="_blank">Cigna Blogger Meet Up recap here</a> and even more <a href="http://www.sparklyrunner.com/p/rundisney.html" target="_blank">runDisney recaps here</a>!</i><br />
<br />
Y'all. This year's WDW Marathon Weekend was The. Best. It. Has. Ever. Been.<br />
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Seriously, we typically spend less than an hour at the expo because it's usually insanely crowded with long lines everywhere. <a href="http://www.sparklyrunner.com/2018/01/wdw-marathon-weekend-2018-recap-part-1.html" target="_blank">Last year</a>, we didn't even go into the official merchandise area because the line to get in was so long it was outside the building- over a two hour wait time!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHzxVUruzn9LH7A0PGyaEFhexSaA_ejT0rae_HNzw8YWO5Km78LAHmrvDNOVgh98MCJ_dXdMJOSG_JOHsKG6wytAwJraoFsYLZvLnRFbwP3TQ6Qb0mhEqNlRPdSgcV9AMBkIqMj556AXP/s1600/IMAG6429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHzxVUruzn9LH7A0PGyaEFhexSaA_ejT0rae_HNzw8YWO5Km78LAHmrvDNOVgh98MCJ_dXdMJOSG_JOHsKG6wytAwJraoFsYLZvLnRFbwP3TQ6Qb0mhEqNlRPdSgcV9AMBkIqMj556AXP/s640/IMAG6429.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2018 WDW Marathon Weekend expo line- the one that <i>almost</i> convinced us not to come back to race weekend.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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But this year, man, did they get it <b>so right.</b> For 2019, the expo was in three separate buildings: bib pick-up in the HP Field House, shirt pick-up and outside vendors in the Visa Athletic Center, and official merchandise in The Arena. By spacing these areas out, it eliminated much of the congestion of previous years.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7yXhwSkKctCipL8N58LpdYJH-kQnhAkzseGELtReuYaoCo34r5FmmITQMynKxnYd8bmxIv5sKjRW-VfkLOom6HX4gOObNVDM1El4h3aDyBq61dJqw4o9FXt-1ln7JS4c-BVMbJkaYRCsp/s1600/20190110_104840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1283" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7yXhwSkKctCipL8N58LpdYJH-kQnhAkzseGELtReuYaoCo34r5FmmITQMynKxnYd8bmxIv5sKjRW-VfkLOom6HX4gOObNVDM1El4h3aDyBq61dJqw4o9FXt-1ln7JS4c-BVMbJkaYRCsp/s640/20190110_104840.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Expo day is one of our favorite days!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Additionally, there was <b>so much merch</b> in the official merchandise area. By the time we went to the expo on Friday, even two days after it opened, there was still plenty of shirts, magnets, and other good stuff available.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttfvcld3WzBbTXMEku5LIzqBV3KLiI9NzII2D5ALZteGx3d2SsQd8wcXWB39kuUeqJHUi4-4vz-uid6wYT2eLx5p-CqUo2eaO_BI2Dkko5UJPquM8bNNBtQVtpYTRkUTNOlsVuZLDiha-/s1600/20190110_121302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttfvcld3WzBbTXMEku5LIzqBV3KLiI9NzII2D5ALZteGx3d2SsQd8wcXWB39kuUeqJHUi4-4vz-uid6wYT2eLx5p-CqUo2eaO_BI2Dkko5UJPquM8bNNBtQVtpYTRkUTNOlsVuZLDiha-/s640/20190110_121302.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brand new Arena stocked with official race merch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />We easily spent 3+ hours wandering around the expo, trying out free samples, and enjoying the <b>tons </b>of photo ops in all three buildings. Honestly, it was an absolutely wonderful experience and everything I'd ever wanted a runDisney Health & Fitness Expo to be.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9uBF2ctMNjhk7aRJXYApglO7_Ofj3r_4JtGAwi9YhCCCWgBrxSzcE5gwxPNR4EWd9W6acESUfy3eUc40O3yLb4QifXW1I9Tw2ACwZpGcl02xcqlYl3RLNaxN6sIl66LefdcLPv3ui_hlc/s1600/20190110_110030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9uBF2ctMNjhk7aRJXYApglO7_Ofj3r_4JtGAwi9YhCCCWgBrxSzcE5gwxPNR4EWd9W6acESUfy3eUc40O3yLb4QifXW1I9Tw2ACwZpGcl02xcqlYl3RLNaxN6sIl66LefdcLPv3ui_hlc/s640/20190110_110030.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DJ welcoming fans into the Visa Athletic Center. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />All parts of the expo were organized with signs and multiple volunteers directing folks on where to go. I cannot say enough good things about how enjoyable it was to be able to walk around with no crowds, take our time, and see all the cool vendors and merch.<br />
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Jeff Galloway gave us some last minute race tips, I tried on lots of SparkleSkirts, and we spent a significant amount of time looking at all the witty race shirts in the official merch area.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6xn_Yhny8bhqbqs4yKeGBtKRYLUHVBuxXnpzvLH2w8heFffwz6F3D9rAyePNcwiuFnHYKHYdcrzKrs2wJ6KQId7041StzWHvzgPTrgZFUuegzBhcF0ekGMLCvp_NGU19uHbm-7B3B4Jp/s1600/20190110_110048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6xn_Yhny8bhqbqs4yKeGBtKRYLUHVBuxXnpzvLH2w8heFffwz6F3D9rAyePNcwiuFnHYKHYdcrzKrs2wJ6KQId7041StzWHvzgPTrgZFUuegzBhcF0ekGMLCvp_NGU19uHbm-7B3B4Jp/s640/20190110_110048.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The things we do for the mouse. 😉</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1TwajOPvzSFyqIzRrtCZa-LpCKjUMA5ZCBR_nzOGeW_vM1z6_0IHaWiWMqjNl6-32wYt8_-wLYuDGy3tpDOslPM_7A_v5tZ6bpSrpMH6bVaN4MGLzaGNF0oT-Eseoun-oidg_HU7HK6J3/s1600/20190110_113813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1TwajOPvzSFyqIzRrtCZa-LpCKjUMA5ZCBR_nzOGeW_vM1z6_0IHaWiWMqjNl6-32wYt8_-wLYuDGy3tpDOslPM_7A_v5tZ6bpSrpMH6bVaN4MGLzaGNF0oT-Eseoun-oidg_HU7HK6J3/s640/20190110_113813.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The legend himself. Oh, and Jeff Galloway, too!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbEy0IfBqO3eaoIryUSh3PfvB9bL5fe_i8-SplUeXx5PcIscuYZ5IqsoyDjwnECdZra-05ToslBOEKSFhn5d095Z0Z7N_9WXKnW7VTiKavHOXSqDE8n60K2yhxIq9k6T1YjG3YuivK4oA/s1600/20190110_125619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbEy0IfBqO3eaoIryUSh3PfvB9bL5fe_i8-SplUeXx5PcIscuYZ5IqsoyDjwnECdZra-05ToslBOEKSFhn5d095Z0Z7N_9WXKnW7VTiKavHOXSqDE8n60K2yhxIq9k6T1YjG3YuivK4oA/s640/20190110_125619.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh Mickey, you're so fine!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmtohOpcJX4KBauDoK2ezEf2xjYW9HJu-9kx08FvzNSbd4wCMbqs_epV6nI9719dKEKb8DzSpx3Tjtk40gcTITx_eEzZJMOGFFVjWRe1lgn2h-azK1rJ9iNSGCHaEEIQxhSIqBEowkrKA/s1600/f459d36a-5914-498e-b540-dafdd73e776f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmtohOpcJX4KBauDoK2ezEf2xjYW9HJu-9kx08FvzNSbd4wCMbqs_epV6nI9719dKEKb8DzSpx3Tjtk40gcTITx_eEzZJMOGFFVjWRe1lgn2h-azK1rJ9iNSGCHaEEIQxhSIqBEowkrKA/s640/f459d36a-5914-498e-b540-dafdd73e776f.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Absolutely LOVED this black and white photo op with Oswalt! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRAzKM3mCYM_bWCJZW9nVi650Q_HtjDTU1RJLpXWi0WgG5_ktVWEHt4_PmG8ChkWYWd-C6Vkf25IQXEPVEW-AbX-EACgewvGO6dj9FFDpgnYe00idGUN4evXypcew_KXnQBpn41SYzhdi/s1600/Facebook+Cover+Collage+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="820" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRAzKM3mCYM_bWCJZW9nVi650Q_HtjDTU1RJLpXWi0WgG5_ktVWEHt4_PmG8ChkWYWd-C6Vkf25IQXEPVEW-AbX-EACgewvGO6dj9FFDpgnYe00idGUN4evXypcew_KXnQBpn41SYzhdi/s640/Facebook+Cover+Collage+2.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">runDisney stepped up their shirt game this year.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I ended up buying a really awesome runDisney pullover, some beautiful new SparkleSkirts, and a few gifts for runner friends. No doubt, we spent more money at the expo this year because we ended up staying there for so long. Good move, Disney, good move. 😜<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6-wf39-012JgeAHmfmhT5tdjNIbZl0CWvEvtFt8ZG-2mAoky87XsKPbixwKeDAbxQL4qSDD_XroC4ack_p4auK-T-_Kk7RASLSHFN-5RZvPR5XdIyksVzq4aEZqCBAHfOxH-LV-_kFAd/s1600/20190110_145759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6-wf39-012JgeAHmfmhT5tdjNIbZl0CWvEvtFt8ZG-2mAoky87XsKPbixwKeDAbxQL4qSDD_XroC4ack_p4auK-T-_Kk7RASLSHFN-5RZvPR5XdIyksVzq4aEZqCBAHfOxH-LV-_kFAd/s640/20190110_145759.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Expo haul. Look at those skirt patterns. 😍</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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After the expo, we headed to Animal Kingdom so we could explore Pandora at night. We also had Fast Passes for Kilimanjaro Safari and Expedition Everest- which were both completely different rides in the dark!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_CYNN1VUTKwZspfyMQO4-REkUuv05rzvG_GwS2e4DgUHwkXzz9piQKnJXu4pZjiVvOSykuDjTzdTq_c11rI71SWPN5tqIY8iZY0NIanOinITcrlL5UxH308TrcaYyEpR0prVxK54FkFhW/s1600/505a1424-a212-4d09-8ed6-4f07045f80ad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_CYNN1VUTKwZspfyMQO4-REkUuv05rzvG_GwS2e4DgUHwkXzz9piQKnJXu4pZjiVvOSykuDjTzdTq_c11rI71SWPN5tqIY8iZY0NIanOinITcrlL5UxH308TrcaYyEpR0prVxK54FkFhW/s640/505a1424-a212-4d09-8ed6-4f07045f80ad.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pandora at night really is spectacular.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4BlaxOGqcS73llPdzn4QWfJ2Z3HNcy9rFGoOlkrzPvCB_Gfsg2-DFqA52BZn3HX9aazK0FkcUH3-qVtu8zj7L-rZwZP7yzOn1MyM2_PRphuQdQjNAufBfeczonk7pP5cNc8GTQFfJXN0/s1600/909fde24-f4bc-450d-9e79-97f2b89cef04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4BlaxOGqcS73llPdzn4QWfJ2Z3HNcy9rFGoOlkrzPvCB_Gfsg2-DFqA52BZn3HX9aazK0FkcUH3-qVtu8zj7L-rZwZP7yzOn1MyM2_PRphuQdQjNAufBfeczonk7pP5cNc8GTQFfJXN0/s640/909fde24-f4bc-450d-9e79-97f2b89cef04.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ya'll, it was <b>cold.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCRyG5IpSEvmMxm7hxCovRSs_floS3U01wgoVUU6ROCs_GIO7ikOJYr7D_oAtx1opRXlRi91G0hNPibMtwLPg7A3Y2C0ppW0Ew6A5ugahyphenhyphenxS80ARulQeUY5am_NwKIg_fx6_7fq1S-O9k/s1600/20190110_201705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCRyG5IpSEvmMxm7hxCovRSs_floS3U01wgoVUU6ROCs_GIO7ikOJYr7D_oAtx1opRXlRi91G0hNPibMtwLPg7A3Y2C0ppW0Ew6A5ugahyphenhyphenxS80ARulQeUY5am_NwKIg_fx6_7fq1S-O9k/s640/20190110_201705.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lanterns at AK are some of my favorite in all the World.</td></tr>
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All in all, our expo and park day was pretty damn awesome. Major props to runDisney for putting on an organized, fun, and well-stocked Health & Fitness Expo. It was such a great start to our WDW Marathon Weekend!<br />
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<i>Did you go to this year's Health & Fitness Expo? What did you think of the changes?</i><br />
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<br />Sarah S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09861496043188311237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483808524582624189.post-13786493406469119362019-01-30T05:00:00.000-05:002019-01-30T05:00:04.531-05:002019 WDW Marathon Weekend: Cigna Blogger Meet UpEarlier this month I was invited to the <a href="http://www.cigna.com/" target="_blank">Cigna</a> Blogger Meet Up at the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend.<br />
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Each year, the wonderful folks at Cigna partner with the WDW Marathon Weekend to bring a whole host of activities to the race weekend, including an always-interesting blogger meet up.<br />
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From a <a href="http://www.sparklyrunner.com/2015/01/2015-wdw-marathon-weekend-recap-part-ii.html" target="_blank">cook-off</a>, to a <a href="http://www.sparklyrunner.com/2017/01/wdw-marathon-weekend-cignas-blogger-and.html" target="_blank">scavenger hunt through the park</a>s, to <a href="http://www.sparklyrunner.com/2018/01/wdw-marathon-weekend-2018-recap-part-ii.html" target="_blank">minute-to-win it games complete with karaoke</a>, Cigna somehow manages to keep the meet ups uniquely creative year after year!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93fFnK3c0udp6ruATTbPti4-N1eUA5r-y9ymgionP4-k1451Qw8OYmJsP9aUIxrgDsfkadMv0pl0TdMZTbLmlo7mh1FavNc9XY1rGXUsdDv8jI2XbuOGlkfKXW07lwrnyg7EwKp0ZKA8f/s1600/1+%252818%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93fFnK3c0udp6ruATTbPti4-N1eUA5r-y9ymgionP4-k1451Qw8OYmJsP9aUIxrgDsfkadMv0pl0TdMZTbLmlo7mh1FavNc9XY1rGXUsdDv8jI2XbuOGlkfKXW07lwrnyg7EwKp0ZKA8f/s640/1+%252818%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's happening here?? Read on for the details! Photo courtesy of Cigna.</td></tr>
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This year, the meet up was focused on one of Cigna's services: health screenings- in fact, you could get your free health screening at the expo, courtesy of Cigna. I actually get a screening every year for work but did it again at the expo. With just a little pinch of blood from my finger (and a few other biometrics), I got a full run down of all my health "numbers" including BMI, blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, and more. It was a fun way to make sure I was in good health before I tackled 26.2 miles later in the weekend!<br />
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<br /><br />Anyway, back to the blogger meet up!<br />
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This year, the meet up was held in the GM Conference & Training Center inside Test Track- yes, you read that right, the meet up was INSIDE the ride! Well, the building that houses the ride, but you know what I mean.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqCxNW2bYc6bjD2lPghQDDgkwlYeFVtdyMhyphenhyphen-ybtFKJ0JcwNCDohbLeNHkuZoX54SaZ3nHflHMquIAKpz07xCICrBto39blzZbgkz61vbT844Ni8WdGD18KaikB_rQpZg-LPRxdYJLgFF/s1600/1+%25288%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqCxNW2bYc6bjD2lPghQDDgkwlYeFVtdyMhyphenhyphen-ybtFKJ0JcwNCDohbLeNHkuZoX54SaZ3nHflHMquIAKpz07xCICrBto39blzZbgkz61vbT844Ni8WdGD18KaikB_rQpZg-LPRxdYJLgFF/s640/1+%25288%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bloggers, start your engines... or vegetables? Photo courtesy of Cigna.</td></tr>
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What a view, right?!<br />
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So, this year, the gist of the meet up was similar to year's past- bloggers team up, answer trivia questions, and then face off in some kind of crazy competition. This year? Race cars made out of vegetables!<br /><br />After joining my team and actually dominating the trivia portion of the event, my team quickly started building our car, "The Health Nut," built out of a butternut squash.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDE8-b1a1SRh9c9SXFRdZY7Y4D9DOG8T_YoPdeUHdhGhfoeIR-HQpIE3s2OOV3sHhDzPaOnrIOcNd5Vvxevw-6X11xK9okjXitlRtzDm9M3ymzIlcJia-ZhGYjjhFVNyuQBkqe-FPi3vZ/s1600/1+%252822%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDE8-b1a1SRh9c9SXFRdZY7Y4D9DOG8T_YoPdeUHdhGhfoeIR-HQpIE3s2OOV3sHhDzPaOnrIOcNd5Vvxevw-6X11xK9okjXitlRtzDm9M3ymzIlcJia-ZhGYjjhFVNyuQBkqe-FPi3vZ/s640/1+%252822%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Planning our course of action. Photo courtesy of Cigna.</td></tr>
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While we were building our cars, we had the chance to compete in more trivia questions to win additional car parts. I honestly learned so much about health screenings from the trivia part of the meet up. For example, did you know that while 85% of pet owners know when their pet is due for shots, less than 20% actually know their own health numbers? Or that while 80% of Americans know preventative care is important, only 53% get their annual check up? We have a long way to go in this country with regard to preventative health care and I'm glad that Cigna is helping folks know their numbers with their free screenings- they've done over 25,000 free screenings since they started the Health Improvement Tour in October 2016!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsnBU2igJVssq9F9LmhEEIRxExJvr-nFIShTIu5LOWucKtQdHQpx5M7QkEdRCyNjcWER5WmdW9OLk4Ta3Jp-r78gBJnRTFM11FJrt2NwVBZc3i19IK1VMMdqHl79EUotVKXkROOKF1sdk/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsnBU2igJVssq9F9LmhEEIRxExJvr-nFIShTIu5LOWucKtQdHQpx5M7QkEdRCyNjcWER5WmdW9OLk4Ta3Jp-r78gBJnRTFM11FJrt2NwVBZc3i19IK1VMMdqHl79EUotVKXkROOKF1sdk/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picking out the fastest gourds. Photo courtesy of Cigna.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8E9C2mAPZ9uwIqVnTcS8f3RmzNt_uD1AmwQVBgjH2QKuaGB9Y5il_Z9QGuVtIyXpfspXNDw8a1RBRE5oBHbP7TJWcLWTyryAg31rNGijFVQKtY4QVRNs8HlC8G3eDiFM2X5PPrxaMTQx3/s1600/1+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8E9C2mAPZ9uwIqVnTcS8f3RmzNt_uD1AmwQVBgjH2QKuaGB9Y5il_Z9QGuVtIyXpfspXNDw8a1RBRE5oBHbP7TJWcLWTyryAg31rNGijFVQKtY4QVRNs8HlC8G3eDiFM2X5PPrxaMTQx3/s640/1+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emelia's got a hunch on a fast one. 😉 Photo courtesy of Cigna.</td></tr>
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After we'd created our cars, each team got the chance to present their car and some information about health screening. Then we raced them against each other tournament style to figure out who among us had the fastest vegetable race car.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenI2YeiJqEMnDvzYiWXWKalh9xpG6YBiVuQigrQt5uzsAJqSNcmoD-2CYtktxvvYbGusjI8HFFB1xO8BL3fJYydHJD17oQTi1eMtuumewalzFnrunF1gPVecBy5Tp_qWnnjSW5rsEN4zC/s1600/PhotoGrid_1548817691684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenI2YeiJqEMnDvzYiWXWKalh9xpG6YBiVuQigrQt5uzsAJqSNcmoD-2CYtktxvvYbGusjI8HFFB1xO8BL3fJYydHJD17oQTi1eMtuumewalzFnrunF1gPVecBy5Tp_qWnnjSW5rsEN4zC/s640/PhotoGrid_1548817691684.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TFW you realize your car is going sideways on the track. 😆 Photo courtesy of Cigna.</td></tr>
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Needless to say, our poor car didn't even make it down the track! 😜<br />
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Though we didn't win, we had a blast hanging out with each other, learning more about health screenings, and playing with our food, literally.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CTKYotZ-DX3J3HdrqhvhKiB7CZPyj7SGCQaRtEwiUBwSPJXeacWAq_HW7t5LmFVZjNJ65QhY6BrwoEhzPkDGnG0coAdsDjfIlRXmIsiERJHjzTUQV8XvucYsAEDpCiF9d1suRuUbtekz/s1600/1+%25289%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CTKYotZ-DX3J3HdrqhvhKiB7CZPyj7SGCQaRtEwiUBwSPJXeacWAq_HW7t5LmFVZjNJ65QhY6BrwoEhzPkDGnG0coAdsDjfIlRXmIsiERJHjzTUQV8XvucYsAEDpCiF9d1suRuUbtekz/s640/1+%25289%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The main mice and the bloggers who love them. Photo courtesy of Cigna.</td></tr>
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As usual, it was a blast seeing all my blogger/social media friends: Emelia from <a href="https://halfcrazymama.com/" target="_blank">Half Crazy Mama</a>, Gelcys from <a href="https://runnerunleashed.com/" target="_blank">Runner Unleashed</a>, Justin from <a href="https://www.alwaysrunningforward.com/" target="_blank">Always Running Forward</a>, Anne from <a href="https://outrunningthefork.com/" target="_blank">Out Running The Fork</a>, Gail and Kim from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/runalltheraces/" target="_blank">Run All The Races</a>, and Kristin from <a href="http://bamagirlruns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Bama Girl Runs</a>. Runner friends are what make this weekend so incredibly great.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQoaNCvC5d5f8IM5XaD45htgSaIp5iwBM9L9sNQbVi3-Jf-odMfTVWfH_I792dXTHPOck2yIWtgfUSsFYIANm94LQf4ryGsRHseyKMsyAyWJm3ML535TbxNmfFg8j-pXxGCHKQpgjPjBm1/s1600/20190129_222452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="1071" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQoaNCvC5d5f8IM5XaD45htgSaIp5iwBM9L9sNQbVi3-Jf-odMfTVWfH_I792dXTHPOck2yIWtgfUSsFYIANm94LQf4ryGsRHseyKMsyAyWJm3ML535TbxNmfFg8j-pXxGCHKQpgjPjBm1/s640/20190129_222452.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">💜 Photo courtesy of Gelcys.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtKkesmNFKSgC5qFi5-GgyKnfmssq1-aDLE0cZCbikfuDmtWRVVGSdDMB0o-GrUXU8f_ypQOUcQINHt5OTVfyGObZ5orgtJsCAz1SS1Rd3sLJLuGrnkCQvP9DpkHDwSg1OQkjUAWtBq8lW/s1600/Screenshot_20190129-223152_Instagram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="903" data-original-width="1080" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtKkesmNFKSgC5qFi5-GgyKnfmssq1-aDLE0cZCbikfuDmtWRVVGSdDMB0o-GrUXU8f_ypQOUcQINHt5OTVfyGObZ5orgtJsCAz1SS1Rd3sLJLuGrnkCQvP9DpkHDwSg1OQkjUAWtBq8lW/s640/Screenshot_20190129-223152_Instagram.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of Emelia. Photo bomb courtesy of Gail. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxIskSMGA1gDT8ujBmfR0Gy4U9m_eeS-O_uj0E_jhCVueSdSF2H815jqaS5xwUAtAymzujIuFIe4njEKk6dk07P21lMPlGYG8bkltAfYPXZihOducCQh3ml-0zpKBATcLSYAPPFIhczk3/s1600/1+%252810%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxIskSMGA1gDT8ujBmfR0Gy4U9m_eeS-O_uj0E_jhCVueSdSF2H815jqaS5xwUAtAymzujIuFIe4njEKk6dk07P21lMPlGYG8bkltAfYPXZihOducCQh3ml-0zpKBATcLSYAPPFIhczk3/s640/1+%252810%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two of my favorites. Photo courtesy of Cigna.</td></tr>
