ISIS Hat Winner!

I am like everyone else, the holidays have wiped me out and I am so glad they are behind me except for New Year's of course! I am also very Sorry for the delay in picking a winner, gosh I am ready for things to slow down and get half way back to normal.

Anyway.......................Lucky number 15 is the WINNER which is

                                                    LauraElaine !!!

Be sure to check out her awesome ETSY Shop! I purchased a scrapbook for my running buddy and I received an awesome scrapbook made by LauraElaine from my mom for christmas!!! I think I have your info but if not I will be in touch with ya!!!

Thanks to all for entering!! More great giveaways to come:)

How's your Holiday going........

Yesterday was the first day of my holiday from work. I knew for sure I would run and knew I would be solo so I wasn't sure how far I would go.  When I got up and ready to head out I was still unsure so I just decided I would just go as far as my legs would take me. I am also trying to learn to slow my pace down a lot so I will have the confidence to run a marathon. I started off with the loop at our local park and headed into town. It was around 30 degrees and I was feeling great! Once I got to town I had a Pineapple Roctane GU and I don't know if it was because it was cold outside or what but it was almost frozen like and I enjoyed it that much more thinking I might start putting mine in the fridge, oh and have I told you how much I LOVE Pineapple Roctane GU? It is the GREATEST!! So anyway off I was and away I went, I never looked down at my watch, focused on running at a comfortable slower pace, and started thinking about the marathon. Do I really think I can do it, am I really up for it, I don't want to fail at it, I really really want to do it.....Then what do you know I looked at my watch and I was at 4.62mi! Wow that went by fast! So I thought I better head back to the car. I ended up with 8mi total in 1:17 and felt GREAT the entire time!

That night we went to eat with my awesome friend/running buddy Sheri and she mentioned running 5mi today. I told her as long as she didn't want to be speedy I would go also. Well when I got up this morning I had one little ounce of "No I'm not going" until I logged on facebook and Sheri posted that WE was running! That was all the motivation I needed to get on out the door!! THANK YOU SHERI!!! Plus we decided last night we would have coffee at the Hub when we finished~YUM! Off we went and we agreed not too fast, I actually felt great again my legs didn't feel tired at all, I was one happy runner girl:) We was only at 4mi when we came up to the coffee shop and decided it was coffee time. At least we did get in 4mi and it was under 40 I think 39:47ish!!! YAY!!!

Hope your Holiday is off to an Awesome start as well!!! Don't forget to enter my ISIS Hat Giveaway!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Garmin 305 & 205 on Sale

ForeRunner 305

Just wanted to share! Any one looking to purchase a Garmin, walmart.com has the Garmin Forerunner 305 with the Heart Rate Monitor on Sale for $128!  (I purchased mine there in the summer for $145) And you can get FREE Site to Store shipping!! You can pay extra today to have it shipped to your home in time for Christmas if you like also!

Forerunner 205

Or if you want to save a few bucks and don't want the Heart Rate Monitor, the also have the Garmin Forerunner 205 for $114!

WOW! What SUPER deals! I am not promoting walmart.com or receiving ANY benefit from this post, I just wanted to share these great deals I came across today!

Running in the Cold

With the first day of winter before us, I am asking you bloggy friends the question, How do you handle running in the Cold, Snow or whatever Winter weather you have?

Last winter I was still new to running and didn't have a schedule, this year I have a schedule I would like to keep and will begin GULP marathon training in January. I really hate the fact that the weekly runs will more than likely be on the treadmill, but I will try my best to get the long runs in on Saturdays OUTSIDE with MY BUDDY!! Even if that means wearing lots of layers of clothing! Saturday afternoon the sun came out and the temps warmed up to 30 so the ice began to melt YAY!! Sheri and I went to Old Navy for the $1 scarfs, did any of you get any~they are super cute and perfect for running!~and we decided to head out Sunday morning for a run of at least 5 possible 6 miles. Neither of us have been running for the last 2 weeks, she has been sick and I have ran a couple of times on the treadmill but not much at all.

