Three Things Thursday: How Dani Got Her Groove Back

Wallowing.

wallow

That was me last week after coming off the runner's high of completing two marathons in 5 days AND raising over $9,000 to Fight Stroke with Tedy's Team.

Then it was back to the real world. I wasn't ready.

I felt off mentally and physically.

It was no surprise my eating hadn't been on point and I was lacking in sleep due to travel from Boston to Nashville.

So when I emerged from the fog of the post-race blues, I took to the vlog - Dani Dishes - and shared my pain. You can check it out here.

Once I made the video, I felt a some of the tension exit my body but I knew I needed more.

Changes had to be made and here are three that are helping so far...

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1) Bedtime.

That's right folks.

I am 5 years old and instituting a bedtime for myself - at least Sunday-Thursday if possible. I have been shutting down the TV and electronics by 10pm.

I can spend HOURS flipping through social media channels and combing through Netflix, but it leaves me groggy in the morning.

family

AND impacts my morning workouts. Not okay.

I may only be four days into this experiment, but I am already seeing the benefits. It is getting easier to get out of bed by 6 for a morning run or session with Jillian Michaels.

As I prepare to kick up the Half Ironman training, I know the wake-up times will get earlier so this is a good transition time for me.

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2) #WOMSRunStreak was born.

Now I have said before that I hate streaking and I do. Now not THAT kind of streaking you dirty minds you!

But, run streaks. I took part in the Runner's World Streak in December and felt it wear on my body a tad.

For now, this is the motivation I need to get out of bed and get moving. It is the accountability I need.

How long will it last? I can't tell you. It is doing the trick in the moment.

streak

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3) Tracking!

I know I know. This should be basic for a Weight Watchers member/leader. But with the hectic schedule as I approached Boston and set off for Nashville last minute - it was at the back of my mind.

On Monday, May 5 I challenged my Monday Night Weight Watchers group to a 6-week challenge. Week 1's task was to track at least 5 out of 7 days. Now, I don't like the do as I say not as I do motif so it was time to pull up my big girl pants and get to trackin'.

ww

I am currently rockin' Day 4 back to tracking on the WW mobile app and I can say the first three days were:

^100% tracked (29 PPV a day) ^at least 120oz of water drank each day, ^activity each day (at least 30 min) ^getting all my Good Health Guidelines in.

The sense of control is back and I am feelin' good. Some of the road trip bloat has subsided as well. YAY!

***

I haven't done anything revolutionary here, but the tiny changes pay off big. These are things I KNOW I need to do. Occasionally one can get sloppy and let things slide - it happens.

And now I am going to get back to gettin' my groove back!

Dani Dishes 5-5-14

On this episode of Dani Dishes, post-race blues - they are a real thing - and it's okay to take a week off to clear the mind & body! Also registration is open for the Strides Against Stroke virtual 5k HERE...

Three Things Thursday

may

Oh this meme makes me happy every time I see it! AND it makes me miss the 90s/early 2000s. Those were the days. Now where are my overalls?

Okay getting sidetracked!

I have been launching some exciting things this week and realizing they are all over the place on the blog and throughout social media. Thanks to Three Things Thursday I can put them all in one place for you!

Let's do it!

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1) May is National Stroke Awareness Month! In honor of this, I am hosting a virtual 5k - Strides Against Stroke - to benefit Tedy's Team and the American Stroke Association. With your $25 donation (through Paypal) you gain entry to the 5k (which you can run or walk or skip), a printable race bib and a Finsher's Medal (which I will mail to you)!

sas2-medal

A virtual 5k takes place wherever you are, inside or outside, treadmill or elliptical between May 11-18. Once you complete the 5k, you would email me your time and picture (love those sweaty selfies).

It's as simple as that.

To register or for more information, click here.

***

2) Weight Off My Spring Dietbet is LIVE!

For those that don't know what dietbet is: read here.

