Celebrate, err, good times: A giveaway

There's no great way to celebrate 32 - you know, if someone were to turn 32 years old.

A person could run 32 miles but that requires planning, training and time - lots of time. There's the option to run 32 kilometers but even that's more than 19 miles and requires endurance training and time. Throw a decimal in there and 3.2 miles is manageable but - meh - 3.2 miles. It'd be much more fun if you were 31 and wanted to PR a 5K.

Then there's the list-type celebration - 32 things to be grateful for, which by No. 31, would be that a toenail might make it to Wisconsin; or 32 things to accomplish this year but the person, not naming names, is usually just happy to have her teeth brushed before she leaves the house.

It can leave a person in quite the conundrum as she sips nuun and wonders whether birthdays are best for the 22K set. Or she could choose to celebrate with others by celebrating others.

And so it is with that in mind that I present you with the 3-2 birthday giveaway. There are three prizes for two people (six items total). This giveaway is provided by me, and the items are either unused "leftovers" from product reviews, things I've purchased or things I acquired at a phenomenally low rate with rebates. It is to celebrate you, the reader, for coming here and reading the words I spew.

So without further adieu, prize one:

A pair of Lock Laces, Nathan Sports TransWarmer Gloves (size medium) and SPIbelt. The items are each black, so it's like the Ninja of giveaways.

Prize two:

Vera Bradley tumbler, one tube of lemonade nuun and a $15 iTunes gift card.

I'm doing this is as a Rafflecopter, which makes it super easy, and I'm going to try to make this as effortless as possible. You know to celebrate you.

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Note: Open to U.S. residents only (as I'm paying for shipping). Giveaway will end at midnight Wednesday, April 24, and winners will be contacted via email. If you are picked first, your email will give you first dibs on the prize that you want.

Gear check: Cash in

I came home from work last to find another package on my doorstep. Well, it was actually at the foot of the stairs where Mark moved it but you know what I'm getting it. It was another friggin' package and the worst part was that I couldn't imagine what it could be.

"What did I sign up for this time?" I thought.

As much as I love trying new gear, doing reviews and, best of all, offering giveaways, it can be a bit overwhelming and a smidge disingenuous. It's easy to think that one would like anything or support it if it was free. A blogger is bound to love a dirt-tasting cookie if it has chia seeds, flax and PB2. (Note: Read Kim's insightful post here about blogger-company relationships.)

For the record, I do not like all free things. If you were to give me a 10,000-calorie chocolate chip cookie right this second, I would throw it at  you and tell you that I loathe free cookies and all that sugar. 

It can also be easy for one to think that bigger bloggers get everything for free and don't have to drop a dime on fuel, clothing or gear. Seeing as I am not a big blogger, I have to open my wallet and pay for the things that I want. Sometimes, I'm happy with my purchases. Other times, I'm not.

But usually I don't spend money on things I won't like. And here's what I'm liking ...

Lug Life Puddle Jumper. After my first session teaching the circuit class - going from work to work, I guess - I decided it was time to invest in a nice gym bag. I looked around at various sites and was astounded by how expensive even an Under Armour duffel can be. With a little searching, I came across the Lug Life Puddle Jumper. It has a ton of zipper pouches, pockets and ample storage. My favorite feature is a separate shoe storage area. While it does take up room in the main part of the bag, there's a mesh to let the sneakers air out and keeps sweaty clothes from making them worse. I also like that there's handles and an adjustable shoulder strap for carrying convenience. It can be a bit pricey but I found my on Amazon via Wayfair for $60-ish, about the same as a name-brand bag.

Fila Cheeath Capri. I picked these up the other week at Kohl's for $24 (before 30 percent off coupon) because they were fun without being outrageous. I wasn't sure how I'd like the fit but I've worn them for running, BODYPUMP and Piloxing, and I have not one complaint. They don't sag like my oh-so-pricey lululemon capris, the waistband is wide enough that it doesn't create muffin top and the pattern doesn't look stretched. The pants really make me want to go back for the blue animal print capris.

Nike Free TR Fit. I'm pretty sure I've talked about these shoes but this style is my absolute favorite for cross-training. I have two pairs in rotation and love the functionality + fashion.

SPIbelt. I got mine when I was training for the Columbus Marathon. I've worn it for two races and countless training runs, and I can't imagine not having it. It's comfy, doesn't shift and is adjustable. I carry pepper spray, Clif Shot Bloks and a key in there and barely realize it's there. Well, except when it bunches my shirt and catch a breeze but I'm sure that's more of a user error than a design flaw. I have the Original SPIbelt in the polka dot print and totally want to add the race number toggles.

