Run or Dye Barrie - Run Recap

Yesterday, my friends and I participated in the Run or Dye 5 KM run at Hardwood Ski and Bike Resort in Oro, On. It took us about 40 minutes to drive there on the HWY, and about 20-25 minutes to get off the highway down the long road of winding cars just to park. Good thing we left lots of time!!! Meghan and Jamie did the run with me and it was fairly entertaining for us.

Once we got there and parked in the field, for free, we got our things ready to be dyed. We weren't sure if the colours would wash out so we went on the safe side and assumed it wouldn't.

Here is a picture of us pre-coloured!!! Meghan decided to dye her hair with koolaid, does NOT wash out well fyi!!!



When we got to the venue, we bout some glasses for $5 each to keep the colours from flying in our faces. This helped a bit but wasn't really needed. We got there around 9:30 and they already had ropes for the waves of people to be sent off. They sent them off every 5 minutes or so in waves. It wasn't a bad system. This was by no means a run or race per-say. It was more of a walk and 'run through a maze if you can get by the people' sort of deal. Us three girls did run at least 3/4 of it i'd say, but it was difficult. It would be a great family/friends event for people interested in maybe later running, but it was more of a fun thing than anything. Right when we left the gate we were bombarded with colour, then each of the five colour stations we were coloured and then the end there was nothing.

Overall we did have a bunch of fun. I'm not sure if I would do it again. It's a bunch of money that I would have maybe run a real race and spent it there. But it did go towards the Rainbows charity so that's something. However, I didn't actually know it went towards a charity until I heard it on the news. I'd like to hear more about that next time. Doesn't seem they are real benefitting much from the race which makes me a little sad. Dye can be expensive though i'm sure.

The dye was cornstarch and colour mixed together. When we poured water on it it seemed to stick, but the shower some soap and a luffa did just fine in getting it all off. As for the powder in our hair, shake it off first then wash it. Otherwise it sticks and is harder to come off. My hair is a bit orange today still.







Here are the Race pics that were posted on the website. They were available to download for $0.01. I Was a big spender and bought all 3! lol

Run or Dye Barrie Kit

Today I picked up our race kits for the Run or Dye - Barrie 5 km run. We were to pick them up from the Barrie Running Free store at the back. With it being the long weekend I went early to try and get ahead of  the cottage traffic. Good thing j did because even when I got there there was a lineup. Here was what we got wih our race kits:

 I choose a size medium shirt and it also came with one dye pack, a tattoo and an iRun magazine. I also was able to pick up my friend Jamie and Meghan's race kits with no problem at all. 

Hopefully all goes well tomorrow and I actually make it to the race! Unlike the women's run. I haven't ran in about a month it seems. So wish me luck! God help me!!!

Failure to Launch

Thursday evening my mom picked up our race kits from the Rosedale Running Room for the Toronto Women's 10km Run at Sunnybrook Park in Toronto. Take a look at the pretty pink tech shirts and personalize bibs they had for this race!!

I got a large shirt because I heard rumor that try for small. The large was perfect for me. 

Saturday mornjng at 8:00 am was the race. So I set a few, not all, things for my am race on my bed for the next morning, went to my engagement party for a friend that night and came home and went to bed. I went to bed with a headahe hoping it would go away while I slept. 

It didn't. :(. I woke up with quite the headahe which in turn made my stomach feel nauscious. I was up at 5:15 to give my stomach lots of time to wake up but that didn't do any justice for me head. Needless to say I ended up not running. It kind of sucked because I wanted to do this race with my mom, the shirts were nice and you got some bling out of it too! Now I'm not sure I should even wear the shirt if I didn't complete the race! I'm blaming this on bad luck, on top of my laziness and lack of time for running lately. I have always prepared everything for the am the night before and this time I didn't. So dually noted! I hope to participate in his run next year with my mom and have the firefighters hand me my water and chocolate! 

Yesterday was a failure to launch, but the next race! Run or Dye is next weekend and hopefully I won'tt have a headache for this fun 5 km run!! I'm doing it with a few friends too :)

10 Running Tidbits

1.  FUEL: Shot Bloks, GU, Energy Chews, Candy or Other?

Well, I haven't really used many of these types of fuel yet. I've only gone a maximum of 10 KM at one time. But of the ones I have tried so far I'd have to say i've taken a liking to the Sport Jelly Beans. My favourite were the berry pomegranate ones (I think, they were burgundy and tasted great!). I'm not a huge fan of the Gu stuff, so my mind has made up, but I will try these out on longer runs. When I get there :)

2.  Race Length: 5K, 10K, 1/2 Marathon, Marathon, Ultra or Other?

I’ve only ever run one 10 KM and 1 5 Miler (8 KM) race. And i'd have to say it really depends on your course. I loved doing my flat 10 KM run but I hated my cart path Angus Glen 5 Miler (8 KM). Partially because the time of day, partially because the hilliness of the course. But I'd still have to say I enjoy running the 10 KM. I haven't ran a 1/2 YET! But I hope to someday!

3.  Workout Bottoms: Skirts, Running Shorts, Capris, Pants, or Other?

If it's a bit chilly i'll wear capri's, otherwise I like wearing my spandex-y running shorts. Aka, booty shorts. They are short but the material doesn't gather in-between my legs like my other shorts do. End of story!

4.  Sports Drink: Gatorade, Powerade, Cytomax, you stick to water when you run or Other?

I've occasionally had some gatorade in my water bottles during longer runs, but i've been told NOT to eat gel's at the same time or you might get pains in your stomach. However, i'm a straight water kinda gal.

