Victoria's Secret. Yes, Really

Hi, my name is Victoria, and I'm awful at keeping secrets.

Ok, 1) that's a lie. 2) it makes me think of the stereotype for AA/NA/GA/etc. meetings.
"Hi, I'm [name], and I'm an addict."

But the fact of the matter is, I've got an amazing secret that I can't keep.
Well, I guess it's not really a secret, but it's fun to say it is. After all, friends make secrets, but secrets don't make friends, right?

ANYWHO!

You may remember me saying I'm running with the A-T Children's Project's Disneyland CureTeam over Labor Day weekend, and talking about fundraising to support the A-TCP?
Well, we got a virtual run up and, well, running! There are a few different levels:

• $10 for non-runners
• $25 for a 5k, 10k, or basically any other distance. This level includes an A-TCP decal
• $50 for a half or full marathon (or a shorter distance, if you so desire and want the shirt). This level includes and A-TCP t-shirt.
• Other - the option that gives you a little more leeway to pick and choose donation amounts.

I'm really quite excited for the whole thing. It'll be my first time hosting a virtual run, and I think it'll be their first virtual run ever for the A-TCP, so it'll be a fun experience for us all!

Here's the link to the Facebook page: Victoria's Not So Secret Virtual Run Facebook Page

Here's the link to the registration page: Victoria's Not So Secret Virtual Run.

Both pages give information on the charity, the run, as well as information on Team Randy and Alex.

Also, I want to clarify that it may be a virtual run... But all fitness levels and paces are welcome.

If you could like the Facebook page and share with your friends, that would be wonderful, and greatly appreciated!

That said, it's time for me to turn in for the night. Have a lovely night, ya'll :) 

And more virtual running

I would officially like to say "Scratch that last post" - that is, the count on it.
I said 8 virtual runs, not counting the one I did yesterday... Let's make that 11, not counting yesterday's.
...
Well, 10 left now, considering that the hubs and I did one of the Disney Series Virtual Runs (to benefit the ASPCA) tonight. He and I have apparently gotten each other in the spirit, and in addition to us doing at least 5k for each of the races, we're also doing each of the 1-milers.

I think I may have gotten my husband hooked on the "bling" aspect of running. With the 5k+ for those races, you get a medal. With the 1-mile, you get a dog-tag version of those medals.
At first he decided on the mile for Pluto because, well, it made sense. You know, getting a dog tag, and Pluto is a dog. Then he decided he was ok doing all of them with me ☺ Granted, he's got me doing the 10k version of each one, at LEAST, so I'm prepared for Dumbo and Dopey. And I'm glad he's got my back on training and doing this with me and all, although it's a bit daunting to think about doing 10k, whether it's on a treadmill or outside.

That said, I might have to buy him a medal hanger at some point! I know he's not terribly keen on running, but that he wants to get in better shape.
Although, I have my doubts on him "not liking it" because, uh, the man said he wants to do ALL of the runDisney runs with me at some point! That's 1 marathon, at least 5 half marathons, a 10-miler, whatever-distance-Expedition-Everest-is, at least 3-10ks, and at least 5-5ks. So either he's warming up to running, or he loves me. A lot.

Oh, what the heck, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and say both! ;)

Now about that medal hanger... ♥

For the love of virtual racing!

I just did my first virtual race yesterday! :) I don't have the info right off hand, but 6.2 miles in `1:23:58 (that sounds about right).

I'm starting to really take an interest in virtual races, partly as a motivator and a training technique for Dumbo and for Dopey.

The hubs has been really supportive about the whole virtual race thing - which is cool, because I've signed up for a BUNCH. Motivation has been down lately, due to a combination of the heat, work, being tired, etc. etc. etc. And I was ok making excuses. Too tired, it's too late, I just don't want to, my hair will get all sweaty and gross, it's too hot...

Ok, that last one is decently acceptable, because I'm mainly a treadmill runner. I use the treadmill in our apartment complex's fitness room, and in the last, oh, 7-8 months or so, they put up signs that they don't want us to open the windows. And running on a treadmill without any sort of cross-breeze to help you keep cool is, well, not cool.
Part of me wants to ignore it, because that room gets absurdly hot and stuffy, and they don't have any fans in there (safe/healthy? I think not). The other part of me acknowledges that they put the signs up for a reason. Whether it's pest control or not wanting people forgetting the windows are open, or maybe the windows have been broken in the past, I don't know.

Although, in all actuality, this is good motivation for me to get back to the base to work out. Yeah, it involves driving to get over there and all, but at least there are fans.

