It was time to go earn some Mercedes-Benz bling! Yes, the medal from the Superhero 5K was cute, but it wasn't what I came here for. I was ready to pound the pavement for 13.1 miles to earn my Mercedes-Benz bling! Since the hotel was just a block or so away from the start, we were able to leave the hotel around 6:15 and still be over to the start area well before the race. Once we got there, we took a final trip to the INDOOR restrooms. Momma K and I headed out about 15 minutes before the 7:03am start time. We made our way to the start line about 6:45. Just like the 5K, it was a self-seeded corral by pace. We were on our way. With the marathon, half marathon, and relay runners all taking off together, there was a little bit of congestion in the first 1/3 of a mile or so but it wasn't too bad. We went off in one start, but I don't think the race deems needing "waves" to go off. About a mile in, I ran into the dynamic duo of Kristin and Angela. Even though I could only hang with them for about half of a mile, it was great "running into" them! We made our way through downtown Birmingham passing different parts of town including Railroad Park (which I really enjoyed), Regions Field, University of Alabama Birmingham campus, and several other parks and residential areas. Around mile 6.5 I ran into a lovely couple holding a sing that said Run Brandi Run! UMMMMM, THAT'S ME (with my name spelled right)! Of course I had to stop and say hello and take a picture of "my" sign. They called me "the other Brandi" and I even saw them again around mile 12. Along the way, I heard several other runners mention how hilly the course is. Coming from Atlanta, I felt like it was a pretty great course with some minor uphill grades (a few 'tough' hills) but also had some generous downhill sections. From mile 6-8 there was about a 125+ total climb, but nothing too crazy. The course support was absolutely AMAZING! There were so many cheer stations along the way offering high-fives, cheers, music, candy, gummy bears, Gu, water, and even beer. Seriously, between the official aid stations and these awesome groups coming out, there was so much support and love along the way. There are very few races that I would rave about the course support, and this is totally one of them. Awesome support, great course, AMAZING race! After finishing I collected my bling (the closest I will come to a Mercedes Benz), made my way through the finisher chute for some water and fruit, and collected my finisher item of a trunk organizer (perfect for all of my running/gym stuff). I joined Papa J at the finish line as we waited for Momma K to come through the finish line. Your bib had a ticket attached for a Jim 'n Nick's BBQ lunch at the post race party which was pretty great. During the post race party, there was a special surprise guest for the awards....Alabama Football Head Coach, Nick Saban! We headed back to the hotel to freshen up and gather our belongings before heading home. It was seriously an awesome race and one that I would definitely recommend. The registration price was about average for a half marathon (maybe slightly higher if that), but between the quality of the race, the course support, and the amazing swag, you really can't beat it. Thank you again to the amazing staff, volunteers, spectators, emergency personnel, and everyone else involved in making this race weekend possible. I give this race two thumbs up without a doubt and look forward to hopefully getting to return in 2018 for another awesome weekend!
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...and like THAT, Princess Half Marathon weekend is over! It was a truly magical and wonderful time for sure over the past few days I am now taking a well-deserved vacation for a few days and enjoying Walt Disney World with my family and friends this week. I have promised myself (and my family) that I would step back from the blog for a few days and just enjoy family time and relax a bit. I cannot wait to share all of the memories (or at least as many as I can squeeze into a blog post) with you all next week when I return home! No fear, though! I still have some awesome Funner Runner content heading your way this week including some sweet race discounts, a product review, and some other fun during the week! Oh yea, if you are absolutely dying to see if we are having fun,
be sure to follow me on Instagram. It is time for the final race of Princess Half Marathon Weekend 2017! The grand finale is tomorrow as we storm the castle in quest of earning our tiaras and glass slippers. While we are keeping the costumes a little more simple and less cumbersome since we are running 13.1 miles, we are still showing our Disney side! If you recall from my 2016 Princess Half Marathon recap, Momma K took a tumble at mile 6.5. After powering through the next 6 miles, she came across the one and only Fairy Godmother who gave her a little Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo to help her charge to the finish line strong. It is only appropriate that we thank her by making the one and only Fairy Godmother one of this year's Princess Half Marathon Costume themes. While Momma K is running her, I will be going as Cinderella in her "work dress." Who knows, maybe I will come across my Prince Charming and get to the ball one day... We are beyond excited for tomorrow and cannot wait to earn our tiaras and glass slippers in the morning. We are excited to be going to Race Retreat again in the morning before heading to the corrals. Be sure to look for us tomorrow and say hello if you see us along the way! Follow along in the fun! Funner Runner on Twitter: @FunnerRunner13 Funner Runner on Instagram: FunnerRunner #PrincessHalf #GlassSlipperChallenge Question of the Day: Are you running the Princess Half Marathon tomorrow? Who are you running as (or inspired by)?
