Wednesday, September 5, 2012

MUST HAVE Winners!

Happy hump day!

Yesterday was my first day back to work for the new school year and back to the after school running schedule. I find it a lot harder to run at the end of the day versus first thing in the morning, but I don't see how people can get up so dang early to run before work. 

So, Monday night I packed my running bag with...


...you guessed it! My running MUST HAVEs!

Today I get to announce the winners of my MUST HAVE GIVEAWAY!

Congratulations to the following winners:

Sandra Laflamme - Simple Hydration Water Bottle

Amanda Naro - Sweaty Bands

Heather Roe - Sweaty Bands

Kierston - Cytomax Sampler

Please email me your mailing information so that I can get your prizes to you.


Do you prefer to run before or after work?



Monday, September 3, 2012

TrainingTruths: Workouts & August Review

The last week of August was focused on getting ready for my first Reach The Beach Relay and enjoying the last of my weekday morning runs since school is starting this week. Although I am regretfully saying good-bye to summer, I am excited about the new running adventures I have coming up this month.

  
#TrainingTruth: Sometimes poor fueling and pushing too hard on a run catch up to me on a humid day.


#TrainingTruth: My RTB Cyclops head lamp made my first night run a success.


#TrainingTruth: My legs do not like running on loose gravel roads, but they love Zensah compression socks. 


#TrainingTruth: Running with a BPM playlist from Rock My Run helped me maintain my pace on a solo run.


2012 Goal Maintenance - August review: 

1. Keep running











2. Run a race a month








3. Continue to improve the blog 

4. Add another New England state to the list of places I have run 



5. Keep meeting new running friends









#TrainingTruths is not just about me. We all like to see what everyone else is doing and use that information to assess ourselves. It's not judgement. It's a way to share and learn and make changes when necessary.

To participate all you have to do is share your #TrainingTruths:
  1. Tag a Twitter post with the hashtag #TrainingTruths
  2. Comment on the Running Escapades Facebook page 
  3. Leave a link to your own blog post in the comments
I look forward to reading your #TrainingTruths!


Don't forget to enter my MUST HAVEs GIVEAWAY. Today is the last day. 
Winners will be selected randomly tomorrow!


Friday, August 31, 2012

Fitness Friday: MUST HAVE GIVEAWAY

It hit me the other day that there are certain things that I won't run without. Whether I'm running from home or packing my running bag, there are 5 must-haves that I have discovered over the last year and a half and 1250+ miles. Each item plays a role in making my runs comfortable, productive, and fun.


1. My Mizunos. I have three pair. Silver Wave Rider 15s purchased on the recommendation of my local running store (so glad that I listened). Pink Wave Rider 15s Limited Edition that I won in a raffle. I rotate wearing these on my short runs. For my long runs I wear my Wave Inspire 8s that I received from the Mezamashii Project. These shoes make my feet happy. They are lightweight and cozy, yet supportive. Running in these shoes is like putting on a pair of comfy jeans after working all day. You can check out my full review here.


2. My Nike+ GPS Sport Watch. I received this for Christmas last year from my husband and I use it all of the time. I love how simple it is to use. The screen is large and easy to read during my runs and with the laps feature on, it will beep at me. Afterwards, it is a cinch to upload and view all my running stats on the computer or review my run stats on the watch itself. I also use the stop watch feature to time my planks! Another cool feature to this watch is the messages it displays for you. Immediately after running, it will give you positive feedback like Crowd goes wild! It also nudges you to get out there and run if it hasn't been used in a while. (All this watch needs is a camera...you know, like the ones in all the spy movies?)


3. My Simple Hydration Water Bottle. I do not like to run with things in my hands, but I need to hydrate and where I run, I'm not going to find water fountains (or bubblers as they like to say in NH). When I saw this bottle, I knew it was the one for me because it is designed to hook onto waistbands or belts and be handsfree. Running with this bottle is so simple; just tuck it in and go. There are no straps or clips or buckles. It doesn't matter what distance I'm running, I always take the bottle with me. 


4. My Sweaty Bands. I received my first Sweaty Bands from my running partner Daisy as a gift. I tried to wear slip-on headbands in the past, but they always slid up my head. So, I gave up and began wearing the hard plastic kind that press in right behind my ears. You know the kind, right? My first run wearing my Sweaty Bands opened up a whole new world for me. Even with all my thick hair that Sweaty Bands did not move. Now the only problem I have is trying to figure out which ones to buy!


5. My Cytomax. I use this during runs to hold off the energy crash and after runs to replenish and recover. I love that I can make it right in the bottle. Fill with water, add two scoops, and shake. I like to make mine the night before so that it is nice and cold. On long runs, I pour some into my Simple Hydration water bottle to take with me and drink the left over afterwards.  


