Thursday Thoughts

June 27, 2013 by 7 Comments

It’s not the Heat it’s the Humidity….we’ve been in the midst of a heat wave since the weekend so that means the return to early morning runs! Making the shift is always a little tough the first few days, but I do love the feeling of being home and done long before the kids have to be out the door for school.

And speaking of school….we have finally hit the home stretch! Tomorrow is the last day 🙂 Hard to believe that I will soon be mom to a 2nd grader and a middle-schooler! As we’ve been inching closer to the last day of school, the boys have been steadily adding to our Summer Bucket List – they’ve got big plans for the next 9 1/2 weeks. Let the fun begin!

ramps-smallIn the “What is she thinking category?“…I’ve been debating between the 5K and 10K for next week’s Finish at the 50 and then I got an email with this picture. Those are ramps inside Gillette Stadium – they’re also the final 2.2 miles of the 10K course! We all know how much I hate don’t love hills, especially at the end of a run, but believe it or not I’ve decided I’m going to do the 10K. If this crazy heat continues I may be cursing this decision…stay tuned 😉

Don’t forget….my Designer Whey Sustained Energy giveaway  ends tonight at 11:00 p.m. EST

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Filed Under: #DesignerWhey, 3 things, early morning runs, Finish at the 50, giveaways, hills

Designer Whey Sustained Energy Review & Giveaway

June 25, 2013 by 21 Comments

DWheyA couple of months ago, I had the chance to review a number of products from Designer Whey – they were all a win with me so I was very happy to get another chance through FitFluential to try Designer Whey’s newest product Sustained Energy™.

Key features of the Sustained Energy™ line include:

  • Formulated with Endurance Blend™ : Designed to give you balanced, stimulant-free, sustained energy through a premium protein blend of fast-absorbing whey protein and slower absorbing soy & casein proteins.
  • 16g of Protein: 32% Daily Value per serving.
  • 5g of Fiber: To help control hunger.
  • Packed with 19 Vitamins and Minerals: Including B-vitamins to help convert protein, carbohydrates, and fats into energy; vitamins A, C, & E for fast workout recovery; and, calcium and vitamin D to maintain strong bones.
  • 100 calories per serving: Naturally flavored and just 1g of sugar.

Sustained Energy™ comes in two great flavors – Vanilla Bean and Chocolate Velvet. And while I enjoyed them both, Chocolate Velvet was definitely my favorite.

Choco VelvetThis concoction I call Chocolate Heaven is a yummy combination of:

  • 1 scoop Designer Whey Chocolate Velvet
  • 1 cup chocolate almond milk
  • 5- 6 frozen whole strawberries
  • 3-4 frozen cherries (an extra boost of antioxidants for muscle recovery)
  • 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed

While I usually love drinking chocolate milk post-run, this shake has been a great alternative and has given me a little added staying power when lunch doesn’t happen until late in the day (which has happened on more than one occasion lately with all the various end-of-year school activities!)

The great folks at Designer Whey are offering 6 — yes six! — Running with Attitude readers a chance to try the new Sustained Energy protein powder in the flavor of their choice!

To enter:

  • (Mandatory) leave a comment telling me which flavor you want to try –  Chocolate Velvet or Vanilla Bean.
  • (Additional entry) Follow both @RunAttitude and @DesignerWhey on Twitter and tweet this message: “I want to win @DesignerWhey Sustained Energy protein powder from @RunAttitude  http://wp.me/p3alX4-lk  #DesignerWhey #FitFluential” Please make sure you  leave a comment here telling me you did.

This giveaway is for U.S. residents only and will be open until Thursday, June 27th,  at 11:00 pm EST.  Winners will be announced on Friday, June 28th, 2013.  Good luck!

Product was provided to me by Designer Whey as a FitFluential Ambassador for the purpose of a review. As always, the opinions expressed here are my own.

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Filed Under: #DesignerWhey, FitFluential, giveaways, Nutrition, product reviews

May Rewind & Lock Laces Winners!

June 3, 2013 by 10 Comments
Maybe it’s something that comes with age, but I continue to feel like I blink and the month’s gone!

 

Good things for May:
The not-so-good:
  • Stomach issues plagued my for a the second straight race
What’s up for June:
  • Another race through the streets of Boston! This time it’s the B.A.A 10K (the second race of their Distance Medley)
  • Returning to both Pilates and TRX  – I haven’t done either in a while and I want to mix up my strength-training to keep it interesting!
  • Continued focus on my nutrition – I have to get to the bottom of my stomach troubles

What do you have on tap for June? Are you racing or do you take a break in the summer?

