A Look Back at My 2013 Disney World Marathon Weekend Videos

With the 2014 Walt Disney World Weekend  being only 30 days away, I want to post a collection of videos that I've on my first ever runDisney experience. Enjoy...I'll see all of you there for the 2014 Dopey Challenge.

 Start Of the 2013 Disney World Half Marathon Rock'in out With Donald

 

2013 Disney World Half Marathon [HD]

 

2013 Disney World Marathon [HD]

September/ October StrideBox Review

September Stride Box Review

Fuel 100- Electro-Bites- Salty Vanilla

Developed by endurance athletes as a salty alternative to sweet gels

 I was not a fan of this product at all. From the first moment I put the first piece in my mouth all I tasted was salt, no vanilla, just salt. When I finished the pack I quickly downed full my water bottle as a result of dry mouth.

Happy Squeeze- Coco Orange Mango

100% Organic “Super food”, Made with Coconut milk, vitamins and minerals.

As soon as I saw the words coconut milk I became skeptical of the flavor but, I was pleasantly surprised by the great taste.

Eboost- Natural Energy Booster

Drink Mix with green tea, vitamins and nutrients

AeroShot Energy- Air based energy shot.

A quick burst of B vitamins and Caffeine

I liked the concept of an air based energy shot but this one had no effect on me.

PROBAR Bolt- Energy Chews- Strawberry

 Gluten Free Organic energy chews full of electrolytes and complex cabs.

My favorite item in this month’s box, Great taste and quick energy on one of my longer training runs, I will defiantly be looking forward to adding these to my training kit.

Now-A3 Bar- Honey Graham Smores

A great tasting energy bar/ recovery snack jammed with stuff you need to keep you moving.

This Bar defiantly lives up to its description especially with the “Great Tasting” part, I mean the flavor is Honey Graham Smores and it actually taste like it. Thumbs up

 

StrideBox- Runners’ Training Log

 

October Stride Box Review

Chocolate #9- Low Glycemic Index Energy Gel

The only Low Glycemic energy gel on the market is packet with only two ingredients to make it easy to digest.

I tried this product on a longer run, It has a nice taste which made it easier for me to get down then some of the order Gels I've tried.

Nature's Bakery- All Natural Fig Bar

All Natural figs make great fuel for training and running.
This product reminds me of a fig newton cookie but the taste is so much better. Instead of tasting the sugar like this cookie you taste more of the natural flavor of the fruit which I think puts this bar in a category of it's own.

That's It.- All-Natural Fruit Bar

A Great bar full of antioxidants with only 2 ingredients...apples, and cherries.

 

Fluid Performance- Natural Sports Drink

Designed for use during exercise, it's revolutionary formula includes multiple energy sources, bioavailable electrolytes, and great taste.

Honey Stinger- Organic Stinger Waffle

Certified organic waffle sweetened with honey in an easy to carry snack size.

Two thumbs way up on flavor, taste and texture!

Rocktape-Endurance Tape For Athletes

Helps Athletes improve form decrease fatigue through better blood flow.

 

Perform- Pain Relieving Gel

Pain Relief with no Pills. Topical analgesic delivers cooling directly where it hurts

 

StrideBox- Mesh Gear Bag

 

"I Ran This Beach!" Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon Recap

I Ran This Beach!!!

This weekend past weekend I accepted the challenge to run the beach. Not only did I run the mini marathon on Sunday I made it a full weekend and also ran the 5k on Saturday. In this recap I will give my personal options on the Expo, 5k, Mini Marathon as well as the Bling.

The Expo
After a rainy 6 hour drive from Atlanta we headed straight for the host hotel (Marina Inn At Grande Dunes) to pick my race packet and explore the expo. As soon as you enter the Marina Inn you realize why they charge such a high rate to stay there, it was beautiful. Unfortunately I could afford to stay there but it was still nice to look around as I headed down stairs to the expo. There were some slight confusion at the race number pick up. Before the expo the race sent out emails to everyone in the Half Marathon with there bib number on it, so all you had to do was walk you to the counter, give then your bib number and poof your in and out fast. But the number that the race were wrong and you had to go to a different station for them to look up your number, but even after that I still felt like it was rather quick. With this race only being in its fourth year I wasn't expecting much in terms of size and vendors. And I was right but they still had the usual race promoters and official race merchandise vendors and everything a runner needed just encase they forgot to pack something.I must admit that I was slightly disappointed that I couldn't find a decal or magnet with race logo on it but maybe next time. After the expo we headed to North Myrtle Beach to eat at a great local seafood restaurant and  check into our hotel for the night.

