My first Group Run

Marathon training has officially begun.  Well, it officially began back on August 6th but I was on vacation.  When I got back I wanted to get in a few longer runs before the Disneyland half, and the group was only running 5 and 6 miles... apparently I am a running snob.
This past Saturday they ran 8 miles and I was excited to jump right in!  There are probably about 25-30 people in my pace group, and about 6 to 8 different pace groups with the running store I am training with.  There were a ton of runners everywhere.  
Saturday we ran out on Key Biscayne.  Parking at the Miami Seaquarium we headed back into town on the Rickenbacker Causeway and over the big bridge.  I loved the bridge!  After the Beach to Beacon 10K I know how weak my hill skills are, so the burning I felt in my lungs and legs was tolerable because I knew this would make me stronger.  

Rickenbacker Causeway bridge   Source

After running through part of a neighborhood, there was a table set up with water coolers for a quick stop.  Running with a group is pretty fun, it's like a little party.  Very social setting and the miles zip by.  I really hope I still think this when we start running 16, 18, 20 miles.
I had never run with anyone before and I had never run 8 miles without music, but really enjoyed both!
After the water break, we ran another mile before turning around and heading back to the Seaquarium.  We were all done by 7:45am, just about the time the sun was starting to feel hot - nice.
I met a lady from my group who lives in my neighborhood and was looking to run with someone early in the morning during the week.  Count me in!  Running in the dark sounds great to me, so we are going to meet up a couple days a week at 5am to get our weekday runs in.  It was great yesterday to be done running and showered by 6:30am.  
This weekend I am heading to Orlando to run the Miracle Miles 15K with Annnette and then I will be back in Orlando next weekend for the Disney Wine & Dine half marathon with Leah, Annette, Brian and some some people from Leah's work.  I am so, so excited for both weekends in Orlando, but I am a little sad I won't get to run with the group for the next couple of weeks.  Oh well, I am still getting the miles in which is the most important thing.
You may have noticed above that I removed the 'Sweat!' tab.  I hadn't been keeping up with it and just got bored, so it's out.  I know I don't need to write everything down to keep motivated.  The fact I have to go 26.2 miles on January 8th is motivation enough.
If you are bored, check out the updated 'Me & My Blog' tab and the 'Bling!' tab.  Someone had a lot of time on her hands Sunday afternoon :)

Re-introductions, motivation & a MARATHON!

Two months into my blog and you all are sticking around to read some more.  THANK YOU!  Writing this blog as been so much fun and I absolutely love, love, love reading your comments, as well as reading everyone else’s blogs too! 

So what’s going on in Heather’s World this week…

I knew as soon as the 5Ks I was signed up to run in March were over my motivation would be hard to keep up going into the summer. 

I… was… not… wrong.  It’s been two whole weeks since I ran a step, ugh!  What to do?!  First, put down the iPad…

What!?  It's not normal to walk around all day with your iPad?!

Second, Heather let me re-introduce you to your new sneakers, which last month you said you loved.  Now, put them on!

Sneakers... love them... wear them...

Third, remember how Shakira’s Waka Waka is your new favorite running song?  Well in order to hear it you need to use your iPod shuffle, headphones from the 80s (I LOVE these) and then time your run on your Nike+ sportsband.

Good music, good times

Here’s to hoping this little motivational talk helps.

If not, I also just subscribed to Runner’s World magazine & ordered a couple of their books (which I will review in a later blog post).

'New Year, New You'... Ok.

I decided to subscribe because I want to read up on anything and everything concerning running since my fall will be full of half marathons.  I just signed up for one of them today actually, Disney’s Wine & Dine Half Marathon on October 1^st. 

Can't wait to run this race a second time!

I ran this last year and it was the very first half marathon I have ever done.  I swear Disney made this race for me… Disney parks at night, running, wine, dine… all things I love in this world!  Last year’s race was the inaugural and there were some issues with crowding, etc., but Disney seems to have gone above and beyond to correct those issues and make this year’s race the best it can be!  I am absolutely so excited for this race!  Annette… Trish… sign up already!  Anyone else want to run!?

I am hoping the half marathons I run in the fall will really help me to prepare for my next challenge… the Disney Marathon on January 8^th!  Yup, I am going all the way!  26.2 miles!!  I also signed up for this race today!!  You’re welcome runDisney for my generous donation to your running program :)

My mantra:  Mickey medal, Mickey medal!

One statement I often hear about marathons is that 26.2 miles is a distance to be respected.  Not gonna lie, I am a little freaked out about it.  I know I have LOTS of work to do in the next 9 months, but I know with hard work and motivation I will be happily accepting my Mickey Mouse medal from one of the volunteers in January! 

Wish me luck! I hope I can keep you thoroughly entertained throughout this little challenge!

ABCs of me & annoying spin class

First up, annoying spin class… Last night after work I attended spin class at the gym here at work.  I just re-signed up for the gym after a 3 year hiatus.  Reason for the break, I really didn’t like any of the instructors and/or classes they offered.  Nothing motivated me to get to the gym.  Now with summer fast approaching and knowing I would want a class in a/c through the hot summer months, I figured I would give the gym a shot.

I decided I would go to spin class on Mondays & Wednesdays because these classes would be taught by two instructors I had never had before.  I do not like the spin instructor they have in the mornings, the class is more of his “show” and that bugged me.  I was all excited to attend my first spin class last night but as I was walking into the studio, the gym manager says “Oh ‘morning spin class teacher’ is subbing for Tina tonight.”  What!?  Aaaahhhh!  His class was as annoying and boring as I remembered.  All I want from a spin instructor is someone who turns down the lights, turns up the music and barks instructions at us for an hour, is that too much to ask? :)   

What do you expect from your spin or fitness instructors?

So runDisney is giving participants of the Princess Half Marathon a $20 discount on registration for the 2012 Disney Marathon if you register by May 15^th.  Remember how I said I would decide in July whether or not to run the marathon? 

Well, this is the first discount I have seen Disney give for a race, and Disney + Discount = Irresistable to me so I do believe I will make the marathon running decision by May 15^th.  I am definitely leaning more towards “yes”, but I need to let the fact that I would be running 26.2 miles, at one time, sink in for a bit.

FYI... the Cupcake Marathon is up to over 150 participants.  They are hoping to reach 200 by Sunday!  What a fun way to motivate myself over the next couple of weeks!

ABCs of me

This post is making the rounds so I thought I'd do it too! Here it goes......

(A) Age: 33

(B) Bed Size: Full

(C) Chore You Really Dislike: Washing the floors

(D) Dogs: No thanks

(E) Essential Start To Your Day: Coffee

(F) Favorite Color: Blue

(G) Gold or Silver: Silver or white gold

(H) Height: 5'2”

(I) Instruments You Play: Unfortunately none

(J) Job Title: Account Executive

(K) Kids: No ….I mean none

(L) Live: Miami

(M) Mom's Name: Marie

(N) Nicknames: Blondie, Princess, Heath, HB

(O) Overnight Hospital Stays: Once

(P) Pet Peeve: Stupid people

(Q) Quote From A Movie: "Liver alone, get it?  Liver alone”

(R) Right or Left Handed: Right

(S) Siblings: 1 younger sister nicknamed Cheekies!

(T) Time You Wake Up: 6am

(U) Underwear: Not always

(V) Vegetable You Dislike: None

(W) What Makes You Run Late: Me

(X) X-Rays: I think I've had one of my kidney when I was little

(Y) Yummy Food You Make: Thai Shrimp Pasta

(Z) Zoo, Favorite Animal: Lions, tigers, cheetahs… love the big cats!