Category Archives: Traveling Sparkle Skirts

1. Name: Kimi

2.Tell us about your race experience: I’ve been a runner off and on since middle school running track and cross country in high school and college. After a few years of not enough running I finally got back into after the birth of my son and haven’t looked back since. Last year I completed my first marathon and am looking forward to years of running to come!

3. What race did you run? I requested the pink traveling sparkle skirt for the St. Malachi 5-Miler in Cleveland, OH. This is the first big race of the 2012 race season around here and I wanted to make a splash and kick off my season with some fun!

4. Why did you sign up for this race? It was my first race post-baby where I really fell in love with running again so I couldn’t wait to return this year and crush my previous time!

5. What/who inspires you to run? Running is my form of religion. I don’t go to church, but pounding the pavement for miles with time to think, reflect, dream, struggle, triumph and a million other things is how I keep my life together. I’m also inspired by my friends! I have a lot of very dedicated and talented running buddies.

6. What is your best training tip? Body glide!

7. Water or Sports Drink? I’m a nuun addict! I discovered it last year and haven’t looked back since.

8. Tell us about the outcome of the race: I totally crushed my goals during this race! I beat my previous course time by 9 minutes! 5 miles in 43:35 for a new 5 mile PR!

9. Your favorite post-race indulgence?  Chocolate milk

10. Favorite part of racing in a Sparkle Skirt? It was fun for so many other runners to tell me they loved my skirt, plus it’s fun to feel fast and cute at the same time!

Additional info:
Blog: A Slice of Kiwi
Race recap HERE
Follow Kimi on Twitter at @kimikay

The Traveling Sparkle Skirts are a pair of Team Sparkle Running Skirts (one Hot Pink & one Turquoise) that travel the globe spreading the Team Sparkle love. Read more stories of the Traveling Sparkle Skirts HERE.

1. Name: Amy

2.Tell us about your race experience: I stood out in the crowd while we were all waiting for the race to start!  Several people wanted to know about my skirt.  Along the race course several women shouted, “go team-sparkle!”  It was GREAT! I can’t wait to buy a skirt. My daughter who is 11 wants one too. She is starting to do kids races.

3. What race did you run? I ran the Beach to Chowder 1/2 Marathon in Long Beach, Washington.

4. Why did you sign up for this race? I thought it sounded like fun to run along the Pacific Ocean;beach trails.It was an historic area (explorers Lewis&Clark).  The commraderie is better at smaller races.

5. What/who inspires you to run? I want to be a good role model for my kids on being healthy and fit. I use running as my quiet time;De-stress, relax, pray. I like to challenge myself and be competitive.

6. What is your best training tip? I find it works well to do several shorter runs during the week with a long run on the weekend. I also do weight lifting:a class called “BodyPump”

7. Water or Sports Drink? I prefer to drink water during my runs. On long runs I also use GU.

8. Tell us about the outcome of the race: I felt empowered after the race and was on cloud 9.

9. Your favorite post-race indulgence? a good quality cheeseburger, french fries and a cold beer!

10. Favorite part of racing in a Sparkle Skirt? I felt girly!.  People cheered for me along the race course. Inspired!

The Traveling Sparkle Skirts are a pair of Team Sparkle Running Skirts (one Hot Pink & one Turquoise) that travel the globe spreading the Team Sparkle love. Read more stories of the Traveling Sparkle Skirts HERE.

1. Name: Jennifer

2.Tell us about your past race/running experience: I started running a little over 5 years ago to take off the baby weight. Slowly running turned into an addiction.

3. What race did you run? Maine Marathon – Portland, Maine

4. Why did you sign up for this race? My running girls and I trained for our 1st half marathon last year. Immediately after crossing the finish line, I said “I’m going to run the full next year” and I did!