Shirts, Bib and Bag

Expo

Eukanuba Coastal 5k
After laying down to rain the night before I was hoping for a clear day in time of the race. The first thing I did after my alarm woke me at 6:45 was check the weather, and it was suppose to rain all weekend. With anticipation of cold rain I dressed with an extra layer underneath. Once I was dressed and ready I ate some Gatorade energy chews (even thou I wasn't every hungry)  and off to the 5k.

It was held on the campus of the Marina Inn and the course was a pretty simple out and by route. The set up was as of a typical 5k, No Corrals, All of the runners hovering around the start line. Yeah of course there were announcements for the non competitive runners to move to towards the back but, who listens to announcements? Right? I hovered as close to the middle of the pack wishing I would have moved closer to the front. After the National Anthem and a short countdown we were off. The first mile I was bobbing and wiving through all of the slower runners but it wasn't until I saw the time on the mile 1 marker did I realize I have the opportunity to PR. So for then to the end of the race I pushed myself to maintain my pace,which was not problem until the last mile. My legs started to feel extremely tired so I tired to switch up my race style to run more on my toes and less on my full foot. It defiantly took the stress off my legs allowing me to finish my fasted mile of the race and brand new shiny PR.

37

481

MICHAEL ANDERSON

FAIRBURN

GA

26

Male

0:22:39

Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon
My alarm went off at 6 am and I did the same routine as the day before but the only difference was, it was raining on the drive to the race. At one point it was raining so hard that we missed the turn and had to drive an extra 3 miles to turn around. On a normal race day missing the turn wouldn't have been such a big deal but today we were running late so, those extra 3 miles to make a u-turn seemed like an extra 12 or 13 miles. When I arrived at the starting line the rain stopped and I barely had enough time to locate a pace group before the National Anthem finished and the countdown ended to start the race.

The first four mile were great. I didn't really pay attention to the times on the mile markers, I just focus in on the bright yellow shirt the 8 minute mile pacer was wearing and zoned out to my playlist. I knew that choosing the 8 min pacer was a long shot especially since I have never ran a sub 2 hour Half Marathon but after my PR in the 5k I may have been a little over confident.

Around mile 5 the pacer was stating to put some distances between us, lucky one of the guys that was also running with the pacer was falling behind as well. Mile 6-8 were uneventful but we still maintain a good pace, and my legs still felt fresh. A little bit out after the 8 mile marker I ripped open a gel and downed it. Yuck man I hate the texture of those things but the usual seem to work. Mile 8-13 are advertised as oceanfront running but it seemed to be more like oceanfront house running with a couple of miles of clear ocean views.
By this time of the race it started to warm up a bit but it was still overcast that made me feel like the rain could start at any moment.

During the last 4 miles me and my newly found running buddy play leap frog motivating each other to keep up our pace. My legs were felt like I was running through mud and my stomach was killing me even since I took that gel but I knew I only had a couple of miles left and I wasn't about to slow down when I am so close to another PR in the same weekend. In between mile 12 and 13 was the turn to the boardwalk and the sun literally popped out from behind the clouds. That was Que to thank my running partner and try to pick up my pace to  as close to a sprint as possible to get the best time. I cross the finish line with a quick fist pump for the cameras as I peered up at the time that read 1:49:04. My last Half Marathon I ran a time of 2:17:04 so I didn't just PR I CRUSHED my previous time by almost 30 min.

306

141

MICHAEL ANDERSON

FAIRBURN

GA

26

Male

1:48:48

Finish Line on the Boardwalk

Awesome Medals

The Big Reveal:1 Event / 6 Awesome Medals

The official sneak peek of the 2014 Dopey Challenge Medals happened at the 2013 Disneyland Half Marathon Meet and Greet for a select few lucky runners, But for the rest of the world of anxiously waiting  runners, Yesterday Rundisney Officially released the pictures of the Medals on their Facebook page and Blog.

2014 Dopey Challenge Medals

These are the six medals that me an thousands of other runners are training hard to earn in January 2014.

