2 Runners 2 Buckets - The Ice Bucket Challenge

So last night, Michael from pointonemiles.com and Matt from therunstreak.com decided it would be a fun idea to challenge Brian and myself to the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge...and here I thought I was going to get away with being dry. This challenge has been sweeping social media for weeks and involves dumping a lovely bucket of ice cold delicious water atop your head, and making a donation to help fight ALS which is Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. So...Pavey came to town, and we got together and made it happen...and we recorded it... and it looks like this...



Well...that was cold...and a lot of fun. Not gonna lie. For those of you that thought you would be safe and not feel the wrath...wrong. We are taking names of some of our faves!

Stuft Mama
Katrina ElleWeight Off My Shoulders
Running Hutch
Shiawase Life

and of course, THE SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM at Rock 'n' Roll...you know who you are...

What can I say? You know I am all about raising awareness for great causes!

Have you taken on the challenge yet?

Griffith Park Trail Marathon Relay Recap

So this is kind of funny. Literally two weeks ago the home girl Tiffany from RunningHutch.com hit me up on Facebook and asked if I would be interested in participating in the Griffith Park Trail Marathon Relay, hosted by the amazing folks at A Runner's Circle. For those that don't know, ARC is THE premiere running store in Los Angeles. Anywho...she gave me all the details and she was forming a team. The fun thing about runners is we are basically fearless! Tiffany helped form the team and before I knew it I was on a team with three other strangers and we would be giving it our all at a relay. Neat.

From L to R: Matt Runner 4, Me Runner 1, Gillian Runner 3, Tiffany Runner 2, Mike Runner 5

Early morning in Griffith Park and we couldn't of asked for better summer trail running weather. It was cool and overcast! That meant the climbs wouldn't be to terrible since the heat wouldn't be as high. We all met and laughed and discussed our strategy. We didn't have any goal time or pace in mind...we wanted to just enjoy ourselves. All of us were seasoned and experienced runners so this was gonna be great. This was my first relay so I was REALLY excited. I was first up!

The crew in order! Boosted from RunningHutch.com

The first mile and a half was a steep climb. It was a straight shot up. By the time I got to mile marker one I was winded but kept going forward. I was the first runner out, so I wanted us to maintain a good place in the relay. Once I reached the top of the climb I enjoyed two miles of fire road and recovery. I had an even pace and focused on just staying consistent. I felt like the climb took a lot out of me, but running with Michelle on the trails I've learned some things that made it easier for me to handle the run. At the end of the fire road was my favorite thing...DOWN HILL SUICIDE! This is where I shine. I turned on the after burners and SHREDDED the hills going down. I blasted past at least 10 runners. I went so fast my shoe came untied. In an effort to be safe I stopped to tie it...but I was pretty mad because I was FLYING. I flew all the way down into the Old Los Angeles Zoo which is where home base was. I came down the trail and didn't even see my team cheering me on as I came through, they were there :). Next up was Tiffany and she was in the chute ready to rock. I came in so hot I almost knocked her over! We laughed and she took off on her great loop!

Our team did VERY well! Every did an amazing job on their loop! Strong performances by everyone! We placed 12th out of 39 in the open co-ed division with a time of 4:00:49! WE KILLED IT! I was blown away and really excited! Our team had a great chemistry! Everyone was so friendly, warm, and encouraging. There was amazing communication and the energy was spot on. I would totally relay with these folks again for sure! After we got our relay batons Matt had a real fun idea to capture the moment. It looked something like this...

As you can tell...none of us could handle it we all laughed! So much fun!!! Then we took the normal people team we did it type photo of sorts...

It was a great Sunday! These guys are great!!!! Magic certainly happens when you run. I've said it once and I'll say it again...running is better with friends...even if you just met them 15 minutes before the race HAHA!

Check out:

Tiffany: RunningHutch.com
Gillian: ThatsG.Com

Run REVEL

If you remember a a couple months back, I made a personal goal to achieve a sub 4 hour marathon by my birthday in December. I began to focus on my strength training ensuring my body would be able to withstand the physical demand of running a sub 4 marathon. I have introduced yoga, PIYO, and Focus T25 into my training routine. Not only have I seen physical results (which are so cool to see), but I feel stronger when I run...and I've gotten faster. This is INCREDIBLE! So the question everyone wanted to know was, which race would it be? Where would I earn that sub 4? Well, I am pleased to announce that I am not only participating in the REVEL Run Series Canyon City Marathon in my own backyard in November (yes it is the day before Avengers I am aware), but I am also a REVELer! That means I am on a great squad of 14 runners from around the country who want to achieve greatness. This ambassador team was formed to get you pumped up about REVEL and help you earn those PRs! If you haven't heard of REVEL, let me fill you in!

