2014 New Years Resolutions

With 2014 already a couple days in, I have seriously been pondering what my New Years Resolution (aka
NYR) should be. This has been a toughie for me. But two nights ago when I met up with my favorite group of runners to start off the new year right with a run (well tapering for me.) I finally came up with my NYR!

I will need a drum roll please...…..

That's right! I want to run 1000 miles in 2014. Yes I am NUTS. But, by days end 1/12 I will have already 62.1 miles in! This should be a breeze….. I hope! But this isn't my only NYR for 2014 here are some other ones!

Being a better Blogger: I want to be myself but also like the women who inspired me to be a blogger. They have so much passion and love for what they do. I want that! This will def be a work in progress.

Design more: One thing a lot of people don't know is I LOVE design work. I love designing party invitations, cards, event programs. You name it I can do it. I have done some Christmas card work this past year for friends and family but here is our Christmas Card from this past year that I designed.

Be a better Puppy Mommy, Girlfriend, Sister and Daughter: My family means the world to me. So I want to be able to give them the time they deserve.

Learn more about photography: My mom bought me this Christmas a Canon Rebel SL1. I basically started crying when I opened it. I take a lot of pictures for my company for events etc. But I want to learn about lighting and the proper technique.

Of course NYR take time and practice, but fingers crossed these things can happen! Happy 2014! I will update you all in June on how all of this is going!

Until next time everyone! 

What are some of your New Years Resolutions? 

Did You Miss Me? Life/Training Update -- New Years Edition 2014!

Hi everyone! Man, I can't believe 2013 is over! And that I have been so MIA since Mid-October! First off let me apologize for my absence. Life happens and I am a firm believer that Family comes first. They took the front seat for a short time. But I am happy to be back up and running! So let me update you on some happenings in my life!

Life Updates: 

I went more to the blonde side. And I like it!

I FINALLY got my 2013 Coast to Coast Shirt in the mail! 

 

My little Stella had surgery and had to wear the 'Cone of Shame' for Halloween.... So we told people we dressed her up like a satellite dish.

 Bentley now thinks he is the 'King of the House' and proceeds to sleep on top of pillows like he is royalty or something. #Spoiled.

I had Fire Training at work and learned to put out fires. I really felt like a bad ass after it all.

 

Chris got me some flowers and a card. Just because. I really thought he did something wrong.

And Stella became a toy hoarder. We are currently seeking treatment for her 

hoarding tendencies now. 

Training Update: 

Joined a running/training group at Fit2Run. LOVE IT. And volunteered at the Ft. Myers Beach Half and Full Marathon! Best experience of my life.

I love donuts so much...But my coach said it is not part of my training plan. BOO

 Since my SERIOUS training started back in October (about 11 weeks), I have logged 258 miles. Stella wants to start running too. 

I FINALLY bought myself a Lululemon Scuba Zip Hoodie for WDW Marathon Weekend. Not to run in of course but to be cozy warm. Best part of this whole thing, I got it day after Christmas for $58.00

I also bought  some VIBRAMS! Aka my Tinger shoes. Love them.

 I don't run in them but I love them. 

 I also made some Christmas Cookies that my coach said I couldn't have..... Evil.

Be on the look out for my blog updates that will occur every 

Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday! 

Until next time everyone! 

I'm doing a Duathlon!

Happy Friday! Technically tomorrow is my Friday since I will be working an event at work until 10:00 PM tonight.... Tomorrow there will probably be no post seeing as I won't be home until 10:45 since I live a town over from my work. I'm exhausted thinking about it!

Courtesy of eliteevents.org

For the past couple months I've been toying with the idea of doing a Duathlon or a Tri. I purchased a bike about two and a half years ago. I rode pretty regularly, mostly every morning. Then I stopped. The last time I rode was on Thanksgiving of last year. We have a Thanksgiving race every year and you get a discount if you ride your bike. Gotta love discounts!

Anyway, I have been saying to Chris that I want to do a Duathlon. But my bike has been living at my parents house a half hour away. And last night my wonderful man borrowed his dad's truck and we dove to my parents and got my bike! YAY! I'm so excited!

For those of you who don't know what a Duathlon is, it is a race with two different activities. Biking and running. Once I start swimming again I will do a Tri, but for now lets stick with two things. They have a regular Duathlon and a Sprint Duathlon. And after much research I have decided to take part in the Christmas Sprint Duathlon by Elite Events on Sunday December 15!

1 mile run (Courtesy of eliteevents.org)

10 mile bike (Courtesy of eliteevents.org)

3 mile run (Courtesy of eliteevents.org)

I am so over the moon about doing my first Duathlon. There is a little less then 2 months or 8 weeks until this event. I am so excited and can't wait to get out on the road!

I know this is not the Friday Fab 5 but this is way better!! Oh and don't forget to sign up for my Runners Wonderland Give away!! Check out the post and how to sign up here!

Until next time everyone!

QOTD: Have you ever done a Sprint Duathlon? Do you have any tips? 

