Running in the Dark

It's 3:00 in the morning and not a soul in sight. The temperatures have dropped below twenty degrees and a wind chill of negative BILLION. Meanwhile, I've got my shorts and flip flops at the ready - packed in my carry-on along with two pairs of running shoes, a sparkle skirt, an all-too important tutu and other miscellaneous costume components. Why? Today, Veronica and I are Florida-bound about to meet up for the Disney Princess Half-Marathon Weekend and complete in the Glass Slipper Challenge. We haven't run together in almost a year and half. Our last run was on a night as dark as this morning, a nighttime 5K race, Cosmic Run. 

For those of you don't already know, Veronica and I are met at the University of Maryland, having been born and raised in the Blue Crab state. We would each each attend graduate school in Minmesota and relocate across the country, finding love in other states: myself in South Carolina and her in Washington. My husband and I would end up moving back to Maryland after the birth of our oldest son and I was thrilled to live so close to my best friend for the first time since our college years. Life, however, had other plans, and Veronica would soon meet her future husband, Riku during a trip to Seattle. Fast forward a year, an engagement and a Call to her new church in Bellevue (a suburb outside of Seattle), and a move west was unavoidable. 

The original plan was for Veronica to move out west after they were married, which would take place March 4, 2014. The call for Veronica's new church came sooner than expected and she had to relocate months earlier, in October. We had already registered for a series of 5Ks over the summer and it looked that the third, Cosmic Run, would be the last for us, taking place a day before she started her move across the country. We debated several times if we would still complete this event or if I should go on without her. In the end, we decided it would be a proper farewell and one last night of fun. 

Cosmic Run is advertised as a night-time run filled with lights, color and music. Similar to the Electric Run, this 5K adventure starts after dark and runners are encouraged to dress in black adorned with accessories that flash and glow. Veronica and I, joined by my sister Carolyn, kept our attire simple for the event - black running capris, old sneakers still carrying powder from the HEAL Color Splash and black t-shirts bearing the Cosmic Run logo. 

My sister and I drove to pick up Veronica from her townhouse which was still in the various stages of packing late Saturday evening in mid-October. I remember it being quite overcast and a bit chilly that night. We would drive through a small rain shower to Waldorf where the event was being held. By the end of the night?

It was still cool and mist settled over, which felt refreshing after running three miles. 

I wish I could say I have fond memories of this night. To say the least, I have mixed feelings. I enjoyed the opportunity to run beside my best friend and share the experience of a first 5K with my sister, but beyond that, the rest of the evening remains my least favorite of our runs together. No two races are alike, nor created equal. Having seen photos of friends and fellow runners complete the Electric Run, I looked forward to this event and the experience of running at night surrounded by lights and music. What would greet us instead, was a three-mile course located in and around the parking lot of a small baseball stadium with less than epic conditions advertised. 

The start of the race ended up being delayed due to the combination of the less than epic weather and being difficult to find. Once the race was underway, we found ourselves running through color and light stations spaced approximately a quarter mile apart. The amount of light effects became increasingly dynamic towards the end of the event, especially at the finish, but I was left wanting more. The added difficultly came with such spread out elements of light - running in the dark can be quite unsafe. We found ourselves running towards oncoming traffic and tripping over several hazards including extension cords and road debris. 

What was even more suprising was how well we did that night - we ended up finishing almost ten minutes ahead of our previous race times. The end of the race culminated in a hall of colored lights and black-light reactive powder that made for fun photos. After crossing the finish line, we treated ourselves to bottled water, CLIF granola bars (YUM!) and other treats. We had the option of staying for a concert/after party, but with the wet grounds and long drive ahead of us, we opted not to stay. Instead, we headed to a nearby WaWa to feast on made-to-order sandwiches. We spent the drive home noshing on our treats and discussing the experience. When it came time to drop Veronica off, we said our teary goodbyes and I drove away, not knowing when we would see one another, much less run together, again. 

I wish I could say I look back on this night fondly, but I don't. The Cosmic Run ended up being a disappointment on several levels, but the hardest part came from knowing it was the last night I would run alongside my best friend. I was terrified that this would be not only the last time I would get to run with her, but also the end of running.  Veronica and I had started running together and found a new passion but now with her moving,

I wasn't sure I would continue. But I did - we did. We discovered the Disney Princess Half Marathon series and dreamed of running alongside one another again. Almost a year and a half later, here we are. 

