walk – This Crazy Life of Mine

Tag: walk

27
Nov
2013

Coming to a city near you… The Color Run!

categories: 2014, 5K, Clearwater, event, fun, run, The Color Run, walk

I am excited about this event! The Color Run is coming to Clearwater! They have announced their 2014 Kaleidoscope Tour which is sure to have a location near you! This will be my first year to participate in it. It will be fun to get out there with friends and have a great time in what is touted as The Happiest 5K On The Planet!

This is an untimed event. It’s all about celebrating healthiness, happiness, and individuality. Thousands of participants are doused from head to toe in different colors at each kilometer. The Color Run caters to anyone – first time runners to professional athletes. Over 60 percent of Color Runners are first-time 5k runners and participate as a celebration and capstone of their healthy living accomplishments.

There are only two rules, for this event and the idea is easy to follow:

Wear white at the starting line
Finish plastered in color!

The fun continues after Color Runners complete the race with an unforgettable Finish Festival. This larger than life party is equipped with music, dancing and massive color throws, which create millions of vivid color combinations. Trust us, this is the best post-5k party on the planet!

The event in Clearwater is on January 26, 2014 and starts and ends at Coachman Park. But if you don’t live in Clearwater, there are MANY other locations across the country. Click here to find a location near you!

I also have a discount code to share with you, to save $5 off the registration fee! When using the code, please type the code in, do not copy/paste. Register today using discount code COLOR5OFF.

Please let me know if you register for this event and which location! For my local friends, let me know if you will be there as well!

**The Color Run has provided two free race entries for my blog post but all opinions are my own.

14
Jul
2013

Bridges for breakfast, anyone?

categories: #sweatpink, bridges, Clearwater, hubby, Memorial Bridge, running, strong, Sunday, training, walk

I have not been out to Memorial Causeway to run the bridge since May. After the Iron Girl Half, we went out a couple times. After driving over the causeway the other day for work, I realized I missed running it and decided I would head back out there this weekend. I asked hubby last night if he’d go out with me before the sun came up this morning and being the supportive husband he is, he agreed.

We left our house at 5:50 this morning and were parked and starting our run at 5:59. It was so quiet out there and the bridge was was so pretty, all lit up. I admit I was nervous to run over it after no doing so for a couple months. Would I be able to do it as I had before?

I ran over it just fine and it felt great. Up and over the bridge I went at a pretty good pace. After passing the light that is about halfway over the causeway, I turned around to head back. I caught up with hubby who is dealing with knee pain and I walked for about a minute with him. As I approached the bridge, I said bye to hubby and took off running again, hoping to make it over as well as I did the first time.

I ended up having to walk twice as I ran up it. It was a good reminder of how important it is to keep up my bridge runs and build up that endurance again that I had before. Once I hit the top of the bridge, I ran down and finished up my 3.11 miles.

Even though I walked a couple times, I still finished a little faster than the last time I ran it. I attribute this to the fact that my running is faster and more consistent on flat surfaces now so I made up time there.

All in all, I’m very happy with this morning’s run and it just makes me want to get out there and run the bridge more often.

After some stretching, hubby and I went to Starbucks and enjoyed our drinks on the patio where Frank Sinatra music played. I could have sat there all day listening to it… It made me feel like my dad was there with us. On our way to the car, I couldn’t resist taking a picture of one of the dolphins they have downtown. I love dolphins and this one was so pretty. It even has ladybugs on it!

It was a very nice morning. Any time I can get a run in, burn calories, spend time with hubby, have coffee, listen to Frank Sinatra, and see a pretty painted dolphin is a great start to my day.

How often do you run bridges? Is it a part of your regular training?

27
May
2013

Just another walk in the park…

categories: active, blue, dogs, Eagle Lake Park, holiday, hubby, nature, Ozzie, park, walk

Yesterday evening after a yummy dinner of steak and shrimp, hubby and I decided to go for a walk at the park. Even though I’ve been running every day, I have not been going to the park. We are so lucky to have a beautiful county park just up the street from us. It was the perfect evening to go and I took the time to take pictures of some of my favorite parts of park. We saw turtles, bunnies, birds, and more.

After our walk at the park, we stopped by the house for Blue and Ozzie and took them on a walk around the neighborhood. They love their walks!

It was a very active day! After running 3.11 miles in the morning, we walked 4.40 miles between the park and walking the dogs. A perfect end to a Sunday on a holiday weekend.

This morning, I ran through a very quiet neighborhood, so many people are off today. I am very much looking forward to another day at home and I’m hoping it doesn’t go by too quickly….

Wishing you a very Happy Memorial Day! Take the time to remember and honor all those that have served our country, allowing us to enjoy the freedoms that we have today.

