Foodie Pen Pals

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This month I decided to participate in Lindsay’s Foodie Pen Pals. Basicially, she assigned you a person to send some goodies to worth about $15.00.  

Courtney was assigned to me and I was assigned to Victoria.  When I received Courtney's email, she asked me what I liked, what I didn’t like.  If I had any allergies, would I be Ok with homemade, real great questions because I had no idea what to expect.  I told her I do not like nuts, am staying away from dairy, love chocolate and peanut butter.  About a week later, a package came in the mail!  I was so excited and it came just at the right time!

I opened the box and started going at it!  Almost before I was able to snap a few pictures.  

On top was a card letting me know all the items enclosed were made in her town.  Wow, what a great idea!  I just sent my Penpal some of my favorite holiday treats :)

Inside there was mustard, jam, coffee, peanut-butter chocolate bar, and an almond toffee dark chocolate wafer.

I looked at it unsure what to do because I hate coffee and mustard.  I never thought to tell Victoria this!  What I did was give it to my mom to try it and tell me how it was, she loved it!  I then went into the toffee wafer and was a little hesitant because it said almond on it and dark chocolate ( I do not like dark chocolate).  Once i opened it, I couldn't put it down!  It was one of the most delicious things I have tasted and really want to email her and ask for more.  Next was the peanut butter chocolate bar which was good as well.

I was very happy with her picks and believe she put a lot of effort into it!  I loved her theme of items of where she is from.

I can’t wait to tackle next months Foodie Pen Pal!

Have you participated in an exchange like this?  What do you think of it?

How do you decide what to send?  

And I promise to add pictures once my computer wants to work!

Weekly Workout Roundup + Goofy Training week 3

I am over the moon with actually getting my workouts in this week.  This week I was off! Yes, the whole week and it was absolutely wonderful.  I was able to lay in bed till after 5am during the week, get my workouts in without stressing about getting lessons done or things graded.  Last night, I was sleeping before 8 and slept almost 11 hours.  It was absolutely glorious.  I am now sad that vacation is over and I have to head back to work tomorrow with the rest of the world.  I am counting down till Winter break though, do not worry, I am countdown queen!

As for being countdown queen, 48 days till I am in Disney for the Goofy Challenge!  I am very pleased with my training this week (minus the stinky runs), I was able to get in the milage even though it was tough.

This is how it was broken down

Monday was a glorious Rest day after the Women's Half Marathon and I was out of town.  My cousin and I went for a walk to the beach to a lovely lunch.  It was defiantly longer than we thought it was and my butt muscle was screaming at me, not to mention everything else at that point.  This was my "shake out/Recovery" walk.

Tuesday I headed out to get some speed work in but have been having trouble in the "pain in the butt", and no, not my coaches but apparently my Piriformis.  I have been stretching and icing like it is my job.

Wednesday was spin day!  They gym got new bikes and I am in love!  It kicked my butt, I was drenched in sweat.  You know you like the instructor when you drive 45 minutes for a 1 hour class then 45 minutes back home.  That is why you see the "20" under Wednesday because our bikes have speedometers.  

Thursday was my first Turkey Trot.  My sister did her first 5k! and it was a rough course!  I was warned about the hills.  They did not lie.  I think this with the spin class the night before, this kicked my booty.  

Before

After

Saturday was 20 miles with the team!  It was a hot mess!  When at mile 1, your body hurts, you know it is going to be long.  But something Meghan has been saying on her blog was that for 26.2 miles, you are going to want to stop at some point, you just need to push through it, it really motivated me to keep going and not head home after mile 10.  Those miles were slower than I wanted, but my body was burnt from the week. My knee was hurting, my quads were screaming, my calves were not happy and the list can go on.  But my first 20 miler for Disney is done! 

Grab a button and link up!

How did your workouts go this week?

Are you training for anything special?

How do you mentally get over the hurdle?

Have you donated to the leukemia and lymphoma society?  I would love you forever!

Friday Letters

I cannot believe it is already Friday!  This may be the one Friday I am not happy to see.  It means break is almost over, and back to work for a few more weeks.  December is right around the corner!

