Ladies Night {+ Nuun Recipe}

Oh yes it's ladies night and the feeling's right / Oh yes it's ladies night, oh what a night, oh what a night! /Oh yes it's ladies night and the feeling's right / Oh yes it's ladies night, oh what a night / 

I'm pretty sure Kool and the Gang was talking about a night on the town but for me, the big night was at the running store this weekend.

From fashion shows to store discounts, fashion shows to makeup demonstrations, the event is always one I look forward to. I first attended in 2010, and it was where I was encouraged to run the half marathon at Fort4Fitness – my fastest 13.1 up until this month. I met new friends, hung out with old, always growing my relationship with the running community.

But this year, the event was more to me. The coordinator gave me the chance to be a part of the night, mixing up Nuun mocktails and offering samples of my favorite hydration product.

Now, the original plan was to serve cocktails but there's these silly things called liquor laws, which are totally overbearing and ridiculously silly here in Indiana. So we switched to mocktails. And, to be honest, I think folks were just as happy.

I made a Lemon Tea goes to Long Island with {discontinued} Lemon Tea Nuun, 10-calorie ginger ale, apple cider and lemon juice; and a Tri-Berry Daquiri with Tri-Berry Nuun, 10-calorie lemon-lime soda, frozen berries and ice.

The daquiri {or slushy, really} was the run-away hit of the night. It was fruity but not overly sweet and very refreshing. The recipe, too, is versatile enough that one could swap out any fruit-flavored Nuun and a complementary frozen fruit. Not that this would ever happen but if you, say, tried a Nuun flavor and were just "meh" about it, you could easily mix it up in a "daquiri" and still reap the hydration benefits. The key is to make the Nuun double-strength so that the flavor holds up to the soda.

Tri-Berry Nuun-quiri

2 tabs Tri-Berry Nuun
16 ounces water
16 ounces diet or low-calorie lemon-lime soda
12 ounces frozen mixed berries
3 cups ice, or amount to reach desired consistency

Drop Nuun tabs in water and wait 2 minutes or until completely dissolved. Add Nuun and remaining ingredients into a blender and process until slushy consistency is reached. Transfer to a pitcher and serve.

Stocking Stuffers for Runners {+ Awesome Giveaway}

"Are we doing stockings this year?" Mark asked.

I was putting the finishing touches on the mantle, my favorite thing to decorate for the holidays. There was a reindeer basket overflowing with fragrant potpurri and a string of frosted cranberries that ran along the length. Two silver snowflakes held knitted stockings and, from the arm of a snowman, hung a third stocking. They were empty — for now — a fact confirmed by a curious Miles.

"Yes. Of course we are," I said as I toyed with the cranberries.

I should admit that, for me, stocking stuffers are easy. I buy Mark copious amounts of Reese's trees and a sample size cologne. Miles gets a Tootsie Roll bank (family tradition) and an ornament. All it takes is one trip to Target.

For Mark, it means another round of presents — not that either of us mind, though maybe I shouldn't speak for him. I like to receive gifts, he likes to give them and all it really takes is a trip to my favorite running store. As I told him this year, he wouldn't even have to browse — he just had to talk to my favorite girls and they could do it for him.

But for those looking to get stocking stuffers for their favorite runners, here are my top picks.

Note: I don't want to see any eye rolling — below will be one of the raddest Healthy Strides giveaways ever. 

Pro Compression socks. Where fashion meets function, these socks are a staple in my running wardrobe. I wear the trainers for everyday runs and workouts, and the marathon socks come out for long runs and recovery. When it's cold, the tall socks double as a way to keep my lower extremities warm and my feet dry. And they are cute.

So, so, so cute.

Remember that you can save 40 percent on marathon socks and sleeves with the code BLG14. And the trainers are such a good — deal $25 for two pairs, which means the recipient will be doubly as happy or you can keep one for yourself. I won't tell.

Nuun. Even though training might be winding down for a lot of people, Nuun is never out of season. I drink my favorite (non-caffeinated) flavors year-round, whether I'm running on the treadmill, teaching a class or just trying to keep myself hydrated. And, at the office, I'm drinking Nuun All-Day. It has zero sugar, less than 8 calories per tab, and an all-natural blend of 17 vitamins and minerals. It comes in 4 flavors: Grapefruit Orange, Tangerine Lime, Blueberry Pomegranate, and Grape Raspberry. A tube of Nuun — or four — will easily fit in a stocking.

NAAWK. Tell me this: Have you ever actually used an entire tube of lip balm before losing it? Yeah. Me neither. If I don't lose it, someone either takes it or it gets washed in my pants. It's why I bought six — yes, six — tubes of my favorite lip balm, NAAWK, before the season started. I keep one in my car, one in my purse, one in my desk and one in my gym bag. I also have spares around the house for when Mark's "lips hurt real bad." (Name that movie quote!) Why NAAWK? "NAAWK is a lifestyle driven brand that meets the needs of an active, outdoor enthusiast. NAAWK sun care products are specifically designed with this environment in mind, offering the best skin and sun care products available," the website reads. And, for me, I just think they are awesome.

