Marathon Post Coming Soon..

So sorry. For those that do read this blog still, I kind of sort of left you hanging. Did I finish my first full? Or didn't I? To be honest, life has been crazy since I got back from Disney two months ago, but I will let you know that I did, in fact, finish my first full at Disney. I will hopefully have more of a post with some pictures in the next few days (hopefully not weeks, but it could happen).

Tomorrow I am off to Auburn, AL to hopefully have a good half marathon for the Finish on the 50 event. A few years ago, I ran the 5k down there and sort of said I would never run with them again, but here I am....

Fingers crossed things go well and that they have made some serious improvements since 2013.

Until my next post, happy running!!!

2016 Flying Pig Half Marathon Recap

Race day is finally here. I am so excited to run the streets of Cincinnati. On Saturday, it had rained a good bit throughout the day which caused me to rethink my outfit since I had no idea if it would be raining or not race morning.

So in the theme of it possibly raining during the half, I decided to be a "fish." I bought my Trigger shirt and water shorts by INKnBURN.

We stayed about a mile away from the start of the race. The walk wasn't bad. I felt like it was a warm-up for the race.

It sprinkled on us for a little bit while we made our way to the start line, but stopped shortly before the race started.

One thing I thought was pretty cool about this race is that our corrals are called pig pens.

The race started right on time.

We made our way along the Ohio River on to the streets before turning on to a bridge (forgot the name) crossing into Kentucky. We ran in Kentucky for about three miles before crossing another bridge back into Ohio. So far this far has been pretty flat compared to what I was use to, but I knew it wouldn't last for long.

The crowd support along the course was unbelievable. Better than some of the big local races near me.

Mile 4 - 6, we made our way back towards the city. Around this time, the humidity was starting to kick in and I wishing I had gone with my original outfit instead, but how was I suppose to know?

Miles 7 - 9 was nothing but hills. At one point during the race, we were overlooking Cincy, which I thought was amazing. I wish I had stopped for a photo. It would have been worth the extra minutes.

Miles 10 - 13 was completely downhill. Yep, downhill. I loved it. I knew not to kill it the first mile downhill. I just let my legs and gravity do the work.

I was at the finish swine before I knew it. 

I finished at 2:00. 

The snacks we got after the race were amazing. I only wish I had a bag to put everything in it because I could only carry so much.

They had us meet up with friends and family by the Ohio River. Perfect place for a picture after a tough but fun half marathon.

After we finished up with photos, it was time to head back to our hotels to get ready for the drive home. It was a great weekend. I highly recommend adding this race to your bucket list. I will be back to run it again in the future.

Bye Cincinnati!! :(

Peachtree Road Race is Here!!

Tomorrow is the Peachtree Road Race. 60,000 people will make their way down Peachtree Street to Piedmont Park to earn that famous t-shirt.

I am excited to run my 12th. It is the one race I look forward to each year.

If you are running it tomorrow, make sure you stay well hydrated today. Tomorrow is suppose to be one hot, humid one.

2016 Flying Pig Weekend

Flying Pig weekend is finally here. Crazy to think I signed up for this race back in August. Where has the time gone?

I have heard some really great things about this race so I am sure I will not be disappointed. :) Be sure to be on a lookout for a recap of it some time next week!!

Source: flyingpigmarathon.com

2017 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend

After talking about it all last year after the Princess Half, I finally signed up to run my first full at Disney. I can not wait to get started. I even recruited a friend to run it with me. She has already gotten our training plan written out (she's a bit excited to help me through my first full) :)

I am hoping to document my training so I have something to look back on and hopefully help someone else who may be looking at running their first full. So be on the lookout for blogs and videos of that later this year.

Source: rundisney.com

2015 GA Publix Half Recap - It finally happened...

So yesterday was the GA Publix Half Marathon, the weather was perfect minus the crazy wind at times which made things seem colder.

