Miles, Motherhood, and Margaritas
I’m a running lover with a passion for cargo vans, all-nighters, and 197 hours worth of sweat.
vote for {i run like a girl} for nuun’s hood to coast relay team!
Now, sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!
Check out Nuun on Facebook & if you give {I RUN LIKE A GIRL} a shout-out (on Nuun’s FB page) let me know. I will choose a random comment for a surprise goody bag!
A special thanks to BJ for taking a few hundreds photos of me and to Betsy for the initial idea & editing advice.
My Sport Science giveaway was a HUGE success.
Thank you to my readers, Facebook likes, twitter followers and, of course, Sport Science {for hosting this awesome giveaway}!
I wish everyone could win but since that’s not really an option, don’t forget about the Sport Science {Discount Code} being offered. Receive 20% off all products on the website through July 1, 2011. Use the code Run4Margs at check-out.
So, without further adieu, the winners of my Sport Science {Giveaway} are:
Stephanie @ Run for Fun
Mackenzie @ Wealth is Health
Please email me your shirt size and address, and Sport Science will mail you a shirt: willrunformargaritas@gmail.com
Thanks again to everyone who entered (and another huge thanks to Sport Science).
If you didn’t win, don’t worry – I’m hosting another {My Favorite Things} Giveaway on June 20!
How much would you pay to do a triathlon?
In June 2010, I paid $300 to race EagleMan 70.3. EagleMan is part of the Ironman brand – which I think automatically adds a few extra dollars to the entry fee. After the race I paid $200 for an ambulance ride and a hospital visit. Awesome.
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| Post 70.3 – medical tent (pre-ambulance ride/hospital visit) |
How much would you pay to do an Ironman 140.3?
If everything goes as planned, New York’s Inaugural Ironman, on August 11, 2012, will cost $1,000.00 to enter.
Yes, $1,000.
Can you believe it? Even more shocking: the typical entry for an official Ironman event averages about $575 a race. Ironman New York will cost $425 more than the average.
According to various articles, there are several reasons for the {outrageous} cost:
{Personal Commentary}
The race will sell-out. There’s not a doubt in my mind. But $1,000, wow! Even with the average triathlete making $161,000/year, $1,000 is a lot of money for one race. Especially considering that the “average triathlete” does more than one triathlon per season.
(Note: The cost of things in NYC is not lost on me, but I tend to think that $1000 for a race is a bit outrageous)
For all of the high-rolling triathlete’s (I’m only calling you that because I’m jealous I don’t fall under the “average triathlete” category) thinking about doing the race:
What do you think about the cost? Would you pay $1,000 to do a race? If yes (I’m not judging you, I promise), I’d love to know why.
LAST DAY to enter and win my Sport Science giveaway {}
*sources: Bloomberg.com, BusinessInsider.com, Ironman.com
I love to cook – but in the summer, when it’s 100 degrees, the last thing I want to do is subject myself to a hot stove and even more heat.
That’s why I’ve decided to share my favorite {Simple Summer Sides/Salads} over the next couple of months. These dishes require little-to-no cooking and are simple. First up…
What you need:
Garlic
Salt & Pepper
(splash of) EVOO
Frozen lima beans
Basil
Grape (or cherry) tomatoes
Red onion
Shaved parmesan cheese (optional)
Directions: In a saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add lima beans and cook according to directions (about 12-15 minutes). Meanwhile, halve grape tomatoes, chop red onion, julienne basil and press garlic. Drain lima beans and combine with tomatoes, red onion, basil and garlic. Add salt, pepper (and any other seasoning you like) and a splash of EVOO. Top with shaved parmesan cheese (optional)
Enjoy!
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| Fresh basil from my garden |
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| Eat Tomato-Basil Lima Beans with crisp white wine and an outdoor patio set |
BJ and I had a great weekend in Missouri, aka Big MO. My dad is from a Steelville – a small country town about 2 hours southwest of St. Louis. I have fond memories of Big MO: summer vacation, family, horseback riding, canoe trips, Steak ‘n Shake, fresh tomatoes from the garden… It’s been about 5 years since my last trip, so I was way overdue for a family visit.
