June 3, 2014

Bondi Band Giveaway! My Favorite Way To Sweat!

I am hosting my first giveaway!

As a Sweat Pink Ambassador, I was recently chosen to review Bondi Bands and am hosting a giveaway! First of all, they have awesome designs. I couldn’t wait to try it out today because it was a hot day and I wanted to see if it would keep the sweat out of my eyes and it did! I went out for my run at 6 p.m. and it was still hot out. I didn’t wear my hat since the sun wasn’t going to be as intense. I usually wear a hat or visor to help keep the sun off my face and out of my eyes and also to absorb the sweat.

The Bondi Band was great! No sweat dropped in my eyes at all and the Bondi Band stayed in place and was so lightweight I didn’t even feel it! I loved the colors and the tiara design and I will definitely buy more designs! Just what I need… more stuff! They have awesome designs and sizes. And they don’t just sell headbands, they have armbands, wristbands, sweat towels, neck gators, calf sleeves, and more! If you would like to order from bondibands.com please use the code SWEATPINK to save 10% off of all items except Bargain Bin, Design Your Own, and Custom Items. It is good through June 28th.

If you want to win the Bondi Band I am giving away below please follow the instructions below. Winners will be selected June 7th. (You will navigate to the raffelcopter page with instructions on how to enter).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Bondi Band: Bondi Bands are great for women, men, girls and boys! Bondi Bands are composed of a unique blend of nylon, lycra, and spandex. The result is a stretchy yet form fitting band that holds up under the toughest hair styles and types.

Charity: We are a simple company with a dedication and belief in our product. Our philosophy is to make a great product at a great price and to build relationships one at a time. And as much as we believe in making a tidy profit we also believe in giving back. Each year we donate 10% of our pretax profits to charity. For 2009 we have chosen the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) is a Comprehensive Cancer Center designated by the National Cancer Institute. It is a major affiliate of Harvard Medical School and is located in Boston, Massachusetts. The origins of DFCI date back to 1947. DFCI employs about 3,000 people. Most importantly, there are more than 150,000 patient visits a year, and it is involved in some 200 clinical trials. It is internationally known for its research and clinical excellence.

We figured if we were going to give away some money, this should be where it goes to.

I was given these items from Bondi bands. The opinions about these products are my own.

April 25, 2014

What I Learned From Tara Gidus The runDisney Nutritionist

On my Boston Marathon World Run I listened to my favorite Mickey Miles Podcast in the beginning of my run. Tara Gidus was on again giving nutrition advice and answering questions. She was so resourceful the last time she was on prior to Dopey weekend and I learned so much from her. This time I learned even more!

I want to purchase her book “Flat Belly Cookbook for Dummies” and maybe one day hire her as a nutritional counselor for me.

What I took out of the latest podcast from her:

Eat within an hour of waking up
Drink your water
Take a supplement like Vitamin D at least 1000 of it.
Calcium is another good supplement to take
Prior to a race have your breakfast such as toast with peanut butter, a bagel, banana, oatmeal. Then while waiting for the race to start, munch on something simple like Frosted Flakes.
Eat small meals throughout the day. They should last you about 3 hours until you feel hungry again. If you don’t feel hungry it means you ate too much.
Frozen diet-type meals (Lean Cuisine or Weight Watchers) are a great option for a snack because they are low in calories and have just about everything you need for a small meal.
Have a smoothie with protein each day as a small meal and you will easily take in 20+ grams of protein your muscles need to recover.

A big thing she mentioned that sunk in with me is when you are training for a long run or a marathon, it’s OK if you gain a few pounds prior to that event. That means your body is storing the glycogen you need to fuel you for that race, as long as you are eating more good carbs. So the water and glycogen is being held in your cells. After the race, those pounds should come off when you return to your non carb-loading diet.

Tara is the runDisney Nutritionist and you can read more about her tips for fueling for your runs on the runDisney site. For more tips and details from Tara’s helpful Podcast, download the Mickey Miles Podcast episodes 161 and 162.

