Fierce Forward Limitless Collection Bracelet *WINNER ANNOUNCED*

Annddddd the winner IS:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

CONGRATS!!!!

Thank you to everyone that participated and big thanks to Fierce Forward for sharing her beautiful bracelet with us!!!

***

I am not a HUGE jewelry person. I usually keep it pretty simple - a couple bangles and my Tedy's Team plastic bracelet are really all I need.

But, I love a company with a purpose - especially when it is to motivate and inspire women.

Enter Fierce Forward ... a company "driven by purpose and moved by passion, you break down barriers and move Fiercely Forward."

Ashley Johns is a personal trainer, a fitness model, an athlete, an author, a life coach and a jewelry designer.

She created the Limitless Collection, which features such motivating designs as Purpose, Commitment, Energy, Passion, Growth, Grounded and Strength. Each bracelet holds a powerful and empowering message.

The collection got the game because Ashley writes "each bracelet is handmade to arm you with the intention to be limitless."

A positive message I can get after.

After connecting with Ashley on Twitter, she was gracious enough to offer myself as well as a blog reader a Less Sugar Bracelet.

Photo Courtesy of Fierce Forward 

Ashley describes the beautiful Less Sugar Bracelet as:

A petite bracelet hand made by me using only the finest African Trade Beads. Come with a Fierce Forward logo Stainless Steel Charm that freely moves around the bracelet. This "candy bracelet" is to remind you to eat less sugar and be mindful of what you put in your body. Moderation is key! This is life, you must enjoy the fine things in it and enjoy them richly. Enjoying something richly is not having it every day but waiting for it in moderation and then truly being able to appreciate it.

Photo Courtesy of Fierce Forward 

Since starting Weight Watchers in November 2009, I've used a lot of visual cues - notes on my hand, post-it notes, etc - as a way to remind myself to pick the healthy option. But Ashley has created a much cuter way to cue myself to pick the water and not the soda. (I am currently 856 days soda free).

This is not just for someone with Diabetes watching their sugar intake but for ANYONE. We should all take more care in what we put in our bodies. You start reaching for that Mountain Dew in the fridge and see your Less Sugar Candy Bracelet and remember that you don't NEED that. Reach for water instead. I create these bracelets to mean something to YOU. You will have your own individual need for your bracelet and it will connect with you on your level:)

What will my bracelet remind me to do? Grab the water before a snack. Our bodies don't know the difference between hunger and thirst signals SO when I grab for food my bracelet on my left wrist will remind me to drink some water first. Thanks Ashley!

So who's ready for the giveaway??

Here’s how to enter:

Giveaway is open from 8am April 10 (Wednesday) through 9am April 12 (Friday)!!

The winner will be announced on Friday!!

Breakin' Down My RunnerBox

I blame Facebook. Haha.

Do you need more explanation?

I blame Facebook for opening my eyes to new addictions.

The latest.

RunnerBox.

RunnerBox's website describes the service as:

RunnerBox is a subscription based box for runners, triathletes and other active people. It is a mini shoebox filled with running products, mailed to your front door. It has everything from energy products, gels, chews, protein shakes/supplements, nutrition bars, skincare, and other accessories! Some products will be brand new (but personally tested) on the market, and some will be tried and true favorites. With so many products coming out on the market, leave the trials and testing to us, we’ll search out the best and send them to you!

How could I NOT sign up for it after reading that description?

Right?

I mean seriously.

RunnerBox offers a few different subscriptions for varying prices - one box: every month, every other month, every six months or you can give one box as a gift.

Same options are available for the Tribox - a box clearly geared towards triathletes! ;)

So I made and account, signed up on Friday (April 5) for $15.70 a month (which is one box a month) and received my first box in the mail on Monday (April 8)!

(Note: I was contacted by RunnerBox letting me know they actually mailed me the bi-monthly subscription box - which retails for $25.70 per order. They will be mailing me out the correct box for the $15.70 subscription soon. SOOO the info below is for the $25.70 box that you would receive every other month.)

Do you want to know what was inside?

Well of course you do. That was a dumb question. ;)

It started with a kick ass quote...

... and turned into Christmas!

:)

So what exactly did the RunnerBox include...