Dear Friday, I am surprisingly not happy to see you, although I would rather is be Friday than Sunday. I am not ready to go back to work.  I need a few more days off! 

 Dear ShowerPill, I am so happy to have found you!  You make being around me tolerable and will be stocking up on you this weekend.  If you want to get in on the deal, on Amazon, put three in your cart and all you will do is pay for two with the code SPFRIDAY.  It makes my friends like me more.  

Dear Thanksgiving, I do not like most of the foods that are traditionally served, but at least I am not judged that I love the jellied cranberry sauce this day!  I was happy to participate in my first Turkey Trot and my sister completed her first 5k and is already looking at her next one!  She rocked it!

Dear Braking Dawn Part II, OMG!  I am not really sure what else to say!  Even though you may have been a little slow in the beginning, you certainly grabbed my attention quickly.  I can't believe you are over!  I don't want to say goodbye, I am not ready!

Dear Readers, I hope you had a great Thanksgiving Holiday.  I am thankful for your ongoing support.  I love reading your comments.  If you yet to say Hi, please feel free to do so and tell me if you blog so I can say hello back!

Dear Big, I am so exited you asked me to be a part of your wedding.  I am really looking forward to this being my first time as a bridesmaid.  Now onto the journey of getting healthy!

Are you partaking in any black Friday shopping?  What is on your must need list this holiday season?  I can't decide what I want

Have you checked out my stella and dot trunk show where 20% of your purchase goes towards my fundraising efforts to the leukemia and lymphoma society?

Women's Half Marathon Race Recap

WHM and NYC Marathon Bibs

I am not really sure how to start with this recap expect for saying I still have a grin on my face.  

I PR'd!  And it wasn't a little PR either!

This weekend I had 29 miles on deck, but if you have been following me, you would know my stomach sometimes likes to cooperate.  Saturday morning, I was up bright and early for my 16 miles.  I was actually very excited to be doing back to back long runs because I am doing Goofy with the Leukemia and Lymphoma society (have you donated yet)?  Unfortunately, it did not pan out as well as I had wished.  I made it 4.5 out before my stomach really began to hurt, I walked back because running made it hurt.  Luckily this time, it was just pain and I wasn't running for a bathroom.  On the way back, my IT band was screaming!  I didn't know what to do!  I was limping and couldn't walk.  I ced and foam rolled at least three times on Saturday.  

Because I still had 9 miles on my legs, I wasn't sure how a half marathon would pan out.  Would I run before or after the race to add more miles, would my stomach hold up.  Should I try to PR, should I run with a pace group?  I really had no idea what Sunday would hold for me.  All I knew what this was going to be a fun run!  After going to the expo and talking to my friends, I was just ready for a good time.  

Sunday Morning came and my alarm was set for 4am.  I quickly threw on my clothes, which included my Team shirt.  I grabbed a bottle of water, a bag of ice so I can ice my bum on the way to the race start.  I decided to get there around 5:30 so I would not have to mess and bother with parking or traffic. When I got there, I met Meghan who picked me up some compression socks because I could not find mine, and I found they actually really work, or it is just my mind. After we met, she was off to run 4 miles BEFORE 13 for a total of 17.5 for the day! She is pretty rock star!  She went for a run, and I quickly ran to the bathroom at the Hilton where my TNT peeps would be. I started my pre run warmup, but knew I was going too fast so I stopped, texted Pete and met my peeps.  I made it a half a mile in less than 5 minutes.  Too quick to me. I was talking to Pete, who was the race coach for the day.  He was actually the one who got me to the finish line of my first half, and helped me PR Sunday my running me in faster than I could imagine.  

GO TEAM!

Story time and being my typical self

After some pictures, we headed to the corrals and was ready to go.  Once I was there, I was peeking around for some friends, but unfortunately, I was unable to find any.  I waited, tried to keep warm, and chatted with some strangers.  At 6:58, the national anthem was sung, and at 7:00 the first wave was out, and we were all on our way.  

This course was beautiful, flat, and fast.

