Runner's World Heartbreak Hill Festival Part 3: Five & Dime

Thursday and Friday of the Runner's World Heartbreak Hill Festival felt like Summer Camp. I mean really. Okay maybe. I never actually went to a sleep away Summer Camp so I am 100% basing this on TV. Oops. But I still think it was - laughs, hugs and beer. Okay definitely no beer at Summer Camp, right?

Either way it had been a blast. But I kept thinking and saying: Oh yeah, we are here to actually run races.

Sort of forgot that one little detail. Even though I had my bib in hand and everything.

Well the running got started bright and early Saturday morning with the Five & Dime, which meant at 5k at 7:15 and a 10k at 8:30. You know I am up for a challenge so I was ready to go. However, was unsure how to handle the time in between the races. Well, nothing like flying by the seat of your pants when it comes to fueling.

Pre-race I grabbed a dark chocolate & peanut butter KIND bar and my trusty ENERGYBits. Luckily we were staying in the dorms so Athlete's Village was a leisurely 5-7 minute walk from where we were. Strength in numbers so as many bloggers as possible climbed into the elevator - for a selfie - and headed to the Start.

KT Tape matches my Team Chocolate Milk singlet - what a coincidence? ;)

I KNEW I needed to run with people. If I have learned anything, I suck at pacing myself to a slower race when running alone.

Thanks for the pic Anne!

So I lined up around the 9 min/mile pace with some bloggers and set out to keep it easy. I had an angry left hamstring and three races to make it through in total.

As soon as the horn went off, we shuffled through the corral to the Start Line and it was game time.

And I cut off their heads! 

It was awesome setting out with Julie, Presley and Anne. My goal was to share my mid-run selfie skills with these ladies. BUT, Anne brings the A-game and a real camera to the plate. I hung my head in shame.

Hey Girls!!

As I hit Mile 2 I had separated slightly from the group, but it allowed me to cheer them on as we hit a turnaround in the race.  But Marnie and I had kept together and were having a great conversation.

I was getting lost in conversation that I hadn't taken a mid-run selfie yet. I was talking all that pretend game and hadn't done anything about it so it was time to rectify that.

I thought it was one of my better ones.

The race ended on a little bit of a downhill before taking a right into the final stretch, where - of course - I had to step it up a notch. I didn't want to be dogging it in the Finish Line photo. Priorities, right?

Splits: 9:01, 8:59, 8:46

Since I love numbers, I loved the 28:28 5k time. Now my inner demon was angry at the slower than usual time, but the brain knew that it was about finishing and not speed.

After happily collecting the first medal of the weekend, I set out to find a snack (hello chocolate chip bagel) and a bathroom (thank you BC for keeping all the buildings open so I could avoid the port-o-potties)! Once that was set, it was time to start thinking about the 10k. It was an odd amount of time for me so I wasn't really sure what to do. But the bagel hit the spot.

Now the 5k didn't really feature Heartbreak Hill so I figured the 10k would be more a challenge. I knew I would need to keep the pace easy once again.

I felt as if the 5k ended as soon as it began!

So I met up with the same crew at the same spot - oh hey hey 9 min/mile sign - and planned to run with them again.

From the look of this pic, maybe they didn't want me to run with them :P #PhotoBomb

As we crossed the Start Line again, I had some deja vu and let the ladies dictate the pace. I didn't want to push it.

Almost immediately I realized that we would be hitting more of Heartbreak this time around! And it would be the last portion of Heartbreak - aka the biggest of the hills.

For those that don't know, Heartbreak Hill is not a single hill like many think. It is actually about 3-ish miles of rolling hills (3 total). They really aren't that bad in the scheme of life, but when you come upon them at Mile 17 of the Boston Marathon they seem like MOUNTAINS!

And on this day the heat was dictating how the day would go so the hill was tough. Thankfully once again the conversation flowed so the time and miles ticked by.