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Every year, the blogger meet up gets more competitive, more interesting, and more fun. Thank you, Cigna, for the free health screening and the awesome meet up! Hope to "see ya real soon!"<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1KOJx0-XU-2yexcOMoCvyhQCloa63Y6hJhV1_aOjf59KImBQi9ASli2YWlrAKmkMUKz8YJ00ie2BG9D9x9HZ1MI1R2GbQO7WINXr9OJWat5ho592NCXwyeaVpCIEeDlCAn87KAGU5EGBB/s1600/1+%252811%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1KOJx0-XU-2yexcOMoCvyhQCloa63Y6hJhV1_aOjf59KImBQi9ASli2YWlrAKmkMUKz8YJ00ie2BG9D9x9HZ1MI1R2GbQO7WINXr9OJWat5ho592NCXwyeaVpCIEeDlCAn87KAGU5EGBB/s640/1+%252811%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the blogger race cars. The cucumber on the bottom right won! Photo courtesy of Cigna.</td></tr>
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After the meet up, I met Matthew in the park, snapped a few quick pics with some friends, and then headed back to the resort to rest before Matthew's half marathon on Saturday.<br />
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Any day spent with friends and friends with "character" is a day well spent. 😍<br />
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Stay tuned for recaps of the WDW Marathon Weekend expo, the WDW Half Marathon, and the WDW Marathon!<br />
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<br />Sarah S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09861496043188311237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483808524582624189.post-15471940031713513222019-01-04T04:00:00.000-05:002019-01-04T07:05:15.085-05:00Five Things Friday: WDW Marathon Edition<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">THE WALT DISNEY WORLD MARATHON WEEKEND IS <b>NEXT WEEK!</b></span></div>
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This marathon has <i>really</i> crept up on me- it feels like yesterday Matthew and I were debating about which races we wanted to do this year. Despite feeling a little unprepared, I am so excited for all the fun that comes along with the WDW Marathon Weekend. Without any other fanfare, here's a quick Five Things Friday all about my favorite things at one of my favorite race weekends of the year!</div>
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<b>1. The Expo</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2018 Expo.</td></tr>
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For as crowded as the expo has been the last few years, I still absolutely <i>love</i> checking out all the booths, looking at all the unique Disney and runDisney merchandise, and browsing all the cool running-related vendors. This year, I'm excited that they've made some changes to the layout of the expo (added another building) and I'm hopeful this will cut down on some of the congestion... and maybe have added some new vendors! </div>
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<b>2. Cigna Blogger Meet-Up</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKSq1MnxkW55HNp0CjQuhWiRxwfIArfEt4OLHM4PoVZD1fRaC2e6UwPROXy8kydQ-cEPHvbp1C64sQXA5GUJB3jq7kavua-_KT07Lc1TtKOsIqvHcBY-syE_F_6CZLz-D2UcM17J9t4ar/s1600/_DSC8818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKSq1MnxkW55HNp0CjQuhWiRxwfIArfEt4OLHM4PoVZD1fRaC2e6UwPROXy8kydQ-cEPHvbp1C64sQXA5GUJB3jq7kavua-_KT07Lc1TtKOsIqvHcBY-syE_F_6CZLz-D2UcM17J9t4ar/s640/_DSC8818.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Racing through a scavenger hunt in Hollywood Studios in 2017.</td></tr>
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For the last few years, I have been invited to the Cigna Blogger Meet-Up at WDW Marathon Weekend. This event is always a blast and I love hanging with new and old friends. This year, we will be in Epcot for the afternoon- keep an eye on instagram and twitter (both @sparklyrunner) for updates about the event!</div>
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<b>3. Running Ohana</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meet-up before the 2018 marathon.</td></tr>
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Even though we get to see our running Ohana a few times a year, meeting up at Disney is a special event. We met the majority of our crew for the first time during the inaugural Dopey Challenge in 2014 and that's when we established the pre-race meet-up. It's become one of my favorite parts of our "routine" during Marathon Weekend and always helps calm my pre-race nerves when I can hang with dear friends beforehand. 💜 </div>
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<b>4. Spectating at Disney</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spectating at Cinderella's Castle in 2015.</td></tr>
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Spectating races is fun already, but when you add in <i>thousands</i> and <i>thousands</i> of runners and Mickey Mouse?! So. Much. Fun. Because I'm only running one of the four races this weekend, I'm looking forward to cheering on runners during the other three races. </div>
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<b>5. Running Down Main Street USA</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TFW the castle comes into view.</td></tr>
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Nothing compares to running down Main Street USA during a race. The picture above is from my first marathon- I'll never forget the overwhelming emotions I experienced when I ran towards the castle back in 2014. It's still one of the main reasons I love this race so much- I can't wait to see it again in just a few days!</div>
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<i><b>Will you be at WDW Marathon Weekend? What are you looking forward to?</b></i></div>
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Sarah S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09861496043188311237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483808524582624189.post-44453165879251853252018-12-10T06:30:00.000-05:002018-12-10T07:33:41.505-05:00What Running Taught Me About Graduate SchoolHi, friends.<br>
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It's been one hell of a semester.<br>
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As you know, I changed jobs last March, we <a href="http://www.sparklyrunner.com/2018/06/accountability-tuesday-61918.html" target="_blank">bought a house</a> in June, and I <a href="http://www.sparklyrunner.com/2018/03/transitions-non-running-life-update.html" target="_blank">started my doctorate</a> in September.<br>
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With the demands of a 40+ work week and taking two doctorate classes and training for the WDW Marathon, I have not had much time in my life for much else this semester, including updating this blog. In fact, this is the first non-academic thing I've written in about three months.<br>
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In my absence from the blog, I realized something; marathon training has been surprisingly helpful in surviving graduate school. I've long held the belief that training for and running a marathon is life-changing in a multitude of ways and this past semester confirmed it.<br>
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I've been anxious to post here again (it's amazing what time and distance can do for a hobby) and I thought this parallel between marathons and graduate school was <a href="http://www.sparklyrunner.com/2018/08/to-everything-there-is-season.html" target="_blank">worth writing about</a>... and I might be procrastinating a little on turning in my final paper. 😜<br>
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<b>What Running Taught Me About Graduate School</b><br>
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<i>You can't train for a marathon overnight.</i><br>
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The marathon is not a race you can fake. You can't start training a week before the race and show up to the starting line expecting a miracle. You have to put the work in, day in and day out, for several months to prepare. Eventually, it will get easier. Same thing in grad school; you can't wait until the night before to start a paper. Doctoral work isn't a 5k- you can't skim your textbook and then cross your fingers that you'll ace the exam. You have to actually read the books and the articles. You have to write. A lot. You can't just expect to reach the level you need to as a doctoral student without putting in the time and work.<br>
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<i>Run the mile you're in.</i><br>
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A marathon is 26.2 miles. It's easy to be crushed by thinking about how far you have to go- especially when you're only a mile or two in. So you have to run the mile you're in, focusing only on where you are now. If you look too far ahead, it will seem impossible; 'how the hell am I going to run 20-something more miles?' So you keep your mental energy on the mile you're in right at that moment. You'll never get to mile 26 without getting through miles one, two, three, etc. Similarly, I'll never get to graduation without getting through these first six credits. If I worry too much about what will happen next semester or next year, I'll never get through the classes I'm in right now. And I can't get to next semester without successfully getting through this one first.<br>
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<i>Support is critical.</i><br>
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Running and training for a marathon require support. Maybe it's a coach, maybe it's family, maybe it's a random running group you met through the internet. Maybe they run with you, maybe they cheer you on from afar, or maybe they always have food and coffee waiting for you after a long run. Having people in your corner is what makes all the tough days bearable. And in graduate school, there are plenty of tough days. My cohort of 20 other doc students helps me significantly. They make me laugh, help answer questions, and just validate the wild experience we are having in class. And having Matthew as my cheerleader has been nothing short of phenomenal. He understands how demanding graduate school is and works so hard to make sure I feel supported. I could have never made it through this first semester without him.<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJ6jWAnKKyE0d-WZsfK__v2rklFMH5OACIu9YcVL9T684_iaVxOMav6RAngA86VvwFQW09ce74Lw9qzF48tTjcC6nGlIq58xhEh6TMTHbZa1Qp9zR-k47Dj7AkptCyNnXoQErofQqWG5o/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJ6jWAnKKyE0d-WZsfK__v2rklFMH5OACIu9YcVL9T684_iaVxOMav6RAngA86VvwFQW09ce74Lw9qzF48tTjcC6nGlIq58xhEh6TMTHbZa1Qp9zR-k47Dj7AkptCyNnXoQErofQqWG5o/s640/download.jpg" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">IUP's DeD in Administration and Leadership Cohort 20.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsnxw6H1UnOyaqJNj5O-jl3NzUoYComR3wId4schcP7tC3G3HVXbQUMLgYl3P6-mGxZ0SUA1ZoDjQhftfLiE3_tH-CPr1K9e_kxEzleNz9oZhJwQYOw4lQZSoiOaRM2BVIFUFEu5EzFQt/s1600/47680160_759774814402814_1398792293355356160_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="540" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsnxw6H1UnOyaqJNj5O-jl3NzUoYComR3wId4schcP7tC3G3HVXbQUMLgYl3P6-mGxZ0SUA1ZoDjQhftfLiE3_tH-CPr1K9e_kxEzleNz9oZhJwQYOw4lQZSoiOaRM2BVIFUFEu5EzFQt/s640/47680160_759774814402814_1398792293355356160_n.jpg" width="480"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My biggest cheerleader.</td></tr>
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<br><i>You have to keep showing up, even when it sucks.</i><br>
<br>
Marathon training is not all sunshine and rainbows. Sometimes I don't want to get up and run- I'd rather sleep in and drink coffee on the weekends than have to run 10+ miles in the cold. Sometimes life is busy and I don't have time to run. Sometimes my long runs are an absolute miserable slog and I can't wait until they're over. Just like with school assignments that I don't always feel like doing or classes that I don't want to sit through; I have to <a href="http://www.sparklyrunner.com/2018/04/keep-showing-up.html" target="_blank">keep showing up</a>. When it's hard, when it's boring, when it's not fun- I still have to show up.<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5pQitT5mSKJF1aV1sgjWdaoPMiWHaEF4Rjc855B7LdjuaCUVAGBcR1gWqEeMPYQ9C-AxlAbRDF-nyYx-e8uoKPS2CqVNf-yuy47W0ai8FT5J5mpA-t-ijx0m74G0OxALd7Jbty9Fiubj/s1600/keep+showing+up.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5pQitT5mSKJF1aV1sgjWdaoPMiWHaEF4Rjc855B7LdjuaCUVAGBcR1gWqEeMPYQ9C-AxlAbRDF-nyYx-e8uoKPS2CqVNf-yuy47W0ai8FT5J5mpA-t-ijx0m74G0OxALd7Jbty9Fiubj/s400/keep+showing+up.png" width="400"></a></div>
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<i>Don't compare yourself to others; you do you.</i><br>
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In the world of social media we live in today, it's easy to compare yourself to others, especially when it comes to running. I often find myself looking at someone else's mileage or pace and wondering why I can't be that fast or run that many miles. It's depressing. When training for a marathon, you have to be insular. You have to focus on you and your training plan- and you have to trust that you have it in you to finish what you started. Same with school. I can't compare myself with other people in my classes or people who have already earned the degree. I can't measure my progress with someone else's yardstick; I have to focus on my path and getting to the goals I've set for myself.<br>
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Besides running a marathon, graduate school at this stage in my life has been the most challenging thing I've ever attempted.<br>
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But the marathon has also taught me the most important lesson I've ever learned: <b>I can do hard things.</b><br>
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<br>Sarah S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09861496043188311237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483808524582624189.post-30755583986401086072018-09-24T05:00:00.000-04:002018-09-24T05:00:03.472-04:00Race Recap & Review: 2018 Harrisburg Half MarathonEarlier this month, I ran the Harrisburg Half Marathon for the third time. I'd previously run this race in <a href="http://www.sparklyrunner.com/2014/09/race-recap-review-harrisburg-half.html" target="_blank">2014</a> and <a href="http://www.sparklyrunner.com/2017/09/race-recap-review-2017-harrisburg-half.html" target="_blank">2017</a> but this year was a totally different experience because of the weather. It <b>poured down rain</b> before, during, and after this 13.1 mile journey through Pennsylvania's capital city. Not sprinkled, not lightly rained, it POURED.<br />
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Let's rewind and start at the beginning, shall we?<br />
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Some of our running ohana were in town to run this race. Nathan missed running this last year because of hurricane Irma (he lives in Orlando, FL) so he was able to defer to 2018. Steff and Joe (and their 12 week old golden retriever puppy, Thorsten!) drove in from Pittsburgh so Steff could run the half. Since this race was on a Sunday, we were able to spend a rainy Saturday going to local breweries and showing off some of the excellent beers in our hometown.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xOYKWGHqXC1bczVcrzXcRTpGIyOvB_OxaH2lt2mC0O5p5wi_-lPMF81mzaGnanytCJRKsrZGwhHQMzrCM83QVv7-F6WNcBAOHzP-cjZuAN1G3D8gMnp7nV1DhRSdZuLA58SSBlhdJGqd/s1600/gearhouse+with+ohana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="960" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xOYKWGHqXC1bczVcrzXcRTpGIyOvB_OxaH2lt2mC0O5p5wi_-lPMF81mzaGnanytCJRKsrZGwhHQMzrCM83QVv7-F6WNcBAOHzP-cjZuAN1G3D8gMnp7nV1DhRSdZuLA58SSBlhdJGqd/s640/gearhouse+with+ohana.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheers!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_pfVxFNpq2UJ4Q9wZW9vP-L_tlCrMga4hWo7tbT-23zhHDdu6acCeVfXzI31RTvJLR4h475PV4trwvsYrhyphenhyphen5k_zpHN9itEagdZEH6Yt14HVT-fN7wxMV_j5-C3pzNCFNQzTyKNvK1Xw8/s1600/thorsten.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_pfVxFNpq2UJ4Q9wZW9vP-L_tlCrMga4hWo7tbT-23zhHDdu6acCeVfXzI31RTvJLR4h475PV4trwvsYrhyphenhyphen5k_zpHN9itEagdZEH6Yt14HVT-fN7wxMV_j5-C3pzNCFNQzTyKNvK1Xw8/s640/thorsten.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I mean, really? This face!</td></tr>
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Saturday night, we all started obsessively checking the weather. It had been in the 90's earlier that week but the forecast for race morning was rainy and cold- in the 50's. We all talked about what we were going to wear for the race and then I remembered my father-in-law gave us construction grade garbage bags the last time they visited- perfect for a rainy run! (thanks, Les!) With the garbage bags packed and our race-day outfits laid out, we did our best to rest and not think too much about the impending cold rain that we were going to spend <i>hours </i>in the next day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLgEK5ghG4a44BI1E3_cq4zZIrAdoSVAKOVBNjBFsvb5yXeSGhSd9PDnExPOBIY-R4xspaFRXHZzmoAQ98mZ3evHndi_2gAx8oF1W34O5pgHo6W0xc8OOZR7UjNa0uJT66WXS9w5fhasu/s1600/flat+sarah+for+harrisburg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLgEK5ghG4a44BI1E3_cq4zZIrAdoSVAKOVBNjBFsvb5yXeSGhSd9PDnExPOBIY-R4xspaFRXHZzmoAQ98mZ3evHndi_2gAx8oF1W34O5pgHo6W0xc8OOZR7UjNa0uJT66WXS9w5fhasu/s640/flat+sarah+for+harrisburg.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Altra Timps to the rescue for a rainy run!</td></tr>
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Sunday morning greeted us with windy, cold temperatures, and pouring rain. UGH. For only the second time in my running career, I considered not running this race and just getting brunch somewhere indoors and warm. But, I got dressed anyway and piled into the car with my running ohana to make the 45 minute drive to downtown Harrisburg.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNtjQIi3Dv3dISsmqcTo2J6d37JXHpwSnebkf9oKZfPTpr-lGBipQIlwRjs2PQq9_ilJ20kRpsiMMLwaNp5DyIQ7J9HjWwXmPwABdMphyphenhyphenZ_QnXh-rNNE1pQja36gCkbL6MVp1t8wlieJa/s1600/pre+race.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="507" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNtjQIi3Dv3dISsmqcTo2J6d37JXHpwSnebkf9oKZfPTpr-lGBipQIlwRjs2PQq9_ilJ20kRpsiMMLwaNp5DyIQ7J9HjWwXmPwABdMphyphenhyphenZ_QnXh-rNNE1pQja36gCkbL6MVp1t8wlieJa/s640/pre+race.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last time I was dry all day.</td></tr>
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When we got to the race, we had about 30 minutes to kill before the start. We all grabbed an umbrella and stood in the port-o-potty line (which wasn't too long, thankfully) so we could take care of all our pre-race business. 😏<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2duuPAYlz_hiwZYgdXvFjcQcIbFfWv3udL1MJuZf-65tn_S9CuezuvnbBhyAD4dQoI_NpbfAaFWBRsr-ro6oY-msRO2DUJ4uWF70OXERjRQCNGvhELQ_-EUy6dXyj1f_WnAcxXumB0WK/s1600/before+the+half.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2duuPAYlz_hiwZYgdXvFjcQcIbFfWv3udL1MJuZf-65tn_S9CuezuvnbBhyAD4dQoI_NpbfAaFWBRsr-ro6oY-msRO2DUJ4uWF70OXERjRQCNGvhELQ_-EUy6dXyj1f_WnAcxXumB0WK/s640/before+the+half.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you tell who's the most excited for this race?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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As we made our way back to the car, we talked about our post-race meet-up plans. Since none of us were carrying phones because of the rain- and because we knew we'd want to warm up immediately after we finished- we decided that we would meet back at the car. After putting the umbrellas away, we donned our garbage bags and walked the short distance from the car to the start line...which had actually been blown down by the wind (they got it back up and standing before the race start). Fabulous!<br />
<br />
Since I have no pictures of the race to help me remember the mile-by-mile recap, here's the short list of everything I experienced/thought about during the race:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Holy crap, it's cold. The wind is blowing rain into my face. Awesome.</li>
<li>Ok, someone has drinks... oh, it's Fireball! Yay, shots!</li>
<li>Wow, that warmed me up. Coming up on mile three and feeling ok.</li>
<li>Oh yeah, I remember this part, we are headed to the trail.</li>
<li>Wow, there are tons of puddles on the trail! It's like a damn mud run out here!</li>
<li>I'm so glad I wore the Timps. Altra trail shoes are awesome in the mud. </li>
<li>Ok people, it's just a puddle! We're already wet- just run through it!</li>
