Almost 9 years ago, I lined up at the start line in ZOOMA Annapolis for my very first half marathon. That race was not only my first race, but was the very first ZOOMA race as well. In less than two weeks, I'll be lining up again as ZOOMA celebrates its 10th ZOOMA Annapolis. While I may have race day jitters (I always do), I'm a very different runner than the one that lined up that first time. Since it's Friday, I'm going to share five random things about my half marathon history. I've now run 63 half marathons (and will run 4 more before ZOOMA). I had planned to hit 70 half marathons at ZOOMA, but, well, life. I've run half marathons in 34 states (and will hit 38 the week before ZOOMA.) My race times have ranged from … [Read more...]
Bucket List Race: Utah Valley Marathon
Several years ago, when I first started my quest to run a race in every state, we went to Utah on vacation. I had not yet decided I needed to run half marathons in each state, so I ran a lovely 10K in Provo, UT. I've been kicking myself ever since - I still need to get out there to run a half marathon. Enter the Utah Valley Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10K. Located in the beautiful Provo Canyon, it has a reputation for being scenic and fast. When I was offered the opportunity to run the race, I was super excited: new state, beautiful race, slightly downhill course, and an awesome jacket as the premium because it is their 10 year anniversary. Add in plentiful aid stations (seriously at 2,4,6,8,10,11,12) with water and sports … [Read more...]
Mile Markers by Kristin Armstrong {Giveaway}
I love to read. In fact, one of the reasons I'm perpetually tired is that I'd rather read a book than go to sleep. Lately, I've been reading a lot of fiction because my life has been filled with too many things that require a lot of learning. This year I've learned more about accounting, federal contracts, algebra 2, and world history than I've learned since college LOL. So, when Marcia and Patty suggested favorite running book as a Tuesdays on the Run topic, I was excited and without an answer. This year I've started a lot of running books, I've read Hansons Marathon Method from cover to cover, and I have a list a mile long of books I want to read. But none of them stuck out as a favorite. So, I went out to my running bookcase (yes, … [Read more...]
Cleaning up my diet + a Kohls Giveaway
We all know that I love to run. And lately (well, until Snowzilla arrived), I've gotten back into my old gym habit of elliptical and weights. But judging by the way my jeans are fitting and the number on the scale, the saying "you can't out exercise a bad diet" is definitely a fitting one around here. It's not necessarily that I'm eating unhealthy foods, it's more that I'm eating too much in general and far from a balanced diet. Marathon training definitely played a role, but what has really brought the issue to a head is being busier in the evenings. Two to three nights a week I am out at dinner time for practices, rehearsals and social activities. I'm eating at odd times and I'm grabbing whatever is convenient, which usually … [Read more...]
Dunkin’ Donuts Chicken Apple Sausage Breakfast Sandwich
Dunkin' Donuts sponsored this post, but my love of their coffee and all opinions are 100% my own. Confession: I love Dunkin' Donuts. In fact, I can pretty much trace my addiction to our Ragnar Cape Cod race where we stopped at Dunkin' Donuts for coffee and snacks after almost every leg. I completely lost track of how many breakfast sandwiches I ate (at all times of the day) and I'm pretty sure all of my runs were fueled by Dunkin' Donuts coffee. Just sayin'. If only I'd had the DD Perks App then! (I've since fixed that mistake.) So, it didn't take much arm twisting for me to agree to try the Chicken Apple Sausage Breakfast Sandwich that Dunkin' Donuts has brought back to the menu. Egg, chicken sausage, and cheese on an English … [Read more...]