Sunday morning was nice and bright and maybe 25 degrees! I wore some running pants with fleece lined inside (review of them to come don't want to tell too much:), a dri fit short sleeve shirt, a long sleeve tshirt type dri fit and a fleece zip up jacket (another awesome Old Navy purchase) along with an ear warmer, gloves and an awesome $1 Old Navy scarf. I decided not to wear a hat because of the sun being out I knew I would get too warm with a hat. All in all I was fairly comfortable, even at times like I could have shed something but only for a second. Saturday night I was at walmart with the hubs and I came across a magic eight ball, so I asked it " Will I have a decent run on Sunday since I haven't ran in a while?" it said "Without a doubt" so I had to text Sheri and tell her. Then she wanted me to ask it about her, it wasn't as nice to her it said "Don't count on it"! Was the eight ball right? Yes and NO! I feel like we both had an awesome run considering all the factors (snow, ice, cold, no running for 2weeks) we did 6 miles in 1:00:47 and I felt great the entire time! Sheri had a little issue with her knee so we stopped every now and again and she picked up some ice from the road and held it on her knee a couple of times~ creative right?!

How about another BONUS entry to my ISIS Hat Giveaway??? Simply answer my opening question
How do you handle running in the Cold, Snow or whatever Winter weather you have? Leave the answer here in a comment the go back HERE and leave a comment with the words "BONUS ENTRY"

Icy Conditions & aGiveaway

So the great state of Ky (among others I am sure) had some winter weather move in this week, we usually don't get much weather wise just cold temps and the snow/ice part usually doesn't come until January/February. So far this year it has snowed or iced every week since the last week of  November, maybe it is just getting over early or maybe the worst is yet to come! Thursday it snowed, freezing rain and rain all day which made the roads slushy, Friday it was all solid ICE! Here is the view outside my door 

This was looking out my car windshield!

We have a really big hill to get out of our neighborhood and the hubs had already called me to tell me how bad it was, I had  an hour delay for work. So off I go SLOWLY rounding the curve up the hill only to find the crazy girl from down the road stopped in the middle of the road about 2/3 of the way up it and she is no where to be found so of course I have to stop in which I start to slide backwards. I must of been having one of those days because I instantly got pee'd off, the girl finally came out I never rolled down my window and she said she was stuck and couldn't go anywhere~NO CRAP NOW I CAN'T EITHER~then her dad or whoever came out to help her and he slipped and fell right beside my car got up made it to her car and slid right back down again, that's when I decided I am going home forget this! I am not a good reverse driver, I had to back down the hill until I came to a driveway I could get into to turn back around to go HOME! That is where I stayed!

Now on to the giveaway...... the awesome people from Isis thought my review ( which you can read HERE) was so awesome they agreed to let me do a giveaway! In all reality they meant to send me the "sports bra" version of the bra I did receive and offered the hat also:) but hey we can dream right! Although I haven't tried the bra yet I have wore my hat to the gym and back and I LOVE it! It fits nice and snug on my head so NO air gets in and it has a fleece liner on the inside which is very warm! The folks at Isis get an A++ on this hat from me!
Here is what is up for grabs

This beautiful hat shown above could be yours!

Entries will be taken until CHRISTMAS DAY with a winner being selected on 12/26 Sorry but I can only ship in the great USA!
Here is how to enter:

1. Follow my blog-MANDATORY ENTRY
2. Like ISIS on FACEBOOK-MANDATORY ENTRY
3. Follow ISIS on TWITTER
4. Go to ISIS and tell me what product you would LOVE
5. Blog It, Tweet It or Post It on Facebook- Leave SEPARATE comment for each

Good Luck! Welcome all new followers! There has been lots of giveaways going on here and I wouldn't be able to host them without ya, so THANK YOU EVERYONE!! Help keep my numbers up and I will keep the giveaways coming:)))

34 5 129 And the Winners are.......

34                         5             129


Winner of Gift #1 GU & RoadID is 34

Caroline said...
I tweeted this
@carotabi
Fri Dec 10, 01:57:00 AM EST


Winner of Gift #2 Ryders is 5

Stacey said...
I already follow!
Thu Dec 09, 09:43:00 PM EST


Winner of Gift #3 Go Lite Tights is 129
Sheridan Lee said...
Entered the Holiday Giveaway...
Sun Dec 12, 10:46:00 PM EST

Ladies email your mailing address and I will get your lovely gifts on the way!!
Thanks to ALL that entered and stay tuned I have MORE giveaways to come!!