Basically you put in $20, attempt to shed 4% of your body weight in 28 days (less now since it started April 28), and if you succeed you split the pot.

Right now we have 217 players and a pot of $4,340!

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So do you want to put your money where your mouth is?

Then click here to sign up!

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3) GIVEAWAY TIME!! I realized earlier in the week that I hadn't hosted a giveaway in about a month. You all need free awesome stuff!

Thanks to The Universe Knows I am giving away three great prizes: a mug, a hoodie and a journal.

Head over to the post to check out more info and to enter! Winner chosen May 8 at 7am ET!

gear

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Have a Happy Thursday!

Gone For A Run Helps Me Rep Massachusetts

Did you all know I'm from Massachusetts? I don't think I ever bring that fact up on here so I thought I would bring everyone up to speed.

:P

Okay done being sarcastic.

But, I really am a proud Masshole - or whatever you would like to call us.

I try to proudly rep Massachusetts the best I can.

And now Gone For A Run is jumping on board with ...

Running Gifts By State

Gone For A Run offers t-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, medal hooks, car decals, ornaments, coasters, etc. The list keeps going.

I opted to try out the Womens Everyday Runners Tee Massachusetts State Runner (value $19.99) in charcoal grey. 

photo (35)
photo (35)

The shirt - which is also offered in hot pink, lush berry, storm indigo and teal - is a super soft cotton shirt perfect for lounging around the house or changing in to post-race.

We all know I am not one to wear tight clothing so I went with the women's large and felt comfortable. The heathered shirt is a women's cut so if you like it loose like me - size up!

photo 2 (38)
photo 2 (38)

All Gone For A Run State garb feature an outline of the featured state - all are available - with the state's name and RUNNER written within.

I wish I have had more opportunities to wear the shirt, but it is still wicked chilly in Boston so I might need to buy the Massachusetts state sweatshirt in the meantime.

photo 1 (43)
photo 1 (43)

Well I better run on out and do that before they sell out...

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Do you represent your state with your apparel?

*UPDATED* My Boston Marathon Promo is LIVE!

Ahhh can you believe it? I received the email today from Universal Sports with the link. I am 100% geeking out over it.

I owe Got Chocolate Milk a HUGE thank you for choosing me to be a part of this project.

Without further adieu, here's the video:

 

Edit: We found the link to the second longer promo video and wanted to share it!

 

*UPDATED* I'm going to Nashville to #FightStroke!

Being a member of Tedy's Team is an honor. One that I am reminded of every day. It becomes even more evident at the pasta party prior to the Boston Marathon, which happened last night. Hearing the stories of teammates - 5 who are Stroke Survivors that will be running on Monday. I run in honor of my Stroke Heroes - my grandparents - and for all others who have been affected by Stroke.

dani

So when I surpassed the $5000 goal for the Boston Marathon I started to think what was next. I then realized (yes late to the game) that many of my teammates would be taking on the Nashville half or full marathon five days after Boston. The fundraising goal for that was $4500.

As I sat pondering the extra challenge, I made my final push for Boston by offering mile sponsorships. The generous donations came rolling in (which still leaves me speechless)!

Finally yesterday I made a decision. If I could hit the $8000 mark, I would make the announcement: 2 marathons in 5 days to Fight Stroke.

And then this happened...

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So I am doing it. I am going to push my body and mind to a new limit in honor of my grandparents and those that can't run.

Since the mile sponsorship was well-received for Boston, we are taking it to Nashville too. Here are the details:

1) Head over to my donation page (here) and donate :) – $20 per mile

2) Comment on this blog post with which mile you would like to sponsor

3) Feel good about helping to Fight Stroke

 

Thank you all for your continued support as we head to Boston tomorrow and Nashville Saturday!!

 EDIT: After the medical incidents at the Boston Marathon on April 21, I will be dropping to the half marathon in Nashville.

