My +1 Experience

As a part of the New York Road Runner Marathon qualifying 9 + 1 program, each runner must volunteer for at least one race throughout the course of the year. 

I was determined not to make the same mistake I made on my first volunteer effort in 2013 so I selected my race carefully.  I picked a short four mile race on the day after I ran the Healthy Kidney 10k.  I volunteered to be a Course Marshal and selected a spot roughly half a mile from the finish to monitor the course.  My main responsibilities were to keep pedestrians out of the areas sectioned off for runners AND to encourage the runners as they passed through my area. 

I actually had a lot of fun volunteering at the race this year.  I liked having a specific duty and area to manage.  I also really liked encouraging the runners as they ran by me.  So many of the runners were so grateful to have someone clapping and cheering them on. 

Have you ever volunteered for a race?  Did you have a positive experience?

Andrea :)

Bridesmaid on the Beach

It's hard to believe that summer is slowly turning to fall.  I still have SO much to catch up on here, but let me begin with my friend's beach wedding in mid-July.

When Chris and I arrived in Fort Myers to 100+ degree temps, I was a little nervous about how I'd hold up in the heat.  It was HOT!!  We managed to locate the Pink Shell Resort with no problem at all.  It was a really nice beachfront property with lots of fun pools and restaurants to explore.

We made it just in time for the rehearsal.  The food was super tasty!  The bride was so sweet to acknowledge my upcoming birthday at the dinner that night as well. 

After dinner, the bridesmaids showered the bride with some fun gifts and then hung out at the pool for awhile.  It was nice to catch up with several of the ladies that went to college with me.

The official wedding day festivites kicked off with hair and makeup appointments for all the ladies.  We had fun at the salon and then stopped off for ice cream prior to heading back to the beach!

The wedding took place right on the beach so I know the photographer must have taken some gorgeous pics.  We quickly took a few posed shots before heading in for the reception.  The sun set just at the end of the photo session making for some stunning photos.
 

The rest of the night we spent laughing and dancing.  It was a lot of fun. And it got Chris and I really excited for our upcoming celebration in October!! It's SO close now!!

Have you ever been to a beach wedding?

Andrea :)

Race Recap: Portugal Run 5M

The Portugal Run was hands down THE most difficult race I've ever completed.  A total running time of 1:06:10 at a 13:14 minute mile pace doesn't even come close to painting the picture.

The day before the run, Chris and I had ventured to the cutest little baby shower a couple hours away in Pennsylvania.

I rested in the car on the way back to NYC and felt fine when I went to sleep, but about 3am I woke up with intense stomach issues.  INTENSE!  I was back and forth to the bathroom about every hour for the rest of the night.  I honestly wasn't sure I would be able to make it to Central Park, but I also knew that I didn't have many opportunities left to run the nine races needed to complete the marathon qualifying so I decided to push through it.

I left my apartment when the race was set to begin, but fortunately the cab got me there quickly.  I took off near the very back of the pack and didn't move too quickly at first.  I knew that I needed to find the first port-o-potty on the trail...and I ended up having to walk most of the way there.  The first mile ended up taking me something like 18 minutes.  It was torture.  Absolute torture.

I thought about just quitting and going home then, but I felt a bit better after the bathroom break and figured I was already 1/5 of the way to the end so I might as well just keep putting one foot in front of the other.  I managed to run roughly 11 minute miles for the next three miles.  Nothing short of a miracle!  The last mile was a major struggle though.  The entire mile I alternated between walking and the slowest jog ever all while scanning the entire grounds for another port-o-potty.  I thought I was NOT going to make it...

My friend, Amanda, was waiting for me at the finish.  Unaware of my super uncomfortable condition at the time, she got some great photos of me nearing the finish line.  In the first, I am clearly scanning the area for a port-o-potty which Amanda promptly helped me locate as soon as I crossed the finish line.  True friendship at its finest folks!

