I got to experience a few other things this weekend so I decided to update this post and link up with another Magical Mickey with John at run.geek.rundisney and Katie from Adventures by Katie     


see below! 


Hi all! Linkup Friday!! Thanks to our amazing hostesses: the DC Trifecta Bloggers (Courtney from Eat Pray Run DC, Mar from Mar on the Run, and Cynthia from You Signed Up For What?!). 

This weeks topic is Free Friday so I'm going to write about the greatness of new things at Disneyland. It is less than 100 days away until the next rundisney race: the 10th anniversary of the Disneyland half marathon weekend! That race weekend will also by my 5th runiversary. As people are preparing, here are some of the great things they can expect.

I went to Disneyland for the 24 hour party on Friday as well as going back on Sunday and Monday! Let me just preface this as saying, I'm not surprised that the parks hit capacity and turned into a complete mess on Friday.  I am surprised that there was a complete breakdown of communication. The fact that people paid for parking and then we're stuck and couldn't get into either park is not cool. I think parking, ticket sales and a system for disseminating information was the key to Friday and Disney blew it. As people were leaving, they should have been told they would not be let back in and just consistent information about if dining reservations would be allowed back in. 

I also think it was silly to offer all of the 60th anniversary offerings on the same day as the 24 hour party. I think they should have opened it earlier in early May to allow for some practice with crowd control. Just my two cents but I had a great time but would have had an even better time if I had been able to actually get into Disneyland! 

Now onto the offerings! 

1. Merchandise
It's all so cute!!! Here and here are some Disney Parks Blog posts about some of it. I ended up getting: an ornament, new shirt, a sweatshirt, a new pair of shoes, new blanket and two mugs. Overall, the merchandise is adorable and I will most likely be buying more soon. 

I have been selected to be a Jeff Galloway blogger and could not be more excited for the opportunity. Incase you aren't familiar with him, he is AMAZING, a former Olympian and the official rundisney training consultant and probably one of the most down to earth people you could ever meet. 
Here are past tips: here, here , here ,  here and here.   

THE POWER OF THE GROUP
The fun of running with a group pulled me into the sport 57 years ago.  Running and training with my friends Steve Prefontaine, Frank Shorter Bill Rodgers, brought out the best of running in me—while we became good friends, and Olympians.  As I travel the US this season, for our Galloway training program kickoffs, I see the same fun, support and friendship development.  I hope to see many of you at our free clinics.  Here are the ways I’ve observed runners of all abilities improve more and have more fun when in the right group.
 
1. Great friendships
2. The miles go by quicker—telling stories, sharing life experiences
3. Guidance in running with the right group for you, with the appropriate run walk run strategy
4. Because the group is waiting for you, you will stay motivated and get out there more often
5. You’ll learn about some interesting races, places to run, fun running experiences
6. On the really tough workouts and races, the group will pull you through
7. Access to tools for management of nutrition, fluids, motivation, aches/pains
8. The right group leadership can fine-tune the pace of each workout, avoiding injury/exhaustion
9. Helping others who are struggling bestows an amazing sense of achievement
10. Sharing the empowerment of finishing a long run can change your life
 
Most groups, like our Galloway programs allow runners to try them out for free.  Together we can celebrate fitness and inspire others to improve the quality of their lives.
 Highlights of this year’s Galloway Training Programs:

• Discount on the Jeff Galloway 13.1 and Barb’s 5K LINK
• 50% discount of Jeff Galloway’s Running Schools and Blue MT Beach Retreats
• Discounts on Phidippides products – Jeff’s store and the original running specialty store LINK
• Discounts on ElliptiGO, my favorite way to cross train outside
• Discounts on Pacific Health Products Accelerade & Endurox
• Discounts on Cooper Complete vitaminsLink
• Galloway Alumni hat available just for those who have been a part of our team before
• Newly redesigned Galloway Training medal to celebrate completion of this year’s program

Visit http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training-groups/list-of-cities/ to find your closest Galloway Training Program, and ask me for more details about what I love about my Galloway group.