(Descriptions from the neon green sheet in the picture above ... disclaimer: RunnerBox discounts removed from the descriptions since they were given to RunnerBox subscribers)

Injinji Socks: The original performance lightweight performance series toesock = no blisters

 

SiMbi hair-bracelets: beautiful, functional, and each SiMbi sold purifies 1 gallon of water a day and creates jobs for the people of Haiti. Excellent.

 

Win Detergent: for tech fabrics making garments last longer, smell fresher and perform better.

Clif ShotBlocks Energy Chews: Semi-solid easy to chew sources of carbs and electrolytes that taste great!

Energybits: 100% natural organic spirulina tablets.

Slik Skin Strong: Prevents chafing and more in a convenient spray.

Chocolate #9 Gel: Tastes so good you'll want to run just so you can eat it.

Recover Bars: All natural bar designed to replenish depleted muscle glycogen stores for faster recovery

Huma Gel: An all natural chia seed based gel with Omega 3's and gluten free.

Cytomax Sports Drink packs: lowers acid level during and after training.

Skora Shoes: *product discount coupon only*

Zensah Compression: *product discount coupon only*

I would say that is one sweet haul for $25.70 don't you?

The only product I have tried so far were the Energy bits, but I had been sent a free sample of their product BEFORE my RunnerBox arrived.

Besides Energybits, I have yet to have time to try any of the other products as I finish prepping for Monday's Boston Marathon. But I will make sure to do so afterwards. I don't want to try anything new this close to the race.

I can't wait to see what May has to offer!! :)

***

Has anyone else ordered a RunnerBox? Have you participated in another monthly subscription program?

Weekly Workout Wind Up (4/4-10/13)

As you can see the tapering has begun... :( It is an evil necessity! :P

Thursday, April 4: Rest Day

Friday, April 5: Rest Day (knee pain emerged and I wasn't about to risk injury)

Saturday, April 6: 3.51 Mile Run

saturday

Sunday, April 7: 5.49 Mile Run

sunday

Monday, April 8: Rest Day

Tuesday, April 9: 4 Mile Run

4

Wednesday, April 10: 3.3 Mile Walk With The Pups

weds

And Monday is the BIG DAY BABY ... The Boston Marathon!!

I'm Dopey!

I'm far beyond crazy that I've actually gone DOPEY!!

dopey

On April 2 - yes one week ago - I registered for the Run Disney Dopey Challenge.

What is that you may ask?

Oh just this little thing the great minds at Run Disney created where you compete in four races over four days:

January 9 (Thursday) - Disney Family Fun Run 5k - 6:15 a.m. ET - EPCOT

January 10 (Friday) - Walt Disney World 10k - 5:30 a.m. ET - EPCOT

January 11 (Saturday) - Walt Disney World Half Marathon - 5:30 a.m. ET - Start/Finish: EPCOT

January 12 (Sunday) - Walt Disney World Marathon - 5:30 a.m. ET - Start/Finish: EPCOT

Thankfully I was a math major so I can quickly add that up for you! That is 48.6 miles in a four-day span.

Saaayyy wwhhhaaa???

I somehow have lost my mind and think this is a totally okay thing to sign up for. Let's also place some of the blame on my dear wife who okayed the $495 charge that the Dopey Challenge runs. Ouch!

BUT there are SIX medals. SIX! How amazing is that?

We all know I love my race bling. ;)

bling

After running the Walt Disney World Half Marathon on January 12, 2013 (recap), I knew I wanted to give the Goofy Challenge (Half Marathon on Saturday and Full Marathon on Sunday) down the road. Originally I had planned on tackling that feat in 2015, which is the 10-year anniversary of the Goofy Challenge.

I think the Run Disney folks figured out that a TON of people would be doing the same thing - skipping 2014 to wait for 2015 - so there came the Dopey Challenge this year.

Once the news broke, the wheels started turning in my head. Maybe I could do it? No, that's crazy. Who do I think I am? I can't run that type of distance in four days and for that much money.

But, then I remembered. I am capable of much more than I think I can so the more I thought about registering for the Dopey Challenge the more I wanted to do it.

jessie

Can you tell I had fun during the race?

So last Tuesday, April 2, I saw there was an early opening to register for the Dopey Challenge and all of a sudden I was signed up. (Proof at the top of the post) So the wife and I will head back to Disney in January 2014 as our big racecation for the year.

Now that the registration is complete, what's the next step?

