you looking at me?

labor day we went to lazy 5 ranch. it is kinda like a big huge drive through petting zoo. they are so used to being fed by the humans that they come right up to you to feed out of buckets of food that it is really frightening at first and the ostriches really freaked me out.

they get really close!

incoming!  we rolled the windows up and closed the van doors for these guys!

one to the right,

and one to the left.

eventually the girls got into the feeding, but cole wanted nothing to do with it...

 

 

this is how cole amused himself.

 

bill and i are on our way driving to handcraft house in madison, VA. looking forward to seeing you there!

have a great weekend!

 

i had the best run ever! 8 miles felt like 3, i do not think it was runners high, but more like finding my pace and it was awesome! i can't believe i have only 9 more days until the race. i am nervous. should i run with my water belt? any thoughts?

(thuresday) - 10k run, but i kept going

• time: 1 hr 30 min
• distance: 8.2 miles

Comments

[karla]

how fun to see you having fun with the family!! travel safe you guys!! see you at Scrapbook Territory in Berzerkely!!

[Jingle]

I totally {heart} alpacas!!!! BIG time!!!! <3 <3 <3 them!!!! Thanks for these great photos to make me smile today!

[danielle]

I wouldn't run with the water belt on race day since there will be water stations. Unless you are going to pack some energy gels or such.

Good luck on race day! Can't wait to hear how it goes.

[mandi ausman]

in my experience (only 3 halfs + a few 5K thrown in) they NEVER have what they say they will have and where they say it will be! Im training for my first full right now with a guy who does ultras (50+ miles) and he said ALWAYS bring whatever you will need (gells, water, endurolyte, etc) NEVER trust that they will have it...sometimes plans change, or they run out of product. nothing worse than needing water and the stations are still miles ahead...this i know from experience :o)

[Edys Gonçalves]

Kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk.... I love the photos!!! It's a funny tour!!!!

Hugs

[Lorie Tucker]

Donna,
In Runner's World last month it said if you want to get a PR (personal record) don't wear a water belt. But like comment #4, sometimes you get to the race and they have run out of water and it is a total bummer. Is your belt comfortable? Does it chaffe? Does it feel heavy? If it bugs you at all, I wouldn't wear it. Ask at the expo exactly what they plan to have on the race. Ask how far apart the aid stations are and what will be AT the aid stations. I would alternate water and gatorade at each station. That way you will be getting electrolytes while you run so you don't get dehydrated. IF you do GU, make sure you drink that down with water, NOT Gatorade. If this is a BIG race, you will be totally taken care of because the race directors usually have the race really dialed in as far as aid stations, volunteers, etc. But if it is a small town event, make sure you are prepared. Good Luck Donna!

[Michelle]

Too funny - we were there on Labor Day, too. My pictures look just like yours. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute at the Lazy 5!!

[Debbie McIntyre]

Can't wait till the day when I say I walked 8 miles and it only felt like 3! Oh I'm not ever planning on running 8 miles...it's me...Mac...just had a bagel with egg salad for God's sake. A run would kill me. See you in 9.

[Betheroo]

Most races have plenty of water stops. I always hate having extra stuff hanging off of me and I especially get annoyed near the end of a race when all I want to do is finish! I would say leave the water belt at home and take advantage of the water stations! Good luck! I know you'll do great!

[Cynthia B.]

We went to a place like this a few years ago. Some of those animals were aggressive! There was an ostrich (or was it an emu?) that nearly grabbed the whole bowl from one of my friend's hands!
I LOVE the last shot of Cole in the sideview mirror - cute!
Good luck in the race - you're going to do great!

[C@rol]

We've done some of those drive-through zoos before. Fun! But we won't do that again! The last one we did, there were goats that attacked our car. They rubbed their horns/antlers against the paint and scratched it! Then, other animals kept licking the windows and we were covered in drool. Never again!!! Costly zoo ride.

[cherienz]

I've never taken a water belt with me on a race day because there are water stations and usually at the right intervals. if you are used to drinking an electrolyte drink or something instead of water, then you would need to take this. I would just go with the supplied stuff. if you are nervous about the set up, ask your support crew to supply bottled water at the water stops or be near to them so that they can give you water. I've never been at 1/2 or full marathon run where they have ran out of water...yet!
Cherie

[Cheryl]

How cute are those animals!!!

[CoreyW]

we have a similar place here in OK! we loved it - but man, camels are pushy when they're hungry! lol

[Peg Boyd]

I was SO nice meeting you and Bill this weekend! my grandma and I had a great time!!!! I hope to see at another event soon (maybe inspired!) Hope you had a safe trip home.

[Cyd Houghton]

I'm with the don't wear your water belt on race day. I think that was my biggest mistake when I ran a full last fall. It really weighed me down. For half-marathons I just pin my "fuel" to me (gels or I like jelly belly sport beans and Luna moons--easier for me to get down). Good Luck and ENJOY your race, you're going to do awesome!

[Lea Anne Genesse]

if you go to the main website for the race, the water stops are listed and they are about every 2 miles. The GU stop is at mile 7 and they are giving out "cytomax" which is a different version of gatorade!

Is there any chance you could tell me what corral you are in? I would love a pic with you as you were an inspiration when I started running! Thanks!

[cedwards]

No don't wear it. Plenty of water stations. Honestly, 13.1 miles is not that far if you have been training like you have. There is so much support, encouragement from the crowds that it is a high that carries you to the end. Have a ball!

[Brandi]

I don't think the belt would drive me crazy. For that reason I have never attempted to run in one. In my experiece, there has always been water/gatorade at the stations and I never felt like I needed more. Good luck! I ran my first 1/2 marathon this past March.

[Brandi]

I meant to say, I think the belt WOULD drive me crazy. I wouldn't wear it.