This is actually the only race (besides the Jungle Bell 5k) which I have ran more than once.  That is how much I loved this race the first time.

It runs along the water, beautiful houses, Mirror Lake, through Tropicana Field where the Rays plays, and it is also very spectator friendly which is always helpful.  

Miles 1-3: My body was playing mind games with me.  I started off what I thought would be too fast.  My muscles and body were getting warmed up and I guess I learned that it takes me a few miles to get into the groove.  At mile 1, I looked at my watch and saw a low number. AHH, was going through my head.  I wanted to slow down and not die too quickly.  At around mile 3, the 2:30 pace group caught up to me, and I was thinking about sticking with them.  I had this TOP SECRET goal of 2:30, but didn't plan to hit it until my March half marathon.  I also knew I had my team in training family at mile 3 which kept me going!  I really love having spectators along the course.  

Mile 4-8: Went through snell Isle which was beautiful.  I was able to stay with the pace group, and actually got a little ahead of them.  I didn't want to push to hard and burn out.  That is what I was thinking the whole time.  At about mile 5, I broke off and made my way through the cobbled streets and over to the pier.  It was great seeing Caroline so many times!  At the pier, I ran into my handy dandy Pete!  The wind was bad, but I didn't find it horrendous as most people are talking about.  Don't get me wrong, it wasn't easy, but I also knew it would be at my back soon enough.  Pete and I were talking when the 2:30 pace group came up behind us at mile 8, what this would mean if I stayed with them, etc.  At this point, it was go big or go home.  I chowd down on a powergel and we were off.  At this point I was still feeling pretty good and couldn't believe my pace.

Mile 9-11:  At this point, things were a little rough.  We headed up hill!  I started to fall behind the pace group.  I wanted to walk, I wanted to take a break.  Knowing I could run a marathon, mentally helped me though this.  Knowing I had my AMAZING Run Tampa crew at mile 9.6, allowed me to keep going.  It was so so so nice to see their smiling faces.  Hearing them cheer for "me".  When Tori gave me Yellow gatorade when I needed it instead of the orange (I hate orange flavored stuff).  That it was running is all about.  That is an amazing community.  After that, I was able to catch back up with the pacer, Don, and I felt like a million bucks.  We only had a 5k left.  This mentality doesn't really work for me on a normal basis, but it did today.  I know, just a little further till we hit the trop, were on flat land, and then it is all downhill.  Through the trop, I kept my pace and chatted up with some other ladies. 

Mile 12-13.1:  Yes! Downhill.  I was told we were about a 1 minute to a minute and a half ahead of schedule.  I had this even more secret goal in my head, that by the end of the year, I wanted to run under a 2:28.  (A 2:28 was what my X ran his first race and taunted me with it, yes, that is one of the many reasons we are not together, and couldn't be happier about that!)  I held steady for mile 12, and 13, we were off.  Don gave us permission, if we had it in us, go for it.  Don runs a 1:35 half.  No big deal.   At 12.5, I saw Pete! He was going to run me in, I asked him, he asked me my goal, and we pushed!  At about 12.75, my watched beeped at we were at 13. "F", why aren't we there yet.  He commented how fast I was going, and it helped that he was there to push me!  My body hasn't run that fast in a race.  I followed his lead, I crossed that finish line in under 2:28!

If you look back at my Halloween Halfathon recap, you see my finish time was between 2:35-2:36 and change.  That leaves me with a 9-10 minute PR.  

Here are my splits:

I cannot believe I have not one mile over 12:00, yet along the "slowest" was 11:46.  My fastest was my last mile, which was a first for me.  I hit paces under 11:00 which is a first.

I am extrmemly happy with this run, especially after having 9 miles on my legs the day before.  I really pushed myself.  At points I didn't think I could do it, but knew if I can go a little further, I could.  

Oh, more bling to add!

If you are in Tampa, come join in!
If you cannot, please take a look at my webpage and donate, donate, donate!
Genna's Goofy Fundraising Page

Thank you everyone who had the confidence in me!

How do you get past the mental block of pushing to a goal? 

Also, check out my Stella and Dot trunk show which 20% goes towards my fundraising minimum!