Road ID. Safety — there's no better gift than that. A Road ID bracelet is a $20 insurance policy in the event that something happens when your runner is out on the road. Pick out a new style or give a gift card and you'll give yourself peace of mind.

Now ... for the details on the giveaway.

• There will be three winners.
• Winner No. 1 will receive a pair of Pro Compression marathon socks or sleeves and a $30 gift card to Road ID.
• Winner No. 2 will receive a mixed four-pack of Nuun All-Day and a $20 Road ID gift card.
• Winner No. 3 will receive a gift pack from NAAWK, including continuous spray sun screen, travel-size hand and body lotion, zinc stick and lip balm; and a $20 Road ID gift card. 
• Winners will be selected by a random generator. The first name selected will receive the Pro Compression prize, the second name will receive the Nuun and the third will receive the Naawk. 
• Pro Compression, Nuun and NAAWK are providing prizes for this giveaway, and the Road ID gifts were ordered by me with referral credits. I was not compensated for this post. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Summer Like Nuun Other

In the back of a van, along the back road of Oregon, I learned something. Something valuable. Something to treasure.

The art of mixing Nuun.

During the 30-odd hours I was in the van for Hood to Coast, I am fairly certain that I made at least a half-dozen concoctions with the now retired Banana Nuun - Banana-Orange, Banana-Tropical, Banana ... Uh. Not sure. I know it was definitely not Banana-Kona Cola.

It seems crazy, I know, breaking tabs in half and putting multiple flavors in a bottle. It is. But, it is also fun, interesting and the perfect remedy to the post-long run looniness induced by many miles under the hot sun.

Assuming the role of mixologist is also a great solution if you buy a tube of Nuun and don't necessarily like it. Or, you really like it but half-way through the four-pack you ordered online, you sort of want to chuck tubes at runners passing by just to get rid of it.

Not that I'd ever do that. Not ever. However, I recently found a stash of Watermelon Nuun (which, by the way, is back for summer) and wasn't excited about it as I had been in the past. It's good, yes, but no longer a favorite. (I'm currently partial to Tri-Berry, which I hated for about a year. Weird.) A fellow Nuun ambassador, though, posted about mixing Watermelon with Pink Lemonade and thus a brilliant solution was found. I sipped the combo on my way to meet my running friend on Sunday and for fun on Monday.

The discovery also put me on the mission to see what other creations  I could come up with. Here are my picks that are perfect for summer running - whether it's before, during or after.

Note: All are made with a half tab of each flavor per water bottle. I sometimes enjoy making one flavor more dominant by going with a full tab of it and a half tab of the other.

Arnold with a Twist: Strawberry Lemonade + Lemon Tea

Arnold Classic: Lemonade + Lemon Tea

Citrus Tea: Citrus Fruit + Lemon Tea

Berry Tea: Tri-Berry + Lemon Tea

Cherry Cola: Kona Cola + Cherry Limeade (could also use Nuun Energy variety)

Citrus Punch: Orange + Lemon-Lime

Island Getaway: Orange + Tropical

Left Field: Orange + Fruit Punch

Disclosure: I am a Nuun ambassador and receive a discount on products. However, I wrote this post of my own accord.

Hydration woes: Training tales

I have a drinking problem.

Sunday, as I drove home from a play date at my friend's house, a play date preceded by a long run, I realized that I had not one, not two, not three ... but FIVE water bottles in my car, three of which that belonged some kind of hydration system. (The other two are Nuun Energy bottles because this momma needs all the energy I can get.)

• Nathan Sports QuickShot Plus
• Nathan Sports VaporShot
• Amphipod Profile-Lite 16 Waist Pack

It might seem that at first glance that I just have a shopping problem or suffer from indecision but that's not the case. Just as I've struggled with the weather this winter, I've struggled with my hydration. I don't want to drink when it's cold. I don't. I've also had problems with hydration systems that once worked no longer doing so.

Example: The Amphipod waist pack. I had switched to that pack, which I received as part of my Nuun HTC swag, after experiencing crazy chafing from my Nathan Sports speed belt during the Veterans Marathon. I had a few successful runs with the pack only to be nearly cut in half a few weeks later. I just couldn't get it situated without bouncing - whether it's a big booty, big belly, big hips or user error - and suffered the consequences.

I hauled out the Nathan Sports VaporShot for the next long run. It's 20 ounces (or 22?), and I knew it would be enough for that day's 12 miles.  But as it's bigger, it's heavier, and I wussed, out, deciding that I didn't want the extra weight to carry. As luck would have it, we ran a 3-mile loop and returned to the cars to pick up another runner, so I grabbed a drink and had nothing for the remaining nine miles.

Not good. I know it is not good.