Do you enjoy running in a group? 

Time for some weekly accountability! I will recapping how I have done on the 4 Well Rules over the last week: Eat Well, Sleep Well, Exercise Well and Be Well. I have decided to link up with Tara of Running n Reading as I love linkups. Make sure to check out the other bloggers there too!

EAT WELL
I did much better this week eating wise! I mostly ate at home and made smart choices. I feel a lot less bloated this week than last. I am hoping to keep it up this week!  

SLEEP WELL
After my horrible lack of sleep, I averaged close to 7.5 hours a night and feel so much better! It has helped my mood and also my workouts. I was able to get 10.5 hours of sleep on Friday but then messed it all up with the 24 hour party. I am hoping to get back on track this week. 

EXERCISE WELL
Monday: rest day 
Tuesday: Piyo-was not feeling the running
Wednesday: 3 miles to submit for my Virtual Run
Thursday: Biggest loser weights
Friday: rest day because of Disneyland
Saturday: Rest day because of lack of sleep
Sunday: 4 miles-these felt great! I think the extra rest days helped

Lots of rest but I am feeling better than ever-now to get back into the core work! 
Monday: rest day(disneyland-again!) + core work 
Tuesday: 3 miles 
Wednesday: Piyo upper body +light core work 
Thursday: 3 miles + core work 
Friday: Piyo lower body
Saturday: Dynamic Stretch
Sunday: 6 miles 


BE WELL
This week rocked! Work is slow, I started class and really enjoyed it and spent much of my weekend doing Disney things. I went to part of the 24 hour party on Friday, saw Tomorrowland Saturday and did an impromptu trip on Sunday just for the nighttime spectaculars. and where am I going today? YUP, DISNEYLAND! The 60th anniversary stuff is so fantastic and my boyfriend wanted to go as he hasn't seen any of it (that is what happens when you go to Vegas haha). 

This week should be great as well. I need to start organizing myself for our WDW trip and also need to get ahead on school work. I am almost done on my ALL of my readings for the semester which will help me get ahead on my papers. 

How was your week? 

Hi all! I have decided to join a new monthly link up where I will be discussing goals over the next month. Please visit Tracy at a Change of Pace and Alyssa at Alyssa Goes Bang to view more of the linkup.


1. Rock the Inaugural Pixie Dust Challenge 
This was an A++++. I rocked both races (10k recap and half recap) and came away with Disney PRs for both races. The 10k was a PR of 1:21:57 and about 3 minutes off of my Star Wars 10k time and my half time was 2:35:53 which was about 7 minutes faster than my Avengers half time. I was able to take 15 photo stops during the 10k and 12 during the half. Also for the half, my last few miles were under 10 min mile pace which is great since they were fatigued for sure. 

2. Add weights to my core training
I give myself a C- on this. Before Pixie Dust and after, I went lax on the core work a bit as part of the taper and also rest time. I will be rolling this one over to June for sure. 

3. Be able to do 3 real push-ups 
I am going to give myself a B+ on this one. I did 3 push-ups and got about 75% down but I know my form is all wonky. I will want to keep working on this 



JUNE GOALS
1. Add weights to my core training
I think this will definitely help up with building strength. I need to get on this and will make it the workout priority of the month

2. Take 10 days off from running
Yes! I will be in Walt Disney World with the family from June 5th-15th and my plan is to not run the entire time. I know I will miss it but with all of the walking we will be doing along with the heat and humidity, this will be a good goal. 

3. Do Piyo while on vacation
I will be in WDW June 5th-15th but it won't be a complete rest time. I plan on doing Piyo every morning as well as 5-10 min of core work while everyone is getting ready. It will be interesting with the 3 kiddos around but they also love to work out too! I am hoping it will help my strength and flexibility so when i start running again after the vacation, I won't have lost much time. 

4. Speedwork
I will be make it a goal to do speedwork at least once a week-whether it is fartleks, repeats or hill repeats, I will get it in once a week. My training for Dumbo and my crazy Fall doesn't begin until end of June so I am hoping adding in speedwork will work wonders. 

