Marathon Mom

Happy Running Day Everyone! Although I don't really need a special day to run, but way not. It seems like a lot of races are getting in on the fun now and offering discounts too so even better. I have partnered with Nathan Sports to share some great runner essentials and also give away a prize pack to one reader! Hipster Belt: I have struggled finding a good belt to carry my phone, more important one that doesn't move or slide around on runs. This belt is great! I have used it on a few long runs and it stays put. My phone is securely in the pocket so no fear that it will crash onto the pavement! SpeedShot Plus: Holds 12 oz of fluid. Which for me is perfect since I don't drink a lot when I run, For me it was small enough to carry without being annoying or too heavy. My hand fit great in the handle without even needing to really hold the bottle. I rarely carry water (or my UCAN Hydrate) on runs under 2 hours unless it is hot and humid so this came at a perfect time...

As a busy mom and runner who works and feels like things are always moving in every direction it can be difficult to remember to drink enough water. I try to carry a bottle with me wherever I go but it can be tough finding a bottle that holds enough water but isn't too big. I was thrilled to see the Ion8 Bottle... What makes ion8 different? Ion8 Ultimate was awarded the reddot award for design with curved sides and a comfort band for easy grip, in fashionable colors. Comfort:  Concave sides and a soft band for a relaxed, slip free grip which also protects hands when carrying a hot beverage. Suitable for hot & cold drinks from 14°F to 204°F. Convenience:  Large enough neck for ice cubes! I love that the top locks into place preventing spills and has an easy spout for drinking. I brought in on my work trip last month including multiple flights and conference days and no leaking! Perfect size to throw in my bag and not be too heavy. My daughter h...

How did the holidays sneak up on us?! I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas (if you celebrate) or Happy Holidays. We have been busy with life: work, dance, gymnastics, school, family and running. But we managed to get in a little Christmas fun... Fun at friends' Ugly Sweater Party Sorry, can't really see our great sweaters! The Nutcracker with O on the coldest day in many years, temps of -20! I got to volunteer at O's school party before winter break. It is always fun meeting her friends and seeing the kids interact. She has a great teacher this year who is so calm with her, I need lessons! Pre Holiday CrossFit killer workout on Friday. O is loving CrossFit kids too. She even decided to "help" and I managed 30 push ups (although not too pretty) with her on my back, then she jumped on for the tank pushes to add her extra weight! Woke up Christmas Eve for a great 10 mile run with friends before doing lots of cooking (and later eating!). We ...

Yikes, has it really been almost 2 months since I posted?! I have so much to share but to ease back into blog fun and to celebrate the holidays I am doing a quick giveaway (and will share about my fun November and December adventures starting tomorrow). Here's a little on my missing time: Disney, CIM, guiding a blind runner, back to marathon training, sub 6, holiday fun!   What have you been up too? I can't believe Christmas is just 3 days away and marathon training is about to start full force again. Let's combine these two and I'm giving away a UCAN Gift Pack with a sampling of their great products. 2 packets UCAN Drink Mix (Orange & Cocoa) 2 packets UCAN with Protein Drink Mix (Vanilla Cream) 2 UCAN Snack Bars (Cinnamon, Chocolate) 2 sticks UCAN Hydrate (Berry, Lemon-Lime) All products are naturally sweetened & gluten-free a Rafflecopter giveaway

All runners know that post marathon week(s) are filled with the fight to keep eating healthy yet indulge a little. I try to carry healthy snacks wherever I go to avoid the munchies. Needing gluten free makes finding healthy foods quick even tougher. I have my go to foods but love finding new options with such variety. I think my only complaint is the carb to protein ratio which for each bar is 3 or 4:1. I prefer a snack more along the 2:1 carb to protein ratio. To help this I add a few extra nuts to the bars when I have them for a snack, problem solved! Like all GoMacro products, Thrive are USDA-Certified Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, Kosher, Gluten-Free certified, 100% Vegan, and soy-free. Thrive is currently available to purchase online and will become available to Whole Foods this month! GoMacro is offering 30% off to all my readers with code Thrive30 for online purchases Here The Thrive Bars come in 6 flavors: Caramel Coconut, Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip, Blueberry ...

The heat is here and summer running is in full swing with temps of 90+ last week and humidity making the run tough. I am more of a summer runner than cold winter girl but this was rough! The only positive of cooler running is jacket pockets for my phone and UCAN bar! I've tried just about every belt out there and have complaints about them all! So I was excited to try the Nathan Hipster. I'm even more hapy to say that it stayed put, nice and low on my hips just like I have to wear my belts. Even on my hot, sweaty 12 miler this weekend no chafing at all. Some wildlife sightings on my run... The turtles have been out like crazy lately. What wildlife have you seen lately? I've also gotten back to "real" speedwork and it is actually fun! Thanks Nichole :) I'm excited to see how this training cycle goes. I'm finally running paces I haven't been able to hit in years. My leg is almost to full strength, still a little residual after racing that...

