Happy Halloween...

I know I promised you guys a race recap, but I kind of forgot I had 3 kids parties to attend today, which meant I had to get goody bags and snacks ready last night.

And frankly I was one tired blogger last night!

SO, I will recap tonight and you will have it tomorrow, I promise!

I hope all of you have a

 

And a safe night!

 

QOTD: What are you giving out for Halloween?

 

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT...

When I say I need some encouragement! I get it!

My husband and I, along with Lynda and boyfriend, and my BFF race wife Melanie are going to...

 

DUBLIN

IRELAND

 

That's right on August the 5th we are going to toe the start line at the Rock n Roll Dublin 1/2 Marathon.

I am sooooooo flippin' excited!

 

 

I have quite a few races lined up before then, Color run, ZOOMA, RnR New Orleans. However I am now ready to train and run this race for real! I am aiming for under 2 hours.

So any advice is wanted or any running coaches want to take on a crazy blogger, email me!

[email protected]

 

I will be recapping my race at the Runners World Festival tomorrow, so stay tuned!

 

QOTD: Have you ever raced abroad? If you haven't what is your dream race?

 



Getting my "Drive" back! BLAH!

I know I promised a final race recap on my epic Runners World weekend on Friday. However I decided to hold off until next week to recap as to not bore you guys to death:)

 

I have been feeling a little out of sorts for the past 6 months. Ever since I got back from San Diego RnR. I have kind of lost my drive to better myself. Yes, I still have raced and I have still have trained! But not like I should have.

 

I spent 2011, training, running, and living a healthy lifestyle which was rewarded by losing 50 lbs.

 

I raced almost every weekend...

 

And felt amazing.

Now fast forward to 2012. I have been on some amazing runcations.

RnR Arizona

RnR New Orleans

RnR San Diego

Dirty Mud Run Atlanta with Fit Fluential

And most recently the Runners World Festival with Fit Fluential

 

I have ran some great races and traveled to beautiful places but I haven't been "racing" anything!

I am searching for that drive I had in 2011 to race and beat my times.

Although I love not having that pressure I used to have on myself, I am wanting to feel that again.

 

As I enter 2013, here is what I am promising myself...

 

I WILL... race locally more for accountability!

I WILL... stop eating out of boredom!

I WILL... track my workouts!

I WILL...be more competitive with myself!

I WILL... step out of my comfort zone!

I WILL... spend more time lifting weights!

I WILL... reward myself!

I WILL... better myself through health and fitness!

 

 

I have been reading The Long Run by Matt Long.

I had the pleasure of meeting Matt at the RWhalf last weekend and hear his story.

The one question Matt asked us was

Would we have THE WILL to carry on?

 

I like to believe that I would, so high five to Matt for making me think about myself in a way I had never done before.

 

 

Meeting all of these wonderful Fit Fluential bloggers this past weekend also was a great kick i the butt o bettering myself, Thanks guys!

Oh and Shalane Flanagan, yes the Olympian!

She will inspire you just by how down to earth she is! Oh and shes super fast!

 

 

So as I make this journey back into my healthy life. I would love any words, advice, you can do its, I can get from all of you guys!

 

Accountability is my key to success in

 

QOTD: Give me any advice you can, Ill take it!...

Leave me a comment below, trust me I read them all!

 

 

The RW Expo...The great companies!

Runners World Expo

I have been to a ton of race expos. It is one of my favorite things about racing weekends. So I knew going to the inaugural Runners World expo they would have some awesome companies to check out.

 

Of course Altra ZeroDrop, being the official sponsor of the race they would be set up and ready show off there great Zero Drop shoes.

This is Golden, the man behind the shoe. He holds the Guinness Record for the fastest marathon run by a 12 yr old! Trust me he knows his stuff.

I will be doing a complete separate post on my ICON/ALTRA experience, but let me tell you these shoes are AMAZING!

 

Running Skirts

I have never actually ran in a skirt. I know a lot of people that love them. I am excited about trying my new skirt out!

