Star Wars Half Marathon weekend: the costume quandary

I love Disney. I love Star Wars. I love half marathons. And I love making costumes. So prepping for this race was, for me, all about the costumes.
From the very beginning, I dreamed big. Since we had two races, we had two opportunities for costumes! Wil wanted to run in his hilarious "Slave Leia" costume... but we feared that that might not be as family friendly as Disney would like. Besides, I couldn't quite figure out how I would construct -- or run in -- a Jabba the Hutt costume. I, on the other hand, really wanted to run as Boba Fett (my favorite character), and pitched the idea of Wil running as Han Solo in Carbonite. Somehow, Wil was opposed to that idea...
The obvious, super easy option was to run as a pair of Ewoks, but I knew there would be dozens of Ewoks and I didn't want that.
Then I veered to another of my favorite characters: Admiral Ackbar. Wearing a creamy white tunic was hard to stomach... but I would have, had I been able to figure out how I could craft a head that I would be able to run in. This made me so absurdly sad.
I even thought about my third favorite character, Wedge Antilles. But I didn't want to wear an all-orange outfit, and, really, it's only funny if you also have an x-wing attached to your body.
So, finally, last weekend, totally pressed for time, I settled on making Ewok costumes. But you know what? When I put light brown, doeskin / chamois on my head and cut an opening for my face... it looks an awful lot like a hijab. Now, I wouldn't mind if someone who doesn't approve of headscarves thought I was wearing a hijab. But I wouldn't want anyone to think I was mocking them.
I thought, well, maybe adding the ears will help.
Nope. Furry hijab.
At which point I decided to just pack it in -- i felt defeated, felt like I had failed.
I was truly, honestly sad about this, and confessed to Rebecca how sad I was. (All the while acknowledging that this was a Very Silly thing to be sad about.)
But at some point in over a very nice birthday lunch she said something about the Cheshire Cat costume I wore last year despite how simple it was to put together and BAM. I woke up on Thursday with an idea
I knew that in our costume vault I had a brown furry suit that I could use as fabric, though I wasn't sure quite what all I would do with it. I brought it upstairs and started plotting, then cutting, and made a few plans and a short shopping list for supplies.
After work I hit the fabric store, then set up my lovely new sewing machine and, literally, let the fur fly.
Three hours later, this:

I know it's not the best costume ever. It's not even my best costume ever. But it's funny, totally runnable, and it makes me happy. I might even wear it both days (apologies to my Boba Fett hoodie, but I will wear you in the parks, ok?)

Time Trial / Baseline

Before Wil and I headed out of town for New Years, I bundled up (it was c-c-c-cold!) and went to the high school track to take a baseline measurement: my time for a mile. 

I have never been fast. I doubt I will ever be fast. But one of my running goals this year is to run a mile in under 8 minutes. (Yeah, I know a lot of people for whom that is an easy pace. But I have to remember to run my own race.)

I walked briskly to the track, then finished warming up with a slow trot around the track, and then started my watch and took off running. 

Lap one:

Boy, it sure is cold. Maybe I should have warmed up more. My legs feel heavy. 

Lap two:

This was a dumb idea. Not sure I can run a mile today. Whine. 

Lap three:

Pant. Wheeze. Whimper. Why is this so hard today?

Lap four:

Leave nothing in the tank. But don't throw up. 

9:08. 

Not super consistent, split-wise, but I was pleased that my last lap was my fastest. 

I have a long way to go to drop over a minute off my time, but at least I know where I am starting!

Impressions of Paint Nite

A long time ago LSF Suz and I bought "deals" to go to Paint Nite -- one of those  group painting + drinks evenings. We didn't manage to actually SELECT a painting or an event until mid-December, but we finally went this week. 

We chose a painting called "Impressionist Winter":

The event was at the Ward Johnson Winery in Seattle. Instructor Gregory Copploe signed us in, got us settled, and pointed us to the bar. Clearly we were going to need a little liquid inspiration!

(We had a very nice Syrah, btw.)

Before this sort of event I am always anxious. Yeah, I know, dumb. The last time Suz and I went to a painting night (which was also the first time, I guess) there were a total of four people there... But this event was sold out - 40 people - and CLEARLY they would all point and laught at me, right?

