Top Three Stocking Stuffers Under $17 For Your Fitness Enthusiast!

Shopping for a loved one can be one of the trickiest tasks we can have around the holiday season. Picking out just the right relevant Stocking Stuffers can be a bigger chore than the presents themselves... especially if you are on a budget! Well I'm here to share with you the Top Three Stocking Stuffers I'd recommend for your favorite fitness enthusiast!

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1) Shower Pill (Value – $10 for a 10 pack)

What is it?

ShowerPill™ is the hygiene supplement designed to keep you fresh and clean while on-the-go. This large premium antibacterial body wipe is individually packaged to be discrete, yet versatile and big on performance.

So I had no idea what a hygiene supplement is so thankfully they explained it further on their website:

Just touched that doorknob? You should run to the sink, but grab hand sanitizer instead. Finished that tuna sandwich and forgot your toothbrush? Better pop a breath mint. Worked up a sweat during your midday workout? The ShowerPill™ Athletic Body Wipe™ will keep you fresh so that you can stay at your best all day long.

I was scrolling through Twitter the other night and all of a sudden the twitter handle –@ShowerPill – and was instantly intrigued. Many of you know I usually work out in between Weight Watchers meetings and I am always rushing to squeeze a rinse off before interacting with people. So I thought I had to give this a shot.

Shower Pill sent me a couple wipes to try and I IMMEDIATELY put them to good use.

I had to fit in a run between meetings and was running late (shocker!) so it was Shower Pill to the rescue. I was pleasantly surprised. I didn’t smell at all like I had just been covered in sweat a mere five minutes earlier.

Would I use them after every single workout, probably not. But, I will be keeping them on hand in my house and gym bag for emergencies. I’d rather use one of these than show up smelly. You never want to be the smelly kid.

Shower Pill = Portable Shower ... No Water Needed

Also, read how Shower Pill was invented – I found it entertaining!

^Discount Alert: Use code holiday20 for 20% off when your purchase two boxes of ShowerPill (code expires 1/1/15).

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2) Feetures High-Peformance Socks (Value $10.99)

How Feetures got their start:

In 2002, after spending 25+ years with a leading manufacturer of athletic socks, I believed that there was an opportunity to create a better performance sock that took advantage of the latest breakthroughs in sock technology. As a runner and someone passionate about being active, I wanted to design a great sock that would enhance the performance of runners and other athletes.

Feetures offers a variety of sock styles, but my favorite are the high performance - their original sock design!

Here's why I like them so much:

^ High Performance sock has power bands of Lycra, so the sock hugs the entire foot in a comfortable and supportive way

^ iWick Fibers do a superior job of wicking moisture to keep feet cool and dry

^ The mesh construction on top of the sock provides ventilation for added breathability

And if this pair is any proof after running through the muddy trails last week, you can bet they can stand up to fun runs, marathons, triathlons and beyond.

I really didn't know the difference in how a good sock plays in to your workout until I tried Feetures out this summer... and now I'm hooked! :)

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3) Sparkly Soul Headbands (Value $15-17)

How two sisters took the reigns and created Sparkly Soul:

The company was created by a marathoner and triathlete for all the women who find their strength and soul while pushing themselves to their athletic limits.

We needed to keep our hair out of our face while exercising.  Now there is a fabulous headband that won’t slip, won’t cause your pretty little head to get a headache or cause hair breakage.  It is the comfortable solution for all you athletic fashionistas.

Whether you are a runner, walker, dancer, triathlete, yogi, pilates buff, cyclist, cheerleader, or ballplayer  - we believe in all you sparkly gals out there!

With years of activity between organized sports, dancing and now running/triathlons, I have tried every headband out there. I can say with 100% that Sparkly Soul is the only one to remain on my head in tact through any activity I do.

But wait Sparkly Soul does more! They can even cover up those gray hairs when you are putting off that hair appointment. ;)

Oh is that just me? :P

Yes it is true I wear Sparkly Soul headbands every day to work, the gym, to workouts, around the house...

Plus even Santa knows where it's at!

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You're welcome in advance for lots of hugs from a happy camper on Christmas morning! ;)

Yay! There's additional ways to enter my iFit giveaway...