About a month ago I was asked to try Runner's Choice which is a mix of essential oils made just for runners or those who spend a lot of time on their feet. I was hesitant, I need evidence and have backed away from the whole oil thing so far but why not try it. Of course I did my research and found evidence that wintergreen, eucalyptus and peppermint are good for muscle aches. Besides running (when I'm not injured!) I spend most of my work day walking around, today I managed nearly 4 miles at work! No wonder why I'm tired for my evening runs. Lately my workouts haven't been running but I honestly think the elliptical is tougher on my feet. I tried it a few times after work and evening workouts and was impressed. The cooling feeling was great! I will admit that I'm not that big on minty things so the scent was a little strong but others who like mint loved the smell. I did love the ease of use and that unlike other oils it was so easy to apply. Once I get back t...

I first discovered hemp hearts a few months, I know late to the party! My extent of use has been throwing on salads or in my coconut yogurt for a little extra protein. I decided to get adventurous when I was given a bag to try from Manitoba Harvest and bake with them. Benefits of Hemp Hearts Plant Based Protein - 10g per tablespoon High Fiber - 1g per tablespoon Omega 3 Fatty Acids Lots of Vitamins - Magnesium, Iron, Vitamin B, Manganese, Zinc and Calcium   They sound perfect for a vegetarian runner! I'm always looking for ways to increase protein, iron and calcium. Plus Omega 3s are great for recovery, Sweet Potato Bars 1 cup mashed sweet potato (could do pumpkin) 1 banana mashed 1 cup dates soaked 1 tsp vanilla 1 cup almond flour 1/4 cup hemp hearts 1 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp nutmeg Put first four ingredients in food processor and puree until smooth. Add remaining ingredients until mixed. Pour into prepared greased baking dish and bake in preh...

Did you know there is a National Pancake Day? Since I have a little girl who loves pancakes we decided to celebrate with this great product I was given to try. I'm not a big pancake fan as I like my protein and honestly the chore of making pancakes in the morning makes me want to scream! But breakfast for dinner is the best idea. Nicole's Naturals  offers gluten free, soy free, dairy free mixes. Only 150 calories per serving and only 1 gram of sugar. Plus it is independently tested to meet FDA standards for gluten free! O wanted pumpkin pancakes so we opted to sub pumpkin in for the eggs and add some pumpkin pie spice, yum! Due to this the texture was a little chewy but with eggs this wouldn't happen. O opted for her pancakes topped with blueberries while I tried a small one plain (eggs and sweet potatoes were my meal!). I liked it, a little chunky with whole grains of oats which made it seem even healthier. This will definitely be a healthy option in the future f...

Are you looking for a last minute stocking stuffer for the fitness buff on your list or yourself? A roll of KT Tape is perfect. I used to be skeptical how a piece of tape could do anything for my injured body but finally gave in after my hamstring was angry and was convinced. Now I'm trying out a new area for the tape... I was again skeptical, I mean won't it get bunchy and bother me when I run? Nope! Stayed in place great (still in place 4 days later!). The little extra support was what I needed as I ease my way back to running. Like I mentioned before I did a pain free 4.5 miles Saturday! So what is KT Tape? KT TAPE TM (Kinesiology Therapeutic Tape) is an elastic sports and fitness tape designed for muscle, ligament and tendon pain relief and support.  It delivers the next generation of sports injury solutions as it uniquely enables athletes to perform their best by providing pain relief and support to sore muscles or injuries before, during, and after ac...

Like all other runners I have my favorite, go to workout clothes and rarely deviate. But when I was contacted to review a new eco friendly workout top from Khai Earth I couldn’t say no. I’m a tank girl unless it is cold out so I chose the AirLite Tank but they have short sleeve active wear as well. They are a small company offering limited options but the simple options seems to meet most people’s needs. Do you prefer tanks or short sleeves to workout? The fabric had that cotton feel but was full tech and even lighter than the usual running top. It was super soft and comfortable. My only complaint is the lack of size chart on their website, I guessed and chose a small but probably could have gone Xsmall. It is recyclable and biodegradable… But the true test, the workout! I sweat and not the cute sparkle sweat, but full on drenched sweat. This fabric was awesome, as the sweat dripped off my forehead the inner layer of the tank kept my chest and back dry by quickl...

Over the past year (okay 2 years) I've written a lot on my journey through injury and now being smart. I've tried just about every method of injury management/treatment within my reach and when I was contacted to review a nonmedication pain control product I jumped at it! Way in the past I had a foot injury (think high school past!) from years of dance and through my rehab TENS was one of the treatments but it has been years. What is TENS? TENS Technology : Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) technology has been used by medical professionals such as physical therapists and chiropractors for more than 30 years After a long run my calf and hip were tight and sore, as I sat writing part one of my thesis proposal I decided to give it a try. The pads were super easy to place and the unit was frazzled mom, grad student user friendly! In just a couple steps it was ready to go. I picked my intensity level (1-10) and method (settings for specific body parts or ...