5. What/who inspires you to run? My husband is my inspiration to run. He is a runner and we both enjoy running. Unfortunately, it’s challenging for us to get out on runs together with his work schedule and the kids, but when we do, it’s incredible. We also want our kids to be part of our active lifestyle and promote fitness and happiness into their lives. My son will be running his 1st 5k on October 30th.

6. What is your best training tip? Listen to your body, eat well, rest, hydrate & do not overtrain!

7. Water or Sports Drink? Water all the way!

8. Tell us about the outcome of the race: Finishing the marathon was the most thrilling experience. I ran the race with my training partner & we stuck together for the entire 26.2 miles. We even crossed the finish line together, holding hands. We completed the marathon, in horrible downpour/windy conditions in 4:15 (9:45 pace).

9. Your favorite post-race indulgence? Pizza!

10. Favorite part of racing in a Sparkle Skirt? All of the compliments from fellow runners, volunteers, and spectators! The skirt was a hit! Several volunteers for the race told me that I definitely won best outfit, handsdown.

Additional info:
Blog: Running with the Girls
Race recap HERE
Follow Jennifer on Twitter at @runningwtg

The Traveling Sparkle Skirts are a pair of Team Sparkle Running Skirts (one Hot Pink & one Turquoise) that travel the globe spreading the Team Sparkle love. Read more stories of the Traveling Sparkle Skirts HERE.

1. Name: Stephanie

2.Tell us about your race experience: I’ve never done a mud run of any distance, but I’ve been running on and off for just under 10 years and racing for half that time. I came back this summer after taking 2 years off due to injury and burnout. Two weeks before Tough Mudder, I ran my third Army 10-Miler.

3. What race did you run? Tough Mudder at Wintergreen Resort, Virginia.

4. Why did you sign up for this race? A friend sent me an email about Tough Mudder while I was regaining a base for Army 10-Miler training. I saw that I had a cross training day scheduled for the day of Tough Mudder and decided to go for it because it seemed like a fun thing to do with friends.

5. What/who inspires you to run? I run for two reasons: for those who can’t and so that I don’t break when I alpine ski. Having a solid aerobic base makes many activities a lot more enjoyable!

6. What is your best training tip? Stick with your training plan unless your body is telling you to ditch the training plan. There’s a lot of be said for rest days, too!

7. Water or Sports Drink? pre-run: water, post-run: I’ve been using Nuun since 2007.

8. Tell us about the outcome of the race: I met most of my goals! I (1) Survived; (2) Emerge with the same number of bones and ligaments that I started with (and without a concussion); and (3) Finished with my friend in roughly 4 hours and 10 minutes.

9. Your favorite post-race indulgence? I love post-race naps. Although, I had a caffeinated gel during Tough Mudder, so I was wired for the rest of the day.

10. Favorite part of racing in a Sparkle Skirt? People noticed me! I wasn’t merely “another girl” or “a girl in a skirt” (there were actually a handful of those). I was “the girl in the SPARKLY skirt.” Interestingly, it was the women that commented on the skirt: The woman in front of me at one obstacle was wearing a black skirt and was envious of the sparkles. Another woman at the top of a hill called me out, along with a cheer for girl power. It was pretty awesome.

Additional info:
Blog: UsuallyStephanie
Race recap HERE
Follow Stephanie on Twitter at @usuallystephani

The Traveling Sparkle Skirts are a pair of Team Sparkle Running Skirts (one Hot Pink & one Turquoise) that travel the globe spreading the Team Sparkle love. Read more stories of the Traveling Sparkle Skirts HERE.

1. Name: Melody

2.Tell us about your past race/running experience: My mom ran all nine months of pregnancy – so I’ve {literally} been running my whole life. After high school, I was offered a track scholarship to The University of Central Florida, where I ran the 400m hurdles and 400m. Shortly after college I started running 5/10k’s – slowing making my way up to the marathon and olympic distance triathlons.

