Run or Dye 5K [A Colorful Race Report]

Yesterday was the B E S T !

Harry and I got Sophs Friday afternoon, rather than on Saturday.  We had a special event to rock out:  The Chicago Run or Dye 5K!  Sophia has done several fun runs and a couple of obstacle courses, but this was her very first 5K.  

After having our pasta party (for carb-loading) and some froyo from the shop around the corner, we hit the sack EARLY.  Sophs was so excited, not a whimper came from her regarding the early bedtime.  We woke up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed the next morning and met up with Harry's Auntie Kim and his sister, Kayla.

Soph wanted to attack this at every angle, including taking along some hydration on the run.  I offered her my Ultimate Direction Handy 10 handheld.  It was perfect size for her.

A (mostly) before picture.  We had thrown the blue powder dye that came in the race packets all over each other!

We met up with Kim's friend and her family (sweetest family ever!) and all lined up with the crowd to enter the course.  Everyone seemed extremely entertained by the race announcers and crew!

The countdown began, and we took off!  Sophia was DETERMINED to OWN this 5K!  She and Kayla were so ready for each dye station.  Harry and I noticed how effortless Kayla's stride was.  She might need to start running with me soon.  :)

Side note:  I was a super smartie and put my phone in a plastic baggie so it wouldn't get dye all over it.

We zig zagged around the course for a little bit until we got to the first dye station.  Each station provided a different color, and some of the funnest volunteers I've ever encountered.  They were all SO happy to be out there, cheering people on, and throwing color dye all over them!

I loved taking these pictures of Harry and Sophs running together.  <3

Several minutes later, we were upon the pink station.  Sophs and Kayla had the brilliant idea of making PINK ANGELS.

 

 We were probably around two miles when Kim ran up with us.  Sophs and Kayla were still going strong with running/walking intervals.  One of Kim's friend's kiddos TOOK OFF, sprinting like a bat out of hell!  Harry took off after him, Kayla and Kim ran together, and I was given the opportunity to take one of my favorite pictures ever.

Check out that kid in the moment!

Sophs and I finally met back up with Harry and walked for the rest of the course.  We made it through all of the dye stations, and came up to the very last one.  Sophs had apparently had enough and wanted yellow ALL OVER Harry.

We ran through the finish line and over to the after party.  Good music, plenty of pumped kids, and they were throwing out MORE dye packets!  FUN!

The aftermath.

I know for sure that everyone there had the most amazing time ever.  It was a fantastic experience for Kayla and for Sophs, and for Harry to share with his daughter!

And then can you believe that we had no shame and went into a restaurant to have a sit-down brunch?  HAHA.  Kim had suggested the Southern Belle's Pancake House.  With a name like that, how could I (or anyone else, for that matter) say no?!

We got home later and no one was allowed to sit down or touch anything, haha.  Sophs took a shaving cream bath (she's such a sensory kid!), and it was my turn to jump in the shower.  There were colors where the sun don't shine!  <3  We ended up saving the bib and headband Sophia was rocking during the race to keep here for potential frame opportunities, along with my favorite picture up there.

All in all a glorious day with the Booger and my Mr. Wonderful!  

A special 'thank you' to Run or Dye for allowing me to blog this experience for them and to share the fun times with my family and friends!  I was provided race entry, and all of the opinions contained within this post are mine.

Cookies & COSMOS

I soooooooooo meant to update you guys on my weekend yesterday, but work got so nuts that I was too exhausted to do anything when I got home yesterday.  I sat my booty on the couch and totally watched "House, M.D." on Netflix until Harry got home.  :P

We had the Sophs this past weekend, which is usually a good time.  These weekends are always packed with funsies, whether it's a ton of activities at the park, visiting with family, or a dance party and PJ day.   They almost always involve Skookies.

We head right over to Harry's parents' house right after picking her up Saturday.  They were sweet enough to feed us pizza (all three of us were STARVING), and they even let me watch some of the Spurs vs. Mavs game.  Harry and I snuggled up in his Dad's recliner...tightest snuggle ever!

It's always a riot to see what a tomboy Sophia can be.  Taking on a teenage boy (her uncle) is tough!  And as you can see, her main technique of tickling one's feet is to latch on like a howler monkey and never ever letting go.  Not even if you threaten to ground her.  :\

 After some visiting, some pizza, some coloring with Grandma and some near-napping for Harry and I, we head home.  My throat and sinuses were really bugging me, so I hit the sack early (it was 8:45pm or so at this point).  Harry and Sophs stayed up for Skookies, in which I was slightly envious.

I got up the next morning, still suffering from what I'm assuming was sinus blahhhhhh.  I had a 10-mile @ pace on the schedule, but I ended up just taking it easy.  I have the Wisconsin Half Marathon this weekend and didn't want to push anything, especially if I'm on the edge of getting sick.

I also go this e-mail!  SO EXCITING!  

Best believe, I spent most of my long run thinking about all of the amazing athletes and sporty girls with whom I would become besties!  There are a few that live in and around Chicago; I can't wait for a meet-up run or Yoga sesh.

After some breaky, we hit up the park for some kite flying, and then off to Fleet Feet in Old Town to pick up my packet.  Harry wanted to show Sophs the ropes.  This was her first time on a treadmill...I was so proud!

We left Fleet Feet and dropped off Sophs.  We won't see her for a couple of weeks, when she's doing the Run or Dye 5K with us!  She's so excited to do it!

USE DISCOUNT CODE BLOGCHICAGO FOR $10.00 OFF REGISTRATION!  :)

Harry and I usually watch COSMOS on Sunday evenings.  There have been a couple of occasions, like this past weekend, where we were just too doggone tired to watch it without dozing off.  We love the snot out of the show, but the couch is sooooo comfy.  :)  So last night after dinner, we made some dessert and snuggled up for our show.

