Blogaversary Giveaway Winner

We have a winner, Folks! Congratulations to @teachermommy1! We hope you love all your goodies, Megan! May they help you reach your goals in style and comfort.

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Thanks to all of you who participated. We had a record number of entries, which was quite exciting for us! We love you for tweeting, visiting us on Facebook, and commenting on our Blogaversary post. Your comments touched us. <3

We’re really quite grateful for you. Thank you for choosing to spend some of your time with us. We’re gonna keep working hard to make sure that time is well spent.

 

Have a topic suggestion? Want to see a sewing tutorial on costume making? Have a silly question for us? WE ARE ALL EARS. Tell us about it in the comments!

 

Blogaversary Giveaway – We’re 3!

We love this time of year because we get to celebrate when it all started. And by all, I mean the silliness and fun and food and all the running. It started with the ladies below: Mer, Vic, Brooke, Cam, Jess, and Bec.

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We’ve been here for three years now, and some things have changed. For instance, we’ve run a lot of races and earned a lot of medals.

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We ran a lot of those races in costume. We really, REALLY like costumes. We might need an intervention.

Costume Collage

Most importantly, we’ve made some amazing friends and have been lucky enough to be a part of the best community in the world, the running community. You inspire us in so many ways, every day. You set your goal, you get out there, and you get it done. You push htrough pain, obstacles, and downward spirals in motivation, and yet you achieve and succeed. We are so proud of you because you. Are. Epic. Thank you for sharing your journeys with us.

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Because you’re so awesome, you deserve a present! We’ve put together a special prize package this year, including a medal rack handmade by yours truly, and some other fabulous stuff from brands we love to support.

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This year’s giveaway includes a custom made medal rack with bib holder and chalkboard, a pair of size S/M PROCompression Socks, a KatieK Active headband and $25 gift certificate, a pair of YakTrax PRO size Medium, a SkirtSports Workout tank size large, a  collectible Disney Vinylmation Mickey Figurine, and a Blistex lip care pack.

To enter, click the Rafflecopter Link below. Good luck!!

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Click here to enter!

The giveaway runs from 2/29/16 – 3/7/16 and is open to United States residents who live in the contiguous 48 states only. Winner will be notified by email on 3/7/16 and has 24 hours to claim their prize. If not claimed in 24 hours, another winner will be chosen. 

Holiday PRO Compression giveaway!

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Just days before Christmas is the perfect time for a PRO Compression giveaway!

As you know, I’m a PC ambassador and love to run and recover in my PRO Compression marathon socks. Since I love this product which also happens to be American-made, I thought sharing a few pairs was the perfect way to say thank you to all of you, our wonderful readers and friends.

Full disclosure: I bought these socks as part of a PC grab bag sale last week, so I had no control over the selected colors of socks. They are size S/M and the socks you see in the photos will be the socks you receive. This giveaway is 100% funded by me and me alone.

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Click the pic to enter!

 There will be TWO winners, one for each pair of socks. This giveaway is limited to U.S. residents. It is not sponsored by PRO Compression, so no, we cannot trade these socks for another prize. Retail value for each prize is $50.

Baby Got Wasatch Back

Best team name ever.

Yes, those are ninja stars.

Yes, those are ninja stars.

Now that that’s out of the way, let the race recap begin!  I’m still recovering from the epic experience that was Ragnar Wasatch Back.  Utah brought all the extremes…heat, cold, elevation gain and loss: this race was no joke.  I’m a bit of a Ragnar Veteran, so I thought this weekend would be just another Ragnar.  I was prepared for the lack of sleep and the shenanigans.  I had hydration under control thanks to the NUUN station  at the start line.  I had my new Skora Tempo and my Core…just in case.  I had brought my biofreeze and compression socks and my DoTerra Blue Rub.

Most of all, I was so very excited to see my friends!

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Ninjas, Ninjas, Ninjas!!!

I was not, however, ready for the elevation.  Altitude is a real thing, people.

My Ragnar weekend started on Thursday with a 12 hour road trip to Salt Lake City, Utah from Riverside, CA with my fella and teammate, Ian. Yes, it took us 12 hours.  Mostly because of the Electric Daisy Carnival happening in Las Vegas.  Stop and go from Baker to Vegas surrounded by kids with drugs in 115 degree heat. Normally, this wouldn’t be a problem, but we had a race to get to!

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The 15 freeway is a really, really long freeway.

Once we got into Utah, though, the 80 mph speed limit sure brightened things up.  All the ninjas had already gathered at our fearless leader, Eric’s, parent’s house, who so graciously let 13 runners take over their house.  We didn’t arrive until around 2 am and our wake-up call (or rather violent shake) was scheduled for 4:30 am so that we could get to the start line in Logan, UT by our 8 am start time.  And so it begins…

pre race

 

Ninjas at the Start!

Ninjas at the Start!