My family (mom, dad, 2 sisters and BJ) and I stayed in an awesome cabin at Westover Farms – 500 acres of uninterrupted bliss complete with picturesque views, fresh spring water creeks and (catch & release) fly fishing. We started every morning with run – the perfect way to start the day. Living in DC, I don’t see many country roads or grass as far as the eye can see. It was refreshing and much needed.
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| Morning Run |
We were busy – and I’m still exhausted after 4 days in Missouri:
We went on a canoe trip. Ate sunflower seeds. Celebrated my grandma’s beautiful life. Went running. Ate watermelon, deer sausage, and fresh strawberries, radishes and tomatoes from my Uncle’s garden. Went horseback riding. Made smore’s over a bonfire. Drank beer. Went to a bbq every night. Played board games. Laughed A LOT. Had not 1, but 2 chocolate milkshakes from Steak ‘n Shake. Went fly fishing. Went to super Wal-Mart. Had fun. Spent quality time as a family.
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| Can’t go to Big MO without getting a chocolate milkshake from Steak ‘n Shake |
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| sister, sister |
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| My family: BJ, me, KP, mom, dad, LP |
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| The grandchildren (missing 3) |
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| Smore’s
It was the perfect family weekend – and a wonderful reminder of how great my grandma was & her dedication to family and love.
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Ask and you shall receive.
Since I can’t giveaway 100 (free) sport science shirts, a few readers asked about a sport science discount code to purchase product online. Well, you got it!
sport science is offering my readers 20% off all product on the website: http://www.sportsciencewear.com/
Use the code Run4Margs at checkout. The discount is good until July 1, 2011.
While sport science is on your mind, don’t forget about my sport science giveaway {here} for 2 chances to win a sport science shirt
Thanks again to sport science for hosting my giveaway and offering my readers a discount code.
Nothing was going to stop me from running on National Running Day – not even blistering heat, torrential downpour and pelting hail.
BJ and I encountered all three (plus some lightning & thunder)
Fortunately, we got 4.5 miles into our run when the rain & hail started. But, 0.5 miles was enough to get completely and utterly soaked.
It was totally worth it. I ran with my favorite hubs, on National Running Day, doing one of my favorite things {running}
Today is my Friday, I’m off to Missouri for the weekend (random, I know). BJ and I are going to visit family and celebrate my grandma’s life {she passed away recently} While sad, it was expected, and I’m looking forward to seeing my family and honoring her life.
Don’t forget to enter my sport science giveaway {HERE} – seriously, you don’t want to miss out on this one {trust me}
happy weekend & happy running
Today is National Running Day. So, in honor of one of my favorite things {running}, I’m giving away one of my favorite running related things {sport science}. But, I’ll get to that in a minute.
{About} National Running Day, held annually on the first Wednesday in June, is a day when runners everywhere declare their passion for running. Wherever we are and whomever we’re with, we run—fast or slow, alone or with others, all over town or just around the block. It is a coast-to-coast celebration of a sport and activity that’s simple, inexpensive, and fun. It’s the perfect way for longtime runners to reaffirm their love of running and for beginners to kick off a lifetime and life-changing commitment.
I mean, can you think of anything better than National Running Day – a day devoted just to runners? Personally, I love it {and I’m on cloud 9}. I plan to celebrate National Running Day with BJ – one of my all-time favorite running partners – and an after-work run. (Wish us luck, things are getting toasty in DC).
What are you doing to celebrate National Running Day? Find more information about NRD and local events {HERE}
Now, on to My Favorite Things {Giveaway}
4 years ago I met BJ, my now husband, at a fun-run at a local running store. Running has always been “our thing” – similar to a couple sharing “their song” – our song was running. So, when we got engaged and planned our engagement photo shoot, I knew I needed to incorporate running into the mix. Enter {sport science} and the extremely genius infographics shirt: Virginia is for Runners (a clever take on the state of VA slogan: Virginia is for Lovers – thankfully, BJ and I are lovers, too).
I bought the shirt thinking that I would only wear it once: to take engagement pictures. 2 years later, I’m hooked on sport science.
{About} sport science is a (semi)-local brand with roots in both VA and SC. The owner and founder is a VA resident (and a stellar human-being) – but employees and manufacturing are in SC. The science behind the sport science just makes sense. sport science™ products are engineered to keep you dry and regulate your core body temperature, which keeps you cooler when it’s hot and warmer when it’s cold. The dri-release® fabric rapidly wicks perspiration to keep you dry and comfortable.
