Nike Women's Half Marathon DC - Pros & Cons

I'm still waiting for some race photos to come up for my full recaps. Plus it's Friday, who wants to read a huge long post on Friday? So today I will leave you with my Pros & Cons of the Nike Women's Half Marathon DC.

Lets start with what needs improvement.

Cons:

• Expotique Crowding: Fitting 15,000 runners plus their guests into a few tents in Georgetown for the expotique seems like a logistical nightmare. It was so crowded I could barely move to see what was going on.
• Port-a-Pottie Availability/Lines: Lets be honest, women have to go to the bathroom all the time as it is. Make that 15,000 women who have been hydrating for race day? Yikes. 
• On Course Crowding: A wave start was implemented this year but I felt the course didn't really thin out until mile 7. Even then I was still weaving through people.
• Preparedness at Water/Food Stations: At some of the later water stations I filled my own water cup because the volunteers couldn't keep up. After the race the volunteers were having trouble getting all the food bags ready to keep us moving as well.
• Availability of Merchandise: You could pre-purchase a lot of race merchandise online which I thought was great, but if you didn't order right away a lot of it sold out. Luckily most of it was available at the Nike Georgetown store. Things like finisher gear was only available at the finishers tent after the race where I head a lot of gear sold out early. There was also some online, but again, it sold out quickly. If you're a local, you could head back to the Nike store for finisher gear in the days after the race but unfortunately that isn't the case for everyone.

Now onto the good stuff!

Pros:

• A Race Specific App: This is where you can find everything from course info to your race pass to pick up your packet. Later it held your results & finishers photos. 
• Fast/Easy Packet Pick-Up: Scan my race pass from my phone, check all my info on the screen in front of me. Done. Easy.
• Perfect Weather: I know you can't control this one, but it really just made race weekend that much better. Temperatures were beautiful for walking around Georgetown on Saturday then cooled off just enough for the race Sunday. 
• Fast and Flat Course: There was minimal elevation change throughout the course.There weren't any spots that suck out as making me think "OMG I can't make it up this hill." 
• On Course Support/Entertainment: Except for the stretch on the Potomac Golf Course, there were spectators cheering you on everywhere! In addition to the spectators were awesome drum lines along the course to get you pumped up.
• Volunteers: All the volunteers were so helpful and friendly throughout the entire weekend. 
• Water/Fuel: On course fueling and food was fantastic. There was water or Nuun every 2 miles. Whole Foods handed out orange slices and chocolate on the course in addition to there being mini Luna bars and Cliff shot blocks.
• Marketing/Branding of Race Weekend: Nike knows what they're doing people. It was an event not a race. From personalized message boards with your name, to race merchandise I'll actually want to wear again.
• Free on Course Photos: Kudos to Nike on this one. All your photos are delivered directly to you We Run DC app and can be downloaded for FREE from there.
• Finishers Necklace: Come on, did you really think I was going to forget about the best part? The Tiffany's finishers necklace! It's beautiful and I never want to take it off. 

QOTD: Have you run a Nike race either in DC or San Francisco? What do you think is done well or needs work on?

Lauren

Nike Women's Half Marathon DC- #RunnersLove Meetup & Expotique

I can't believe race weekend has come and gone already! Last Friday night, Bryan and I made the drive from New Jersey down to Virginia. A few of my friends from college live in the area so we were able to stay with one (and her new dog!) Friday night. 

#RunnersLove

Saturday morning we drove into Georgetown around 10:00/10:30 for the #runnerslove meetup at Sprinkles. Just driving around you could see the masses of runners making their way to packet pickup and the Expotique. As we got to Sprinkles, there were even more amazing #runnerslove ladies taking over the cupcake shop. A huge THANK YOU to Kristy and Meg for organizing this get together. We all chatted for a bit, ate cupcakes and got to know each other. Since it was so beautiful out we moved outdoors to a cute garden down the block. After a while we all parted ways, I needed to go pick up my packet!

Nike Women's Half Marathon everywhere!