2014 Goofy Challenge Medals

Family Fun Run 5k Pluto Medal

Inaugural 10K Minnie Medal

Half Marathon Donald Medal

Full Marathon Mickey Medal

Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge Medal

Inaugural Dopey Challenge Medal

My Thoughts on the Medals:
I have to say that I like everyone of the new medals,but I personally have to say that I was expecting a little more with the Dopey Challenge Medal. Comparing it with new Goofy Challenge Medal ( Which is my Favorite out of the six),  has the name of the race and distance ran boldly lettered, as well as color that enhances the boldness of the medal.Don't get me wrong Dopey has a solid medal but with an Inaugural event that has the runner battling through almost 50 mile and paying over 500 dollars I was expecting a design that screams Triumph. Then again I may just have been spoiled with the awesome 20th Anniversary Marathon Medal of 2013.

Tell me what you think of the new Medal. Do you like the design of Dopey Challenge Medal? Which one is you favorite and less favorite?

Review: August Stridebox

Ok, I might be a couple days late with this review but better late than never right? For all of you that follow my last couple of post, you know that I have a couple of Half- Marathons coming up in my training plan  for the BIG event in January The Dopey Challenge. Well having a StrideBox come to my door step every month has been great for my training. This months box came filled with items that I've wanted to try out for my longer runs. So what was in the box.....

The Info Card

HealthWarrior Chia Bar: Coconut ($23.50 for 15 bars or $1.67 a bar)

This bar is made with chia seeds, Omega-3's, protein and fiber

KindBar: Maple Glazed Pecan and Sea Salt ($1.99 a bar)

New Flavor-All natural bar, with 6g of fiber and 6g of protein

I wasn't a fan of either one of the flavors of theses products. The Coconut Chia Bar reminded me of eating bird seed and the Maple Glazed Pecan and Sea Salt KindBar was a little too salty for my taste.

2nd Surge: Double Espresso  ($15.92 for 8 gels or $1.99 each)

Provides rapid energy, reduces fatigue, and speeds reaction time

Island Boost: Passion Fruit Flavor ($10.00 for 3 pouches or $3.33 each)

Rapidly delivers the energy you need to perform and keep going strong

I defiantly felt a differences when using both of these energy gels however, the Passion Fruit Flavor of Island Boost was horrible  I had to follow it up with water just to get it down. The Double Espresso of 2nd Surge wasn't bad even thou I'm not a fan of coffee.

G Endurance Formula Thirst Quencher: Lemon Lime ($1.49 a package)

G Endurance Carb Energy Chews: Fruit Punch and Orange ($1.29 a package)

The G Endurance series by Gatorade was in my option the highlight of the whole box. Both of the Carb Chews flavors were great and they really work well with my body during my longer runs. With out a doubt I will be adding these products to my training.

Stridecool Post Run Cooling Towel ($9.99 a towel)

Overall I my I am once again pleasantly satisfied with in contents and the overall value of each item and I can't wait to the surprises in next month's box. Have you tried any of the items in this box? If so, tell me thought's.

Review :Stridebox July 2013

I was on Facebook the other and came across an add for The Stridebox on one of my running groups page. For those of you who don't know Stridebox is a monthly subscription box that is geared towards runners for $15 a month. This is my first time using any type of subscription box and thought this would be a great time to give and unbiased review of the product. To find out more about the company and where to subscribe fro service click--- HERE

July 2013 Stridebox

Bearded Brothers- Natural Energy Bar- Peach Ginger

Retail:$ 3.00

PR*Bar- Nutrition Bar- Apple Bar

Retail: $ 2.00

Body Glove Surge Gel- All Natural Energy Gel

Retail:$ 2.40

SpiderTech- X Spider- Pre-Cut Kinesiology Tape

Retail: $2.00

StrideBox: Hydration Bottle And Sampler Package

The Stride Box Bottle is Great and very useful athletic bottle. I use it for everything form mixing the sample products to the mix and holding my protein shakes. Also the bottle and full hydration sample package retail for about $12.00.

Vega Sport Electroyte Hydrator

Zym Catapult Sport Drink

HDX Hydration Mix

GU Brew

Healthy To Go!-Acai Energy Drink Mix

Nuun Electrolyte Drink Tab

With this being my first month getting a Stridebox I am pleasantly satisfied with in contents and the overall value of each item. However some of the products didn't quite suit my taste but, this is the beauty of this box. Your able to try out samples of new items to tweak and personalize your training tools to get the maximum output for each run. I like the concept of the box and the company to provides running related samples and gear to your front door, I can't think of another way to try out such group specific items other than going to a race expo.