RAZZY ROO Winner

ABBI from HIGHER MILES is the lucky winner!! Congrats Abbi I am sure you will LOVE these GREAT RAZZY ROO headbands! Send me your mailing info and I will get them in the mail to ya!

Thanks to all that entered and All the NEW followers:) YAY!

Ultimate Christmas Giveaway!!

So the wonderful Scott at Outside PR has given me the opportunity to host an Ultimate Christmas Giveaway!! ~How COOL!!~ So here is a run down on ALL the goods YOU can WIN!!!!!!

Gift #1

6-pack of Vanilla Gingerbread + 6 packets of Mint chocolate GU

Road ID eCard (good for any model of Road ID plus basic shipping)

Be sure to check out the awesome giveaways with Road ID as well!!

What better way to start a safe new year!

Gift #2

Pair of the VTX sunglasses (with interchangeable lens) from Ryders Eyewear

Gift#3

GoLite tights (the winner can choose the style based on the climate they are running in)

3 Winners will be selected one for each gift package above

Gift #1- Gu's & Road ID

Gift #2- Ryders Sunglasses

Gift #3- GoLite Tights

Sounds pretty nice huh?

HOW can YOU WIN??? It's very simple!

1. Follow my Blog ~this one is MANDATORY!!

2. Follow GU Energy on Facebook

3. Sign up for GU Energy's Newsletter

4. Submitting a photo doing whatever sport you love at the Ryders "Ride for Real"photo gallery

5. Entering the Road ID Holiday Giveaway (extra entries granted for every $5 donated)

6. Follow GoLite on Facebook

7. Blog It, Tweet It, Post It on Facebook

Please be sure to leave a separate comment for EACH entry you do only the comments left will be counted! Entries will be taken until 12/16 and a WINNER, well 3 WINNERS will be selected on 12/17



3 Things Thursday- Discounts & a Giveaway Reminder

Are you finished with your Christmas shopping yet? Ha yea right NOT me! Here are some things that may help!

1. 10% off at ZBSports by using code ZBBOBBIE. At ZBSports a portion of every sale goes to charity so head on over and purchase something today and give back all at the same time!!

2. 20% off at LauraElaine Designs on Etsy by using code JOURNEY. LauraElaine makes awesome scrapbooks and  pages for scrapbooks, I am sure if you needed other items she can hook you up just ask! I LOVE her stuff, as a scrapbooker myself I know the hard work that goes into those items~mine is not even close to the awesome items she does! LauraElaine 's books are great for keeping race bibs in~ a perfect gift for runners!

3. Don't forget my RAZZY ROO giveaway HERE! These awesome headbands make great stocking stuffers! For an extra entry in the giveaway go to Razzy Roo Facebook, "like" her page and leave a comment telling her I sent you, then go back to the RAZZY ROO giveaway post HERE to leave a comment saying you did so! (Make sure you go back to the giveaway post to leave your comment for the entry to count DON"T comment here for a giveaway entry only to say how awesome I am ~JK!!)

I have another giveaway to post later today, its goes along with 3things thursday, 3winners 3 gifts to win!! Stay tuned!

Jingle Bell Jog 5k

This past Saturday we ran our last race of the year(so sad), the Jingle Bell Jog 5k. This is a fun race along the course there are 3 tables with wrapped presents each runner/walker gets to pick up a present, you can even exchange at each table if you like, and as long as you cross the finish line with it, it is yours to open!! Last year I picked an awesome gift $25 CASH, this year not so lucky, Sheri and I both picked up the same gift, a gingerbread cookie!! Oh well you can't win em' all!

When I woke up and on the way to the race this was the scene

You HAVE to love Kentucky weather, you just never know what it may bring! Funny thing is it did the same exact thing last year we hardly ever get any snow and what you see above is all we got even though at times it looks like a blizzard while it is snowing~drives me NUTS GIVE ME SOME SNOW ALREADY~! Mom has learned no matter what the weather if there is a race we are going!