April 14, 2014

The Boston Marathon Is A Week Away

One day shy of a year ago was the Boston Marathon Bombing. The morning of the marathon I was working from home because my daughter was off from school. I watched the Boston Marathon’s live broadcast from my laptop. It was a beautiful morning. The race was exciting and it planted the seed for me that I really wanted to be a part of this race someday. I remember posting to Facebook about my desire to go. Then several hours later my mom sent me a text to see if I heard about the news. There was an incident at the race. I turned on the news and then saw the sad events that were unfolding. I was so shocked. I couldn’t believe something bad was happening at such a positive event. Where were you when the Boston Marathon Bombings happened?

strongerbook Last week the Book Stronger by Jeff Bauman was released. I love stories where tragedy is turned to something positive and reading of the strength of those who fight through life changing events. Jeff Bauman was a spectator cheering his girlfriend, Erin. He looked at the bomber in the eye just several minutes before the bomb placed just feet away from him exploded, destroying his legs. He saw the bomber, he wanted to make sure authorities talked to him so he could tell him so they could catch the man who did this to him.

His photograph became the human face of the Boston marathon bombing victims. This book is about Boston Strong.

Jeff Bauman is the man in this famous photograph of that horrific event. Photo: Charles Krupa, AP

Don’t waste a minute, grab this book today! I already love the book and I am only a few pages into it. I can’t wait to finish it and be inspired by another book about strength and determination.

Another one of my other favorite running-related, comeback from tragedy books is Matt Long’s The Long Run. Do you have a favorite book?

January 29, 2014

I have a secret problem

I am sure I am not the only one who has this problem. But I need help. I tried to get help on my own but it may be time for a professional.

This is my running gear. See that yellow basket? That’s my most used stuff to grab on the go. The 3 drawers houses my clothing broken down into groups, long sleeves and pants, capri pants, shorts, skirts and short sleeve shirts. Never mind all the Disney race shirts I get from races. Those are integrated into my everyday wardrobe because I have been wearing them more often (I am proud of the accomplishments!)

Do you have the same problems? What do you do to get your stuff organized?

Do you have any advice on how to organize this mess?

January 27, 2014

I met Chris and Heidi Powell!

During the marathon weekend, Saturday was a day without a race for me so we made it a Magic Kingdom day. On my first night in Florida I saw on Facebook that Chris Powell posted a photo of the fireworks in Disney World. I realized he must be down for one of his client’s challenges.

I mentioned it to my husband while we were walking at the park and not more than 10 minutes later he spotted him at the Dumbo ride with his wife Heidi! Heidi and Chris got on the ride so I asked their nanny if they would mind me asking them for a picture. They were soooooo friendly and completely cool, normal people. I talked to Heidi more than Chris because I read her blog and I really loved her posting about being Wonder Woman after having a baby and I wanted her to know that I really enjoyed it. I was also a little too nervous to talk to Chris! He was standing right next to me!

I had such a great weekend for the marathon and the races, but it was even so cool to meet the fitness celebrities during that weekend. Ali Vincent was at the race and I met her on the starting line of the full marathon, too! She is the first female winner of The Biggest Loser. She has a great show called Live Big with Ali Vincent which has great real world topics on how to eat and live healthy and she gets real this past weekend when she steps on the scale for the first time in years and learns what she now weighs.

At these races it is great to meet other runners. It is also great to meet people who motivate others like the trainers for the shows of Biggest Loser and Extreme Weight Loss. They work just as hard as the contestants and form lasting bonds and friendships with them. It is evident in the way you see them on their shows and also how they are with their fans.

Keep up the great work Heidi and Chris! Your passion for your work shines through in your every day lives!

January 25, 2014

#DisneySide @ Home Celebration – I am having a party!

I was selected to host a #DisneySide @ Home Celebration. What is it? It is a party you host at your house to show off your Disney side (like I really need to do that with a party?!).