13
Mar
2013

Bridge repeats are fun!

categories: #11in2013, #sweatpink, ActiveLink, bridge repeats, Clearwater, half-marathon, Iron Girl, Memorial Bridge, run, training, walk

Ever since we ran the bridge on Sunday morning, I’ve been thinking about doing it again. Yesterday evening, hubby and I went back. I know I said we would probably do Sand Key Bridge next, but I really wanted to tackle the Memorial Bridge again and see how our second time compared to our first time. I decided yesterday morning that would be the plan for the evening and I was pretty proud of myself for actually sticking to it. It was a gorgeous afternoon and evening and I couldn’t wait to get back out there.

I was tired when we got there, after another long day of work, and it was windy so I thought for sure that would affect our time. All I knew was I wanted to go over the bridge 3 complete times and try to run a little more than last time.

So how did we do? We shaved almost seven minutes off our last time. What?! How did that happen? We ran downhill every time and we did intervals running up every time. Even more amazing? Our second mile was faster than our first.

Pretty awesome,if you ask me. I’m not sure who I am that running back and forth over a bridge has become fun. And maybe fun isn’t the right word. It’s HARD and as I’m huffing and puffing up to the top, I’m wondering what the heck I’m doing and why I’m doing it. But to finish and then think about what I just accomplished is an AMAZING feeling and it makes me feel strong. I love feeling strong. And… 10 activity points earned for the day on my ActiveLink. Bonus.

One thing I need to work on is my breathing. Running uphill, my breathing is very shallow and by the time I get to the top, I sound like I’m going to keel over. Running downhill, my breathing is much more even. When I am running on a flat surface, it’s somewhere in the middle. I believe that I would be able to run easier if I could work on my breathing because I tend to get winded before my legs feel like giving up. This is where I need conditioning.

So, another great evening and more bridge repeats under my belt. I won’t be running the bridge again until after the Sarasota Half Marathon this weekend, but I’ll get some bridge work in then. I can’t wait to see what that bridge is like…

For now, it’s Nanci –2 Bridge – 0.

Do you prefer training in the morning or evening? Before or after work?

10
Mar
2013

A little bridge work…

categories: #11in2013, #sweatpink, ActiveLink, bridge repeats, Clearwater, half-marathon, Iron Girl, Memorial Bridge, run, Sarasota Half Marathon, training, walk

This morning we went out to the Memorial Bridge in Clearwater for a little bridge work. Most – okay all – of the races I have done have been a flat course. I have two coming up with bridges and decided it was time to get out there and see how I will do running the bridge. It sounds so easy, doesn’t it?

The Memorial Causeway is where the Iron Girl will be in April, my third half marathon on my list for the year…. Being totally honest, those bridges are intimidating. Not the first time over, but coming BACK over them. And it’s not just Memorial Bridge, but also Sand Key Bridge. This will be the route for the Iron Girl.

(Source: Iron Girl)

There is also a bridge (or two?) on the Sarasota Half Marathon next weekend. That will also be good preparation for the Iron Girl Half.

(Source: Sarasota Half Marathon)

Today we focused on Memorial Bridge. We parked below the bridge and decided we would go over and back however many times we could in an hour. We would run some, walk some. I wanted to see what I could do. It was a beautiful 61 degrees when we arrived and the sun was just rising over downtown Clearwater. Look how smooth the water is…

We stuck to the bridge only. Up and over, turn around at the end, and back again. Hubby pushed me when I needed it. We would set little mini goals for running up. He’d tell me not to stop, just run a little farther. Running up the bridge is HARD. Running down the bridge is easier, but still a challenge not to let your feet get out from under you. We went over and back 3 full times in just under an hour. Amazingly, I don’t look like I’m going to die or anything…

I never thought much about mileage when we started, but we ended up at 3.77 miles. And after looking at my Garmin details, I am pretty damn proud of myself. Average pace of 15:26 on a bridge? I’ll take it. And how cool is the satellite picture of our route? Florida is so pretty.

You don’t seem quite so intimidating now, Memorial Bridge. I’ll be back to run over you quite a few more times before April…

Our next time out, we plan to run over the Sand Key Bridge. See it there in the distance? You are next on my list…

After our bridge fun, we made the mandatory stop at Starbucks. Clearly I earned my hazelnut macchiato this morning. It really hit the spot! Hubby enjoyed a raspberry mocha frappuccino – he went all out!

I feel fantastic now. My legs feel strong and I am so glad I went out there and got it done. And I was at 150% on my ActiveLink by 8:30 this morning, with 5 activity points earned. And the best of all… Great start to my Sunday!

Do you have bridges or hills in your area that intimidate you? How do you prepare yourself?