Team SharpSneakersRunner Social Media Meet/Tweet Up

What I love most about the running community is we all know how to come together and have a great time! Even if you haven't met someone in person, if you are a runner you know there is a natural bond/connection that is formed. Let me tell you a short story. When I was in San Francisco and met Brian from the Pavement Runner blog, we decided we wanted to form a fun meet up for social media folks to attend during runDisney Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend. Of course, we wanted some extra fun added to the mix, so Brian brought Katrina from Sneakers and Finger Paints. Together we form Voltron...or in this case Team SharpSneakersRunner!

So, three really enthusiastic and fun runners want to get to know you a little better! We want to gather together, share some laughs, snag some photos, and just have a blast! So that is exactly what we are going to do! Plus, what a great way to celebrate the inaugural Disneyland 10K!

Did I mention all three of us are coming with some awesome giveaways :D

The gathering is going down on Saturday August 31st at 1:00PM. It will be located at the outer patio at Disney's Grand California Hotel. If you are walking through Downtown Disney District, there is direct access to the patio right between Sephora and Disney Club 365. Walk right through the gate (no keys required) and you'll run right into the patio...it's easy :) If you are coming from within the hotel, follow the signs toward the Conference Center.

This event is absolutely free! Tell and bring all your friends! While you are there, tweet your pictures and experiences using #DumboTweetUp

We look forward to seeing you there! You won't want to miss this awesome event! But before you go, check out my friend's blogs and show them some love :)

Product Review - Wave Sayonara

I have to take a few minutes to thank the good folks over at Mizuno Running! About a month ago, a member of their team (HI SETH) messaged me and asked if I would be interested in giving their new shoe a try... the Wave Sayonara. I haven't had the pleasure of running in Mizuno shoes before, so of course I accepted. I did some reading on them, and found out this was one of their new release shoes that hadn't even come out yet. I received it two weeks before the street release date! That itself was enough to make me do the hokey pokey and turn myself around!

The first thing that caught my eye was the color! The strong blue and electric yellow on this shoe are incredible! They will absolutely get you noticed. The second thing that struck me was how light the shoe was. It weighs in at just over eight ounces! I couldn't wait to lace up with them.

Now typically, I wouldn't run a half marathon in a new pair of shoes that hasn't been 'broken in' yet. But these shoes were different. After I tried them on, I knew my feet had found their solemates in these shoes. The shoes felt like it molded and adapted to my foot. After some test jogs, I knew these shoes would perform with absolute excellence...I was right.

I ran two half marathons a week apart...and I PR'd both of those races. The first race I PR's my 10K time which was so incredible, and the second race I PR'd the half marathon with a time of 2:00:41, which was a 4 minute improvement. I LOVE THESE SHOES!

When I run in these shoes, I feel light, I feel fast, and I find that my landing is a lot lighter. For a 'performance neutral' shoe, these shoes sure do measure up! Truth be told, these are probably one of the best pairs of shoes I have run in. And I hope they stick around for a while, because I am a huge fan and plan on having many more pairs.

So, Wave Sayonara to your old shoes and those old personal records, because with the new Mizuno Wave Sayonara...you'll be saying hello to improved performance in style!

Thank you again, Mizuno!

Oh by the way, the thoughts expressed are my own.

Griffith Park Race Giveaway!

As many of you know, I have the privilege of being the Official Ambassador for the Griffith Park Trail Half Marathon and her sister races! I am humbled and honored to be associated with such a high-quality race, and an amazing race director...the awesome elite ultra runner Keira Henninger!

Before you know it, it will be time for one of Los Angeles' prized trail runs through beautiful scenic Griffith Park. Griffith Park is an iconic location here in Southern California and is home to historic landmarks such as the Griffith Observatory, the Hollywood Sign, the LA Zoo, and The Greek Theatre. It is also home to some of the most awesome trails in the city (in my opinion).

Every year, Keira hosts a marathon in April, and a half marathon and 10K in November. I will be one of the participants showing out for the Griffith Park Rock Star Series medal! You guessed it, running the half marathon and 10K in the same weekend! How could you possibly resist!

