Pack it to me

The bags. They are packed.

And, yes, I officially became a Fort Wayne resident this weekend when Mark bought me the Vera Bradley large duffel tote in Cocoa Moss. It only took nine years.

In the bags are the things that you'll see listed on the numerous relay packing lists created (and copied by) other bloggers - race outfits packed in zip-top bags, two pairs of running shoes, compression socks and Body Glide.

There's also things you won't see - 70 pages of ACE CPT notes, ACE CPT flash cards, Bodypump 87 (the new one!), zinc tablets (since I've been warding off cold/allergies and winning), 3,000 pairs of underwear since we know I don't go commando, the most awesome crop sweats from Old Navy and Colgate Wisps and a tankini for the rooftop pool.

Note: I know I got all brave and bought a bikini this summer. I've even worn it in public. But that was around real people and some of these girls are super human. My excess skin will stay out of public view. Sorry I'm not more confident.

Thanks to a close friend, I also have fuzzy socks to keep my feet warm on the plane, Swedish fish, watermelon Nuun, Salted Caramel Gu a Starbucks gift card. Necessities if you ask me.

The one thing you won't see? A laptop. I learned my lesson last year en route to NYC to be on the "Today Show." Expensive pieces of electronic equipment stay safely stowed in my desk. At home. I have a few posts lined up but won't be blogging live from the PNW. If you want to stalk me while I'm gone, I'll be tweeting (#nuunhtc, #teamlemonade), posting on my Facebook page and sharing far too many photos on Instagram.

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.