Mile 1: 9:30 Mile 2: 9:53 Mile 3: 9:35

It was about the halfway mark that Anne and I started picking the pace up. Not sure how it happened, but it seemed organic. I hadn't met Anne before this weekend and didn't know much about her story. It was GREAT chatting with her. We learned that we have very similar PRs.

Her Half: 1:43, My Half: 1:44 ... Her Marathon: 3:56, My Marathon: 3:58. We are both 31. We like running and blogging.

Crazy similar.

So you can only imagine the talking helped dictate the pace. But we both wanted to keep it smart.

And I had the pleasure of introducing Anne to Heartbreak Bill. He is the mascot for the Heartbreak Hill Running Company and a staple all winter long during Boston Marathon training runs.

Poor guy must've been dying in the suit

Mile 4: 9:10 Mile 5: 9:18 (highest point of Heartbreak) Mile 6: 9:07

Once again ending on a downhill was appreciated and allowed us to rack up some speed to finish the race strong. We weren't about to let these 2 folks finish ahead of us so we dug down and sped around them. I wanted a nice clear Finish Line photo for us. :P

Now I had kept my 5k medal in my hand during the run just so I could keep start sporting both medals AS SOON as we crossed.

It was a great run in some bad heat. Finished with an official time of 58:49.

Definitely amazing knowing so many people at the Five and Dime races. Every time I turned around there was a blogger, friend or blog reader finishing the race. I love some sweaty hugs, high fives and hearing race stories.

I am proud of everyone I know that tackled a running challenge of two races in one morning.  Two pieces of bling before 10am is A-okay with me.

The left hamstring was sore, but didn't feel any worse after 9.3 miles. Taking it slower was definitely the way to go.

After more water and snacks it was time to head back to the room for a shower and a change. The rest of the day featured Expo fun, Dunkin' Donuts Iced Coffee, the Dogs Run, the pasta dinner and another Sarah Reinertsen talk (I will NEVER pass on hearing her speak).

I want to thank all of the volunteers, police offers and Runner's World staff who was up way earlier than I was to put this race on and to make sure there was enough water for the participants. I also want to applaud Runner's World for the Medical presence during the race. Since I had some breathing trouble the last time I was on Heartbreak, I kept an eye out and it put my mind at ease to see so much medical staff out on the course.

I can also say the KIND Bar and ENERGYBits was a great combo pre-race. The chocolate chip bagel wasn't too heavy before the second race. Phew! I wouldn't have wanted that yummy bagel to go to waste. Plus it worked as my chocolate since the race was lacking low-fat chocolate milk. :(

But no matter what I had another meeting with Heartbreak the next day ... for the half marathon!

***

Have you run legit back-to-back races before?

(Note: if you would like to buy ENERGYBits, use code WEIGHTOFFMYSHOULDERS for 25% off your order!)

Wednesday Wrap Up: Running Edition

Before I even begin, I want to thank everyone for their support from yesterday's post - Relapse. It means so much to me to hear from people who have gone through a similar situation and maybe felt alone. I am here to say you are not alone and that is something I need to hear as well. But now on to something fun ... running!!

Yesterday the wife and I signed up for the Run Disney Rebel Challenge. Annnddd I may have fallen on the keyboard a second time and added the 5k to the mix as well.

For those that don't know, the Rebel Challenge is happening in Disneyland January 15-18 and is a Star Wars themed race weekend.

The inaugural Rebel Challenge is a 10k on the Saturday and Half Marathon on the Sunday. The 5k which I will also be doing will be Friday morning. So I am a marathon short of the Dopey Challenge. ;)

I am wicked excited. This will be our first trip to Disneyland. My wife is a HUGE Star Wars fan so it was an easy thing to get her to sign up for.

Noooowww I can work on the Coast 2 Coast medal - which means completing a Disney race at both parks in one calendar year. I am opting for the Glass Slipper Challenge (10k and Half) during Princess Weekend in February for our Disney World trip.

Since the trigger is pulled the only thing left to worry about are the costumes - my favorite part of the Disney races.