Cookies and ice cream?  Uh, YES.

One last thing (I promise!):  This week, FitApproach is doing a weekly Yoga challenge on Instagram.  FUNSIES!  I just had to join in!  Go check it out if you have a chance.  :)

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Are you watching COSMOS?  What's your favorite thing about it so far?

-Please don't say the water bear.  Ew.

Parents or peeps who love hanging with kiddos:  What's your favorite activity?

-Sophia LOVES baking with me!  How cool is that?

Any races you have coming up?  How's your training going?

Chasing My Shadow [And Running for Others]

Last night, Harry and I met up with his Aunt and Uncle after their run by the park near where we live.   What's better than a beer and mac n' cheese wedges (with applesauce!) on a Thursday evening?

Nothing.  That's what.

We ended up going to Sutherland's Food & Spirits for some grub and giggles.  It really helped that it was perfect walking weather (though Harry wanted to drive, since he was brave and ran a day after our monster speedwork session Wednesday evening).

Mmm...mac n'cheese wedges...these are the best and I actually had a hankerin' for 'em.  That applesauce is an absolute must for dunking!  I know it sounds odd; Harry and I were super weirded out by it the first time we tried it, but it's delicious.

Kim reminds me so very much of my Aunt Jeannie Weenie.  She's just fun and spunky and a real hoot and a holler.  She's very caring and has one of the biggest hearts I've ever known. 

Kim is training with Team Challenge for her third half marathon.  Here is a part of her write-up on her donation page:

"Thank you for supporting me in my personal challenge to complete the 13.1 Chicago Half Marathon, while raising money and awareness for the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation (CCFA)!  Through Team Challenge, I have committed to raising $1,900 to help the estimated 1.5 million Americans living with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Although I've committed to $1,900 my goal is to exceed that and raise $3,000! I know with all the resources I have, we can do this!  A minimum of 82 cents per dollar raised by CCFA goes directly to research and patient support.  Your tax-deductible contribution will go toward curing Crohn's and ulcerative colitis, and improving the quality of life of children and adults affected by these diseases.

Each day is gift from God, and each day brings challenges to many of us.  Most of us that are healthy, may take leading a normal, healthy life for granted and then there are the 1.5 million people that are diagnosed with Crohn’s and Colitis and only dream to live a normal “healthy” life. Of course then there are my family members that have been affected and honestly, its then that it becomes personal. So today I am taking this opportunity to make a difference and challenging myself to raise $3,000 by running 13.1 miles on their behalf. 

On June 7th I will be running for Donna Bynes!  Most of you know the struggles that Donna has been through and for those of you that do not –Donna was diagnosed with Crohn’s at a very young age, and last summer she was diagnosed with colon cancer, just shortly after giving birth to their son. She is now in the final stages of kicking cancer in the ass, completing her second round of chemo and doing great.  I will gain my strength and endurance from her along with the support of my friends and family."

I've provided the link to her donation page above AND HERE.  :D  Every little bit helps, y'all!

After some frosty beverages and noms, Harry and I walked home and I immediately hit the hay.  I had to get up extra early this morning to run before work.

I'm usually up and at 'em after a cup of coffee first thing in the morning (4:30am, mind you).  If I'm truly desperate and need to wake up more, I have to rely on a dance/sing party in the Jeep on the way out to the trails/work.  Sometimes you have to go with the basics for that...cut to me, this morning:

It's easier than one would think to dance in the driver's seat.  Plus, that song is just so snappy!

I managed to get to work, throw my stuff in the locker room (yup, I'm lucky to have a shower at work, and a ~10-mile loop nearby) and get out the door when I needed to, and felt pretty good about it.  The dance party worked.  It was about 35*F (I still love running in the cold) and the sun was already up.  This is one thing I look forward to that comes along with Spring, 'cause sometimes it's scary running in the dark.

My Go-Go Gadget Legs were still so worn out from the speedwork a couple of days ago.  My quads and hamstrings were tight, but once I started running it all loosened up a bit.  I kept an easy pace over the hills and rollers, and just enjoyed chasing my shadow until it was time to turn around and head back to the school.  A couple of the teachers were already there, so I got to chit-chat a bit with them while stretching.

After showering, working a bit on pressing Special Olympics matters, and planning for lessons next week, it was time for lunch.  I ate potentially the most offensive meal of my life.  Allow me to highlight the offensive ingredients:  this salad had Romaine lettuce, hummus, guacamole, quinoa tabbouleh, and brown rice and quinoa with garlic.  I felt horrible for anyone I came within 20 feet of.

Friday = swim day for my Adaptive P.E. classes.  This is our tiny pool at the REC on campus.  I'm not sure, but I think it's like 15 yards.  *le headtilt*  I get in for about two hours with the kids.  It's pretty awesome.

And swimming, no matter if I just got in the water and played around or if I did a structured workout, will always and forever make me ravenous as all getout.  I searched through the kitchen cabinets at school for a snack and came across some jumbo 'mallows.  Time to play "Fluffy Bunny"!

Things are starting to get really busy here on this bloggie of mine!  I have several things coming up, including a giveaway pretty soon.  I also have some brand new footwear from Altra Running to test out next week.  I can't wait!

Also, THIS.  I'm doing my first color run 5K (because why not just have fun, for crying out loud?), Run or Dye!  Check out the discount code BLOGCHICAGO for $10.00 off registration, y'all!  It will be located at Toyota Park on May 24th, 2014.

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Have you ever done a color run?  Which one?

Does swimming make you hungry?

I'm still hungry.

What's your favorite cause or charity to run for, donate, or support?