Oh hey hey! Who doesn't love additional ways to enter a sweet giveaway!

If you missed the original post, you can get caught up here!

I'll wait...

Are you good?

Sweet!

Now time to get your extra entries on!! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway ends Noon EST Monday, December 15!

Face It Friday: Feelin' It 12/12/14

I've been at this weight loss game since birth. I was born over 10 lbs. Yes destined to be a Weight Watchers member from day one. It's been over 5 years since I walked into my first WW meeting and almost 3 since I moved to the other side of the scale as a Leader.

So why hasn't it gotten any easier?

Oh I know!

Because for me this whole weight loss and healthy living journey is more emotional/mental than physical. It is more than eating the right foods and portioning out my snacks. It is about dealing with the WHY I turn to food when happy/sad/angry/bored/you name it! And that is why for me this will be a life-long journey to take control of those inner demons.

But I continue to win as long as I keep trying.

After a little gain last week, I was determined to right the ship this week. I went into my week wicked motivated by my amazing Weight Watchers members. I let that motivation and inspiration pour over and be ever present in the front of my mind.

And for maybe the second time this year, I came out of the week in the positive. That is right folks. You read it here. I had points left over.

Now that the shock is wearing off. I can tell you it was an proud feeling. I merely wanted to prove to myself that it could be done.

***

There were some realizations this week:

^ Cut alcohol down to 3 drinks this week and only on one specified day (following the Santa Hustle half marathon) That was tough. So I replaced with a nightly hot cocoa from the Keurig (2PPV). Now quite the same, but still a way for me to sit back, reflect and end the evening.

^ Earned 90+ Activity Points for the first time in almost two months. PLUS I hit 1,000 miles for 2014 last night (12/11)!! <<Raise the roof>>

^ Weighed, measured, tracked and OWNED a 17-point snack attack that occurred Monday Night. Accepting what happened allowed me to more easily get right back on track the next morning instead of letting the guilt hang over me. Which would've led to further bad choices.

^ Shared my slip-ups with my members and readers allowing me to again release the guilt.

^ Did my weekly walk with my friend and fellow WW Leader Susan. Now this is a weekly occurrence but on Tuesday it was downpouring so instead of canceling we came up with a plan B. We walked the floors of Macy's (leaving our CCs behind) for almost an hour. So we got our weekly check-in, which I so desperately rely on now!

^ Asking myself "How am I feeling right now?" before I eat something. Most of the time for me my choices are driven by emotions rather than actual hunger. This pause to check in with myself and my emotions can catch a slip before it happens.

^ I do make a difference in my members lives. I received a sweet gift from a member on Wednesday and it totally touched my heart and has left a huge smile on my face all week long.

^ Overall feeling better, more in control and happier. I felt so blah the past couple months and I am happy to report slowly, but surely that is starting to turn around. :)

***

Tomorrow marks the beginning of Boston Marathon training with Tedy's Team (donate here). I wanted to go into the training feeling good about myself and my weight ... as I did for the Half Ironman back in September. I am proud to report that I am. I still have work to do. 1.2 to lose to be back in Lifetime range and 3.2 to go to be back at goal. But I am closer than I was back in June and have more resolve now.

I cannot believe I am beginning training for my 7th marathon. When did that happen? I never thought I would run 1/4 of a mile let alone set out to CHOOSE to run 26.2... for fun!! :P

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Do you stop to check in with your emotions before making a food choice?

Dani Dishes: Laziness vs. Recovery

On this week's #DaniDishes, I am banishing the immediate thought of laziness and replacing it with recovery!  

Ohh ZOOMA Women's Race Series FLASH Sale

Who doesn't love a good race discount? Well you are in luck!!

Use code DANI15 for 10% off registration to ANY ZOOMA Women's Race in the country!!

You will find me - for the third-straight year - at the ZOOMA Cape Cod Women's Half on September 26, 2015.

How can I pass up finishing the race with my toes in the sand and some wine?

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Cities Available:

Amelia Island, Florida - January 17 (5k, 12k or Half) Austin, TX - March 28 (5k, 10k or Half) Annapolis, MD - May 30 (10k or Half) Napa Valley, CA - June 20 (10k or Half) Chicago, IL - August 2 (10k or Half) Cape Cod, MA - September 26 (10k or Half)

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Which ZOOMA race will you register for?