Something new they had this year was a Spirit Award, whichever team had the most group members show up and participate received $100 and a plaque. I decided a few weeks ago that WE was winning that award, not the $$ the plaque. Why the plaque? Because we decided it was going to my mom! Without her we wouldn't have all these awesome pictures (except the 2 above I stole them from Kelli), someone to hold our stuff, pin our numbers on and most importantly give us Good Luck Kisses!! As you can see from the pic above we DID it!! Actually we got 2nd place but first was a home health company, umm hello unfair advantage!! And we had already decided that we was going to donate the $100 back to Alzheimer's, the cause for the race and we have become friends with the director of this race in which her father had Alzheimer's. What a good group we are!! Mom will kill me but here she is with HER plaque

The race itself, well it was dangerous the roads were slushy/icy, entire first mile is uphill, entire course it uphill with few downhills until the end which is great, not my favorite course almost always something goes wrong. Besides the road conditions I have to say it actually went well this time, even just as planned! Sheri and I had talked about how we wanted to run the race since we are familiar with the course and know the challenge of it we set out a plan, little did we know it would be slushy/icy, but we finished right on target~SUPER we might just be getting good at this! Both of our times were reported at 28:37 with Sheri crossing in front of me (I honestly tried to sprint past her at the finish~shame on me but she had me :) so I got 2nd in our age group~YAY!!

This wasn't all of our group not even half!

Razzy Roo Headbands Giveaway

RAZZY ROO is yet another great Christmas gift, actually this one would probably be a better stocking stuffer! I came across RAZZY ROO on Etsy (but there is also a web site) and just knew I had to check it out, one of my cats name is Jazz and I call her Razzy ALL the time! So I contacted Cheryl about a review and a giveaway, just from our email conversations I feel like Cheryl is super fun to be around and a great person. She told me she started making these headbands to help pay for her race entry fees~awesome!! Well I sure hope she is ready to run lots of races because I am sure EVERYONE will LOVE these headbands just as much as I do!!!! The headband is very comfortable and never moved around on my head, I have been wearing my RAZZY ROO awesome headband to the gym on the dreadmill and let me tell you I am a jigglier on that crazy thing maybe its my imagination or the combo of more than one person running (they are lined up close together small gym) but everything wiggles around me. And I am a sweater, I sweat a LOT the headband still held in place right where I put it!!

Look at the SUPER cute Christmas band available, just one of several!

How about trying out RAZZY ROO headbands for yourself? Cheryl's bands run from $10 - $12 on average not too shabby for a great band going for a great cause~races~. But Cheryl was kind enough to giveaway 2 bands to one lucky follower~YAY!!~~

The 2 RAZZY ROO headbands shown above will be given to a randomly chosen follower on Monday, December 13. Here is how to enter:

1. Follow my Blog- A MUST

2. Check out RAZZY ROO and let me know which headband is your favorite

3. Blog It, Tweet It, Post It on Facebook (one entry for each)

That's it simple!! Entries will be taken until 12/12 Sorry but I can only mail to US residents only.

I was NOT paid for my opinions given above they are ALL mine!

Winner & LauraElaine DISCOUNT

The winner of the Sporty Girl Jewelry is
The randomly picked number is: One Crazy Penguin
Send me your information so I can submit it!! BTW I Love the name of your blog~how cute!

LauraElaineDesigns on Etsy has some really cool Scrapbooks and Pages for Scrapbooks! She can even custom make books and pages, just give her some info and taa daa! LauraElaine was kind enough to make a book for me that I reviewed HERE. I really LOVE my book and I believe you would LOVE one of your very own! Or what better Christmas present (guys pay attention here) a scrapbook showing your years achievements. LauraElaine has been kind enough to offer 20% her Etsy Shop!! All you have to do is enter code JOURNEY and you will receive 20% off one item the entire month of December!! If you want before Christmas delivery you need to order before December 15!! So don't delay order today!!

A good DreadMill run & ISIS Review

Tonight I chickened out and opted out of running outside, but I haven't been feeling good the last couple of days and didn't go to work yesterday and it was FREEZING with wind today so I think I made a good choice. Even though that choice forced me to run on the DREADMILL~UGGHH!! I have decided to take each "mill" run as it comes meaning I will run as fast and hard as I feel that day. Tonight I wasn't totally dreading it because I just wanted to run after not doing anything for 2 days and I decided my plan for today was to start out at 5.4mph for a few laps then bump up to 5.6 where I was feeling very comfy so I decided to stay for a while. At 2.75mi I lowered it down to 5.1 just for a few seconds and kept bumping it up by .2 every couple of minutes until I got to 6.1, I was feeling strong hanging in felt just like I was cruising smooth. My original distance planned for tonight was 4mi but I was starting to feel so great I thought I will just keep on going until I want to stop. Still cruising at the speed of 6.1 I look down to check my distance 3.5 reached for the sweat towel and what..........OH HECK I pulled the cord and shut the machine down! Bummer, I was actually feeling good running on the DREADMILL and look what happens~oh well I just went over and lifted a couple of weights while waiting on the hubs to finish at the gym~at least I did do some type of run today!!