We didn't make it down to packet pick up without a pit stop at the Nike store. I had pre-ordered items online but there was still a water bottle that I had my eye on. I got into the store and to the right was a wall lit up with the course map and the TIFFANY NECKLACE that we'd be receiving the next day! Sidenote: I've been so obsessed with this pattern, I wanted to get my nails painted with in it. You can't imagine how excited I was when I saw it was going to be our medal!

I'm famous!

After snagging my water bottle, I headed outside to find my name on the We Run DC wall. Holy crowds batman. There's girls everywhere with their eyes fixated on the wall scanning for their name crossing up and down the sidewalk in front of it, guilty! It took me a few minutes, but there I was!

Everything moved quickly even though there were a good amount of
people in each area

Now that that was done, on to packet pickup! I was expecting a HUGE line to get my bib at noon on Saturday, but I was in and out withing 5 minutes, it was seamless. First, you'd go to the packet pickup tent, there you scanned your race pass from your We Run DC app and all your information appeared. Once you confirmed all the information was correct, you were given your bib, pace bracelet, and all other info, then directed to go to the next tent to pick up your shirt. Again, I walked right in, up to the counter, the girl checked my bib for my shirt size and I was off. 

Unfortunately for me, that's where the "busy but moving quickly" stopped. We passed the "We Run" sign on the way down to the expotique. The line to take a picture with the sign was 45 minutes long. I won't even wait that long for character pictures in Disney! I kept moving down to the expotique tent which was PACKED. I did love the personalized sign with your name when you walked in. Besides that there were so many people I could barely move, let alone see what was going on. If I wasn't visiting friends as well I might have stayed a little while longer and tried to check out the products. I decided I got what I needed and it was time to go catch up and relax with my college friends. 

Ready for race day!

Nike knows what they're doing when it comes to race weekends, but my biggest problem was SPACE. You have 15,000 runners plus whoever their traveling with and there are only a few tents and a store for expo/packet pick up. Georgetown can be a logistical nightmare before you add that many extra people in. I would've loved to have been able to actually move in the expotique and not feel like I was fighting crowds almost the entire time. In hind sight, I probably would have taken Friday off of work, come down early, and gone to the expotique Friday afternoon. I would imagine the crowds would've been much less then. Besides that I really can't complain. Nike is a marketing/branding genius and knows how to cater to the women running their races. 

QOTD: Have you ever experienced an overly crowded expo? How does it effect your race weekend?

Lauren 

I'm Still Here!

Sorry I've been MIA the past few days. I've been trying to get back into my routine after my weekend in DC for the Nike Women's Half Marathon! It was an amazing weekend with beyond beautiful weather, new friends, and old friends. I'll have recaps up later this week. Until then, I'll leave you with my awesome view from the start area. I hope everyone has a great week!

Good Morning, D.C.!

Lauren

QOTD: What do you do to help get back into your routine after coming back from a racecation?

Where in the (Walt Disney) World Wednesday-Wild Africa Trek

In honor of Earth Day yesterday and Animal Kingdom's 16th birthday, today's post is featuring the Wild Africa Trek! 

Wild Africa Trek is "a privately guided VIP expedition offering close encounters with exotic African wildlife in their native habitat." The cost for the trek is NOT included with your park admission. Prices can range from $189-$249 per person. In order to participate you must be at least 8 years old, 48" tall, and between 45 and 300 lbs. Each trek lasts approximately 3 hours. All of these restrictions are in place for guest safety to ensure everyone has the safest and most fun possible.  

There are multiple trek times throughout the day so you may pick what is most convenient for your schedule. Ours started around 12:30, in July. Guys, I don't know if you've heard, but Florida in the summer is HOT. If you're susceptible to overheating easily an early morning trek might be better for you. Also, it rains EVERY DAY during the summer around 3:30/4:00. If you did your math correctly we were handing in our gear at the end of our tour just as the afternoon storm was starting. Had we started 30 minutes later we would've been caught out in the rain on our trek. 