But we settled in, sipped wine, gave each other puzzled looks ("where is purple supposed to go?!?"), and had an okay time. The instructor was funny and friendly, if a little overstretched with 40 pupils. We decided that he didn't give us much instruction because our paintings were SO DAMN GOOD. 

The best part was having a chance to spend an evening with Suz! That and doing something outside of my comfort zone. Oh, and did I mention that this crossed another "groupon" off my list?

Before:

After:

Happy artists:

2015 Race Ideas

there's a lotta potential here....

The start of the new year means ... there's a whole year worth of races to think about!!!

Of course, we already have some events planned (you know how fast a RunDisney race sells out), but there's still plenty of room in the calendar to fill in some other races, places, ... and states.

So, in a perfect world, here's how the year will shape up.

January

17	Star Wars 10K	Anaheim, CA	REGISTERED!!!
18	Star Wars Half Marathon	Anaheim, CA	REGISTERED!!!
24	Tukwila to Alki Half Marathon	Seattle, WA	I've wanted to run one of this guy's local races for years - maybe 2015 is the one!

February

1/31 - 2/08	Caribbean Running Cruise	Independence of the Seas	REGISTERED!!!
14	Woolley Runs Half Marathon	Sedro Woolley, WA	A small local race organized by a great local running club.

March

22

Cupcake Fun Run Half Marathon

Arlington, WA

We ran this a couple of years ago - great little race that raises money for a local charity. And cupcakes!!!

April

18	Earth Day Half Marathon	Seattle, WA	Part of a monthly race series that I've never managed to run. Nice to have a backup race for April.
25	Kentucky Derby Festival Mini-Marathon	Louisville, KY	This race is the same day as the Country Music Marathon... if I can swing working that race I *could* make it.

May

09	Tinker Bell 10K	Anaheim, CA	REGISTERED!!!
10	Tinker Bell Half Marathon	Anaheim, CA	REGISTERED!!!
16	Sage Rat Run Half	Sunnyside, WA	MASSIVE medals, and a fantastic local race
17	Sage Rat Dirty Rat 25K	Prosser, WA	Run 2 days, get three medals? Well, duh.
30	Self-Transcendence 7 Hour Ultra	Seattle, WA	Really intrigued by a timed event... can I keep moving for 7 hours?

June

13

Rock 'n' Roll Seattle Half Marathon

Seattle, WA

REGISTERED!!!

July

12

See Jane Run Half Marathon

Seattle, WA

I swore I would never run this race again, but there aren't a lot of other local halfs in July.

August

01	Race the Reserve Half Marathon	Coupeville, WA	I've considered this race for years -- nice scenery in a state park, plus the proceeds go to the Senior Class of the local high school.
15	Summer Fitness Day Half Marathon	Seattle, WA	Part of the monthly Magnuson race series that I've never managed to run. Maybe in August?

September

14	Day 1	Baker, MT	Center of the Nation Series I have thought about this series for a couple of years -- it would really help me fill in almost all of my remaining "middle" states. Less perfect this year, since it includes a 6th day in Colorado, but still a chance to re-visit places we went on our first road trip.
15	Day 2	Bowman, ND
16	Day 3	Belle Fourche, SD
17	Day 4	Sundance, WY
18	Day 5	Chadron, NE
19	Day 6	Sterling, CO

October

I'll be attending Shop.org in Philadelphia from October 5 - 7 ... so why not pick up some states? These are all potential races.

04	Hollidaysburg YMCAHalf Marathon	Hollidaysburg, PA	not likely...
05	Wineglass Half Marathon	Corning, NY	highest priority
05	Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon	National Harbor, MD	second choice
05	Grete's Gallop Half Marathon	NY, NY	not likely
11	Punxsutawney Shadow Run Half Marathon	Punxsutawney, PA	only for Punx.
11	Hartford Half Marathon	Hartford, CT	high priority
12	Shades of Death Half Marathon	Allamuchy, NJ	low priority
12	Newport Half Marathon	Newport, RI	high priority

November

07	In Unity We Run Half	Kent, WA	I've wanted to run one of this guy's local races for years - maybe 2015 is the one!
26	Wattle Waddle Half	Seattle, WA	Now THAT's what I call a Turkey Trot, eh?

