3-Day Expo

My new friend Becky and I went to the 3-day expo in Altanta today. I met Becky through another local team and we had a blast! They had a few different vendors including Big Peach Running Co, REI, and New Balance. Our first stop was Big Peach where we got to try on a pair of shoes and they video taped us walking. I was told I was an over pronator, but found out I was somewhere in between a neutral foot and an over pronator.. hmmm maybe I need new shoes hehe.

Checking my arches...






After a few stops at some of the other vendors - we headed upstairs to the first two seminars: "Event 101" and "Camping & Packing Essentials".

Event 101 was basics of the 3-day. They covered camping, walking, rules & regs, etc.


The second workshop was called "Camping & Packing Essentials" and this one was really good! A husband/wife team put on the workshop - the wife being the "how to pack" and the hubby being the "how NOT to pack"... it was pretty freakin funny. I'd much rather pack like the hubby. He pulled out clothes on a hanger, duct taped toiletries, a big air mattress, 2 bottles of wine and a bottle of vodka... my kind of packer ;)


After this workshop we headed back down to see if we won anything in the raffle.... of course we didn't :( We picked up a hand full of pink chapstick and then headed over to the camp section to check out our weekend accommodations and check out a tent construction. Tents aren't too bad... we talked to a veteran walker who strongly recommended we purchase cots to sleep on inside the tent. I think I may take her up on that recommendation.
(and no - I have no idea who this is in front of the tent - I just would have felt weird if I asked her to move so I could take a pic of the tent hahaha)


Our next stop was the Remembrance Tent where people could sign in memory of someone who has passed away from breast cancer.


We stopped for a quick pic...


And then off to our last two workshops, the first being "Dress for Success". A rep and fellow walker from REI talked to us about what gear is essential and recommended. She talked about clothing such as undergarments, socks, shirts, shorts and rain gear as well as shoes, camel backs, croakies (sp??), and sandals. Not sold on the sandals.

Finally, we sat in on the "Training Tips and Tricks" workshop which talked about what to eat/drink while on the walk and on training walks, blister info (including how to prevent blisters, care for blisters, and dealing with blisters), what to pack in the notorious fanny pack, etc.

All in all it was a very informative Expo. It was so much fun and when we were making our final pit stop before the trip home - Becky met a few local gals in the bathroom - Linda and Joanne!! One is in PTC and the other in Fayetteville. I think they are going to do some training walks with us!! We found out that Linda is a one year survivor who had a double mastectomy and now has newly constructed tatas!! You go girl!!

Sports Auction

Thanks to Christi for the idea and Susan, Brandi and Melissa for hosting - We were able to have a sports memorabilia silent auction at the Atlanta Auto Auction.

A few of the girls helped to collect and encourage bids on sports items autographed by players of all teams and types. Overall we did pretty good. A special thanks to Radtke Sports for donating the items on consignment - www.radtkesports.com.

100 Days Till...

This past Thursday marked 100 days until the 3-day!! Joan organized dinner at La Parilla to mark the date and it was super fun! We actually had a good number of our group members there. Some weren't able to make it due to babysitting issues, anniversaries, etc... but maybe one day we can all get together!!!

The photo taken was before Jennifer Estrada and Lani Wenson got there ... but they were there (oh - and I was taking the picture - that's why I'm not there hehe) !!

Another 5k - Another Trophy

And yes, I AM bragging!! haha. I convinced my mom, sister and brother to all do a 5k with me in Loganville (Walnut Grove 5k Breakaway). I thought I had my dad convinced to do it too, but no such luck :( Hopefully he will do the one in September.

But back to the story... So we all woke up and went to the race. This is my mom's first 5k, so she immediately was intimidated by the "snobby" runners who were all stretching in their short shorts and running pre-race warm-up laps. I kept telling her it's not about everyone else, that finishing the 5k would be a great sense of accomplishment and just to focus on HER race. So we go pick up our t-shirts which are TOTALLY cute by the way, toss them in the car, and line up.