I've got my princess pose going on

I was lucky enough to be able to do this with my Mom and Bryan while she was down visiting. We're always looking for new activities to try out and there was an awesome cast special on the trek so we took the plunge! I'm normally not a big outdoorsy girl, ironic I was working at Animal Kingdom, so I didn't go in with high expectations for our trek.Let me tell you, to this day, the Wild Africa Trek has been one of my favorite Disney experiences. 

Cheesin' for the camera

You start by meeting your guide and anyone else who has signed up for the same time slot as you. Groups are limited so the size won't get too large, but you may luck out and have the tour to yourself occasionally. Once everyone has assembled you're brought to a back stage area where you're fitted for a harness and a vest. You're also gifted Wild Africa Trek water bottles as souvenirs so you can fill them up to use during the Trek. At this time there's also lockers you can put your belongings in since they suggest not to take anything that doesn't have a strap on it. To start the tour everyone is given a whisper set (those wireless headphones your see tour groups wearing) so your guides can communicate with you. Two guides will accompany you and will alternate between taking photos the entire time. About 2 weeks after the tour a photo disc with said photos will be mailed to your home. 

Bridge 1 of 2

Once everyone was settled we were off! We made our way into another backstage area and stopped briefly to discuss some strategically places animal skulls. After a quick photo op we made our way to the first rope bridge. I love ropes courses, zip line, things of that nature so I was excited for this part. If you're ever on the safari you might notice some people climbing over you or hanging out above the alligator enclosure. This is where that happens folks. You're sent across the bridge by the guide and as soon as you reach the platform, there's another bridge for you to cross! Once both bridges were completed we were high above the alligators and got to learn more about them. 

The wilderness must be explored!

After that we made our way through the woods to appear at a truck waiting to whisk us away. This time we were brought over to that random hut in the middle of the savanna on the safari (ahhh it makes sense now). At this point we had been on the tour for about an hour so we got a break to have a snack, use the bathrooms, and take advantage of the viewing platforms.

Our snack came in these cool metal canisters which held perfect portions of prosciutto, melon, curried chicken salad, shrimp, hummus & pita, and smoked salmon. There were also pitchers of Jungle Juice, that same one served at Boma breakfast or water to refill your bottle. 

The OCD side of me loved this

The break was amazing because you're right in the middle of the action and have incredible views of the animals. There was a platform you could venture too off the back of the hut that brought you right to where the rhinos were.  

They were RIGHT THERE!

After about 30 minutes or so we were back onto our truck. This time for a private safari tour. What's different about this than just taking the safari is since you're in a truck, they can drive off the road and up closer to the animals. Our guides also had more in depth knowledge of the safari and its inhabitants that they were able to share. It became more of a conversation that a tour or ride. We were again, able to get closer to the animals than you'd be able to on the safari. 

Watching the Safari check out the Safari

Once our safari tour was complete we made our way back to where we got fitted for vests and harness in order to turn them back in and collect belongings. Before you go it's explained that a portion of your trek fee will go towards animal conservation. Here you can select which wildlife you'd like your money to go towards. 

All in all, the Wild Africa Trek is a unique experience that gets you backstage and lets you see the animals in a new way. It's great for those who like adventure and being active. The price tag can get hefty for a family on top of park admission, but if you ever have the chance to do it, I'd absolutely try it at least once. 

Lauren

QOTD: Have you ever done the Wild Africa Trek or is it on your Disney wish list?

Marathon Monday

I don't know about you guys, but I've been glued to my computer screen all morning watching the Boston Marathon. The elite runners are no joke! I'm not tearing up watching them cross the finish, I just have something in my eye. All the excitement and the hype is the perfect kick-off to my week. 

Tomorrow starts general registration for Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend! Considering it's an anniversary year for the Goofy Challenge I'm thinking that will sell out quickly. Disney knows how to hook us runners with those spinner medals! I'm sure watching the marathon today has also inspired some people to sign up for the WDW marathon tomorrow as well. Boston's ok, but you don't get to ride Expedition Everest halfway through. I know it's going to be hard, but I have to resist the peer pressure to sign up tomorrow!