Oh an these ladies are freaking amazing and super fast. They had a water station on the half marathon coarse and it was the most upbeat water station ever and PINK! lol

Swiftwick

Only the best sock ever. We actually put the sock to the test last weekend by wearing them for 3 days, all 3 races, and then braved the smell check. OMG AMAZING!

They didn't smell or lose their shape. They were the most comfortable sock I have ever run in.

I have had the most problems finding a sock I can wear that doesn't bunch up or wick.

These socks are phenomenal!

Don't judge! HEEHEE!

Sweaty Bands

I am one of those runners with a flat head, trust me its bad. I have tied a few different bands, but they have all slipped off my head in the back.

I put the Sweaty Band to the test and it actually stayed. I figured out that I needed a middle width band for the best fit. I am hooked. Yes I want them all!

Tina and I rocking our Sweaty Bands!

Mediterranean Snacks

They had both the Lentil chips and crackers there to taste. I think we all agreed they were amazing. Laura was so informative on their products and for us bloggers we want info, lol!

 

The Stick

I am an avid foam roller and have been wanting a stick for a long time. Thanks to The Stick, I was able to have the Sprinter Stick. It has really helped with my IT band and calf soreness.

 

I am so thankful to Fit Fluential and Rodale/Runners World for this opportunity.

 

My last post on my epic weekend in Bethleham will be tomorrow.

ITS ALL ABOUT THE RACE!

THE HAT TRICK!

 

 

 QOTD: Do you have a favorite expo?

 

 

 



Runners World Part 3, The Bloggers!

In case you haven't read Part 1 and Part 2, now you can:)

 

I wanted to tell you today about the fantastic Fit Fluential Ambassador bloggers that I met in the 4 days I was in Bethlehem.

Jill did a post here on this, and it inspired me to do the same.

 



I have always been a "people person". However I was still a little nervous coming into this experience. I would be meeting some really fast runners, great bloggers, Runners World editors, Bart Yasso, and an Olympian! Its a lot to take in at one time. But I will have to say it was way more than I expected and in a good way. So here we go...

MY ROOMIES! Jill, Tina, and Lindsay.

Amazing women! I had the best time hanging with you ladies this weekend.

Friends for life!

My partner in crime, Lynda! Love this girl!

Oakley ambassador Amanda hooked us up with some fabulous Oakley gear for the races.

I road tripped it with Amanda and Lynda and we had a blast.

 

Robin and Jess.
They are amazingly fast runners. Robin is going to be my go to person for my transition to the Tri world next year. Jess is a crossfit beast. Amazing!

Ashley.

One of the nicest people I have ever met. She was racing the 10k this weekend and stayed for Sunday to take pictures on the half marathon course for all of us. Amazing, and she rocked the 10k.

 

Amanda and Elena

I have been reading Amanda's blog for a long time, she is such an inspiration. Elena is an amazing blogger that has a rock solid determination.

Harold was our resident "man blogger" of the weekend. I was excited about meeting Harold. Talk about motivation and speed, hes got it.

Kristen and Michelle.
They have been two of my favorite bloggers since I started blogging. I was excited about meeting them both.

 

Marcia and Alec. I am glad Marcia was able to make it for the weekend.

Kat. She was amazing and super fast.

Thanks to her boyfriend for putting up with us this weekend!

 

 

There were 26 of us representing ourselves and Fit Fluential.

I will be putting up a link wall of all the bloggers that attended next week.

Our weekend was amazing and I am so glad I got to meet every one of you guys.

Part 3 The Expo tomorrow.
And then the finale, The Race, on Friday!

QOTD: If you could meet any blogger who would it be?

 

I attended the Runners World festival as a Fit FLuential ambassadors.

Race fees were compensated. All opinions are all my own.

Running World Epicness Part 2

If you missed Part 1, CLICK HERE:)

 

We arrived at the Rodale/Runners World Headquarters for a kick off barbecue Thursday night.

Being greeted by David Willey, editor-in-chief, Runners World magazine.

 I was amazed at the welcome we received from the editors, writers, oh and this guy...

 Bart Yasso! He is amazing and so down to earth.

What he may not know is we may or may not have made home in his office, shhhhh!