Announcement: I'm Joining She Runs Boston in 2015!

Hollah!

I am wicked excited to make a little Friday afternoon announcement...

I am going to be joining the ladies of She Runs Boston starting in April 2015!

Who the heck is She Runs Boston you may be asking????

Well....

Are you a Boston area lady runner?

Have you been looking for a new running buddy? Or two? Or 10?

Do you need some extra accountability to get out at least once a week and log some miles?

Is having fun during a run a priority?

Then She Runs Boston (Facebook and Twitter) will be for you!

She Runs Boston, formerly known as Boston LUNA Chix, will be running out of the Athleta on Newbury Street on Tuesday nights at 6:30pm. The group will meet in the back of the Athleta store, where there is a bathroom to use, a water fountain and a place to store your bag during the run (yes someone is watching it while you are out on the town).

You may be worried about not finding someone in their pace at a group run – not a problem here at She Runs Boston. The group will run the gamut of paces. There are speedsters, run/walk method, middle-of-the-packers, back-of-the-packers, folks that like to take pictures while running, selfies, etc.

Also She Runs Boston has a no drop policy so a sweep will stay with the final participants on both distances.

There will be two distance options - 3 of 4 miles - and you can choose whichever you want.

So make sure you follow She Runs Boston on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to speed on all the details.

Oh and I think I forgot to add that I will be one of the lucky ladies helping to LEAD these weekly runs! WOO!

I look forward to running with you in April! :)

Face It Friday: Rut Needs To Be Snapped 12/5/14

What is happening? A phrase I have uttered to myself countless mornings recently.

I was cruising this summer. After the unhappy and ego crushing weight gain of the late winter (24 lbs to be exact), I kicked it in to high gear over the summer and shed 20 of the 24 lbs. Feeling good and within 2.4 lbs of goal, I competed in and completed my first Half Ironman.

Then the rails went off. It wasn't as if I threw Weight Watchers out the window. It was just the focus from the Summer and having the race to train for was gone.

Obviously I race a lot and am still active, but the activity level dipped from the Summer and I have been fighting to regain that drive ever since.

So in October and November I felt stuck. It was turning into more of a mental battle of wants/desires and pure laziness. I know when I am off plan it is only because I am feeling lazy. Which really grinds my gears.

See skipped weigh-ins! Never a good sign. I know I am feeling "off" when that happens since normally I face the scale no matter what.

Every Friday I would wake up with renewed energy and a fresh feeling of the new week ahead.

But inevitably I would let the weekend indulge creep into the week. Again nothing too wild and crazy, but a little more lax with the portions than I wanted.

Additionally, I could see the frequent trips to the grocery store dwindling which led to more snacking and ordering out. Neither of which needed to happen.

But I am not here to post excuses, but to work through WHY this little cycle has been happening. Why THIS year.

See that is the problem. This marks my third year of being at goal and a Lifetime member and the first real time I have struggled. The first real time I have put on more than say 5 lbs.

As the inner demons in my brain continue to battle about whether I am worth this struggle and this fight, the topic to the meeting this week shut them down for a brief time. Ahh inner peace... if even for a week.

The topic this week is about creating a Losing List. Here is my losing list from last year. Hearing why my members started their weight loss and healthy living journeys started to chip away at the "rut" feeling that had been weighing me down.

Additionally, it was hearing myself share the story out loud of buying my first belt after never wearing one because I would only wear stretchy pants so I could avoid buying the size 20 pants - that something clicked. I could feel the excitement I felt that day. The feeling of pride that still bursts every time I wear the dress with that darn belt.

It reminded me that life is hard, but we can choose our hard. Being overweight was hard. Losing weight was hard. Maintaining weight loss is hard. But which hard is worth it to me? It is definitely Door #3!

So when I tell my members that them letting me be a part of their journey changes my life on a weekly basis, I am NOT lying. Thank you members and friends and readers for picking me up when I am down ... even if you don't realize it!

OH and while cleaning last Friday night, we found my original weight record book. Ohhhhh talk about motivation!

***

Today marks almost one-consecutive month of tracking (12/7 will be one month) and I am getting my groove back.