REVEL is known for their fast courses in beautiful scenic areas around the country. Currently there are three races on their docket...The Rockies in Denver, Big Cottonwood in Utah, and Canyon City here in Southern California. Not only are they fast...they are beautiful. Through my trail running, I have a new appreciation for nature and my surroundings. When I am surrounded by the splendor of nature I feel more at ease and comfortable. I tend to enjoy the run more. REVEL is known for amazing swag and an amazing community of runners. Fast and scenic is totally my scene. THIS is the race I will earn my sub 4 at and THIS is why I chose to team up with REVEL.

I am excited to kick off my partnership with them! I will have your chance to win some entries real soon! Also, I'll be forming a team for Canyon City! So if you wanna run with me, it's gonna be a party! I may even have a balloon!

Stay tuned in the coming days...I will have so much more to share!

Be Better Than You Were Yesterday

As I begin to settle back into being my normal goofy self, that means I can get back into providing some inspirational tea to all of you...I know some of you have been missing it. So, I generated this quote graphic earlier in the week. It is inspired by a few things. One being I got the chance to see Jill Scott perform last week and that is always a treat because she is all about story telling and inspiring. Secondly, remembering quotes from two of my faves Oprah and the late Dr. Maya Angelou about forgiveness and the power of words. Thirdly, applying those thoughts to my everyday life. Running isn't what I do day in and day out. Hot damn how I wish it were. Running is a part of my life. It is something that has embraced me and given me so much, so much that I can't repay it. The best way I can repay the gift is to pay it forward. Isn't that how much of life should operate. We want to be faster, more consistent, and stronger athletes right? What I am going to write about will help keep you focused in your everyday life and will translate into running.

At the end of the day, the only thing I want (and what I enjoy seeing in others) is to be a better person than I was the day before. What does that mean? I'm glad you asked.

Now I know I am not the first person to have said this and I know I won't be the last. My interpretation goes something like this. Life is all about change and growth. Every day your interactions with others and your personal thought help to shape what type of person you are. Energy is neither lost or destroyed, it is transferred from one party to the next. Energy between people works the same way, it is no different than electricity. It's science, kids. Anyway, with every interaction or energized thought/action it usually leaves behind a crumb of influence...think of it as an Internet cookie. Some are subtle, while others are giant Mrs. Fields cookie cake size. At the end of the day is it up to you what you do with these crumbs.

Some crumbs are stale, yucky, and unwanted. Think of these as harmful energy and not-so-pleasant interactions. I am staying away from using the word "negative" because sometimes in negativity comes a positive result. For the crumbs that are in the way of you achieving what you want, remove them. File them away as a memory and a lesson and continue to move forward. Don't waste time and energy on situations you can not change or fix. You can't save the world...so don't try. You can have influence to spark which will hopefully create change. But keep this in mind, just because you think something should be a specific color doesn't always make you right. Yes, that's a metaphor.

Now good interactions and good crumbs. Keep those. They are typically endearing, things that make you smile, and bring you authentic happiness. You want to collect these and keep them. You also want to share them. A cookie (especially an Oreo double stuff'd) is no good when you can't share the love. You want to uplift and share these interactions and this energy with the world. When you surround yourself with people that are happy and positive...this energy exchange brings amazing results. Don't be afraid of it.

In closing, be aware of the your energy and the energy in your space. Protect the happy crumbs and share them with the world. Acknowledge, then file away harmful crumbs and move forward bringing joy to those around you. Share happiness with those who may not be. You never know who you can influence. You may not be able to change the world at large, but you may be able to create a change in someone's world.  Be better than you were yesterday. Don't carry grudges and drama into your new day.  No one is promised another day so use each day wisely. Stay blessed my friends.

Time For Something FRESH!

It has been a great road with See Sharp Run! This blog and everything associated with it has opened so many doors! I have been introduced to so many amazing readers, blends, companies, and organizations. This blog has become way more than I could have ever expected or imagined. I am so grateful to each and every reader, supporter, and cheerleader of the See Sharp Run movement! But like all good things, they must come to an end. It's bittersweet, but come mid-July, See Sharp Run will be closing.

Ok, now that just sounds dramatic. You didn't think I would just leave you would I?! We have way more work to do on these roads, trails, and rainbows!

I am leaving my current platform on Google's Blogger and will be moving to WordPress. I am excited to begin self-hosting my blog and taking my digital presence to the next level. With that being said, I will be retiring See Sharp Run...and I will become SharpEndurance.com! Sharp Endurance will focus on more than just running. I find that I am becoming a more well-rounded athlete in the areas of fitness/cross-training. I am also moving into cycling (as soon as I purchase a bike). All that being said, See Sharp Run doesn't seem to fit all of the great adventures I am embarking on. I want to create a space that you can come to for a majority of your endurance sports needs. I am really excited to bring all of this great material to you. Don't worry!  You will still receive the great race recaps, thoughts, and product reviews you've always gotten from me...we will just add more!

Why? Because you all ROCK and you deserve it!

The closer we get to launch you will hear more from me. All of my social media profiles will also change to reflect the updates. I wanted to let you all know that if my blog is quiet...it's because #TeamSharpie is hard at work creating an amazing experience for all of you! So shout out to many of my Blends for offering a hand, opinions, and thoughts as we work together to create a new place for fitness, running, unicorns, and delicious cupcakes.