Being in Van 2 has its advantages.  Once we kicked off the start with Van 1, we were able to grab some food and prepare aka screw around before our actual legs, which didn’t start until around 1 pm.  So we hit up the IHOP and ate all the pancakes, then followed some of the runners of Van 1 to check out their course.

Shattered glass at breakfast: bad omen or bad ass?

Shattered glass at breakfast: bad omen or bad ass?

Ragnaring like a boss...in business casual attire complete with phone and belt clip.

Ragnaring like a boss…in business casual attire complete with phone and belt clip.

Around this time we also learned that a fellow Ragnarian had collapsed on the course.  A 46 year old man from Park City, Utah, Tyler “Ty” Rasch, collapsed and later passed away (more information here).  While the cause of death is still unknown, this was frightening news.  I didn’t train in the altitude or heat at all and here this guy, who was used to this climate, had just died during this race.  It was a very sombering reality check.  I take this race stuff for granted.  My heart goes out to his family and friends, who were with him during this race and had to watch all this go down.  Just terrible.

We met up with Van 1 at exchange 6.  El Capitan Eric took over as runner 7 and our van headed out to kick some serious miles.  Around this time the temperature was reaching into the 90’s and our elevation was up in the 5000’s.  This sea level SoCal girl was definitely feeling the altitude.

When Vans Collide

When Vans Collide

The handoff!  Go, Eric, go!

The handoff! Go, Eric, go!

I was runner 8, the second runner in our van, which means I got to run and be done.  Seriously, having to wait around to run when your van is “on” is torture.  My first leg was 7.1 miles of what seems like perfectly nice, flat land.

Looks nice, right???

Looks nice, right???

The first few miles felt like I was drowning.  I could not get a hold of my breathing.  Once I got into a nice steady breathing pattern, that’s when I realized I was melting.  I could not drink enough water.  I had my NUUN on hand but my Van had to stop twice to refill my bottle.

van support

The rest of the van had very similar legs, with lots of heat, lots of hills and lots of miles.  By the time we handed off to Van 2 for the night runs, we were desperate for rest.  Luckily, Eric’s folks were close and we were able to get some food from an actual kitchen, take a shower and use a real toilet, and actually get a little rest in a real bed before our projected early, early morning runs.

The hills are alive!  With red ants and selfies within selfies within selfies...

The hills are alive! With red ants and selfies within selfies within selfies…

The second leg of our race started at 1 am and we had some pretty quick runs with elevations in the 6000’s and temps in the 50’s.  My second leg was super short and super cold!

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There wasn’t a mile marker on this run, though, so the only way I knew it was over, was the mile long back up of vans at the exchange.  This race had about 1000 teams!  That’s a lot of vans, man.  I came into the exchange looking to hand off to Tim, but I couldn’t find him anywhere.  I stood there about 10 minutes before we found each other.  Turns out, he’d been standing out there the whole time.  Doh!  Things you miss at 2:30 am.

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I was feeling pretty good after my run, so I took on the role of driver.  The head honcho, Eric, needed to rest as he was gearing up for the gnarly run up Ragnar Hill in the morning.  Traffic was pretty heavy at every exchange and by the time we arrived to handoff to Van 1, I was suffering from severe nap-jerks.  Runner 12, Jana, came in around 7 am, and then it was time to fuel!  We headed to this really cool diner that seriously had the best breakfast food I’ve ever had.

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I’m not quite sure what happened after this.  All I know is I was eating and then I was asleep and then it was time to run again.  But first we had to support the big cheese, Eric, on this baby:

Ragnar Hill

Ragnar Hill

Yes, that is a 2000 ft. elevation gain over 10.3 miles in 90 degree heat on a few hours of sleep and after already completing 2 grueling legs.  This is the shit that legends are made of.

Waiting to support Eric on this monster.  That's a ski lodge.  A SKI LODGE!

Waiting to support Eric on this monster. That’s a ski lodge. A SKI LODGE!

I was up next, so I got to watch these runners come into the exchange after this run.  It was the most inspiring thing.  I was in awe after watching them grind up this mountain and then cry when they passed on to their next runner.  Seriously, the most breathtaking view of the whole course was the determination and then elation on these runners faces.  And they got a special medal!

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Oh, Captain, my Captain

So Eric ran up this mountain, and it was up to me and Tim to run down.  This was my last leg.  The downhill was really freaking hard on my feet.  I hadn’t had any issues at all thanks to my new Skora Tempo, ProCompression socks, biofreeze, and KT Tape (this is my recipe for success, btw), but on this leg, the back of the shoe starting cutting into my achilles and all I could think was PAIN.  I also developed big huge blisters on my arches from this leg.

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last leg

But the view was spectacular!

I was done!  Time to relax and take some pictures.  Here’s a wrap up of the rest of Van 2’s legs and bringing it home to the finish line.  That’s probably the best thing about being Van 2…you’re done at the finish line.

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Jana ran us into the Finish Line in Park City after about 30+ hours.  Time to celebrate!