Yurbuds. And for the token "I am not sold" piece of gear. Mark bought me a pair of Ironman Yurbuds (these?), which are unisex, on a pilgrimage to REI. He knew I was in the market for a better earbud as I spent more time on the treadmill and had heard me mention Yurbuds. It was super sweet of him, and I was really excited at the thought and his good taste. The Yurbuds have been great for lower impact exercises, like the indoor bike when we had the trial Y membership, but I do have some problems on the treadmill. The right bud just doesn't want to stay secure. When I stop to take it out, wipe it off and readjust, I can't get it to feel the same. I wonder if I need the women-specific model? I will say that the sound quality is amazing. After wearing them for some time and then going sans buds, I was a bit jarred to hear just how loud our treadmill is. It's truly a miracle that no one wakes up when I'm literally pounding out miles.

What gear have you bought lately that you like?

Fit to be tried: Gear

With the new year - and its resolutions - rapidly approaching, I'm highlighting some of my favorite fit things of 2012. 

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People like to tell you that all you need to run is a pair of shorts, shirt and shoes. You lace up and head out the door in this romantic fashion, complete with a bouncy step, midfoot strike and effortless pace. The skies will be clear, the sun out and the air temperate. You go for as long as you like, your body cooperating with every step.

OK. Now that whole scenario is just getting ridiculous.

While I'd love to be an old-school runner who would feel best in cotton,drawstring shorts and an old cotton race Tee, I'm not. I need things. Technical things. I rely on wicking fabrics to keep my comfortable, gadgets to help me test my limits (and keep me in check) and accessories to keep me fueled.

Clothing. This year, I got my first tastes of lululemon, Running Skirts  and a more minimal shoe but I think my favorite product has been the handful bra. It's comfortable, the straps don't slide and, to be frank, it makes me look like I actually have something going on.

Gadgets. Wouldn't it be awesome if I put the MOTOACTV here? Just kidding. While I'm still using the MOTOACTV nearly a year after trying it and like the interface, it doesn't come close the reliability of a Garmin. Period.

My favorite gadget has been the BodyMedia FIT armband. It seems like a bit of a luxury for me, someone who is merely maintaining weight loss, but the amount of information it provides is so helpful and motivating. You know how many calories you burned throughout the day, how many steps you took and whether any activity was considered vigorous. As long as you are tracking your calories honestly, there should be no surprises on the scale.

Accessory. I was running 12 miles through the pouring rain the morning of the women's Olympic marathon. My Under Armour hat was pulled down over my head and I braved the streets of Fort Wayne in just a pair of shorts and sports bra. On my left wrist was the MOTOACTV and, in my right hand, was a plastic baggie of Swedish fish. A baggie.

While it's definitely functional, carrying a baggie for 12 miles was no more comfortable than keeping them stuffed in my cheeks - though an interesting idea. It was after that run that I ordered myself a SPIbelt.

The SPIbelt allows runners to think a fanny pack is still cool. Made of  Lycra and Spandex, the belt has a pouch that expands to fit everything you need on a long run - phone, key and Swedish fish.

Or, if you are a badass ultra runner, some salted potatoes.

Did you try any new gear this year? What was your favorite?

I am woman, see me run

In case you missed it, the women who make running with a stroller look cool (Dimity and Sarah) featured me on Another Mother Runner as part of their Follow This Mother Series. Call me humbled. And if you are visiting via the post, I want to say hi and thanks for visiting.

In case I missed it, I'm running a half-marathon this weekend. Oops.

I've planning on participating in the Indianapolis Women's Half Marathon for quite some time, making travel arrangements with L (who is doing the 5K) and (unsuccessfully) trying to get today off work. September just seemed so far away and the race didn't seem like something that I needed to worry about in the thick of marathon training.

Well, September is almost here. Like, tomorrow. It might do me some good to worry - just a little bit - about the race.

The outfit. Since this is a no joke all-women's race, I figure that I should bring the glam. I'll be wearing a fuchsia tank, blue Team Sparkle skirt and polka dot Spibelt. This race will also be one of the last times running in my beloved pink Nike Structure Triax. This summer, I've ran close to 400 miles - 140 miles in August alone.

The carbs. I had a coconut-peach wheat pancake for breakfast - definitely a good start. If I can get away for lunch, I'm antsy to get some brown rice rolls from Fresh Market. If not, I have a PB&J that I packed for the drive. Dinner? Well, that's a bit tougher. Finding a restaurant that's dairy-free friendly isn't easy but I found Coal Pizza Company, which offers goat cheese as an option. Ain't nothing bad about that.

The goals. We all know I'd be lying if I said my only goal would be to finish but that is my base goal. It's so easy to think of a half as nothing after some intense training works but the race is still 13.1 miles and a lot can go down.

So ... Goal C: Get it done.

Goal B: Run aggressively yet smoothly.

Goal A: Beat my time from the Martian Invasion Half Marathon in April. I ran a 2:00:27 (I think), and I know I'm far stronger now than I was.

Goal A+++: Don't whine if it rains (and use it as an excuse to buy a new hat at the expo).