Don't forget if you do decide to sign up tomorrow to have your active.com password ready. If you don't already have an account, make one now! Keep checking, you can sometimes sign up a few minutes before registration "officially" opens. Also, Disney Visa Card (and debit card) holders, use the first 4 digits of your card for a discount on your registration. It hasn't been confirmed yet, but I was able to get $15 off my TOT registration that way. Give it a try, it can't hurt.

This Friday, I set off to DC for the Nike Women's Half Marathon! I have to admit I'm kind of freaking out since I've been sick/had the WORST allergies since last week. Lots of sinus pressure, post-nasal drip, yum, all that good stuff where I sound like I smoke 5 packs a day and breathing is sometimes questionable. AHHHHH! I've been trying every trick in the book to get myself to where I need to be in order to run on Sunday. If worse comes to worse I will power walk those 13.1 miles to get my Tiffany necklace!

QOTD: What running events are you looking forward to this week? Will you be signing up for WDW Marathon Weekend?

Lauren

Unite 8K Race Recap

Sunday morning I was able to wake up, get ready, and get out the door within 30 minutes. Bryan, being the awesome sport he is, got up early with me to be my cheer squad. The drive to the race was only 30 minutes, so we arrived at Rutgers and parked at the football stadium by 7 am. There were a few lots in which you could park, some closer to the start and some by the finish. There were shuttles running between all the lots and the start/finish as well. We chose to park closer to the start line since the walk back from the finish was only a mile and would be a nice cool down post-race. 

The walk up to the start area was quick and easy to find since it was where packet pick up was the day before. There were plenty of port-a-potties to use before the race as well as water stations, and a DJ. The Rutger's Knight (their mascot) was also wandering around taking pictures and giving out high fives. I was a little chilly waiting for the race to start, but once I got going the temperature was absolutely perfect in the mid-50's.

Waiting to Start!

The half marathon started first at 8am. The half started out in one direction, then 10 minutes later the 8K participants lined up in the opposite direction since our course was the back 5 miles of the half. Everything was very casual and just feel into place wherever you felt comfortable. 

I started off faster than I should have, 9:45/mile, waaaay too fast, I just get too excited! I dropped down to about 10:30 which was still a full minuter faster than I should have been running but more comfortable. I was feeling good and decided to just run and see how I felt. The course started on Rutger's campus, then took you into a local park. There were a few bands along the course from polka to rock. There was more on course support closer to campus but inside the parks was pretty and I just enjoyed the run.

I ran the first 2.5 miles without stopping until I hit the first water stop. I walked through and then started my intervals. I feel into a nice groove just enjoying the scenery and listening to my music. After the park we crossed an overpass bringing us up a slight hill towards another park. 

Yelling to get Bryan's attention, typical.

At mile 3.5, just as I was making my way up to the 2nd park I spotted Bryan making his way to see my at the finish line. It couldn't have worked out any better if we had tried! I yelled "Am I going to beat you to the finish!?" worrying he wouldn't see me.

We were looped through park #2 which was flat and fast like the majority of the course. I was making my way out towards the road to the finish when I spotted the first half marathoners. They were just making their way into the park which was about mile 11 1/2 for them. Those guys are speedy!  

Coming out you had to take on a slight uphill back onto campus. That uphill is not what you want to tackle towards the end of a race. I had tried to open up my shot blocks prior to this but my darn sweaty hands wouldn't let me. I could have used that extra fuel for the last mile! Anyways, I powered up the hill to finish my interval and then took a quick walk break. Just enough time to catch my breath because I knew the finish line was close! 

The nice part about that uphill was the glorious down hill that just propelled you through the finish line. I think all races should finish on a downhill, it was that extra speed and boost I needed to cross the finish! I crossed at 55:16, which I was very happy with! I had predicted I would finish in 55:00-1:00:00 and was happy to be on the lower end of the estimate. Considering I didn't have a goal for the race besides "let's see what happens" I couldn't complain. 