Recently I was looking around on Active.com and saw an advertisement for ISIS sports bras, it looked interesting so I clicked on it to check it out. Not only do they have sports bras and undies they have a variety of clothing for women from jackets to dresses and accessories! I LOVE the colors offered by ISIS the purples and blues shirts and jackets and grey pants are my favorites. I contacted ISIS about reviewing a bra and undies and here is what I got

C/D Bra

Sports Brief

When I received the bra and looked at it I was instantly curious about it, I didn't have (or ever really seen before) a sports bra that fastens like a regular bra, all of mine are one piece you slip over the head. I wondered how comfortable I really thought it would be. WAS I EVER SURPRISED! It doesn't even feel like I have a bra on it is so comfy! I honestly wish I had one for every day (I am not a big fan of laundry so the more the better). The wicking fabric is the softest ever. And the sports briefs are the same way! I have wondered if "sports" undies would really make a difference, well the answer is Yes especially if they are all made like ISIS. Again these are made out of the softest wicking fabric. An excellent sports bra (and little did I know but apparently) and undies are a must as a woman runner for me. I am extremely happy I have found ISIS and I really think any of their products would make perfect gifts for a woman runner in your lives!

Sporty Girl Jewelry Giveaway

What girl doesn't like jewelry? And as athletes of course we LOVE sporty jewelry, right? (Hope you guys are taking notes!!) Enter Sporty Girl Jewelry!

Ann with Sporty Girl Jewelry recently contacted me about doing a review and giveaway. Here are the choices I had to choose from

Wow what a hard decision, I mean lets be honest I want one of everything! Something neat by Sporty Girl Jewelry is that they make each and every piece when ordered and every piece is hand stamped!( I LOVE hand made stuff I have a crafty thoughts and desires to make things but I don't like the time it takes~lazy:) Sporty Girl Jewelry also has an awesome blog check it out HERE! So what necklace did I choose? Let's see......

That's right, I picked the "I Run Like a Girl", I LOVE my necklace! It is the perfect length and I love the beaded chain, my hair doesn't get all tangled up in it! Again as female athletes we should proudly display our love of our sport no matter what it is and what nicer way than with Sporty Girl Jewelry!

So Ladies (and gents you could win for your loved one!) wanna win one of the necklaces above? Well you are at the right spot! Here's how...........

MANDATORY- Follow this Blog
MANDATORY- Follow Sporty Girl Jewelry Blog
BONUS- Like Sporty Girl Jewelry on Facebook and leave a comment telling them I sent ya (don't forget to come back here to comment for entry!!)
BONUS- Visit Sporty Girl Jewelry and tell me what you just "Have to Have"
BONUS- Blog It, Tweet It, Post It on Facebook (one entry for each one!)
***Please leave separate comments for each entry below, I count comments to pick winner***
Winner will be chosen on Sunday, December 5, entries taken until winner is selected!

I was not paid to review only given a product to try out, All opinions are mine only:)

It's that time Again.....

With Thanksgiving now over it is officially Christmas Shopping Time!! The past couple of years I have been trying to start buying things early, this year not so sure what happened to that plan! ANYWAY..... for at least the next couple of weeks I would like to showcase and review some possible gifts(and products I enjoy) for runners!! Sorry guys but these will be mostly gender related however don't forget your loved ones!!:) When possible there will also be giveaways or maybe discount codes~YAY!!! So please be sure to stay tuned!! (I already have the first post ready)

Any retailers out there in need of product displays and promos, hello I am here:)

Arctic Ease Winner & some pics

The randomly picked number is: 8

Which makes Whitney from Running with Whit the lucky winner!! Whitney send me your mailing info so I can get you your Arctic Ease! (My email is listed on my sidebar:)

Some pictures from the Southern Lights Stroll 5k



Sheri, Me & Kelli

crazy girls:)

