BRF (Best Running Friend) and…..best pick up line?

Posted by hellyontherun in Running and tagged with Adventure Run, Amiga, Best Running Friend, Friends, Roadrunner Sports, Running, Scavenger March 22, 2014

I don’t know how things could possible get any better but it has. So I made it into the Marine Corps Marathon and am beyond excited about it but guess what else?

MY SOLE SISTER SALT IS GOING TO BE THERE TO CHEER ME ON!!!

You guys know how much I talk and rave about my good buddy ‘ol pal. We’ve “known” each other for a couple of years having gone through our pregnancies (my first and her only) together and now our little girls are turning two!! (hers already has!). We’ve become pretty close despite not having actually met. If you would’ve told me years ago I’d have an awesome friend from the internet I’da given you a big side eye. Here I am though, with a BRF (Best Running Friend) who lives on the other side of the country and I’m finally going to meet her!!! Expect multiple posts about this excitement and tons of pictures when it actually happens. 😀

I’m meeting Salt!!!!!

In other news, on Thursday I went to a Roadrunner Sports Adventure Run (that’s where I’m at in that ^ pic). If you’ve never heard of that before, the running store Roadrunner Sports puts on a fun run the third Thursday of every month. Throughout the run, there are checkpoints where you collect raffle tickets for a chance to win cool stuff like running gear, clothes, gift certificates to sponsoring stores (and bars), and even shoes! It’s kinda like a scavenger hunt but with runner’s on the prowl for free stuff.

I went with my run club who have been to multiple of these. Being a newb, I decided to stick with them. What is supposed to be a leisurely 3 mile-ish run turned into 5 miles of intense speed work. They don’t mess around.

At some checkpoints, the restaurant/bar/store makes you perform a task or asks you a question. One bar told us we had to give them our best pick-up line to receive our raffle ticket. By this time, I was huffing and puffing and trying to think up something clever just wasn’t happening. I heard a friend give the good ‘ol, “How you doin’?” and then it was my turn.

“I’m Stacy’s mom.”

I think because I’m a mom now and pick up lines just seem ridiculous, the song Stacy’s mom has got it going on came into my head and I went with it. In any case, the bar guy and his buddies thought it was hilarious (I’m actually really glad they recognized the song. I would’ve felt really old if they hadn’t) and they gave me two extra tickets for my creativity.

We made it back by the 7:30 time limit and hoped for the best.

I didn’t win anything but a girl from my run club won one of the free shoes! It was definitely a cool fun run that I’d do again for sure.

Hope you guys have a good weekend! I’ve got a short long run today and trails tomorrow 🙂

–Do you have a BRF (Best Running Friend)?

–What is your best pick-up line?

–Have you heard of the Roadrunner Sports Adventure Run? Have you done a scavenger type run before?

Don’t forget that the giveaway for a FREE Energybits sample is still going strong. Enter here to test them out!

Some Pretty Awesome News

Posted by hellyontherun in Marathon, Running and tagged with Energybits, Grand Canyon, Marathon, Marine Corps Marathon, Rim to Rim to Rim, RnR Madrid, Running, Swirlgear March 21, 2014

SO much has been happening this past year and it’s barely March! This week especially has been a busy one for me as we get ready for our trip to Ohio. When we come back, a lot of things are happening starting with prepping for our Europe trip and this

and then when we come back from that, I have to really start preparing for this

Source

and then when I come back from that, I’ll have about 5 weeks before I start training for THIS

Marine Corps Marathon here I come!!!

I MADE IT!!! I know for a lot of people, their dream marathon is Boston and I’d love to do that someday too. But, I know that qualifying for that is a super long shot. For me, my dream marathon is this one, the Marine Corps Marathon. The People’s Race.

My dad was a Marine and even though he and I are not very close, this part of his life is what makes me proud of him.

I entered the lottery thinking I’d have to do it a few years before I’d get in. I didn’t think it would happen the first time! My husband knew. He knew the instant I told him I’d entered. He said, “You’ve signed up for so much this year and because of that, you’re going to get this too.” Jajaja! I seriously have been doing a lot lately. Needless to say, having made it into MCM means my race calendar is done for the year lol!