Kristen is keeping Barts chair warm, while Jess, Michelle, and I are on the lookout, HEEHEE!

Oh and if you are wondering if he is the real deal, check out his office full of race bibs...

We were lucky enough to get a sneak peak of the next issues cover...

We also got to see different Mens Health magazine covers from different countries.

Then I ran into one of my favorite people Mark Remy author of Remy's World blog on Runners Worlds website. Yeah I was super excited about meeting him. And yes I asked him to make the race face, thank me later:)

After our tour of the offices we went and checked out the Smores action going on outside.

They had the course maps up for us to check out. This was when the reality of running 3 races in a row set in. I was ready!

 

Stay tuned for Part 3

Day 2

 ZeroDrop shoes, running in China, and meeting an Olympian!

You wont want to miss it:)

 

  QOTD: What would you ask Bart or Remy if you could ask them one question?

 

I was compensated with a race entry through Fit Fluential. All opinions expressed are my own.



Runners World Epicness - Part 1

 

I am still not believing how epic this past weekend was. I was blessed enough to be picked by Fit Fluential to attend the 1st annual Runners World Heritage Festival 5k/10k/half marathon with some of my favorite bloggers.

I was sharing a room with some amazing women. We had never met each other before, but it felt like we knew each other already. That is what is great about blogging and Fit Fluential. 

Tina, Jill, and Lindsay

It was way more than I would have ever expected. This whole week I will be telling you all of the things we got to do, places we got to go, and the amazing people and companies we got to meet. I hope you will be just as excited as we were to be there and seriously think about attending next year. So here we go...

Some of you guys will recognize some of these amazing ladies

Jill Fitness, Health, and Happiness

Katherine Neon Blonde Runner

Lynda Hit The Road Jane

Lyndsay Itz Linz

Kristen Stuft Mama

Tina Best Body Fitness

 

We were lucky enough to be able to work with some awesome companies and meet some amazing poeple this weekend. Some were mentioned in the video, here is a list with the links...(Thanks Lindsay for the list)

Runners World Magazine

Altra Zero Drop Footwear

Free Motion Apparel

SwiftWick Socks

Sweaty Bands

Running Skirts

The Stick

FlexLine Hydration

Matt Long – author of The Long Run

Shalane Flanagan

Dean Karnazes

Bart Yasso

Oakley

Courtyard by Marriott Bethleham

Fit Fluential

 

Most of us flew in on Thursday. I met Amanda and Lynda at the Philadelphia airport and we road tripped it to Bethleham PA. 

 

Runners World Magazine had a limo bus come pick us up at the hotel to take us to their headquarters for a kick off barbecue.

We pulled up at the Runners World headquarters and were greeted by editors, reporters, and this guy...

Yeah that's Bart Yasso.

 I have wanted to meet him for a long time. I was in awe!

We had an amazing barbecue dinner including hamburgers, hot dogs, and veggie burgers.

 

You have heard me talk about Altra Zero Drop shoes before and how amazing they are.

I was excited to hear that they were the official sponsor of the Runners World Heritage Festival.

Golden, the founder and his crew were at the barbecue to fit us for our Altra shoes.

I was so excited to get the new pink Intuitions.

Jeremy was great and took the time to see how my foot would fit in the shoe and explain to me how it should feel. They do feel different that a normal running shoe because the toe base is built like your feet are shaped therefore allowing your toes to naturally spread. it is amazing. They are so comfortable.

We LOVE our Altra Zero Drop shoes.

After our fitting with Altra Zero Drop, we were taken on the grand tour of the Runners World offices.

If you have ever wanted to see behind the scenes of Runners World Magazine, stay tuned for Part 2 tomorrow.

 

Now for some fun...

Check out Altra Zero Drop shoes and tell me which shoe you would love to have, I will pick a random winner to win a little surprise from this weekend...

Ok GO!

 

And stay tuned for Part 2 of my amazing weekend.

 

Thank you to Fit Fluential for this amazing experience.

I was compensated with a race entry through Fit Fluential. All opinions expressed are my own.