December

12

Santa Runs Half

Tacoma, WA

We ran this in 2014, and enjoyed it, for the most part. So potentially this race in 2015.

2014 Race Roundup

I thought that I hadn't managed to run many races in 2014. Especially given how few miles I ran! But looking back, I still managed to run:

12 half marathons
3 10Ks
6 5Ks (including the 4 in day)

and I volunteered at a race, too.

Of course, the other "marathon" was the multi-day trek along the Inca Trail -- which was tough and well deserving of the medal, darn it! (And the one-day Rim to Rim trek in the Grand Canyon, which deserves a medal, even if we didn't have them!)

It's hard to pick my top three race moments, but here goes:

1. Indy Mini Marathon: seeing the first little sign that said, "SPEEDWAY" made my heart pound a little, and seeing the grandstands looming up in front of me made me cry. Then stopping to kiss the bricks made me a little euphoric. Plus I wore checkerboard knee-highs, so I think this was my favorite race this year.

2. Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon: running in the driving Santa Ana winds along the Santa Ana River Trail, and suddenly coming across a massive group of cosplayers in excellent costumes. I got lots of love for being dressed as Ms. Marvel ... especially from the ladies who were themselves dressed as Ms. Marvel or Captain Marvel.

3. Not a race, per se, but the Inca Trail Marathon Adventure: arriving at the Sun Gate on the fourth morning and suddenly seeing Machu Picchu... and bursting into tears. Dirty, dusty tears.

And now for some awards...

Best Costume: Hulk and Ms. Marvel, Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon

Hands down, our costumes for the Avengers Super Heroes Half were fantastic. I'm still super pleased how they turned out, despite being so simple.

Runner up: my Cheshire Cat costume for the Tinker Bell Half. Not the easiest thing to run in, but I looked great, right?

Best Learning Experience: Oso United Mudslide Benefit 5K

Me not knowing the course at the Oso Mudslide 5K ... missing the turnaround, and adding a quarter of a mile to the distance. I'd feel much worse about this if I hadn't managed to run a PR later in the year.

Best Race Mascot: Sage Rat Run Half Marathon

Okay, so it's the only race with a real mascot... but Dusty the Sage Rat from the Sage Rat Half Marathon was amazing.

Runner up: Blerches at the Beat the Blerch Half Marathon

Best Medal: Sage Rat Run Half Marathon

The medal from the Sage Rat Run Half is GINORMOUS and beautiful. I love this race! What's more, if you ran a race the second day, you earned a third mega medal. As they say, "don't wear these medals near water" -- you might drown.

Runner up: the medal from the Rock 'n' Roll Vancouver Half. I love those lions on the bridge!

Most Room for Improvement, Medal Category: Emerald City 10K

Yep, this medal has a typo on it. An otherwise handsome custom medal, spoiled by having the name of the city misspelled. Oops. And this isn't a photo of the finished product... it's clearly the design proof!

Best Race Shirt: Indy Mini Half Marathon

Admittedly, I'm never going to wear a red shirt. But the long-sleeve shirt from the Indy Mini Marathon is one of the best-looking shirts I've ever received. It's tech fabric without looking techy -- and is the sort of shirt you could wear in the real world without looking like a freak.

Runner up: the handsome, black and green technical long sleeve from the Beat the Blerch Half Marathon

Best Race Logistical Challenge: Daffodil 5K Challenge

I almost called this "Best Race Logistics", but that would be wrong. (The race had more than a few hiccups, but it was an ambitious race and I would hope they'd fix them for the 2015 running.) But moving from city to city to run 5Ks along 4 different parade routes, well, that was pretty fun -- especially while wearing these ridiculous daffodil hats. And we got to see princesses.

Best Race Branding: Flying Pig Half Marathon

Wow, did they have the branding down pat. The blend of a repeating race logo and a different twist on the theme every year, meant that they had a great range of merchandise at the expo, and everything looked great.

Runner up: Beat the Blerch Half Marathon ... which isn't surprising, because the race is based on the comic...