What are your goals for June? 

Another Tuesday, another Tuesday on the Run hosted by our favorites: 
April from Run the Great Wide Somewhere, Erika from MCM Mama Runs, and Patty from No-Guilt Life.      This week's topic is on compression year. 


When I first began running, I was very apprehensive on the idea of compression gear. You mean I wear a pair of socks or a pair shorts and they're supposed to make me feel better? It's in a little bit too good to be true however before I ran my first LA Marathon, I decided I wanted her compression socks and went to the outlet mall to find some. 


Let me just say the socks of literally changed how I run. They really do help with recovery and they make me feel so much better. Usually the week before the race I will sleep compression socks, as they help me not be as sore leading up to the race. I always wanted to try ProCompression  but they were expensive and pricey A few months ago, I was lucky to win a give away from a blog got to have a pair for free to try. Let me just say-I an in love as they are the best compression gear I've ever worn. I have seen bought 10 more pairs: 4 at the Tink Expo and 6 from their grab bags (3 pairs for  for $39 but you don't know what styles you will get).  

Another thing I love from ProCompression are their tights, that recently were on clearance for $25 each (regular price was 85) so I bought 4 more pairs to stock up. I wear them all of the time especially in between my races, they helped me survive Dopey Challenge for sure!  


How do you feel about compression gear? Anyone else love it? Hate it? 

Hi all! Linkup Friday!! Thanks to our amazing hostesses: the DC Trifecta Bloggers (Courtney from Eat Pray Run DC, Mar from Mar on the Run, and Cynthia from You Signed Up For What?!). This weeks topic is on your five favorite summer fruits and vegetables. 


Living in Los Angeles, I have access to great fruit and vegetables all year around. It's hard for me to pick a favorites,  so instead I will talk about how I shop for fruits and vegetables all year around.


1. Review the Ads
On Tuesday night I get the sale ads and from there I make my shopping plan for the week. So I pick out whatever are considered the door busters, which are the great deals on the front page they get you an door. I very rarely buy anything that is not on sale. 


2. Pick my selection
I usually shop for whatever fruits and vegetables are on sale for the week for example last week blueberries were $.98 and apricots were 2lbs for a dollar at Sprouts so those were my two fruits for week. I also got some great veggie deals on onions. For about a month, strawberries were my fruit of choice as they were so cheap usually about a dollar to two dollars a package.
This week I am planning on buying cherries (1.98/lb), mangos (2 for 1 dollar), watermelon (1.98), tomatoes (98 cents/lb), and bell peppers (98 cents). 

3. Go Shopping
I usually shop on the weekends. Over the summer, I'm not going to be working on Wednesdays, so I will be switching my day of shopping to Wednesdays to allow for more time on the weekends but also because Sprouts does double ad Wednesdays where you can use last week's ad and this week's ad at the same time! 

4. Rinse and Divide up
Once I am home, I cut up any food that needs to be chopped and then divide it up into containers so for the week it is just grab n go. 

5. Repeat
I only grocery shop once a week so I have to make sure I get everything I need. I sometimes have extra food I can't get to and will freeze it as needed. 

How about you? What are some of your favorite fruits and vegetables? How often do you grocery shop? 

Triumph Thursdays hosted by Smitha from Running With SD Mom, Linzie from Sharp Endurance & Carlee from Carlee McDot.  I will be finishing up my Tinkerbell Pixie Dust Challenge recap! 


It's here! The tinkerbell half! I was up at 3:55 and out of the door by 4:30. I got dressed much faster today so had more time to chill in the pre-race area. I met up with my friend from grad school and we did a real bathroom break in the Paradise Pier hotel before splitting off to our corrals.

Corral A was abuzz with excitement but also pretty crowded. I really wish they would adopt the smaller corrals of Princess were each corral has around 500 people instead of 2000. Sub 2:15 is a huge span considering the race was won in 1:15!