<li>Thank god we're off the trail... oh shit, the road is full of puddles too.</li>
<li>First runners coming through- they're at mile 11 and I'm at 7. Damn, I've still got a ways to go.</li>
<li>Oooooh, more Fireball! Thank you!</li>
<li>I've worn this bag for nine miles and it's getting hot. Time to make a garbage bag cape. </li>
<li>There's Matthew! Hello, love! Mid-race kisses are the best!</li>
<li>Ok, mile 10, time to ditch the garbage bag.</li>
<li>And we've got one more Fireball station- awesome!</li>
<li>Holy crap, I think that puddle went up to my knee. I can either laugh or cry at this point, ha!</li>
<li>Inching closer to the finish line... damn, my hips hurt. I've got to train better. </li>
<li>There it is! Almost done! Thank God! Only a few minutes off my goal time, awesome!!</li>
</ul>
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<div>
Initially, I was hoping for a sub-2:30 at this race. After <i>just</i> missing it in <a href="http://www.sparklyrunner.com/2018/07/race-recap-review-2018-pittsburgh-half.html" target="_blank">May at Pittsburgh</a>, I had been hopeful (earlier in the summer) that I could reach that goal. But after a lackluster few months of training, I was ecstatic that I was able to bust out a 2:34:08 in those horrible weather conditions.</div>
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If you want to see just how awful the weather was, here's a <a href="https://www.pennlive.com/expo/sports/erry-2018/09/a5f57cdcfd9905/index.html" target="_blank">great gallery of pictures</a> from PennLive, one of the local newspapers. Luckily, I have just one image from the race (courtesy of PennLive), and I think it's pretty rad. 😜</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGjzRPDpQ7sbJC_CT47V7F7H-P68cE9bu4gnIJE_l2aWat2NEg6Ec41orUuq4OEmDa6kz6LDSevT_rMZ1oS-88p4szf-k5LsTBpC2LQEmsz4LwGKctH6ifhz_519-Okzn0jAZfB8kaota/s1600/rainy+harrisburg+half.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="782" data-original-width="960" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGjzRPDpQ7sbJC_CT47V7F7H-P68cE9bu4gnIJE_l2aWat2NEg6Ec41orUuq4OEmDa6kz6LDSevT_rMZ1oS-88p4szf-k5LsTBpC2LQEmsz4LwGKctH6ifhz_519-Okzn0jAZfB8kaota/s640/rainy+harrisburg+half.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Living my best life.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Directly after finishing the race, I snapped a couple of pictures and headed to the warm car. From previous years, I knew there would be tons of food at the finish line but honestly, I just wanted to be warm and dry so I bee-lined it for the car. We decided to celebrate our race finishes with a trip to Troeg's Brewery for lunch and beers and then stopped at Hershey's Chocolate World for post-race chocolate snacks. All in all, it was a good day. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVV2oFxm4khb1kMh1bYtaXMKsgZFtRqsOSyFy-rCRNlboPCRPlLJ7fIBXgszRa_t0p_mtEvioE3JmhSK3kR0hJGKDEsScJdUAfvMhyphenhyphenjAVQolh91zm26iWHbtri_r1x276DubCKjMwLivRl/s1600/race+medal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVV2oFxm4khb1kMh1bYtaXMKsgZFtRqsOSyFy-rCRNlboPCRPlLJ7fIBXgszRa_t0p_mtEvioE3JmhSK3kR0hJGKDEsScJdUAfvMhyphenhyphenjAVQolh91zm26iWHbtri_r1x276DubCKjMwLivRl/s640/race+medal.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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While I can't say that I <i>prefer</i> to run in the rain, I can say that it's not <i>terrible.</i> I kinda feel this way about rain: there's nothing you can do about it so you might as well try to enjoy it. After all, we humans are wash and wear; we will dry out... eventually. 😜</div>
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<i>Have you ever run a race in less than desirable conditions? How did you cope?</i></div>
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Sarah S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09861496043188311237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483808524582624189.post-45668244893975609252018-08-20T06:30:00.000-04:002018-08-20T07:00:23.110-04:00"To Everything There is a Season"Hello, strangers!<br />
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It's been nearly a month since I've posted here.. and I'm kinda ok with that.<br />
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Oh, by the way, just listen to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4ga_M5Zdn4" target="_blank">this song</a> while you read this post and it'll all make sense. 😉<br />
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<br />
This summer has been pretty damn <b>exhausting</b> but in a really good way.<br />
<br />
I got a new job. We bought a house. I'm going back to school in less than 30 days. All great stuff.<br />
<br />
But all that good stuff doesn't come without a trade off. Work and the house have consumed much of my time. My running/working out has come close to a halt and my weight? Ha! I'm the heaviest I've been in about three years. After working all weekend on our garden, beers with my husband on our deck have been taking priority over other things.<br />
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And I'm kinda ok with it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZWaMKW7RyX-EV1knu_WoOS9u4joB9gW1OmKuVAiyS1zEBFjZH9pAV-Vq_Oo3FG0UyZ8qKyUa7-AbJj-6x3ttulpuJMkmAXBxTGYJLPEf0pRy_qlF73GGieAFXC8rbq5Akrnc-LRgqYnk/s1600/39557942_316950512393285_5665690118355156992_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="723" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZWaMKW7RyX-EV1knu_WoOS9u4joB9gW1OmKuVAiyS1zEBFjZH9pAV-Vq_Oo3FG0UyZ8qKyUa7-AbJj-6x3ttulpuJMkmAXBxTGYJLPEf0pRy_qlF73GGieAFXC8rbq5Akrnc-LRgqYnk/s640/39557942_316950512393285_5665690118355156992_n.jpg" width="481" /></a></div>
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There truly is a season for everything in life- and right now is not a season of top running form or being at my goal weight. This doesn't mean I'm giving up- on my health or this blog. But it does mean that things might change around here just a bit.<br />
<br />
I'm going to post when I want to and when I have something to say that I think should be shared. I'm still training for the 2019 Walt Disney World Marathon (because doing that and going back to school sounded like a <b>great idea</b> a few months ago!) and will be posting training updates here over the next few months. And I've got a great race schedule this fall so look for those race recaps. And you know I'll still be posting chronicles of my slow running on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/sparklyrunner" target="_blank">instagram</a>. 😜<br />
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My weight is another story. I am struggling; probably more so than I have been at any time over the last five years. Day in and day out, I am following my program, staying within my daily smart points. I make (mostly) good choices and follow the healthy habits I've built up over the last half-decade.<br />
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But the scale isn't moving. My clothes don't fit. I'm starting to feel uncomfortable in my skin the way that I did when I was 50+ pounds heavier.<br />
<br />
And it sucks. A whole lot.<br />
<br />
Why am I gaining weight? It might be that my activity level has decreased significantly. It could be that my job is significantly more stressful. It might be because I'm getting older. I wish I had a more definitive answer.<br />
<br />
But here's what I know for sure: it's important that I face this weight gain head-on. To talk about it, to own it, and even to give myself grace for it. The road to a healthy lifestyle is never easy... even after you'd been "cured" and reached a healthy weight, you still have to fight for it every damn day. Not all seasons of weight loss/maintenance are the same nor is it as simple as we think it should be. As one of my favorites, Jillian Michaels says, "Transformation is not a future event, it is a present activity." Emphasis on the "present."<br />
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So I'll keep on doing what I've been doing and keep sharing about it here. I'm not at a place to make dramatic changes to my every day lifestyle- with the house, school, and the job, I don't know if I could take anymore change- so I will keep on keeping on, striving to make healthy choices each day. And hopefully my weight will level back out and I'll feel more in control of this one part of my life.<br />
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Ok, with that off my chest, I hope you have a wonderful week! Meet you back here soon with training updates for my <b>fifth</b> marathon! </div>
<br />Sarah S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09861496043188311237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483808524582624189.post-81581072262581264232018-07-22T07:00:00.000-04:002018-07-25T07:40:51.143-04:00Sparkly Runner is FIVE! {Giveaway Details Below!}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbOka_w-lpmphyW5-OAQEnGsVnWV62NcAQDTdcyyr0WrLF-jAkL_xxz525u74XtlL_h25bCgJaWKO6F23Qnmf86_398mQK_DtuQ51wCLrhllJ0WiRFU_3rviKy9JrPKAixpotiaUHzC3n5/s1600/5th+blogiversary+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="1160" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbOka_w-lpmphyW5-OAQEnGsVnWV62NcAQDTdcyyr0WrLF-jAkL_xxz525u74XtlL_h25bCgJaWKO6F23Qnmf86_398mQK_DtuQ51wCLrhllJ0WiRFU_3rviKy9JrPKAixpotiaUHzC3n5/s640/5th+blogiversary+%25281%2529.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
Yesterday, this blog turned five. As in five <b>years</b> old. As in HALF A DECADE!<br />
<br />
What?!?<br />
<br />
Way back when I first had the inclination to start a blog, I don't think I ever imagined how positively my life would be impacted by sharing my running adventures with the internet.<br />
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When I <a href="http://www.sparklyrunner.com/2013/07/why-im-blogging.html">started writing in 2013</a>, I was a relatively new runner on the verge of a <b>huge</b> life change. I had just moved two hours away from the only home I'd ever known to live with my boyfriend (now husband) and start a new job that was completely out of my comfort zone.<br />
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I was 100+ miles from home in a small town that didn't have a lot of folks my age. Besides Matthew and a few co-workers, I really didn't know anyone, let alone anyone in the running community.<br />
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So I started writing about running on this blog. Then I started some social media channels to connect with other runners. Pretty soon I was meeting up with strangers from the internet and agreeing to run races with them. I was making friends and meeting people and traveling and experiencing new races... because of this blog.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCnhHe-oUUiNoLV_nv0duXsRYlWTQtyX-QT0ECvyPKEow010OuSRg0tQXXcp23q2mhoRX4RZTS6QQjyofQIxDXZskYI3SIGnxnmhCf33lnbMyG699V9xTTUNl-KYNPOy778bl4Tzdfl2xb/s1600/IMAG6129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="905" data-original-width="1600" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCnhHe-oUUiNoLV_nv0duXsRYlWTQtyX-QT0ECvyPKEow010OuSRg0tQXXcp23q2mhoRX4RZTS6QQjyofQIxDXZskYI3SIGnxnmhCf33lnbMyG699V9xTTUNl-KYNPOy778bl4Tzdfl2xb/s640/IMAG6129.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
Suddenly, Matthew and I had an extended family of runners all over the world- all from this corner of the internet.<br />
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As I stand on the verge of another series of big life changes- home ownership, graduate school, new job- I can't help but reflect on how much this blog helped me five years ago and how I can't wait to see what the next five years as the "Sparkly Runner" holds.<br />
<br />
Thank <b>YOU</b> for reading and running with me these last five years. I've loved every minute of sharing the road with you. Thank you for your support, comments, and community. You ROCK!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqJvn89btyE0XTPFh4-IR8ZD0mpt7F4RhDlYqEe62g9c0ux_auIMGrYseIx8mhk94jGNQt0s9Aad8-xoazlNT9kdE7dJf4aGCYbR9pzaj8KKnrm7G3ABuTe9qOgY-K6SVDVK84j57HH31/s1600/37635117_10100467311666146_3236620309826109440_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqJvn89btyE0XTPFh4-IR8ZD0mpt7F4RhDlYqEe62g9c0ux_auIMGrYseIx8mhk94jGNQt0s9Aad8-xoazlNT9kdE7dJf4aGCYbR9pzaj8KKnrm7G3ABuTe9qOgY-K6SVDVK84j57HH31/s640/37635117_10100467311666146_3236620309826109440_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
To celebrate Sparkly Runner's Fifth Blogiversary, I've teamed up with Altra Running who has generously donated a <b>free pair of Altra Running Shoes</b> to give away to one lucky reader!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTo-qgQUjobxkFJQP5wzaiohVnjEIcMUP6m9MWpG9DWsihHfWEfKXbjNUDd_MCDn8JiwQsELUe5PhqaF_HQ3Tkl0D0Q3VeJZk_SSzv1OCVDjbY8H3PukfNx5_ggGvEE32P-I8T7q7-yxn9/s1600/FIFTH+Blogiversary+Giveaway%2521.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTo-qgQUjobxkFJQP5wzaiohVnjEIcMUP6m9MWpG9DWsihHfWEfKXbjNUDd_MCDn8JiwQsELUe5PhqaF_HQ3Tkl0D0Q3VeJZk_SSzv1OCVDjbY8H3PukfNx5_ggGvEE32P-I8T7q7-yxn9/s640/FIFTH+Blogiversary+Giveaway%2521.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
That's right, <b><u>ANY</u></b> pair of <a href="http://www.altrarunning.com/">Altra Running Shoe</a>s! Huge thank you to Altra for helping me celebrate!<br />
<br />
To enter this <b>awesome</b> giveaway, comment on any/all of the following with <u>which pair of Altras you'd want to try</u>:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Comment on this blog post</li>
<li>Tweet about the giveaway (make sure you tag me <a href="http://www.twitter.com/sparklyrunner">@sparklyrunner</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/AltraRunning">@AltraRunning</a>!)</li>
<li>Leave an instagram comment on the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BlkuoNCliNX/?taken-by=sparklyrunner">giveaway post</a> on the <a href="http://www.instagram.com/sparklyrunner">@sparklyrunner</a> account</li>
<li>Comment on the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/sparklyrunner">Sparkly Runner facebook page</a> on the giveaway post</li>
</ul>
<br />
One winner will be chosen at random- the more times you enter, the more chances you have to win. You can tweet every day for more entries!<br />
<br />
The fine print:<br />
<i>This giveaway starts today and ends at <b>11:59 PM</b> <b>on Thursday, July 26th.</b> The winner will be notified Friday, July 27th by direct message or email and will have 48 hours to respond with requested information (name, address, shoe style, color, and size). If the winner does not respond within 48 hours a new winner will be chosen. Winner will be selected at random from the comments/entries on the blog, instagram, facebook, and twitter.</i><br />
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<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i>Good luck! And again, thank you for reading!</i></b><br />
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<br />Sarah S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09861496043188311237noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483808524582624189.post-42668850026205659772018-07-20T04:00:00.000-04:002018-07-20T04:00:00.139-04:00Race Recap & Review: 2018 Pittsburgh Half MarathonA few months ago, I ran my fifth Steel Challenge in Pittsburgh, PA. While I've participated in Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend several times before, there's just something about this race that keeps me coming back for more- and 2018 was no different!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJOceLpk2ETXmSb7An264GmdETDrJeBgxMu1xTBky2Avwq1jMUx5W0kmZnW_-uwAiF-6Y9DfbVHv3r3kEOHB3Qd985sT8jP0cMFgdNV8SfaVUnr88LEYj21-hkwBqrAh5eg2733QiPm_Y/s1600/20180505_163726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1454" data-original-width="1600" height="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJOceLpk2ETXmSb7An264GmdETDrJeBgxMu1xTBky2Avwq1jMUx5W0kmZnW_-uwAiF-6Y9DfbVHv3r3kEOHB3Qd985sT8jP0cMFgdNV8SfaVUnr88LEYj21-hkwBqrAh5eg2733QiPm_Y/s640/20180505_163726.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flat runner for a 13.1 mile tour of the steel city.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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This year, somehow, I ran a nine minute course PR and my second-fastest half marathon <b>ever</b> crossing in 2:30:01.<b> </b>In 26 half marathons, I've only run <b>two </b>of them in less than 2:31. Only two!<br />
<br />
So how did this happen??<br />
<br />
I have no idea! Seriously!<br />
<br />
You might remember that somehow I also ran a <a href="http://www.sparklyrunner.com/2018/04/race-recap-review-capital-10-miler.html">10 mile PR in March</a>, just a few weeks before Pittsburgh. Can't say it was training- wasn't doing much. Can't say it was speed work- wasn't doing any. Can't say it was strength training or a special diet- definitely wasn't doing this- ha!<br />
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So what was it?<br />
<br />
The magic of Pittsburgh. 😍<br />
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Really- I'm convinced this race and this city are magical.<br />
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And this year just had an extra dose of magic.<br />
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As per usual, Matthew and I met up with our running ohana early on that Sunday morning and then walked to the corrals together. Matthew and I had already decided to run separately so I dropped him off in C corral and continued walking to D corral with our friend Gloria.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9Sw8xTBBMc8JX3E_1y_48-DOXJotiHu7disA_5uwlW9GMZupMIWMQ4dexOj32ACQK6axgDkMRme9zJaQ0pQKdCRqPeGVVS-xknfS3QcDa71ZWft9Q493uE8QVIuEohLm6yojxqZJmK_r/s1600/20180506_061040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="781" data-original-width="1600" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9Sw8xTBBMc8JX3E_1y_48-DOXJotiHu7disA_5uwlW9GMZupMIWMQ4dexOj32ACQK6axgDkMRme9zJaQ0pQKdCRqPeGVVS-xknfS3QcDa71ZWft9Q493uE8QVIuEohLm6yojxqZJmK_r/s640/20180506_061040.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are pretty cute for 6 am :-)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We had made it into the corral pretty early so we had time to kill. I wandered up to the 2:30 pace group and kinda sorta thought I would hang with them for as long as I could. The pacers told me they would be straight running (I almost always run/walk) so I already had a feeling that this wasn't going to work out. But, when the race finally started and our corral finally got up to the start line, I joined the group and tried to keep up.<br />
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<br />
While the start of the race was just fine, by mile one I knew I wouldn't be able to keep up with the group. And even though I'd gone in the corral, I had to go to the bathroom again; so shortly after the mile one sign I found a short port-o-potty line and spent about four minutes using the bathroom. By the time I rejoined the race, the pace group was long gone.<br />
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I put my headphones in, put my head down, and got to work chipping away at the miles. I soaked in all the sights around me, chatted with other runners (including Candi whom I met from instagram- I love the internet!), and slowly became aware of the fact that I was in PR territory.<br />
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My half marathon PR is 2:28:22 from the 2014 Shamrock Half Marathon. I know that to finish a half marathon in less than two hours and thirty minutes, each mile needs to be run at an 11:26 (or less) pace. And somehow, I was running the Pittsburgh Half Marathon with splits close to that target pace.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0BuGSzB9Y6gFr3Wi1zYg7B-OBp1sEjPiBmMQC1EQYYHdixuIsgxLFV0FuI8_GjkbevFJ8xLAAwvv2INP11h3_xhKYHHxvTBe39RaPgx0Mo4AOrykD8LiqegXBKnOGpnUHSMq5ZA_-8qjH/s1600/pittsburgh+splits.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="668" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0BuGSzB9Y6gFr3Wi1zYg7B-OBp1sEjPiBmMQC1EQYYHdixuIsgxLFV0FuI8_GjkbevFJ8xLAAwvv2INP11h3_xhKYHHxvTBe39RaPgx0Mo4AOrykD8LiqegXBKnOGpnUHSMq5ZA_-8qjH/s640/pittsburgh+splits.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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By mile six, I knew that a sub 2:30 half was <b>actually</b> possible. I stopped taking pictures and focused on getting to the finish line as quickly as I could. However, I did make a few very quick pit stops for a small cup of beer, a cupcake, and a jello shot from friends at mile 10. The people of Pittsburgh really know how to make a runner feel welcome!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-cWRJGhZjrw-_yGKEjbB3svNDHe5Qm2DTncgYFMkGp5eB2_mvxCZoaiPWGB6gAXuweV01C-W17wzbXADjpp1QrQNoAaX9t_mi37UwQUp1YGqWHt7L_CdupBUXUO-UgroBqmCK8zXLwrE/s1600/20180506_093133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="781" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-cWRJGhZjrw-_yGKEjbB3svNDHe5Qm2DTncgYFMkGp5eB2_mvxCZoaiPWGB6gAXuweV01C-W17wzbXADjpp1QrQNoAaX9t_mi37UwQUp1YGqWHt7L_CdupBUXUO-UgroBqmCK8zXLwrE/s640/20180506_093133.jpg" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you think of a better combo than cupcakes<br />and jello shots?</td></tr>