Best Post-Race Nosh: Marathon to Marathon

Every runner received a voucher good for either a post-race breakfast or lunch in the town auditorium. Omelets, pancakes, and hashbrowns cooked and served by local firemen, eaten at tables shared by the sweetest little old ladies imaginable.Perfection.

Runner up: Hagg Hybrid Half Marathon

After the race, the organizers served up breakfast (for those faster than us!) and then burgers and veggie burgers for lunch. We sat in the sun and ate and drank soda out of our very nice medals mugs.

Best Race-bag Swag: Flying Pig Half Marathon

In addition to a handsome "suitable for framing" print, a good-quality shirt, and a wide range of Proctor & Gamble Products, runners were given a "race premium" .... which I think was a waterproof backpack. Either that or a very smelly backpack. But I suspect it's waterproof.

Runner up: Boring Half Marathon

Another handsome race shirt, and -- I love this -- a BORING race sticker. I still can't believe more races don't make these.

Best Mid-Race Food: Beat the Blerch Half Marathon

Birthday cake? Nutella sandwiches? Grape soda? I had it all. AND managed not to throw up. Awesome.

Single Toughest Day: Rim to Rim Hike

To be brutally honest, I didn't know if we'd be able to do this. It was harder than we thought, but I think we did better than we feared. And coming out of the canyon at the Bright Angel Trailhead to cheers from our fellow trekkers -- and being greeted with a shot of tequila -- will stay with me a long time.

Best Run Over a Historic Bridge: Santa Runs Tacoma Donner and Blitzen 21K

We got to run over the Murray Morgan Bridge in Tacoma -- a beautiful old industrial bridge, now named after a local historian. Doubly sweet.

Best Race Featuring a Giant Inflatable Colon: Get Your Rear in Gear 5K

'Nuff said.

What was your favorite race moment in 2014? What awards would you give?

2015 Goals - looking ahead

Now, I know what you're thinking. "She didn't achieve SIX goals last year, only a paltry 3. How on earth is she going to achieve TEN?!?!?"

I decided that I wanted my goals to be both long-term and short-term, and give me different things I could focus on at different times. I feel like these give me a good opportunity to achieve different types of success throughout the year. So, in no particular order... (other than that I drew them in this order...)

1. Run 700 miles
You've heard this one before, of course. But if work on the other goals, I'll achieve this one. Of course, hitting this would mean running more than 2.5x as long as I ran in 2014. So this is a big, hairy, audacious goal. But a little cuddly on the inside. Or something.

2. Run 15 half marathons

This is a bit of a stretch -- except I have a plan that might just work. Besides, isn't it nice to think about the symmetry here? (Suz, I'm talking to you, here...)

3. Break 2:10 in a half marathon

This is a big stretch -- I haven't run close to that pace in nearly 2 years, but I think on the right day, on the right course, I could hit it. We'll see.

4. Run 15 in '15

Ahh, this. After my spectacularly poor performance in 2014, you'd think I wouldn't be fool enough to take this on again. And to add that additional mile. BUT this time I'm thinking about it differently. I'm giving myself a couple of "joker weeks" -- essentially, get out of jail free cards. And I'm going to try to achieve a lesser percentage of success, rather than 100%. So if I hit the mark 90% of the time, I'll still give myself an A. 80% will score a B, 70% a C, and so on. Yes, 2014 was a big, fat FAILURE. So the only way is up, right?

5. Run half marathons in 5 new states
Last year was about hitting some bucket list races... this year is about picking up new states and getting back on schedule. If all goes as hoped for and dreamed, I'll actually get one or two more states than this... but the stars will have to align.

6. Run a sub-8:00 mile

This is also a big tough goal. My fastest mile EVER was somewhere between 8:15 and 8:30. I never ever ever work on my speed. Nor do I ever run on a track. But I would like to try and run on a track every couple of weeks to do a touch of speedwork and improve my times. Some time in January I will run a "time trial" and see how far I have to go.

7. Break 1:00:00 in a 10K

A year ago I would have thought this was a real long shot. Except when we "took it easy" at the Tinker Bell 10K in January 2014 and ran 1:02 and change. Then a month later I ran 1:01 and change. So this year I'll run a couple of 10Ks and see if I can't get my time down a bit more. This one feels within reach.