If there is anything you'd like to see on Sharp Endurance, let me know in the comments and I will try to keep those in mind! Remember, I do this for all of you. You make the success possible and I appreciate each of you SO SO MUCH! Thank you for allowing me to share my world and inspire you.

Finding Peace on the Trails

I am starting to get back to normal. I've been having a very interested month or so. One thing that occurred I didn't believe would...I reached marathon burnout...and it was bad. After sitting back and really being honest with myself, I realized that I pretty much have been nonstop since 2012 with racing from here, there, and everywhere. There really hasn't been any real downtime. Which explains why my times have pretty much been consistent and not really improving. You can't improve if you aren't training toward something. After Boston, I was on such a high. I ran Big Sur and enjoyed the scenery but my focus began be redirected to how many hills there were. I stopped enjoying the run...I didn't realize this until a few weeks after. And let's be real, by the time OC Marathon got here I was mentally fried. I was ready to just be done for a while. I wanted to just relax and not think about racing. I didn't want to race. I needed to stop before it stopped being fun. Running is a gift, and there is a such thing as to much of a good thing.

So last month, I started getting back to what I love. Running just because I can. Running because my legs would take me places...not because I had to compete or show up...but just run. I had forgotten about just running. This is so important. I linked up with Leslie and we climbed Mt. Baldy...just because we could. That was the start of something big for me. Then I linked up with Michelle and we have been shredding hills and canyons and mountains for a few weeks now. I not only connect with the trail beneath me, but I connect with my mind and spirit. The trails and mountains are where I love to run. Fresh air (even if it is thin), beautiful inspiring scenery, animals, and running water. So many beautiful vivid colors and the ability to literally run along the clouds. THAT is what I love. That is something that has inspired me. That is what I have grown to appreciate. So that is what I will do.

I want to get faster and stronger and running technical trails will make that happen. Yesterday I had the chance to run with Keira and Michelle.We went and tackled Mt. Baldy and spend 5 hours running, chatting, and connecting. I was really humbled to be able to run with elite women (who hold course records and win 100 milers by the way), and even more astonished that I could keep up with them, especially on the down hills! What I learned from them yesterday is that it is important to always do what you love and appreciate you life. So that's what I'm gonna do.

I signed up for El Moro 50K in October today. El Moro is a beautiful scenic trail in Crystal Cove that hugs the coast line of Orange County. I can't wait to earn my Ultra status. Additionally, I want to run more trail races. I find that I connect more being in mountains and deserts. Nothing wrong with road races, and I am not quitting them completely just adjusting to new venues and trying new things. I still have my favorite road races that I will continue to do, but I want to really start to focus my race calendar on those races that I love and really hone in on those bucket list items and goals.

I haven't had this much fun just relaxing and enjoying the run in some time and I am glad I found my happy again. I still have some things to work through, but life will take care of itself. Always remember to live the life you always imagined. No one else is in charge or obligated to make you happy, that's your job. Have honest conversations with yourself and make plans to get back to your happy place. Life is too short, and the world is to beautiful to be caught up in nonsense! Ain't nobody got time for that. Do what makes you happy and live your best life!

June RunnerBox Review

I am happy to bring you my first RunnerBox review as one of the newest Blog Ambassadors!! I received my new box early last week and was really excited. I mean, what runner doesn't enjoy receiving presents??? With RunnerBox you can select the frequency in which you want to receive these awesome presents! And every month the boxes change! YAHOO! Well, I want to share some of the goodies I got this month! There are a few things I am really anxious to try! That's another one of the awesome benefits of subscribing to RunnerBox! You can always sample and try new products without the huge commitment of purchasing a product not knowing if you will like it or not.

Lock Laces - Many runners know about Lock Laces. I have heard of them but I've never owned a pair. Lock Laces basically remove the need for you to worry about tying your shoes when you are out there running. They also eliminate heel crushing and reduce pressure points! So I'll be excited to give these a try.

Generation UCAN! - This is a product that was pitched to me when I was at the Boston Marathon expo. Funny enough, Meb uses this stuff...and he won Boston! Generation UCAN is a drink powder that is known to provide steady energy and put your body in the ideal performance state whit ion spikes and crashes...or GI stress. The reason I didn't buy it in Boston was because of the price tag on the box...so I will be really interested to see how this works, and how it compliments my other fuel. I was really excited to pull this product out of the box.

Mud Energy Gel - Not a big gel fan. But for those that are, I think it is interesting that this particular gel uses coconut water and has 12 grams of protein...and of course uses chocolate (hence the name mud right?) Can't say I will use it but good to know it's out there. If you have used it I would love to hear your thoughts.

PureFit Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Premium Protein Bar - I've been known to enjoy a PureFit bar once or twice and I gotta say these are really tasty! In fact, I like having snackage to take along with me on long trail runs, this seems to hit the mark. I have also had this flavor and it is NOMTASTIC! Tasty, full of protein and developed by athletes. Winner!