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After the boost of seeing friends at mile 10, the next 3.1 miles flew by. I was still thinking I could get a sub-2:30 if I <i>hustled</i> that last mile. I summoned as much energy as I could, rounded the last corner, saw the finish line in the distance and sprinted as fast as one can after 13 miles, and finished in 2:30:01, just <b>two seconds</b> from a 2:29:59.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy02BG9_B2SXcSqxZZzEt-e9YYLhQZhuv9lNoIKn3vMCDBbzxZQmpKeb52FNg4HAzxLINkjQvF5qfYI3yN2MngyKe2xYGB62KtnxbwO9N5E0ekucOmV3YTIlGY2Dx1vudXfmINGUwTvpBl/s1600/pitt+finish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="523" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy02BG9_B2SXcSqxZZzEt-e9YYLhQZhuv9lNoIKn3vMCDBbzxZQmpKeb52FNg4HAzxLINkjQvF5qfYI3yN2MngyKe2xYGB62KtnxbwO9N5E0ekucOmV3YTIlGY2Dx1vudXfmINGUwTvpBl/s640/pitt+finish.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out that 10th anniversary bling.</td></tr>
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While there was just a <i>moment</i> of disappointment from missing the sub-2:30, overall, I was absolutely <b>elated</b> that I had executed a race plan that <b>worked</b> and led to my second-fastest half marathon ever. In fact, my last mile was a 9:47! I can barely run a 9:47 on my best day!<br />
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After collecting my smiley cookie and other finisher foods at the end of the race, I walked over to the finisher's village to get my Steel Challenge medal and met up with Matthew.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOyo8dCpc6gW2HJ7rY4JzkrrUdV6MNRBfb7GLOHButQqoEsk0kasGUi7ysQOZxn9sn_G7zpjr4XMDSYL-wMz6jskQ4aVwZBsSwkNbdxqJGa82XsJkejfZ8e-mDn42WSMGXY8XzSNi02n5q/s1600/20180506_152630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOyo8dCpc6gW2HJ7rY4JzkrrUdV6MNRBfb7GLOHButQqoEsk0kasGUi7ysQOZxn9sn_G7zpjr4XMDSYL-wMz6jskQ4aVwZBsSwkNbdxqJGa82XsJkejfZ8e-mDn42WSMGXY8XzSNi02n5q/s640/20180506_152630.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Will run for smiley cookies.</td></tr>
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Unfortunately, Matthew and I had to get right on the road so we weren't able to stick around after the race like we usually do. Instead, we celebrated our race victories on the PA turnpike with rest stop pizza on the way home. 😊<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxaAjbaGqzxz42kGivIseNBvlx4ebXdNPHkKaMEzynphyA5W-gWGc8WU5VwAkYZIO2AtwUrDjRejYB0FBPVZ56b5db-i4tZLs5UTvGqjz9C5CiB1YHxNc1Okw2A86XNHEdYcAcYpl6r2X/s1600/20180506_131157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="781" data-original-width="1600" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxaAjbaGqzxz42kGivIseNBvlx4ebXdNPHkKaMEzynphyA5W-gWGc8WU5VwAkYZIO2AtwUrDjRejYB0FBPVZ56b5db-i4tZLs5UTvGqjz9C5CiB1YHxNc1Okw2A86XNHEdYcAcYpl6r2X/s640/20180506_131157.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmm, turnpike pizza. </td></tr>
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The Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend never disappoints. I am so grateful I've been able to have five years of memories and miles during this race weekend. If you are on the fence about putting this race on your calendar- don't hesitate! It's a phenomenal race weekend: well-organized, great runner swag, and challenging but fun courses.<br />
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Will we be back in 2019? Probably. I can't imagine where else we'd like to spend the first weekend of May! Besides on a cruise or in Disney World. 😉<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YeSngZ8ablUzUw9DZHdEJZwhQet-z9P6BAJAr8h9nBWcx-jydp5twMRr7iHWOtN5qryZrf1B7QO0ofaA0ibT9ULYHnou46HXGEkSs3jVCSWYdia_9Q5i0XH1PPBylynFtQjt5BPoMFJd/s1600/pitt+skyline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="695" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YeSngZ8ablUzUw9DZHdEJZwhQet-z9P6BAJAr8h9nBWcx-jydp5twMRr7iHWOtN5qryZrf1B7QO0ofaA0ibT9ULYHnou46HXGEkSs3jVCSWYdia_9Q5i0XH1PPBylynFtQjt5BPoMFJd/s640/pitt+skyline.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridges for breakfast.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR8OuS_11xTYZIZQCvFjUYVtG2fwpdKmibjGJhRtwmmMyhyphenhyphen6NmmrgmhXE9O0ySF1sQ3bo8F4OJTZtxWwsbaRFXSky-8KmV987M4kmu7xv5Z5xwbvnLgLhDSHw_Y8f0PIhnsTpsN11NNoBh/s1600/37417407_10100466316240986_7133834081862680576_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="552" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR8OuS_11xTYZIZQCvFjUYVtG2fwpdKmibjGJhRtwmmMyhyphenhyphen6NmmrgmhXE9O0ySF1sQ3bo8F4OJTZtxWwsbaRFXSky-8KmV987M4kmu7xv5Z5xwbvnLgLhDSHw_Y8f0PIhnsTpsN11NNoBh/s640/37417407_10100466316240986_7133834081862680576_n.jpg" width="496" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you, Pittsburgh! </td></tr>
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<b><i>Is there a race/race weekend you've done several times? What do you love about it?</i></b><br />
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Sarah S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09861496043188311237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483808524582624189.post-6556128049590632592018-07-09T23:04:00.000-04:002018-07-09T23:04:22.053-04:00Accountability Monday: 7/9/2018Good evening!<br />
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Today I'm writing you from beautiful Indianapolis, Indiana where I am spending the next week at a conference for work.<br />
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While I'm enjoying the conference, it has been so hard to stay on track while away from home! I have very little control over what I'm eating (the conference provides meals) and the schedule is demanding so there isn't much time to work out. But I'm trying to make it work as much as humanly possible. I'm <i>really</i> looking forward to being back and home and in my regular routine.<br />
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</i> <i>Training</i><br />
Monday: 2.26 mile run, 13:17 pace<br />
Wednesday: 3.1 mile run, 12:37 pace<br />
Saturday: 2.37 mile run, 12:41 pace<br />
Sunday: 2.35 mile run, 12:46 pace<br />
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Total: 10.08 miles<br />
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Man, this summer heat and humidity is <b>killing</b> my pace! I've had to slow down considerably because of the summer weather. Sunday's run was HORRIBLE- the heat was so bad I ended up walking much of the last .75 mile. I am really not built for summer running. 😓<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bk_ptORlTOy/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Y'all. This 👏 heat 👏 is 👏 no 👏 joke. In Indianapolis all week for work so I brilliantly decide to run at 4 PM today when it's like 90 effing degrees out. Swipe left to see what it looks like when you have to sit down mid-run because you can't hang in this heat. And then a beautiful picture of what was a beautiful day... just not for running. Anyone else minding this sweltering weather?! 🙋♀️😥🔥</a></div>
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A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sparklyrunner/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> Sarah</a> (@sparklyrunner) on <time datetime="2018-07-09T02:43:02+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jul 8, 2018 at 7:43pm PDT</time></div>
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<i>Best Run</i></div>
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Running on fourth of July is always a good time- even if it's not part of an official holiday race! While it was hot and humid and not the greatest running conditions, I still got to sparkle in my patriotic Sparkle Skirt so that's got to count for something. 😍</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPwFNHiXu_fp3upDh3gMJ7GPuaY8nC4IGGkQCw5wJdJcVHgCuAY3N0F0s4eOMM4SEBpQwZBetaIU0G9qVLKB8S4G7WeE8dx47dWln994gx_KO7irSQPkkckn2c68TJ7IkdiRY7SbRLjQP/s1600/36889551_10100463148663836_2258995202461007872_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPwFNHiXu_fp3upDh3gMJ7GPuaY8nC4IGGkQCw5wJdJcVHgCuAY3N0F0s4eOMM4SEBpQwZBetaIU0G9qVLKB8S4G7WeE8dx47dWln994gx_KO7irSQPkkckn2c68TJ7IkdiRY7SbRLjQP/s640/36889551_10100463148663836_2258995202461007872_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Bravo Moment</i></div>
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This morning at the hotel gym, I conquered one of my fears- working out in public <b>in front of a mirror! </b> I don't always know what I'm doing when working out (besides running) so the fact that I grabbed some weights and made up a little cross-training/strength workout AND did it in front of other people is a huge accomplishment for me! And my muscles are sore tonight so I must have done ok for myself, right?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_hZ-9n63tyZBSHg2tUAfKShCe49fRjClIWvnURaacnjZ_w9-SzQtMXajHg2JmygAhV4SWEDBHNBj7Kxzj3w8bpUs7I2UaWIS_L0CzvjkjYPW2GCTEkxcqhavbCRBU4nL_FAS6loM3Xh4F/s1600/36964820_10100463142441306_7213046597494505472_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="830" data-original-width="622" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_hZ-9n63tyZBSHg2tUAfKShCe49fRjClIWvnURaacnjZ_w9-SzQtMXajHg2JmygAhV4SWEDBHNBj7Kxzj3w8bpUs7I2UaWIS_L0CzvjkjYPW2GCTEkxcqhavbCRBU4nL_FAS6loM3Xh4F/s640/36964820_10100463142441306_7213046597494505472_n.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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<i>Quote of the Week</i></div>
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In the immortal words of my friend Dory, "just keep swimming!" Applicable to so many situations in life.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVY1X3odXFCy0-okrObg2lcHU_9kPbfYmtyhpWSzQq-XRyu2wQIS1_vVW43AN7kxG31X8_OolE_2Q-GrelFkX7taC0ivHw_9bmxM7sdncQBbzlU1WMTzcHmGsZWZ7nptLMO0xoKbj2VKc/s1600/JustKeepSwimming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="677" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVY1X3odXFCy0-okrObg2lcHU_9kPbfYmtyhpWSzQq-XRyu2wQIS1_vVW43AN7kxG31X8_OolE_2Q-GrelFkX7taC0ivHw_9bmxM7sdncQBbzlU1WMTzcHmGsZWZ7nptLMO0xoKbj2VKc/s640/JustKeepSwimming.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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That's all for this week! Look for a recap of the Pittsburgh half <b>soon!</b></div>
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Sarah S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09861496043188311237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483808524582624189.post-43419631443933837462018-07-02T04:30:00.000-04:002018-07-02T04:30:02.445-04:00Accountability Monday: 7/2/18Good morning, friends!<br /><br />With the summer heat reaching record highs this week, I hope you are all staying cool and hydrated wherever you are.<br />
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If you are training through the hot temperatures, here are a few tips to running safely in the heat:<br />
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<ul>
<li>SLOW DOWN! Seriously, any time the temps are above 70 degrees, you should be slowing down by <a href="https://www.runnersworld.com/training/a20787851/what-pace-should-i-run-in-the-heat/">at least 30 seconds per mile</a>. </li>
<li>Run in the coolest parts of the day- typically early morning or late evening. I'm particularly fond of running around 8:45 pm as I usually get to see some spectacular sunsets while enjoying the cooler weather.</li>
<li>Stay hydrated. Drink lots of water (and/or beer!) before, throughout, and after your workout. I've been using my <a href="http://www.sparklyrunner.com/2018/06/orangemud-review-endurance-hydration.html">OrangeMud hydration vest</a> on pretty much every run this summer. </li>
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Ok, so back to last week's recap:</div>
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<i>Training</i></div>
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Tuesday: 3.36 mile group run with Appalachia Running Company (ARC) and the Chambersburg Beer Runners, 11:02 overall pace</div>
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Saturday: 2.53 mile run, 11:58 overall pace</div>
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Tuesday's run was part of an <a href="http://www.altrarunning.com/">Altra Running</a> Demo at ARC so of course, I wanted to go to my second-ever group run and talk Altra with other runners. Typically, I do not participate in group runs. As a back-of-the-packer and run/walker, I usually find that at the smaller group runs in my rural area, there isn't anyone else there to run my pace and method with me. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwr4rZd9z3jn-eitFPbWSVwF-PNH2AM03HGoo33b8KGl-iy-OR6LjO2kYP3f0mI7vEnG1pCudEZ2N5TxHUF90knu6SJaOvLC4u5CDAuKFrKEsaD_nY4YwJ8fOMUbJ9m3_v5x0NlgICIrs/s1600/36482996_10100460056874806_1969904290956836864_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwr4rZd9z3jn-eitFPbWSVwF-PNH2AM03HGoo33b8KGl-iy-OR6LjO2kYP3f0mI7vEnG1pCudEZ2N5TxHUF90knu6SJaOvLC4u5CDAuKFrKEsaD_nY4YwJ8fOMUbJ9m3_v5x0NlgICIrs/s640/36482996_10100460056874806_1969904290956836864_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the back of the pack. And a tractor, because Pennsylvania.</td></tr>
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But about a half mile in, I started chatting with another <a href="http://www.sparkleskirt.com/">SparkleSkirt</a> runner, Chrissy, and we ended up running the whole route together. We talked about runDisney, beer (she's a member of the Chambersburg Beer Runners), half marathons, and running as a back-of-the-packer. It was awesome!<br /><br />After the run, Evan (the PA Altra rep) brought us some Troegs beer and ARC provided yummy snacks. We stood around and talked about ultra marathons, the newest Altra shoes, and swapped race stories. All in all, a pretty solid Tuesday night. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfD5RxJ9X-RsCykkCpR4nXuaab9EDLgxm8WB7HnmHmx_um0wH8PxU79dNPEq3jAPnq_slhmbudVp4Sxe2ceCNGhLdhrnhJovwKg3N7OgwqKe_hN4ZmsrH2tEG_sq9-c7d5aKPnqAvFXd4/s1600/36466990_10100460054788986_8369467203367469056_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="746" data-original-width="738" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfD5RxJ9X-RsCykkCpR4nXuaab9EDLgxm8WB7HnmHmx_um0wH8PxU79dNPEq3jAPnq_slhmbudVp4Sxe2ceCNGhLdhrnhJovwKg3N7OgwqKe_hN4ZmsrH2tEG_sq9-c7d5aKPnqAvFXd4/s640/36466990_10100460054788986_8369467203367469056_n.jpg" width="633" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only thing better than running, talking about running. While drinking a beer. ;-)</td></tr>
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<i>Best Run</i></div>
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Tuesday's run, for all the reasons mentioned above, and because I was very happy with the 11:02 overall pace on a hilly route in humid weather.</div>
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<i>Bravo Moment</i></div>
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Despite my current struggle with the scale, I've attended a Weight Watchers meeting the last three out of four weeks. Weekly weigh-ins are one of the keys to holding myself accountable and it's been great to get back into that routine; even if the results aren't always what I want. </div>
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<i>Quote of the Week</i></div>
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Presented without comment because I think it's <i>that</i> powerful. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjMZsYvVU13rbp81QLouHncYNeuaPgBblN2z011tpg5T_4eIl5y9-WWtqsMB8w7efDCFY_7adrGLdQyXZWUvCkvH5sZEvFx0hy2G_gsb3faQssA2jyx2Rpukh1fh_LEl0v_V_HyZzlfn5/s1600/36479927_10100460090542336_1969513569191985152_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="960" height="594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjMZsYvVU13rbp81QLouHncYNeuaPgBblN2z011tpg5T_4eIl5y9-WWtqsMB8w7efDCFY_7adrGLdQyXZWUvCkvH5sZEvFx0hy2G_gsb3faQssA2jyx2Rpukh1fh_LEl0v_V_HyZzlfn5/s640/36479927_10100460090542336_1969513569191985152_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Have a great week! </div>
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And happy early birthday, America! 🎇🗽🎆</div>
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Sarah S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09861496043188311237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483808524582624189.post-76035576649193215182018-06-26T21:51:00.000-04:002018-06-26T21:51:20.665-04:00Accountability Tuesday: 6/26/18Hello, friends! It's another Accountability-Monday-on-a-late-Tuesday kinda week. 💁<br />
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Let's get right to it!<br />
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<i>Training</i></div>
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Tuesday: 2.3 HOT miles in the new neighborhood</div>
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Sunday: 6 trail miles, 11:58 overall pace</div>
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I got a chance to try out my new Altra Torin 3.5's on Tuesday's run- they feature an all-knit upper and are the most beautiful shade of pink. :-)</div>
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Disney Marathon training starts next week (!!!) which should provide me with a solid base for the Harrisburg Half in September. I have some big goals for both races and I'm excited to start training consistently again. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gHVaTkAmNlMathG1VQalGKAdLQyaeypTdwZKFUoTZnQmdT5JCvrb6SpaI5CkQkZhfnDRBTRCVXYnDOu14vty-lLDVUGa-m-CocAjjFEk07k5mkFf8vFDpYPD10XNcKrwO3XU95J8YywX/s1600/36236629_10100458157496176_6642050198937796608_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="716" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gHVaTkAmNlMathG1VQalGKAdLQyaeypTdwZKFUoTZnQmdT5JCvrb6SpaI5CkQkZhfnDRBTRCVXYnDOu14vty-lLDVUGa-m-CocAjjFEk07k5mkFf8vFDpYPD10XNcKrwO3XU95J8YywX/s640/36236629_10100458157496176_6642050198937796608_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">😍😍😍</td></tr>
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<i><br /></i>
<i>Best Run</i></div>
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Sunday's miles were as close to perfect as they could be. The temperature had dropped, there was a slight breeze, and everything on the trail was in full bloom. And the miles felt easy, so that's always a bonus.<br />
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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BkbeEIQFi1c/" data-instgrm-version="8" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BkbeEIQFi1c/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">"The earth has music for those who listen." - George Santayana 🌳 🌳 🌳 Tonight's run was exactly what I needed. Six miles to clear my head and get ready for a busy week. Perfect Sunday evening. ❤❤❤</a></div>
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A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sparklyrunner/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> Sarah</a> (@sparklyrunner) on <time datetime="2018-06-25T01:28:38+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jun 24, 2018 at 6:28pm PDT</time></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Bravo Moment</i></div>
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I lost weight this week. Back down the scale we go... hopefully. ⇲</div>
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<i><strike>Quote</strike> Picture of the Week </i></div>
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No quotes this week, just a picture of our sweet pup enjoying his new yard at our new house. He's such a doll, isn't he??</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcwl0oPVRzYbGGKAuSwpLU6cAoJmmEd2oMM-GrH34E-kcBk5cn16N1WR8IbqQ6qt3CQuBhFOAq7yivDiLLtYEaAyCraNbKOM4fTuTurSbyWIs3bNbrS6Ni8IOFzZA6sCOzy2INUVViB5Q/s1600/35114502_10100458365404526_9064795977361129472_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcwl0oPVRzYbGGKAuSwpLU6cAoJmmEd2oMM-GrH34E-kcBk5cn16N1WR8IbqQ6qt3CQuBhFOAq7yivDiLLtYEaAyCraNbKOM4fTuTurSbyWIs3bNbrS6Ni8IOFzZA6sCOzy2INUVViB5Q/s640/35114502_10100458365404526_9064795977361129472_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Have a fantastic week, friends! </div>