Savor, FitFoodie Rock My Run, a winner, and 20% off
Woo, that's quite a title! But seriously, so much going on that I needed a catch all post! Today is the marathon of the craft beer world! It's like Marine Corps used to be - you have to be fast with the fingers to get tickets. What am I talking about? SAVOR! If you've been around for a while, you know that Beer Geek and I love this event. It's a chance to meet brewers and owners of craft breweries, while having the opportunity to try out new beers and sample yummy foods. Like a marathon, even if you are well trained and take it slow (AKA hydrate like crazy), there will be "soreness" tomorrow. Thankfully, my Mother's Day present from Beer Geek and the boys is a day in the house by myself. ;o) Now let's talk music! As you … [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...]
5 for Friday: Off to the Races!
OK, the first one is kind of a big deal! I'm racing 13 half marathons in less than 12 weeks. I start tomorrow with RNR USA and finish with ZOOMA Annapolis on May 31. After each race, I will do a giveaway. That's right: 13 races, 13 giveways. If you've heard me talk about loving it, I've tried to get it for you. Think compression, hydration, shoes, skirt... 13 awesome items that I love. 13 is my lucky number and I'm making it your lucky number too! 2. Yesterday I worked the ZOOMA booth at the RNR USA expo. I'll be there again today. I'll let you in on a secret: if you come to the expo and sign up, we'll give you a discount on the race AND a shirt like the one I'm wearing below. Can't make it there and want to run ZOOMA … [Read more...]
Breakin’ my little green heart + a giveaway
I'm kind of a crunchy, granola chic. I do my best to follow the philosophy of "reduce, reuse, recycle". We follow "green" practices for our yard. I'm kind of uptight about short showers, turning off electronics, and walking when we can. Heck, I even work for a company whose mission is to help organizations promote environmental causes, especially clean water and water conservation. And I've always been proud of the fact that my children (and Beer Geek) have always packed lunches in reusable containers. (Yes, my husband carries a cloth lunch bag with his sandwich, apple, and snack in cloth sandwich bags.) This is what typical lunches look like in our house: thermos of milk, sandwich, fruit in a plastic BPA-free container, and … [Read more...]
Get out of the heat with RevolveDC (Giveaway!)
It's hot in the DC metro area right now. Really, really hot. Workouts in my unairconditioned basement have kind of sucked, whether it's a run on my dying treadmill or a weight workout. Even going to the pool yesterday wasn't that refreshing because the water was warm. Ugh! I like sweating because I got a good workout. I'm not a fan of sweating before I even move. Just one of many reasons I like Revolve: a spin studio with air conditioning! Anyways, RevolveDC has offered me the chance to give one of my local readers a 5 ride pack! Not just one free ride, but five! Remember how much I loved my ride? It was pretty awesome and I can't wait to become a regular in the fall. And RevolveDC just won Best Indoor Cycling Studio in … [Read more...]
Simply Bar Review and Giveaway
Recently I was contacted with the opportunity to try out "The Simply Bar." I had heard about them on various blogs and I happened to be attempting to add extra protein to my diet plus eat more frequently. While I was mostly focused on clean, whole foods, I'd had a few instances where I hit "gnaw my arm off" hungry with no healthy options available to me. The Simply Bars sounded like just what I needed to have available in those instances. According to the company, Each bar contains 16 g protein, paired with 2-4g of fat, under 3 g of sugar, 4 g of fiber, and 160 calories or less. Each bar is based on Non GMO soy crisps along organic brown rice syrup. All the cocoa bars are made with organic cocoa mass (we promise this is easy to … [Read more...]
10 miles in Vibrams and a Sparkly Soul Giveaway
That's right. This... In these... I honestly thought I'd never break double digits in minimalist shoes. Of course, lately I can't seem to run single digits in regular running shoes, so I was beginning to wonder if my days running anything longer than a 10K were over. I'm happy to say they are not. Today I'm a little sore (but who wouldn't be after their first double digit run in almost a year?), my calf is a little tight and cranky, and the balls of my feet are a little roughed up. All in all, I would say it was a successful venture. In other news, Sparkly Soul sent me two headbands to review (and offered two more for my readers!). I've now run in them a couple of times and worn one to yoga once. I even wore one running … [Read more...]