Pure Clean Beet Powder - I like beets, they are nature's candy don't cha know. Brownie points to whoever gets that reference. Anyway. I didn't know that someone would take beets and turn them into a powder...well they did. Pure Clean is organic, full-strength beet juice...just in powder form. So essentially you literally just add water. Interesting. The nitrates are still included with the package! You can also use it in juice and smoothies. This may be part of my breakfast tomorrow. A great example of a product I had no idea existed that catches my curiosity. MMM Beets....

Fuel 100 Salty Vanilla Electro-Bites - These little guys are designed to help extend training and improve race performance. The packs are only 100 calories, and the bites have a salty taste that dissolve easily in your mouth. Some of their ingredients include coconut oil and agave syrup. Not quite sure what to think about these, but they do sound tasty. Sounds like a road test is in order.

EBOOST - Hydration mix time! The flavor I got was pink lemonade! YAY, how awesome is that for summer time? So, EBOOST powders have a bunch of interesting things in them. Green tea, green coffee (what?), various vitamins, electrolytes and antioxidants of course. Good news is that is doesn't have any artificial colors or sweeteners. No sugar. That's a good thing. It may be worth a sip for sure...but more research on the green coffee is needed. ;)

Veggie-Go's Chewy Fruit and Veggie Snack - Fruit Leathers! YAY! I'm a big kid so anything that reminds me of my old lunch box is a winner in my mind. These babies are organic fruit strips but they also have half a serving of veggies in them, now that's pretty damn cool. Of course they are also packed with vitamins and minerals...these will find their way into my lunch box tomorrow.

Lenny & Larry's Peanut Butter Crunch FIT Protein Brownie - More peanut butter! ALL THE PROTEIN! Instead of making a bar, these folks made a brownie. I appreciate that. Different textures and consistencies can be fun to experiment with. It's gluten free, has no GMOs, low sugar, and has 13 grams of protein. Seems like something I would be interested in chomping on!

RunnerBox Towel - Thanks guys for tossing in this lovely little gem! It is getting hot here in so cal so a microfiber towel is always welcome! It's really kind of neat! Me Likes Swag!

All in all, I am really satisfied with the box. The total value of everything in the box is $30.99. That's more than what you would have paid for it. I'm calling this one a victory. I may not use all the products, but that doesn't mean that they are bad. I am also interested in trying some of the new things like Generation UCAN, the Beet Powder, and I'm gonna tear into that veggie snack. Pretty sweet!

Want to get started with RunnerBox? I have a discount code for you! SSRUNRB will save you 10% on any RunnerBox subscription! Take a look! Try something new!

Celebrating National Running Day 2014

One of our favorite running holidays has arrived! It is National Running Day! National Running Day is more than a day where we as runners lace up and head out to log a few miles. This is a day where we as a community of runners come together to focus and reaffirm why it is we do what we do. Every single runner has a different story. While many people may have started running for similar reasons, or discovered running by accident like I did, today is all about remembering why you started running in the first place, encouraging others, and focusing on those goals you have. I have to say, all of the stories, posts, and images I see on my news feeds and on other blogs inspire me everyday. No matter what you skill level, you are making a difference and an impact on someone else. So I encourage all of you to continue toward those goals and thank you for inspiring and motivating me!

How am I celebrating today? Well, after work I thought I would head to the Preserve and climb some hills and then run down them really really fast lol. That has become one of my favorite places to run. A local trail, beautiful scenery, and so much to explore and discover. I get to connect with the landscape and clear my head and for those moments I feel alive and centered. Running has given me so much. Amazing friendships, a sense of purpose, drive and determination, and the sexiest leg muscles I've ever had. Last night I signed on to be part of the Run It Fast club to continue to connect with runners that...well...like to Run Fast HAHA! No seriously, this is an awesome group of athletes of all skill levels and I can't wait to really get in there and have some fun! I'll also be continuing to interact with all of you! And let's start with this blog post. Share in the comments why you run!

Happy National Running Day! Remember, running is a gift and it always has something to teach you. Also, Runner High is still legal in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

QOTD: Why do YOU run?

RunnerBox Ambassador Announcement

Well today was very exciting! I received an email I was hoping that I would receive. The wonderful team over at RunnerBox has announced their ambassador team for the rest of the year and I have been added to the roster! WOO HOO!!

My excitement looked something like this...

So, you are probably wondering what exactly IS RunnerBox? I am so glad you asked! Let me share!

RunnerBox is like Christmas every month for a runner. It is a monthly subscription service that gets delivers a box full of great products, discounts, and unicorn dust to your door (unicorn dust may vary) ;). If you are like me and enjoy trying different products in order to discover the right one JUST for you, the RunnerBox is an amazing solution. You get sample packs of items and can give them a try! You can enjoy various varieties, flavors, and styles of products before committing to buying one out right at full price. This is a great thing for not only newer runners but experienced runners who want to keep a pulse on what's going on in the industry. The boxes change on a monthly basis so you are always receiving something new to try. If you are a cyclist, they have a box designed just for you as well...named aptly CycleBox! Triathlete?...the TriBox is here for you! Since I will be gearing up to cycle and even swim I can see all three of these boxes becoming staples in my arsenal for a while. Who doesn't love choices and diversity, right?