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Sarah S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09861496043188311237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483808524582624189.post-45130201000478571412018-06-19T04:00:00.000-04:002018-06-19T04:00:04.139-04:00Accountability Tuesday: 6/19/18Good morning, my beloved long-lost blog readers!<br /><br />My apologies for the hiatus from blogging but I have an awesome reason...<br />
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<b>WE </b><br />
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<b>BOUGHT </b><br />
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<b>A </b><br />
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<b>HOUSE!!!!</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHrHMVIsBAyIkzu-U2uMCgv7-dZpiRjpz4wKKxr4SXUEnOZs_VbHGCqJgdBpH1d7qkXjMGtT-BOUQSKT9-Y4HHCzWGAYDFvRBMjj2aeIUYnoxErBeKT7O4GYAyk2JbAG6IhN8xyYXPhaqX/s1600/home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHrHMVIsBAyIkzu-U2uMCgv7-dZpiRjpz4wKKxr4SXUEnOZs_VbHGCqJgdBpH1d7qkXjMGtT-BOUQSKT9-Y4HHCzWGAYDFvRBMjj2aeIUYnoxErBeKT7O4GYAyk2JbAG6IhN8xyYXPhaqX/s640/home.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Matthew and I have been knee-deep in the house-searching and then home-buying process for the last two-ish months and it's been an absolute <b>whirlwind</b> of a summer so far!<br /><br />Not only was finding a home stressful (homes sell in a matter of <i>hours </i>in our area), but once we found "our" home, the process of making an offer, getting approved by the bank, getting the home inspection, etc. was time-consuming and worrisome! There are a <b>ton</b> of moving parts to the process and it's probably the most expensive purchase we'll ever make so, yeah, kinda stressful! 😅<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3Zy93iOGDCCtWyalxfOPGaFSIjNYRRFzouYjhbyiTkdEXYJ0pu_WuZZFdpeMfV6IZ5sdCmfwnJ0mKKEOqpQv4GATay_9Cj-5X5jNLe_WsvlZr0EkJZV17-N7q-MGk4XVjhCjfu4KeSpI/s1600/chateau+de+mcshupp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3Zy93iOGDCCtWyalxfOPGaFSIjNYRRFzouYjhbyiTkdEXYJ0pu_WuZZFdpeMfV6IZ5sdCmfwnJ0mKKEOqpQv4GATay_9Cj-5X5jNLe_WsvlZr0EkJZV17-N7q-MGk4XVjhCjfu4KeSpI/s640/chateau+de+mcshupp.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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We absolutely <i>love</i> our new home and are excited to be homeowners! And I'm very excited to explore the area and find new running routes as my training picks up for fall races (so far, Harrisburg Half and probably WDW Marathon).<br />
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But, running/training has absolutely taken a back seat to the house stuff. All our time has been taken up with packing and cleaning and moving leaving little time or energy to run. I know I'll get back to my regular routine soon, but in the meantime, my weight has been creeping back up with the lack of regular physical activity.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOq6B6b2rxh_4SJIkCPiCDEwYN7zpQAsVILvFkeLhtAZxr5fC4aiLMZe8c-4EfIUUXfoC19tMG85U472KkBrikx2-FOG0nzMxSYBlLbYHZihMLRzt2K2goBnajVaoZXCc6G72RtLsN5g0V/s1600/chart+summer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="934" data-original-width="1600" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOq6B6b2rxh_4SJIkCPiCDEwYN7zpQAsVILvFkeLhtAZxr5fC4aiLMZe8c-4EfIUUXfoC19tMG85U472KkBrikx2-FOG0nzMxSYBlLbYHZihMLRzt2K2goBnajVaoZXCc6G72RtLsN5g0V/s640/chart+summer.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you tell where I went on vacation?! ;-)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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After a few weeks of travel in May, I gained about six pounds which was to be expected. Before vacation, I'd actually been doing quite well and my weight was on a downward trend, getting back to a number where I felt comfortable and fit.<br />
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But if you've been reading for a while you know that for me, "vacation + stress (from home buying) = weight gain." At this point in my weight loss/weight maintenance journey, I know this is normal. Life happens. My weight fluctuates from month to month, year to year, and it probably always will.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAAK_pCfV4r4kUd8COZA23LX3vNtiKFli5s_VaSCP_QmSge6C6ZgGte4e9aXx9IaF8o7aoGi0Rc9MscyI8Y57R_r05e9PJQAt3yWTS2MJ_YEO35R9r-4zmEOKJvBetfun00dJe-k689OW2/s1600/what-success-really-is-632x4861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="554" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAAK_pCfV4r4kUd8COZA23LX3vNtiKFli5s_VaSCP_QmSge6C6ZgGte4e9aXx9IaF8o7aoGi0Rc9MscyI8Y57R_r05e9PJQAt3yWTS2MJ_YEO35R9r-4zmEOKJvBetfun00dJe-k689OW2/s640/what-success-really-is-632x4861.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Still, I'm not super happy about my weight or my lack of training lately. But here's what I know for sure: I'll never stop trying. So, it's back to regular weekly weigh-ins, a training plan, and more consistent blogging here. Writing about running and weight loss is one of the ways I hold myself accountable and I'm usually much more consistent with both when I'm writing and posting regularly. Plus the blog turns <b>FIVE YEARS OLD</b> next month so I've got to plan something awesome to celebrate!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Bvmk5C3PH_svmL5p7z0L-VJPqJ4ErTdgZ0arQzcDHCB80gCc3LGVTZ2Z_Kegrgiyinlswz4D42nlTwFOGhcA_oy4J2OD7dqTWpQCfUA1rt0_GV9PA2F6M0OAHFvk6g_s1Nl8qVZS-Y13/s1600/20a10293b3374668bfba6abf4f6b2f76.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Bvmk5C3PH_svmL5p7z0L-VJPqJ4ErTdgZ0arQzcDHCB80gCc3LGVTZ2Z_Kegrgiyinlswz4D42nlTwFOGhcA_oy4J2OD7dqTWpQCfUA1rt0_GV9PA2F6M0OAHFvk6g_s1Nl8qVZS-Y13/s640/20a10293b3374668bfba6abf4f6b2f76.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Ok, that's about it for this week's very unconventional Accountability Tuesday post! See y'all next week and as always, THANK YOU for reading!<br />
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Sarah S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09861496043188311237noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483808524582624189.post-13820844995871823052018-06-07T05:00:00.000-04:002018-06-07T05:00:04.559-04:00OrangeMud Review: Endurance Hydration Pack<br />
Y'all - it's finally summer! And with summer comes my least-favorite running weather: heat, humidity, and so much sun. While I love summer for all those same reasons, the weather doesn't make it easy for running outdoors. Staying hydrated in the summer months is <b>critical</b> to staying cool in the heat. So, how do you stay hydrated on the run? Check out my review below for a pretty neat option for taking your H2O on the road with you this summer!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufvRKJGW9djLqWiEUSdnY0lccFGKj3YnDtIlwGJgYWjVevnzXckykhMJbax_NWBJZkqPWmsi4gHhZegzLKdqqWpz424tjZ6k3LkkuH20kMa5K8C0slLxS43E6BLV5LnGB5h_eNXzi6QqP/s1600/orangemud+review+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="528" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufvRKJGW9djLqWiEUSdnY0lccFGKj3YnDtIlwGJgYWjVevnzXckykhMJbax_NWBJZkqPWmsi4gHhZegzLKdqqWpz424tjZ6k3LkkuH20kMa5K8C0slLxS43E6BLV5LnGB5h_eNXzi6QqP/s640/orangemud+review+cover.jpg" width="468" /></a></div>
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The awesome folks over at <a href="http://orangemud.com/">OrangeMud</a> sent me an Endurance Hydration Pack to review for the blog and I'm excited to share my thoughts with you!<br />
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Full disclosure- I received this hydration pack from OrangeMud in exchange for an honest review on the blog. I was not paid or compensated in any way for this review. As always, all opinions expressed here are my own.<br />
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Another full disclosure- I've never run with a hydration pack like this before. I've used a handheld water bottle and a running belt with bottles but nothing like this.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8RJ18miDz_-FSjBNKKBQeANsAEAsX9_WZw9JAtIWDxG7mN-ApTgE3BqzKqN0QxascI_HQi7Li0zQ95jF_QobRwDx3n7jyMBK6qiA25ygnBLsnAwP7s1MZGjGpEeR6rAXbzC7FebKgM6e/s1600/orangemud+endurance+pack.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8RJ18miDz_-FSjBNKKBQeANsAEAsX9_WZw9JAtIWDxG7mN-ApTgE3BqzKqN0QxascI_HQi7Li0zQ95jF_QobRwDx3n7jyMBK6qiA25ygnBLsnAwP7s1MZGjGpEeR6rAXbzC7FebKgM6e/s640/orangemud+endurance+pack.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: <a href="https://www.orangemud.com/collections/running-packs/products/bpvp70?variant=16940288324">OrangeMud</a></td></tr>
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When I first opened up the Endurance Pack, I have to admit, I was a little intimidated. The bladder (the thing that holds the water) looked like it was going to be heavy to carry and I was a little worried about the actual pack itself- I have small shoulders and was nervous that it wouldn't fit correctly or move around too much when I ran.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVo13qqEDwNhk_n3Bm69KMmdgl8vI1QcIv2TZ9jbJZIYfYEDVMQQ18AevwbNT6c7ixA78FolwrKgokkxyxs4RRO-oeyvjK6yX2vEZ77F0LHQKhbsZMxiG7U2iMuhEZP8pkCdpASqZ0bi3/s1600/hydration+pack+front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVo13qqEDwNhk_n3Bm69KMmdgl8vI1QcIv2TZ9jbJZIYfYEDVMQQ18AevwbNT6c7ixA78FolwrKgokkxyxs4RRO-oeyvjK6yX2vEZ77F0LHQKhbsZMxiG7U2iMuhEZP8pkCdpASqZ0bi3/s640/hydration+pack+front.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out all those pockets. 😍</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Despite my slight intimidation, I was so impressed with all the pockets/storage on this pack. On the front left-hand side there was a space big enough for my Samsung Galaxy 9 (which is a pretty big phone) and on each shoulder there were little pouches for GU or other gels. On the right-hand side there was another large pouch with a clip for my car keys. Pretty much everything I would take on a long run with me can be stored in this pack- plus WATER!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgasVXxREFxDLwuiksk3YOw3Pa-RcBTSOf5nAtL7GVx60EdnvdycnB7rgl2RCWDbF6mSRnUvy5O0nC8w7-A44pjEQu4sKcZU3cz4RpU9F7Bl9UXBuwQBq3VAjxqexzfC7koFsrYAMrnC7gV/s1600/hydration+pack+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="640" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgasVXxREFxDLwuiksk3YOw3Pa-RcBTSOf5nAtL7GVx60EdnvdycnB7rgl2RCWDbF6mSRnUvy5O0nC8w7-A44pjEQu4sKcZU3cz4RpU9F7Bl9UXBuwQBq3VAjxqexzfC7koFsrYAMrnC7gV/s640/hydration+pack+back.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So. Much. Storage.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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After filling up the bladder and loading it into the back of the pack- staying in place with a velcro strap- I tried it on. I had watched some <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55XcZkstgWo">videos about fit</a> on the OrangeMud youtube channel so I felt comfortable adjusting the straps for a solid fit.<br />
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Another cool thing about this pack- totally adjustable front straps. You can criss-cross them, move them up or down, really anything to make the fit comfortable for you. As a woman blessed with lots of curves, I appreciate the multiple points of flexible adjustment!<br />
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Once I had the fit about where I wanted it, it was time to take it for a short run. A recent trip to the beach gave me the perfect mix of heat and humidity to try this pack out and see how it did on the run.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuTTqJlMnUdEc5hmLr0evZE79KFQMNvEH80ioVo50Cv21h227gKmdf3E6sR8nr6CLcHSfuyl6fFNhw6PHlzMbqkTL1DhhiP0DdAFauM2qUg_Ai-jZrjrxlAKgoh5IzKM9SmrrL_3vEeajc/s1600/orangemud+running.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuTTqJlMnUdEc5hmLr0evZE79KFQMNvEH80ioVo50Cv21h227gKmdf3E6sR8nr6CLcHSfuyl6fFNhw6PHlzMbqkTL1DhhiP0DdAFauM2qUg_Ai-jZrjrxlAKgoh5IzKM9SmrrL_3vEeajc/s640/orangemud+running.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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The first few minutes of the run were a bit awkward as I got used to the feeling of having something on my back while I was running. Despite my earlier adjustments, I did need to pull the side straps a little tighter to accommodate some minimal movement once I'd started to run. However, after about five minutes, I honestly forgot I was wearing it.<br />
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The fabric was comfortable and breathable- it was super sticky and salty running along the ocean but I never felt like anything was chafing or irritable on my skin. Having the extra large pocket for my phone was great. Not once did it I even feel the weight of it in the pack and it was nice to be able to have quick access to it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUmp0IQLxRkg-6HUcg52lHewMEL7MC8wKMNXyurmm2M0INHe83uPfBwTtnKA2WLTA4PzshrtFnlvOu3_cGw5Y_wvQ22m8iybTAT6CuM3rsldz_0af59WZyflhHB3HIabfYwCqS3yg-hhO/s1600/orangemud+running+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUmp0IQLxRkg-6HUcg52lHewMEL7MC8wKMNXyurmm2M0INHe83uPfBwTtnKA2WLTA4PzshrtFnlvOu3_cGw5Y_wvQ22m8iybTAT6CuM3rsldz_0af59WZyflhHB3HIabfYwCqS3yg-hhO/s640/orangemud+running+2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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For the front straps, I found it most comfortable to have one high across my chest and one low kind of across my diaphragm. I'd pulled the side straps as far as I could and then tucked the excess strap underneath the part of the strap that was taut. There was no movement of the pack or the straps once I'd adjusted it correctly. Even though I had on extra "weight," it didn't feel uncomfortable or heavy.<br />
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And let me tell you how awesome it was to have water on the run- so glorious, especially in the summer heat! I took this pack on a three and a half mile run and probably drank about a quarter of what it holds (two liters). I was a little worried there would be sloshing as the pack lost water but I didn't notice a thing. The hose was a perfect length for me- the pack came with a recommendation to cut it to a shorter length, but I preferred the original length. It was easy to use and easy to drink from on the run.<br />
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After having success on the run with the pack, I took it for a bike ride. It was even better on the bike, mainly because you have so many more storage options that you usually don't while riding a bike. Now I'm not much of a bike rider, but I do enjoy it on vacation. I can easily see this pack being used repeatedly on future trips when biking or hiking is involved- it carries water and <b>so much more</b>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFY3gm412xqsMDlvtUs9VBphzItBzDfr-J_O4ToocohyYRidd3W3tgz9V_f84PmjWeF2iXD0sKt42Oart-Wrl2rgFNzXNgUDPQXgtBdIAuxSLKtYcN1RKU19Mx9tlUod6IE6vNU-ca9s4V/s1600/orangmud+biking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="723" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFY3gm412xqsMDlvtUs9VBphzItBzDfr-J_O4ToocohyYRidd3W3tgz9V_f84PmjWeF2iXD0sKt42Oart-Wrl2rgFNzXNgUDPQXgtBdIAuxSLKtYcN1RKU19Mx9tlUod6IE6vNU-ca9s4V/s640/orangmud+biking.jpg" width="482" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The perfect accessory for holding all your crap while on a bike. </td></tr>
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Overall, I can see this pack becoming a main staple in my training runs. I loved the option of having water with me and having so many extra pockets and pouches to store food, keys, my phone, etc. It was comfortable, adjustable, and easy to use.<br />
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And while I didn't use this feature, it actually has a safety whistle built into one of the front straps. As a female runner who often runs alone, this feature gives me extra piece of mind while I'm training solo- and the fact that this pack easily stores my mace in a place that can be readily accessible. 😄<br />
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If you've been looking for a hydration pack that is comfy and useful, take a closer look at the Endurance Hydration Pack from OrangeMud. There are tons of runners and hikers that use and love this brand- and it's easy to see why! From the storage options to the low-profile design, this is an awesome way to carry your water- and anything else!- with you on the run!<br />
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See more of their models and options here: <a href="http://orangemud.com/">orangemud.com</a>.<br />
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<b><i>How do you stay hydrated in the summer months?</i></b><br />
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<br />Sarah S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09861496043188311237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483808524582624189.post-6434464622116887252018-05-25T04:30:00.000-04:002018-05-25T04:30:19.562-04:00Race Recap & Review: Pittsburgh 5kEarlier this month, I ran the 5k during the Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend as part one of the Steel Challenge: complete the 5k on Saturday and any race on Sunday (half, full, or relay) and earn extra bling for being a runner of steel.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxdpZgTG60yZR2HUKs1F5p2zcmFMII2RSKMVekOVLVizl6UCudDggmZocfb9hfbBbBEr7QmlJM9v-9M1nCkmT1UeNVvOnQFr50ZrgBFOb3p8m_N2okQ56CknL9s5m18j3PFsvn2D51w0h/s1600/flat+runner+pitt+5k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="860" data-original-width="960" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxdpZgTG60yZR2HUKs1F5p2zcmFMII2RSKMVekOVLVizl6UCudDggmZocfb9hfbBbBEr7QmlJM9v-9M1nCkmT1UeNVvOnQFr50ZrgBFOb3p8m_N2okQ56CknL9s5m18j3PFsvn2D51w0h/s640/flat+runner+pitt+5k.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flat runner for a 3.1 mile journey through Pittsburgh.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Saturday morning in Pittsburgh brought high humidity but cool temperatures- it made for an absolutely gorgeous sky.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKU1FQLANgAoq2YzMX3TpNxFez3vRq0-y3knXdCd5TMkXlTpo2A7D12E9MHdDRC3CbJ8zvuVuVS5Lqgl1Ec9M1aHCdwwMfHqDrWYYsEWq4VbnUiC98xPHcDELZh9Pc-eVj-xk6w8_A_bD/s1600/pitt+bridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKU1FQLANgAoq2YzMX3TpNxFez3vRq0-y3knXdCd5TMkXlTpo2A7D12E9MHdDRC3CbJ8zvuVuVS5Lqgl1Ec9M1aHCdwwMfHqDrWYYsEWq4VbnUiC98xPHcDELZh9Pc-eVj-xk6w8_A_bD/s640/pitt+bridges.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good morning, Yinz!</td></tr>
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Before the race, I went to the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/werunsocial/">We Run Social</a> meet-up and chatted with new (and old!) friends. I love pre-race meet-ups because they help keep my mind off any nervousness I have going on. Even though I had no time goals for this race, I was still having a bout of pre-race nerves. Sometimes it just happens. 😩<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAx0XWNkdJxUafsFI-HPXn5VKaW5vHRBYn1HBlwMQZUK_c1eEOfOjrd7YIMcC9eZIp4JJ6dNZ45j4vzcdv1YC-tbPhzSBJoctYHsVUAN3tpzVdj_r8vIgb8F0hVr5Z5hADMM7dFNvTBOcK/s1600/we+run+social+pitt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAx0XWNkdJxUafsFI-HPXn5VKaW5vHRBYn1HBlwMQZUK_c1eEOfOjrd7YIMcC9eZIp4JJ6dNZ45j4vzcdv1YC-tbPhzSBJoctYHsVUAN3tpzVdj_r8vIgb8F0hVr5Z5hADMM7dFNvTBOcK/s640/we+run+social+pitt.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running + friends = best day ever.</td></tr>
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As the race start time (8 AM) got closer, Matthew and I decided to make a port-o-potty run. We headed towards the bathrooms (and the starting corrals) like we've done for each of the other four years we've run this race and we realized something- the starting line was going in the complete opposite direction as we thought it would be!<br />
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This year the marathon was celebrating its 10th year and (I guess?) in celebration of a decade of running, the 5k course was 100% backward from what it's been the last four years we've done it.<br />
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So, we were standing in the port-o-potty line that was actually at the very <i>front</i> of the race instead of in the very <i>back</i> of the race. Luckily for us, the line went quickly and we had enough time to pee and then walk all the way to the starting corrals.<br />