I plan on having a candy bar and ice cream sundae bar, Dole Whip, and some healthy choices of food as well! I sure do wish I could make the Magic Kingdom popcorn here. That’s one of our favorites! There will be games, crafts and time to share our favorite Disney stories! Everyone will go home with a goodie bag, too! Let me know if you would like to come on the evening of February 17.

Stay tuned more details to come in the upcoming weeks! Subscribe to my blog for details!

I received free products in order to host the Disney Side @Home Celebration. The opinions expressed here are my own.

December 18, 2013

#WhyIRunDisney filming of Kimberly Markey Torres

Kim and Bob post run

On Tuesday, December 17th, I had the opportunity to run with Kimberly Markey Torres and four of Kim’s close friends, Allison, Jolynn, Nicole and Janice. Not only were we getting together for a run, but runDisney was there to film us running together as they capture Kim’s story about why she runs Disney. RunDisney is running a contest on Instagram called #whyiRunDisney. She was selected to be filmed. It was a beautiful snowy cold 16 degree morning, but that never slows us runners down!

Last Friday Kim had her 5th chemo treatment for breast cancer and Monday she had her white blood cell shot which sucks as much as the chemo. She could barely get out of bed. She said she got up to make the bed and just collapsed back into it. But what did she do the next morning? She went out on a run with all of her friends! Despite her nausea from the chemo and all of the drugs she has to endure, she still got out there for a run and smiled! And what I observed when we were all together is the strength of her friendships. I had met Allison and Janice at previous races. In fact, I met them both the same day I met Kim at the Cheshire Half marathon in April, 2013. After we met in person at that race we kept in touch over the summer. That’s when she told me in July that she had breast cancer and was undergoing the double mastectomy and chemo but would still be running the Dumbo Double Dare challenge which I was running also. That race was the carrot at the end of the stick for her to recovery quickly from her surgery so she wouldn’t miss out on all of the run in store for that inaugural race. So we planned to hook up in California and the rest is history!

While running I was talking with Nicole and Jolynn and learned how they met Kim. She has great friends. During the run we had to stop a few times for filming purposes. I could see Kim was tired, and she had said she was tired. We were all concerned for her and were there for her. It was amazing to see us all come around to make sure she was ok. But she still did it all with a smile!

She truly is amazing. I have traveled with her the day after she had to shave her head. I wasn’t sure how she would feel about it, and she bravely carried on with her cute color coordinated scarves. While we went to the parks, she was the one I thought who dragged me around the Magic Kingdom. When we ran the Tower of Terror 10 miler race, she took the lead with the intervals and has a great coaching spirit about her. It is evident in her take charge attitude for starting and stopping our intervals, watching out for obstacles in the road and keeping our pace. I enjoy running with her. Kim is so determined. I hope the essence of her determination and love of running is captured by the filming of why she loves to run Disney. I am glad she asked me to join her and her friends for this event.

She is training for the Dopey which is a 5K, 10K, half marathon and full marathon in January. She has one last chemo session left the week before the Dopey event and I am hoping and praying her body will make it through the event. I know how challenging just running a few of those races are, but ALL of them in another story. It’s a major event and I know that she has the will to do it, there’s no doubt about that.

Cancer sucks. It really does. All too recently it has affected family members and close friends in my life; but I have also seen what cancer does to those that unfortunately have to fight it. And those who do are warriors. When I am having a bad day or a tough run, I think about those who have had to fight the battle of cancer and talk myself out of my tough place and really dig deep to think of how hard they are fighting to just have a normal day, let alone run. And Kim is doing that while working, taking care of her family (who is also taking care of her), training for her Dopey Challenge and healing her body. She has a lot ahead of her with her reconstrutive surgery and other surgeries to prevent further cancer spreading; but like she has fought before she will pull through with more future races on her horizon to carry her through.

Thank you for asking me to join you for this event Kim! I am so glad to have met you and become your friend and am looking forward to your finish line of this cancer treatment and your Dopey challenge! I also can’t wait to run the Princess Glass Slipper Challenge with you!