So, being that I am the ambassador and all...I thought it would be fun to give the gift of a race entry to one lucky runner who would be dying to come run one of the best trail races in California. If you are worried that this course may be to tough for you...don't be. This is a walker friendly course! You also will receive these lovely amenities as a participant:

• Beautiful engraved finisher medals for all finishers
• High end race day sweat wicking tech shirts for all finishers
• Amazing finish line lunch and cold drinks at the finish line
• Four well-stocked, well-manned aid stations
• Well-marked course with plenty of volunteers!

So go ahead, enter the giveaway. One lucky winner will be announced at the conclusion of the giveaway. Please note...we are only giving away entry to the race, any other expenses such as room/board/travel are yours to cover...we wish we could offer a vacation deal like the price is right...maybe one day.

If you would just like to register, click here. Don't forget about the 10K as well! If you register for both of the races using the option on the registration page, you will receive THREE medals at the end of the weekend! Who can resist extra bling??? I know I can't! Good luck and we will see you on the trails!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

It's Official - INKnBURN Ambassador

Well, it happened! Today was the day! I've been waiting on this news for weeks, and this opportunity for months...and today it happened! Today, INKnBURN announced the newest additions to their ambassador team! And I was one of the lucky athletes to be selected! I am absolutely excited to be among the ranks of some really awesome athletes! 

The icing on the cake was that my best running friend, Jill (who has fallen in love with their shorts) was also selected!!! So naturally we are both so excited! She has come so far and I am so proud of her! Another running friend of mine, Tam was also selected! So a good day all around!

More details about the ambassadorship will be coming soon, but the word is out! I couldn't be happier! And naturally, I want to REALLY THANK the INKnBURN team for this awesome opportunity! It is no surprise that I absolutely love INKnBURN, so to be a member of the ambassador team is just huge! I'm grateful! Thank you!

YAY!

runDisney's Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend Approaches

Now I KNOW there are many of you that are as excited for the runDisney Disneyland Half Marathon weekend as I am! Now, I ran this wonderful race for the first time last year! In fact, this was my very first runDisney race! Taking it further, it was my third half marathon. Crazy right? Well, when I ran Disney for the very first time, I knew it was going to be special. Let me elaborate.

I am a former cast member of the Disneyland Resort. Many moons ago, I helped lay you to rest in a Doom Buggy, was your friendly burgundy suspender, burlap sack pant wearing lumberjack sending you into the briar patch, and welcomed you to our family time as I drove Belle and Beast down the parade route during the Parade of Dreams. 

Disney holds special place in my heart and always will. I learned so much about myself, experienced so many wonderful things, learned what magic really meant, and created memories for children, families, and adults. Disney is a part of my heart. I am now an annual pass holder and go to the park at least once a week. Keeping all that in mind, I knew that running through the parks would be something special...I just wasn't sure how special.

Picking up my FIRST runDisney Bib!

If this is your first time running this race, you are in for an absolute treat! This year, runDisney has blessed us with an Alice in Wonderland themed 10K and introduced the Dumbo Double Dare challenge! So, more opportunities to earn more bling, and add to your list of accomplishments. On top of that, you get to run through Disney California Adventure park past Paradise Bay and see the fountains from World of Color painting the early morning sky with beauty untold...I heard it's yours to behold to dazzle your mind and your eyes. Don't forget to set your cruise control as you get your kicks on Route 66 in Cars Land! Hold on tight as you loop around the Hollywood Tower of Terror! Then run across the esplanade and head into Disneyland Park, where you touch all lands, run through Sleeping Beauty Castle (which will blow your mind) and even get a glimpse of the Disneyland Ranch Circle D. Do not be shy, stop for those character photo stops.

Hey, where's Perry?

Then you get to head onto the streets of Anaheim and head toward Honda Center, home of the Anaheim Ducks, then head across the street to Angel Stadium...now get this...you get to RUN ON THE FIELD! So cool!

Why does this race move me? Even though I don't work there anymore, Disneyland will always be a home to me. You learn a lot about yourself when you are there, and I have some amazing memories, and have met some incredible people through my career there. So getting to incorporate your love for running, in a place that brings you so much joy is bound to make you feel special. Crossing that finish line and seeing my family and friends, I had tears of happiness in my eyes. runDisney has the ability to bring families, friends, and strangers together. Magic happens on these courses, and no other race I run (with exception of Boston when I get there) will probably have this effect on me. I feel like I am home when I am at Disneyland. The memories always flash back and I instantly feel calm and happy. Running plus Disney equals emotional overload. Running is a huge love and passion of mine, you throw some Disney in the mix and...well....you get a mushy Captain.