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Matthew and I decided to run this race separately as he wanted to run for time. I dropped him off in the middle of the pack with the rest of our ohana, grabbed a quick selfie, and then made my way towards the back of the pack to start.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqdYgij3puRRKRDd1uuCt3faEhfTL0bUGnrYVa_RmsvO5ElQCV7y9JQZI6yvd-T23IHgJgWvpOv2XCOrHIShzQ9e0FU7mq7so5_j2CcNA2KqNokrFpIetsIk4epZnRaVK7_CAkVgTRyb3x/s1600/race+selfie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="721" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqdYgij3puRRKRDd1uuCt3faEhfTL0bUGnrYVa_RmsvO5ElQCV7y9JQZI6yvd-T23IHgJgWvpOv2XCOrHIShzQ9e0FU7mq7so5_j2CcNA2KqNokrFpIetsIk4epZnRaVK7_CAkVgTRyb3x/s640/race+selfie.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do we look ready to race? Because we totally are.</td></tr>
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Just after 8 AM, I crossed the start line and began my 5k route through the city. Basically, this course was the exact opposite of the course in years past. I actually really liked not quite knowing where I was going- it makes the race more unpredictable and exciting for me!<br /><br />
The course featured the same sweeping views of the city as it always had, just from another angle. There were also fewer bridges this year; I believe we only crossed one due to some construction in the downtown area blocking the other bridges. Regardless, I loved the new course.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtN7m6uDqIyzGO4ImDdR_QU12h9laJ-7iJl1oJQJSRyPoFDrRKLJ5B42AoCnfxvPOCe-p-d7exz-3zXyAwD9rr9WFvbkGe8PKIjR-0AzUSI1DfMwcIUjENHLokXURm3LG9Tj9vZ0LLkXH/s1600/pitt+skyline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="960" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtN7m6uDqIyzGO4ImDdR_QU12h9laJ-7iJl1oJQJSRyPoFDrRKLJ5B42AoCnfxvPOCe-p-d7exz-3zXyAwD9rr9WFvbkGe8PKIjR-0AzUSI1DfMwcIUjENHLokXURm3LG9Tj9vZ0LLkXH/s640/pitt+skyline.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Does it get much better than this?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I also quite literally ran into friends <a href="http://www.pghlauren.com/">Lauren</a> and <a href="http://www.pittsburghcitygirl.com/">Chelsea</a> towards the end of the race. I was able to grab a few photos of them before crossing the bridge and heading to the finish line.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdUh232dnogMqQvxMlVr_a68ZRb8WfcYdMhFKnIUmCDsOCDoUg_zfu3OBeb-zY4UJ4-NQtx2Kp59e7TQ9fTmpFUhLFEmV9nnRKunEGqF2iWccxJsMUvxMJhdkK__A3IZHZK2M9BOuyl7v/s1600/chelsea+and+lauren.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="960" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdUh232dnogMqQvxMlVr_a68ZRb8WfcYdMhFKnIUmCDsOCDoUg_zfu3OBeb-zY4UJ4-NQtx2Kp59e7TQ9fTmpFUhLFEmV9nnRKunEGqF2iWccxJsMUvxMJhdkK__A3IZHZK2M9BOuyl7v/s640/chelsea+and+lauren.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love seeing friendly faces on the course.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTOv8TGn69pnszezxw6IASzch1ezRCQsmeC6Z6bqHeg6OzgTVa0YSntGyRw8tMuytvzy2ZDkd8Ne03Ksp-ozAt5yKqsGEIS3ixpPqSVtupRpKwipnXfwFBcnNhE0VRDeciKryDw1moDtS/s1600/pitt+5k+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTOv8TGn69pnszezxw6IASzch1ezRCQsmeC6Z6bqHeg6OzgTVa0YSntGyRw8tMuytvzy2ZDkd8Ne03Ksp-ozAt5yKqsGEIS3ixpPqSVtupRpKwipnXfwFBcnNhE0VRDeciKryDw1moDtS/s640/pitt+5k+bridge.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost there!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I gave one last final push to finish the race and crossed the line in 33:53, average pace of 10:32 minutes per mile. For once, I actually negative split appropriately! 11:08/10:46/10:14 splits. I felt really good after the race and was proud of the fact that I had a race strategy and executed it well. Though I had no specific time goal, I did want to have negative splits and an overall pace under 11:30- done and done.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4hf2ejxhezV-2QVzsYWgvF7P5LD_RSJbziLF6Y8LINbtMyukbduW1RrIybMZ5vnp4rd9jx2ApNQrBgvUZ3rd7isY731R-JnqtHv84mvD0C00FMUBXqsOq_IkKk20vfQP9fM_IYaEkMY0r/s1600/post+5k+selfie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="593" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4hf2ejxhezV-2QVzsYWgvF7P5LD_RSJbziLF6Y8LINbtMyukbduW1RrIybMZ5vnp4rd9jx2ApNQrBgvUZ3rd7isY731R-JnqtHv84mvD0C00FMUBXqsOq_IkKk20vfQP9fM_IYaEkMY0r/s640/post+5k+selfie.jpg" width="394" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Will run for bling.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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After collecting my medal and bottle of water and meeting up with Matthew and our running ohana, we headed through the Finisher's Festival and down to Point State Park to relax a bit before heading back to <a href="http://www.runsteffrun.com/">Steff</a> and Joe's house- our awesome friends who always host us for Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-SvMsLoc3a38AW2VCr6rbioZQ2vxDfZ-qD6b3k5Tl3Xcoh0j9-2Nub0EDjBaRncxhPazoXGm-Mz6H3MU1D3Yj4cw3wDcVWL9X-C3ds-FHgXlHtzK4f8oyEbXeyKz_2zWrBfVUTCLLTi1u/s1600/the+point.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="615" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-SvMsLoc3a38AW2VCr6rbioZQ2vxDfZ-qD6b3k5Tl3Xcoh0j9-2Nub0EDjBaRncxhPazoXGm-Mz6H3MU1D3Yj4cw3wDcVWL9X-C3ds-FHgXlHtzK4f8oyEbXeyKz_2zWrBfVUTCLLTi1u/s640/the+point.jpg" width="410" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm a sucker for a good fountain.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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With the half marathon the next day, we spend the rest of Saturday hanging out and then had a low-key dinner at Steff and Joe's with new and old friends.<br />
<br />
I really enjoyed the new 5k course this year and loved having a fun way to shake out my legs before the second part of the Steel Challenge- a 13.1 mile journey through the meanest hills of Pittsburgh. This race is definitely a great addition to Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend- if you're ever in Pittsburgh during the first weekend in May, this is one not to be missed!<br />
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<i><b>What's one of your favorite 5k races?</b></i><br />
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<br />Sarah S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09861496043188311237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483808524582624189.post-3571837735874368692018-05-08T11:30:00.000-04:002018-05-08T13:50:18.908-04:00Accountability Tuesday: 5/8/2018Good morning, friends!<br />
<br />
Hope your week is off to a great start! Here's short recap of what's been going on in my world over the last week:<br />
<br />
<i>Training</i><br />
Wednesday: Jillian Michaels "Ripped in 30" week 2 workout<br />
Saturday: Pittsburgh 5k, 33:47<br />
Sunday: Pittsburgh Half Marathon, 2:30:01<br />
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I'll write a full recap later but- I ran my second fastest half marathon EVER! My last mile was a 9:47! :-)<br />
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The past few weeks I've been trying to incorporate at least two "other" workouts into my week. When I ran Pittsburgh in 2015, I felt the best I'd ever felt during a marathon and I attribute that to cross-training and strength-training. So while my training for Pittsburgh 2018 wasn't perfect, the fact that I was able to squeeze in some other workouts (mainly Jillian Michaels) I think contributed significantly to the fact that I was able to run my fastest half in 4+ years. I know I still have some speed left in these legs; now to just let it out and see how fast I can really go!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0PMIgXwiF3dDiBZQvViN6M72inV84tnQAW19uNY5qpc5gYX7I8VMKdIkaGjWK-rhFQp1eBKd2xnujAlIXFbrOpJcQ1uQOkP227hmEhUBBCh1ltRLGXbNVub4aVWu-GSF091sUsWcNgW7U/s1600/32084543_10100441646025296_7094927291683176448_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0PMIgXwiF3dDiBZQvViN6M72inV84tnQAW19uNY5qpc5gYX7I8VMKdIkaGjWK-rhFQp1eBKd2xnujAlIXFbrOpJcQ1uQOkP227hmEhUBBCh1ltRLGXbNVub4aVWu-GSF091sUsWcNgW7U/s640/32084543_10100441646025296_7094927291683176448_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steel Challenge #5 complete.</td></tr>
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<i><br /></i>
<i>Best Run</i><br />
The Pittsburgh 5k was PERFECT: beautiful weather, fun new course, high fives from a bunch of cute kids (and a dog!), gorgeous views of the city, and negative splits. All-around awesome if you ask me.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbVgq3vDevKeBrmCQe8fZ7oLRSor9rC9BH1l2Lza8Byk0Brcnf3McVZpXini1PR9BF1dUfpUrRIqN-ydq8m3JVqNe_4KsN8lyffZUbBgCTHkpewRLTPLojHWR5DY_5nr2enDNmF06KK5g/s1600/32089630_10100441649004326_6078034144439304192_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbVgq3vDevKeBrmCQe8fZ7oLRSor9rC9BH1l2Lza8Byk0Brcnf3McVZpXini1PR9BF1dUfpUrRIqN-ydq8m3JVqNe_4KsN8lyffZUbBgCTHkpewRLTPLojHWR5DY_5nr2enDNmF06KK5g/s640/32089630_10100441649004326_6078034144439304192_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How could you not love a run with views like this?!</td></tr>
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<i>Bravo Moment</i><br />
The scale is <i>finally </i>responding to the effort I feel like I'm making- and I couldn't be happier or prouder of myself. Weight loss and weight maintenance is one of those things that never gets easier- I will always struggle with my weight. <b>But</b>, I can have control over most of the things that affect my health/weight so I will continue to do what it takes to stay healthy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiagCH0ak__Q1A_iEORFAOXJss9OUTNBEu6-xhZXX0HWHwvve4AnICtKpK9KxRreezjfM00ctpO4c6U374o1TB-gDz8jyYAFDoo2EYoL3292Qu1Jxr5zKJ5jqIZtSFQcmedtn2Lk_6Fo4AY/s1600/32130797_10100441646155036_1772170099797524480_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="960" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiagCH0ak__Q1A_iEORFAOXJss9OUTNBEu6-xhZXX0HWHwvve4AnICtKpK9KxRreezjfM00ctpO4c6U374o1TB-gDz8jyYAFDoo2EYoL3292Qu1Jxr5zKJ5jqIZtSFQcmedtn2Lk_6Fo4AY/s640/32130797_10100441646155036_1772170099797524480_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Quote of the Week</i><br />
This week's quote is from the hilarious - and sometimes wise- Steve Martin:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0NQsJprk-oitPSMvNq1Lg8xJDdFnjmLdPyf9kk3u6hnletF9cdk47CcTr83YEd30cWhbIpC7es1p8eQTfrt9kCMQ0838WZFIfAsAC2NV6sQkbev-p48-05S8fA9iTNCLMytex2abke64/s1600/a50fa087f3b927a13ca5520904b40b5b--top-blogs-martin-omalley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="896" data-original-width="683" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0NQsJprk-oitPSMvNq1Lg8xJDdFnjmLdPyf9kk3u6hnletF9cdk47CcTr83YEd30cWhbIpC7es1p8eQTfrt9kCMQ0838WZFIfAsAC2NV6sQkbev-p48-05S8fA9iTNCLMytex2abke64/s640/a50fa087f3b927a13ca5520904b40b5b--top-blogs-martin-omalley.jpg" width="486" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How accurate is this, right?</td></tr>
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Have an awesome week, friends!<br />
<br />Sarah S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09861496043188311237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483808524582624189.post-78669837279031789022018-04-25T05:30:00.000-04:002018-04-25T05:30:26.686-04:00{almost} Wordless WednesdayHi friends! It's the middle of the week which means... Friday is close!<br />
<br />
In lieu of missing a few Accountability Mondays, today's post is a little visual representation of what's been happening in my world over the last two weeks.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDpCORRsjZtndjXr4w2Zd-P6TxJaOczSO5k7PBmaQCLfxtOpMlZRlvIEDgJ_lbnbN2cqXnyS9QRxrbsQKrovcT5pfe-nWRfyNtR2XQKJuKziw11umC40YWtTNZLTi3dLizgJyeQg1vVxP/s1600/birthday+cake+gu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDpCORRsjZtndjXr4w2Zd-P6TxJaOczSO5k7PBmaQCLfxtOpMlZRlvIEDgJ_lbnbN2cqXnyS9QRxrbsQKrovcT5pfe-nWRfyNtR2XQKJuKziw11umC40YWtTNZLTi3dLizgJyeQg1vVxP/s640/birthday+cake+gu.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wanna eat vanilla icing on your run? Try this limited-edition GU- tastes just like birthday cake icing!<br />Thanks for the sample, <a href="http://www.stridebox.com/">StrideBox</a>! </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRm9phnVs4-TAl3K9Xz-v5SDaS7nGWfVDU5VrASNvI2gbO6EnepGO9hbESXzaVogjHbJ3m27dKsNsZmQpK9Pc7YkZ3-Oq63Em8hnKn-9hE3PuS5RpKqhlfKmgPfIV5PxDAebotUl2g0hS2/s1600/fastest+5k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1352" data-original-width="1600" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRm9phnVs4-TAl3K9Xz-v5SDaS7nGWfVDU5VrASNvI2gbO6EnepGO9hbESXzaVogjHbJ3m27dKsNsZmQpK9Pc7YkZ3-Oq63Em8hnKn-9hE3PuS5RpKqhlfKmgPfIV5PxDAebotUl2g0hS2/s640/fastest+5k.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fastest 5K EVER! Now to just do it in a race. 😏</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOphjLsRlmCDbyx1t0YYXHn_dPvMofZGS2KxBvzz6wQEw4OU7v0OobTGsG0p3oisSx1UhkxwINUye9iVCg1IWy2OGjlSeN_6J_K9QclXeeL7ikldPz4vROqJttpsORn_2jwox7hrHGyaK/s1600/seen+on+my+run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1163" data-original-width="1600" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOphjLsRlmCDbyx1t0YYXHn_dPvMofZGS2KxBvzz6wQEw4OU7v0OobTGsG0p3oisSx1UhkxwINUye9iVCg1IWy2OGjlSeN_6J_K9QclXeeL7ikldPz4vROqJttpsORn_2jwox7hrHGyaK/s640/seen+on+my+run.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seen on my run last week. Grateful to finally see the sun.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7vU1RRQ5D-Aupc2-yIcz53N8ab6-dwAElsqfScb70BC_LEB3e-hJQ50wKW6S3UVgKPUjCxaGTLpa3vXf_1Qa4SWj-sO4NauwB1PcLZEaGq4ZXCNHB1NzGaEK2o9wro63vkoI-xPzGjP3/s1600/trailfest2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7vU1RRQ5D-Aupc2-yIcz53N8ab6-dwAElsqfScb70BC_LEB3e-hJQ50wKW6S3UVgKPUjCxaGTLpa3vXf_1Qa4SWj-sO4NauwB1PcLZEaGq4ZXCNHB1NzGaEK2o9wro63vkoI-xPzGjP3/s640/trailfest2018.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That finish line feeling sometimes looks like agony. 😂 <br />Trailfest 2018 should have been called Sufferfest 2018. More on that in a future post.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVq43v-2Itj9RO4Tjt2xgsgZwgDvIdhHNvepeRK82DK1bnTCsomGw3676I3FtODA4peenybYjnUznV6Hcu65DADFmNme4Fh04jpJvoSijYg4U83t51ykSR2UiVkSFxRjyHwHdmWLAYNP-3/s1600/matthew+abc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVq43v-2Itj9RO4Tjt2xgsgZwgDvIdhHNvepeRK82DK1bnTCsomGw3676I3FtODA4peenybYjnUznV6Hcu65DADFmNme4Fh04jpJvoSijYg4U83t51ykSR2UiVkSFxRjyHwHdmWLAYNP-3/s640/matthew+abc.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Extra thankful for this guy (and craft beer) these days.</td></tr>
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Have a great rest of the week!<br />
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<br />Sarah S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09861496043188311237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483808524582624189.post-14902780548768680592018-04-18T06:00:00.000-04:002018-04-18T06:00:33.302-04:00"Keep Showing Up"In case you missed one of the most dramatic and inspiring Boston Marathon finishes on Monday, lemme fill you in- Desiree Linden won the women's race becoming the first American Woman to win the Boston Marathon in 33 years. 33. Freaking. Years!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwW5g54km2fiu9AXA-RXt3K9QTA9ypzO3dkvwJ31m5DGs8dvHx-IDkvc86TZuXq4jM6oZn8KzCpZL8vrgltmb9NasRwpWRXXp1T3W23LH0feAUE65dZyj9sWpRmCYHNritHZnKvbb0kcJ5/s1600/desi-after-1523910911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="980" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwW5g54km2fiu9AXA-RXt3K9QTA9ypzO3dkvwJ31m5DGs8dvHx-IDkvc86TZuXq4jM6oZn8KzCpZL8vrgltmb9NasRwpWRXXp1T3W23LH0feAUE65dZyj9sWpRmCYHNritHZnKvbb0kcJ5/s640/desi-after-1523910911.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source and more details at <a href="https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a19833572/desiree-linden-wins-one-for-the-pluggers/">Runner's World</a>.</td></tr>
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What's even more impressive about Des's win is that she's run 14 marathons in the last 11 years, coming in second place in several major races: Boston, Chicago, and the US Olympic Trials. A few years ago she missed winning the Boston Marathon by mere <i>seconds.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i> But she kept at it. She kept running and training and striving towards her goal of winning one of the World Marathon Majors. No matter how many races she didn't win, she kept trying.<br />
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And on Monday she did it! On a cold and rainy day, after slowing down to help out her US teammates, after considering dropping out of the marathon- she won the damn race!<br />
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Watching her performance solidified for me why I love the sport of running so much. The grit, tenacity, and perseverance that runners demonstrate, day in and day out, is awe-inspiring.<br />
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I think Des herself sums it up best:<br />
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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bho5aXZlSUt/" data-instgrm-version="8" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bho5aXZlSUt/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">"Some days it just flows and I feel like I'm born to do this, other days it feels like I'm trudging through hell. Every day I make the choice to show up and see what I've got, and to try and be better. My advice: keep showing up." - @des_linden 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 Ya'll, I have a new hero. What a BAMF 😍👸🥇🏃♀️💛💙🦄</a></div>
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A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sparklyrunner/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> Sarah</a> (@sparklyrunner) on <time datetime="2018-04-16T17:03:33+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Apr 16, 2018 at 10:03am PDT</time></div>
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<br />
Des also did something else this week- she helped confirm some running dreams of mine.<br />
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As a back-of-the-pack runner, I will probably never qualify to run the Boston Marathon. I may never break a 5 hour marathon. A sub-30 5k may be out of my reach.<br />
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But I'm still going to show up. To every race, to every workout, to every training session.<br />
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And I'm <b>abso-freaking-lutely</b> going to run another <b>marathon</b>.<br />
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After my <a href="http://www.sparklyrunner.com/2018/01/wdw-marathon-weekend-2018-part-iv.html">Unofficial Goofy Challenge in January</a>, I wasn't sure if I wanted to run another marathon. My last 26.2 mile adventure left me feeling two things equally- "Holy hell, this sucks and everything hurts and I don't want to do this anymore" and "I want to run another one- and run it <i>fast.</i>"<br />
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I'm 99% sure I'll be registering for the 2019 Walt Disney World Marathon. I like this race, I <b>love</b> Disney World, and I'm confident I can run a fast (for me- sub 5:30) marathon in January 2019.<br />
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This summer/fall training cycle, I'm going to show up. Repeatedly. Every damn day. And I am going to run my fifth marathon in 2019.<br />
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Training will be hard. It will hurt. Sometimes, it'll downright suck. Some days, I'll question my ability to run long distances. But I'm going to keep showing up.<br />
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Putting this out into the universe is scary; what if I can't make good on my goals? What if I get injured, again? What if all the wheels fall off and I can't finish the race I trained for?<br />
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Honestly, the answer is so, so simple. Like Des said, "Keep showing up." ❤<br />
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<i><b>What are you going to "keep showing up" for?</b></i><br />
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<i><br /></i>Sarah S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09861496043188311237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483808524582624189.post-41205154519388986512018-04-09T05:30:00.000-04:002018-04-09T05:30:36.942-04:00Accountability Monday: 4/9/2018Good morning and welcome to another Monday!<br /><br />I've secretly always liked the start of a week- a fresh new beginning; another chance to do whatever it is you feel like you need to do. :-) Cheers to the start of a great week!<br />
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<i>Training</i><br />
Wednesday: 3.1 mile run, 10:54 pace<br />
Saturday: 3 mile hike; 2 mile run, 11:49 pace<br />