Southern Lights Stroll 5k

Tonight (Wednesday) was the Southern Lights Stroll 5k, this is a great fun race. Southern Lights are Christmas lights throughout the Kentucky Horse Park, it is actually a driving course that they open up early one night to have this 5k~how nice of them! I ran this race last year and really enjoyed it so of course I was on again this year, except this year I have company:) Tonight was girls night, the hubs could have went since he was off work but today was a cold rainy day and well he wussed out~sorry honey I love ya and all but come on~JOKING! Anyway tonight it was me, Sheri and Kelli (who ran in the half with us) and of course the photographer awesome MOM!! It rained almost the entire way there and it was a cold rain(40degrees) but once we got there the rain seemed to stop~again how nice. There was a decent crowd maybe 200+ runners and maybe close to the same amount of walkers. We started right at the front almost right on the starting line. We took off fast, really fast, I felt like I was running like a little kid legs and arms all straight running as hard as I could, of course that didn't last long at all just long enough to not feel like I would be trampled when I settled into MY pace which just so happen to be 8:45 tonight:):) I was so caught up in wanting to place that I never looked at any of the lights, I told the girls when we got there I was either winning an age award or a  door prize and we decided I can control the age thing but not the door prize so I better run fast. Therefore I kept an 8:45 pace and this is not the easiest of courses, it has several hills, it was dark and wet from raining, there was also a little boy in front of me and he was holding his own staying steady and all I could think is if he can do it so can I. The end is a straight uphill (the entrance to the park) and had it not been so long I may have pulled off a little better but I am very happy with my 27:02 (by my garmin not sure of official time yet) my 2009 time was 29:24~Yay! I felt very confident about getting an award until I heard they was by 10's instead of 5's and wouldn't you know it Kelli ended up getting 3rd~ dang her~JOKING~I still love ya Kelli! At least one out of the three of us got something and Kelli really does deserve it, she has just started doing 5k's and she is a Great runner. The only problem is we will be in the same age group next year and dang she is fast, guess that just means I need to get faster also! Again Kelli Joking girl!

The best part is we are all getting up in the morning and doing it again at the  Thoroughbred Classic 5K ! Sheri is running this race with her 9 year old niece, it will be her very first race and 5k ever! She has been practicing so hard I know she will do GREAT tomorrow~GO Gracie!! Be sure to read Sheri's Blog and see how well she did. I am considering staying back with them but I am going to wait and see how I feel in the morning!

Don't forget to enter my Arctic Ease giveaway it ends 11/27! I am only 2 followers away from 200 gonna have to work on some great giveaways to celebrate!

Running Scared

Daylight Savings Time is NOT for runners! I love the fall and even the winter snow but I do not like the dark coming so dang early.

We have a 5mi running path that has street lights almost all of the way except for about 1/2mi at the half way point. With it getting dark so early it is usually really dark when we hit that area. I am not one of those people that gets scared easily, something has to happen to me at that moment in order for me to be bothered. Last night as we was heading out of the dark area, which just as luck has it is the longest uphill ever, there was a strange man/boy walking in all black clothing! I could not see him at all until I was right up on him but Sheri saw him a little ways back. The area we are running in is country, the way he was walking was leading way into the country. After we passed him a little way Sheri looked back and thought he had turned back around towards us, so we KICKED it in up that hill ~ holy cow we was at around a 8:00 pace going up that hill! Wish I could run comfortably at that pace all of the time guess I need to imagine someone chasing behind me~ha! Maybe it was just in our mind that he turned back around or maybe it was just too dark and we couldn't really see which way he was going...........................................................hmmmm............
This morning while getting ready for work, I was listening to the news only to hear that the BP station was robbed by a masked robber which is close to where we meet to begin our run!! WHAT??!! Could it possibly have been the person we saw walking? The robbery happened about 3 hours after our run. OMG!!! I do have to say that kind of Scared me!

ZBSports

ZBSports.com

I LOVE LOVE LOVE ZBSports! Are you in the market for new shoes? Please, Please Please check out ZBSports!! Why might you ask? Here are MY reasons why I think you should buy from ZBSports;

They donate 1% of their net profit to 3 different organizations (animal, environmental and health research). That means 3% donated and best of all they let the consumers decided on the organizations!