 The PR*Bar (Apple Pie) maybe one of the best tasting nutrition/protein bar I have ever tasted and the Bearded Brothers ( Peach Ginger Bar) may be among the worse flavor I've tried. Furthermore I give this box thumbs up and can't wait for my next box in  August.

And The Winner Is........: Myrtle Beach Medal Contest

DRUM ROLL PLEASE...................................And th Winner of the 2013 Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon Medal Contest is Alma-And Von Bruca for designing the medal below

1st place and Mini Medal

But that not all folk since the contest  voting was so close the people at the Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon decided to use the 2nd place Medal designed by Hannah Rankin as it Coastal 5k Medal. The Coastal 5k is held the day before the Mini Marathon so every running will have the chance to earn both Medals.

2nd Place and 5k Medal

I have to say that I love the concept of the runners designing and voting on the medal for the race, So two thumbs way up form doing this contest. Congratulations to the two winners and I'm defiantly looking forward to the race weekend.

Here We Go: 2014 Dopey Challenge Training

Today was the start of my training for the 2014 Dopey Challenge. I have been searching for a training plan to use but everyone that I came across didn't exactly fit with my goals of losing body fat and toning up during the plan. So, I decided to put one together myself. The plan below is a fusion of my last Goofy Race and Half Challenge plan, a 50k plain, and Crossing Training Classes ( Kickboxing, Fast Track, and Boxing) that my local gym provides. I'm hoping this plan will not only have me ready to tackle the 48.6 magic miles but have me looking good while doing it.

If my plan does not suit what your looking for  Rundisney has also released a Dopey Challenge Training Plan and you can find it ----Here

Remember to consult your doctor before taking on any training program and Happy Training and have a Dopey Good Time.

Week 1 June 30 – July 6

Total Weekly Miles: 20

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
4 Miles Run	6 Miles Run/ Cross Training	6 Miles Run/ Cross Training	REST	Cross Training	Cross Training	4 miles Run

Week 2 July 7- July 13

Total Weekly Miles: 23

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
5 miles Run	7 miles Run/ Cross Training	7 miles Run/ Cross Training	REST	Cross Training	Cross Training	4 miles Run

Week 3 July 14 – July 20

Total Weekly Miles: 20

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
5 miles Run	6 miles Run/ Cross Training	6 miles Run/ Cross Training	REST	Cross Training	Cross Training	3 miles Run

Week 4 July 21 – July 27

Total Weekly Miles: 26

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
6 miles Run	8 miles Run/ Cross Training	8 miles Run/ Cross Training	REST	Cross Training	Cross Training	4 miles Run

Week 5 July 28 – Aug 3

Total Weekly Miles: 26

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
6 miles Run	8 miles Run/ Cross Training	8 miles Run/ Cross Training	REST	Cross Training	Cross Training	4 miles Run

Week 6 Aug 4 – Aug 10

Total Weekly Miles: 20

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
4 Miles Run	6 Miles Run/ Cross Training	6 Miles Run/ Cross Training	REST	Cross Training	Cross Training	4 miles Run

Week 7 Aug 11 – Aug 17

Total Weekly Miles: 30

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
8 Miles Run	8 Miles Run/ Cross Training	10 Miles Run/ Cross Training	REST	Cross Training	Cross Training	4 miles Run

Week 8 Aug 18 – Aug 24

Total Weekly Miles: 30

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
8 Miles Run	8 Miles Run/ Cross Training	10 Miles Run/ Cross Training	REST	Cross Training	Cross Training	4 miles Run

Week 9 Aug 25 – Aug 31

Total Weekly Miles: 22

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
6 Mile Run	6 miles Run/ Cross Training	6 miles Run/ Cross Training	REST	Cross Training	Cross Training	4 miles Run

Week 10 Sept 1 – Sept 7

Total Weekly Miles: 32

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
6 Miles Run	10 Miles Run/ Cross Training	12 Miles Run/ Cross Training	REST	Cross Training	Cross Training	4 miles Run

Week 11 Sept 8 – Sept 14

Total Weekly Miles: 20

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
4 Miles Run	5 Miles Run/ Cross Training	7 Miles Run/ Cross Training	REST	Cross Training	Cross Training	4 miles Run