I am going to continue to fight to get back to goal, but my personal goal has always been 15X.

Now the tracking piece is in place, I need to still work on that activity. While I did earn 84 APs this week - which is still outstanding - it is not to the level I was this summer. So I need to brainstorm how to find my workout groove again. Thankfully marathon training officially starts 12/13 and I am hoping that that will spark whatever light I need.

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How do you work through a weight loss or fitness rut?

#GivingTuesday: Help Me #FightStroke With Tedy's Team!

While I did not take part in Black Friday or Cyber Monday this year, I was ready to rock and roll on Giving Tuesday!! ***

WHAT IS #GIVINGTUESDAY?

We have a day for giving thanks. We have two for getting deals. Now, we have #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back. On Tuesday, December 2, 2014, charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give.

It’s a simple idea. Just find a way for your family, your community, your company or your organization to come together to give something more. Then tell everyone you can about how you are giving. Join me and be a part of a global celebration of a new tradition of generosity.

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And look at that I just HAPPEN to have a charity for you to donate to! How lucky is that??

$1,590.80 away from Goal! :)

I will be lacing up my sneakers to run the Boston Marathon in 2015 with Tedy’s Team in honor of my Stroke Heroes – my grandparents and my wife’s father – in addition to all of the others affected by Stroke. This will be my third Boston Marathon with Tedy’s Team and I am excited to take on the challenge and hit my fundraising goal of a combined $21k raised to #FightStroke!

Three year total: $19,409.20

If you would like to help me reach my goal AND virtually share a mile with me on that day, a $20 donation to Tedy’s Team would make any mile you want yours!! Sound like a fun plan?

Let’s Do It!

Click here to donate today

Leave a blog comment letting me know which mile you would like to sponsor

Miles Available

1- 2- 3- 4- 5- 6- 7- Gregg Bard 8- 9- 10- 11- 12- 13- Samantha Avnet 14- 15- Mary Ellen Valverde 16- 17- 18- Sarah McDowell 19- 20- Dan Foley 21- 22- Barry Gagne 23- 24- 25- Angela Gillis 26- 26.2 For ME

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Thank you all for your support!!!!

Gobble Gobble Gobble 4-Miler Recap

Turkey Trot dread!

For years growing up my mom and I would bundle in the car early on a holiday to go cheer my dad on at some race or another. Ugh! So early and so cold. Why would ANYONE do this by choice.

Fast forward to Thanksgiving 2014 and I am bounding out of bed to run my third-straight Turkey Trot race.

Ohhhh how times change when you catch the running bug. :P

On Thanksgiving, I happily woke up at 7am to get in a little stretching, foam rolling and biking (darn hurt left hamstring) before my friend Heather was set to pick me up for the race.

We would be running the Gobble Gobble Gobble 4-Miler together in Somerville, MA for the second year. :)

I made sure to lay out #FlatDani the night before so I wouldn't leave anything at home when I inevitably rushed out of the house.

Heather had picked up our bib the day before at Marathon Sports so she had the bib and t-shirt with her. Yes I made sure to leave myself a post-it note as a reminder.

Love when we get a long-sleeved shirt as the swag.

Race was set to start at 9am so Heather picked me up at 8:30. Ahh I love races in my town. :)

Her husband dropped us off so we could avoid any parking hiccups as well. Score!

We arrived at 8:43 and headed straight to the Start Area. There isn't a specific start line it was more of a Start Area. The race was chip timed, but it went with the "mass start." This means everyone's Start Time was based on when the Gun went off NOT when you crossed the "start line."

Since this is a great local race I saw a ton of people I knew. Yay!

Slumbrew Happy Soles in the house

My awesome Weight Watchers member Melissa who was running her second official race and first 4-miler!

With awesome motivation in my heart, it was time to get the party started. Heather had to take a lot of the summer/fall off due to injury so she was setting the pace for the morning. My goal was to keep her moving forward. :)

Since I was too busy talking, I didn't realize that the race was off. Since there wasn't an actual marked Start Line I just started the Garmin where I thought it was. :P

We thought the weather would be MUCH colder than it was - real feel was expected to be 14 - but we really lucked out. Pretty morning and not nearly as chilly. I was happy I opted out of my vest when I got out of the car.