One race down, two to go! Tomorrow is the Princess 10K which is the first part of the runDisney Glass Slipper Challenge. Some people like to think that just because it is "Princess weekend" that you have to have a princess themed costume. Nope. Granted, over the past three years, we have gone the traditional route with our 10K themes including Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid, and Snow White. Momma K and I are going non-princess themed for the Princess 10K. With what started as a heck of a deal on the perfect tank top for Piglet turned into our inspiration for the 10K. We will be running 6.2 miles as some of the pals of the Hundred Acre Wood - Piglet and Tigger! I love the Princess 10K course, especially running through EPCOT and Boardwalk. I absolutely can't wait to see all the crazy looks I get from unknowing spectators grabbing coffee in the morning. If you see us running (or bouncing since that is what Tiggers do best), be sure to say hi and snap a pic! TTFN, friends! If you are looking for a bit of fun tomorrow afternoon, come drop by the #WeRunSocial Meetup! There will be plenty of fun and selfies happening. Come out and meet the people behind those social accounts on the interwebs, catch up with old friends, and even make some new ones. The more the merrier, so bring you friends and your awesomeness! Follow along in the fun! Funner Runner on Twitter: @FunnerRunner13 Funner Runner on Instagram: FunnerRunner #Princess10K #GlassSlipperChallenge Question of the Day: Are you running the Princess 10K? What is your costume or race outfit inspiration?
After a great time at last year's Shamrock 'N Roll 5K, this became a family favorite of ours and my friends'. Coming back for the "Lucky 13th" running, Shamrock 'N Roll 10K & 5K is returning back to Atlantic Station in Atlanta on Sunday, March 12, 2017! "The Junior League of Atlanta's Shamrock ‘N Roll Road Race will be held on March 12, 2017 at Atlantic Station and will feature a family friendly 5K Run, 10K Run, and 1K Belk Kids’ Fun Run. With 1,800 runners, walkers, strollers and dogs in 2016, the Shamrock ‘N Roll Road Race is one of Atlanta’s fastest growing family focused races and has been named the 2014 “Best Charity Running Event” by Best Self Atlanta Magazine." (Source: Junior League of Atlanta Shamrock 'N Roll) Shamrock 'N Roll is one of the only in-town Atlanta races that is both stroller and dog friendly. The course around Atlantic Station is a course for families, walkers and competitive runners alike. Runner's will have complimentary chip-timing for both the 5K and 10K. Both the 5K and 10K are USTAF-certified and is one of the last Peachtree Road Race qualifiers for the 2017 race. Shamrock 'N Roll registration is $35 for the 5K or 10K. Runners can also select the VIP registration option for $65 which gets you a grey Shamrock 'N Roll Ogio 1/4 zip pullover in addition to your race t-shirt. Proceeds from the Shamrock ‘N Roll Road Race are used to financially aid projects and programs of the Junior League of Atlanta’s area community partners and to train and educate Junior League of Atlanta members for effective community service. By taking part in the Shamrock 'N Roll, you are helping fund various projects of the Junior League of Atlanta. Proceeds are used to financially aid projects and programs of the Junior League of Atlanta’s area community partners and to train and educate Junior League of Atlanta members for effective community service. For more information or register for the Shamrock ' N Roll Road Race, head to their website for more information - www.shamrocknroll.org. You can also follow them on social media to stay up to date with happenings leading up to race day. Facebook: www.facebook.com/ShamrockNRollRoadRace Twitter: @JLShamrockNRoll March 12th is quickly approaching, so be sure to register soon! It is going to be a great time, so grab your green, your family and friends, and get ready to SHAMROCK 'N ROLL on March 12th!