Getting ready for the run in Kim’s house

The camera man filmed us from the trunk of the car!

The reservoir covered in fresh cold snow.

Kim doing her interview during the run.

Staying warm on the sidelines and watching out for cars!

July 24, 2013

New Product reviews

The past few weeks I have had a chance to run more and also use some of my new gear. I wanted to share my results with you about three new items I have.

I was given amazon gift cards for my birthday so what did I want to buy? Running gear! I went to my local running store to see what they had there and found some sunglasses I liked. I wrote down the model number and came home and searched for them on amazon. I got them for a good price. I paid $53.96 and they are retailing in the store for around $65.00. I wanted smaller sunglasses that were polarized that had some wrap around effect. These are good glasses. They are polarized to protect my eyes and don’t fog up much. They have rubber grips on the arms so they don’t slide down my nose. I am happy with these glasses.

The second item I wanted to get was the ifitness belt. Several other runDisney members recommended it. In particular, Ashley Hoffman Forster did a video review of it on her blog. After seeing her review I wanted it. The belt was $28.95 and I added 2 8 ounce water bottles for $19.95. I wanted the belt for the ability to hold my phone in a water proof compartment. And like the review from ( name ), she said it could hold her iphone and her ipod nano. I have an LG Spectrum phone so I assumed it would fit. It is a tight fit for my phone to fit into the zippered compartment, but it does fit along with my nano so my electronic devices are safe from rain. The belt is comfortable. It stays on by using a snap. My nathan hydration belt uses a velcro closure. The belt doesn’t slide and it fits comfortably. I would recommend it to others.

On vacation I came across this book through Facebook. “Run Like a Mother: How to Get Moving–and Not Lose Your Family, Job, or Sanity” by Dimity McDowell, Sarah Bowen Shea is a good book. The authors have a facebook page and I was interested in the topics that were being discussed through facebook. So I downloaded a sample to my kindle and liked what I read, so I purchased the book. I read it every night before bed. I didn’t know what to expect from a book about running written by mothers, but I found it to be fun to read, some things I knew, some things I am learning and some things I can apply to my life as a mother who runs. Do as I did an download a sample for yourself and see what you think! After I read this book I will read their second book, “Train Like a Mother: How to Get Across Any Finish Line—and Not Lose Your Family, Job, or Sanity”.

Hopefully the review of these items will be helpful in your purchases for new running gear!

January 24, 2012

New gear

I am so excited. I went to my local running store shore Sound Runner and bought some new gear. Now that I am running longer distances I have to start carrying water and fuel with me. I had the change to talk to Gretchen while I was there and she gave me advice on what fuel sources I should use and when. I chose to go with the GU packets rather than some chewable items to see how I like them. She also fitted me with a water belt and measured my calf for some calf sleeves.

I ended up getting the Nathan fuel belt and Zensah calf sleeves.

Now that my runs are longer, she gave me some good advice such as, bring some wipes in a zip lock bag in your pocket in case you have to duck out into the woods for any reason. Also, take the gu at about mile 4 when running longer than 7 miles and take it every 45 minutes when running long. She also had me get the Glide stick to avoid chaffing and said I should start using it at any point now despite the colder weather because the rubbing is caused by the longer distance, not the temperature.

When I came home from the store, I was also excited that my items I ordered came in. I got a grid roller to help me the day after my long runs for stretching. I used it last night and feel better today. I also ordered a buff to wear around my neck to pull onto my face on those colder days when the wind blows towards me.

So I think now I have everything I am going to need for my long runs and long races in my future! Now I can’t wait to get out and run tomorrow!

January 13, 2012

Jeff Galloway walk/run timer

I am actually looking forward to running this weekend. It’s just a short run but I am going to use my new Jeff Galloway walk/run timer. The point of this method of training is to avoid injury. I am doing ok since the long run this week and I am also looking forward to doing a long run next week as well.

Wife Mother Runner

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