I have so much to look forward to, I just can’t even believe this year so far 🙂

Weekend Shopping:

swirgear.com

It’s appropriately colored Marine Corps Red 🙂

–What is/was your dream race?

–What are you looking forward to this year?

The ENERGYbits giveaway is underway! Go here to enter and give these bits a shot 🙂

Trying New Things–Energybits Review and Giveaway

Posted by hellyontherun in Running and tagged with Algae, Energybits, Fuel, Giveaway, Running March 20, 2014

It’s been a busy family week as we all get ready to travel to Ohio to visit family next Wednesday but I’ve been able to squeeze in a couple of workouts so that I could try this popular “fuel” called ENERGYbits.

I’ve been hearing quite a bit about Energybits from my runner friends and figured I needed to check it out. One of the things on my list is to try experimenting with fuel–something I don’t think I did an adequate job of training for my first marathon. So, here are my thoughts on this particular one.

Energybits is unique in that it is an all natural product made from 100% organically grown spirulina algae. If you know me, you’ll know that “all natural” and “organic” are not typically in my food intake vocabulary. Energybits also has zero caffeine or sugar. I know, I know! You’re probably thinking, “Helly, this is against everything you believe in!” Lol! While I love my caffeine, sugar, salt, and everything else bad in food that I eat, I do know that I should be sticking with stuff that won’t cause tummy issues when I run–which this product claims won’t happen.

So, before my Tuesday scheduled run, I took 30 of these bad boys (yes, 30!) 15 minutes before my workout started. I was definitely a bit incredulous reading that I had to take 30 pills, but, that’s what it said to do and as a teacher, I follow all directions.

One thing I did appreciate was that it suggests you swallow the pills and not chew them. Yeah, they’re not particular tasty (but they don’t have an after taste–whew!)

I don’t know if it’s truly a wonder pill or not, but I held an 8:38/mile pace for 6 miles that run. I knew I wanted to push myself because I didn’t want to run scared after my what happened last weekend. I had my SPIbelt with my necessities: Epi Pen, Phone, keys.

My run was a challenge but felt really, really, really good. I had zero stomach issues and while it was tough maintaining that pace (I hadn’t done a run like that in a while), I felt strong and I felt energized. I also didn’t feel hungry. I didn’t want to eat before my run (considering what happened on Friday) but with Energybits containing 64% protein, another one of it’s highlights is that it curbs your hunger.

I had to try Engergybits one more time. Before my Wednesday workout, I swallowed some more pills and was ready.

Typically, Wednesdays are track days but my run club had something different in store for us.

Uphill running pulling a tire…just another day in the life

Our workout was so fun! Because we were doing a lot of high intensity stuff, I really felt the Energybits giving me the extra oomph I needed. I’ve always been a little skeptical on products claiming to give you a quick burst of energy or push, but I did think the bits were doing something. I mean, I felt really good after both workouts. I wasn’t completely exhausted or worn down or starving and I really pushed myself both days.

Overall, I have to say I’m an Energybits fan. I like that it’s natural, I like that it didn’t leave a yucky taste in my mouth, I like that there was no “crash” after, and I like that it’s small and travel friendly.

I know your interest is piqued. If you want to try a sample of Energybits, you’ve got a few ways you can do it.

First, you can enter my giveaway for a FREE sample below and leave a comment on whether you’ve tried Energybits before or what other fuel(s) you’ve tried.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Increase your chances:

1.) Like hellyontherun on Facebook
2.) Like ENERGYbits on Facebook
3.) Follow hellyontherun on Twitter
4.) Follow ENERGYbits on Twitter
5.) Tweet about the giveaway
6.) Follow hellyontherun on Instagram

And cool update! I’m on Pinterest 🙂 You can follow me there too if you’d like to just for fun! (And ENERGYbits) 🙂

Don’t want to wait to see if you win? Enter the word BLOG into the coupon box at checkout at energybits.com for a 10% discount.

The fine print:
Giveaway only ships in the U.S.
Giveaway ends Tuesday 3/25 at 12 a.m.
I was provided a free sample to review but my opinions are always my own.