The best audition ever...

I took ARL for an audition for a movie yesterday.  It was in a person's home so you could see those auditioning in front of you.  Since the morning slots were for child roles, there were also parents there watching/waiting as well.

Two other young ladies auditioned before ARL was up.  With both, the director gave them feedback and asked them to run the lines again.  I assumed that was his "thing"...i.e. provide constructive feedback and see how it is received and applied. 

ARL went up and nailed her first read through of the sides.  The director broke into a huge smile as she was running lines with one of the other actors.  He didn't give her any feedback other than that was really good.  She was auditioning for a minor child's role.  He asked her to read for the lead child's role and this time to face the camera. 

As she was reading for the lead role, I watched his smile keep getting bigger and bigger.  When she finished, the camera man said quietly, "you want her, don't you?" to the director.  The director, camera man, and actor asked if we could give them a minute.  They left the room for a few minutes.  They came back and called ARL and I up to the table to sit down. 

The director said, "I usually don't offer parts on the spot in the middle of auditions...but I was taught that when you see what you want, you don't let them walk away."   He turned to ARL and offered her the LEAD child role.

ARL and I were speechless.  He asked if we would be comfortable with her wearing a wig or dying her hair (her adult version of herself is a brunette).  We said sure.  He then explained a lot more about the film and the film company.  He left us with these parting words..."you know it's right when you get chills...you gave me chills".

To be awarded the lead role in the middle of auditions...truly surreal.   So proud of my baby girl!


 

Disney Half Marathon - January 12, 2013

Last weekend I was in Florida having a blast! It was the 20th Anniversary of the DisneyWorld Marathon!  We flew down on Friday afternoon and headed straight to our friend Dwight's house. He had gone to the expo earlier in the day and picked up our race packets. We had an easy night with pizza and subs and hit the bed early (9pm). We had a 2:45 wake up call for Saturday!

I got up after a very short night's sleep and got ready. We left Dwight's by 3:15am. We arrived in the parking lot at Epcot by 4am. We sat in the car and stayed warm for a bit. We headed over to baggage check around 4:45, used the porta potties, then made our way to the corrals. This is the first race I've ever run where they have someone checking your bib at the corral to make sure you are not jumping ahead of where you are supposed to be.

Another big difference I noticed is that usually you can't hear what the people in the front are saying at races.  Disney has great sound systems and giant TVs so that everyone (even those at the back of the last corral) can see and hear what is going on!  At 5:30, the fireworks went off and the Elites and corral A took off.  Another round of fireworks for corral B, and we were off!

There were 25,000 people running this race, so it was pretty tight.  You couldn't get much room to run and you had to do a lot of passing on the grass.  It opened up once we got past mile 2 or so.  The race is amazing because Disney has something to keep you entertained every 1/2 mile.  Photo opportunities, characters, marching bands, cheerleaders, gospel singers...you name it, they have it!

One of my favorite parts was the army men from Toy Story who yell at you as you are running up "a hill".  I use the term hill quite loosely.  Gentle upgrade would be more descriptive....the course is really flat.  I also really loved running down Main Street USA in Magic Kingdom and of course running through Cinderella's castle which was beautifully lit. 

I finished in 2:15:51 which was not a PR...but, I wasn't trying for one.  I just wanted to enjoy the race and have fun.  We spent Sunday in Epcot and Monday in Hollywood Studios.  It was an AWESOME long weekend. 

Me and Dwight...Dwight completed the Goofy Challenge (Half on Saturday, Full on Sunday)

 

2013 Running Goals - Is it OK not to have them??

It's been a while since my last post. I'm happy to report I'm still running! I have a 1/2 marathon coming up in a few weeks. I finished out 2012 with a beautiful trail run with my hubby along Lake Liganore in Maryland. It was idyllic and relaxing!

I'm already signed up for a few races in 2013. I don't really have any goals specifically for 2013 and I'm wondering if that's OK? Will I slack if I don't have something to work towards? Will it make running less rewarding?

What do you think?

 

Race Recap - OctoRun

Yes, I'm still alive. Yes, I'm still running. I have no excuses for not posting...other than the traditional...been busy.

On Sunday, I ran the OctoRun 13K (8.04 miles).  It was the final race in the Hatfield Hat Trick Race series.  Sunday's weather was perfect...50 degrees and sunny.  I knew I was second in the points series for my age group going into the run.  My two goals:  I really wanted to medal and finish sub 10 minute miles for all 8 miles.  I stayed warm in the car until 3 minutes before race time.  I got out, synced my watch, started my ipod, and waited the last minute till the gun fired.

I took off at a comfortable pace.  We hit mile 1 before I knew it and I checked my pace.  9:20.  Sweet...but probably a little too fast for me.  I kept running (with no one in particular) and was enjoying the crisp, cool chill, changing leaves, and just the feel of racing again!  It had been awhile since the Rock N Roll Half.  Mile 2 came up quick and I was at a 9:30 pace.  At Mile 3, I started chomping on my honey stinger waffle.  Those things ROCK!   I finished the rest of it at mile 4.  The miles were ticking by so easy...I wasn't hot, nothing hurt, and I was really enjoying the run.