I love running through my hometown because at every corner there are fun memories to relive. Plus it is always fun to catch-up with a friend while running.

It was great focusing on Heather and her race since it took my mind off of anything else.

Mile 1: 10:23

As we passed through Ball Square, we saw our friend and fellow Happy Sole Lori. Great briefly catching up with her and getting her thoughts on the Ugly Sweater Run that I would be running a couple of days later.

Heather remembered me lying to her about the hills the previous year so I kept it real this time around. ;) Heather was feeling the heat as she overlayered so we took a break after a water stop to take off at least one layer to try and cool her off.

Mile 2: 11:02

It was great seeing so many folks out getting activity in before enjoying their Thanksgiving meals. 4 miles is better than none, right?

So many families were out being active together. And let me tell you people were bringing their A game in the costume department. I felt like I seriously slacked, but I thought it would be colder than it was.

We hit our final major hill on Central Street and Heather owned it. We both buckled down and powered up that sucker. It wasn't pretty, but it got OWNED. Plus the Mile 3 marker was just after the work was done.

Mile 3: 10:14

We were in the home stretch. The final mile down Summer Street featured a brief incline then went downhill to the Finish. I mean you can't ask for a better way to finish than on the down. Am I right?

I kept reminding Heather that coffee would meet her at the Finish. Oh yeah that put a little pep in her step. :) Now she wanted Starbucks, but because of my shirt I had to make sure we went to Dunkin'.

As we passed the VFW outside of Davis, we gave it everything we had in the tank.

Ouch! Need to work on my "I am almost done" face. Eek!

Mile 4: 10:15

Now my Garmin put us at 4.05 and a 42:24 Finish Time, but as I mentioned the Somerville Road Runners were working on a "mass start." Therefore, our official time was 43:09 - good for 1,605 out of 2,405 overall, 785 out of 1,334 females and 296 out of 486 in division.

I am listing both Finish times for my own record. :)

We beelined it for the Dunkin Donuts to get some iced coffees to celebrate before being picked back up by Heather's husband.

It was a great morning with a good friend. I loved running through Somerville and am happy to make the Gobble Gobble Gobble 4-Miler a tradition. Plus the race benefits Project Soup and Somerville Track PAC.

Also SUPER excited that Melissa finished the race and ran the entire thing - her main goal!! I was beaming when she shared that. :)

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Do you have a Turkey Trot tradition?

*RECAP* Inaugural Santa Hustle New England Half

SANTA ... I know him!!!

Yes I gave the Santa Hustle Race Series a second try.

When did I first run into it (slow cap) you may ask? In December 2011 in Chicago, I did the Santa Hustle 5k.

It was not my favorite race at the time.

BUT, when I heard about the inaugural Santa Hustle New England race my hopes for a different sort of race were lifted higher.

Why?

Because they would be offering a 5k AND half marathon option. Woo! I figured the half marathon would be more spacious than the 5k and possibly offer more candy! :P

So when offered a complimentary race entry by the organizers, I jumped at the chance and signed me and the BFF up right away.

(Note: while I did receive complimentary entry - all thought and opinions are my own ... ain't nobody got time for lyin'!)

The race was taking place in South Portland, which I hadn't explored as much in the past so I was exited to run through it with my BFF.

We knocked out packet pick-up on Saturday and grabbed our santa hat, santa beard and dri-fit hoodie. The race organizers wanted the participants to wear all of it for the race, but I knew I wouldn't be comfortable in that garb for 13.1 miles. I opted to break out my Santa Hustle shirt from 2011 so I could sort of blend in. ;)

If I had done the 5k I would've been fine dressing up, but 30 minutes in it vs. 2 hours is huge. Am I right? My friend opted to wear the hoodie.

I requested a men's medium sweatshirt when registering for the race, but when I opened my bag I had a women's medium. Ummm... nope! Definitely not fitting. It was like a fat guy in a little coat type incident. Not fun. So I tucked it away and planned on attempting to exchange on race morning.

When the alarm BLARED off at 5am, the chill in the air was fierce. Oh right it was late November in Maine. Yeah it was freakin' cold. Yay! Womp.

