Half Marathon #3 in 79 days is done! I'll do a full recap later this week, but the race can pretty much be summed up in two word: hills and ouch. I'm so sore today that I can barely walk. Given my heavy mileage, I should not be this sore from a race I didn't all out race... Today's giveaway is for a $35 e-coupon to Road ID. We've all read the tips on how to run safe: Run against traffic Run in well-lit areas or make sure you personally are well lit Run with a group Don't always run at the same time at the same place Be aware of your surroundings But, no matter how careful you are, sometimes things happen. We've all seen the sad news recently about runner moms hit by cars while out running. We've all tripped at … [Read more...]
Apera Tech Bag review + Lucky 13 Giveaway #2
Half marathon #2 is done! I ran it way faster than I expected. I need to learn how to not race every race LOL. This was my first "away" race in my 13 in 79 days. It wasn't far and we only went up for a night, but it did mean I had to pack a ton of running stuff, plus I had some work I wanted to get done in the car. Luckily, I was recently approached by Apera Bags to review one of their bags. I tend not to do fitness activities that require a duffle or other type of gym bag, so I chose their Tech backpack. As I head out on my adventures over the next few months, I need to have my shoes and my computer with me wherever I go. Short story: I LOVE this bag. I put so much stuff in it this weekend. There was a section for my … [Read more...]
PROCompression Winner + a discount code!
The first Lucky 13 Giveaway is over! The lucky winner is: a Rafflecopter giveaway Didn't win? PROCompression has offered a 40% off coupon code for everyone else. Good for Marathon socks and sleeves! Use code: BLG14 Thanks for entering! Check back later today for giveaway #2! … [Read more...]
24 days, 3 long runs, and 2 races to go + WIAW
It's less than a month until I meet up with Kim and her friends at the Riverboat Series. I am balanced precariously between excited and exhausted. Excited because I'm really looking forward to seeing my friends: Kim and many who I met at Dust Bowl last year. Exhausted because I'm in my hardest training week for the series. So far this month, I've run almost 109 miles. I have 3 double digit runs and two half marathons left before the series starts. Two of those long runs are today and tomorrow: days 5 and 6 of running with a 34 miles already on my legs (including 13.1 at race pace.) I know the key right now is mental strength. My body can do 20+ miles over the next two days. I know it can. I just can't let that little voice in my … [Read more...]
Lucky 13 Giveaway #1: PROCompression socks
Today we are celebrating my successful completion of the first of 13 half marathons in 79 days: Rock 'n' Roll USA half marathon. (We are also celebrating a snowy, schools closed, parade canceled St. Patrick's Day, but my opinions on that are not appropriate for this blog.) I will give you all a full recap of the race tomorrow, but if you aren't following me on twitter, instagram or facebook already (and why not?) I ROCKED IT!!! It was my 6th fastest half marathon out of the 21 I've done and my fastest since 2011!!! So, let's talk compression. I wear compression socks and sleeves for any run over 6 miles and for every single race. It's what keeps my crabby calf able to run long distances. I own several brands, but PROCompression … [Read more...]
Running Weatherman’s predictions for RNR
Are you obsessed about the weather for the Rock'n'Roll USA marathon and half marathon this weekend? Are you stalking every weather resource you can, to try and figure out what to wear? Do you have two complete outfits set out, ranging from shorts to fleece lined tights? Well, look no further for information! I got Alex from "The Running Weatherman" to give us his predictions! The Rock 'n' Roll USA Marathon and Half Marathon is this weekend, and I've had a number of people asking me about the forecast. The average high for the day is 56 and the average low is 37. The forecast is only a few degrees away from average, with lows expected to be in the upper 30s and highs approaching the 60 degree mark by the afternoon. Running … [Read more...]
Rain Rain Go Away
I've been taking part of Laura's 5 (or 10 miles) by the 5th of the month for the last few months. December brings this round to an end. For a variety of reasons, I almost missed this one, but then Shoo went to school and the stars aligned. I actually ran with the ladies of MRTT! I know. The lone runner joins a group. I have to admit, it was a lot more fun running the five while chatting than it would have been running the same miles around my neighborhood. Bonus: yesterday's Elf for Health challenge to was to work out with a buddy. Win/Win! And now about that rain... I'm running half marathon number 12 this weekend! There is a bit of a weather event going on across the US right now (understatement) and it's heading this … [Read more...]
Black Friday Giveaway!
We had an awesome Thanksgiving! My turkey turned out great, as did all the side dishes. I made just the right amount to have leftovers of everything tonight + enough turkey to make several pots of soup. Perfect! We also went with the paper turkey themed table cloth (per my friend's daughter's request) and nice, but dishwasher safe dishes (instead of the china), so clean up was a breeze and I got to spend most my day hanging with my friends and drinking good beer. Win! So, I'm feeling generous and my house overfloweth with stuff, so I'm going to share with you. Three winners, each winner gets a pair of socks (Balega, Injinji, or Wright), a tube of nuun, two Gus, 2 Designer Whey Protein2go's, and Sweat Pink shoelaces. a … [Read more...]
Black Friday Giveaway
I don't do Black Friday. There is very little that I could imagine wanting enough to stand outside in a line or to brave the crowds around here. We won't even stand in line at Beer Fests for the "special" beers. But, in honor of the day, I'm going to do a quick and easy giveaway of a few random things I found in my stash... Simple rules: Two winners - one gets a pair of Balega socks, one gets a small assortment of nutrition. (Assortment may not be identical to picture.) Want to win? Leave a comment. One entry per person. Random number generator and/or Shoo with a hat will choose the two winners. Giveaway ends Sunday November 25th at Midnight, so get your comment in soon! Disclaimer: Some of the stuff I bought, some … [Read more...]
I’m exhausted + a winner
Last night I discovered two things: 1. Spike heels and brick walkways are a dangerous combination. 2. I'm way too old to stay up until 3am. That extra hour we got this morning was not nearly enough after seeing 1:59am on my phone twice in the same night. ;o) And the winner of the Blue Ridge Marathon Entry is... a Rafflecopter giveaway Debby, shoot me an email at mcmmamaruns at gmail.com and I'll get a code to you. Congratulations! … [Read more...]
America’s Toughest Road Marathon Giveaway
Maybe you've heard of the Blue Ridge Marathon... Maybe you read my race report from running the half last year... Maybe you like a little challenge... Ok, maybe it's more than a little challenge! There might be a few hills mountains. From the official Blue Ridge Marathon website: Local runners have crafted one of the most challenging and beautiful marathons on the east coast. In 2010 the full marathon course included 3,076 feet of total elevation gain and 6,140 feet of total elevation change, but that just wasn’t enough. The 2012 course includes 3,620 feet of total elevation gain and 7,234 feet of total elevation change. Kind of gives new meaning to runner’s high. The uphill portions will test each runner’s … [Read more...]
Photo Friday and the Naturebox Winner
Today we leave to go back to Virginia. While I'm looking forward to seeing Beer Geek and being back in my own bed, leaving Wisconsin is always bittersweet. I am super lucky to have a wonderful relationship with my parents. (How many people can live at home for 2.5 weeks every summer and still be speaking with their parents at the end?) I would love to live closer to them, but unfortunately, circumstances don't allow them to move closer to us and there's no way my southern boy of a husband is going to move to the land of cold. At least I've already bought tickets for all of us to come home at Christmas! I'll spend most of today traveling and tomorrow is my birthday (42! How did I get that old?) and I plan to spend it running, hanging out … [Read more...]