Miles 5 and 6 were uneventful.  Coming out of mile 6 you come off the trail and end up in an industrial park.  I missed exiting the trail (I must have been looking at those leaves again) and went about a minute out of my way before I realized I was alone.  I backtracked that minute to get back on course.  GRRRRRR....if this costs me my personal goal of under 1:20....I was going to be pissed.

I got back on course and was just mad at myself.  I put my head down and told myself I had to catch up with the group I was running with.  I buckled down and kept running.  There is a spot where you have to turn around and back track.  I started counting people behind me to distract myself.  That really helped take my mind off trying to catch people.

When I came into the home stretch and saw the clock ticking 1:18 51, 52, 53, etc. I knew I had done it!  I finished at 1:18:59...a full 1:01 below my goal!   WOO HOO!!

Oh yeah, I got first in my age group for the series!!

A truly great day!!


 

My 5th Father's Day without him...

I had hoped it would get easier with each year.  Sadly, that's not the case.  Trying to focus on remembering the positives as opposed to crying. 

damn cancer.


 

DE 1/2 Marathon Report!

Of course, the night before my big run I sleep like crap.  I always do.  I did manage a few hours of sleep; but I swear I saw the clock every hour last night.  I gave up at 3:51, got up and dressed, and headed downstairs for coffee and my bagel.

Given the early rise, I had plenty of time to check FB, catch up on twitter, and enjoy my coffee and bagel.  I had so much time, I brewed a second cup in a TO GO mug to enjoy on the hour long ride to the race.  I met my group at the running store at 4:45 am.  The three coaches were there first which I thought was kind of nice.  We talked a bit about our trainees and reminisced on the 12 week program we led them through.

We left the store at about 5:15 and began the caravan to DE.  We got there by 6:20 and had an hour to kill before the gun for the 1/2 marathon.  We got in the port-o-potty line and then walked back near the start to watch the marathoners and relay teams go.

I was excited and ready when the gun sounded.  About a 1/2 mile in, I realized I needed to pee.  I said mind over matter and keep going.  Around a mile, one of the program participants, Kristin, pulled out.  She's been having IT band issues and wasn't sure if she could make it.  I kept going strong and clocked splits of 9:24 and 9:31 for miles 1 and 2.  I'm doing great...but I really, really have to pee.  Damn that second cup of coffee.  I push through miles 3 and 4 and rationalize that if I can find a bank of port-o-pots with no wait, I'll do it.  Miles 3 and 4 splits were 9:42 and 9:49.

I caught up with a woman who was wearing a shirt that said "Always in Memory of Dad".  I talked to her for a while.  She lost her dad to pancreatic cancer.  He was 63.  She wished she would have ran with him (he was a runner, she was not).  She started running in tribute and memory of him.  I wished I could have stuck with her but I saw port-o-potties with 1 person waiting.  I said my goodbyes and dashed over.  I waited about a minute and saw Heather (my friend) go by.  I finally got in and estimate I took another minute to pee.  So, in total, I think the pee break cost me 2 minutes. 

Mile 6-7 is one giant hill.  I ran up part of it with my friend David.  My time on that mile was a 9:52 which wasn't bad for the hill.  I guess I was just so happy to be relieved of the bladder stress!

You run around a few neighborhoods up at the top of the hill.  I was really not happy at that point because of all the twists and turns.  You kept passing other people and I just wanted to be over on the other side of the street with them.  I did see Leah again (lost her Dad) and passed her.  I said "Hey...c'mon....the Dad's are watching, we can't disappoint."

Mile 10-11 is the hill in reverse.  I should have been flying...but I don't like running downhills so my pathetic split time was a 10:33.  Many, many people turned it on and flew by me.  I finished strong with a 2:13:46.  That's 1 minute 30 seconds from a PR.  That damn second copy of coffee cost me a 2 minute pee break.  Do the math...I would have PRed if I hadn't had to stop to pee.

I caught up with Leah at the finish festival.  She said my comment really made her kick it into gear.  We talked about our great Dads, hugged,and said good-bye.

Despite not PRing, I am pleased with my time on this hilly course.  It was certainly a challenging run.  I am so proud of all the Fleet Fleet program participants who ran it.  They all did great today!  Finishing is winning.  And also (to Kristin), getting out of bed and trying is better than all those who didn't try.  You will be back stronger and better than before in no time!


'Coach'  

My 4th 1/2 Marathon!

On Sunday, Mother's Day, I will be running my 4th half marathon!  I can't believe it's #4 already!  Time flies when you are having fun (and clocking miles)!

I have been coaching a group who signed up through Fleet Feet Sports.  They have all done very well.  I can't wait to see how they do on the course!  It's a hilly course, so I am not expecting a PR.  Plus, I may end up running with a few of the group members.

One more 3 mile run to go...and then lots of rest before the weekend!