We bundled up in the car at 6am and headed out to the Start Area. I will give the race credit for using The Maine Mall parking lot as their Start/Finish area as it gave PLENTY of parking spaces for the participants and spectators. We were one parking row away from the festivities. Woo!

I was able to exchange my sweatshirt for a Women's Large and we headed back to the car to try and keep warm til the 7am start time.

Just after 6:30, we begrudgingly got out of the car and into the cold to start our race prep. :P The race had a ton of port-o-potties so the line wasn't too bad.

Plus we had this cute reindeer to chat with...

With 10 minutes to go, we shivered our way over to the Start Corral.

I thought the race directors had done the pace markers just for me...

... oh I am not meant to be up here at the front? My bad. Let me shuffle on back to my proper corral.

As the half marathoners were shivering in the Start Corral, the announcer kept pushing the start back. It was it's original 7am then 7:04 then 2 more minutes. C'mon dude. We were cold.

We then learned that they wanted to catch the start on live tv for the local ABC affiliate so the start would be 7:15am. C'mon? The 5kers were supposed to start 15 min after us so they could've been the live shot.

But we waited and I am sure the 6 people awake at 7:15am on a Sunday watching the news loved the shot. <<note sarcasm>>

I crossed the Start line, started the Garmin and promptly couldn't feel my feet while running. Awesome. The BFF and I were debating how long it would take to start feeling our appendages. I KNEW we would start out too fast for what we were aiming for because we were just trying to warm up... and I was right.

Our goal was to have fun, eat candy, enjoy one of our last races together and finish in sub-2.

Mile 1: 8:14

During Mile 2 on Running Hill Road, we passed a Weight Watchers center. Yes I had to snap a pic.

Taking the pic also helped distract me from my desperate need to hit the port-o-pottie.

Mile 2: 8:14

Mile 2 marker offered a water stop AND a port-o-pottie. YAY! Now he run could continue. Phew.

Just after exiting the port-o-pottie we headed up our first hill. But at the top we were rewarded with our first candy stop!

I started jogging and trying to eat the mini m&ms, but knew that would be disastrous. So we opted to walk and snack.

We were in an office park (Sable Oaks Drive) I would say, which featured two separate out and back loops. At some point there must've been a lack of guidance because people were running towards us on both sides of the road. There weren't any cones in the middle to indicate as you came up the hill you should stay to the left so instead people were coming up the hill and moving to their right. Does that make sense?

Mile 3: 9:39

I figured out the error when my Garmin buzzed for the Mile 3 marker and we were across the road from it. Thankfully the folks behind us had started to see the error of the earlier participants and they corrected the course themselves. So we really took m&ms from the Mile 3 station rather than the Mile 2 station. They were across the road from each other so easy to see the mix-up.

As we headed out of the tiny office lot, we did one more quick hilly out and back before retracing our steps to get back to Running Hill Road.

Mile 4: 8:27

Once back on Running Hill Road, we spotted Buddy The Elf

and asked for a quick selfie.

After shouting "I hope you find your dad," the BFF and I continued on the journey.

Mile 5: 8:21

We ran back over the Maine Turnpike, the local cops helped usher us across Maine Mall Road so we could continue the race in the shoulder of the road on the right hand side. Luckily the shoulder of the road is an emergency lane so it was pretty wide and we weren't in the middle of traffic.

Mile 6: 8:13

We got so excited to see a banner thinking it was a candy stop... nope just water! Womp womp!

I made a point of stopping at every water stop to keep myself hydrated. You know how easy it is to forget to do that when it is cold out!!

Just after the 10k mark, we crossed over to run alongside the Portland Airport. In case you are wondering, not scenic. You can see I am lacking in the scenery pics from this race because it wasn't very pretty, but rather industrial.

As we made our way down the nice and flat Airport Plaza Road, the lead runner came running towards us. I wasn't sure which side of the emergency lane to run on since there weren't any cones. It seemed again the participants were making their own game time decisions on which side to use. Luckily the street wasn't too busy at the time we were running so I wasn't so worried about being hit.

Mile 7: 8:34

With another water stop that we thought was candy, we took a right on to Westbrook St and were finally in a little neighborhood. There weren't any spectators out unfortunately and no music along the course so it was pretty quiet.