That bad boy is as big as my wine & dine medal!

I crossed through the finishers chute, received my HUGE medal, and then headed towards the tent housing post-race food. Everything was already pre-packaged with volunteers ready to hand them to the runners coming in. Super easy and no wait time. Further down there was also free hot chocolate for finishers but I decided to pass since it had warmed up to the 60's and hot chocolate isn't exactly what you want when you're hot and sweaty. 

SUPER excited about the post-race pretzel

Everything came pre-packed for
easy carrying (minus the pretzel that I inhaled)

I found Bryan shortly after and we headed back towards the finish line to watch the rest of the 8K runners come through and some fast half marathoners! I was ecstatic to find that a SOFT PRETZEL was one of our post race goodies-YUM! Except there was no cheese sauce-oh wait this isn't Disney. I think I'll write RunDisney and let them know they should start including Mickey pretzels in our runner boxes. 

These girls were AWESOME! They had so much energy at mile 11 of the half.
Their signs say "Run now, wine later" and "Punch for power" and the runners would
punch her sign as they ran past

After I had stretched and refueled enough we started our stroll back to the parking lot. It brought us right along the course so we were able to continue cheering on other runners all the way back to the car. As I was cheering and clapping for the half marathoners, they were congratulating me for my race while they were still running! Guys, this is why I love the running community. We're all pretty awesome and supportive if I do say so myself. Go ahead, give yourself a pat on the back. 

So for $59 (plus processing) I received a huge medal, a tech shirt in a women's cut (yay for a shirt I can actually wear again!), FREE finisher photos (that'r right, multiple! Any finish line photo is free for you to download), a complimentary coffee mug, packet pick-up was a breeze, parking and transportation were equally as easy & free, the course was fast and flat (except for that last mile uphill!), the volunteers were great (all enthusiastic Rutger's students) and I lucked out with beautiful weather. My only complaint of the whole race was that there was only water on the course, no gatorade/powerade. Even at the finish only water bottles were provided. Luckily I had left some gatorade in the car but I was really wanting it right after I had finished considering it started to get warmed a lot from the start of the race.

Overall, with only 6,000 runners between the half and the 8K the field was big enough but not overwhelming. I would absolutely recommend this race to someone else in the future. Who knows, maybe next year I'll tackle the half instead. 

Lauren

QOTD: What are some of your favorite local races?

Liebster Award

Firstly, thank you to the wonderful Lauren at Lauren's Glass Slipper for nominating me for the Liebster Award! Being new to the blogging community I think this is an excellent way to reach out to one another and learn about new blogs in the process! The rules of the Liebster Award are as follows:

1. You must link back to the person who nominated you
2. You must answer the 10 Liebster questions given to you by the nominee before you
3. You must pick 10 bloggers to be nominated for the award
4. You must create 10 questions for your nominees
5. You must go to their blogs and notify the nominees

So without further ado, here are my questions from Lauren.

1. So far, what is your favorite race that you have run and why?

Considering I'm still pretty new to running I've only run a few races, I would have to pick Wine & Dine. It was my very first half and I got to run in with my best friend. Not to mention where we met/worked/lived together in one of our favorite places. 

2.What is your favorite childhood memory?

This is a hard one! I might have to go when my brother and I found out we were getting a puppy when I was 7. My mom and dad told us we were going out for ice cream but we were driving for a long time to just get ice cream. We pulled up to a house and when we went inside PUPPIES!!! Oh. My. God. I was in heaven. My parents had already picked out which black lab would soon be ours and my brother and I got to meet him and play with some of his puppy brothers and sisters. A few weeks later, Bubba was waiting for me as I got off the bus from school in all his fluffy puppy glory. My brother and I grew up with him, he was often called a "labopotomous" because he was so big. He was a gentle giant though and was a part of our family until he passed away my freshman year of college.