Weekly Workout Roundup

Last week was absolutely exhausting!  I had such high expectations with getting all of my runs in, but that simply did not happen.  I was very disappointed, but I think the "rest" helped me PR in the Womens Half Marathon I completed Sunday.  

Since I wasn't home this weekend, and the last week before school was a hot mess, I am going to keep this post short.  

Grab a button and Link up!

Here is what I was supposed to do.  

This is what I actually did.

On Tuesday, I went over to get my sister new sneakers then headed to track practice.  Unfortunately, the lunch I had earlier in the day kept coming up (yuk) and knew I wasn't going to make it.  After 3 laps around the track, I called it a day and went home to spend time with my sister who just came back from Hawaii

Wednesday is my new "late" night at work in which I grade, etc., and head to spin.  This was my second time going with Pete, and this time my resistance did not work.  That is ok, i peddled my little heart out and still walked out with wobbly legs.  Everyone needs to check out his class as he is doing a Black Friday/post turkey day ride for two hours! Ask me for details!

Thursday I had 8 miles on deck, but had to stay late for work for dance practice which is a secret!  By the time I left, I was exhausted. I went home, made mom take me to Trader Joe's, sweet tomatoes, came  home and went to bed.

Friday was a rest day because I was doing back to back miles Sat/Sun.

Saturday called for 16 miles which was cut to 9 because I didn't feel well.  Sunday was a rock star  Half Marathon where I PR'd by almost 10 minutes.  I will post that separately!

 You know the exhaustion where you just want to cry.  This is how my week went.  Saturday when I woke up, the only thing that actually got me up was knowing I had a race coming up in less than two months.

Just as an aside, after Lady Speed Stick Half marathon on Sunday, I booked it to brunch and stopped at Panera a Bread on the way to change.  I grabbed my clothes and ShowerPill and "bathed"  I didn't shower until that evening because I was in the car all day and didn't feel gross and disgusting!

If you use the code SPFRIDAY on Amazon, you can get 3 for the price of two!  I will probably be stocking up! I already have one in my purse an gym bag.  

How did your workouts go this week?  What do you have in store for this week?  How do you plan to get all your workouts in?

Link up!

I love seeing what you do!

Womens Half Marathon Race Expo and Shower Pill Code

When I hear the word “expo” and I know I can go, my credit card runs the other way.  Unfortunately, I know the number by heart and I am quick enough to catch it.  

Yesterday evening, after work, I headed to St. Pete to pick up my Women’s Half Marathon race bib and check out the expo.  This race was actually my second half marathon and I loved every second of it.  I did not originally register for this race because I would still be recovering from NY.  With NY being cancelled, I emailed the race directors to see if I can still get in.  I did :) and they donated 20% of my registration to Feeding America for Hurricane Sandy. 

My view to the expo- Sunshine Skyway Bridge

I got there at about 4:15 and found a parking spot close to the Vinoy and headed in, picked up my stuff and headed towards the expo.   I knew the expo was small due to the last time I was there, but I was certainly not impressed with what was there.  I was upset that the majority of the space was Fit 2 Run.  There wasn’t anything I “needed” but knew if there was stuff I wanted, I would purchase it.  I walked out with a gift for my sister from Raw threads that I will be giving her for Hanukkah.

All the pretty bags

What greeted us as we walked in to get our shirts and expo 

On the way out, I saw my Team in Training Peeps.  This race is benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma society, and I couldn’t be more excited.  I will be out there in my purple jersey hoping I don’t chaffe too much.  Glide will be my friend tomorrow.  

I still haven’t made up goals for tomorrow for many reasons. 

 1. I was just put on new meds for my stomach, Amitiza, and I didn’t get to finish my 16 miles I had on deck for today.  I only made it 9.  4.5 run out, 4.5 walk back

2. .On the way back, my hip started to hurt.  I have been icing and foam rolling all day.  it hurt so bad, I couldn’t walk.

3. I could have possibly PR but I didn’t have a rest day today, but it is still possible if I really push it. 

4. I would like to add some miles before or after the race to really focus on the "goofy" training.

How would you run this race?