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We spent the weekend in the Pocono Mountains and even though it was frigid- temps in the 30's- it was absolutely beautiful in the forest. Trail running is quickly becoming my favorite spring activity.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPLYFSjqBMkDrAGlXc4z1ITkrbXgjn7l1J0kR0N3K38mGH00rtkJGDhzRR8sPTtsYICmMCL-t_qrP6qPX5Yl57Rdrfv6ob6R-EtMJ7Ng-ahl5HSH4HY0af1aZn7s9YaZYxJXd2JVR4nxO/s1600/30176201_10100432009961046_1023498373_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1600" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPLYFSjqBMkDrAGlXc4z1ITkrbXgjn7l1J0kR0N3K38mGH00rtkJGDhzRR8sPTtsYICmMCL-t_qrP6qPX5Yl57Rdrfv6ob6R-EtMJ7Ng-ahl5HSH4HY0af1aZn7s9YaZYxJXd2JVR4nxO/s640/30176201_10100432009961046_1023498373_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you're in the market for an awesome trail shoe- check out the <a href="http://www.altrarunning.com/">Altra</a> Timp. Heavenly.</td></tr>
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<i>Best Run</i><br />
Wednesday's run was incredibly windy- 40+ mph gusts! But I managed to have negative splits and felt pretty awesome: 11:11/11:09/10:25. I also took the new Altra Duos out for the second time and I really, really like this shoe. The sole is very stiff but feels super responsive and bouncy- these are definitely a short-distance, road-warrior shoe. Can't wait to see how these do in a race!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This wind was INTENSE.</td></tr>
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<i>Bravo Moment</i><br />
I tracked, planned, and portioned all my food last week and it paid off- I lost 2.2 pounds!<br />
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<i>Quote of the Week</i><br />
Life, just like weight loss or running, is best experienced with a little patience. It was awesome to be out in the woods this past weekend, soaking up every moment of peace and calm I could from Mother Nature; being among the trees gives me <b>much-needed perspective.</b><br />
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<i><b>Have a calming, patience-filled week, friends!</b></i><br />
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<br />Sarah S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09861496043188311237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483808524582624189.post-83880586455005883012018-04-06T09:07:00.000-04:002018-04-06T09:07:22.254-04:00Race Recap & Review: Capital 10 MilerLast weekend, I finally got the chance to run the Capital 10 Miler in Harrisburg, PA. I volunteered for this race in 2015 and it's been on my "race bucket list" for a while.<br />
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I hadn't run a 10 mile race in four years; the last time was in 2014 at the <a href="http://www.sparklyrunner.com/2014/04/race-recap-review-mission-10-miler.html">Mission 10 Miler</a>. That race brought a 2:06:55 finishing time; a time that I knew I could beat, once I decided to run a 10 mile race again.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volunteering at packet pick-up in 2015.</td></tr>
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For $50, I registered online for the Capital 10 Miler five days before the event. This race benefits the <a href="https://www.openstagehbg.com/">Open Stage of Harrisburg</a>, a neat theater built into the bottom of a parking garage in the city of Harrisburg. The race is advertised as walker-friendly (as walkers could start at 8:15 while runners started at 9) and flat and fast.<br />
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On Saturday morning, I arrived to City Island (race start/finish) around 8:05, easily found a place to park, and then walked to the start to pick up my packet. Because of the time I arrived, I also got to cheer on the walkers as they started their race.<br />
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Packet pick-up was a breeze. I used the port-a-potties, checked out some merchandise from <a href="http://runpa.org/">Run PA</a>, and then headed back to the car to stay warm before the race started. I love smaller races- I didn't have to spend 40 minutes shivering in the cold waiting for a race to begin!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVwqCd2iZ0amgBk3eFLKDmeTwSezBjleVlMx6i2JMZ36otk7x7PuxiyikqdCpWEsEUijGpAm5QxlnXOFz3tyWTGOhyphenhyphenYFzQL4NMVRj4dsbkYSJEc4O13FDjHY6DdFSuIeqyNP28xJos3vO/s1600/20180331_082821%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVwqCd2iZ0amgBk3eFLKDmeTwSezBjleVlMx6i2JMZ36otk7x7PuxiyikqdCpWEsEUijGpAm5QxlnXOFz3tyWTGOhyphenhyphenYFzQL4NMVRj4dsbkYSJEc4O13FDjHY6DdFSuIeqyNP28xJos3vO/s640/20180331_082821%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of Harrisburg across the Susquehanna River, taken from my vantage point on City Island.</td></tr>
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Around 8:45, I left my car and walked the short distance to the starting line. While waiting to begin, I thought about what my goals would be for this race. My "C" goal was just to finish, as always. My "B" goal was to beat 2:05 and thus have a new PR from the 2014 race. And my kinda secret "A" goal was to finish in less than 2 hours. I typically don't put those kind of goals out into the universe; they usually stay in my thoughts, typically sorted as wishful thinking. But for whatever reason, right before the start, I posted to instagram and added my time goals.<br />
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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bg_SMWInYHR/" data-instgrm-version="8" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
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<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 62.5% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bg_SMWInYHR/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Longest race since #wdwmarathon25 today- Capital 10 Miler. A goal is sub-2. B goal is sub-2:05. C goal is to finish. Let's go!</a></div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sparklyrunner/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> Sarah</a> (@sparklyrunner) on <time datetime="2018-03-31T13:11:59+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Mar 31, 2018 at 6:11am PDT</time></div>
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</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></center>
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Since this race had a relatively small field, about 500 runners, in no time at all, we were all across the starting line and starting our 10 mile journeys!<br />
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We began with an almost mile loop around City Island. I wanted to keep the first few miles at or around 12:00 min/mile pace so I started running conservatively. About a quarter of a mile in, I looked behind me and there was only one runner and the medical personnel on bikes- that was it. My plan of starting slow was working!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proof that my feet do leave the ground when I run! Photo: <a href="http://www.billbonneyphotography.com/">Bill Bonney Photography</a></td></tr>
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We hit mile one as we crossed the Walnut Street Bridge to the main part of Harrisburg. I looked at my watch- 11:27. Too. Damn. Fast. Even though I felt like I was going slow, I clearly wasn't going slow enough. So I decided to slow down even more to hit my target pace of around 12:00 minutes/mile.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBp0zFcvI6ddneYYR5bpWDwpkTR1DbkbqnWb-ZP8vHBqBZuA5gm2OoEdTsjtIcz8DbTpY2LpclSjELyfXLKHcViyX5QXhwXL2Yfi7JRebg0y53Y_2BCgHjNjbu0GpQD3J1zM9c9miqHYZ/s1600/Screenshot_20180406-075121_Connect%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBp0zFcvI6ddneYYR5bpWDwpkTR1DbkbqnWb-ZP8vHBqBZuA5gm2OoEdTsjtIcz8DbTpY2LpclSjELyfXLKHcViyX5QXhwXL2Yfi7JRebg0y53Y_2BCgHjNjbu0GpQD3J1zM9c9miqHYZ/s640/Screenshot_20180406-075121_Connect%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Race route courtesy of my Garmin Forerunner :-)</td></tr>
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The next few miles of the race were along the Susquehanna River and on a trail called "the Greenbelt." I was familiar with this part of the race since the Greenbelt is also included in the Harrisburg Half Marathon. My slow-down plan was working- miles 2, 3, and 4 were 11:50, 11:55, 11:39, respectively.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSEO9Fffet94qSQWo-VOmvz5wBAo4VocUgZNSiwWTrjLzj3w4xGrRBReSnWZJxOth-pttuUyJn4WJaB-Cxs9NSOifWVJuneulbT_LJh6k_9s3JD03zfSGdnxktq4OoIC5XeSMLD9hT1b1/s1600/DSC_4868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSEO9Fffet94qSQWo-VOmvz5wBAo4VocUgZNSiwWTrjLzj3w4xGrRBReSnWZJxOth-pttuUyJn4WJaB-Cxs9NSOifWVJuneulbT_LJh6k_9s3JD03zfSGdnxktq4OoIC5XeSMLD9hT1b1/s640/DSC_4868.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridges are my fave. Photo: <a href="http://www.billbonneyphotography.com/">Bill Bonney Photography</a></td></tr>
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I hit mile 5 in just under an hour- my "A" goal was within reach! I knew if I just kept my paces under 12:00, I would be able to finish this race under 2 hours. From mile 5 on, I kept my mind distracted by calculating what time I'd need to reach the next mile marker to keep it under 12:00 minutes- I was actually shooting for 11:45 min/miles and that made the math more difficult in my head :-)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the Greenbelt- and a train!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Runners passing each other on the sometimes <i>very</i> narrow trail.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiXRp0bfmmt3cN3qMJboBFlW8nTSYxqV87oeq4_sK1AHWblTXMd3d5GC0xukodXxbgnckw13UJeowQoZBkoadBykfmzAXI7fDFOI1YPHT8L1mZzzHnZjNFlEEFEhxjhzS2EXTEAoeLSdAQ/s1600/20180331_100254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiXRp0bfmmt3cN3qMJboBFlW8nTSYxqV87oeq4_sK1AHWblTXMd3d5GC0xukodXxbgnckw13UJeowQoZBkoadBykfmzAXI7fDFOI1YPHT8L1mZzzHnZjNFlEEFEhxjhzS2EXTEAoeLSdAQ/s640/20180331_100254.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a beautiful day for running!</td></tr>
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Around mile 6.5, I saw a group of people standing on the side of the race course- in running clothes and bibs- just casually drinking a beer. I figured they had already finished the race and were out cheering for other runners. But then one yelled to me, "Hey! Want a beer?" Obviously, you already know the answer to that question. :-)<br />
<br />
I grabbed a Dogfish Head SeaQuench Ale and kept moving. I mean, I love craft beer, but I also had a PR to chase!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMcHWgw9FVzG04hQPmPNZD_YYJxVXA4ETKE_4S7yazWe5DeOHXyZbVCOhEIuq62-8O-BMHd-pEqRuxJCg-8zE_xf8310v53W_kgmcuAWMaN4xNN03kFeaCYluVUVHe4LCu5aapHkJoiFps/s1600/20180331_102008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMcHWgw9FVzG04hQPmPNZD_YYJxVXA4ETKE_4S7yazWe5DeOHXyZbVCOhEIuq62-8O-BMHd-pEqRuxJCg-8zE_xf8310v53W_kgmcuAWMaN4xNN03kFeaCYluVUVHe4LCu5aapHkJoiFps/s640/20180331_102008.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mid-race beer is so refreshing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I kept trucking along and hit mile 7 feeling great. Since there were only 3 miles left, I knew I could safely pick up the pace and not burn out too soon. I dug deep, starting running faster during my running intervals (my usual 30:30), and kept my focus on the finish line. My splits for miles 5 and 6 were 11:28 and 11:33.<br />
<br />
Miles 7 (11:28) and 8 (11:20) were out and back on a bridge and then we turned back down the road towards the Walnut Street Bridge and the finish on City Island.<br />
<br />
Knowing I only had two miles to finish, I poured everything I had into my legs and asked them to keep going to mile 10.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSB3hoxX7tTA6HTEwgGOqEfcHdS5LJffVVaKddU78QDP83YRb4a68b6bqQjGhKLk1H0ZEz0pE8kKsc3w2PDOwk1JC91yGIov8S2lto1RbgfPz74xejnghXwZwFDmMGl86m2YvnLMXrHDqB/s1600/20180331_103702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSB3hoxX7tTA6HTEwgGOqEfcHdS5LJffVVaKddU78QDP83YRb4a68b6bqQjGhKLk1H0ZEz0pE8kKsc3w2PDOwk1JC91yGIov8S2lto1RbgfPz74xejnghXwZwFDmMGl86m2YvnLMXrHDqB/s640/20180331_103702.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading back towards the city around mile 8.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As I raced towards the finish line, I took a glance at my watch for mile 9- 10:49. Holy crap! I just ran a 10:49 mile after 8 miles! This was the last bit of confidence boost I needed as I hustled towards the finish line.<br />
<br />
I ran the last little bit on the river, turned left onto the Walnut Street Bridge, and then ran onto City Island to the finish line. I stopped my watch right after I crossed the finish- 1:53:56 with a last mile split of 10:10. I couldn't believe it- I had not just made my "A" goal; I'd absolutely <b>crushed</b> it! And ran a 10:10 mile after 9 miles!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8M8OadfJokTFTj9uz9Vyy1H8pzgkEuk9voM2Oge2YLTVrRifgFKN3WYHuyOcUwjWggwoJvv9i8T-z-W6QgFuqoFaDlOmdEmsNOMZkDVHARtcq2FLxXn740Ul0eMtLVKUP4WsN5-ruZlYK/s1600/20180331_105853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8M8OadfJokTFTj9uz9Vyy1H8pzgkEuk9voM2Oge2YLTVrRifgFKN3WYHuyOcUwjWggwoJvv9i8T-z-W6QgFuqoFaDlOmdEmsNOMZkDVHARtcq2FLxXn740Ul0eMtLVKUP4WsN5-ruZlYK/s640/20180331_105853.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
I grabbed my medal and a bottle of water and then cried- I had a new 10 mile PR! It's been almost two years since I had <b>any</b> type of PR and this one was so unexpected. And I cut over <b>12 minutes </b>off my previous 10 mile time.</div>
<br />
They had a ton of food out for the runners- bagels, cookies, chips, fruit, etc. I grabbed a banana, took one last look at the Run PA shirts (and maybe bought one for Matthew!), and then headed back to my car.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeBUaKkRfM1uVwK6aAxbnhtifzmJlaE7ArG-1517bpoykHPg3s8neFN49hWaEkPk5kA4BMt_JHHADypgKxdScnalAgiKH0cFo10eAfgp8fzu-gFUHpebfuf-hazlM-xuLzyB3Gx0fx24v/s1600/20180331_114430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeBUaKkRfM1uVwK6aAxbnhtifzmJlaE7ArG-1517bpoykHPg3s8neFN49hWaEkPk5kA4BMt_JHHADypgKxdScnalAgiKH0cFo10eAfgp8fzu-gFUHpebfuf-hazlM-xuLzyB3Gx0fx24v/s640/20180331_114430.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such a great race!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Overall, this was well-organized race. Everything about it was low-key and easy and I really enjoyed the course. While it was narrow at some points, I never felt too crowded because the field size was small. Would I do this one again? Absolutely! Flat, fast, cheap, and the potential of spectators with craft beer?! Sounds like a perfect race for me. If you ever find yourself in south central PA in late March, definitely check this one out.<br />
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And <b>thank you</b> for all of your comments and encouragement on social media last weekend- thanks for cheering me on!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaaiBv95bEqmqVOoaMqR4dQhW6cgKt2Z15hvHDIrmkNT9tCsDCcI-mfN96wZen7qDEHKy-qgp3aFIEP-XwASnJ0yc7kXD7lyO1R7P_14OVPEEK1Upcwr6jUSvBQp02zpBdJ0yNVLPBauHJ/s1600/20180331_110042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaaiBv95bEqmqVOoaMqR4dQhW6cgKt2Z15hvHDIrmkNT9tCsDCcI-mfN96wZen7qDEHKy-qgp3aFIEP-XwASnJ0yc7kXD7lyO1R7P_14OVPEEK1Upcwr6jUSvBQp02zpBdJ0yNVLPBauHJ/s640/20180331_110042.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you! PRs are always better celebrated with friends!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So there you have it- the Capital 10 Miler is a beautiful race and a great place to get a 10 mile PR!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i><b>Have you ever run a 10 mile race? What do you think of that distance?</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>Sarah S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09861496043188311237noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483808524582624189.post-83064999584443515782018-04-02T06:30:00.000-04:002018-04-02T06:30:08.457-04:00Accountability Monday: 4/2/2018Good morning and happy spring! It's <i>finally</i> April! <div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglx9x-F4whVkbe2RnJ4X1VBj_fZFoKcNvuopwK8bHjqp0WhZi_xEDnR2vtxJY6ZgL0mcds5vDTLaYd8zxyz4Jp86YsZBM3sMRdKh35DZnadskcmDC7ZtQT93ZukYUBB5OK5fHHqd8jeA51/s1600/Springexpectationsvsreality-57268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="725" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglx9x-F4whVkbe2RnJ4X1VBj_fZFoKcNvuopwK8bHjqp0WhZi_xEDnR2vtxJY6ZgL0mcds5vDTLaYd8zxyz4Jp86YsZBM3sMRdKh35DZnadskcmDC7ZtQT93ZukYUBB5OK5fHHqd8jeA51/s400/Springexpectationsvsreality-57268.jpg" width="395" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It <i>almost</i> feels like warmer weather is near!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I don't know about you, but I am ready for spring and new beginnings in the <i>worst</i> way! These past few winter months have been a struggle- I don't know why, but I've been slacking on workouts, eating healthy, tracking my food, etc. My pants don't fit anymore and I'm not super happy with how I look or feel these days. I think I'm up about seven pounds from this time last year but it feels like 20. </div>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1236Pk427o9_LDavXJ5DM1-j9G3eQ5B8Zwz9GeE-Uk2rTHbaEodhYOx8rzlaX2_oIX4S3seuRfjo5cIFt1weaobXV21rGHDGcByWMVbejFG7vQsevds0M2LS_yoMKbPpf0MRkSBmFJVgl/s1600/pug+rolls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="456" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1236Pk427o9_LDavXJ5DM1-j9G3eQ5B8Zwz9GeE-Uk2rTHbaEodhYOx8rzlaX2_oIX4S3seuRfjo5cIFt1weaobXV21rGHDGcByWMVbejFG7vQsevds0M2LS_yoMKbPpf0MRkSBmFJVgl/s400/pug+rolls.jpg" width="390" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mood.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /><div>
BUT! Something super cool happened this weekend- I got a new PR for the 10 mile distance!!!</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83B5kgmwclebU3Sx6sSDQreR1rOEsQKkLcFIBkOfeSHiAXLRAzoYVp9NrKFBto8iuXc8RW-esYxVQFrVKqrIaGPDEsRq7LSXCB8oP_a-Uk2dmMJbBEcmezeNCgAQ2hTuR2ic7vDj2PoUJ/s1600/29855913_10100429296523796_1385876377_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="540" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83B5kgmwclebU3Sx6sSDQreR1rOEsQKkLcFIBkOfeSHiAXLRAzoYVp9NrKFBto8iuXc8RW-esYxVQFrVKqrIaGPDEsRq7LSXCB8oP_a-Uk2dmMJbBEcmezeNCgAQ2hTuR2ic7vDj2PoUJ/s640/29855913_10100429296523796_1385876377_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PRs make me smile :-)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'll write a full recap of the race later, but wow, what a day! I can't believe I got a new PR by over 12 minutes! There's something about crushing goals that makes you feel unstoppable; suddenly those seven pounds don't feel as heavy :-)</div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>Training</i></div>
<div>
Tuesday: 4 rainy miles on the trail, 11:15 pace</div>
<div>
Thursday: 3.1 miles in new Altra Duos, 10:35 pace</div>
<div>
Saturday: Capital 10 Miler race, 1:53:56, 11:24 pace</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Solid week of running, solid week of fast (for me) paces, not-so-solid week of strength or cross training. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tQ6PO5DbPgfvUsEdARYzwVypm_ACF63MhPiOaJbmuKf38U0Yy5ivhzLorco5i7RdbO_VaKTCTW76sk_1NjJXUi6g9JNj5MGA89wmIpWf1Lza3PjYfOBcG7i8Dyc3X7me-g2jtYZUnVJZ/s1600/29955635_10100429300091646_802588404_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tQ6PO5DbPgfvUsEdARYzwVypm_ACF63MhPiOaJbmuKf38U0Yy5ivhzLorco5i7RdbO_VaKTCTW76sk_1NjJXUi6g9JNj5MGA89wmIpWf1Lza3PjYfOBcG7i8Dyc3X7me-g2jtYZUnVJZ/s640/29955635_10100429300091646_802588404_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did you know the <a href="http://www.altrarunning.com/">Altra Duos</a> have the power of levitation? ;-)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Best Run</i></div>
<div>
The Capital 10 Miler was phenomenal- I felt so fast and strong, especially the last three miles. Check out those splits- I ran a 10:10 after <b>nine miles!</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCiYrItrGjWU-ds8WwO7dXZoVpC8kMfjvAs8kuGFewLdeyXDet6Ij3ifvJLXwDUFm7ylC3sa2PzVEwwfJmeJWVlGmQpYgrQZv8FhczuKY0zZBZGf6eOxXIZjWPLSvhG10Icho_kXE5c8n/s1600/29943238_10100429305635536_605565859_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCiYrItrGjWU-ds8WwO7dXZoVpC8kMfjvAs8kuGFewLdeyXDet6Ij3ifvJLXwDUFm7ylC3sa2PzVEwwfJmeJWVlGmQpYgrQZv8FhczuKY0zZBZGf6eOxXIZjWPLSvhG10Icho_kXE5c8n/s640/29943238_10100429305635536_605565859_o.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Bravo Moment</i></div>
<div>
Last week at work was unnecessarily stressful- I chose to run instead of eating my feelings on Thursday evening. That's a win in my book. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Quote of the Week</i></div>