3.What is your favorite thing about blogging?

I love the sense of community and support everyone gives to each other! The majority of us have never even met in real life yet we're there for each other giving support during the hard times and cheering each other on for our victories.

4.What are you most passionate about?

This is an easy one actually! In no particular order..

Disney:

I grew up visiting Disney, it was my first job after I graduated college, it's where I met my boyfriend, and it's what got my into a more active lifestyle. Disney is my happy place :)

Italy/Italian:

I took Italian language classes beginning in 7th grade all the way through high school, and for a few semesters in college. I studied abroad in Rome for a summer and feel even more in love the Italian lifestyle. I'm always yearning to go back to Italy, eat good food, drink good wine, and speak with the locals. 

Food/Cooking:

This is my Italian blood, I love to eat and cook. You're sad? You eat. You're happy? You eat. You know how I love you? I cook for you. I'm one of those people who's thinking about what I'm having for lunch while I'm still eating breakfast. Food & Wine at Disney? Fuggedaboutit, t's almost better than Christmas. 

and puppies...because, puppies. 

Source

5. What is your dream job?

If someone would pay me to eat and travel I would be in heaven. Like what Samantha Brown from the Travel Channel does, going all over the world reviewing these amazing vacations? Yes please. Sign me up. Hey Travel Channel, give me a call ;)

6. If a movie were to be made about your life, what celebrity would play you?

I would have to pick Jennifer Lawrence not because of any sort of resemblance but because she's such a hot mess and I  love it. Maybe I love it because I'm a bit of a hot mess myself. I too love food and being sarcastic and often trip while walking down the red carpet. Ok I've never walked the red carpet but I would most likely trip if I did, but I do laugh at myself when I trip up stairs.

Source

7. If you could have played a character from any movie, who would you pick?

I might have to go with Heromine from Harry Potter just because who wouldn't want to be a witch, go to Hogwarts and be best friends with Harry Potter? Plus she's super smart and sassy which I think is a wonderful combination. 

Runner up (because I'm indecisive) would be Princess Anne from Roman Holiday because I love Audrey Hepburn. She also gallivants around Rome with a handsome gentleman. Sign me up.

8. What is your favorite Disney movie and why?

I would have to pick Meet the Robinsons. I feel like it's underrated as far as Disney movies go, but whenever I need some cheering up this movie always does the trick.

Source

9. What is the #1 race on your bucket list?

Gahhh, this is a hard one. I feel like there are so many great races I have yet to experience. For a Disney race I'd have to say the Glass Slipper Challenge (I know that's more than one technically!) For non-Disney I'd have to go with the Rome Marathon, because, you know...Italy and running. I'm in no way ready to tackle a marathon yet but when I'm ready to I think Rome would be the most amazing place to do so.

10.If you could choose one food to have zero calories, what would it be?

Pizza. I could eat pizza every single day and not get sick of it. Actually, I think I did have pizza every day when I was in Italy.I would've loved for it to have zero calories then. Oh well, do as the Romans do. 


Drum roll please! My nominations for the Liebster Award are:

1. Kathryn at From Dancing to Running
2. Lacey and Meranda at Fairytales and Fitness
3. Megan at I Run for Wine
4. Patty at My No-Guilt Life
5. Pam and Christine at We Run Disney
6. Kristy at Kristy Runs Kato
7. Carlee at Be the Change
8. Julie at Run. Walk. FASTPASS. Repeat
9. Kristin at Bamagirl Runs
10. Ali at MSPrun

Now for the hard hitting questions:

1. Why did you decide to start running?
2. What would your best piece of advice for a new runner be?
3. If you had 3 wishes, what would they be?
4. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live and why?
5. Dog or Cat?
6. If you were an Olympic athlete, what event would you compete in?
7. What can always make you smile?
8. Favorite flavor of ice cream?
9. Have you ever been fired from a job?
10. Tell us something we might not know about you from first meeting you!

You can go ahead and ask me ANY of the questions above!

Lauren