I am so excited to be running with the Tampa Bay Lady Bloggers!  I get to see their faces running.  I am very excited Run Tampa is Hosting a water stop.  I am also very excited, my first Team coach, Pete is the on course coach and TNT has  a cheer station!  Lot’s of motivation to get me through the run.

After the race, I will be on a mad dash to a dear friends birthday brunch.  I won’t have the chance to shower and just in time, I received these amazing wipes! 

use code SPFRIDAY on Amazon for Buy 2 get 1 free!

 I cannot wait to use them.  I have heard such wonderful things about them.  I actually keep baby wipes in my car, but I am hoping they won’t leave me nice and baby fresh.  I have two packed in my bag ready to go!  

**I will have a recap of the race and the ShowerPill once I get back into town on Wednesday, or once I get to my destination Sunday night or Monday when I am not a walking zombie.

ShowerPill is offering you a black friday deal!  Buy two get one free on amazon.  You need to add three to your cart though and use the code SPFRIDAY

I can’t wait for the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge!  You get the opportunity to win prizes for staying active and staying accountable.  Go sign up here

  

Getting Personal

Here's a little tidbit about me:

I take things personal

It's just me.  

There are many things I will not talk about because I don't like "confrontation" or "arguing"  or "heated discussion".  I do not talk politics because even though it is not an attack on me, I feel as if it is.  It doesn't upset me when a person talks about the person or politician, but when they start talking about the supports, that is when I get upset.

People say certain sports teams suck.  Why would that ever upset me?  I have no idea?! But again, I take it personal even though it has, nor will ever have anything to do with me.

This is definitely one of my many flaws I have.  This is something I need to work on.  

I have contemplated getting off social media when the whole controversy surrounding the New York City Marathon.  People were criticizing the runners.  I wish people understood how much words can hurt even if they were not directed at Me, or individuals, and I also wish I had thicker skin.  I was a participant of the NYCM.  I did not choose for it to not be cancelled the first time around. I do believe it should have been cancelled, the first day, no denying that, but I do not think people need to be so mean.  I am not sure if I took it so hard because I am originally from New York.  I was born in Brooklyn and raised in Staten Island so maybe it hit me worse seeing friends and people I know saying this stuff.

I think people need to be aware of what they say.  I think the recipients need to be aware of the circumstances of what is being said.  People take things personal without hearing whole stories of whole comments.

Find out the truth in a statement, listen to peoples reasons for the statement.

Apologize and accept apologizes.

Don't be too quick to judge.


Do you take things personal?  What do you take personal?

Week in Review

Wow! So the weekend is over and boy was that a crazy weekend!  From killer runs to bachelorette festivities and a Yelp! party, I am beat!  I am so happy that I am off today to get caught up on life.  And by that I mean, see doctors, run errands, grade, plan for school, and clean.  Now lets see if any of this actually gets done.

I hope everyone had a great weekend!  I am already looking forward to Friday because then I have a week off (again, to get more done). Here is a brief rundown of what my weekend was like.

Friday

Friday I jetted out of work and had to go shopping for some sequins for my good ole friend Amanda's Bachelorette party! I headed up to Wiregrass and found that Charlotte Rousse had lots to choose from.  I actually have never shopped there, but I couldn't beat the shirt I bough for $10!  I met an old coworker for dinner at Ciao!.  The food was gross.  We split an appetizer and entree and neither of us liked either.  It was a little expensive for our liking.  

Saturday 

Saturday I was up "late" for a long run with my Team.  It was so nice to be able to start a run with them, as I am normally there before because I had double the miles due to NY.  I had a lovely 12 miler which kicked butt!  I napped and headed straight to Orlando for the Bachelorette festivities! I made it to Westgate Lakes resort ight before 5pm, we relaxed and got ready.  We played some games that involved the male body part and a booty shaking contest.  The shuttle picked us up at 7:30 for an 8:00 reservation at P.F. Chang's.  The food was yum yum!  We then headed to Cowboys for some country line dancing.  I actually really liked this place because this is a venue that you can be on the dance floor alone.  Most of the times when we go out, we need a buddy to go dancing, this was just perfect.  We then headed downtown!  We had so much fun scavenger hunting a little booklet of things the Bride must do!  I was so happy to get back to the hotel though because man were my feet on fire!