A volunteer tried to stop a woman from driving through the course, but she blatantly ignored him and zipped right in front of us. Thanks for listening jerk! Harumph.

I read the race would be having Christmas music along the course, but I didn't hear any... until we started approaching the Mile 8 marker.

Mile 8: 8:44

YES! The prize for tackling yet another hill (Brickhill Ave) would be COOKIES!!

We took this as a chance to walk and eat - again no need to choke on a cookie during a race. ;) I haven't typed that ever in a race recap.

We finished the trip around the Cul de Sac and headed back down Brickwell Ave.

Mile 9: 8:56

Since this was the third out and back of the race, we once again retraced our steps to head back along the airport.

We emerged back at the main intersection and headed left on Western Ave.

Mile 10: 8:34

The temps were rising and the sun was blaring. At this point in the race, I really wanted to steal someone's sunglasses and toss off my Under Armour. But I battled through. I know I know I am a warrior. ;)

There was a barely noticeable incline all along Western Ave. If in a car I wouldn't notice it, but of course running I did. This may be where I got a little whiny.

I was ready to be done and I was disappointed in the lack of Christmas music and candy on the course. I thought there would be more of both.

As we made our way down Western, we were once again in the emergency lane of the street. Not very scenic, but thankfully there were orange cones to our left so drivers knew what was going on.

Most of the racers did the 5k so the half course was pretty spread out in terms of participants.

We took a quick right on to Gorham Road before hitting the Mile 11 marker and heading back into the shopping area.

Mile 11: 8:15

You know how many malls have surrounding businesses? That was the road we were on. Oh hey it's Home Depot. How exciting! Not. I didn't get a "I'm running in Maine" vibe at all from the course. I did learn about all the factories and box stores South Portland has to offer.

It was like we saw the light as we rounded a bend and saw the Candy sign.

Did you spot my shadow?

But I thought it would be candy canes... nope! More mini m&ms. Boo!

Now don't get me wrong I love a good m&m, but was hoping for some variety in the candy selection.

It was just after this point that we spotted our first photog of the morning and of course we entertained him with some leaps and jumps. ;)

As we approached the Mile 12 marker, we re-enetered the Maine Mall parking lot.

Mile 12: 8:50

We were so close yet so far away. My stomach was starting to reject the candy and cookie along the course and began acting up. I thought I was going to have to just sit in the fetal position and not finish the race. My BFF said we could walk and I said hell no. We needed to run faster so it could be over. I was in pain, but I wasn't about to stop.

We made our way around the outside of the mall and were finally approaching the Finish.

I do want to thank the 5k participants who waited around to cheer on the half marathoners.

Mile 13: 8:22

We opted for the jump across the Finish line as our photo opt... and it was perfect!

Official Time: 1:52:28

Woo! We hit our goals of eating candy, having fun, and sub-2. Mission accomplished.

Fun medal - check!

I decided to trade in the sweatshirt one final time to go from a Women's Medium to Women's Large to Women's X-Large. Finally it felt comfortable.

Since I couldn't get the live reindeer to do a selfie with me ... I went for the next best thing.

When there is an after party, we will be there. So the BFF and I dropped our stuff in the car and headed to Jimmy The Greeks. We went inside and were told there was no free post-race beer. Sad face. I thought when someone invited you to an after-party there would be at least one free beer... but no!

So there were some angry santas, but of course we were suckers and bought one any way.

The BFF's family and my wife joined us so we could do some post-race photo ops and raid the snacks!

***

Overall, the we gave the race a B-. I know I don't normally rate them with a grade, but the BFF and I had some time to discuss it post-race before our crew got there.

I thought for $60/65 registration for the half it was a great deal. I rarely get a sweatshirt for race swag... and I have been living in it since the race. The volunteers were amazing. Plus there were actual reindeers at the party.

I wish the race had more on-course entertainment, additional candy stops (even though my stomach my disagree) and prettier scenery. South Portland I learned had little to offer in terms of beauty.

Now this was an inaugural race so I know it is a learning experience so I give then the benefit of the doubt that they would improve it if they opt to return next year.

***

Have you done a Santle Hustle race before?