It is almost time for the first of 3 races for Princess Half Marathon weekend 2017! With it being my 5th Princess Half Marathon weekend, you can imagine that I have ran dressed like a number of the traditional Disney princesses over the years. I have ran dressed as Aurora, Snow White, Belle, Cinderella, Anna, and more This year, I have decided to hang up my tiara (for the races at least). This year our family's Princess 5K costume theme is based on one Momma K and my favorite Disney movies! "Be Our Guest"! Get ready for 3.1 miles of me signing along to my favorite songs from Beauty & The Beast as I run through EPCOT dressed as Lumiere. Alongside me will be my trusty sidekick, Cogsworth, and you can't forget The Grey Stuff. If you haven't heard, it's delicious.... All three of us are excited to start our journeys tomorrow and cannot wait to share our experiences with everyone. Tomorrow will be a day of fun, smiles, and memories. Be sure to say hello to us if you see us on course tomorrow. Follow along in the fun! Funner Runner on Twitter: @FunnerRunner13 Funner Runner on Instagram: FunnerRunner #Princess5K Question of the Day: Are you running the Princess 5K? What is your costume or race outfit inspiration?
Today is the day! We are Disney bound come 2:00 this afternoon. I am beyond words excited about heading to Walt Disney World for my 5th Princess Half Marathon weekend. This is the weekend that we have all spent countless hours getting ready for - training, creating costumes, planning our trips, etc. Our family's costume reveals will be happening on here over the next 3 days (5K will be shared Thursday, 10K on Friday, and 1/2 marathon on Saturday). Be sure to check out our costumes and make sure to come say hi to us if you see us over the weekend - we would love to meet you! Having FOMO? While I can't take you along with me, I will be posting pictures and updates of the weekend on Instagram and Twitter so feel free to follow along in the fun. Instagram - funnerrunner Twitter - FunnerRunner13 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/funnerrunner13 I wish everyone a very magical time this weekend! Whether you are running the 5K, all 3 races, or cheEARing, it is bound to be a great time. Remember, it is only as magical as you let it be, so sit back, relax, and enjoy it!
Safe travels everyone! Have a MAGICAL day! I won't lie - training for a race can be hard at times. Between giving up some of your Saturday for a long run, battling brutal winter weather conditions, and a wide variety of other things that can come into your life, it isn't always easy to stay on track. From training buddies, group runs and more, there are many different ways to help stay accountable to your training plan and goals. With the Pittsburgh 1/2 Marathon coming up in about 10 weeks I wanted to share a few of my favorite ways that I am staying accountable to my plan. Get Rewarded with Dick's Sporting Goods Whoever said that running is an inexpensive sport obviously has not seen my running expenditures recently. From running shoes every three months, to clothes, to night gear, and all those other 'must haves' the costs can add up for sure! What if you could earn Dick's Sporting Goods reward certificates just for getting your steps in each day and going on your training runs? That is right, earn free rewards certificates just for doing the things that you are already doing! Last year I received an email from my friends at Pittsburgh Marathon about a new rewards program from Dick's Sporting Goods, MOVE, and I have been hooked ever since. MOVE is a feature on the DICK’S Sporting Goods App that lets runners sync their FitBit or MapMyRun app to earn points to cash in for Rewards. BOOM! Nothing beats free running gear, right? Ready to get started? Here are four easy steps to get set up and on your way to earning some Dick's Sporting Goods Rewards.
For more information about the Dick's Sporting Goods App as well as the MOVE program, click here. MilestonePod Get In the Game Challenge A new feature to the Pittsburgh Marathon training program in 2016 was a partnership with MilestonePod. These awesome little shoe pods help analyze your runs with amazing statistics that go deeper into your run than what many GPS watches do. (Checkout my review here) After a successful year working together, the Get In The Game Challenge has returned for 2017! The Get In The Game Challenge is a friendly weekly challenge among runners to win prizes each week. Every week there is a new challenge announced and winners are announced weekly for completing various tasks during their training runs for the week. Yay prizes! Be sure to check out the Pittsburgh Marathon website for more information on MilestonePods as well as the Get In The Game Challenge.
If you haven't signed up for the Pittsburgh Marathon or 1/2 Marathon, what are you waiting for!?!? Register before March 1, 2017 to get in before the price increase. Remember, code GILBERT17 will save you $10 on your registration. I cannot wait to see YOU in Pittsburgh on May 7th! GAME ON PGH!