Flat Ramona ready to run the hills of Atlanta

I was anxious to get started or maybe I was just ready to start moving to get warm. Either way, I was ready. Even though the course is a challenge, it is still one of my favorites courses out there. A lot of it may have to do with the scenery and the spectators that come out and cheer us all on.

Before the race I met up with some fellow INKnBURN people for a group photo before heading to our corrals. 

The race started on time. Since I was in B, it didn't seem to take long before we were at the start line waiting for our start.

And we're off...

The first half of the race seemed to go by quickly for me. I was feeling great. My legs were happy (which is a plus seeing how I don't run a lot of hills in training).

The second half of the race I knew was going to be a challenge. The hill coming out of Piedmont Park is always a struggle as well as the last hill over by GT.

The last 3 miles of the race turned into a mental game for me. I knew what to expect. I knew to stay on track for a PR; I needed to time my short walk breaks and push through the tough hills.

Soon we were at Georgia Tech. I hate the hills over there. The very last big hill we have is about as bad as the 10th Street hill, if not worse.

I pushed myself up that hill. And now for the home stretch. Longest mile ever. I knew I needed to hold on. I kept telling myself I was only out for a quick run.

Finally, I see the brown building. I knew I was almost there. I kept looking at my watch. I was close oh so very close. I heard the announcer saying you have 20 seconds to sub-2 to the people already sprinting in. 

I turn the corner. I look up and see the clock 2:00:42. I take off. Where that energy from, I have no idea but I just I knew that I had PR'd, but I also knew I had just done something I said I couldn't do on that course. I finally did a sub-2 half marathon!!!

Celebrating as I make my way to finish line!

Official time: 1:57:42

2016 Peachtree Road Race Lottery - OPEN

Today is the day to enter the lottery for the Peachtree Road Race here in Atlanta that takes place on July 4th. It is by far one of my favorite races of all time and holds a special in my heart.

If you are looking to getaway for the 4th of July and want to race as well, why not consider entering the lottery for the Peachtree Road Race? You will not be disappointed, I promise. And if you are local and never ran the race or maybe you have, what are you waiting for....register!!!

I am signed up and excited to run my 12th (yep, 12th straight) Peachtree Road Race. Like I said before it is my favorite and holds a special place in my heart. 

Registration for the Peachtree is open from March 15th to the 22nd. Don't delay, register today!!!

Good Luck Everyone

It's hard to believe that this time last year I was making sure I was completely packed and ready to head to Disney to run the Disney Princess Half.

Not going to lie I am a tad upset I won't be down there this weekend running. :( I came close to registering in July but decided that I wanted to save up the money and use it for my Disney Marathon weekend in 2017.

So for anyone who is running this weekend - have fun whether it is your first (5k, 10k, or Half) or one of many have a blast. This was one of my most memorable races. I loved every bit of it.

I can't wait to runDisney again in 2017!!!

2015 Fast Pace 5K Recap

As of lately, I am not a big fan of 5K races. I feel like by the time I get going the race is over, but since I have been working a lot on my speed, I decided to give this 5K a go.

This particular race is to help raise awareness for Prostate Cancer. Since this hits close to home, I was excited to run it. They even had a screening there for the guys.

The race started right on time. We had a nice down hill start. I knew from other friends who have ran this race before to not take over too fast. I held back even though I wanted to fly. I am glad I did.

A few people said they didn't like the course and found it was harder than last years. Since this was my first time running this particular race, I had nothing to compare it to. I felt the course was great. Loved the rolling hills in the middle and the slight downhill finish at the Cumming Fairgrounds.

Even though I wasn't able to PR, I did come close. I'm finally seeing the speed I had two years ago. I guess all the stuff I have been doing is finally paying off, right? :) I did, however, place 3rd in my age group. A first for the new age group.

My official time was 24:08.

It was great to have so many people I know from the Suwanee Big Peach run group out there running it.

2015 Michelob 13.1 Atlanta Recap

In July at the Peachtree Road Race Expo, I decided I was going to run the Michelob 13.1 on Oct 4th. I did the Publix Half in March, so I would be getting the Atl Challenge medal as well as the half medal.