The race begins and my brother actually kept up with me for the first 2ish miles!! I was impressed!!! Caron wasn't far behind either! I cross the finish line first at a time of 28:09!! That's my best 5k time yet! Shortly after Tim crosses, and then I jog back to where my mom is... passing Caron along the way who was on the last little stretch to the finish line. I found my mama and walked the rest of the way to the finish line with her! She had HER best time yet of 46:30 - not too shabby for walking most the way!!

The times were posted and I got 1st place in my age group!! Woo Hoo!!! My brother got 1st place in his age group (and 2nd, and 3rd... haha he was the only one in his age group) and my mom got 3rd in her age group!! My sister just barely missed the cut... but there were a lot of gals in our age group!!

Anyway, the trophies are TOTALLY cute bobble heads!! It was a fun weekend and now my mom is HOOKED on 5k's (I knew she would be) Our next family race is Sept 20th in Loganville... maybe Dad will be there and make it a TRUE Bell family event!!
More photos will be posted on http://btp.smugmug.com
Look for the Walnut Grove 5k Breakaway

Peachtree Road Race 2008

How did I forget to blog about this???? Am I losing it?? (Don't answer that)
So I'm backdating this post a week..

On July 4th, My sister, brother, husband and I all did the 39th Annual Peachtree Road Race - aka "The World's Largest 10k". Chris and I kicked off the weekend by getting a hotel room with our friends (Swifty and Lynzee) on July 3rd so that we wouldn't have to drive to the race in the morning. Chris and I headed to the Peachtree Road Race Expo which has a lot of exhibitors of race stuff. It was a lot of fun. My favorite booths were (yep, gotta plug them cause I think it's important)

• Newton Running (www.newtonrunning.com) - more on this later
• Bondi Bands (www.bondiband.com) - you can see my bondi band in my pics! I'm getting a TON more because they are totally awesome!! I got the "performance" because it wicks away sweat. Mine had a pink crown on it, and I'm getting one that says "I run so I can eat". LOVE that one. I dont know what the rest will be.... hmmmm
• ING Marathon / Half Marathon (www.inggeorgiamarathon.com)- I registered to win a free race number and got a free wicking shirt... I love free stuff!
• I can't remember the booth name - but I got 2 shirts and a sports bra from them. LOVE the sports bra!!!!
• And Atlanta Foot and Ankle Center (www.atlantafootandankle.com) - they gave out this TOTALLY cool card thats the size of a credit card and has a chart of race times that breaks it down by minutes per mile. It's hard to explain but it's cool. They also gave out this great book on foot and ankle stuff and running.
  
• Oh and I have to plug my Jelly Belly booth (www.jellybelly.com) - love me some jelly belly jelly beans!! They gave out free sport beans. Gotta love that!

Ok - so while we were at the Expo - Chris and I tried on these TOTALLY AWESOME shoes by Newton Running. They have mastered the art of developing a shoe that is as close to barefoot running as possible. You know what?? Maybe I should make this a separate blog. In the meantime, check out www.newtonrunning.com. I got the Newton Motion shoes... and I swear they are the best shoes I've ever owned. But I'll report on them later.

Now back to the race... So we wake up race morning... Caron and Tim meet us down there (our hotel was right in front of the Marta station) and we headed to the start line. Chris and I were in Group 2, Swifty and Lynzee were in group 6 and Caron and Tim started in group 8.




Chris and I started right at 7:30 - and off we were! We jogged the whole way (saving up our energy for the end of the race, which was a new finish this year. Lots of hills at the end) Before we knew it, we were done!! We finished in 1:03:16 - and I know we could have made it in under an hour if we knew the finish wasn't as bad as we thought!! We were conserving the whole race! Next year we are going to try to get in a time group (we have to pre-qualify with a 10k time of under 50min)

We waited for Caron and Tim to finish then headed back to the hotel. We showered, sported our new Peachtree Road Race T-shirts, and went to Dantana's to eat (amazing food), and then napped before the fireworks at Lenox.

Overall it was a great 4th of July weekend!! If you have never done the Peachtree, I STRONGLY recommend it!! Even if you have to walk the whole way... I mean heck, I did last year!! They have people of ALL fitness levels - 55,000 people that is!! It is truly the most fun race ever!!
See ya next year at the start line!