Tuesday Ramblings

A lot of you must be wondering where in the world I have been! Can I just tell you how CrAzY my life has been. Between events at work, gym time, spending time with Chris and the dogs, I am usually asleep by 9:00 PM. So tonight I am going to get you up to speed on whats going on in the world of Kylee!

It is event season here in South Florida. I work in Naples. And in Naples October through April is considered event season. This is how non-profits survive here. Fundraisers are being held on a nightly basis with tickets ranging from $50.00 to $2500.00 per person. And since I work at a local non-profit and because we have an event space there has been an event every night this past two weeks. I am exhausted.

I am obsessed with Dancing with the Stars, Grey's Anatomy and Scandal. I have watched every season of Grey's, and have watched every Monday of DWTS and Scandal is my newest addiction this year. Monday's and Thursday's I find myself curled up in bed watching my shows.

I am LOVING fall fashion. It got down to 60 the other night. Which here in FLA doesn't require a jacket and I quickly got out my scarfs and boots. And by 9:30 AM it was already 80 degrees. It was short lived but it was amazing.

How's your training going? Mine is going good so far! I've been at the gym 3 days a week, running on Wednesdays and races on the weekends. I had a sunset 5k Sunday night. Look for that recap tomorrow. Plus I have my 10 mile race this weekend! AHH!

Until next time everyone! 

QOTD: What do you want to ramble about this Tuesday?  

Fit 4 Fun Thursday: Swim at Your Own Risk!

I think I have my stride back! Last night was my normal run group 5k at my local Fit2Run store! Can I just say how much I LOVE and OBSESSED with this store and the people that work there? I have met so many neat and very cool runners over the past couple months runner with this group of people.

It has been almost a month since I have been to a Wednesday night Fit2Run Fun Run. I was there a week before I left for California. So it was so nice to see all my friends I haven't seen in a while. I almost didn't go because it literally had been raining and lightning since 2:30 PM. But I got dressed and headed to my run club

This Wednesday was super fun because it was a beach themed run. So I pulled out my bikini and wore it over my running clothes! It was really awesome if I do say so myself. This week was a lazy week for some people because it was raining so they skipped. Basically not our usual crowd. But I did make a new friend though! Her name is Jill and she is a local runner and LOVED runDisney like me! I know she and I will be fast friends!

Courtesy of Fit2Run Coconut point

It was also nice to hang out and see my favorite running buddy and store manager Kimmi. She and I ran the entire course together doing 5:2 intervals. 5 mins easy run, 2 mins speed run. It was a littler different than I normally run but so glad I hung back with her!

What I found the most freeing was that I had no music, no watch and no interval timer and it was raining. There are all things I had never done before. I think it got me centered again. Right where I need to be.

I feel great after my running tonight. I hope I won't be sore in the morning, but I don't mind if I am because I think I have my stride back.

Until next time everyone! 

QOTD: Did you get in any mileage yesterday or today? 

Recap: Disneyland Half Marathon

Sunday morning my alarm went off bright and early at 3:00 AM. I was exhausted from the day before. Kelcy May was leaving to head back to the airport at 9:30 AM, so I knew I would have to kick my race into high gear so I could see her before I left.

I quickly got dressed and headed out to the Disneyland Hotel once more with my snack bag in hand. This morning was more organized then yesterday Disneyland 10k. I walked right to Corral C and sat on a curb to munch on some snacks.

The race didn't start for another hour so I started tweeting with some of my favs and called Chris to inform him that I was at the race and he should get out of bed because it was almost 8 AM EST. He said "Good Luck, I love you but you just woke the dogs up. And I am going back to bed.".

Finally Corral A went off and I got this sick feeling in my stomach. I think it was my nerves from this whole weekend. It was coming to a close and I had set out to do everything I wanted. There was only one catch, it was 13.1 miles away.

It was my turn to start and I knew I had to push myself a little harder but not burn myself out. intervals would start about a half mile in. When I woke up in the morning my legs where so tight. I didn't want to injury myself.

Miles one, two and three went by like nothing. Most of the course I had seen the day before because it was going though the parks. So I just enjoyed and looked around for things I hadn't seen the day before. It was a little different this time because I didn't have a camera with me to take tons of pictures.

By mile four and five we where out of the parks and in the city of Anaheim. This was the part I was most excited for. When we arrived in California we took a bus right from LAX to Disneyland. So I hadn't really explored the area. I slowed down my pace so I could enjoy the city.

Mile six rolled around and I had a god awful cramp in my left shoulder behind my shoulder blade that was coursing down my left arm. I quickly grabbed some Bio-Freeze from the medical tent and slathered it all over my shoulder and shoulder blade. One of the joys I had at mile six and a half was there where a group of people on the side of the road holding signs that said "Free Candy from Strangers" I laughed and saw a woman giving out some Twizzlers. It was exactly what I needed at that point.

Mile seven and eight I enjoyed some local high school bands along with some Hawaiian and Latin dancers. I really wanted to stop and dance with them. Mile 8.5 I started to see all these cars lined the side of the road. This was the most AMAZING thing I have ever seen in my life. for about two miles (or what seemed like two miles to me) there had to be like 250+ antique and souped up cars.