Before I knew it, we did the national anthem and off we went. We had the same start as the 10k with the overpasses so I took my time going slow and walking all of the uphills and running the downhills. We were backstage before I knew it and entered DCA by tower of terror. There was a decent line for buzz light year and the girls from the parade. I skipped it as it was pretty long (the first one usually is) and continued on. As we headed back to Carsland, we got to see the first women coming through and it was exciting:they are fast!!
Carsland had mater and McQueen and I skipped them as I got them the day before. We continued to backstage and ended up on the Pier and took my first pic! Silvermist was across the way but I couldn't safely get over to her.

Here is Iridessa's complete Disney Wiki if you are interested. 

Iridessa is one of Tinkerbell's friend that is the fairy of light. Her talent is she can manipulate light to add to lightning bugs or even create rainbow. Her dress is made of sunflower petals and she has a sunflower seed on her topMaking an Irisdessa costume is a very easy endeavor.

You need the following materials:

• Yellow shirt-mine is from Target
• Yellow bottoms,such as a tutu-i made mine
• Brown belt-made mine from ribbon from Michael's
• Cut out sunflower-fabric square from Michael's
• Rainbow accessories such as a headband-mine is Sweatyband
• yellow compression socks-mine are from ProCompression 
  
• Wings-I got mine at the Dollar Store
• Hairdo-she has an updo. I did my hair in a bun

I was able to take many parts of my costume from former costumes such as the yellow shirt I had for my Tweedledee costume in from 2013, my yellow tutu was from my snow white costume for Princess half 2014, and everything else I bought.

Overall this is a very easy costume to put together and I am very happy with the results. 

What was the last costume you used for a race? Did you reuse parts of your costume?

Another Tuesday, another Tuesday on the Run hosted by our favorites: 
April from Run the Great Wide Somewhere, Erika from MCM Mama Runs, and Patty from No-Guilt Life. This week's topic is Inspirational Books and Movies but I am just going to focus on the last inspirational running book I "read": Unbroken. The reason I "read" it was I actually listened to it on audiobook. 12 hours unbridged!! It was perfect for after I finished the Serial podcast and was approaching my final 26 mile training run for Dopey! 

The story Unbroken is about Louis Zamperini,an 1936 Olympian runner and a World War II veteran. The story begins with him as a young boy and what a trouble maker he was and how it got into running in Southern California. From there, it talks how he qualified for the Olympics in a crazy Trials story and went to run the 5000m in Berlin as the youngest qualifier ever.  He has a great  Olympic story, and even though he didn't want to gold he did have the fastest finish ever recorded in in the 5000 m at the time. It even caught the attention of Hilter who insisted on a personal meeting. 

After the Olympics he eventually went to USC on a full track scholarship, and to hearing about his adventures running around the USC track where I have also run many times was very inspiring. He eventually ran the mile in 4:08, and many thought he would break the four minute mile barrier, even though we know it was eventually broken by Roger Bannister later on. What was interesting about the 4:08 was he ran the race while being boxed in and having people stab him with their spikes to slow him down!!!  He wanted to go back to the Olympics in 1940 and it is very sad to know that instead we had World War II. 

He enlisted in World War II and his training and how he crashlanded and survived at sea before being a POW in Japan. These stories are totally heartbreaking and grusome, but at the same time, it is amazing what they all were able to survive.  

After the war ended, it goes into how he had many demons mostly in drinking alcohol and how he eventually found God and became a Christian motivational speaker. He really lived a remarkable life. 

He also talked about how much USC meant to him and as a technical triple Trojan (got my Master's there, work there, and am getting my Doctorate), that means a lot to me. The entrance to the track on campus is named after him, I often walk over there and look at all of the great Olympians that have come before and after Louis (including some of the people mentioned in the book!). 

I saw the movie that just came out, but it focuses more on him crash landing in the World War II stuff versus the running stuff. I think it be very interesting to make a movie focus solely on his running because it absolutely fascinating. 

I loved listening to the book on my long training runs (final Dopey and star wars) and it was hard to listen to while running. I cried many times which made it very hard to run. Some of the stories told are just so heartbreaking. 

Has anyone else read the Unbroken book? Anyone see the movie? What did you think?