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And the coolest bling in the race game! All 12 of our medals connect to form one super badass medal.  Mine is the one that says “eries”.

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Ragnar Wasatch Back was the very first race in the Ragnar series.  It is definitely the most difficult Ragnar I’ve ever participated in.  What an honor to be among these fine adventurers!  I’ve been out of the Ragnar game for a year but the bug is back!  I’m thinking Vegas?  There’s a double medal series for Utah and Vegas…Saints and Sinners, anyone?

NYC Marathon PRO Compression #Giveaway

One year ago, I was anxiously awaiting my chance to run 26.2 miles through New York City’s five boroughs.

The race remains one of my favorites – not only because it’s my standing marathon PR, nor because I was blown away by the support from the crowd, friends and other racers.

I knew I had given my all. And that meant more than anything.

A big part of a successful marathon day for me, is knowing what food, clothes and routines work for me.

I wear a certain style of shorts (Oiselle distance shorts are my current race day must-have), I have to have a hat on and I need my PRO Compression marathon socks.

Nov13 to May14 076Race day duds. Love those socks

The socks rock.

I’ve been running and racing in PRO’s marathon socks for over a year, well before I became a brand ambassador several month ago. The sock help keep the blood flow in my legs. I wear them to race, on my longer training runs and for recovery after long runs – and hoo boy, do marathons count!

In short, my legs feel better. And when I feel well, I run well.

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In this week’s marathon excitement — and as I ramp up to run Philly in a few weeks – I’m giving away one pair of PRO Compression marathon socks or sleeves (winner’s choice).

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The giveaway ends at at the stroke of midnight on NYC MARATHON DAY (11/2). Click on the above pic to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway!

But if you wanna get shopping early, use the discount code BLG14 for 40% off marathon socks and sleeves at www.procompression.com.

Do you use compression socks? Why do you like them? What PRO Compression color, style is your fave?

I’ve got whosits and whatsits galore…

Welcome, welcome, one and all. This weekend I tackled a ridiculous feat…

The semi-annual cleaning of the running drawer. (It should really happen more than it actually does but let’s not make too big of a deal about that!)

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I’m assuming that everyone has a drawer like this. It’s as messy as a “junk” drawer, but there’s NO JUNK in this drawer. It’s all gold, my friends, and it’s all extremely important when it comes to running.

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Uh, except for maybe this. Not sure how this wound up in the running drawer…

Okay, so let’s get down to the good stuff!

drawer2I’m a big fan of the cinch bags that some race series give out at their expos. I use these bad boys to bring things to Track and Field practices and meets for the kiddo and at other races (way to publicize!). And every time I use one, much like a race shirt, it takes me back to that race. Memories, like the corners of my mind.

drawer3

I’ve got gadgets and gizmos a’plenty! Need a spoon on a string (and who doesn’t)? Check! That was from the Jog ‘n Hog this past summer.

credit: Jog 'n Hog Boss Hog

credit: Jog ‘n Hog Boss Hog

Foot Rubz ball? We’ve got two; Jay has the other one squirreled away somewhere. I use it after every. single. race. Stickers! Blister Treatment! (Knock on wood, I haven’t had any blisters lately.) And of course, my trusty Road ID. Okay, well, the Road ID box. The actually Road ID itself doesn’t usually make it back into the box because I use it so frequently.

drawer4Ah, the cold weather gear. How necessary yet how unfortunate that it’s necessary. In my perfect world, I’d not need these. It would be lovely fall weather all the time. Alas, such is not the case here in New Jersey and it’s already getting to the time of the year when we have the windows down, heat up.

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Rocking the $3 Target hat (notice the gloves in hand) at last year’s Cooper Norcross Run the Bridge.

When I began running Vic took me to Target, pointed out the men’s hats and told me to stock up. When you spend a couple of bucks on a hat or a dollar on gloves, you don’t get too broke up if you need to throw them to the side if you get too warm while running.  The Lululemon ones? Those don’t get tossed (added bonus: they were a gift from Jess).

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Not shown: Strong Mama Sox Box Socks
They’re in the wash.

I have a socks drawer but that’s not where my long socks live. Oh no, they have a special place of honor in my running drawer! And each time I pull out a pair of the socks, it brings me back to when I got them and where I’ve worn them. (My mind likes to retain random information that is pertinent to exactly nothing.)

Heart Running Skirts socks at runDisney's Tangled 5k.

Heart Running Skirts socks at runDisney’s Tangled 5k.

Thanks to Brandi for this group shot of us outside of the Septa station.

Red ProCompression Socks at the Broad Street Run

And finally…

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I’ve got fuel! I’ve got arm warmers (that are actually Baby Legs)! Tissues! Safety pins! Handheld water bottle! SPIbelt! These are the things that float around the drawer, usually toward the top, because I need them more often than most.

It should be noted that the drawer stayed neat for maybe a day and a half before it got all messed up again. Yep.

What’s in your running drawer? Or where do you keep all your “Stuff” with a capital S?