100 Days of Running ~ Review & Giveaway Take Two

Day # 103 ~ morning run ~ 3.5 / 28:45


This morning started late last night when LBM woke up the first of three times so when the alarm went off to get up and run, I wanted to forget it.
I wanted to say that a little more sleep would serve me better than a few miles on the road.

I didn't say that, I may have thought it for a moment but my feet hit the floor and I was quickly running.  My mind was a little fuzzy to say the least when I was first running.  I kept thinking I had forgotten something important.  But having ran my daily routes for so many years at least I knew in my haze I wouldn't take a wrong turn and get lost.

All those thoughts reminded me of my beloved Skyline Challenge, the highlight run of my 100 Days.  As my feet moved me forward I thought about the highs and lows of that race.  Even though I did get lost during that race, I knew I had not left my safetly to chance.  I was wearing my bright yellow Road ID.

Because I have a terrible memory Hubbs has often worried that something would happen to me during a long run or trail run and I would not be able to tell someone a phone number to call to reach my family.  I agreed.  We never know when the unexpected might occur.  I solved that problem with my Road ID.  It will do the talking for me if ever I am unable to speak for myself.

I had been wearing it for about a month prior to the race with no problems.  Unfortunately the problem waited until during the Ultra to arise.  I was climbing a steep hill when the clasp opened.  I closed it.  Again on the same very long steep hill the clasp opened.  And so it was for several miles until I took off my Road ID and put it in my camelbak for the rest of the race. 
Hoping that someone would find it if I fell over from exhaustion.

After the race excitement settled down I emailed Road ID and shared my story with them.  I wasn't surprised when they offered me an apology, an explanation and a new clasp.  It seems they were aware of a problem with the clasp and are working on a redesign.  Great customer service!

The wonderful folks at Road ID even sent along a gift card for me to share with one lucky follower.  So you and your family can have the same peace of mind while you are out here enjoying the roads and trails.

Here's what you can do to get your own Road ID:
(separate comment for each please)

1. Follow me. (Mandatory) 
But don't just tell me you follow me,
tell me 10 things you think you know about me from following my blog.

2.  Visit Road ID and tell me what product you'd like most.

3.  Follow Road ID on FaceBook or on Twitter


Entries will be accepted until 7 a.m. September 1st, 2010
A winner will be chosen from all entries in all three giveaways
(one more tomorrow). 
An explanation of how the winner was chosen will be given when the winners are announced
Watch for bonus entry possiblities.

The gift card was given to me at no charge for my honest review of my Road ID. 
What you read above is just that, my honest opinion.
You shouldn't run, bike or swim without a Road ID.


Loving all the Giveaways?!
Here are a few friends who are hosting giveaways too.
Please stop by and tell me I sent you.


Marcia @ Running off a the Mouth also has an opportunity for you to win CEP Compression.  First who is Marcia?  She is a SAHM with big running dreams and she is making them happen.  She qualified for Boston and has a busy racing schedule this year! 

Why CEP Compression?  CEP Compression really is that good.  If you don't know the difference it can make in your running and recovery you need to find out!  Enter here and then go visit Marica and get another chance to enhance your running.


One Crazy Penguin is hosting a Bondi Band Giveaway!  I love Bondi Bands!  They work so well over my visors!  Okay I wear a visor alomost every single run and a black visor is not all that cute, right?!  But put a Bondi Band over it and voilia! it can go with anything!
So head over and check out a crazy running penquin.  Tell her I sent you.

Some days its the little things

After a string of unfortunate things happening in my life lately it was nice to open the mail box last night as I was leaving to finish my miles (a.m. 3.5/28:58) (p.m.6.5/53:29) for National Running Day and see two little packages.

One of which s'ghetti girl already thinks she should keep.

This little beauty the Bondi Band not the cutie girl is from Tonia at Racing with Babes for rocking my socks for her virtual 10k Half Marathon.

Thanks Tonia!  I love it and I will share with s'ghetti girl. 

She looks so cute in it.

Do you think I could fit any more photos on my fridge?

Some are over 20 years old.

How cute that Tonia's note matched the Bondi Band! 

Plus some Gu! 

Yeah!  I'll be needing that in 2 weeks at my Xterra 21k....that and a few extra pair of legs.

