Meet my other Princesses

This might just be the cutest pitch you will ever see on this blog.

Next month, DisneyBride and myself will be running a race with our beautiful little nieces (ages 5 and 7).  You all know my Princess bride/co-blogger, of course, but these are the other two Princesses in my life.  No, not my brother... the shorter, cuter ones you see below.

'Uncle Wally' (me on right) and his adorable flower girls

This will be their FIRST of what we hope will be many, 5Ks. In true Running Happily Ever After fashion, we are of course all planning to run the event in costume.

Of the many races we have coming up this season, this one may be the one I am most looking forward to running.

One look at these big grins and you can guess why...

Now for the pitch I promised.

They are fundraising for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.  

Both are watching their donation page like hawks and are really excited to raise money and be able to help kids with cancer.  

Here is where I am hoping the very generous readers of this blog will help.  

I do know that as runners, we are generous.  We all run races for specific causes and sign up for virtual runs.  However, how often can you help a worthy cause and introduce two adorable girls to a lifetime of running joy?


Please consider donating $3.10 for each of our nieces (or $6.20) to their St. Jude fundraising page.  Click this link: walk.stjude.org/catebeth  or the image below. 

No donation is too small, and every penny adds up.  If you can't make a donation right now, you can still help by sharing this page. (Share buttons for Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and LinkedIn are at the end this post.)



We can't wait to head down for a visit next month and run this 5K with the girls.  Keep a lookout for a race recap with lots of pics.  



Now I need to decide on a costume.  Buzz Lightyear (my favorite of course), Goofy, a pirate, a superhero...  something else? Help me out...  

The girls are big Disney and Pixar fans like us - but we don't know what their costumes will be yet either. Of course, I am not so secretly hoping they will dress as their favorite Princesses, although the oldest is obsessed with Toy Story's Jessie and that works too.

Leave me a comment with some costume ideas for DisneyBride and myself.

Or tell us if you have ever run a 5K with kids.  How did it go?  

Also, please leave a comment if you make a donation or share our post.   

Our race with them is on October 26th so there is still a little time to make your donation.  You will have our thanks, the girls' thanks, and St. Jude's thanks of course.  But, I'll get DisneyBride to put together some kind of raffle/giveaway for the donors. So keep an eye out for that.

Happy Running!

-DisneyGroom   

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Esprit de She Countdown and Giveaway! {Closed}

This Giveaway has closed.  Check our most recent postings for other great giveaways.

40 Days! 

Just forty days until my Esprit de She run in Atlanta.  

There will be both a 5K and a 10K event, and I am signed up for the 10K.

I've done a few women's races before and they really are a lot of fun.  Women of all ages participate. No worries about your fitness level, as there is a great atmosphere of support for the competitive runners and the non-competitive alike.

Like many runners, I'm not big on race day surprises, so I wanted to learn more.  This is particularly true since this is my first Esprit de She event.  This video below from a previous event gave me a little taste of what I can expect.  Check it out! I'll wait while you do.

Pretty cool!  All the ladies are running, walking, enjoying the day, and just having a great time.  Probably the big difference will be is that the Atlanta race is at night.  But here are a few more details about the Atlanta event:

"Athleta Esprit de She features a signature post-race rendezvous complete with bubbly bar, tasty tapas and community market showcasing fresh produce, local artisans, creative projects and more." 

Tasty after-race treats!  Cool shopping!  What more could a girl ask for?

Oh yes, a swag bag...

"To complement the fun race experience, participants will receive a custom designed, tri-blend lifestyle tank as well as a stylishly functional race bag to use while shopping the post-race night market!"

I think the race itself will be fantastic but I am really looking forward to the whole trip.  I used to live in Atlanta, but haven't been there in many years - so this will a great chance to revisit some of my old haunts for a long weekend and enjoy a wonderful race.  Sounds like a great little racecation!

The wonderful team over at Lifetime Fitness and Esprit de She has generously offered a giveaway to you, our dear readers.  