James the president/ceo of ZBSports is a marathon runner among many other outdoor sports. Being an athlete he has got to know that he is selling are GREAT products. I also like the fact that James believes we all need to do our part to help within our communities to keep them clean, healthy and safe.

ZBSports has a Discount Membership Program in which you can receive special savings ALL year long!

ZBSports offers a wide variety of great products and brands.

So if you are in the market for some fresh new kicks, head on over to ZBSports. And remember a portion of your total goes to charity!

I was not paid by ZBSports to post this. I wanted to share this info all on my own. I was given a pair of Brooks in which I will review in another post, however I would have made this post either way.

Arctic Ease Giveaway

Recently I was contacted by Arctic Ease to try out their product. Hmm, let me think about that, well of course I will:) Since completing our Half in October we basically have been doing the training schedule all over again (minus the number of runs during the week). Last week was 7miles and I knew that would be a great time to try out Arctic Ease. There has only been a few times after long runs that I have ever "iced" my knees or anything and why I don't know cause I really think it would help me. Enter Arctic Ease 

Here is a little info from there site:

The optimal temperature for effective cold therapy is above 59° F (15°C).*

When skin temperatures go below that, tissue damage such as frost nip and frost bite can occur - it's one of the biggest risks associated with traditional ice therapy. And it's why you have to put ice on, then take it off - over and over again. Arctic Ease eliminates this inconvenience, reduces the risk and discomfort associated with temperature extremes and makes it easier to get relief from pain and swelling so you can get back to doing what you want to do.

So after the 7 miles and breakfast of course I mean hey we run for something right, I headed home and opened Arctic Ease and below is what it looked like.

Pretty much like a moist ace bandage with gooey gloppy stuff on it. The gloppy stuff made me think I do not want that stuff on me and I started to wipe it off, however after reading further I realized that gloppy stuff was probably part of the "cryotherapy" that Arctic Ease is all about.

As you can see from my fabulous leg shoot above, I know its one of the sexiest legs around~HA!~ I wrapped from just above the knee down and cut it off. I wasn't sure how much was left on the roll but I started wrapping my other knee as well. There was only enough to go around my knee once but it still worked out okay.

What I Liked:

* It wasn't freezing cold

* I was able to move around, didn't have to sit still holding the ice pack

* Comfortable- once I wrapped it around my leg that was it nothing to hold it on

*Wasn't messy at All

What I Didn't Like:

* Honestly the only thing I can say here is it wasn't cold enough. Although I do not want it freezing icy cold a little colder would have been a little nicer!

I wore the wrap for a couple of hours until it was completely dried out. Then I wrapped it back around the roll that it came on, placed it back in the package it came in and put 2 tablespoons of water in the package sealed it up just like the directions said. Last night I got it back out to use again and it was just like new!

Would you like to try out Arctic Ease for yourself? Well you are in luck! Shelley with Arctic Ease was kind enough to send a couple of extras to giveaway!

MANDATORY* Be a follower of my blog

MANDATORY* Go to Arctic Ease and tell me why you wanna try it out

***BONUS ENTRIES***

*Blog It

*Post It on Facebook

*Tweet It

*Follow Arctic Ease on Facebook

*Follow Arctic Ease on Twitter

Winner will be selected on November 27 ~Sorry but US Residents only

Arctic Ease contacted me about trying out their product and giving my opinion. I was NOT paid in any way!



Do All Runners Dream of 26.2?

The good ole running buddy and I have always discussed the thoughts of doing a marathon someday. Both of us felt the same way; maybe one day but not today. Well now Sheri thinks one day has arrived. What? The other night on one of our regular 4 milers, she brought it up"So I am thinking that marathon day is coming" Me thinking in my head "What??" but I answered with "Maybe one day but I am not sure I am ready yet"So from that moment on, it had me pondering the thought. That night I fell asleep on the hubs side of the bed and I had a crazy dream, we was running the marathon and I couldn't believe it we was talking to each other just really proud and then I woke up fell back asleep and was running again! I woke up and fell back into right where I left off still running 3 times finally at 5am I just decided it was time to get up cause I was tired from all that running all night long!! Yesterday on our long run of course it was brought up again. Except this time it was " I am thinking we should do the Flying Pig Marathon"( We have already decided to do the half there, mostly due to me wanting to with the whole pig theme ~ I LOVE PIGS!!) I don't really think I gave her an answer but once again my head said"WHAT?? THAT IS IN MAY!" I told my husband about the talk about it and he said "Why not just take your time since its your first and all" Huh? And that night when we all met up for dinner, I knew it was going to happen, good ole Sheri says" Gerard has Bobbie told you, I think she should do the marathon" and his reply"Yes she told me and I agree I think so to, so she is doing it!" As soon as we got home I jumped straight on the computer and looked it up. So my dear friend and awesome rocking running buddy Sheri here is my answer to the Flying Pig Marathon ( I know you are reading this:)