In the mailbox was another little package.  This one from Katye at Long Legs on the Loose.  I won a Sweaty Band.  And look at this cute PINK duct tape.  Did you even know they made that?

Not as cute as s'ghetti girl but with my hair done it will be great to wear to work or to hold those curls back when I work out.  My new Sweaty Band is polka dots.  So cute, I love it!  Thanks, Kayte.

While none of these little pieces of niceness will get my hubbs a new job, change the troubling news from my doctor, relieve the stress at work BUT it does provide a bright spot to my day. 

And some days it's just the little things.

File this under....

...kids say the darnedest things.

After a long busy day at work I was eager to get home and pound out some frustration through my feet.

My daughter was her usual chatter box-self.

"Mom, I can tell what natural animal every person has inside." she tells me.

"Oh really."  I say

"I am a kitty, brother is a turtle and you are a dog." she says.

"I'm a dog?!  What makes you think I am a dog." I ask.

"Your short hair cut."

I ask, "What about my hair cut makes you think I am look like a dog?"

 After a pause,  (considering whether or not to be honest ?)  "Your hair makes you like you have puppy ears." she finally says.

She could have a good point!

After that confidence boosting exchange I feed her brussel sprouts for supper and headed out for my run with LBM.  I enjoyed his baby jibberish the entire run.  But wondered if he was agreeing with his sister about my haircut.

It was so hot and humid and I DID take water!  See I can learn.  My shirt is completely soaked and I was exhausted when I finally got to stop.  6.5 miles of sweat (51:32)

After my run it was LBM's turn to rack up the miles.  He decided to do some speed work with Mom chasing him. 

How great it would be to have him running beside me in the years to come.   S'ghetti girl would not join us for a run.  She was hiding inside enjoy an entire evening with NO homework! 

LBM says, "Mom you don't look at all like a dog.  Now let me win!"

The Clouds Rolled In

I had to hussle when I got home after work.  The clouds were getting heavier as the minutes passed.  I thought once about skipping it but I think we all know,

"You never regret the runs you take but you always regret the ones you don't."

So I got my middle situated for a hour and littlest and I took off for the 6.5 mile loop.

(will I ever get to run solo again?)

I have to say that getting any speed back since the ultra has been very hard.  With so much going on and my hubbs crazy work schedule I haven't had much any opportunity to get a solo run in.  I really need some so that I can get some speed work done. 

When I bid farewell to my last long love pair of sauconys I mentioned that I already had another 'red box' waiting for me.  Truth be told I have 3 red boxes waiting for me.  I usually buy 2 pair at a time (can anyone say SALE!) and since I hadn't changed pairs in so long I got a few extra purchased from gift cards I have gotten for Christmas and birthdays.  Sweet!

This is a pair I wore once before but they ATE my heels.  I'm talking the back half of this shoe was RED!  In this shoes defense I wore them for the first time with the wrong socks and on a LONG run.  Never do that to a new shoe.  It's just not fair.

So I was not afraid to give them another try.  (and the other 2 pair are so beautifully white that I just can't get them dirty by running in the potential thunder storm with them!  Not yet!)

Let me say they (only having one run on them) felt like little pillows under my midsoles!  They are trail shoes but not really aggressive ones.  I like a sturdier shoes sometimes.  They were wonderful and the ucky color will never look dirty.  There are nice orange accents on them but my pictures all came out fuzzy tonight.

You can see littlest and I beat the thunderstorm!  We were really slow but I am still happy for the miles and time together.  Littlest didn't nap but yelled at every bird, cat, dog, cow, horse, goat and person we saw along the way.  He seemed to be having a great time.

That was my running for today.  Yes, only one.  I know it's shocking but that's all I could squeeze in today.

Now I have everyone in bed and I am going to finally do what my Bondi band told me to do

Breathe.

Wondering Wednesday

I know you are Wondering what I just got....

My awesome new Baby Mama Bondi Band!

Littlest and I totally rocked it this morning on a snowy run.

He was wearing his snowman hat to keep warm...but he looked great!

I also know you are wondering how close you can get to a flock of ducks....

just about this close!

The only thing I am wondering is will this snow ever stop!?!

It was a nice morning run. 

I even saw Morton the Muskrat but was too slow with the camera to catch him. 

03.03 and today is 3 more days to 32 miles.