We call this the contemplation stage. I'm aware I need to make a change, I'm just not quite ready to do it.
Heck, I've thought about just bringing my own fan into the fitness room, but that either involves lugging a fan back and forth (like I want to haul that up to the third floor after a long workout...) or donating a fan... There IS a Goodwill right down the road, though...

Anyway, back to virtual runs.
Like I said, I completed my first one last night! Now let's see what all I have left...

Before the end of the month I need to do the Moon Joggers Full Strawberry Moon Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K. I'll be doing the half.
I've also got the Pluto Virtual Race (think Disney's Pluto) for... Maybe a 10K, I'm undecided. The hubs will be doing the mile.
Then there's the Mickey Mouse Virtual Run, for which I'll be doing 10k the hubs will be doing 5k.
The Donald will be available in the coming week, and I'll do another 10k for that, and the hubs will be doing a 5k.

(Note: Anyone interested in the Pluto, Mickey, or Donald virtual races... the proceeds go to the ASPCA!)

Next month is the Birthday Run, which I plan to do on my birthday. 2.3 miles, for turning 23.
Immediately after (or any time during that week) is the Nerd Herd Running virtual Happy Birthday Harry Potter 5k and 10k.

I admit it, my birthday is the day before Harry Potter's.
I admit that I know this.

His birth year is also 10 years before mine.

Yes, I'm actually aware of these facts. Hence the run ☺
I missed their May the 4th (be with you) 5K, but I do want to hit the Banned Book Week 5k and Half Marathon in September... Which is right after the Prairie Dog Half Virtual... As in, they're in the same week.
Obviously I didn't plan that one out too well, but what are you gonna do about it except run?

So, that's 8 virtual races between NOW and the end of September (not including the one I did yesterday). Hopefully they'll help get me ready for Dumbo over Labor Day Weekend, and Dopey in January!

Also, speaking of Dumbo! Since I'm raising money for the A-T Children's Project, one of the things we'll be doing is putting on a virtual run! It'll be the first one from the A-T Children's Project. Stay tuned for more info! It sounds like it's going to be super fun, I'm just hoping we'll get people to sign up for it. We're having a number of options available for registration, anywhere from just wanting to donate up to anyone wanting to run more that 26.2 miles! Still working out the kinks to the price points and all. And to make sure all of the money goes to the ATCP, there will be virtual medals instead of the traditional running medals.
Hopefully we'll have the page up and ready to go soon! I'm really looking forward to it.

On that note, I think I'm going to try talking my husband into a run! Wish me luck ☺

Feeling a Little... Dopey :D (Also, questions for runners!)

Those of you who follow runDisney probably have an idea of what I'm going to say next...

In January 2014, I'll be running the (first!!) Dopey Challenge at Disney World.

I couldn't tell you if I'm more nervous or excited about this whole thing.
DH took a quick break after his meeting at work on Tuesday in order to get to get to a computer that wouldn't block the runDisney site (see also: he went to his folks' house) to register me for the race.

Happy impending-graduation present from the in-laws.

There's a small part of me going "WTF was I THINKING???" because this will be my first marathon, but the bigger part of me is going "Man, this is cool... I have 9 months to train for it, so I should probably get on it." And with the Dumbo Double Dare (and any other races I register for before Goofy), it's not like I'm not getting out there.

On that note, any runners reading this: How did you select a training plan to use - and did you actually use it? Also, how did you find it? (Internet, books, personal trainer, etc.)

I've been looking at the runDisney training plans, and they haven't updated the ones for the WDW Marathon Weekend for the 2014 races. Which makes sense, because race registration opened up less than a week ago!
All the same, the Goofy's Challenge training plan is 28 weeks long. So about 7 months long. That time out from Dopey is coming up pretty quickly. I wonder if that's a training plan I should use - I mean, even though the dates are wrong, it's still pretty relevant.
But I've also been thinking about whether or not to use a training plan for an ultra. Because Dopey is a 5K + 10K + half marathon (21K) + marathon (42K), we're looking at 48.6 miles run in 4 days.

Now that seems a little overwhelming at a glance. I gotta stop to catch my breath.

Biiiiiig sigh.

Ok, I think I'm good. Although suddenly the treadmill is calling my name.

Speaking of treadmills, I was recently enlightened to the existence of "virtual runner" apps, that you can use on the treadmill to "run" a certain route.

Has anyone ever used a virtual running app/DVD/video/what-have-you??