Needless to say, I wasn't super proud of my time for this race.  However, I was extremely happy that I survived it without any accidents.  Sometimes it really is just about crossing the finish line.

Andrea :)

Aladdin

Each summer, my friend Mary and I make it a point to celebrate our birthdays with a fun broadway show.  Feel free to hop over to this post to learn more about the history of our fun tradition.

This year we wisely decided upon Aladdin.  James Monroe Iglehart (the Genie) had just won a Tony for his performance.  Not to mention, I'd heard the show was simply amazing.  Those rumors were most definitely true!  I loved this show.  The genie truly did steal the show, but in the best way possible.  It was a very fun night with one of my favorite ladies!

If you are in New York, this is a MUST see show.  It is perfect for any audience and quite funny.  I actually wouldn't mind seeing it again.  It was really fun to watch.  Go check it out!! 

Andrea :)

Toughest Division in NFL

It is hard to believe that it is already time for my favorite season of the year - football season, of course!  If you haven't already entered my Back to Football giveaway, click HERE!!  Now that you are back, I want to introduce you to the toughest division in the NFL...the AFC North!

Click here for my Cleveland Browns stadium review!

The Browns are usually the weak link in the group, but they sure do know how to keep things interesting for everyone!  Especially with their latest addition to the quarterback ranks.  They are the only team in the division that I was able to watch in the pre-season this year due my work schedule.  I was not very impressed. They have a lot of promise, but they are also really hurting at some critical positions.  Looks to be another LONG year for the Brownies!

Click here for my Pittsburgh Steelers stadium review!

The Steelers are tough.  Always.  They have gotten older over the past couple years, but they still manage to keep fighting to the end for those wins.  It is rare that this group is able to collectively keep the Steelers out of the playoffs.  Simply put, this is a tough team with some of THE most loyal fans in the league! 

Click here for my Baltimore Ravens stadium review!

The Ravens are recent Super Bowl champs and prove quite talented and fiesty year after year.  Their defense stays consistent and the offense somehow manages to find their grove at pivital moments throughout the game.  The Ravens are never a team you want to see lined up across the field from you.  They've had their fair share of off-season distractions this year, but I guarantee they'll be in the hunt for a playoff spot regardless!

Click here for my Cincinnati Bengals stadium review!

My professional football career began as an intern with the Bengals and for that reason alone they hold a special place in my heart!  I absolutely love Coach Lewis and even though I don't know the current players personally any longer, I wish them all the best!  I love a good underdog story and the Bengals, regardless of the anticipated strength of their talented roster, always seem to be the underdog.  I'm certain this team will make the playoffs this year, but I am hopeful they will finally come through in the clutch and push toward the ultimate goal of winning the Super Bowl.  That would be an absolute dream!!

Do you follow the NFL?  Which division do you find to be the toughest?

Andrea :)

Back to Football GIVEAWAY!!

Today is the day that football fans around the world have been waiting for since February!  We kickoff to the 2014 NFL Season tonight out in Seattle! 

 

 

To celebrate the start to the best season of the year, I am hosting a giveaway!  I am putting together some back to football goodies for one of you lucky winners! 

 

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL??

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Andrea :)

Race Recap: NYRR Mini 10K

I love running the NYRR Mini.  It is an all female race that has become a summer tradition for me!  This year, I ran my fastest time yet on the 10k course.  I ran the 2012 mini in 1:18:57.  Then clocked 1:20:26 the next year.  Check out more about my full race experience in 2012 and 2013 by clicking on each year.

This year, I ran pushed for a 1:17 total time coming in at 12:24 miles.  Honestly, I hadn't trained much prior to the run so I felt pretty good about the time.  Plus, knowing it was my fastest for that particular course made me happy.  To top it off, I discovered this was a 10k PR for me as well.  Hooray for a fun race on a nice summer day in Central Park!!

Have you ever run any female only races?  Did you enjoy it?

Andrea :)