One random fact about Chris and I is we share a love for mustangs. My first car was a 2000 green V-6 mustang. Chris has a 2007 custom mustang. The joke around our house is that he loves that car more than he loves us (meaning me + Stella & Bentley).

I stopped my RunKeeper app on my phone and started snapping pictures as fast as I could. Soon it was mile nine and we where on a trail headed to the Angels Stadium. I could see it in the distance. I have run around the ESPN ball field but not and and actual MLB field. As we approached the field I heard all this screaming and cheering it was one of the biggest crowds I have seen cheering for runners. I saw some Boy and Girl Scouts, cheerleaders and marching bands. Then we headed into the stadium.

I felt like a super star. Everyone was screaming and cheering it was the most amazing feeling in the world. I took tons of pictures on my phone after stopping my RunKeeper app one last time. We headed out of the Angels stadium and I saw the Mile 10 sign. From mile eight to nine was the shortest mile by far to me. I took a deep breath and said to myself "Ky, you have a 5k to go and your done.".

Off I went as far as my little sore legs would take me. Miles 11 & 12 took us near the high way and I swear I passed our hotel in the process. I looked down at my watch and it was about 8:30 I knew I needed to pick up the pace if I wanted to see Kelcy May before she left and I had one mile to go.

I saw the mile 13 sign in the distance and at the same time I heard a scream (only my sister can do) say "Ky-Ky!" and a huge smile and wave. Kelcy May and Mama where near the finish line. I ran over said hello. Kelcy looked at me and said "Your hurting huh?" I smiled and said "Only .1 to go." and off I went to the finish line.

I crossed the finish line with a time of 2:54:32 with an average pace of 13:19 a mile. I had FINALLY completed the runDisney Coast to Coast Challenge and the Inaugural Disneyland Dumbo Double Dare.

Overall: I think the course was great. It took me through a city I have never seen before. Some parts of the city where nicer than others, but who doesn't have that problem? I wish there had been a couple more medical tents seeing as it was very hot for some people. I luckily trained in heat and was prepared for it. I would for sure go back and do the Disneyland Half Marathon again.

Until next time everyone! 

QOTD: Did you do the Disneyland Half? What did you think of it? 

Countdown to Disneyland!

Well we are all days away from boarding planes and heading to Disneyland. Unless you are already there. If you are, I am super jealous! I am one of the lucky 5,500 (give or take) runners taking part in the inaugural Dumbo Double Dare!

Packing, laundry and preparations have begun at our house. Chris will not be taking part in this race weekend. Someone has to stay home and watch the furbabies! But Mama is coming with me! Tons of pictures will be taken and I will probably get lost a time or two because neither Mama or myself have ever been to California!

Trying to pack for a destination race is something I have never done before. And as I started last night I quickly became overwhelmed. I will have a backpack and my carryon luggage. We will only be there for a short time and having to change planes twice, I am afraid to check it!

So with this short little post today, have you started packing yet? Do you have any tips on packing?

Until next time everyone!

QOTD: How do you pack for a destination race? 

I Don't Break Running Records.

Happy Tuesday everyone! I hope you got motivated yesterday. I have been a little less motivated than normal. Hopefully it is because I am really excited about the Disneyland Half! It is only just 9 days away. But I did get some mileage in this morning even though I went to bed later than normal. Mostly because my favorite show Mistresses was on last night.

2013 WDW Half Marathon Retreat

I realized the other evening as I sat down to write my post that a lot of you don't know my whole running story. Some of you may have seen some little snippets in my first post Get to know Me ABC!, so here is some information for you. I AM NOT A FAST RUNNER. I run for the joy, the wind in my hair and the fresh morning air. If I am pushing myself I run a 9:50 min mile. But I am comfortable at a 10:25/10:35 min mile. I like to sing when I run. It helps me know that I am running at a comfortable pace.

2011 PHL Broad Street Run (10 Miler) 

2011 Wine & Dine Half Marathon

I started running after I broke my foot and ended my ballet career. I had graduated and needed something to calm my mind. I started to run (kinda). I was running about a week when I decided to sign up for my first race. The 2010 Halloween 8k. I nearly killed myself. And my time was HORRIBLE! I finished the race in 1 hour. I finished second to last. Completely defeated I started to Crossfit everyday. My second  race was almost a month and a half later and I blew that 5k out of the water with a time of 31 mins. From there the rest is history.

2012 Tower of Terror 10 Miler

2011 Run for Paws

As I said earlier, I am not a fast runner. Time for me is an added bonus to the run. If I do well that's awesome. If I am a little off, well there is always the next race. I want to inspire people to run for fun, health and for some women and men their sanity. I know that I sometimes just need to get out on the road to clear my head. Otherwise I will be in jail for murdering Chris, KIDDING! One thing that I always say is, If you're going to run, at least do it with a smile. 

2011 Tough Mudder Atlanta

Until next time everyone! 

QOTD: Why do you run?