This weekend, I spent some hard earned cash on the QuickShot handheld while visiting the running store for its 10th anniversary. It's only 8 ounces but I figured 8 ounces was better than zero ounces. I filled it with water and set off for my long long run of this training cycle - 14 miles, which ended up being 14.6 (and, yes, the 0.6 matters).

I was showing it off to my run buddy Joe, who was obviously impressed by the turquoise and coral color scheme, and we got on the topic of fueling and hydration. Not only have we (read: me) struggled with a mode of delivery for hydration but a schedule. In the summer, it's easy to work on a plan for hydrating during training because you are thirsty. Sip every mile. Two sips with every Gu. When it gets super sucky, sip every half-mile.

Winter is a bit trickier - thirst levels, bottles freezing, trying to avoid wet hands. So I'm three weeks out of my half with no plan and probably underhydrated.

I blame Miles on the last one. After all, he's the one with the Nuun bottle and the chocolate milk. Silly kid.

Tell me: How do you hydrate? Tips for drinking through winter?

Don't forget ... today is the last day to enter my Pro Compression giveaway HERE.

Runners, gear up: New and noteworthy for March

It's March. A new month. A new start. And renewed hope that there will be many dry pavement miles ahead.

To make those miles go by a little better, a little faster {or suck a little less, if winter never ends}, there's a few new products available to runners.

Nuun Energy. This new product launches today launched at Nuun.com, and it comes in three flavors - wild berry, cherry limeade and lemon lime. What is Nuun Energy? Just like other Nuun products, Energy is an effervescent tablet, but it is enhanced with caffeine and B vitamins. It has the same electrolyte properties as Nuun Active Hydration and uses a unique blend of B vitamins for energy metabolism and caffeine for increased endurance output/cognition.

I have not had a chance to try this tab yet but I'm excited as I have been wanting something to drink pre-workout. I was entertaining Advocare Spark or E-Boost but think this might fit my needs - with far fewer calories - if I ever get up at 4:30 a.m. to run. 

Enso roller. It seemed like more than coincidence that I had been gazing at the enso Roller in a running magazine the same day I got an email from a PR team asking whether I wanted to try it. I sat on it for a few hours and then sent an enthusiastic reply. Yes, I did want to test it out.

The the ensō has eight discs of varying diameters that can be arranged to the users' preference, so the roller can conform and support to meet the demands of the user's body type or need. According to the website, the enso Roller elongates muscles, relaxes tight muscles and aids in breaking up scar tissue, increases circulation and flexibility.

It comes with a guide of arrangement suggestions based on what area one would like to target, which I found to be very helpful. I've used it several times thus far and though I'm not ready to offer a full review, I will say that I've benefited from being able to specifically target my glute medius and IT band, both areas sore from running in the snow.

Shamrock socks. You've been waiting for these almost as much as you've been waiting for a shamrock shake - and these don't cost you two hours in the gym.

ProCompression's Shamrock Sock is out and ready for your St. Patrick's Day race. I'm not doing the 5 Kilt run here but ordered a pair anyway as I'll take any form of luck I can get these days. Use the code CLOVER to save 40 percent and get free shipping.

What running products have you discovered lately? 

Will you be mine?

I love my newfound running group. It's not a secret. At least among us. I mean, I don't spend every step of a 12-mile slush fest professing my undying admiration and appreciation.

But maybe I should. Or at least show them that I care. A little bit. And there's no better time than Valentine's Day!

While I typically loathe Valentine's Day, mostly because I want to throat-punch Jane Seymour upon seeing another heart necklace commercial, I was inspired by the holiday to create some fun best running friend sentiments - perfect to hand out at the group run this weekend as L.A. Marathon girl tackles 21 miles.

"I always NUUN you were the one." Yes, my friends, that is a valentine filled with love and electrolytes.

Disclosure: These Valentine's were just for fun, because I like silly puns, and in no way related to my ambassadorship.

I made a jpeg on PicMonkey, leaving a space for a single-serve Nuun packet. I uploaded the file, had it printed as a photo at Walgreen's and picked up the Nuun there, as well. For about 50 cents a card, I have some pretty rad - and useful - gifts for my crew.

Other Valentine ideas for BRFs:

Your stride is ELECTRO-fying. It's the same concept as the cards I made, using a single-serve Nuun tab. This time, the word play is on electrolytes.

We go together like ... Put those words on a card or handwritten note and attach Peanut Butter and Jet Blackberry Gus to it for a play on PB&J.

Bottled up. Whether you tuck it inside or attach with ribbon around the neck, write a note that says, "I can't keep it bottled up any longer - I love running with you," and pair it with a handheld (this one is super cute) or other water bottle.

Won't Chew Be Mine? Attach the sentiment to a pack of Chomps, which is what my friends bring on the long runs. The strawberry are my personal fave.

And for a more personal idea ...

Let's stick together. There's a few options with this - a stick or Tiger Tail massager or a stick of deodorant or Body Glide.

After all, nothing says I love you like giving a gift that says, "I'm thinking about your nipples."