It was either through Competitor, Runner's World, or Women's Running, but one of them talked about Outside Interactive's Virtual Runner app. It sounds really cool. Although, less-inspiring is that you would have to purchase each individual route, and the reviews have been either hit or miss.
I was noticing the same thing with the (free!!) Virtual Active app reviews. Obviously you can't please everybody,but even so.
Both apps appear to have wonderfully different things to offer. Heck, Outside Interactive's VR app has the Boston Marathon route! I know in order to run Boston, I'd have to run at just under 2/3 of my current pace! My (qualifying) miles would have to be 8 minutes/mile or less... You do the math.

In other, far more depressing words, my client had to take her dog back to the (no-kill) shelter a few days ago because, with her age and health concerns and all, she can't care for the dog as well as she could when she got her over a year ago. So I looked at the website for the shelter she (the dog) is at... And then I started looking at the puppies.
We're moving to a 2-bedroom apartment in a month and a half (which will clean things up around here dramatically, between school and work stuff and everything) but I'm pretty sure that even then they wouldn't let us adopt a dog. Besides, we both work full-time. It would take quite a bit of maneuvering to have a dog OR house-break a puppy.

Alright, I'm off to sulk. Call me the mood-killer.
Have a good one.

Diva-licious for the Diva Dash 5k!

In the last 24 hours DH and I packed up, drove to Leawood, Kansas (just outside of KC), slept, got up, I registered for and completed the Diva Dash 5k, and then we came back home.

A girl I went to high school with told me about it, and I was so excited because there will be one in Omaha in May.
And then I realized... It's on the same day as the Runway Run, which I've been wanting to do for the last year. It's one of the events that got me interested in running!

So I talked with DH and we looked up the Diva Dash 5k... The event is also in Tulsa, Wichita, Topeka, and KC (see: Leawood), unless I'm mistaken. We were unsure of making the drive there, but last night he surprised me with the go-ahead.

We got to our hotel just after midnight, and were out the door by about 7:15 this morning. The website wasn't kidding when it said that the start/finish of the race was basically right outside of our hotel, when it talked about discount rates for the race.

Pre-run I stopped by the face-painting tent they had for everyone. I told the lady to surprise me and she gave me a beautiful purple, pink, and blue flower. That was at about 8:20 this morning. It's 6:30 in the evening. That flower is still on my face, and I. Am. Loving it.
I've gotten a few weird looks for it, including from some middle-school-age looking girl who just kept staring at me during lunch whenever I turned to look at anything.
DH calls it my "war paint".

I'm not gonna lie when I say I was freezing my tail off. I made the mistake of not really warming up, and in the first quarter-to-half of a mile I could tell my muscles weren't really warmed up. My calves felt tight and... Well, my toes were numb, but that wasn't from not warming up. I just don't bond well with the cold - something I should've thought of sooner. I didn't bring a headband (earmuffs) or my long sleeves for running, but thankfully I had other stuff with me. I threw on a sweatshirt, my mittens (that were gloves on the inside - not great for me, but better than nothing), my Steelers hat, some calf sleeves with my long shorts, and I was good to go! Well, for the most part.

It was a very nice loop, starting us off in the shopping area our hotel was in, going through a neighborhood, down a street (Nall Street??), past the outdoor mall, through the edge of the parking garage, and down through the drive to the shops we started at.

It was the first run I've ever done by myself. And I saw in action something that I've seen mentioned again and again on websites: when out running, be aware of your surroundings. Especially when alone, but also when running with others. As we were running through the neighborhood... Well, people live in neighborhoods, right? I got to witness a number of people blocking cars trying to slowly drive away from the crowd of females. And they weren't aware they were blocking moving vehicles, unless they suddenly turned around, the person next to them tapped them on the shoulder, or, in the case of one person I saw, someone ran up to them and told them.

Basically, it's important to pay attention to your body AND your surroundings.
It's something you know, but sometimes you realize not everyone is aware of it.
Headphones shouldn't drown out everything.

Oh! In addition to it being my first run by myself, it was my first run in the cold. I admit that I was totally using my mitten for my nose a little bit.
My nose lightly ran almost consistently for the first two miles. Then suddenly my nose was pretty much done running,.. And then I started lightly sweating. Go figure.

I'm rolling my eyes at that, just FYI.

Finish time: 39:20.9

My next time goal is to get under 39 minutes. I'm hoping to do the Illuminite Run the night before the Runway Run and get a sub-39.

I'm enjoying myself :)