A few days leading up to the race, we had some crazy rain that caused them to change the race course. Since I had never actually ran in that area, I  didn't know what to expect even with the last minute changes. I just knew it would be hilly.

Race start promptly at 7 AM. We had a threat of rain, but luckily, it only sprinkled on us, which was refreshing.

The first few miles weren't too bad. We had a few rolling hills. But, those didn't last long. It seemed like the hills were getting longer each time we had a new one to go up. Or maybe it was just how I felt. Either way, I was about ready to be done around mile 8. Because of the course change, we had to loop back to parts of the course that we ran in the first half of the race. That was okay, and all, but the hill around mile 11 took all I had left.

I was trying to stay ahead of the 2:10 pacer, but as soon as she passed me, I knew I wasn't even going to try to catch up.

We had a little uphill finish. I will admit, I walked some of it. Once I could see the finish line, I started running. By the look on my face in my finisher photo, I was glad to be done.

I have said I won't be running this race again next year. I see no point. I hated that course with a passion. I may consider volunteering for it, but I won't be running it.

One of my main complaints was the lack of water. I later found out because of the rain that was being brought in from the hurricane a lot of stuff wasn't able to get here in time. I normally run with a water bottle but decided not to this race. Next time I ever have any doubt, I will just bring it.

2015 AJC Peachtree Road Race Recap

It's hard to believe this race came and went. It was only a few months ago that I was registering for this race.

A few days leading up to the race they were predicting rain. Running in the rain isn't my favorite, but after doing a half marathon in the rain I knew that this wasn't going to be a problem.

Race morning arrives. I parked about a mile from the start. I used that little walk as a warm up. Last year I ran a slow mile but since the sidewalk was missing in some areas I didn't want to risk rolling my ankle before the race,

The rain was holding for the most part. It was sprinkling here and there but nothing too crazy. I was set to start at 7:41 AM.

We started right on time. Since the roads were very wet, I decided just to take it easy. I have PR'd before on this course but knew that this wasn't going to happen. I didn't want to risk getting hurt.

Mile 1-3 had gone by quickly and before I knew it was climbing the crazy hill by Shepherd's Center. Even with the rain the patients were still out there cheering us on.

Around mile 4 is when I saw a streak of lightning in front of me followed by some thunder. Not what I wanted.

After that, the flags went from yellow to red.

Sometime after the first streak is when I saw lightning again. I am pretty sure this is the one that probably delayed the start of the waves behind me. I knew I was almost finished and that Mother Nature wasn't going to stop me from finishing.

I decided to speed up. Mile 5 came and went, and now I was turning on to 10th street. Past the marathon foto guys at the fake finish line.

Just a bit more to go.

And finished. Peachtree Road Race #11 in the books.

I grabbed my water and shirt. Got a cold rag and a dry one (to dry off my hands so I could use my phone). I had a few friends from the Suwanee Big Peach Running group running, so I went over to the meeting place to see them.

Some of the Suwanee BP Runners

My weekend running family.

Paula and I showing off our INKnBURN

Kimmie, myself, Paula, and Michael

After getting photos, we decided to head over to the ATC tent at Park Tavern to see what was going on. Ended up with some awesome coffee mugs.

As much as I wanted to hang out and see my Mom finish her 10th Peachtree, I couldn't. I was cold. I had no dry clothes with me. I sent her a text telling her to head to Marta and that I would pick her up at the station.

Paula, Kimmie, and Michael all went back to their hotel to freshen up before heading to lunch at Uncle Julio's for some much-needed food.

This  Peachtree was a fun one. One I won't forget. I will be back next year to run my 12th. I am determined to make it to 20 without missing a year.

2015 GA Publix Half Recap

Second half marathon of 2015. I've been excited about this since registration in 2014.

Flat Ramona ready for the Publix Half.

They started predicting rain a few days before the race. I was hoping it wouldn't do anything until after, but, unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans.