8. Blog an average of 2x / week

This shouldn't be difficult -- but I would like to develop the discipline of blogging more often... and about more than just race reports. (Thanks for the tough love, Suz!)

9. Run a 5K PR

If I work on my speed even a little, this one shouldn't be too tough. My current 5K PR is 29:32; anything under that will feel like a big win.

10. Run to work 50 times

Other than that I'm lazy, that I hate carrying stuff on my back while I run, and that it's pitch black in the mornings right now, there's no reason that I don't run to work more often. So this goal is just to push myself to do it once a week or so.

You'll notice that I don't have any non-running goals (well, other than this running blog!). I thought about adding in something about cross training, improving my flexibility, etc. But then I figured that I'm tracking some of those in my 101 in 1001 project, so look there for those.

What are your goals for 2015? I'd love to cheer you on!

2014 Goals in Review

Let's just say it. If running was my job, and this was my annual review, I think I might get let go. Or if not let go, I would be put on a "PIP" -- a Personal Improvement Plan.

I don't have any excuses for somehow managing to run LESS than ever before. I usually go through my goals one by one, but this time let's start with...

THE GOOD

3. Run half marathons in three new states in 2014 - COMPLETE!

I ran three new states this year. Most importantly, I also ran three half marathons that have been on my race bucket list for YEARS: the Indy Mini-Marathon in Indiana, the Flying Pig Half Marathon in Ohio, and the (Half) Marathon to Marathon in Iowa. These were huge races for me -- even if my performances weren't all that great. Having the chance to "kiss the bricks" at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway -- and get choked up just seeing the grandstands -- will be one of my all-time great running memories. In a very different sort of memory, I'll always remember the Marathon to Marathon's race director's pre-race warning: 

"We've had reports of serious storms in the area, and baseball-sized hail elsewhere in the state. Stopping the race for bad weather is entirely my decision. This is Iowa. So if a bus pulls up behind you and tells you to get on...  GET ON."

Three new states = woot!

3 out of 3

0 half marathons

3 half marathons

4. Set a PR in the 5K 10K (?!?) - COMPLETE!!!

PRing in the 5K has been a stretch goal for two years straight… though I didn't actually run any real 5Ks in 2013. At least any 5Ks where I didn't have to climb an obstacle, crawl through mud, avoid zombies, or get doused in color. So imagine my surprise to pick up a PR in the Tinker Bell 10K on 1/18/14 -- a race where we were "taking it easy" because we were running a half marathon the next day. Oops.

Then back in April I missed the 5K turnaround and a new PR at the Oso United Mudslide Benefit 5K. I had given up on hitting this goal this year -- since I didn't have any 5Ks planned -- but then on a November Sunday I rolled out of bed and decided on a whim to drive out to Redmond to run my pal Keely's "Get Your Rear in Gear 5K"… and somehow managed to both PR and break 30 minutes.

A PR in the 10K? A PR in the 5K? And finally breaking 30:00 in the 5K? Result.

6. Blog!

I love writing this blog, even if hardly anyone reads it. But I want to keep writing and try to get more regular with my posting… if only because I love looking back over the blog to see how far I've come as a runner. I'm calling this goal "achieved" because, well, I did blog all year long. More some months than others, of course... However, as my LSF Suz pointed out, I stopped posting about training, and really just started posting race reports, "which isn't as inspiring as following your training". Fair. I guess I just worry that my training (or, ahem, my lack thereof), isn't very interesting. I'll try to address that next year. 

(Also: the fact that I have to call this an achieved goal is a reflection of the fact that I did a very poor job of writing the goal -- it definitely doesn't fit the SMART structure!)

Now... 

THE BAD

2. Run at least 700 miles.

Good lord. This is my lowest annual mileage since we started running, despite running 12 half marathons. Of course, there were several months where the half marathons were the ONLY miles, so I don't know why I am at all surprised. Of course, I'm not surprised that I didn't hit the goal per se... but I AM surprised by how far from the goal I ended up. 

I may not have logged all my runs in Nike+, but I suspect I did. And my total miles? A shocking, shameful, sad 250.1. Last year, 323 miles. 2012, 570 miles. Ouch. 