3. What race did you run? Army Ten Miler – the largest 10 Miler in the United States (30,000 runners)

4. Why did you sign up for this race? It’s one of my favorite race weekends of the year – my mom comes up (from Florida) for our annual mother/daughter weekend and we run the Army 10 Miler

5. What/who inspires you to run? My mom – she is the reason I am a runner, and she still runs everyday. My mom improved her Army 10 Miler time by 5 minutes this year!

6. What is your best training tip? Listen to your body and how you feel. If you don’t feel like running or working out one day, don’t. Over-training only leads to burnout.

7. Water or Sports Drink? Water, but I love to add {strawberry lemonade nuun} on my long runs.

8. Tell us about the outcome of the race: We had beautiful weather and I ran a 10 Mile PR {personal record} – 1:08:39! My mom improved her time by 5 minutes, finishing in 1:30:02. We had so much fun wearing our Team Sparkle skirts!

9. Your favorite post-race indulgence? Margaritas! And a bagel.

10. Favorite part of racing in a Sparkle Skirt? All of the compliments, high fives, and excitement from runners, crowd support and soldiers. Our skirts were a HUGE hit!

Additional info:
Blog: Will Run for Margaritas
Race recap HERE
Follow Melody on Twitter at @run4margaritas

The Traveling Sparkle Skirts are a pair of Team Sparkle Running Skirts (one Hot Pink & one Turquoise) that travel the globe spreading the Team Sparkle love. Read more stories of the Traveling Sparkle Skirts HERE.

1. Name: Amy

2.Tell us about your past race/running experience: I ran cross country and track in high school, but I hadn’t run since then.  My daughter and I volunteered at the San Antonio Rock and Roll Marathon for a couple years, and then in the fall of 2009 I decided to join my running friends and train for a race.  I have since done 3 HALF marathons, the 2009 Las Vegas Rock & Roll, the 2011 Arizona Rock and Roll, and the 2011 Dallas Rock and Roll.  My daughter and I also recently did the SHAPE Diva Dash 5K with obstacles with a couple of her friends.

3. What race did you run? The Dodge San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon.

4. Why did you sign up for this race? My friend, Dawn, an avid runner, sent out an e-mail suggesting that we travel to California to do the Rock and Roll San Diego.  We live in Texas, but Dawn grew up in the San Diego area and had connections to lodging making the trip affordable.  I don’t think that she expected anyone to take her up on the offer, but I jumped at the chance to travel to the west coast.  Another friend, Jessica, also an experienced marathoner, agreed to travel with us.  The two of them pressured me into attempting my first marathon, and I’m so thankful that they did.

5. What/who inspires you to run? Two of my children swim competitively year round with a club team.  When I see how hard they push themselves in practice each day and when competing in races, especially in distance events like the mile, it inspires me to try to work as hard as they do every day.

6. What is your best training tip? Seek help and support.  A friend of mine convinced me to contact her best friend who is a running coach in Colorado Springs.  I was reluctant because a “coach” sounded so serious, but having someone to plan all of my workouts for me was incredibly helpful.  She actually had me running fewer miles, fewer days, and at a slower pace than I thought would be necessary to prepare for a marathon.  The best part of training with Heather was that she was very encouraging and supportive through the entire process.   She believed in me even when I didn’t.

7. Water or Sports Drink? Coconut water.  It’s my new obsession.

8. Tell us about the outcome of the race: The power of the Traveling Sparkle Skirt was in full effect:  I finished my first marathon in 3 hours and 38 minutes!  My friend, Dawn and I both BQ’ed; we both achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times!  I felt great and was able to maintain a pretty consistent pace.  Dawn, Jessica, and I all met interesting people, enjoyed the cooler San Diego weather, and although we’re still pretty sore, nobody was injured.  The best part was knowing that so many friends and family at home were watching our splits online and cheering us on.  I’ve felt so loved reading the texts, e-mails, and Facebook congratulations we’ve received.