I got to the race 45 minutes before the start. Spent that time getting my headphones, phone, and gels ready to put in my FlipBelt.

A friend found me about 15 minutes before the started and handed me a trash bag to use while waiting in my corral. Thank goodness for that. Kept me dry until it was time to start.

Even though I am not a fan of running in the rain, it felt fantastic out there. The first half of the race went by pretty quick. It wasn't  raining so that helped. I did have to keep my eye on the puddles in Atlanta since I didn't want to get my feet drenched before I was even half-way through.

The crowd support was incredible despite the weather. So thankful for that.

Before I knew it, I was more than half way. The rain started to pick up a little bit around Piedmont Park but wasn't enough to slow me down. I kept gone going.

Between GT and Centennial Park, I was getting tired. I knew I wasn't going to PR. So I told my myself to push for a course PR. I did just that. I finished with a time of 2:05. Course PR. Last year's time was 2:09.

2015 Peach Jam Half Recap

I am starting to wonder if I should stop running half marathons in April because it always seems to rain the days leading up to it. Like last year, we had to worry about rain the day of the race. Luckily, the rain stopped the night before.

The race took place on the Big Creek Greenway out in Cumming, GA. It started and finished at Fowler Park.

The race started at 7:30 sharp. We took off from the parking lot making our way down to the greenway.

It was bit congested until about mile one then it started to thin out.

We had a few puddles and one big one that I remember from last year. I decided I  didn't want to run through it quite yet, so I decided to slow down and tip toe quickly through the mud.

With this race, you don't have that crowd support so it's  a mental game out there. Once we were coming up on the turnaround, I saw a friend from the local running group. She took my picture and cheered me on.

Three miles down. I was thinking to myself, "Why am I doing this again??". I kept pushing through.

Another than the mental game, I was feeling pretty good with the run. I was keeping my pace constant.

Around mile 8, I started chatting with another runner who was running her first half.

We ended up staying together for the rest of the race. She thanked me for pacing her and keeping her motivated to keep going. It was nice to have someone to talk to.

I didn't PR this time around, but it's okay. I got to help pace someone cross the finish line of their first half.

Oh and the most important thing of all and why I ended up signing up for this race......

2015 Disney's Enchanted 10K Recap

Since I was doing the Glass Slipper Challenge, I knew I was going to run a much slower 10K so that I could save my legs for the half the next day.

Flat Ramona ready for the Enchanted 10K

Race morning started off early. I set my alarm for 2:20. I surprisingly jumped right up and got ready. I was out the door 10 minutes before 3. Plenty of time and luckily it wasn't too far of a walk to the buses either.

For some reason, I got on the second bus instead of the first one, which is fine cause I really wasn't in that big of a hurry to get there. It was chilly that morning but nothing like the Frozen 5K the day before.

Arrived at Epcot in plenty of time. Seeing how this was my first runDisney event I was able to walk around for a bit before heading over to my corral.

Brandi and her parents showed up. We talked for a bit. Before I knew, it was time to head over to the corrals.

Since I was in corral A, it was really cool walking past the other corrals with them cheering us on. Makes you feel like you are some elite runner. Ha Ha.

At 5 AM, we were off!!

I had to tell myself once I crossed the start to keep it slow. I have a tendency to just want to take off. Races do that to me. I had to tell myself that I have 13.1 miles to run the next day.

Mile 1 came before I knew it. :(

We turned on to a "hill". I say "hill" because it's nothing like the hills here in Atlanta.

At this point, I was feeling great. Legs were not tired from walking around the parks the day before, so that was a plus.

Mile 2 came up.

Mile. 3. Half way done. Still maintaining a good pace. Not too fast which is what I wanted.

Mile 4. Entering Epcot. So excited to run in the park when it was closed. So pretty.

Mile 5. Am I really almost done? LOL

Mile 6. Man this race went by fast. Only .2 to go.

And done!

I finished with a time of 1:07.