Me and the Bride to be

All of us ready for a fun night!

Sorority sisters! celebrating the bride to be

Sunday

Sunday I headed home as soon as I woke up, napped, cleaned, and headed to the Yelp Livin' la vida Local event held at Datz! It was so much fun and great to see my pretty friends!  Sunday was pretty unproductive due to my 2 hour nap and my 1+ car ride home, but it was was I needed.  If i did not nap, I would have been cranky pants at Datz!

Myself and Meghan at the Yelp Livin' la vida local event 

How was your weekend?  Did you get all that you needed to get done? If you had an extra day off, how did you spend it?

have you entered my giveaway?

Weekly Workout Roundup! Goofy week 1

It felt so nice to be putting in miles again!

After being injured (leg still hurts), tapering, and busy work schedule, I made it my business to get my body moving again.  This week rocked in terms of workouts.  I had one not so good run, tried new things and loved every second of it!  Bad runs really make me appreciate the good!

Here's to all the awesomeness that went on this week!
Grab a button and link up!!

Here is a quick look at what took place this week

Goofy Training week 1

I told myself, if I want to dominate Disney's Goofy, I need to step my training up into high gear, and that is just what I did.

Monday was a rest day, but I attempted to tackled my Tuesday's 8 miler so I can do track work.   That didn't quite work, I was exhausted from traveling.  I went out there anyway to scout my parents new neighborhood.  I made it 4 before it started to get dark, and I also wanted to hand out with my sister who just got back from Hawaii.  

Tuesday I had 8 miles scheduled, but Coach said I should be doing speed work instead, and speed plus 4 miles the day before is A-OK!  This was so much fun!  I did 200's, 1000's, and a warm up before they turned the lights off and I got a bit freaked out!  My body hit the 6:28 mark and I thought I was going to die and face plant! 

Wednesday was a short 3 miler that I swapped for a killer spin class.  I am adding cross training for Wednesdays to decrease the pounding on my legs.  I was dying!  Pete called it the quad killer.  With no resistance, my legs would not GO!  

Thursday was 4 amazing miles!  I am going to start new sneakers that are neutral/natural so I am keeping the miles lower because they are really working my quads.  I actually dreaded this run, I was all dressed and laid back in bed.  I wish I would have work my Brooks Ravenna's because this run was kicking butt I wanted to keep going.  It also gets very dark, very quickly so I need to start hitting the gym soon.

Friday was rest day

Saturday was my first run with the team where I started and finished!  It was such a great feeling!  I was also able to sleep in because we did not have to be there till 7:00 which meant I left at 6!  My pace was about an 11:35.  My quickest miles were at 11:05 which was at mile 11.  Thank you Lyle for not allowing me to give up and walk!  

As I didn't do speed work for Marathon training, the increased distance has made it easier to go shorter distances faster :) Yay for finally seeing improvements!

I hope I didn't bore you with all the little details!!

Here is what is on deck for week 2 of Goofy Training!

Have you entered my giveaway yet?

have you donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma society yet?

Don't forget to link up!

Friday letters

Dear Friday, I am so happy you are here.  It has been one busy week!  I stayed up past my bedtime of 9pm every day this week!  That is not good for my mood!  Dear sister, I am so happy you are home! Dear workouts this week, you killed me! Track and spin! Ouch! Dear NYC marathon, I know you are busy figuring everything out after you we're cancelled, but I am so anxious! Dear dark skies, go away! I need it to be bright in the evening again!  I do not mind going to work in the dark actually! I like running outside but I hate how dark it in in my neighborhood, treadmill runs may be making a comeback and I am not too excited about it! Dear readers, thank you coming back and being so supportive!

This weekend is so busy with running, bachelorette party in rondo, Datz meetup, and 2 doctor appointments!