This year I look forward to participating in the Dumbo Double Dare, and meeting many of you at various meet-ups and as we galavant around the resort Labor Day weekend. So, I hope you are now as excited as I am! If you are earning you Coast-to-Coast medal at this race, I bet you are even more excited for all that bling! I can't wait 48 days for this to begin and to hear all of our awesome experiences about this race. See ya real soon!

Celebrate the Small Stuff

Any kind of training, studying, or focus can be difficult. With all activities that require dedication, it is easy to get discouraged when progress isn't noticed right away, or if you silently become envious of others progressing or reaching places that you wish you could. Expel those thoughts, put them in your nearest Converse shoe box, and throw that thing in the street.

Negative and harmful thoughts are just those. Harmful. You were born to be great. You are magnificent. You are enough.

Even an expert was once a novice. We all have our journey to pioneer, and our path to blaze. I tell people all the time, I am no expert. I do this for the love of running, and for the love of sharing stories to keep you motivated. I tell people all the time and constantly remind myself to celebrate all the small victories in my training or my racing.

• You shaved two seconds off of your average pace.
• You didn't get injured in that race.
• That wasn't my best tempo run, but on the next training day I will do better.
• You made someone smile today.

Those are all examples of things I have said or do say to myself. Perspective is key. It is important to celebrate ALL of your accomplishments and successes. What you think is tiny or doesn't matter does matter. Trust me, we will all have those days when we do not want to train or focus...but remembering the small victories and staying in a positive mind set can actually help curb those unproductive thoughts. Remembering that you had a great run on your last training day, can be motivation to do better the next day. Continue to move the line forward and bask in your greatness. Dismiss your fear of failure. Everyday will not be incredible and you will have bad days. We all have them and they will pull up a chair and help themselves to a glass of tropical Nuun. But they won't stay very long. I will tell you a secret...you are stronger than those thoughts.

Fight through, stay positive, celebrate those small victories! You are enough and you are amazing! No go run and be awesome!

RUN ON!

Celebrating YOU! 1,000 Twitter Followers

From the Executive Offices (which is my bedroom) of Mister Linzie Starr 'Captain Linz'
See Sharp Run


To: YOU! The blog reader, the tweeter, the Facebook liker. This letter and post is especially for you:

Dear You!

Today marks a very special day for me. Never in a million years did I think I would be tweeting and blogging about running. Not just about running, but about marathon races, athletic products, nutrition, and spilling my signature Inspirational Tea with all of you. This was never my initial design. When I first began my blog almost a year ago, it was meant to capture thoughts about the races I was participating in. Fast forward to today, and my blog has become a source of inspiration and a well of knowledge for you. It has become an authority for running information, and a haven for you to come to receive some good vibrations.

I do not do this for myself solely anymore. When I read your tweets, receive your messages, and meet you in person, I can clearly see the impact my words have on you. Words Mean Things. This blog is for you! I do this because you read it. I tweet because you interact with me and we share and learn from one another. I connect with you, as you you connect with me.

Today, I am happy to say I have 1,000 Twitter followers! Now, for some people that may not be a big deal. But to me it is HUGE! This is all grassroots. When I started tweeting and blogging, I had NO CLUE what I was doing...and to this day I learn new things. I love that it evolves and matures. It is like my baby. This brand is my baby! Thank you for being part of it's formative years...the best part is you don't have to do diapers.

You care about the things that I say. You look to me for advice. You count on me for a laugh. You come here to get your life, one mile at a time! You can expect me to always encourage you remind you that you are incredible!

You as a person, an athlete, a supporter, a friend mean the world to me! I genuinely care about people...it is in my nature. I can not tell you how grateful I am to be able to share my words with you. Further, I am grateful you read and listen! There are so many awesome running blogs out there...I am honestly just a beginner in comparison to some of these people. But the fact that you take the time to read and comment on what I have to say means the world to me! The collage above is a set of photos of followers and friends who I have touched through social media! Please continue to support me and I will support you in return. You are incredible! I appreciate you! Thank you for supporting See Sharp Run! Thank you Thank You Thank you!

With Love Like Hilary Duff
-The Captain