Well, figuring out my 4 costumes of course. I think Jessie will have to make a return appearance!

cow

***

Are you going Dopey as well? Have you ever participated in a Run Disney race?

Weekly Workout Wind Up (3/28-4/3/13)

Another week of marathon prep in the books... :)  

Thursday, March 28: 4.5 Mile Run

thursday

Friday, March 29: 4.5 Mile Run

friday

Saturday, March 30: 10.1 Mile Run

saturday

Sunday, March 31: 2.5 Mile Run, 30 Min Stairmaster, 30 Min Elliptical, 12 Min Walk Home From Gym & Family Walk

sun-1

sun-2

Monday, April 1: 4 Mile Run & 50 Min Spinning

mon-1

mon-2

Tuesday, April 2: 30 Min Run (3.63 miles)

tues

Wednesday, April 3: 5k Run

weds

 Artwork in final collage from Chronic Positivity Project

T-minus 12 days til The Boston Marathon!!!

3k Twitter Follower Giveaway WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Annddddd the winners ARE:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Prize Pack 1: @2thfairyRDH - Marianne Elizabeth Williams

Prize Pack 2: @darciegagne13 - Darcie Gagne

Prize Pack 3: @divaonadiet - Alexis Atwood

CONGRATS!!!! I will be in touch to help you collect your prizes!

Thank you to everyone that participated and big thanks to all the Sponsors!!!

**********

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

I never imagined I would be doing a giveaway for reaching 3,000 Twitter followers.

So thank you for humoring my posts and following my path to The Boston Marathon … and beyond!

I love Twitter for so many reasons, but really it allows me to connect with so many amazing, inspiring, motivating people that push me to be a better human being and athlete. Can I call myself an athlete? That allowed. Eh, I’m going with it. So there. 

But I know you aren’t all here to listen to me rambling on about how much I appreciate you all and love interacting with you.

You are here for the SWAG!!

Well, let’s get right down to it shall we.

Thanks to amazing companies and sponsors I have three amazing Giveaway packages for you all to enjoy.

—

And here they are:

Prize Pack One

Sample of ENERGYBits

Pair of PRO Compression Socks

Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series Gear

Sparkly Soul Wide Gold Headban

Same pack of Vitalicious Vitatops

**

Prize Pack Two

Sample of ENERGYBits

Pair of Lock Laces

Marathon Sports $50 Gift Certificate

Perform Pain Reliever Recovery Kit

Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series Gear

**

Prize Pack Three

Bulu Box March Box and T-shirt

Sample of ENERGYBits

Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series Gear

Pair of X-1 Momentum Headphones

Pair of ZENSAH Neon Compression Socks

—

Giveaway is open from March 28 (today) through Midnight on April 2!!

Here’s how to enter:

The three winners will be announced on Wednesday, April 3!!

Please be sure to show some appreciation to these amazing sponsors by tweeting them some love...

Dear Former Self...

Dear Former Self, You are 30 and more importantly alive.

I know there were many times in High School, College and even after graduation where you thought about ending it all. Just slipping away because you thought no one would ever notice.

Well, people would have.

So thank you.

Thank you for not taking away the time I now have with the wife, friends, family and the world.

YOU are making a difference.

YOU are now brave enough to share your journey, your happiness, your sadness, your self doubts and your strengths with the masses.

And people appreciate that.

They appreciate you.

And you know what?

You are staring to appreciate yourself as well.

Now, I'm not going to tell you it is all rainbows and unicorns.

Okay - there are some rainbows - I mean you are gay after all. :)

But, seriously ... there is actual joy in your life. There are smiles that aren't forced. There are some serious kick ass accomplishments you are achieving.

Hello! Running The Boston Marathon in less than two weeks. I think we can classify that under Bad Ass and something we NEVER thought would happen.

But it is.

None of this could be happening if you hadn't made that decision in 2009 to walk through the doors of Weight Watchers and change your life forever.

Over the past four years, layers and layers of fat, insecurity, pain, self-doubt and self-loathing have slowly but surely been stripped away. There are little chunks lying around here and there, but they too will be shed over time.

You didn't have to think for all those years that you weren't worthy of true happiness because you were.

Why did you doubt yourself? Why did you put yourself down SO much? Why did you think you were so unworthy of being alive?