Let's talk about subscription options! You can order the boxes to arrive bi-monthly or in blocks of time of one year subscriptions, six months, or a two box starter pack which consists of a four month subscription of two boxes shipped every other month. You can also gift a box to a friend! There's a ton of flexibility when it comes to RunnerBox! I am happy to be a member of their Blog Ambassador Team! I know as I train this summer to get faster and go further that the products I get to try will be a big help! I may even discover something new that could improve my performance...which is always great!

Let's talk about the good stuff! Every month I will be doing a review of the box of treasures that arrives. If you are interested in giving RunnerBox a whirl, you can use my discount code SSRUNRB and save 10% on any option on the RunnerBox site!! Buttt....I'm gonna gift one through a giveaway just because I'm a nice kind of guy that enjoys playing Oprah.

Ok so here's how this works. RaffleCopter Time! One lucky US Resident is gonna get one RunnerBox gifted from me. My gift to you. One singular box, not a subscription (I'm not really Oprah here folks...I wish I was). All you gotta do is do the dance that makes you dance below and you could win! Let's do this! Any questions about RunnerBox? Let me know! You know I love helping :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Orange Mud Transition Towel Giveaway

Have you ever gone for a run on a trail, or spent some time at the beach and wished you had the opportunity to change on the go without having to worry about exposing your "zip code" to all of the world? How about this...after a run we all know how we can feel yucky having being covered in awesome. The sweat. The dirt. The grime. The last thing you want is to do is track that onto your seats or make connection with your leather on a hot day. Wouldn't it be amazing if there was a lovely doo-dad that was available in the marketplace that catered to these needs? Wouldn't it be awesome if it came in a variety of different colors, and utilized a wonderfully soft fabric? Lucky for you...such a magic doo-dad exists. Introducing the Orange Mud Transition Towel.

The whole idea of the transition towel is a functional towel that allows you to change out of your gear into another set of clothes with ease...without having to worry about if your towel will fall and expose your "biscuits and gravy". The towel secures around your waist using a really comfortable and easy to use belt clip that is integrated right into the towel. So wrap it around your waist. clip into place and change with ease (yes I just made that up).

Now, you still may be sweaty and gross and the last thing you want to do is get your car all funky, right? Simple. use the integrated zipper and transition your towel into a hoodie and slide it over your car seat. You can now sit on your car seat with peace of mind, knowing that you won't have to rush to the cash wash to get that vacuum out. Simply remove the towel from the seat when you get home and toss it in the washing machine.

The best part is, it comes in 14 great colors, one of which is sure to match your personality. I have three of these beauties and my favorite color is purple! The colors are vivid and bold!

This is certainly a product every runner should own, especially if you love the trails and the ultra lifestyle. If you head to the beach for surfing or other marine activities, this is an amazing item as well. Towel to hoodie in seconds!

Don't forget to check out Orange Mud and their awesome line of HydraQuiver hydration systems! I run with mine all the time. Orange Mud prides themselves in producing products with the highest quality materials right here in the USA. No bouncing, no chafing, no problems! I own a single barrel and a double and feel so sad when I can't or don't run with it. It really is one of my favorite things.

If you use discount code ABLINZROCKS you can save 15% on anything on their website!

So...you want one? I am giving one anyway! One transition towel to one lucky US resident. You even get to pick the color! A $39.95 value yours free! So let's go!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Personal Thoughts About runDisney

So, this post is a pretty difficult one to write. For the most part, I have kept my opinions and thoughts about runDisney and their recent changes to myself or shared them with people that are close to me. I haven’t really come out and taken a position one way or another. I’ve played this out in my mind for weeks and came to the conclusion that I owe it not only to myself but I owe it to you to share my thoughts openly and honestly. These are my opinions and this is my space…so I am going to try to frame these thoughts the best that I can.

Before we even dive into this, I am going to provide you all with my runDisney race resume. I am sharing this so you know that I have been doing this for quite some time…so maybe some of my thoughts will have some context against them when I talk about the changes I have seen over the years.

-Disneyland Half Marathon 2012

-Wine and Dine Half Marathon 2012

-Walt Disney World Marathon (Goofy Finisher) 2013

-Tinker Bell Half Marathon 2013

-Disneyland Half Marathon (Dumbo Double Dare Finisher) 2013

-Wine and Dine Half Marathon 2013

-Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend (Dopey Challenge Finisher) 2014

-Tinker Bell 10K AND Half Marathon 2014

-Avenger’s Super Heroes Half Marathon 2014 (Coming Soon)
-3X Coast to Coast medal recipient

Ok, now that I have that out of the way let’s get right into this post.