Saturday was a HUGE day for me! I mean HUGE! My run streak (and Momma K's) is now at 1,000 days!!!!!! Yes, 1,000 consecutive days of 1+ mile per day! What a wild and crazy 1,000 days it has been to say the least. Since I was in Florida for the A1A 1/2 Marathon and Momma K was back home in Georgia, we completed day 1,000 apart. This only seems fitting though as we were apart for day 1, day 500, and now day 1,000. In celebration of this monumental day for me, here is a look back at how the run streak began and a few of the memories during the past 1,000 days. In May 2014, Momma K and I took on the Runner's World Run Streak challenge. During the challenge you complete at least 1 mile per day from Memorial Day until July 4th. The Run Streak is an awesome way to commit to stay active during the summer months where many people are busy with vacations, days at the pool/beach/lake, etc. Momma K and I were both in training for the Dumbo Double Dare at Disneyland so we figured we would just do a "easy mile" on the days that we would typically rest. Everyone has their own opinions on run streaks, but we were down to try it. Each day we diligently logged our mile. Whether it was a race, a training run, a quick mile before yoga, or a lap around the neighborhood, we got our mile in. The "end" of the run streak was on July 4th which was the Peachtree Road Race 10K and we talked about how tomorrow we finally get a break. Well, July 5th rolled around and I looked at mom and said "want to go do a mile?" The rest is history. As we kept setting our eyes on short term milestones (50 days, 100 days, etc), the run streak just became a part of life. Yes, there were days that we didn't want to go do our mile, but we did it. Did we want to start back over at day 1 just because we were tired? NO! We have encountered some pretty crazy situations while doing our "mile+ a day." We have gone out in rain, sun, hot, cold, night and day. There was one day that we were doing our mile and a storm started rolling in and we had to haul butt back, but we got our mile in. In winter, we headed out to the park for a long training run and everything was covered in ice and also sported some pretty fancy pre-race throw aways. Don't forget the holidays! Just because it is Christmas Day does not mean that we didn't get our mile in. Mom, dad, and I all headed out to the park to get a few miles in as a family. No matter the holiday, we were out there doing our thing and continuing our run streak. What about vacations? Well, the first few days when we are at Disney were easy - we simply did our mile+ at the races. Even though we would be walking 10+ miles a day in the parks, we still did our mile each morning before heading off the the parks. On other vacations/racecations we have even utilized hotel parking lots to make sure our mile was done. It has definitely been a crazy ride the past 1000 days, but I wouldn't change it for anything. Each run completed has its own story and I loved getting out there each day whether with friends/family or solo. How long will the run streak continue? Only time will tell! Question of the Day: Have you ever taken part in a run streak? How long did you "streak" for?
It was just July when we were panicking trying to get registered for Princess Half Marathon weekend 2017 - where did time go!?!? Next week thousands of princesses (and a few smart and lucky princes) will be pounding the pavement on a 13.1 mile journey through Walt Disney World. This will be my 5th Princess Half Marathon (and 4th Glass Slipper Challenge), and I am as excited as ever for the weekend. Momma K and I have spent many cold and windy mornings training for this weekend. It is to a point where it seems like Princess weekend and WDW are the only things that we talk about right now. To celebrate the final few days before Princess Half Marathon weekend 2017 kicks off, here is a look back at a few highlights of the past three years: In 2013 I spent a lot of time waiting in character lines for pictures - like 15+ minutes for the pirates, and another 10-15 minutes for the princes (the pictures were so worth it). While I went solo in 2013, it was still an absolutely magical and amazing weekend! In 2014, I paced Momma K to completing her first half marathon which was one of the most magical memories of my life! You only get one first half marathon, and I think she would agree with me by saying that it was one of the most memorable days of her life. The 2015 Princess Half Marathon weekend was Frozen themed. In keeping with the theme we dressed as Anna and Elsa with our sidekick Olaf along with us. This was a huge one for Momma K as she PRed by about 10 minutes that morning. Last year was definitely a half marathon of highs and lows. We were rocking our way through the course when Momma K found the only pothole on Disney property in front of Grand Floridian at mile 6.5. Don't worry though, a gashed up knee didn't damper our fun. Sure we walked the last 6 miles, but we were having a blast! That is what runDisney is really about! Now it is time to get your final costume preparations done, the last training runs logged, and get ready to head to Walt Disney World! Get your tiaras ready friends, it is time to go to DISNEY! Question of the Day: What was your first 1/2 Marathon? If you haven't ran one, what was your most memorable race?
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BrandiI love to run and most importantly I love to have FUN while I run....I am the "Funner Runner" Feedspot's Top 100 Running Blogs
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