Here are the four costumes I used during the Dopey Challenge in January.

 Now we wait to see what the bling will look like!!

***

Tonight, I met the Boston Luna Chix for the second-straight week to take part in their Wednesday night run club. The all-female group does a 3 or 4 mile run (your choice) out of the Athleta Store on Newbury St. It is a great location and nice change of pace from running by myself.

I actually know a few of the girls that put it on thanks to social media and Weight Watchers. :) I once again was joined by my friend/fellow blogger/fellow Weight Watchers Leader Susan.

I hung with Susan for the run and had a great time catching up with her and taking it easy on the left hammy. The group truly does welcome folks of all different paces.

Plus it holds me accountable to get moving on a Wednesday.

***

I am definitely going to work on a blog post about taking mid-run selfies. I would love to share the joy of the mid-run selfie with as many folks as possible. :)

***

Do you like running with a group or solo?

Relapse...

It happened again. It has been months since my dark demon reared it's ugly head, but tonight it won.

I feel weak.

I feel pathetic.

But I have to admit defeat.

Tonight I gave in to the eating disorder ghost that haunts me and I purged.

I know this isn't something that folks probably want to read, but I need to get it off my chest.

It is something that I still deal with on  daily basis.

I overate and instead of accepting what I did - I gave in to the deep thoughts in my head.

"Get rid of the evidence."

"You F-ed up again now you must pay."

It isn't something that I am proud of, but this disease is a part of me and my journey.

So tonight I admit defeat, but I am taking away the positive.

I recognize what I did. I am looking into why it happened and why I will NOT let it happen the next time.

Eating disorders - binging, purging, starving oneself - it is as much a mental disease as it is physical. To me one that will never go away, but one that I will always battle.

I share this with you all because if I kept it inside it may lead to more negative thoughts and a deeper spiral that I don't want to happen.

This space was created for me to share the battles - the good and the bad.

Tonight it was the bad.

But I will forgive myself and know that tomorrow is a new day.

A better day.

I am not defined by my mistakes...

Runner's World Heartbreak Hill Festival Part 1: Selfies & More

How many selfies have you taken in a single weekend? If you are saying 3 or 4 then buckle your seatbelt friend I got you beat. If I had to guess I took 3 selfies before 5:30am on Friday, June 6. Oh does that sound like too many? Let me break it down for you. This past weekend I had the HONOR of attending the Heartbreak Hill Running Festival on behalf of Runner's World and an incredible list of bloggers. Not sure how my name made it on there, but I may or may not have broken into the Runner's World HQ - Mission Impossible style - to make that happen. :P

So now you can get it right? 20 bloggers together for a weekend means lots of calling each other by twitter handles, hashtags, laughter and well ... selfies.

My driver (aka the wife) dropped me off at BC on Thursday afternoon, June 5. I decided to keep the arrival low-key so the limo was left at home and we rode in Jinxie (my 10 year old Jetta).

Despite being one of the few "locals" on the trip, I decided to stay with the group at BC - in the dorms - to get the whole experience. Yes, I opted to stay on a rough dorm bed instead of my luxurious bed at home so I could relay the whole experience to all of you.

I expect my award for this selfless act to be delivered sometime shortly.

This experience felt like college. Of the 20 bloggers, I think I had only met 2 prior to this trip so all the nervous energy was there. Will they like me? Do they even know what my blog is? Are they beer drinkers? The usual.

As soon as the folks started arriving, the hugs were flying, the laughs were starting and the bonding was apparent. This was going to be a special weekend.

After settling in, it was time to head to West End Johnnie's for dinner. We had a sweet welcome bag waiting for it. And yes I still geek out when folks put my blog's name on anything. Loser, party of one!

We had some time to mingle before dinner and a movie. We had a private viewing of Finding Strong, which was introduced by Saucony's Director of PR (and mega inspiration) Sharon Barbano.

The movie Finding Strong was utterly motivating and I will share a link to it when available. Get tissues out in advance.