I discovered runDisney by accident. I began running in 2012 and found out that Disney had their own race series. I, being the huge Disney fanatic that I am was very excited and signed up for the Disneyland Half Marathon without hesitation. It was my third half marathon and it was A LOT of fun. I am local to Disneyland so travel wasn't an issue and in 2012 I don't remember the course or the expo being too crowded. I had the time of my life. I was moved and inspired and didn't want this to end. Upon returning from vacation to Alaska (on the Disney Cruise Line no less...I left the next day haha), I signed up for the Wine and Dine half marathon. Food and wine and running...who says no to that. I went to that event alone. I was fortunate enough to secure a place in the Disney Parks Blog meet up group where I was formally introduced to Team #runDisney. I had been chatting and conversing with many of these people online for a couple months. The group was small, yet welcoming. I continue to keep in touch with A LOT of these folks to this day. After finishing that weekend, I walked away with so many new friends. Again, I didn't want that to end.

I have said it before and I will say it again, runDisney race weekends aren't so much about the race...it's about the people! The people are what make these racecations what they are. Hands down. Period. I like to think of it as a family reunion when we all get together. I mean, we run races that aren't Disney and make it a point to meet up with one another just to say hi and steal hugs. THAT is what makes this special. I hang on to those memories and look forward to creating more both on Disney property and off. 

As of the past year, runDisney has seen some major administrative changes in how they operate. The changes are not subtle and the changes in MY personal opinion are quite disheartening. Let me be perfectly clear. I was a cast member at Disneyland. One of my roles was a guest control/special events cast member. They are part of the team that runDisney leverages for race weekend logistics. So, I understand what it is like to be a cast member and the stress that comes with it. I am not blaming ONE single person for ANYTHING. These are my personal feelings and observations. You have every right to agree or disagree. I also welcome alternative perspectives as well. This is meant to generate conversation, not bash anyone.

Let's talk about what runDisney does VERY well. runDisney knows their audience. One of the reasons they exist is to encourage families to get off the couch and be active together. They do that by holding races at their vacation destinations and hoping all will participate. BRILLIANT. I love that families can run/walk/play together. runDisney is also a great place to run if you are new to running and want to give it a try. I have always found runDisney races to be a safe haven and space for all skill levels. I find for the most part their races and expos are very organized. They have their moments when they aren't so smooth...but so does everyone else. They really leverage their runners in their campaigns. This forms a sense of community and inclusion. I also find they are always on the hunt for continuous improvement. Not every race (Disney or non) is perfect. There is always something that can be done better. I find they address the big things and get them corrected. Jeff Galloway & Tara Gidus are wonderful resources that are warm, open, and available for the participants! I love that so much. The list of what they do well is much longer but these are just some of the things I really do appreciate.

Ok...here's where it's gonna get dicey. In today's technical age social media presence is important. Lots of us turn to Facebook or Twitter for news and customer service...they miss the mark on this hardcore. I find the accounts go nuts during race weekends and then are pretty quiet there after. New participants have legitimate questions that only runDisney can answer and those vehicles would be a great way to close the gap. I know the staff is limited. I know they have a lot on their plate. But client engagement and loyalty is important. For most inquiries I will direct you to the Team #runDisney blog/forum/Facebook group because they are an amazing resource with seasoned runDisney participants...myself included. I always wondered why they don't have a formal race ambassador program to help with this...then it hit me. Why do they need it? Bloggers like me do the work for free. We recap our experiences and answer questions for free. They don't need to create or leverage a program for that because the need is already addressed. Makes sense to me. Although it would be a nice idea.

The prices are now out of bounds. Yes, we can discuss the "value" you get for the races. Yes, the tech shirts are usually awesome (and have improved drastically in both design and materials that are used), yes the medals are usually awesome (I'll come back to this), and the on course entertainment is usually spot on. I still have a hard time justifying $195 for a half marathon. Some high profile marathons don't cost that much. When you factor in travel, housing accommodations, food, and swag at the expo...it adds up. Fast. Especially for someone coming from Southern California to Orlando. Now, no one is forcing any of us to make these commitments and sign up and everyone has an individual circumstance. For me, I've done these races find a better value in using those available funds to explore and experience other races. It's not cost effective for me to repeat these races at the high price point...that continues to climb. That's just me.