After looking over the site completely on the Flying Pig I will agree to sign up for the Marathon and train for it. One of the main decision factors for me is the fact that I have until April 18 to decide if I can really do the whole thing because there is an option of switching races back down to the half. So if I do not feel like I am ready by April 18 with the training I will be backing down. Also I am VERY doubtful in myself that I can run the entire thing, I mean look at the last half, so in training I will be doing a lot of run/walking but I am giving it my best effort. I am NOT going to set an outstanding goal time, my thought right now without any training I am saying my hopeful finish time is 5 to 5:15 again not outstanding but a starting point. So my friend these thoughts make me extremely nervous and I sure hope you are ready to be spending some time together we have a journey ahead of us for sure!!

So blog world let's hear it! Do all runner's dream of completing 26.2? Is it ever too soon, do you need to have been a "runner" for years before you are really ready? Is six months long enough to train?(I was really thinking a year) Is it okay to go into it with a run/walk method? Does that make you less of a marathoner? Do you ever feel like you are ready? What made you decide to sign up for a Marathon? What's a good training schedule? Help me??!!

6+ Chilly Miles in Plain Clothes Runner

Saturday's 6 miles was our coldest run we have had so far. Don't know the exact temperature but it was around 34 degrees with sunshine which made it not so bad. I was recently given the opportunity by Mike at Plain Clothes Runner to try out some products. (Since it was so cold I actually tried out everything at one time:) I was given a short sleeve Vneck wicking shirt, a long sleeve wicking shirt, a training jacket, a regular and a winter headband

I am not positive that my good words and opinions on these shirts and jacket will do them justice. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE LOVE LOVE ALL OF THE PRODUCTS I RECEIVED!!!! I am not one to wear fitted clothes not even for running. I have the "I'm fat" complex and do not feel comfortable in fitted clothing. So when I find clothing in a size Medium that I am comfy in, or a Small and still have plenty of room, I am one happy girl:) The wicking shirts have extremely soft fabric, it was so nice wearing it I really didn't want to change out of it when I got home. Another thing I found great about Plain Clothes Runner is their prices. The Vneck wicking shirt is only $20 and the long sleeve is $30 maybe close to or about the same as others but I LOVE the way these shirts fit me! Here is a little clip from their site:

Plain and simple. No expensive coordinates. No trendy, tight fitting outfits or prolonged preparation. Just casual, comfortable clothing that let’s you get up and go. Our “run wear – any wear” apparel is ideal for competition, everyday training and even out on the town.

Mike was also kind enough to send some items for my husband! Of course that made him happy, his first products to try out:) He also received the same long sleeve wicking shirt, a Rawlings Trainer fleece, and a toboggan hat

Mike made the right choices on items for Gerard to try out, he LOVES fleeces and now a breathable one that he can run in~ do I really need to say it~ he LOVES it:) I think the fabric on it is super soft, I know all fleece is soft but this is a smooth super soft! He also LOVES toboggan hats we have tons scattered around the house! As far as the long sleeve wicking shirt his reply"It ROCKS!" So I am guessing he totally enjoyed everything he tried out as well. Tonight we ran 4mi and I wore my long sleeve shirt again, another thing I learned that I like about it is the sleeves stay up when you push them up instead of coming back down while running. Another Plus for sure:)

So my bloggy friends there you have it. Plain Clothes Runner has some really awesome products at reasonable prices! I would really encourage you to head on over and get something for yourself or maybe someone on your Christmas list!

All the opinions above came straight from the hubs & I and were not paid for. We were given the clothing to review and not paid! However if Mike wanted to send us (me actually) a women's Rawlings runner jacket to review we would be happy to do so as well:))) Just sayin'