I could say that this summer we focused more on hiking and climbing stairs rather than running, since we were prepping for the Inca Trail. But that might cause a slight dip, not such a huge drop off. 

Despite supposedly "recommitting" to my goal in early September, where my total mileage was a terrible 160 miles (in 8 full months!), the latter part of the year was almost as bad, where I ran 90 miles in nearly 4 months. 

1/1 - 9/7: 160 running miles (ouch)

31.75%

0 miles 

504 miles!

After "recommitting"
9/8 - 12/31 : 90.1 running miles (sigh)

40.22%

0 miles

224 miles!

In a desperate attempt to think positively, my percentage did go higher... but.

5. Break 2:10 in the half.

Well, I would have loved to break 2:10 in the half. But given how little I ran at all, I should be pleased to have run a single race under 2:20. Maybe in 2015 I'll nurture my mojo a bit more.

Finally...

THE UGLY

1. Run 14 in '14

This was the key goal for the year -- everything else paled in comparison. The idea was that I would run at least 14 miles every week. And I performed MISERABLY. In all of 2014, I managed this task a total of EIGHT TIMES. I don't know what to say. I'm really disappointed in myself. That said, while it's simply a lack of running (duh), the goal was also set up to fail too easily. When I missed the first week, the goal was shot.

So when I finalize next year's goals, I'm going to rejigger this a bit. So stay tuned.

BECAUSE I HATE TO END ON A BAD NOTE

Still, successes and joy outweighed my uneven performance this year. I ran some fun races, wore some great costumes, and -- may I mention it again? MADE IT  IN TO THE RUNDISNEY AVENGERS SUPER HEROES HALF MARATHON VIDEO!!! Yep, the highlight of my racing year is captured in this pixelated screen shot:

Here's to a great 2014... and to an even happier 2015.

So, it's almost the end of the year?

Oh, December... where have you gone? For that matter, where did 2014 go?

Over the next few days I'll be looking back over 2014, and looking forward to 2015, in a series of recaps, roundups, whatevers.

Saturday: 2014 goals roundup
Sunday: 2015 goals
Monday: 2014 race recap
Tuesday: 2015 races

But before I get to year-end, I should think about month-end. December is always so busy -- especially now that I essentially work retail (albeit online retail). There have been lots of long, hectic, and stressful days... and not much else from a productive standpoint!

That said, I did managed to squeeze in a few things for the 101 in 1001 project. I may not have been particularly successful this month, but I do love this project -- I love having longer than a month to complete things. And since some of my tasks include doing something monthly, I won't complete them until the end of the project. But here's how things look right now:

Completed tasks: 8 / 101.
Plus one "monthly" task on target.

So, a long way to go, but I'm doing something.

Tasks completed in December:

☑	14.	Set up a new Twitter handle
☑	84.	Make cheese at home
☑	92.	Make Christmas card tree

Tasks I've made progress against in December:

☐	76.	Visit 5 new museums or exhibits - 1/5
☐	77.	Prepare 1 new recipe / month -- 4/4 so far!!

A task I completely failed at:

☐

61.

Run 14 in 14

Yeah, about that... I'll talk about that in my "goals" post, coming soon...

Holidaze, part 2

Wil was looking at the Fbooks the other morning and said, "Oh, you tagged me in a photo." Since I hadn't tagged him in a photo, I took a look... and it was this photo:

Oddly enough, my pal Robyn had tagged me in it, commenting "You guys are so cute!" I thought, oh, she must have been at the race and I somehow didn't see her... given that she's an ultramarathoner and all that. I figured she might have seen it in the race photos and posted it. 

But then I saw this:

Ha ha ha. Ho ho ho.

I can only hope we make next year's flyer. :)

Holidaze

Today my team had our Holiday Webstravaganza - bocce, bites, and booze at Das Rhein Haus. We also had our second annual Secret Santa exchange, where everyone did very well with their Santa-ing (if not always guessiv who their Santa was!). 

I received this bag of awesomeness:  

A Star Wars calendar and mini terrarium. Of course, I knew IMMEDIATELY that my Santa was Nikki. (That's St. Nikki, to you...)

Speaking of Star Wars, the Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend Race Guide was released this week, along with corral and bib assignments. Now I just have to sort out the costumes!!!