I was REAL disappointed with the 2015 Goofy medal. Why? Because it looks EXACTLY like the ING Miami Marathon medal from 2012!!!!!!! The only thing missing were the palm trees. I am all for leveraging ideas for inspiration and such but this is THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY! You are known for creativity, innovation, and for using your imaginations to bring ideas, concepts, and stories to life. You bombed that one guys...sorry 'bout it. Normally the medals are breathtaking. I have some that just make me say WOW that rocks to this day! Even the 2014 Goofy medal is stellar! The Marathon medal this year as simple as it is, still has charm and appeal. I don't know what happened, but I want to see that flare come back. Racing isn't all about medals...but having one that you can fall in love with is always nice. Now, everyone has the same taste in design so this opinion is completely subjective...like most of this post but you get what I mean.

runDisney has realized it is officially a cash cow. They sell out races in record times at high prices (which is their prerogative), the merchandise isn't the cheapest (and sells out quickly), New Balance shoes are a hot item (I waited for my pair), and everyone wants to sign up for what's next. Why wouldn't they as a business play to these strengths? And they do. And why shouldn't they? It's about the bottom line at the end of the day. A business exists to make a profit. And they have found new and "creative" ways to do that. Introducing new challenges for one (Dopey, Glass Slipper, whatever is going on on Castaway Cay).

For me, it's exhausting to go to these events. I literally need a vacation after the racecation. Dopey about killed me. The mileage wasn't the issue. It was the constant 3 am wake up calls, hardly any park time, and early bed times. It starts messing with your head. I hung out and met old and new friends that weekend and I will forever be grateful for that, but it's just too much mental stress for me. I love the concept of runDisney, but I think since they have made their changes they primarily focus on the bottom line instead of the runner. The runner will always be there because let's face it...y'all are still stalking the website and social media grasping at those registration dates and links. The demand is there. I don't see that changing. This post isn't trying to steer you away, do what you love! I am here sharing my perspective because I have seen a shift and it makes me sad.

Wine and Dine will always be my favorite event, and I plan on returning to that in 2015. This isn't goodbye by any means, but this is I need to reduce my participation. runDisney has give me SO SO SOOOO MUCH!!!! Memories, friends, and magic. I want that to continue and I wish all participants find the same happiness that I have been fortunate enough to experience in their own races and trips.

This has been on my spirit for a while. So there it is. Now you know. It's not the bubbly funny post that you usually get from me, but it is honest and from my heart. And it's taken me some time to get here and put it down on paper err...computer screen. Whew. It sure isn't what it used to be...and sadly it's pretty obvious.

Pro Compression Giveaway

It's been some time since I have given something away here, so let's get back into the swing of things shall we? As you have probably heard, I have recently joined the Pro Compression Ambassador team! This is truly exciting. If you haven't heard much about Pro Compression, let me give you some quick highlights. Pro makes compression socks and sleeves. The benefits of owning and using compression products range anywhere from increased blood flow, stability, comfort, and they even aid in speedy recovery after those long runs. Yesterday I climbed Mt. Baldy here in Southern California and wore my socks up and down 10,000 feet of elevation. My calves were on fire from the hard work, but my Pro Compression socks kept me safe and the recovery time after such a hard day was really fast. Pro socks and sleeves come in a variety of colors and styles to match exactly what you are looking for. So, as my welcome to the team, Pro has graciously offered to giveaway one pair of marathon socks OR sleeves to one lucky US winner. All you have to do is utilize the RaffleCopter below. This contest will run until Friday May 23rd. In the meantime, I want to encourage you to go over to Pro Compression's website and use discount code 'SSR' and take advantage of the 40% off offer I have going on NOW! This deal is only available until the end of the day on Friday May 23rd, so don't delay! Let's get the party started! Good luck and don't forget to #KeepItTight!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You Had ONE Job! Don't Die! The Mt. Baldy Climb with Leslie

Today was pretty awesome I must say.  A week ago I solidified plans to climb a mountain that sits in my backyard. One of the highest mountains in Southern California, Mt. Baldy...also known to some as Mt. San Antonio (but no one calls it that).  Anywho, you may recall that the lovely Leslie offered to come along for the ride. I being the happy guy I am said the more the merrier. Since I have never attempted anything like this before, it would be good to have an ultra runner who has scaled this beast numerous times come with me.

She got to my house at 6:30 this morning. I hopped in her cute car and we zipped 15 minutes down the freeway and headed up 3000 feet to the parking area in from of the San Antonio trail that would take us up to above 10,000 feet above sea level...the summit of Mt. Baldy.  So let me tell you right now, Leslie and I hit it off immediately. She's funny! She's totally adventurous! Her smile is infectious, and she was very easy to talk to. I definitely made a new friend today. Especially since she surprised me and wore her INKnBURN Flutter tech tee! Yes we were the talk of the trail.

At the trail head beginning our day

After we suited up, he began our climb at the trail head. The first thing we saw in the shadows were the San Antonio falls...we will get back to those in a bit. We continued our climb and our great conversation. Now, there are two ways  up this mountain. There is The Devil's Backbone trail (which is how we descended) and the Ski Hut route. We walked up through the trees, and the bushes, and the rocks, and past the lizards and made our way up toward the Ski Hut. This climb took us about an hour. Along this portion of the climb we encountered some narrow paths and loose rocks. So, if you aren't experienced on trails that are this technical I want to caution you to be careful, be aware of your surroundings, and bring a guide with you if possible. That's where the fun title of this blog came from. We promised one another neither one of us would plummet to the rocky basin below us...and trust me on parts of the trail it's easy to do. So every time one of us would loose our footing and recover we would yell ' YOU HAD ONE JOB!" and we would just burst into laughter...that was funny for 5 hours!! It also served as a reminder to be careful. No one wants to see anyone get hurt. Now, don't get the idea that we were up there being reckless, we were slow and VERY careful but even when you're the most careful things happen. So heads up! But any who. You definitely feel the climb and the elevation change. It happens pretty quickly. But the views are absolutely magnificent. The weather today was also PERFECTION! The skies were clear, we were in the low to mid 70s with a delightful breeze. We couldn't have asked for better conditions out there. Finally we reached the Ski Hut. Yes this is where you can rent skies during snow season lol.

