The First #WeRunSocial ATL meet up!

A couple of weeks ago my friend, Jill, suggested that we host a #WeRunSocial meet up at the Georgia Publix half/full marathon expo.  With the help of myself and our friend, Brandi, it became a reality....and a huge success!

Photo credit: Jill and Angela

We decided to meet outside a Starbucks....only Brandi discovered that it was now a Chick-Fil-A!  With a quick shout out on our Facebook event page, everyone still made it :)   There were a lot of hugs, selfies, and cookies consumed.

Photo credit: Jill (@mrscrashmattb) and Abs

Photo credit: Angela & Matthew

Photo credit: Angela

We gave away some awesome prizes - PRO compression socks, INKnBURN gift certificates, a Starbucks gift pack, Road ID credits, Sparkly Soul headbands and hair ties, and the item everyone wanted - a pretty sweet Miznuo gift pack!  We were like Oprah giving out the prizes....EVERYONE left with something!

Photo credit: Brandi (@FunnerRunner)

Of course, with most things...picture or it didn't happen, so we had to get a group photo before everyone dispersed.

Photo credit: Jill (@mrscrashmattb)

The first #WeRunSocial Atlanta meet up was a success!  Jill, Brandi, and I thank everyone for coming and we hope to be able to host another one in the near future!

If you've never heard of #WeRunSocial, you can read about about them here.  Also make sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Have you been to a #WeRunSocial meet up?  

Until next time,

Jingle Jog 5k recap

I'm still trying to play catch up on my blog.  As I mentioned in my last blog post, I started a new job and my hours haven't exactly been consistent, so it's been hard for me to sit down and write up some blog posts.  

Last month I decided to run the Jingle Jog 5k in Cumming.  I ran this a couple of years ago and, while the course is a bit hilly (hey, it is Georgia) I wanted to see how I would do since my 5k time had been consistently improving.

I was fortunate enough to get a bib through J's company (thanks Hansgrohe!).  

As tradition has it (and to make it easier when I get up in the morning) I lay out Flat Jen - it made me laugh that I ended up with Bib 1....ha!

The race was only about 5 minutes from my house (yay for local races!) and it had a later start time, so I always welcome getting a few extra minutes of sleep.  Parking was super easy, and I had some time to stop by the Hansgrohe water table to chat with them as well as walk around to check out the fun outfits people were wearing.

 

As I walked around the race area, I heard someone yell "JEN!"  I turned around and saw my sweet friend, Zoila, and her hubby, Chris (who I went to college with).  




I hadn't see her since the Peachtree Road Race so it was wonderful to catch up with her!  Chris was running with some of his Army buddies, so Zoila decided to join me.  The only goal I had for this race was a course PR, and Zoila wanted to push herself a little more.

The race started right on time, and we were off!  Within the first half mile you go up a decent hill, but we stuck with our intervals and made it up.  The course has rolling hills (as do most race courses in Georgia) but we kept a good pace and enjoyed each others company.  The volunteers on the course were great, but there were some super creepy looking "gnomes"...they reminded me of a bad version of the dwarves from "Snow White".  I didn't get to take a picture of them, but just trust me on this one...

The nice thing about going up hills is that you have to come down, and we had a very nice downhill finish.  Once we crossed the finish line i saw that I got a 6 minute PR!  We walked up and got our shirts, some water, and then hung out for a bit.  One of our OTF members was also running so I walked back to the finish line to try and see her finish, but sadly I missed her! :( 

 

Although the website said "No dogs allowed", there were a couple of cute pups who trekked the 3.1 miles with their humans.

Local races are always fun to do, and this is one that I really enjoy.  I'll be back again next year gunning for that PR!

Did you do a Christmas race this year?  

Until next time,


 
 

Disneyland Half Marathon weekend - Meet Ups (UPDATED!)

With the exciting race weekend that is just days away, myself along with thousands of other avid runDisney runners are busy packing and gearing up for the fantastic weekend ahead of us!

During the weekend, there will be many opportunities to meet new friends and see old ones.  I know I'm crazy excited to see a lot of friends whom I haven't seen for awhile.  While chatting with one of those friends last night, we both realized that it was this weekend back in 2013 where a lot of friendships were formed.

Over the course of the weekend there are a few 'meet ups' going on where you can meet some new people...maybe someone you've followed on social media.  I wanted to share a few with you that I knew were going on -

#TeamSparkle Donut Meet-Up

 If you're a runDisney fan, I'm sure you've seen tons of ladies (and even some guys!) sporing the ever so sparkly skirts during the races...these more than likely came from the awesome gals at Sparkle Athletic!  I met one of the founders, Kelly (@according2kelly) at Disneyland in 2013 and look forward to seeing her at each runDisney weekend that I attend.

This year they are hosting a meet up...but not just any meet-up...a DONUT MEET-UP!

Sadly, I don't think I'll be able to make it to this one due to prior commitments, but this is sure to be a great time!  Come carb up for the races and get to know the ladies behind the Sparkle!

Cupcake Meet-Up

I met Krissy (@krissymmurphy) for the first time at the 2013 Disneyland half marathon weekend and we have been friends ever since!  She is partnering up with DVC Central for the meet up, which will benefit PAWS Chicago, a national model and the Midwest’s largest No Kill humane animal shelter.  The money raised will go towards fellow runDisney fanatic, Justin Stone (@DisnyRunr24), fundraising efforts as he trains for the 2015 Chicago marathon as a member of Team PAWS Chicago.  Now...you may not know who Justin is, but you may be familiar with his amazing photos of his 2014 Wine and Dine half marathon medal and the infamous hash tag #MakingLemonadeOutta...

photo credit - Justin Stone

While registration for the meet up during the Disneyland half marathon weekend is now closed, you are more than welcome to stop by, say hi, and maybe even get a picture with Justin and his medal  :)  BUT....have no fear...they will be having another cupcake meet up during Wine and Dine half marathon weekend in November AND there is a virtual option! (with the virtual option you still have a chance to win prizes and receive the commemorative item...but you'll have to provide your own cupcakes).  Check out Krissy's blog to get more info, and you can register by clicking here :)  You can also check the official Cupcake Meet Up Facebook page for more information as the dates get closer.

The #PupcakeMeetUp2015 will be held from 1:30-2:30pm at the Picnic Swirl.  It's sure to be a fun time!

Instagram Meet-Up

Ivie (@ivieanne) and her fiance' AJ are an incredibly inspiring couple.  They have both changed their lifestyles and have lost a lot of weight!  They are also super cute together.  I've also never met them but hoping I can make it over to their meet up to say hi and introduce myself.  I'll definitely be in need of caffeine over the course of the weekend!

#WeRunSocial

I actually met Linzie (@SharpEndurance) at one of his meet ups during the 2013 Disneyland half marathon weekend.  I was a little shy but he made me feel right at home.  I'm excited to see him again during this weekend!  I've been following Carlee (@CarleeMcDot) on social media for quite awhile and am looking forward to meeting her in real life!

If you want to learn more about #WeRunSocial, check out the blog that Brian (@PavementRunner) wrote about it.  I've got my shirt packed and plan to wear it while spectating the 10k so look for me on the course!

There are tons of other opportunities to meet and run into people - the expo, anniversary party, the races, and the parks!  I strongly suggest you take the time to introduce yourself....the running community is a wonderful one to be a part of - I know I have met some of the most amazing people I've ever known through it.  You never know who you might meet and what connection you might have.  Make sure to say hi if you see me around!

Do you plan to check out any of these meet ups?