We hit the party bus back to the dorm before taking the walk to the closest liquor store. We sat around the common room and had some great convos. It really felt like college all over again. It was a blast until...

... the alarm went off at 5am the next day. Who starts an itinerary so early in the morning? I mean really. :P

The party bus was ready to roll at 6am to bring us to a November Project workout.

I have friends that have been trying to get me to attend November Project for months. But Runner's World offered brunch afterwards - and that won.

For the workout we would be doing hill circuits (so necessary before a weekend of running Heartbreak Hill :P) for 45 minutes on Summit Ave in Brookline.

Yeah Summit Ave doesn't mess around.

The plan was go down the street then back up (the harder part), slide under a road block barricade (why not) then do a "cross country" circuit on the grassy knoll at the top of Summit Ave. Goal? Do as many as you can in 45 minutes.

My plan? 1 circuit. The left hamstring was hurting and I wasn't about to blow it before the actual runs started.

Actually happened? 2 circuits. I got talked into a second "slower" circuit. Curse you peer pressure. :P

I had always been nervous to attend November Project because of the athletic folks that I saw in pictures that went. So I thought there wouldn't be anyone of my level or physique. But it truly reaches a wide audience. Plus once you start, you really can't tell which circuit number another person is on.

Plus this is one super positive group. Will I maybe roll up to another November Project workout? Definitely a possibility.

After a good workout, we headed to brunch at Zaftig's in Brookline with special guest Brogan, November Project creator.

Happily filled bloggers headed back to BC to get all cleaned up for two unbelievable meet and greets that would be coming up.

But who would the special guests be?

Sarah Reinertsen

For those that don't know Sarah is the first female amputee to finish the Ironman AND she was on Amazing Race. If you don't know her story, please check it out. She is not only inspirational, but a down to earth person. WHO actually remembered meeting me at the Boston Marathon Expo. Wow!

and our other guest???

Shalane Flanagan

Yes the Shalane Flanagan. I had a total fangirl moment while she talked... I think she felt the same way about me. But she kept her cool. I can tell you that this Olympian and 2:22 Boston Marathoner is just like us. Her post-marathon craving: "French Fries, a burger and a beer."

OOhhh yeah!

After a highly entertaining runway show by my fellow bloggers and Running Skirts, we had a delicious lunch courtesy of Runner's World Nutrition Editor, Joanna Golub, who helped pen the Runner's World Cookbook.

New Balance gave a great demo of their new shoe line. (And I forgot to take any pics)

Then it was Expo time. You know I love a good expo. I gunned for the Sparkly Soul booth after I picked up my bib.

Yay Pamela!

I was happy to have fellow bloggers around for the Expo since they like to take obnoxious photos like me.

Heather battling Larisa and I for the Finish Line

I spent waaayy too much time at the Expo for the size of it, but I had a blast. Plus, I ran into a ton of friends while there. Another favorite thing about Expos.

After bringing my haul (aka free stuff) back to the room, it was time to move my belongings to our new dorm and find dinner.

Friday was a chill night in the new common room with my fellow bloggers, dinner and some wine.

Laughing was a great way to stretch before the impending races on Day 2.

Oh yeah in case you forgot, we were brought together to run!

But I'll save that for another recap...

***

What do you like to take in when on a racecation besides the race itself?

Dani Dishes 6-9-14

On this episode of Dani Dishes, a quick Heartbreak Hill Festival recap and wondering if the feeling of being "worth it" ever goes away!!

Dani Dishes 6-2-14

On this episode of Dani Dishes, it's time to celebrate the blog turning 3 and my Weight Watchers Success Story hits the web! :) Story here!

I'm Walkin' On Sunshine...

WOO OOO!! Okay not really walkin' on sunshine since that would be hot and burn my feet. But it would be quite a feat...

I am working on being a ray of sunshine, but not have it feel forced.

Someone at work today said how calmly I was taking the job ending. Well clearly she doesn't live in my head. :P

But what I realized this weekend was that being mopey about the job situation won't make a new job appear. Thankfully my wife is still employed so it isn't like I am being thrown on the street. I have a lot of things to be thankful for.