I don't know the answers. Maybe over time we will figure them out. But for now, we are happy to be moving past those.

The self-deprecating humor you used for so long as a shield is still here ... but now more out of habit. A habit that we are working on changing. The hatred behind it is lessening.

Someday it will go away completely, but we save that for a letter from our Future Self.

For now, in the current state, things are pretty awesome. Just know that all the pain you went through and held on to for so long is clearing ... it is being released and freed.

The heart is opening to the love of family, friends and even complete strangers you have come to meet - and love - online. The world is embracing you flaws and all and you are FINALLY embracing it back. You are sharing things with people you never thought you would.

And I have to say it feels GOOD.

So former self, thank you again for allowing me to be here ... for allowing me to feel ... for allowing me to live!

Love,

Your Current Self

#30for60 Challenge STARTS TODAY!

I think by now we have all learned I like a good challenge... #plankaday, #100ozchallenge, #pnptrackstar, #7daychip, #30daychip, etc. Obviously it was time to add another one!

Enter the #30for60 challenge created by my girl Samantha from Running and Cupcakes.

Sam first presented this challenge back in December 2011-January 2012, where I happily participated in. Here is the post I wrote halfway through the challenge: read on!

Once I heard Sam was considering bringing it back in preparation of Summer 2013, I HAD to be a part of it ... and Sam graciously agreed to let me pair up with her. YAY! :)

So here are the details:

The challenge will run from April 1-June 1 and the main just is simple - get moving for 30 minutes a day. This doesn't mean we need to hit the gym for 30 or more minutes a day since like everyone else I like/need a rest day at least once a week. But, we want to motivate people to get out there and get active with friends and families - take a walk, play some soccer in the backyard, have a dance party in the kitchen. Whatever you enjoy doing to get yourself off the couch will count!

Seems pretty simple right?

It is.

We will be tracking everyone's progress on the google spreadsheet I created - #30for60 Tracking - and you can update your stats at any point in time. Each column represents a 5-day period so if you successfully accomplish the challenge 3 out of the 5 days, you would mark a 3 in the column, etc etc.

Make sense?

You want in?

What you need more incentive?

Fine!

***PRIZES PRIZES PRIZES PRIZES PRIZES PRIZES PRIZES PRIZES PRIZES PRIZES PRIZES PRIZES***

Did that get your attention? Sam and I have been working to secure some amazing prizes for you all and will be sharing those throughout the next 60 days.

So if you are ready to get up, get moving and get ready for Summer then head on over to the #30for60 Tracking sheet and sign up!

And make sure you use the #30for60 hashtag and mention Sam (@RunCupcake) and I (@IrishEyes1982) up to speed on your progress. Use us as cheerleaders if you need to. (Note: Pom poms not included)

Let's Do This Folks!!

Who's with me?

Weekly Workout Wind Up (3/21-27/13)

Coming at ya with my latest weekly workout wind up...  

Thursday, March 21: 5-Mile Run

thursday

Friday, March 22: Rest Day & Leisurely Walk With Joanna

friday

Saturday, March 23: 21-Mile Run

saturday

Sunday, March 24: 65-Minute Recovery Spinning Ride

sunday

Monday, March 25: 4.25-Mile Run & 50 Min Spinning Ride

mon-1

mon-2

Tuesday, March 26: REST DAY

Wednesday, March 27: Hill Repeats (1 Mile Warmup, 6xHill, 1 Mile Cooldown)

weds

I am definitely upping my weight training once I finish the Boston Marathon...

Tedy's Team Group Run - 21 Miles

Since November March 23 was circled on my calendar as THE day of training. Why?

It would be the day I would tackle the final long run of the training and the day I would run 21 miles.

And all of a sudden that day was yesterday.

How the heck did that happen?

But I was ready for it.

Running should be fun right? So I put together a special outfit for the day.

Do you think I would be spotted on the course at all? :P

I gave Boston-based EnergyBits a try for the first time pre-run and after getting over the algae taste I realized how helpful they truly were!! You are supposed to take 30-40 tabs about 10-15 minutes before you start working out, but I was only to chew about 10 before the taste got to me. Had I had water I could've just swallowed the 30 pills without a problem, but alas I was waterless on the bus. Even with just 10 tablets I felt a difference!

The Vitatop however led to some stomach discomfort about 15 miles into the run. I love the Vitatops, but I don't think I will have one pre-run again. Poor choice!