Lock Laces Winners!

Selected using Random.org the winners of a pair of Lock Laces are:

  1. Felicia
  2. Jen
  3. Patis2

Congratulations! Please contact me at runningwithattitude (at) yahoo.com and I’ll get you set up. Thanks again to the folks at Lock Laces for sponsoring this giveaway!

 

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Filed Under: BAA, Boston's Run to Remember, fave things, giveaways, Lock Laces, month in review

Lock Laces Review & Giveaway

May 28, 2013 by 19 Comments

I’m all for anything that will make my life a little easier – even something as simple as not having to tie and retie my shoes when I’m out on a run. I’d heard about Lock Laces through social media and thought it was an interesting idea, so when they contacted me offering a pair to try out I said “absolutely!”

from Lock Laces website

from Lock Laces website

If you don’t know about them, Lock Laces are an innovative product developed especially for the demands of athletes. Unlike regular old laces, they provide flexible compression across the top of the foot with each stride. As you move, your foot changes shape – Lock Laces stretch and contract to fit the changing needs of your foot. Lock Laces’ simple clasp mechanism eliminates the need to tie your shoes over and over. You simply slide them on, secure the clasp and go!

Well, the folks at Lock Laces didn’t just send me one pair to try – they sent 5! My oldest son quickly spied them and begged for the neon green pair (he’s now making a case for the red ones too!) Needless to say he’s a fan and, now that I’ve been running in them for the past month I have to say I am too!

At $7.99 retail, Lock Laces is a very affordable piece of fitness gear! I love that they come in so many colors – and the fact that they’re water-proof makes them a win for my boys…especially with lots of summer hiking and days at camp on the horizon.

The generous folks at Lock Laces is offering to send a pair each to three Running with Attitude readers!

Three easy ways to enter this giveaway – leave a comment for each action below ~ Good Luck!

  • Check out the Lock Laces website and come back and tell me what color you’d pick
  • Like Lock Laces on Facebook and tell them Running with Attitude sent you
  • Tweet “I want to win a pair of @LockLaces from @RunAttitude http://wp.me/p3alX4-jd”

This giveaway is open to residents of the continental US only and will close on Sunday, June 2, 2013. Winners will be selected by Randon.org.  I received Lock Laces to try. The opinions expressed here, as always, are my own.

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Filed Under: fave things, giveaways, Lock Laces, product reviews

Monday randomness & a winner

November 5, 2012 by 5 Comments

Another un-caffeinated post on a Monday morning….

  • I’d really like someone to explain to me why my son’s hockey games must all start at 7 on a Sunday morning?!?!? It’s going to be a very long season….
  • So race week craziness has returned as I count down the days to this Sunday’s race. As I mentioned HERE I don’t fare well during these weeks!
    • Big goal this week is to try to get enough sleep – something I’ve been sorely lacking of late.
    • While I am looking forward to taking a break from a training plan, I’m already eyeing 6 – 8 races for next year. Haven’t pulled the trigger on any of them yet…oh my poor credit card!

    Yurbuds Winner!

    Thanks to all of you who entered the Yurbuds giveaway — the playlist suggestions were great! And, with the help of Random.org, the winner is lucky #7 Jen from Hello Fitness We Meet Again. Jen, please email me at runningwithattitude@yahoo.com. Congrats!

    Anyone else started shopping 2013 races yet?
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    Filed Under: Chilly Half, general musings, giveaways, race, race week

    "Where is ZOOMA going next?" Giveaway

    July 23, 2012 by 2 Comments

    I’ve heard from several of you, either on the blog or Twitter, that ZOOMA races sound like fun and you wished you lived closer so that you could run ZOOMA Cape Cod.

    Well …did you know that ZOOMA is about to announce their newest race location? Check out the video:

    On Thursday ZOOMA will announce where they’re headed to next, but in the meantime they’re giving you a chance to guess the location and win a great bunch of swag from the mystery locale!

    Visit the ZOOMA blog, leave a comment with your guess and you’re entered! Easy peasy 🙂

    Good Luck!