So while I was having one kick ass awesome weekend, I focused on that.

The HERE and NOW.

I am a worrier by nature. I can't turn it off. But I can control how much I allow it to dictate my mood.

I have my health. I have amazing friends. I have a great wife and two pups. I have this little blog of mine.

There is too much to celebrate to be worried.

Now that isn't saying I am getting rid of worrying all together. I am still very much a worry wart over bills, etc  - but I need to work more on the NOW.

And I set that goal last night before bed.

Can I tell you something?

It already is paying off in the mood department.

THAT could still be lingering awesomeness from this weekend. It was a jam-packed couple days, but if it is an indicator of things to come - then this summer is going to ROCK!

On Friday, I attempted the Assembly Row media event. Assembly Row is a new shopping center across the street from my house in Somerville - but it is so much more.

There are outlet shops, restaurants, and activities! They are going to have free yoga by the water, a boot camp once a week and a running club out of the Nike store (still waiting on more details for that).

The event had food samples from some of the restaurants that will be at Assembly Row - Fuji Sushi, Tony C's Sports Bar/Grill, Earl's and Papagayo.

Trying a sushi roll with EEL from Fuji

Let's just say my wife was jealous of this picky eater being at a food sampling event. ;)

They even had a game where you had to guess the prices of the three outfits being displayed. Keeping in mind these are outlet stores. I haven't heard the winning prices yet, but my guess is I was WAY off. I really wanted to win the PUMA outfit too (#2).

I stopped at the brand-new Papagayo to sample their Sangria and oohh boy it was tasty!

After a brief walk home (I can get use to that), it was a low-key evening in bed with the family.

On Saturday I let myself sleep in - until 8am - then headed out for a quick run to pick my car up from the mechanic.

The wife and I got started on a laundry list of errands we had to run to get ready for a BBQ at our house the following day.

But I HAD to get in a training ride so I brought the wife along with me for a little bike afternoon date. I'm glad she bought a bike so we can start doing more things like this. We must take advantage of the summer months! We endure such crappy Boston winters for them. :P

Saturday Night we lived it up - by cleaning. I know I know. Try to hold back your jealousy if you can.

Sunday was going to be fun from the get go! Sunday kicked off with the Cambridge 5k Freedom Run 5k with Team Slumbrew Happy Soles.

I was definitely happy with my time as I am nursing a very painful left hamstring thing/injury/annoyance and it was much hotter out than any of us expected.

I wish I had noticed the photog, but since I was coming straight into the Finish Line all I could think about was cheering on the rest of the team and ... BEER!

Aren't we one awesome looking team?

I had a great little post-race celebration with this fine group before heading home for the BBQ with a couple of college friends and their kids.

After they left we needed to get the dogs some exercise so we took a family walk along the Mystic River and over to Assembly Row.

The dogs even did a little swimming. Okay Molly did some sitting in the water.

This was all followed by a CRASH. I was ready to just lay down and enjoy some TV before the final week of work.

But this weekend involved so much love, laughing and smiling.

How could I be sad when I have all of that in my life?

Dani Dishes 5-23-14: Life Update

On this episode of Dani Dishes, it is time for a life update as job changes come around and the emotional eating rears it's ugly head!!

Can you really get running accountability from a shirt? Today's Miles Says Yes! Plus #Giveaway

Annddddd the winner IS:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

CONGRATS!!!!

***

Have you ever tossed your training plan across the room and yelled: "Screw it!"

Well, I have and it resulted in some nasty paper cuts on the dogs.

I mean I didn't mean to, but things happen.

(Please note: no pups were actually harmed in making of this blog post)

All I am saying is there are times that you don't want to live your life by a training plan ... but that is for a WHOLE different blog post.

What I am getting at is there are times when you just want to run, but you need some accountability.