We've both continued to run in our respective states, 5Ks and half-marathons. We've continued to cheer one another on via text message and Facebook. We've started documenting our running experiences and grown together in our journey with this blog. As I finish writing this, Veronica and I are lying in bed, in a shared hotel room with our husbands in Orlando after a long day of traveling. Tomorrow, we will venture over to the Disney Princess Expo to pick up our race bibs and assorted goodies. What is slowly starting to sink in - the day after tomorrow will mark the start of the Enchanted 10K and the first of two back-to-back races in the Glass Slipper Challenge. The best part of it all, I'll be running alongside Veronica in costume, taking the next step in our runningjourney  together. I can't wait. 

Way Back Wednesday

Tomorrow, Laura and I leave for Florida, with our husbands in tow, for our next (and biggest) running adventure. I can't believe how fast time has flown by since we decided to complete the Glass Slipper Challenge at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. We started packing a couple of days ago and last night, as my husband, Riku, was trying to figure out how to get everything for the trip in our two carry on suitcases, I watched as he held up a red, yellow, black, and white tulle running skirt and had a flashback to one of the first races Laura and I did together.

In the fall of 2013, when Laura and I decided to start signing up for 5K races in our area, we got really excited when we found a really close race location for a race that was geared toward women - the Diva Dash 5K Obstacle Course. That's right, after signing up for our first race, an inaugural color-themed 5K in Hagerstown, Maryland, we immediately signed up for another race, just a week later, at Crumland Farm in Frederick, Maryland. And not just a 5K run, an obstacle course too.

We decided to make matching costumes for this race as they were encouraged by the race coordinators. So after supper the night before the race, we went shopping for supplies, and headed to my parent's house to do some crafting before bed. We made shirts and running tutus, opting to highlight our Maryland pride by using tulle in the colors of the Maryland flag - red, yellow, black, and white.




In the morning, we headed to the designated parking area to take a shuttle bus to the course. There were so many ladies in the lot with brightly colored tutus and socks and other crazy costumes. The weather was a bit dreary and we were worried about rain, but we hopped on the bus and made our way to the farm.

After checking in, getting our bibs, and just hanging out together, we watched the waves of runners take off through the starting line happily. It was really nice to be running with a bunch of other women and I somehow felt more comfortable. Pretty soon, it was our turn to start.

The course was a little rough since the working farm also doubles as one of those horror parks during Halloween and hosts other activities when they aren't harvesting too.  At one point near the beginning of the race the ground was covered with leftover bits of what looked like marble counter tops or quarried granite, but I loved how level it was. Just a few rolling slopes, but nothing too terrible.

Just a little ways in we started to reach the obstacles. There were about 15 or so throughout the 5K course. Some were really easy, like running through a bunch of suspended bouncing balls and jumping across hay bales. There were other obstacles, though, that were much more challenging. Climbing up and over a massive wall proved pretty frightening for anyone afraid of heights and walking across a rope bridge suspended between metal bars was how I nailed my shin enough to give myself a knot the size of a grapefruit. It was so much fun though! Folks were cheering each other on and showing their support - not just other runners, but those at each obstacle and aid station as well as complete strangers out cheering along the course.

We noticed a lot of teams where one person would scope out the best way to do the obstacle and then let the others know how to do it quickly and safely. If people needed help, they got it, and if you really didn't feel comfortable completing an obstacle, it was okay to skip them! Laura and I took turns going through the obstacles so that we could cheer each other on.

Near the end of the race, I noticed an obstacle that really freaked me out - running up one side of a see-saw and down the other. The see-saw seemed incredibly high. I saw women going up slowly and then watched as the see-saw tipped the other direction with their weight on it and they ran down the opposite side to the ground. I didn't think I could do that. I was really scared! As I watched, I noticed, however, that there were men at this obstacle taking hands with the women and talking them over the see-saw, helping them get their balance, and reassuring them along the way. When the woman in front of me was finished, the man who had helped her turned to me and said, "Don't worry. I got you," before smiling brightly and reaching out his hand.

I got halfway up the see-saw with a tight grip on the man's hand and was just about feeling comfortable when it started to tip forward with my weight. My tight grip became a vice grip and I panicked, but the man told me to, "Just run down!" and before I knew it I was on the ground. I jumped up and gave him the biggest hug ever. Laura had already finished the obstacle and was watching me, "You did it, babe!" I smiled broadly and we jogged to the finish line.

We took photos in our costumes, red-faced and sweaty, then grabbed our swag and headed to the bus. The Diva Dash was finished and it was time to go home. We stopped for MTO's at Sheetz (made to order subs from one of our favorite places) and then went back to my parent's to tell them all about the race. It was a fun day and thankfully, the rain held off until after we finished. Another 5K was in the bag and we even PRd - not by much, but hey, a PR is a PR!

That's all for now, I've got to lead one more Ash Wednesday worship service before heading home to pack up some last minute things for the trip - including my Maryland flag colored running tutu, the same one from the Diva Dash, that matches the one in Laura's suitcase too.