One of the great views from Ski Hut

Ski Hut Panorama 

After our brief break at the Ski Hut we continued upward. The next leg of this journey would take about an hour and twenty minutes. We weren't in any big rush. We were just enjoying one another and the beautiful scenery. After we passed a stream of fresh running water (which had us in a state of awe), we made our way to the court of large boulders and things (yes that's what I named it). I loved seeing all of the rocks and decided this would be the perfect place for a photo shoot. Leslie totally agreed.








After our brief but always fun photo shoot we noticed that some other fun hikers in the near vicinity...but they were just standing still. We turned our heads and saw a DEER! WILDLIFE! It was a curious little thing, and Leslie and I were totally jealous at it's ability to maneuver the hillside with not a problem at all. I issued an immediate side eye. But let's be honest...it was SO COOL and SO CUTE!

Do! A Deer! A Female Deer! I think anyway?

The remainder of the climb was pretty routine. We continued our steady climb very happy with our pace and communication. We were having so much fun up there. I think people around us wanted to join us, and at one point some did. We routinely stopped for breaks as needed because as you know the higher in elevation you go the thinner the air gets. So it's important to be aware of your body and your breathing. The very last climb was probably the hardest thing of the day. It literally feels like you are scaling a wall. As you approach the summit you see lots of other hikers sitting, eating, chatting, and enjoying the view from above 10,000 feet above sea level. WE MADE IT! It took us about 3 hours (which was pretty fast for me) and celebrated at the summit! Lots of hugs smiles and of course singing haha.

The views from the top were insane! It was so beautiful you could literally see for MILES! If the sky had been clear of haze and the smoke from the fires in San Diego you would probably be able to see the ocean, the Los Angeles skyline, and other great points of interest. It was INCREDIBLE! Reaching the top was worth the hurt and struggle for sure. Nothing that awesome comes without hard work!

PROOF!

Before we began our descent, Leslie saw SNOW! So of course she had to go play in it LOL! I saw a big rock and had to serve an awesome photo. I took inspiration from one of my faves Holly. She took this photo a while back and it blew my mind. So this was my attempt. Don't mind the poor form, there was no oxygen up there in that layer of the atmosphere...I was also on a cliff. LOL

@Holly_Fitness #MyFav

Welp.

After that we made our way to Devil's Backbone. This trail drops pretty fast from the summit so we were coming back to civilization pretty rapidly. Before we continued to drop to the trail we noticed more snow banks...you can guess what happened next. I looked right at Leslie and sang 'Do you want to build a snowman" from Frozen. Naturally we exploded into laughter and started to build a snowman. I mean who wouldn't. 

Hang in there, Joan!

After we brought our masterpiece to life by the power of Elsa (which no one still understands) we continued to laugh. Yes his name is Olaf, and yes he does like warm hugs and pancakes!

OLAF LIVES!!!!

After that random event we continued our trek down. Again, lots of rocks and dirt here so it's important to be VERY careful. More so on this trail. Wanna know WHY they call it Devil's Backbone? Because the trail is narrow and you have nothing to save you on either side. The trail has to be at max 5 feet wide, so PAY ATTENTION! It's totally safe but not really the place to cartwheel. I got nervous a couple times. We made our way down to the Mt. Baldy Lodge and used the facilities and refilled on water and lemonade. I was thirsty and it was free. This is about where the event comes to a close. Now if you've had enough the ski lifts run on the weekends and you can catch a ride down to the trail head. Ain't nobody got time for that. We enjoyed the 4 mile walk to our car and just continued to talk and chat and look up. We kept saying "WE WERE UP THERE!" It's really a marvel. We made our way back to San Antonio falls and enjoyed the splendor. The water is fresh, cool, calming, and tasty....yeah I tasted it. 

Leslie cooled her feet in the water while I played photographer. And of course we took a selfie.

After our fun at the falls it was time to go find some food and refuel. I totally made a new friend today! Leslie is pretty damn awesome. We had SUCH a good time. We already planned a couple more trails we want to go explore! And whenever she comes up to take on Baldy I'll probably be there. Leslie came two hours north from San Diego to play on the trails with me today! I couldn't be more grateful and happy that she came to hang out. She's a jewel! Thanks again Les! You rock the party! And she did her job very well...she didn't die and neither did I! Fantastic!