For example, I have the best intentions to head out after work for a 5 mile run. But by Mile 2, I am having wardrobe malfunctions and my headphones stopped working and I am ready to call it a day. I am out there by myself and have no one to really tell me to keep going.

Sure social media can pinch hit in there.

How about a shirt?

A shirt you say - tell me more.

Today's Miles has you covered. Simply put:

"Share your daily workout without saying a word. Simply select a shirt, color and number of miles for each of your daily runs."

It's that easy.

When I came across their website, I had to check it out.

Today's Miles graciously let me try out a couple of shirts and share the experience with you all.

(As always, thoughts and opinions are my own! Ain't nobody got time for liars!)

The t-shirts, which are 100% polyester sweat wicking material, are available as a tank top, short-sleeved and long-sleeved. The tank tops and short-sleeved shirts also come in a ladies cut.

The shirt miles come in many increments from 0.0 to 50.0 and do include 5k, half marathon and marathon distances.

Can you tell I took the above photo in a mirror? :P

I took the short-sleeved orange 5.0 out for a spin (value $18). I normally don't wear t-shirts with short sleeves, while running - it isn't my style. However, it is still chilly in Boston so having a long-sleeved compression shirt underneath helped lessen the annoyance level.

The shirt - a men's medium - was nice and roomy while running. It didn't ride up. It does sport the 5.0 on the front and on the back.

I really don't know why having the 5 on my shirt impacted my thought process so badly. I think it was the fact that I take a post-workout photo every time and if I had to post this photo with the caption: "After my 3 mile run." I would've felt like a poser and a loser. I couldn't do that. So I soldiered through my 5 miles.

While training for the Boston Marathon with Tedy's  Team, we had one of our final 10-mile runs on the docket. I really didn't feel like running that morning, but thought it a great time to try out the long-sleeved 10-mile t-shirt in blue (value $23.50).

Not only did it inspire and push me through the training run, but it helped my teammates. They knew what was ahead. The miles had to get done and shirt held us to that.

I again had on a men's medium and enjoyed the roominess (did I make that up?) of the t-shirt. The sleeves weren't too long and were easy enough to push up when I started to get a little too warm. You know when shirts bunch up too much when you push the sleeves up to the elbow? Boy I hate that and find it super distracting while running. Thankfully Today's Miles shirt did not do that.

Thinking about it - it is time I break that 5.0 shirt back out and get to business...

... before that it is giveaway time!!!

The giveaway will run from Monday May 12 (3pm ET) through Monday May 19 (7am ET)!

The winner will be selected and announced on Monday!

Boston Marathon Weekend (Friday): Expo & Runkeeper Party

You probably are thinking to yourself - Boston Marathon - that old event was like 3 weeks ago... ... and you would be right!

Well I got a little dose of reality from my dad yesterday who was taken aback that I hadn't recapped the weekend yet. Now this coming from the man who doesn't really understand my blog nor read it. But, it lit a little fire under my big butt to get a move on.

So let's get this recap party started.

I like to set the scene so we are kicking it day by day style up in here. Why? Because it is my blog and I said so. So there. :)

On Thursday, April 17, my dear boo Linzie from See Sharp Run arrived in town from Cali. Of course I jumped in the car to go meet him and Adam and Katie (hi twitter friends) for a brew ... or two.

Reunited and it feels soooo good! Sometimes you meet a person and you just click. For those that don't know Linzie and I first met in October 2013 and ended up running a 10k trail run together through the Hollywood Hills that night sharing his one headlamp - yeah that can bond two people together - plus the convo was great! :)

But I digress ... as we were enjoying some beer and food we were joined by Angry Julie. I was so excited to finally meet her after years of chatting online. Blogger fail for not getting a photo with her that night, but there will be one at some point in the weekend.

After a great night, it was time to head home and rest up for one of my favorite days of race weekend ... the Expo!

Now, I had to knock out four hours of work before I let loose on the Expo and it felt like 20 hours. :P But the clock finally hit noon and I was out the door.

Many folks are not a fan of the Expo - it is a get in, get the number and get out.