New fundraising update:

fight

MILES SPONSORED

1 Holly Rhoades Johnson 2 Gramma 3 AK Stout 4 Joe Zorola 5 Mom & Dad 6 Jerilyn Goldberg 7 Dacia Root and Erick Larin 8 Carlee Padot McClurg 9 Chris Shuttlesworth 10 Katrina Pilkington 11 Jamie Falzone 12 Carissa Bealert 13 Cecilia Jones 13.1 My Stroke Heroes

#BostonRunsSocial Meetup/Tweetup (April 19) - You joining?

Do you live in Boston? Do you read this blog? Ummm that is an awkward question since you are currently reading this sentence, but hey I have to ask anyway. Right?

Are you running the BAA 5k or Boston Marathon?

If you answered YES to any of those questions, well good for you.

That's it. I was just wondering.

Ahhh just kidding! ;)

It's meetup/tweetup time folks!!

I floated the idea out on the interwebs a few months back and folks seemed like they wanted to get on board. So here it is:

dani-boston-meetup

The Back Bay Social club is located right across the street from the expo so it is a GREAT location!

Will I see you there?

PS Special thanks to Linzie from See Sharp Run for coming up with the sweet hashtag!!

One Week Til Boston...

I was trying to put into words my thoughts about next Monday, but I thought a little video might be easier. Okay it is the same amount of rambling, but I liked doing the video rambling instead. :P [embedplusvideo height="281" width="450" editlink="http://bit.ly/1t03QaO" standard="http://www.youtube.com/v/TlR29FHfpxA?fs=1" vars="ytid=TlR29FHfpxA&width=450&height=281&start=&stop=&rs=w&hd=0&autoplay=0&react=1&chapters=&notes=" id="ep1729" /]

As mentioned in the video I am STILL raising money to #FightStroke and would appreciate any and all donations. If you would like to sponsor a mile in the marathon, follow the simple instructions below:

1) Head over to my donation page (here) and donate :) - $20 per mile

2) Comment on this blog post with which mile you would like to sponsor

3) Feel good about helping to Fight Stroke

 

Thank you all for your continued support as we head to the Big Day!!

 

MILES SPONSORED

1 Lindsay Sampson 2 Amanda Heglin 3 Nicole Ethier 4 Lynne & Jim Kirk 5 Cubicle Dad (aka Dan Malinski) 6 Samantha Collins 7 Abby Land 8 John Flynn and Diane Fauteux 9 Tambra Means 10 Wendy Arnold 11 Kim Carvalho 12 Amy Kelley and Shannon Natoli 13 Rachel Rubenson 14 Amy Parker 15 Caitlin, Jeff and the Slumbrew Family 16 Linda Rasmussen 17 The Bryan Flynn Family 18 Sarah Griffiths-Briggs 19 Anna Schandorff 20 Mindy Bobe 21 Chris Shuttlesworth 22 Kathleen and Ben Coughlan 23 Megan Lee 24 Dan & Marcia Flynn 25 Eric Celidonio 26 Kelly Southard 26.2 My Stroke Heroes

2014 Weight Off My Shoulders Blog Survey

It's time for YOU the reader to let me know your thoughts!! That's right folks ... it is SURVEY TIME!! Woo!!

I know you take time out of your day to read my posts and I REALLY appreciate it.

So I am asking for just another minute or two for some feedback.

I love Weight Off My Shoulders - my little slice of the internet - and want to make sure it is the best that it can be.

It is as much for me as it is for you the readers so I want your needs answered as well.

woms-logo-survey

Without further adieu, the survey!!

(Please note: the survey is 10 questions)

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey , the world's leading questionnaire tool.

Thank you all 1000 times over for taking time to complete this! :)

I'm high-fiving you right now if you didn't notice... hello?? You! Yes you I was high-fiving you and you totally dissed me.

OUCH!

Okay okay! Let's redo.

*HIGH FIVE*

Sah-weet!