Always on the lookout for running skirts

I am not talking about fitness clothing...I am talking about running skirts for runDisney costumes!  I found some yesterday that I fell in love with and they were on sale.  I was at the outlets at Wrentham, Massachusetts.  It was not at a running store.  I was not even at an adult clothing store.  I was at Hanna Andersson...the children's clothing store.  I am only 5' 4" so I can wear some of there 160 cm children's cloths and these skirts were too cute not to try on.

They came in Aurora pink, Belle yellow, and Cinderella blue!

In the end I passed on the skirts, even though they were on sale for less than $30!  It just was not in yesterdays budget.  I was shopping for my Disney Social Media Moms Celebration clothing and for items for the girls.  Maybe I should have gotten the skirt to wear to dinner right!?!  Anyway these skirts were totally runner friendly!  I thought maybe they would be on the website, but no such luck.  So I guess those of you close to an outlet are in luck.  For everyone else...think outside the box and check children's stores for runner friendly costume bits.

Minnie Mouse 5k

Tonight I headed out for a recovery run.  I ran hard, to the core, on Saturday and just needed to get back out there right?  

Two things happened before I headed out tonight.  

First my package from RunningSkirts was in the mail box.  I love their skirts.  They are functional and fun.  I ordered 2 that were on sale.  Happy day!  I picked up a red skirt with white dots = oh so Minnie Mouse! I also got a pink skirt because it just seemed to go with so many of my runDisney shirts.  

The second thing that happened was I saw the Disney Moms Panel update on the Disney Park Blog.  I would love to be a runDisney Mom on the Moms Panel!  

So I was pretty geared up before I headed out in my new skirt.  At first I felt like my legs were heavy, but then I looked at my watch and it said my pace was sub 8.  I was planning on a regular 4 miles, but I instantly switched plans and decided to go for a fast 5k!  And thus my Minnie Mouse 5k was born.  

Running without my shirt

Tonight I went for it...the temps are heating up and I am seeing female runners all over in just their jog bras and shorts.  Well tonight I joined them...sort of.

I went out in my jog bra and running skirt.  It was a bold move.  I have not run without a shirt for about 12 years.  I asked my husband and his only concern was weighing the sun exposure and the moisture wicking properties of a shirt.

It was 5 pm when I headed out so the sun was not an issue and the moisture would just run right off of me!  The breeze off the water felt fantastic while I was near the water.  Other than that it was pretty much just plain hot out there.  If it did not get any warmer this summer I would just fine.

I ran for 9 miles this evening and walked the final 1.3.  It is a beautiful evening out there, a little hot for running, but perfect for walking or dining outside along the waterfront.

Right now I feel like I am between races.  My last half was a week ago and my next half is Jamestown in mid-July (race #2 in the UnitedHealthcare Triple Crown).  At least the race starts at 6:30.  I know it will be an early morning, but maybe we can beat the sun above the treeline!

A Marathon and a Half Marathon with 2 weeks in between

When I was contemplating my races for May 2012 I was thinking I would do the Cox Providence Rhode Races half marathon and the Cherry Blossom half marathon in Pawtucket, RI.  There would only be 2 weeks between them.  I did not do the Pawtucket race in 2011 because the races were so close together.  This year I decided I would go for it and registered early.  Well you know how the Cox race went (1st Marathon)!  The next battle was how to recover and manage life to get ready for the next 1/2.

My family life was crazy in between!  My oldest daughter was in a professional production of the ballet Swan Lake.  This meant being at the theater for 2 nights of rehearsals and 2 evening shows.  The first rehearsal was on Tuesday night just as my legs were starting to recover.  It meant late nights hanging out with middle school kids in a theater basement.  At least I did not need to put in long miles.  I was grateful to have the time to focus on her!  The downside was it took a toll on my health.  By the final show on Saturday night I knew a sinus infection was coming on with respiratory distress soon to follow.  After much hacking all week long I started to feel better yesterday.  Or at least that is what I was telling myself.  95% was better than 60% and I was running this race.

This past Sunday was also Mother's Day.  I had decided that I really needed a better running watch if I was going to manage my running that way I wanted to and what do you know...my family came through with a hug for my wrist!  I took my Garmin out running that very morning!

Loving my new Garmin & my Running Skirt!

I got in 3 or 4 runs this week with the watch.  I love being able to see my pace!

So what will I do differently this October when I do the Amica marathon in Newport, RI and then the Marine Corps Marathon in DC two weeks later?  I will make sure my commitments in between are kept to a minimum.  I will stay on top of my sleep schedule.  I will eat less pizza on the way to the theater (ie. eat healthier, because I am not rushing off to do something).  In other words I will manage my two weeks better, because it is that important!

As always I am open to your thoughts and suggestions.  This is something I am learning through doing and reading!