Maybe it is because I am connected to a lot of companies and folks through social media that the Expo turns into a social party for me!

You can imagine what is coming next ... pictures!! :P

I arrived at the Expo just before 12:30 on Friday and immediately got in line to get my number.

Thankfully I ran into a friend Stephanie (who was running her first marathon) and was able to sneak in with her. The line was RIDICULOUS when I got there. Doors opened at Noon. I know there were about 10k extra runners, but the line was about 3 times the length from last year at the same time.

Thankfully the line moved at a good clip and before we knew it was the magic moment - the pic we had been waiting for - you and the bib!

After sweeping up my number, it was off to get the official t-shirt (loved it this year) and finally hit up the Expo floor.

Ahhh a great sight. Occasionally I still question whether I can call myself a runner - I don't know what the hold up in my brain is - but I still love seeing the sign.

First and foremost I had the sign the big runner wall.

I had an Expo game plan: I was going to hit the booths of my favorite products first! And in no particular order...

Sparkly Soul

It is always a pleasure seeing Pamela, half of the dynamic sister duo behind Sparkly Soul headbands.

ENERGYBITS

It was awesome picking up the free bags of Bits I earned as an ENERGYBits ambassador right before a huge race weekend.

KT Tape

 

I always hit up the KT Tape booth if they are at an expo. While I am confident in applying the KT Tape myself, I never pass up the chance for a professional to do it. PLUS sometimes they tape it in a way you would've never imagined. Like on my foot above. I had never seen that style before, but was open to giving it a try for the BAA 5k the next morning.

After hitting up my Top Three booths and making a quick lap of the whole floor (two large rooms), it was time to sneak away to the Old South Church.

Thank you Diane for my scarf!! It was made with love by Jean in Hollis, NH!!  The knitters were told to make the scarves with 1) blue & yellow and 2) love & courage. Then I started crying!!

I popped into Dunkins for a healthy lunch of iced coffee and munchkins. Hey a healthy lifestyle is full of balance, right? :) Then headed back to the Expo to see friends. And see friends I did. While I didn't get a pic with everyone here are a few:

Kelly, a fellow Weight Watchers and a current Chicago resident (she has my leader I had when I was in Chicago)

The amazing Kimberly stopped by the Expo to spread some good hugs and cheer to Linzie and I for the race

More RunDisney love with Linzie, Kelsey and Kristin

What I absolutely love about the whole Expo??? Is that everyone I interacted with, saw, loved, hugged and laughed with ... I met online! Thanks Twitter and Facebook! :)

Thanks for the pic Adam

Before heading out with the crew to the Runkeeper Marathon party, Linzie and I needed to take a quick break with the power supply. #BloggerProblems

Since it was a nice day out, we took the opportunity to get some steps on the ol FitBit and take the walk from the Expo to Runkeeper, which really was only about a mile or so.

I was wicked excited to finally see the Runkeeper HQ. The event was from 3-5:30 and included a scavenger hunt. I was having too much Expo fun to pull away for the Scavenger Hunt portion, but made it in time to meet some Runkeeper folks I speak to online often and see the power duo behind Notch Brewing.

Notch was providing refreshments for the soiree. I love Notch and the folks behind it. It is great to find a cool local brewery you can support. I often see Notch at the Cambridge 5k races while captaining the Team Slumbrew running team. But as Chris said "friendly competition" here. :)

But, it was nice to have some time to chat with Chris and Mary Ellen at Runkeeper. As I chatted with friends and the Runkeeper staff, I realized it was bathroom time. So I excused myself, took care of business and came back to an empty room. I'm not sure if everyone got invited to a party that I wasn't or what but all of a sudden everyone was gone.

So I took the opportunity to snap a quick selfie with the Runkeeper treadmill, ask my way into a Runkeeper HQ tour and then head on my way.

It was a great way to kick off the Boston Marathon weekend ... and I hadn't even done any running yet! :P

***

Are you an Expo lover?