What are you doing this weekend? Have a great weekend and check out my giveaway and donate to my fundraising page! Http//pages.teamintraining.org/sun/wdw13/ghimelfarb

Happy weekend!!

Foam Roller App

Let me just start out by saying, the Foam Roller App may be the best invention or App ever!

I was given the opportunity to take a peak at this app by Fitfluential.  This could not have come at a better time.  I am battling and struggling with constant overuse injuries and I am not 100% proactive about it.  That is entirely my fault, but I simply forget.  

I was able to use this app the last few weeks and it is definitely helping me out!

The app is so detailed.  You choose which part of the body you want to roll out and it gives you a list of videos with moves for that designated are.  

I took screen shots of the above pictures.  You just clock on the area, and you roll away.  I have not tried all of them, but I have definitely tried the ones where I hurt.

It is so simple to you, I downloaded the app on my phone, ipad, and computer.  I simply put the "electronic device" in front of me and I roll away.  I just wish the videos were longer.  I wish they were the length that I think I should be rolling, instead they are about 30 seconds (the ones I have viewed).   I stop when the video stops, woops.  I also love how many ways there are to roll that different body part!

Enough with my rambling, ho out and get yourself this app, I will definitely be purchasing this once my subscription is up!

These views are my own and no one elses.  I was given a code to review this application through FitFluential to review, but I am not being paid for my opinion besides being given the product. 

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society -Captain Jabbo Giveaway

Giveway, yes you saw that correctly!

Woohoo, Who doesn't love a giveaway, especially one that helps a charity?

As I am sure you are aware, I am running Disney's Goofy and Half challenge in the beginning of January.  That is a half marathon on Saturday and the very next day is a Full marathon.  Yes, that is 39.3 miles of FUN!

With that, I must raise over $2,200 to get to the start line.  As that is just the minimum and I want to surpass that!  This is where I need your help!  I want to hear your stories, I need your donations as well, and your support  

Captain Jabbo is giving the proceeds this month, to the Leukemia and Lymphoma society.  

All you need to do is follow what the rafflecopter says and you will be entered to win either, a donation in your name or a Captain Jabbo bracelet ($6.99).    

The easiest way, make a donate here or purchase a bracelet!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Weekly Workout Roundup

I feel like I haven't posted in forever, and well, that can be because the whole getting ready for New York really overwhelmed me.  Let's just say, when I left for NY on Thursday night, I was so excited, a ball of nerves, and really any emotion I can muster up.  I was getting ready to accomplish my 2012 goal, run the NYC Marathon.  On my way back, I was another ball of emotions, the complete opposite.  I will get to that post another day, but wanted to reiterate that because when you see my miles, so low, you know it was the week before "THE MARATHON" that never happened.

So, ladies and gents, grab a button and link up!!

Last Sunday, I manages to get 13 amazing miles in but was so sore for the next few days.  I think I went out harder than I thought I did for the half marathon.  After that, it was rest, rest, rest, NY was less than a week away.  That is what I thought about all week; while at work, driving, sleeping, eating, etc.  My life revolved around this race.

I didn't get much other exercise in because I wanted my muscles to be nice and fresh for race day.

Wednesday I wanted to get a 2-3 mile run in, but boy was I busy.  I didn't settle down till after 9, which is late for me!

Thursday I worked and went straight to the airport.  The race was still on.

Friday Morning I woke up and went to the Expo.  My family and I walked around and shopped.  That counts as exercise right?  I thought so.  I later walked home from a Team in Training dinner once I heard the Marathon was cancelled, again, more on that in another post.

Saturday, with all the crazy emotions, I had to get out, I had to run.  I put on my new orange NYC Marathon shirt and went for a run in central park.  I didn't have any idea what I wanted to do.  I ran for 4.  It was short and sweet, and just as I was headed home, I wanted to keep going.  Unfortunately, the family was waiting for me for lunch.

Sunday, back on the airplane.

Now that I do not have a recovery, you should see much higher miles from me as now it is GO time for Disney's Goofy Challenge!

Also, I am headed out tonight for my first track practice in over two years!  This should be interesting!

Come link up!!

Also, Check back for a giveaway!!!
Maybe two :)