Now, here's the good news:

Simple Hydration, Sweaty Bands, and Cytomax want to spread the must-have love with some lucky readers of Running Escapades!

So, one lucky winner will receive a Simple Hydration Water Bottle, two lucky winners will receive a Sweaty Bands, and one lucky winner will get a generous variety pack from Cytomax!

To enter: (required)
Leave a comment telling me about your running or fitness must-haves!

Extra entries: (optional) - please comment separately for each one that you do, otherwise they will only be counted as one entry:
  • Blog, Tweet, Facebook - tell everyone about the giveaway! And let me know what you did!
  • Follow the Running Escapades Facebook fan page
Winners will be picked at random.  Contest only open to US participants.  Giveaway ends Monday September 3. 


THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW COMPLETE! THANKS FOR ENTERING!


*I contacted all of the brands in this post to participate in this giveaway. All opinions are my own. (obviously)


Monday, August 27, 2012

TrainingTruths: Freedom Runs

I like to think of last week as a week of freedom runs. The Rock 'n Roll Providence Half Marathon was over and I wasn't ready to roll right into preparation for Reach the Beach and ZOOMA yet. It was nice to just go out and run without any thought to training schedules.


#TrainingTruth: Running on trails is a great way to break free from the noise and traffic of every day life. 


#TrainingTruth: There is a certain liberation in being able to run anywhere at any time (like during soccer practice).


#TrainingTruth: You can meet the nicest people when you're out for a run and not constrained by finish times and pace.


#TrainingTruths is not just about me. We all like to see what everyone else is doing and use that information to assess ourselves. It's not judgement. It's a way to share and learn and make changes when necessary.

To participate all you have to do is share your #TrainingTruths:
  1. Tag a Twitter post with the hashtag #TrainingTruths
  2. Comment on the Running Escapades Facebook page 
  3. Leave a link to your own blog post in the comments
I look forward to reading your #TrainingTruths!


Friday, August 24, 2012

Fitness Friday: Playing Tag

Jen from Running With The Girls tagged me with a Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Thanks Jen!


Here are the guidelines that go along with this award:
- display the award logo somewhere on your blog
- link back to the blog who nominated you
- state 7 things about yourself
- nominate 15 (or less) other bloggers for the award and provide links to their blogs
- notify those bloggers that they have been nominated and of the award's requirements 

Here are 7 things I am looking forward to:

1. Newport, RI - This weekend we are heading back to Rhode Island. Saturday we'll be getting in a long run along the Newport Half Marathon course before hanging out at the beach. Saturday evening we will be enjoying the tunes of Survivor at the Naval Station Salute to Summer Concert & Fireworks Show. Finally on Sunday we'll be getting in a day of sailing.



2. Reach the Beach - In a few weeks I will be running my very first relay race as part of Team One Track Minded. I was invited to the team by my running partner Daisy who has run both NH and MA RTB Relays. I'm both nervous and excited for this running adventure, but know that I am in good hands. I read some really great relay tips from Sarah at Once Upon a Lime. Now all I need is to get my hands on a reflective night vest and head lamp! 



3. ZOOMA Women's Half Marathon -  The weekend after RTB, I'll be traveling to Cape Cod for another weekend of running fun! It all starts on Friday night with a Mocktail Hour sponsored by HINT at the Reds Poolside bar where special guest The Fitnessista and all the CC ZOOMA Ambassadors will be hanging out! Want to join us? All Cape Cod runners are invited, just RSVP here. Not signed up for the race yet? Register here and don't forget to use my discount code CCAMB8!



4. Fall - I'm really looking forward to the cooler running temps. I love summer, but I am a cold weather runner. In NH we are already getting some glimpses of the cool fall weather in the mornings and some little teasers of the fall colors to come. And, all that summer training means faster running in the fall.



5. Giveaway - Coming soon I will be sharing an awesome giveaway with you featuring some of my favorite running gear. If you follow my blog, you might be able to guess what might be on my list, but stay tuned! Be sure to check back for more details.


6. Soccer Season - I grew up a soccer junkie and now I'm lucky enough to be the step parent of one. My step daughter is starting her second year of high school varsity soccer and I am really looking forward to watching her play. Did you know soccer players typically run 5-8 miles during the course of one game?



7. Running with my Husband - I love that my husband is my #1 fan. He drives me to races (sometimes super early), takes pictures, hangs out while I talk to friends, and cheers for me. What I love most of all though, is running WITH him. He has a crazy work schedule, but I'm really looking forward to adding many more miles to our running shoes together.





What are you looking forward to?


Tag. You're it:

Janine @ The Purple Giraffe
Samantha @ Running and Cupcakes
Dani @ Weight Off My Shoulders
Abby @ Back at Square Zero
Krysten @ The Misadventures of a Darwinian Fail
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama
Michelle @ Running with Attitude



*