SLS3 Review and Giveaway!

Is it already August and where did the summer go?  

I guess it is time to get those fall goals in check!  The wedding is just over 3 months away and I have a marathon in just over 2 months.  Time is flying by!

At the beginning of the month I began Half Marathon training and all summer I have been busting my butt at Orange Theory Fitness.  I am loving every second of OTF and running has taken a back seat.  With all the running on the treadmill with bursts of speed, inclines, and using different running shoes my calves, shins and ankles have been screaming at me!  Luckily the nice people over at SLS3 contacted me about reviewing their compression socks.  I have always been a fan of compression and their Butterfly Compression Socks are dainty enough for me!  Compression is said to help your body recover and body perform better, whether it actually is true or just my brain, I think it works.  

To get the proper size I sent them my shoe size and how large my calves were.  I was nervous because I am short and have massive baby cows (calves).  They fit fabulous and they are super soft.  I thought the heel would show when my sneakers were on and they did not.  There is a size chart on their website to help you out.  

The first time I wore them I wore them to sleep after a 90 minute Orange Theory class and my lower body was the only part of my body that didn’t ache.  I then wore them to class the next day.  I like wearing these socks to class because my ankles and calves often hurt and burn on that treadmill when we do inclines and they give me the proper support my flimsy shoes do not give me.  Since then not only do I wear them around the house and to class, I wear them on my “long” runs.  I say “long” because the longest I have gone since the Gasparilla challenge is 7 miles. These are perfect around my neighborhood because the county doesn’t like to cut the grass so in the wee hours of the morning having material there helps keep the pollen off my legs and I am less itchy.  I also haven’t had to ice my calves since wearing them and fingers crossed this stays true.  

Here is some additional information pulled from the SLS3 website that I found interesting:

SLS3 Butterfly compression socks boost bloodflow by about 34%. This increases oxygen delivery to the working muscles to enhance their performance. The circulation improvements also help the body eliminate metabolic waste products like lactic acid more easily. The combination of these effects allows you to work longer and harder, delaying the onset of fatigue.

The SLS3 Butterfly compression socks offer more targeted, significant support to the achilles tendons, tibias, calves and ankles, thus boosting the ability to reduce common ankle and foot injuries. 

They are recommended for running, cycling, walking, triathlon, skiing, traveling and lots of other uses.

The supportive effect and compression of SLS3 Butterfly compression socks reduce muscle vibration drastically, which leads to less soft tissue damage and less sore muscles. Your recovery time will be significantly reduced

• • 20-30 mmHG of graduated compression

• • Seamless TekWeb technology
  • Muscle Stability
  • Increased Bloodflow
  • Web knit for more support of arch
• • Cooling effect and UV protection

SLS3 is allowing me to host a giveaway for a pair of free socks or sleeves! You can enter here:

It will end on August 21st and I'll announce the winner and they'll hook you up.  

In addition to the giveaway they are offering a discount of 40% using code GENNA40. This is a seriously generous discount. 

Good luck!  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Giveaway ends August 2015 at 11:59 PM EST. Open to Residents of the US only.  Prizes cannot be shipped to PO Boxes.  Winner will be selected by Rafflecopter through SLS3 and be notified by email. Winner have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is selected. Please note that R is For Running is not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes.  I have represented the sponsor with the expectation they will fulfill their prize and in a timely manner. I will contact the sponsor regarding your prize(s). The sponsor, in most cases, are shipping their items to you directly. I will make every effort to assist you obtaining your prize. If there is an issue with a sponsor, please notify the blog you won a prize from within 30 days for assistance, after that we may be unable to assist you.  The product provided for the review was free of charge from the company. The product offered for the giveaway is free of charge, no purchase necessary. My opinions are my own and were not influenced by any form of compensation.  Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Google+ are in no way associated with this giveaway.  By providing your information in this form, you are providing your information to me and me alone.  I do not share or sell information and will use any information only for the purpose of contacting the winner.

Fun "Outtakes" from my handy photographer Fiance!

A year of running in review 2012 style

2012

So much yet so little happened! In the running field!

I started of 2012 with a running injury and ended it with 100+ miles in December.

It has taught me so much.

I borrowed this format from Beka.  She had a pretty kick butt year!

Best race experience - Women's Half Marathon was by far the best from start to finish. I came into this race as ready as I was going to be.  I was training hard for the NYC Marathon so my legs were nice and fresh.  If I was going to PR, it was going to be this race.  I went in with the intention to enjoy myself, which is exactly what I did.  I didn't go in beating myself up if I didn't PR.  The day before I did 9 mile, my IT Band hurt and so did my stomach.  I managed to pull out a 9 minute PR from a half I did less than a month ago.  I love the support out there, I was there with friends.  I ran with a pacer for the last 5 miles which helped pull me along.  I was on cloud 9 because I wasn't sure this was something I could pull off.  I didn't tell anyone I had the goal of a 2:30 half.  I was just going to go out there and have fun!  I did and it paid off.

Best run - This is a toss of between the Color run, which I have yet to do a recap on or my 22 miles before before NY.  The color run was amazing!  I had so much fun.  I was able to run it with my (blood) sister, sorority sisters, and friends!  It was so laid back, had no expectations and smiling ear to ear after it *for about a week*.I don't remember too much about the 22 mile run, just that it hurt, I did it, and I knew I was ready for NY.  I knew I had 4 more miles in me, I ran that 22 smart:)

Best new piece of gear - My compression gear!  I have never ran or had these items before this year, and I love it!!!!

Best piece of running advice you received - Don't over do it!  Or anything that comes out of my Coaches mouth.  Maybe to stop whining?

Most inspirational runner - Oh this one is tough.  I have this idea in my head to do an ode to my inspiration runners.  These runners I met through blogging or have gotten closer with through blogging.  They are ordinary people who totally rock my world!  They are always so positive and motivating!  I am happy I can call them IRL friends :)Meghan, Tori, Beka, Kat
They show me that anything is possible.  

If you could sum up your year in a couple of words, what would they be? Overwhelming, Amazing, Educational

To recap the races I ran this year:

Feb: Rock N Roll St. Pete- injured

May: Miles for moffit 5 miler

June: Westchase Womens Triathlon

August: Run for the fallen 10k 

September: Tower of terror 10 miler

October: Halloween Halfathon

November: Womens Half Marathon

Turkey Trot 10 miles

December: Color Run

Not cute, but first run with the TEAM for Goofy!

30 pounds of ice for after 22 miles!

13.1 mils for Sandy Hook

Before the NYC Marathon was cancelled

Halloween Halfathon- best race pic ever, with Brandi! We will be famous one day for this picture

Sisters first 5k

Tower of Terror 10 miler

How was your 2012?

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!