Week 12 Sept 15 – Sept 21 

Total Weekly Miles: 31

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
6 Miles Run	8 Miles Run/ Cross Training	13 Miles Run/ Cross Training	REST	Cross Training	Cross Training	4 miles Run

Week 13 Sept 22 – Sept 28 

Total Weekly Miles: 36

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
8 Miles Run	8 Miles Run/ Cross Training	14 Miles Run/ Cross Training	REST	2 Miles Run/Cross Training	Cross Training	4 miles Run

Week 14 Sept 29 - Oct 5 

Total Weekly Miles: 40

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
8 Miles Run	10 Miles Run/ Cross Training	13 Miles Run/ Cross Training	REST	3 Miles Run/Cross Training	Cross Training	6 miles Run

Week 15 Oct 6 – Oct 12

Total Weekly Miles: 28

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
8 Mile Run	8 Mile Run/ Cross Training	6 Mile Run/ Cross Training	REST	2 miles Run/ Cross Training	Cross Training	4 miles Run

Week 16 Oct 13 – Oct 19

Total Weekly Miles: 30

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
6 Mile Run	7 Mile Run/ Cross Training	10 Mile Run/ Cross Training	REST	3 miles Run/ Cross Training	Cross Training	4 miles Run

Week 17 Oct 20 – Oct 26 

Total Weekly Miles: 40.1

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon	6 Mile Run/ Cross Training	12 Mile Run/ Cross Training	REST	4 miles Run/ Cross Training	Cross Training	5 miles Run

Week 18 Oct 27 – Nov 2

Total Weekly Miles: 28

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
6 Mile Run	6 Mile Run/ Cross Training	8 Mile Run/ Cross Training	REST	4 miles Run/ Cross Training	Cross Training	4 miles Run

Week 19 Nov 3 – Nov 9

Total Weekly Miles: 45

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
8 Mile Run	10 Mile Run/ Cross Training	17 Mile Run	REST	5 Mile Run/ Cross Training	Cross Training	5 Mile Run

Week 20 Nov 10 – Nov 16

Total Weekly Miles: 50

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
9 Mile Run	10 Mile Run/ Cross Training	20 Mile Run	REST	6 Mile Run/ Cross Training	Cross Training	5 Mile Run

Week 21 Nov 17 – Nov 23

Total Weekly Miles: 36

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
13 Mile Run	6 Mile Run/ Cross Training	13 Mile Run	REST	Cross Training	Cross Training	4 miles Run

Week 22 Nov 24 – Nov 30

Total Weekly Miles: 37.1

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
13 Mile Run	4 Mile Run/ Cross Training	3 Mile Run/ Cross Training	REST	Atlanta Half Marathon	REST	4 miles Run

Week 23 Dec 1 – Dec 7

Total Weekly Miles: 50

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
8 Mile Run	10 Mile Run/ Cross Training	22 Mile Run	REST	5 Mile Run/ Cross Training	Cross Training	5 Mile Run

Week 24 Dec 8 – Dec 14 

Total Weekly Miles: 35

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
7 Mile Run	9 Mile Run/ Cross Training	13 Mile Run	REST	2 Mile Run/ Cross Training	Cross Training	4 Mile Run

Week 25 Dec 15 – Dec 21

Total Weekly Miles: 48

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
13 Mile Run	6 Mile Run/ Cross Training	20 Mile Run	REST	4 Mile Run/ Cross Training	REST	5 miles Run

Week 26 Dec 22 – Dec 28 

Total Weekly Miles: 25

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
6 Mile Run	6 Mile Run/ Cross Training	10 Mile Run/ Cross Training	REST	Cross Training	Cross Training	3 miles Run

Week 27 Dec 29 – Jan 4 

Total Weekly Miles: 17

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
7 Mile Run	2 Mile Run/ Cross Training	4 Mile Run/ Cross Training	REST	Cross Training	REST	4 Mile Run

‘

Week 28 Jan 5 – Jan 11

Total Weekly Miles: 24.4

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
REST	REST	2 Mile Run	Rest	Walt Disney World 5K	Walt Disney World 10k	Walt Disney World Half Marathon

Week 29 Jan 12 – Jan 18

Total Weekly Miles: 34

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Walt Disney World Marathon	REST	2 Mile Run/ Cross Training	REST	2 Mile Run/ Cross Training	Cross Training	3 Mile Run

Tell me what you think about my training plan and tell me what plan your using.....