Your choice of an Athleta shirt OR visor.

How do you score this awesome loot?  Well, just read the terms below and enter!  And please keep checking back on the blog for a race recap.

Terms of the Giveaway:

1) Giveaway begins Thursday September 26 and ends Thursday October 3rd at midnight. Winner will be announced on this blog, and notified on Friday, October 4th, 2013.

2) Must be 18 years or older to enter. Must be a U.S. resident. Winner must provide a US mailing address to receive prize.

3) Sign in through Rafflecopter below to enter. With your first entry, the app will only capture your e-mail or facebook name. This is so we can reach you if you win, in accordance with sweepstakes terms. We will ONLY use the info provided to contact you if you win.

4) There are additional opportunities for multiple entries.

5) Winner will receive their choice of an Athleta Esprit de She shirt OR an Athleta visor. 

6) One winner will be chosen at random using the rafflecopter app below.

7) In the event winner does not respond to contact attempts via e-mail or facebook name provided within a one week period, another winner will be selected at random. 

8) Void where prohibited.

GOOD LUCK!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclosure of Material Connection: No financial compensation was received. I received one free entry to the Esprit de She Atlanta event in exchange for my ambassador duties, which include promoting the Esprit de She race series via social media. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for our readers. All opinions stated on this blog are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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First Year Lessons

Almost one year ago we began the Galloway plan for the Princess Half Marathon.

In this past year I have learned many running-related lessons.  In a nutshell, these are my greatest takeaways from the last year.  I will likely write future posts expanding on each of these topics. 

Clubs or Running Groups
Local and in-person is best.  But online groups work too.  Make sure you associate yourself with people who share your enthusiasm for running.  Don't underestimate the knowledge you will gain, or the support and motivation you will receive.  Believe me when I tell you, that very soon - you will be the one sharing that new found knowledge and inspiring others.  There are many amazing running groups to join.  Seek out a few and don't hesitate to ask questions. Plus,  with your new network, you are almost guaranteed to find a friend at almost any race.  

Gear

I was the guy who ran in all cotton clothing and basketball shoes.  Get fitted for shoes. You will feel the difference immediately, if you are in the right shoes for you.  Getting fitted properly requires going to a running store.  Go to a large chain and you'll end up in shoes that will make your ankles bleed, or worse.  I still have scars.

My lovely bride recently pointed out that I am extremely picky about running gear - from socks to undergarments to shorts and shirts, not just shoes.  After much trial and error, I have found what I like.  Ironically, I have almost no clothing preferences outside of running; my work wardrobe sometimes makes poor DisneyBride cry.  

Nutrition

I have preferences on this as well.  Clif Bar Shot Blocks is what I am most comfortable with. But to this day, this is still the hardest part for me.  Mid-run nutrition is extremely important.  Find what works for you and be consistent.  It takes trial and error. Just don't try to make it through a long run without any food.  Find something with electrolytes, some calories, and make sure it works for you.  Further, don't try new products mid-race.  

I have really started to appreciate running more.  What started as a way to continue visiting Disney, and to get back into shape, has actually become an activity I enjoy.  

What are some of the running lessons you've learned this past year? 

-DisneyGroom  

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National Run at Work Day

I just found out about National Run at Work Day this week.  Not to be confused with National Running Day, which takes place in June.

I love this concept.  It brings awareness of our hobby/sport/self-imposed torture (take your pick) to your friends and co-workers.

We love to share our passion for running.  And it can be overwhelming at times to those that don't run to hear us ramble about negative splits, performance fabric, minimal vs. cushioned shoes, and so on.  So I've gotten more low-key about it... most of the time.  

But not today. 

Today is the day to shout from the roof-tops at your office:

I RUN!
  
It's awesome! 

Throw on a pair of shoes and join me!