Are you ready for us, Disney? Because we are ready for you!

Where It All Began....Color Splash

With only 16 days until we are in Florida for the Glass Slipper Challenge, preparations are underway in the form of costuming, training and packing.  Veronica and I decided we would take a look back at the beginning of our running journey in three-part series.  In the Fall of 2014, we registered for three 5K races within a matter of weeks, the first two only a week apart. Our first - the inaugural HEAL Color Splash 5K, sponsored by HEAL of Washington County: Obesity Prevention Through Healthy Eating & Active Lifestyles.


This event took place September 14, 2013 at the Hagerstown Fairgrounds with a course laid out through the fairgrounds, nearby park and neighboring housing development.  Veronica arrived early that morning to find me with uncooperative contacts and wearing my glasses instead (not my typical nor preferred race day attire).

DISCLAIMER: If you can avoid it in any way, do not wear your nice sunglasses - go for the cheap-o plastic sunglasses you can find at the local dollar store. Veronica still has powder in the frames she wore that day and my own pair took several cleanings to fully extinguish neon colored powder.


I can still remember the drive to Hagerstown - approximately 45 minutes from my house, on top of the hour Veronica had driven from her house to mine.  We chatted with nervous excitement, sipping our coffees and wondering how this race would compare to the others we were registered for. Would the colors stain our clothes? Would it be an easy course? Would this be the first of many? The drive seemed to fly by as we drove through the mountains, remembering our adventures volunteering with the Girl Scouts at a nearby hotel during our college years.  We arrived to the shuttle lot to board our bus, but soon realized we were early enough and this race was on a smaller scale that we could drive directly to the fairgrounds.  We drove another five minutes and parked at the fair grounds and made our way over to the tables decked out for Check-In. 

The check-in process was effortless.  They had several volunteers ready to check your name off the list and direct you to the table where you would pick up your t-shirt.  Once we had our shirts in hand, we walked back to our car to change, finish our coffees and chat a little more until it was closer to starting time.  We had made plans to meet up with several of Veronica's family members and friends and joined up with them near the starting line.  Within a half-hour, we found ourselves surrounded by runners and walkers of all shapes, sizes and age.  There were quite a few little ones ready to tag along in their strollers and get covered in color with the rest of us. I thought they were nuts. THEN I saw the rain covers their parents' had brought with - GENIUS.  I actually have since considered taking my boys along to the next Color Run (as if I'm not already signed up for enough). 

This photo is used for advertising purposes now by the race sponsors!

In all, it appeared to be between 300 and 500 individuals present for the inaugural race and after a few instructions, singing of the National Anthem and "are you ready for this?!", we were on our way! HEAL had their color stations set up approximately every half-mile, give or take. The first splash - yellow - was upon us so quickly and at a bottleneck that we barely got covered in any.  As the race unfolded, we began to find a groove and were soon enjoying our first race together. People who lived along the course came out to watch - our first taste of spectators. Homeowners enjoying their Saturday morning coffee cheered on and waved as we passed, local shop owners including a butcher came out, and several members of law enforcement wishing us luck as we continued on.

The two most vivid colors we passed through were pink and blue. I remember my face being half covered by pink powder, but nothing like watching Veronica make "snow angels" in the blue powder. We finished the race in approximately 45 minutes, crossing the finish line holding hands and laughing.  Post race, we found ourselves nursing bottles of water, eating our choice of snack: fruit, granola bars, bagels, but all we wanted were sandwiches. The after party involved even more color - a half dozen large trash bags filled with color filled a small field. Veronica and I quickly took turns covering ourselves and others in even more powder. We were rainbow messes. Warning: I quickly learned how the cornstarch powder not only sticks but renders your skin slippery - I almost lost my wedding rings when throwing a basketball back to some boys as we made our way to the car. Be careful! 

Craving sandwiches, we climbed back into Veronica's car and headed to a nearby Sheetz. Having covered the seats with trash bags and towels, we were able to only leave a few traces of the powder inside. We each ordered our favorite post-race treat, a made to order deli sandwich and water, and returned to her parents' home. The look on their faces when they saw us was priceless and remains one of my favorite visits with her parents. Of course, they had no idea the ridiculousness that would soon follow with our first race costumes for our next race, the Shape Diva Dash. 

The HEAL Color Splash is a local color run, held on a smaller scale, but large amounts of fun. They are in their third year of race season and continuing to grow. If you visit their website, you'll even find us on the homepage, a part of their commercial advertising the race - our mini celebrity moment!  The memories we made during the inaugural event have led us to grow in our running journeys and inspired us to aim for even more challenging races, including the Disney Glass Slipper Challenge, only two weeks away.