Weekend Wrap-Up Plus Final Day of Sparkly Soul Discount Code!

Why must weekends pass so quickly and the weekdays drag on and on? I know I am starting your Monday off with the hard-hitting questions! ;) But once again I had a fabulous weekend that ended too soon.

I was ready for a fresh start on Friday after a very emotionally driven week. I was all over the place with my food choices and just not in the game.

As always my #FaceItFriday weigh-in gave me the chance to bid adios to the prior week and it's baggage and say hello to a new slate.

And it even greeted me with a shocking loss. Thanks scale gods.

For those that don't know that is my lowest weight since 6th grade. Yes you read that right - since junior high/1993(ish).

In total I have shed 65.8 lbs with Weight Watchers (started November 2009) and 83 overall from my highest.

2004 vs. 2015

After a surprising weigh-in, I had some amazing Personal Coaching calls with my WW members before having a kick ass mail day! Both my Sparkly Soul and Sparkle Athletic orders arrived at the same time. :)

Yes I totally had a Treat Yo Self moment when feeling down in the dumps the week prior. Retail Therapy FTW? ;)

With a 20-miler on tap for Saturday, I took it easy Friday night with a little shakeout run on the treadmill then followed it up with a nice evening in bed (Zensah compression, boboli pizza and a little vino)!

Perfect Friday night, right?

Now if you haven't done a long run before, I can tell you it takes up pretty much the entire day between the run itself, follow-up brunch and then recovery time. ;) Or that might just be my plan. :P

We had a great 20-mile run on the Boston Marathon course despite it snowing the entire time and a delicious lunch at Bertucci's after. Once I got home it was time to face the dreaded ice bath. Thankfully I talked my wife into sitting with me to distract me!

Yes it was painful 6 minutes! I know only 6 minutes, but it felt like 60. And the wine didn't help as much as I wanted it to... but it was still a delicious addition.

With no real desire to do anything much the rest of the day, the wife and I used the rest of the day to catch up on some Netflix and blogging.

Oh and puppy snuggles!!

It was awesome to sleep in until 7:30am on Sunday. Boy I remember the days in college when you would sleep in until like 11 or 12 then do a hungover brunch.

Now I sleep in until 7:30 and head to a Spin class. What happened to me? Oh lifestyle changes. #WorthIt

On Sunday I tested out a new Boston Spin Studio - Velo City - which is just off Boylston St on Fairfield.

Love that they offer complimentary Spin shoes!

Velo City had a great vibe and Matt (the instructor) had one sweet playlist with awesome remixes.

I was worried about tackling a 60-min Spin class the day after the 20-miler, but my legs felt amazing after!

If you are in the area, definitely check them out!!

The rest of Sunday was spent catching up on work, getting in a recovery 5k and soaking up the sun and "warmer" weather!!

It felt great coming into Monday feeling refreshed and recharged! It didn't hurt that I had a 60-min massage on tap for Monday morning as well.

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Now to help you help me! ;) Today (3/30) is the FINAL DAY of my Sparkly Soul discount code.

Use code DANIRUNSBOSTON to receive 10% off your order AND have 10% of your order come back to my 2015 Boston Marathon fundraising efforts for Tedy's Team!! #FightStroke

Code expires tonight (3/30) at 11:5pm PT!!

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How did you recharge this weekend?

How do you IGNITE your Passion? Let PUMA help!

Who IGNITES your Passion?What IGNITES your Passion? When do you IGNITE your Passion? Why do you IGNITE your Passion? Where do you IGNITE your Passion?

My answers to the above questions could go on for days, but I only have a limited window on this blog to grab your attention to share what I am really passionate about. Hey! I know you have Twitter and Facebook  to get back to. I understand.

So today I will keep it easy and straightforward. I'll answer the most important of these potential questions...

... the how!

How do you IGNITE your Passion?

Since embarking on my final weight loss journey (the one that actually stuck) in 2009, I have vowed to motivate and inspire those around me to live healthy/balanced lives and to push the boundaries of their comfort zones.

Can I sum up my Passion in a single word or image? Probably not. Buuuttt I can come super close with this snapshot from the 2013 Boston Marathon - my 3rd marathon and first Boston.

I was frightened. This was the Super Bowl of marathons. But I was there with Tedy's Team in honor of my Stroke Heroes - my grandparents and my Father-In-Law - to help raise awareness and to fight Stroke.

Taking on the endeavor of the marathon and fundraising pushed me so far out of my comfort zone by body lost sight of it. THAT experience taught me more than I would expect.

It fueled my desire to push my body physically, mentally and emotionally. I wanted to rise to the occasion and learn the stories of other Stroke survivors/caretakers.

And now? Now I am gearing up for my 3rd Boston Marathon (t-minus 3 weeks) with Tedy's Team. The fire in my soul burning bright as the training miles pack on and the fundraising adds up (almost $23k in 3 years).

This passion and journey has grown bigger and brighter than I could've imagined...

Yet it was all ignited with a single decision!

And now PUMA wants to help YOU ignite your Passion through their new IGNITE line!

I was super excited to test out all of the pieces I received. I slipped into the PR Pure Fitted S/S tee first.

Thank tanks offered a mesh insert for improved air circulation and flat-lock seams for less friction and higher comfort.

CoolCELL highly functional materials draw sweat away from your skin while anatomically placed air-flow features offer you superior temperature regulation. And this sweaty/smelly girl appreciates that and the Cleansport NXT finish to ensure odor control. I mean who feels me on that??? I cannot be alone!

I paired the thank with the Essential 3/4 tights, which are made with highly functional materials to draw sweat away from the skin and help keep you dry and comfortable during exercise.

I really appreciated the Power Mesh internal waistband for additional tummy support and comfort, and waistband pocket for secure storage. Adios uncomfortable muffin top while working out.

While the outfit made me feel sleek and ready to crush a PR... I felt like I needed some color. Ya know?

So welcome the Ignite Women's Running Shoe to the party!

Let's just check out the color description first: deep blue-team italia navy-FLUO PEACH. Umm yeah! Delicious. Can a shoe color be delicious? Well I'm making it a thing.

The Ignite Shoe offers:

• Energy Return - Full length IGNITED foam midsole’s PU blend offers high rebound cushioning
• Step in Comfort - Ignite foam provides instant comfort where you need it most
• Long-Lasting Performance - Foreverfoam is used in the heel to disperse impact and provide extra durability

The Ignites main focus -

Maximum energy in for maximum energy out so you can stop running and start IGNITING

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So how will PUMA start helping you IGNITE your Passion?

This post is sponsored by FitFluential on behalf of PUMA.