5.  Running temperatures: HOT or COLD?

COLD! I've run in some hot weather and those are trying runs. But I also have only been running since April so I haven't hit the frozen season yet. 

6.  Running Shoe Brands: Saucony, Mizuno, Nike, Brooks, Asics, or Other?

I LOVE the colours that Nike brings out in their styles of shoes but I've been fitted for Brook's shoes and I LOVE them. They are a bit wider and make my feet happy when I run. However, once I hit the 8 KM mark occasionally my toes go a bit achy/tingly at the negative space underneath them. Not quite sure why this is yet!

7.  Pre-Race Meal: Oatmeal. Bagel, Banana, Eggs, Cereal or Other?

Probably oatmeal, because I know it isn't too heavy nor will it bother my stomach. However, and I hate to say this, I'm a 'don't eat before you go anywhere or do anything' kinda gal due to my stomach issues. 'No food in your stomach, no problems' is kind of how I think of it mentally. If i'm really hungry I'd maybe say some cereal or toast with PB.

8.  Rest Days: 1x per week, 2x per week, never ever ever or Other?

I used to try and go every other day, or every day if I could handle it. However, lately with my stomach acting up I've been trying to go whenever I feel I can. But I'd like to run at least every other day if I could.

9.  Music: Have to have it or go without it?

HAVE to have it! It keeps me going, even if it is background music. A bunch of country, a few 'Rock My Run' mixes, some high intensity beats, a mumble jumble of all that really. But I definitely have never run without any music. I think I'd get bored if I didn't have it!

10.  #1 reason for running: stress-relief, endorphins, you love to race, so you can eat all the cupcakes you want, weight-loss, love running for social reasons or other?

I'm someone who thrives off of prizes, sadly, and I love the idea of doing health things for my body. So, I'd have to say that I love the whole race idea (even though it stresses my stomach out)! I have yet to use running as a form of stress relief or weight loss. So probably a mix between loving to race and doing it to better my health. :) 

Warrior Dash

Yesterday I did the Warrior Dash at Horseshoe Valley in Barrie and it was the hardest run I've done thus far! My stomach wasn't the greatest but I made it through! It's 5 KM of running with multiple obstacles that required endurance and upper body strength. Both of which I need to work on, apparently! It was a TON of fun and i'd definitely recommend doing it with a group of people you know so that you can cheer each other on or help each other out. I'd like to do this race with Doug next year potentially. I did it with Alison and Brittany this year. At first I was hesitant to sign up (i'm not very fond of ponds of water) but I signed up at the last minute (paying about $100 to enter it) trying to tough out my fears. In the end we didn't end up going through a single body of water, just up and down multiple ski hills and difficult obstacles.

Here's a picture of us before the run...

During the race...

Some of the costumes were...um.....interesting!

Running through fire...

 And finally finishing!!!

The last obstacle was to run through a mud pit under barbed wire. We had fun with that and Alison ended up falling in too. Afterwards firemen sprayed us down with water.

With our registration to the event we got a free beer afterwards. I was pretty hungry too so I bought a whole Turkey Leg ($7.00). Well worth it I might say!

 I had a blast even though I am extremely sore today (the day after). Here is what we got for registering: a hat, t-shirt, bib number and race medal complete with bottle opener. :)
I'd definitely do this again and recommend anyone who wants to try it to just do it. It took us about 1:00:00 to do the whole course. I'd say I'm a warrior after that. :)

A special shout out goes over to my friend Meghan for cheering me on slash 'holding all my stuff while I ran the race' :p. She took some great pictures, which I wouldn't have without her being there, and I appreciate her coming and being my 'mom' for the afternoon, lol. Thanks girlie!

Angus Glen 5 Miler

Man oh man this was a tough one. When we signed up for the 5 miler or 8km run we regretted it the next day. Next year I think we will do the 3 miler. Lol. Don't get me wrong the corse was beautiful, the race kit was awesome too but it was a tough go. I've done maybe one run where it involved a hill and I wanted to completely bail, but I ran with my mom and we helped each other through it. We didn't stick to our 4 and 1 pace but we finished and that's all we wanted to do. This was a very hilly course with several steep inclines. It also sucked that it was done at 6:00 pm in the heat of hte day. I'd rather it be raining to be honest! My time was 1:02:25 and I'm happy about that all considering. I ran the lat 0.8 km by myself ahead of my mom, who finished with 1:03:29.

Here are my terrible running pictures. I wish I were more photogenic!

After we got bottles of water and bananas wih our medal and went on to have a lovely BBQ (salad and burgers or hot dogs with a pop and chips). I'd do it again, just the shorter one! Here's our bling!

This year was an anniversary year for The Angus Glen race so our medals featured bottle openers. How helpful!

I finished 24th in my age group and 162 overall (our of 188, lol).

It's been a while!!

So it's definitely been a while since my last post. An it's been over a week since I've ran. Gahhh! The reason is because after my scope on July 7th I've been flared up with my Colitis. Great timing with the summer being here and all!!! What can you do. Anyways. So that's slowed me down with my running. However, I've got to kick it inp full gear with he Angus Glen Five Miler tomorrow night and the Warrior Dash on Saturday!

Tonight I went to get my race it for the Five Miler and here's what we got! 

Quite a few goodies I might add! I'm running it with my mom, who recently had an assessed molar pulled two days ago, so I hope we both make it to the finish line in one piece! I'll let you know how it goes!