9. Your favorite post-race indulgence? A nice, long nap.

10. Favorite part of racing in a Sparkle Skirt? Racing in the Sparkle skirt was so much fun!  I received so many compliments on my skirt throughout the entire race from spectators and other runners.  I saw one other young woman in a (new, clean) green Sparkle Skirt around mile 6, and I was so excited to share the whole story of my Traveling Sparkle Skirt with her as we ran.  The skirt was soft, light, and comfortable, so it didn’t interfere with my running at all.  I loved all the attention I got, and I loved knowing that I was racing as a member of Team Sparkle.

The Traveling Sparkle Skirts are a pair of Team Sparkle Running Skirts (one Hot Pink & one Turquoise) that travel the globe spreading the Team Sparkle love. Read more stories of the Traveling Sparkle Skirts HERE.

1. Name: Erica

2.Tell us about your past race/running experience: In middle school, I ran track…badly. Aside from being generally awkward and adolescent, at the time I was also learning to deal with loose and often painful joints due to a connective tissue disorder. It’s hard to run well with your shoulder hanging out of place, so I decided it wasn’t for me and took off after other athletic pursuits (which I also did badly, by the way).

Then in 2009, the Illinois Marathon made its debut. My Dad expressed interest in the half, and I was willing to try…but given the zero running either of us was doing at the time,and there being 13 weeks until (at time of contemplation), I suggested we train for the Myrtle Beach half (a “run a race and come visit your daughter” kind of deal). It was settled.
And then my Dad watched the “NOVA: Marathon Challenge”, and saw that Hal Higdon had a 30 week marathon training plan for newbies…and the next thing you know, he’s on the phone saying “we have so much time….let’s just run the full”. Um…ok?

The weekend of the Myrtle Beach Marathon arrived. T-shirts were picked up. Winter weather advisories went out. It snowed 4 inches that night, and the marathon was canceled. Much sadness. We signed up to run the Chicago Marathon the next morning — snow there would be considered “perfect marathon weather!”, and started training again. Had weather once again crushed our goals of marathon glory, I was willing to take it as a sign from God and give it up….but it didn’t, and we finished….and once you finish one, well….why not another and another?!?

3. What race did you run? The Illinois Marathon

4. Why did you sign up for this race? After Chicago, we were looking for another marathon to run. The timing, calendar-wise of Illinois was good, the fact that it was in my hometown, where my parents still live was nice — it was just overall, a good one to pick.

5. What/who inspires you to run? If it were not for my Dad, I would have never never never ever have begun to run, let alone train for a marathon. Doing our running apart, we keep tabs on each other through logging our runs online and calling and harassing each other; training for, and running a marathon with your dad is an awesome experience.

6. What is your best training tip? Stick to the plan! Skipping workouts leads to regret and panic in the weeks leading into the event.

7. Water or Sports Drink? Both have their place — I’m not one for sugary beverages, but in certain weather, or “any distance past X”, I do like to have a little of both.

8. Tell us about the outcome of the race: Nice weather, great company. We improved upon our last efforts, and that was good, too.

9. Your favorite post-race indulgence? Ummmmm….Diet Coke and veggie Chicago-style pizza.

10. Favorite part of racing in a Sparkle Skirt? What’s not to like about a sparkly skirt?!? You can sing “I feel pretty” in your head all along the course (or out loud, if you’re that kind of person).

*this was not my favorite part (I’m not THAT vain), but I would be remiss if I did not mention*….the compliments/personalized cheers were RIDICULOUS. As in quantity and frequency. I’m fairly sure strangers don’t  yell “You’re the prettiest  girl in the race!!” at mile 23 to just any female chugging down the road. Well, they yelled it at the one in the pink, sparkly skirt.

The Traveling Sparkle Skirts are a pair of Team Sparkle Running Skirts (one Hot Pink & one Turquoise) that travel the globe spreading the Team Sparkle love. Read more stories of the Traveling Sparkle Skirts HERE.