Brooks Running has some great ideas to get your celebration on. Check out their list here: 5 ways to celebrate Run at Work Day

And because as runners we love accolades and awards.  There is this lovely virtual finisher ribbon, courtesy of US Road Sports.  Yes, just in case you have any remaining friends on Facebook that DON'T know you run - you can share this beauty here and proclaim that you are in fact, a runner. And you ran at work today.

So go on, get out and there and evangelize away!

I always run after work, but I did shut the door to my office, remove my high heels and jog in place between phone calls.  It counts! And I will be displaying my ribbon proudly on Facebook and tweeting that I #runatwork

Until next time, Happy Trails!
-DisneyBride

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Simple Hydration water bottle Review and Giveaway {Closed}

This Giveaway has closed.  Check our most recent postings for other great giveaways.

Today we are both reviewing the Simple Hydration water bottle. I love that this a small business.  The inventor of this bottle and owner of the company is an Ironman and runner. He took a lot of care in creating this design.  And I think it works great!







DisneyGroom:
This is a great bottle for a shorter run or perhaps for hike with the wife and friends. A large cap allows for the addition of ice and good access to clean the bottle. 

The lip does a great job of holding the bottle wherever it is placed. Even with the bounce in my stride, I never felt like the bottle was going to fall out. 

The manufacturer recommends that the bottle be tucked into shorts or tights that have a drawstring. Just make sure you don't tie the string too tight; you need to be able to get the bottle in an out without too much effort. 

As an added benefit, the bottle served as a constant reminder to keep proper form.

I carried the bottle in the small of my back, so it reminded me to keep my back straight. For runners like me, who struggle to keep good form, this was a nice additional benefit. The cold water also made me feel a little cooler on my hot, humid, North Florida runs. 

I used the bottle on several single track trail runs. I must say that before I headed out on the run, I was concerned that after a few minutes the bottle would be in my hand, not on my waist. Even as I slipped on the wet trail, the bottle managed to stay put. I really like having a bottle of water that I did not have carry in my hand. The bottle easily slipped in and out of the draw string of my running shorts.



 



DisneyBride:

Very handy to use! Will hold 13 ounces. This seems to be the perfect amount for a five to ten mile run. I would even say it can go further if there is a water fountain or someplace I can refill it during my run. For a distance in the double digits and no hope of a water station, I'd probably carry two of these. I've seen a few photos of athletes with the Simple Hydration bottle in Ironman events, running with two bottles tucked into the waist.

I wore mine tucked into a racebelt. It held snug on several long trail runs and during a local race.

The shape of the bottle fits comfortably - even if you decide just to carry it instead. It is a softer, more pliable plastic, and does not feel rigid like the Nalgene type bottles.  Look closely and you will see grooves in a pattern four across; these grips keep the bottle from getting slippery in your waistband or your hand.

Finally, it just pops in the dishwasher - so very easy to care for.

Pretty cool, huh? Want to win one? Check out our giveaway below to enter and win your very own!
 

Terms of the Giveaway:

1) Giveaway begins Friday September 6 and ends Thursday September 12th at midnight. Winner will be announced on this blog, and notified on Friday, September 13th, 2013.

2) Must be 18 years or older to enter. Must be a U.S. resident. Winner must provide a US mailing address to receive prize.

3) Sign in through Rafflecopter below to enter. With your first entry, the app will only capture your e-mail or facebook name. This is so we can reach you if you win, in accordance with sweepstakes terms. We will ONLY use the info provided to contact you if you win.

4) There are additional opportunities for multiple entries.

5) Winner will receive one (1) Simple Hydration water bottle. No cash value.

6) One winner will be chosen at random using the rafflecopter app below.

7) In the event winner does not respond to contact attempts via e-mail or facebook name provided within a one week period, another winner will be selected at random. 

8) Void where prohibited.

GOOD LUCK!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclosure of Material Connection: No financial compensation was received. We received two Simple Hydration bottles, one for review and one to giveaway. Regardless, weonly recommend products or services we believe will be good for our readers. All opinions stated are our own. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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