     

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    Filed Under: giveaways, ZOOMA Cape Cod

    Thursday Thoughts plus a Winner

    April 12, 2012 by 7 Comments

    My brain is a bit mush right now….so if you continue reading, just remember you were warned!

    Playing race director has me ready to pull my hair out! Managing the logistics isn’t too bad, but securing donors and sponsors…well let’s just say I’d rather walk over hot coals than ask people for money. I am grateful for the team I have assembled to work with me on this event otherwise I’d be WAY over the ledge by now.

    Running with my boys last weekend was so much fun and the best part was they really enjoyed it and have talked about going again. Hopefully we get some a little running in while they’re home on April vacation week next week.

    Hills are hard….that’s all.

    I was invited by Newton Running to attend one of their Natural Form Running Clinics taking place in Boston as part of the pre-marathon events. They’ve teamed with my favorite local running store Marathon Sports to host these sessions to help runners learn how natural form running can improve speed, efficiency and, hopefully, reduce chances of injury. I’m interested to see how this approach differs from Chi Running – so tomorrow morning I will be up bright and early running along the Charles River and soaking in some knowledge from the Newton experts!

    Giveaway Winners!

    Thanks to Random.org the two winners of the ProFoot Insoles are:

    Christy from The Buhrs and Dai from Lazy Punch

    Please email me at runningwithattitude (at) yahoo.com so I can get you hooked up with ProFoot.

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    Filed Under: 3 things, ChiRunning, family running, giveaways, Natural Form Running, Newton Running, ProFoot

    ProFoot Miracle Insole Review and Giveaway

    April 2, 2012 by 22 Comments

    A couple of weeks ago, I was invited to try The 2 oz. Miracle Custom Molding Insoles by ProFoot.*

    As ProFoot explains it, these insoles:

    • Feature a unique2-layer design – the bottom layer acts like a shock absorber, lifting the arch and stabilizing the heel, while the top layer of advanced memory foam confirms to the shape of your foot.
    • Weigh only 2 oz. to help prevent fatigue
    • Provide fast relief for tired, achy feet

    My experience?
    I have used the insoles on both long runs (over 10) and shorter runs and found them to provide nice cushion without being too soft. As a forefoot striker (or trying to be as much as possible), I cannot really speak to the cushion in the heel design, but the forefoot bed felt good without being overly noticeable. The fact that after I initially noticed how good the insoles felt that I didn’t notice them during my run was a good thing — they allowed me to enjoy my runs in comfort without being a distraction! I also like how lightweight and flexible they are. And I had no problems fitting them into my running shoes.

    Want to try them for yourself?

    Two (2) lucky readers will receive a pair of The 2 oz. Miracle Custom Molding Insoles!

    To enter:

     — Leave a comment here telling me your interested in trying them.

    Bonus entries (one extra entry for each of the following):

     — Like ProFoot’s Facebook page and tell them Running with Attitude sent you (here)
     — Like my Facebook page (here)

    Entry deadline is April 10th. Winners will be selected randomly on April 11th. This giveaway is open only to U.S. residents.

    Good Luck!

    * I was provided two pairs of the Miracle 2oz Insole for my review. The opinions expressed here are completely my own.

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    Filed Under: giveaways, product reviews, ProFoot

    DVD Giveaway Winners!

    October 7, 2011 by 1 Comment

    With the help of Random.org, the two winners of the “My Run” DVD are #3 and #6:

    • Ozone3

    Congratulations!

    Please shoot me an email at runningwithattitude (at) yahoo (dot) com and I’ll make sure those DVDs get out to you!

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    Filed Under: giveaways

    3 Things – Record heat, Sony Discount, "My Run" giveaway

    October 6, 2011 by 3 Comments
    • “Record heat” — those were the words uttered by my local weather guy as he gave the forecast for the holiday weekend. They’re predicting 81 degrees for Monday – this is suppose to be fall race weather?!?  We had a frost advisory this morning and now record heat! C’mon Mother Nature! 
    • Sony Discount — As a member of Team Sony Walkman, I’ve been given some discount codes to share with my readers to save 10% off a W Series Walkman MP3 player! If you missed my review of the new W Series, you can check it out HERE   I only have a limited number of coupons and the offer expires on October 15th. So, if you’re interested, leave a comment below or shoot me an email.
    • “My Run” DVD — Don’t forget my giveaway ends tomorrow!

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    Filed Under: 3 things, giveaways, Sony, weather