Do you love watching the obstacle races, seeing the strength and endurance of these athletes as they complete obstacles? Now is your chance to give it a try too! If you aren’t familiar with the Spartan Races, they’ve been around globally since 2005 and have been voted #1 obstacle race by   Outside Magazine . They also offer individuals and groups the chance to fund raise for various charities. Recently Spartan Race also partnered with  Runner’s World Magazine . Runner’sWorld, the largest and most influential media brand in the running space, has signed a partnership with Spartan Race™, the global leader in obstacle racing since 2005, that includes custom digital content, racer-focused benefits, training plans and event activations. The collaboration between these two premier fitness brands kicked off in the July issue of Runner’s World magazine, which reaches over three million people monthly in print. Highlights of Runner’s World’s involvement in Spart...

Can you believe it is April finally? After a long, cold winter let's hope this is the start of better weather and a real spring! What better way to celebrate than the Spring Fling Virtual Earlier in March we put on our running shoes and headed outdoors for the 14 in 2014 Spring Fling Virtual Race! Great photos, PRs, first time distances, rainy weather, snow and the first 14 in 2014 virtual race complete.  Congrats to all of the finishers! The giveaway is a celebration of running and spring! Not just spring on the calendar. I mean a celebration of being outside, blue skies, sunshine, and warmer temperatures. Enter below! Fabulous Sponsors Add caption Let's hope this race was enough to bring on the spring weather, good luck to everyone and way to kick of spring and 14in2014 virtuals. a Rafflecopter giveaway

With this long winter I know I am ready to move forward to warm weather, dry roads and sunshine! I can't wait to get my bike outside and not have to layer up just to walk out the door! Come on it is almost April and it is snowing! To kick spring off and get moving I have a great giveaway and am happy to be able to offer the following prize pack to one of my readers! It’s simple to enter, just tell me your plan to stay fit this spring, best fitness tip or how spring inspires you to get active. Check out these great prizes…1 person will win the entire prize pack! Yoga Mat -basic yoga mat  Vapur Foldable Water Bottle -Vapur Anti-Bottles are BPA-free and are constructed of three layers of ultra-durable plastic. The innermost layer is made from FDA-approved polyethylene, which is then bonded to two layers of nylon for strength and durability. Every Anti-Bottle is designed to withstand everyday use and regular cleaning. Personal Running Trainer App -The PRT a...

This post is going to match my mind lately as it races from thing to thing… I’m sitting here post-holiday craziness, on the verge of vacation and ready to go! Bell Plantation Peanut Butter Single Serve Cake (Gluten Free) 2 tbsp PB2 1 tsbp water 1 tbsp Almond milk 2 tbsp applesauce ½ tsp baking powder 2 tbsp coconut flour 1 tbsp raisins or choc chips Mix all together and microwave bowl and cook for 2 minutes. And guess what I got so excited after I mixed it up, I never even took a picture of my yummy creation! Any fun snacks you’ve been eating lately? So what else is going through my mind today…This weather sucks and I continue to stalk the forecast for Dopey! Guess what we get on Monday, -50 wind chills!! I thought last weekend was bad, yikes! I can’t wait to be in sun and warmth, I see people complaining about running in upper 70s but I figure I’m not racing so I plan to have fun, enjoy the weather and be happy being warm! Now on top of this we are ...

Pre and post workout routine! This only seems fitting after yesterday's post on my latest injury that came out of no where! Over the past year I have dealt with a right hamstring injury that finally resolved but now my right glute/hip is mad! I'm hoping because it came on quick and big that is goes away just the same! In the mean time I'm spending lots of quality time with my pals: foam roller, therapy ball and ice pack! In the midst of dealing with the left leg junk I was contacted by Ashley to try Ouch Wraps  they are premade, reusable hot or cold packs that you either throw in the freezer or microwave and done. They are great size and easy to use everywhere and even better easy to wrap on and stay put! I've used mine as ice for the legs and heat for my shoulder and back. I loved my Ouch Wrap and so did O thanks to the cute design, many others available online. Now you can try one too with the discount code: MARATHON! Or better yet, enter to win your own Ou...

Guess what I’m still here, 3 days in a row! Starting to get back to “real” running now that the leg is better. Still following with my sports chiro monthly and focusing on strength with lower mileage. I am happy to be back into some speed work and looking a forward to working with a new coach (other than myself!) and improving my running. I decided that I need a change, I written my own plans for years but think after my year of injury I need to change things up a bit. I should be stronger and faster now with all the strength and core training but I’m not thanks to injury. I know with a change in training and injury free I can get to where I want to be. Thursday morning I grabbed my cute new BAMR band and hit the treadmill nice and early for some intervals. Tracy has me running less miles but high intensity and I’m loving it! So how’d it go: After an easy 10 min warm up my ¼ mile repeats were: 1:30 (Had to try with the treadmill set at top speed!) 1:33 1:31 1:35 1:32 1...