Category: Giveaway


Mar
2015

CARA Membership and Hammer Nutrition Giveaway Winner

categories: Chicago Marathon, Giveaway, Running

It will be ten years since I began running.  I remember I signed up for “Beginning Running” class offered through CARA.  I don’t remember exactly what happened because I signed up for the class again.  Clearly I had NO idea what I was doing.  The goal of the class was to run 30 minutes nonstop.  I think I made it to 27 or 28 minutes and that was definitely an achievement for a non-runner like me.

I signed up for the Chicago Marathon in May 2006.  I also signed up to run for a charity that is no longer in existence.  Anyway, because I was running on behalf of a charity, they offered to pay for my marathon training with CARA and gave me a one year “free” membership.  My training was clearly an amazing experience and I learned so much from my group leaders and the others in my group.

I ran the Chicago Marathon a few more times on behalf of a charity and again I trained with CARA and got a membership.  Over time I decided to not renew my membership.  Don’t ask me why because I sure don’t remember.  🙂

Well, thanks to a Twitter post from Bethany at Accidental Intentions I found out (late to the party here) that I can secure a guaranteed entry to the 2016 Chicago Marathon.  Yep, all I need to do is volunteer for two shifts at the 2015 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K or Chicago Marathon and run either 5 or 10 races (two different options depending on the race distance).  The other option is to earn a top five placement in my age group category in the year end standings.  <<That my friends will NOT happen.

You bet I signed up to be a member.  It is $44 for an individual 1-year membership.  I found a discount code which then brought it down to $38.  I have the option to get a $20 refund on a Runner’s World subscription included in the membership.  That means my final cost is only $18.  Pretty good right?  I am excited to be again a part of this running group.

Why the 2016 Chicago Marathon?  Why not run it this year?  Well, next year will be ten years that I ran my first marathon.  I guess it is more of a sentimental meaning to me.  Plus, it is a great race with a beautiful course!

4, 2006 Chicago Marathon 2
My first Chicago Marathon. This was before mile 20 and I was in so much pain.

Thanks to all that entered my giveaway.  The winner is Marcia K. at Marcia’s Healthy Slice.  Don’t worry if you did not win because I’m planning to have more Hammer Nutrition products giveaways.

Finally it feels like Spring here in Chicago!


Mar
2015

Hammer Nutrition Gift Pack Giveaway

categories: Giveaway, Hammer Nutrition

Disclosure:  I am an ambassador for Hammer Nutrition and I purchased all of the products in the giveaway on my own.

In late December 2014 I was notified that I had been selected as an ambassador for Hammer Nutrition.  I first began using their products last year and since then have truly enjoyed many of their products.  Below is a list of the things I use:

  • HEED Sports Drink-I love the Melon and Mandarin Orange flavors.
  • Hammer Gel-My favorite flavor is Nocciola (Hazelnut-Chocolate).
  • Hammer Bars-The Oatmeal Apple is yummy.
  • Recoverite-Love the Chocolate and the Vanilla Flavors.

I am giving away a gift pack with the following items:

  • One Purist Water Bottle
  • Two Hammer Bars in Oatmeal Apple
  • Three Hammer Gels (Nocciola, Peanut Butter, and Chocolate)

HammerGiveaway1

Enter now!  Rafflecopter will select a random winner in one week.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Jul
2014

Injinji Socks Giveaway

categories: Giveaway, Running, Running Gear

Disclaimer:  I am not an Injinji ambassador nor was I compensated for this post.  I simply like these socks and want to share them with you.

Happy Hump Day!  It is finally July but where did the past six months go?  I’m on summer break and have been taking it easy.  I finally watched “House of Cards”.  Wow, what a show.  Can’t wait for the next season.  I’ve also read a few books and have been watching most of the World Cup games.  The game yesterday between USA and Belgium was intense.

To start off the new month (even if I am a day late) I have a giveaway for you.  As you know I am a big fan of Injinji socks and I am giving away three pairs of socks (S, M, and L).  Pretty cool huh?

Enter this giveaway to win a pair of S, M, or L pair of Injinji Toesocks.  Giveaway ends on Tuesday, July 8th at midnight.  Good luck!

injinji giveaway
Click on image to enter giveaway.

May
2014

Injini Giveaway Winners and Vega Sport Review

categories: Giveaway, Product Review

Thanks to all of you that entered my Injini giveaway.  The winners are Em Mahr and Janice Wei. I’ve sent you both an email so please send me your mailing address.  If you did not win, don’t worry because I plan to have another giveaway (Injini socks again) soon.

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Through my relationship with Fit Approach, I received a complimentary Vega Sport product. As always, all thoughts, opinions and ideas are my own.

I had the chance to review the Vega Sport Pre-Workout Energizer.  I chose the acai berry flavor.

photo (1)

What is it you ask?  “It is a pre-workout drink mix sporting a unique blend of 13 synergistic plant-based performance-improving ingredients, like green tea, yerba mate, coconut oil and rhodiola, specifically selected to: Provide immediate and sustained energy, Increase endurance, aerobic and anaerobic capacity, and Enhance mental focus and recovery.”  Also, each drink mix is dairy, gluten & soy free.

Sounds good to me since I do my workouts after work and many times have no energy to go out for a run.  The first time I tried it, I had to do 10 minutes warmup, 3×1600, 10 minutes cooldown.  I did it in 52:12 with an average pace of 10:16.  Boom!  The second time did not go well.  It was a hot day and I was not properly hydrated.   As for the 3rd, 4th, 5th and up to the 12th time, some days were good and some were not.  I managed to do 4×400 speed intervals, each one under 9 minutes, which is pretty fast for me.  Before any workout, I only drink water.  This energizer drink was new to me and it gave me a boost of energy to get my legs moving and to keep on running.

Each portion comes in a very handy packet.  It was great for me because I just put this in my lunch bag in the morning before leaving for school.  I mixed each packet with 8 ounces of water and drank it 20 minutes before my run.  Sounds very easy.

photo

The only complaint I have is the taste.  I did not care for the acai flavor at all.  The taste is a little sweet.  Once I finished the drink, it left an aftertaste but eventually the taste went away.  I did not feel jittery or had any other side effects.  Now, I want to try the lemon lime flavor!!