The game plan was to meet the other Tedy's Team members and fellow charity runners that leave out of FitCorp each week and get on a bus by 7:30am. Yup, these sweet school busses...

...and head to Framingham, where we would be dropped off in a parking lot and told to run back to Boston.

Thankfully, they had set up water stops every 2 miles along the course back. Wicked helpful especially for the first 10-12 miles of the run I would have NO idea where we were since I had never run that section of the course before.

We arrived in Framingham, got off the bus and we were off.

I tried to keep myself from going out too fast too soon, but also wanted to make sure I kept myself near other runners since I really had no idea where we were going and I didn't want to get lost so early into the run.

I saw the water stop at Mile Two, but didn't feel like I needed any water just yet ... boy was not stopping a mistake. I missed meeting Tedy Bruschi, who was there to cheer on all of the members of his team.

Yup, I think I'm the only person on the team who missed him. D'oh! Note to self: stop at every water stop from here on out. :P

There were no port-o-potties in sight when I got to Mile Four so I stopped in this cute little breakfast joint where the first older man I saw in there loudly proclaimed: "No running in the diner." He cracked himself up on that one. :) I just hustled in and out so that I didn't lose any of the data on my Garmin.

Thank goodness I stopped when I did since I didn't really see any port-o-potties until we got closer to the city.

It was exciting to be running along the course and in unfamiliar scenery, which helped pass the time.

Plus having water stops every couple of miles just confirmed that I was on the right course. ;)

I even found some new people to run with which was great. They were in the same running group from FitCorp, but are running for different charity teams.

But, it was nice to get lost in conversation instead of worrying about how many miles had passed or how many we had to go!

Before I really knew it, we were halfway there and we knew it was true because we came across the Woodland T stop. The Woodland T stop had been used on previous Saturday long runs. We would take the T from FitCorp to Woodland and run back, which was about 10.8 miles.

So at this point, we hit familiar territory and knew what was coming ... Heartbreak Hill!

But it wasn't that bad. I was able to keep sub 9 min/mile pace while tackling the rolling hills. It didn't hurt that there were a TON of charity teams water stops set up so volunteers were all over Heartbreak cheering people on.

It was a small glimpse of what we will see on race day when it comes to encouragement.

Once we were over the final of the three hills of Heartbreak, we knew we were in the home stretch. But, what you have to love is that the home stretch was the final 5-6 miles back to FitCorp.

You know you are deep into marathon training when you are happy about just 5 or 6 more miles. :P

But right around that time that the stomach pains started to creep in. It was between Mile 15-16 that my stomach started to get REALLY unhappy and I was searching for a bathroom. But unfortunately none to be found as I was caught between two bigger neighborhoods. So I just let Dave and Laura, who I was running with, go on without me and I stopped. I thought if I just waited for a minute it would pass.

Well with no bathrooms in sight, I just pushed on and caught up with Dave at the next water stop. We ended up finishing the run together. As we got to Kenmore Square, we knew we only had about 2 miles to go. But, my Garmin had a different idea. It was telling me we needed at least 3 more miles to get to 21.

So as we neared the final 1/2 mile from FitCorp, we decided to run around and through Boston Common until we hit 21 miles. It was a GREAT decision. The park was a beautiful place to end and we avoided the final hill of Beacon Street. :P

Aaahhh!! Sub 9 min/mile pace for the training run. Hell Yeah! I couldn't believe it. I think I gave Dave about 4 high fives with excitement!!

The post-run foam rolling never felt so good... maybe it's also because I was on Cloud Nine.

Once this run was over, I knew I would be okay during the Boston Marathon ... and maybe even get a new marathon PR! :)

I also loved all the compliments I got along the course on my awesome Team Sparkle skirt and Superman socks.

Should I rock both on Marathon Day?

Let me know your thoughts!!

I came home and immediately refueled with low-fat Chocolate Milk in my Samuel Adams 26.2 Brew mug...

... before having a nice cold beer (my other after)!

And look at the mail I came home too.

It's all getting pretty pretty real!

So now that the 21-miler is behind me, it's taper time. Next week it will be either 10 or 12 miles depending on how I'm feeling that day.

We are T-minus 22 days til the BIG DAY!

Will you be out cheering on the couse on April 15?