<div>
This one popped up in my instagram feed from <a href="http://www.runnersworld.com/">Runner's World</a>; so appropriate given this weekend's race. I can't wait to shatter more mental blocks and grind out some more PRs!</div>
<div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQoQjPsbEXcaA07YAAm9lqX9Mzba3YPPGk9bAqQKm01HxmGl0B0mUNnyRFAqAEmFc49g96L0f9ajf12abZKZPykVCxdphCFeWGmwrsFKRLNsC22wEOv1w4xLJPWCcrRcVki4ZKlrEym4g/s1600/29920632_10100429295705436_1031455883_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQoQjPsbEXcaA07YAAm9lqX9Mzba3YPPGk9bAqQKm01HxmGl0B0mUNnyRFAqAEmFc49g96L0f9ajf12abZKZPykVCxdphCFeWGmwrsFKRLNsC22wEOv1w4xLJPWCcrRcVki4ZKlrEym4g/s640/29920632_10100429295705436_1031455883_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Have a great week, friends!</div>
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Sarah S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09861496043188311237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483808524582624189.post-74017037638238754032018-03-13T05:00:00.000-04:002018-03-13T05:00:40.211-04:00Accountability Monday: 3/12/18After an almost three-month hiatus, Accountability Monday is back! ... a day late, as usual. 😉<br />
<br />
It feels like I've taken a long break from training this winter- part of this is my normal routine. After a marathon, I usually need at least a month of easy, no-training-plan running. But it seems like my month has turned into almost eight weeks of not really doing anything. <a href="http://www.sparklyrunner.com/2018/03/transitions-non-running-life-update.html">Work is partly to blame</a> but so is a lack of motivation.<br />
<br />
With this training hiatus, I can definitely notice the difference in how I feel every day both physically and mentally. My body aches, it feels like I've gained 10 pounds, and I feel sluggish and slow.<br />
<br />
So, with only eight weeks until the Steel Challenge (Pittsburgh 5k + half marathon), it's time for me to regroup, refocus, and set myself up for success with a training plan that will help me cross both finish lines feeling in-shape and awesome.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GTpC2MkAK5DPvkOhHRTSxiPddQk8V94poyWGHFEvxepT6S27UKrd1p-UOQvYANgOhrgEyYs8JX1LueL8mYF4BDlRoZ3U43_LX7G6dh-e8lO11lZUdW9OXpmUt2yY8anhOMmTQs-jAbHr/s1600/29136978_10155660432982701_3359048515807346688_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GTpC2MkAK5DPvkOhHRTSxiPddQk8V94poyWGHFEvxepT6S27UKrd1p-UOQvYANgOhrgEyYs8JX1LueL8mYF4BDlRoZ3U43_LX7G6dh-e8lO11lZUdW9OXpmUt2yY8anhOMmTQs-jAbHr/s400/29136978_10155660432982701_3359048515807346688_n.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Excited for this anniversary bling! <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DSGPM/photos/a.437512197700.236993.139288502700/10155660432972701/?type=3&theater">Source.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Training</i><br />
Saturday: 3.1 mile run, 11:59 overall pace<br />
Sunday: 2.5 mile run, 12:19 overall pace<br />
<br />
Speed work, strength training, and cross training <b>must</b> be included in my training plan for the next eight weeks- I definitely have my work cut out for me this spring!<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Best Run</i><br />
Saturday's 5k was actually really enjoyable, considering that I hadn't run in over 14 days (yikes!). I decided to go off-road and run through the fields surrounding my house instead of the normal roads/sidewalks and it was honestly quite fun having a change of scenery.<br />
<br />
<i>Bravo Moment</i><br />
I ran without a shirt on this weekend when I got overheated and didn't totally hate how I looked. That's a bravo in my book any day!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqCNlBSl_JVixW8Jjyz9foQLijiWMQm7HBS_CBlLClJzdmI1BeCsbv8aPWJ3h39txDGqwh_JufnFz85thXsYRWhfFtiorojEarysHjLo7UYNiiKYJSmnX0MWcw7sLchyqYMshl4SrSV4x/s1600/28944594_10100420804322236_516462401_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="921" data-original-width="1380" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqCNlBSl_JVixW8Jjyz9foQLijiWMQm7HBS_CBlLClJzdmI1BeCsbv8aPWJ3h39txDGqwh_JufnFz85thXsYRWhfFtiorojEarysHjLo7UYNiiKYJSmnX0MWcw7sLchyqYMshl4SrSV4x/s640/28944594_10100420804322236_516462401_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mud means spring is coming soon, right? Right?! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<i><br /></i>
<i>Quote of the Week</i><br />
I'm building towards that comeback every damn day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfHNlUqvCLWCsCOj2SIoP3_VyBbQ6t6t1abP5UlxKB7UJj1yAFE0Zgd_3G9D3l8Nab0AUxFLpuXohPEq1IS-NNBYwtSaJqGDX8M0cBwLu76Z1YzptZbeztySeUq6GPBc_dusTanlWA7FR/s1600/Let+your+setback+be+the+set+up+for+a+comeback..png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfHNlUqvCLWCsCOj2SIoP3_VyBbQ6t6t1abP5UlxKB7UJj1yAFE0Zgd_3G9D3l8Nab0AUxFLpuXohPEq1IS-NNBYwtSaJqGDX8M0cBwLu76Z1YzptZbeztySeUq6GPBc_dusTanlWA7FR/s640/Let+your+setback+be+the+set+up+for+a+comeback..png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i>How do you stay motivated to training/healthy living when life gets in the way?</i></b><br />
<br />Sarah S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09861496043188311237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483808524582624189.post-29533176689591256832018-03-07T06:00:00.000-05:002018-03-07T09:20:33.947-05:00Transitions: A Non-Running Life UpdateGood morning, friends!<br />
<br />
As you may have noticed, I've been a little absent on the blog and on social media for the last few weeks. Lately, my life has felt insanely crazy busy and I haven't been able to prioritize running, working out, or updating here about any of my training- or lack thereof.<br />
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But there are a few good reasons why...<br />
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Long story short, I got a <b>new job</b>!<br />
<br />
And I'm going <b>back to school</b>!<br />
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That's right, in just a few years, I might change this blog's name to <b>Dr. Sparkly Runner</b> 😍<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNZBN99kKpZiIhiMzW4u-FYtAoYtjKDdvgRzRj7Zr1qtDXepwtH2p6uBviy3hPc0uon1Xhclh9kV9XgdHCA6zN0h0BNnWPmNoSmelQe0hZVjDBPBbxNhmL7oU1ajTPndxIpKxT9-dgKhyphenhyphenQ/s1600/28722146_10100418279482036_729302677_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNZBN99kKpZiIhiMzW4u-FYtAoYtjKDdvgRzRj7Zr1qtDXepwtH2p6uBviy3hPc0uon1Xhclh9kV9XgdHCA6zN0h0BNnWPmNoSmelQe0hZVjDBPBbxNhmL7oU1ajTPndxIpKxT9-dgKhyphenhyphenQ/s640/28722146_10100418279482036_729302677_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Long story long, the grad school thing has been in the works for quite a while. I applied and interviewed for the program last summer and found out I was accepted in August. I will schedule classes next month and now that it feels <b>really</b> real, I wanted to put it out there to the world: this fall, I will start the coursework for the Doctor of Education in Administration and Leadership Studies program at Indiana University of Pennsylvania! *cue happy dance*<br />
<br />
As for the new job, that happened rather quickly and has caused a lot of positive disruption in my life. For the last two weeks, I have been preparing to move myself and my office across campus to my new role: Associate Dean of Students and Director of Student Conduct. This move involves me straddling two jobs for a bit and in the coming weeks, there will still be a few transitional items that I'll need to complete (from my previous role) in addition to fulfilling the obligations of the new role.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFX3Kjb1_sFrC8Vx9ENMnOdeuumUMOGGkJehCTjhXwv7inX2_bePfsG3iKy-oZUtWxr9xuoAKB1MJi_Alv5TqXaXMZB8TLWik2TG3l0p8pKb17QaFV8v_L2PbE7ebDh1hfHcPm09e2yGo8/s1600/thousand+miles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="423" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFX3Kjb1_sFrC8Vx9ENMnOdeuumUMOGGkJehCTjhXwv7inX2_bePfsG3iKy-oZUtWxr9xuoAKB1MJi_Alv5TqXaXMZB8TLWik2TG3l0p8pKb17QaFV8v_L2PbE7ebDh1hfHcPm09e2yGo8/s640/thousand+miles.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Because of the added stress of a mid-semester job change, I've barely had time to run or work out. In fact, it's been <b>TEN</b> <b>DAYS</b> since my last run. UGH. Even though this new role is <b>amazing</b> for my professional development and I am absolutely <b>thrilled</b> to serve the university I work for in this capacity, the transition has really thrown off my running and training game!<br />
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And because of the grad school thing, I've got to take a hard look at my calendar for the next few years and figure out what races I can/want to do and which races/training plans will fit into my class and new work schedule.<br />
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All of these changes are <i>super positive. </i>But they still disrupt the normal pattern and rhythm of my life, my running, and my training. It's taken me <b>years</b> to develop a manageable routine of healthy eating and physical activity that keeps me at a healthy weight and in half-marathon/marathon shape.<br />
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I'm nervous... about being able to stick to my healthy routines.<br />
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I'm excited... about being back in the classroom and developing my skills as an administrator.<br />
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I'm anxious... about making a smooth transition into my new job.<br />
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<b><i>HOWEVER...</i></b><br />
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I'm confident... that I can handle all these new changes, maintain my healthy lifestyle, and still train for marathons. Or the 2019 Goofy Challenge. 😍<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiid2CFOI4rugDy6MKc-29d6zpadswaIPg9fEWXowvhZEz4r2fMO3ce0J4gZ_np_bBcFw6cKM2ETG3v3V35KJI0Mou_pWFjajDk1QM34gXq7Lnw891RxegjygvCckiz98ZOEFUOfVflnlji/s1600/hope+floats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="500" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiid2CFOI4rugDy6MKc-29d6zpadswaIPg9fEWXowvhZEz4r2fMO3ce0J4gZ_np_bBcFw6cKM2ETG3v3V35KJI0Mou_pWFjajDk1QM34gXq7Lnw891RxegjygvCckiz98ZOEFUOfVflnlji/s640/hope+floats.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"...and it will, too." One of my absolute <i>favorite </i>quotes from a movie.</td></tr>
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So that's what's been going on in my world. Hopefully, I get a new rhythm going here soon- the <a href="http://www.pittsburghmarathon.com/" target="_blank">Pittsburgh Half Marathon</a> is less than eight weeks away and I'm hoping to crush my half marathon course record in my <b>fifth</b> Steel Challenge weekend!<br />
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<b><i>What's new with you?! </i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i>What new beginnings are you looking forward to?</i></b><br />
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<br />Sarah S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09861496043188311237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483808524582624189.post-51719958730616474182018-03-01T04:30:00.000-05:002018-03-01T15:18:19.402-05:00Final Thoughts: 2018 WDW Marathon WeekendNow that we are almost a full two months post-WDW Marathon Weekend, I feel like I can adequately sum up my thoughts about the weekend now that some time has passed.<br />
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I try not to write about a race weekend immediately after because I'm usually still so pumped up on endorphins that I can't objectively think about the experience to adequately review it.<br />
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There were things I absolutely <b>loved</b> about this year's Marathon Weekend and some things that made me second guess doing this race weekend again.<br />
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In no particular order, here are my final thoughts on 2018 WDW Marathon Weekend!<br />
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<b><u>Absolutely Awesome Things</u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b>Seeing friends</b> is <i>always</i> the highlight of any runDisney weekend but this year, it felt like we got to spend a lot of time with several of our friends that we only get to see a few times a year. It was really such a highlight of the weekend.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FI__aBYluTJEwS0JAuAU93_HdPyAozAkbI3LcTqZI-X7Z3NB_v5upe7Lkw1I6LoLlNG2KynKIVoKYQ67YAmrJfOT3iN7hjnuEtzPSjK7R2M1rZAWDLgOOFblGsGSlJuYj9IKwPrPca4m/s1600/IMAG6926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="905" data-original-width="1600" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FI__aBYluTJEwS0JAuAU93_HdPyAozAkbI3LcTqZI-X7Z3NB_v5upe7Lkw1I6LoLlNG2KynKIVoKYQ67YAmrJfOT3iN7hjnuEtzPSjK7R2M1rZAWDLgOOFblGsGSlJuYj9IKwPrPca4m/s640/IMAG6926.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast at Floatworks with friends is the very best way to recover from a marathon.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixF6ASab-0zTDRPmtrE1HSPVxKVoWuEZmVk3yhWwp-iLNEAcHzCIuU2f92bt95IJTrugmhCqG1tUFIPaN5ur-F5G1IOs6W2A9WnMRk1_C48Z-p3cFjQWgrOBqZLKZn_7yp8jH98aXp0bcV/s1600/Dani.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixF6ASab-0zTDRPmtrE1HSPVxKVoWuEZmVk3yhWwp-iLNEAcHzCIuU2f92bt95IJTrugmhCqG1tUFIPaN5ur-F5G1IOs6W2A9WnMRk1_C48Z-p3cFjQWgrOBqZLKZn_7yp8jH98aXp0bcV/s640/Dani.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of us are way excited to be running 26.2 miles.</td></tr>
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<b>Running down Main Street USA</b> and through the castle is magical. Running down Main Street USA and through the castle twice in two days is <i>super</i> magical. I really loved all of the course changes this year that took us through the front gates of Magic Kingdom and I especially liked how much more time we spent in MK during the full.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWykrmrHBg33s_axC5Jkq419O5zz5xNMB-AWF7tzjlghC__EhdSDs6Vxug8YvQVUV8iHyjtXKl-vPDpIc23qDsoB2U6KOfBqU_35kKUCb8KOtDFh8zpKguJzaxwmAijNeomHlCCP15dvRx/s1600/IMAG6741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWykrmrHBg33s_axC5Jkq419O5zz5xNMB-AWF7tzjlghC__EhdSDs6Vxug8YvQVUV8iHyjtXKl-vPDpIc23qDsoB2U6KOfBqU_35kKUCb8KOtDFh8zpKguJzaxwmAijNeomHlCCP15dvRx/s640/IMAG6741.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good morning, MK!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Exploring Pandora</b> was definitely a cool part of the weekend. We also got to ride both new rides at AK and discovered a favorite new bar, Nomad Lounge.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPEiXgRUIst7OljOmT0wvRzBPiAxVXJiBwk_NUxdjzjEEvjmXvDWqWbV5MAnSxwhJ-PoRm7-yo_P4YVMY2oGrMVJesGh8sr9iwsoufU99TzkrveK1JiHVRJp3ng4nTNvmPeTmy0JmXeZ8/s1600/DSCF8019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPEiXgRUIst7OljOmT0wvRzBPiAxVXJiBwk_NUxdjzjEEvjmXvDWqWbV5MAnSxwhJ-PoRm7-yo_P4YVMY2oGrMVJesGh8sr9iwsoufU99TzkrveK1JiHVRJp3ng4nTNvmPeTmy0JmXeZ8/s640/DSCF8019.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mugs and matching magic bands are mandatory in Pandora.</td></tr>
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Y'all already know I love <b>Altra running shoes</b>, but WDW Marathon Weekend proved to me how vital having the right shoes can be. I wore two different pairs of the Paradigm for the half and full and in between the races I wore the HIIT XT (cross-trainers). I credit my Altras with helping me make it through the weekend with strong, pain-free feet.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNVPrMIwK_UB52QfQQ5UzlmOt_4ZMfpX75Um1VgnIU2rjJXmVY5oAlWUAv7Gsk_35T9ZC6LAUVCYZ2eFb1MTb5QRGhSTBfnzIRsydMBCmwL-Ttvoz5uisF-L5kke5vsB0T7mGb1XrZpqP/s1600/IMAG6898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNVPrMIwK_UB52QfQQ5UzlmOt_4ZMfpX75Um1VgnIU2rjJXmVY5oAlWUAv7Gsk_35T9ZC6LAUVCYZ2eFb1MTb5QRGhSTBfnzIRsydMBCmwL-Ttvoz5uisF-L5kke5vsB0T7mGb1XrZpqP/s640/IMAG6898.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many of my favorite things in one photo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b><u>Less Awesome Things</u></b><br />
<br />
Y'all. These <b>courses were so crowded</b>. There were times during the full when I felt like we were running in wall-to-wall people. At one point, I stopped at a medical tent to get some biofreeze and was nearly bowled over by all the folks crowding around the table. I don't know if there were more runners on the marathon course this year or if I'm just getting too old for this crap, but it felt really, really crowded throughout much of the race.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKiYlBjsJ-wuRd-HP2FJ_6HPwT-IfKEc_MB3ZrIVBf3yrHQBjIFZWNm_2Ohbc63hKOXHnN9TF2xeX59GXgw6X6h79H9LrQh8J50KB-61gor8aZaESKgvqsdUaywE_FVRZtwLSnLEZseYnr/s1600/IMAG6767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKiYlBjsJ-wuRd-HP2FJ_6HPwT-IfKEc_MB3ZrIVBf3yrHQBjIFZWNm_2Ohbc63hKOXHnN9TF2xeX59GXgw6X6h79H9LrQh8J50KB-61gor8aZaESKgvqsdUaywE_FVRZtwLSnLEZseYnr/s640/IMAG6767.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And....we've got walkers, five across. UGH.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>That expo</b> was not a great experience<b>.</b> Long lines everywhere, confusion on where to go, multiple buildings for merchandise, bibs, etc. Matthew and I had such a bad taste in our mouth from this expo; it made us reconsider the entire weekend.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogm7k9VXZWLMk5yrN6K7ikHz8xV2N2RzHLQlMVfFf38s8zC6ss_aYZdpM0C5a2D8SW5hiFahuSxeyAtBeLdj-mc7HjdMGrhm06GCu7cPTEsWrSFQVacGZE8lW5fB3CAwwlhpi0LHA5owZ/s1600/IMAG6428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogm7k9VXZWLMk5yrN6K7ikHz8xV2N2RzHLQlMVfFf38s8zC6ss_aYZdpM0C5a2D8SW5hiFahuSxeyAtBeLdj-mc7HjdMGrhm06GCu7cPTEsWrSFQVacGZE8lW5fB3CAwwlhpi0LHA5owZ/s640/IMAG6428.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No merch is worth waiting hours for.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The <b>weather in Florida</b> in the winter can be unpredictable but this year's was exceptionally crappy. With temps in the 30's and a real feel in the 20's, we might as well had just stayed in Pennsylvania and ran with all our winter weather gear! This is the second year in a row it's been cold- we're due for a weekend of good running weather.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi67GGBqOgv5joTES1oTUeEYrssTgV54IMtxfhig5wjrNHQiutw4zoEtywlMl4uKKV3M-bIovnJfBifM5ygej7L4hzH97r9C_EpVnx6DGiYVLJ25hk1G_Fj7z_7Z225xnHmLjCjtwQG6nDk/s1600/IMAG6484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="905" data-original-width="1600" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi67GGBqOgv5joTES1oTUeEYrssTgV54IMtxfhig5wjrNHQiutw4zoEtywlMl4uKKV3M-bIovnJfBifM5ygej7L4hzH97r9C_EpVnx6DGiYVLJ25hk1G_Fj7z_7Z225xnHmLjCjtwQG6nDk/s640/IMAG6484.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You should never have to wear a hat in FLORIDA. </td></tr>
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So... will be back for WDW Marathon Weekend in 2019?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLgWxtJC0QSrMhYmuD1WLH5Ml-ILIxZQj5JVopioH1P5DrUAj87SRzL3uK_IYnR5QtiPTccMuMmZjP_mczkg7-3VH0E9T2Zlv5EmzCR4SyGy-vx4ETZL46O3W23t9Wq56sjaJEUDXYs3mX/s1600/IMAG7182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="966" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLgWxtJC0QSrMhYmuD1WLH5Ml-ILIxZQj5JVopioH1P5DrUAj87SRzL3uK_IYnR5QtiPTccMuMmZjP_mczkg7-3VH0E9T2Zlv5EmzCR4SyGy-vx4ETZL46O3W23t9Wq56sjaJEUDXYs3mX/s640/IMAG7182.jpg" width="386" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Already dreaming of 2019 bling.</td></tr>
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Maybe... probably. :-)<br />
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There are a few things up in the air for us personally (which I'll detail in another post soon!) so we can't quite say yet what January 2019 will look like.<br />
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But in all likelihood, we'll be back for another WDW Marathon Weekend- at least we want to. During the marathon this year, I had a strong feeling that I wanted to run another marathon, and run it for time. It's been almost three years since I PR'd in that distance and I can feel it in my heart- I've got one more 'fast' marathon in me. Will it be the WDW full next year?<br />
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We'll just have to wait and see!<br />
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<b><i>Did you run during WDW Marathon Weekend? What was your experience like?</i></b><br />
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<br />Sarah S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09861496043188311237noreply@blogger.com6