I can vouch from experience – the shirts are very comfortable but also totally stylish. I wear my shirts running – but I also wear them with jeans to run errands around the neighborhood. The best part is that I don’t get hot and uncomfortable when I’m wearing the product – my shirts have gone with me to New Zealand, Sun Valley (in the summer & winter), USVI and around DC – no matter what the temperature is, I’m always okay. I can’t say that about many products.
A few of my favorite things – and ones I own (besides Virginia is for Runners):
Giveaway Time!! Sport Science is giving away 2 shirts to 2 lucky readers.
To Enter (please leave separate comments for each entry):
“My Favorite Things” giveaway will be open until noon EST, Friday, June 10th, at which time I will close the post for comments, choose 2 winners via Random.org and announce the winners with a (new) blog post.
Calling all NoVA/DC/MD runners:
Are you looking for a local 10k that raises money for a great cause (I’m talking about your heart, that thing that allows you to live and run…)?
Sign up to run the Lawyers Have Heart 10k on June 11, 2011 in Georgetown. Registration is limited to 6,500 runners and you do not have to be a lawyer to run. It’s a flat out-and-back course and the cost is $40 (sign-up HERE).
Since it’s creation in 1991, Lawyers Have Heart has raised more $7.5 million to benefit the American Heart Association, whose mission is building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. By participating in the Washington area’s largest 10K event, you will not only help to strengthen your own heart through exercise, you will also help raise funds vital to the education programs and research of the AHA.
If you are a local runner and plan on running – let me know. I’d love to meet up with other blogners (blogger/runner combined, celebrity style)
When I was contacted by GNC to review PHENOM Coconut Water & Recovery Drink, I couldn’t say “yes” fast enough. I’m a life-long coconut lover and totally jumped on the bandwagon when coconut water became “the latest craze”. I can neither confirm nor deny, but I may have become obsessed with drinking coconut water while marathon training. I love the taste (read: delicious) and I know the coconut water is rehydrating my {defeated} body.
Dubbed “nature’s sport drink”, coconut water is fat-free, cholesterol-free, low-calorie, super-hydrating, and naturally rich in electrolytes – no wonder celebrities and athlete’s have replaced their Gatorade and Acai for coconut water.
{Benefits of Drinking Coconut Water}: PHENOM Coconut Water is the only coconut water fortified with GNC vitamins and minerals. This 100% natural coconut water, supercharged with GNC vitamins and electrolytes, is an excellent source of hydration with zero fat, added sugar, or cholesterol.
I decided to try the following flavors: Pure, Orange Guava Passion, and Acai Peach. I wanted to compare Pure (“regular-flavored” coconut water) to others on the market, most specifically Vita Coco and O.N.E. And as for the other two flavors? Well, they just sounded good.
{Pure} Can’t go wrong with Pure – it was very good and tasted as predicted. I wasn’t expecting fireworks, considering that Pure is supposed to taste like a “sticking a straw into a coconut and drinking” – and I’ve already tried and enjoy Vita and O.N.E. – but I liked knowing that there were premium multivitamins to support overall health/well being and extra electrolytes for the rapid replenishment.
{Orange Guava Passion} The house favorite. OGP was delicious! Even BJ liked this flavor and he is a self-proclaimed coconut water “hater”. OGP wasn’t too over-powering and had the perfect balance of coconut water infused with OGP.
{Acai Peach} House divided on Acai Peach – BJ really liked it, I didn’t like it at all. The flavors didn’t mesh and it tasted all wrong. I gave the rest to BJ….
Overall, I think PHENOM is a great product and I plan to purchase Pure and Orange Guava Passion in the future. I drank Pure after my triathlon (on May 23) and felt great shortly after – but most importantly, I felt great the next day!
PHENOM Coconut Water can be purchased at your local GNC or online.
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| {I RUN LIKE A GIRL} Tested & Approved |
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| Hubs Tested & Approved |
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| Coconut Water: Drink It! |
Author’s Note: PHENOM Coconut Water was sent to me, free of charge, to test out. I was not paid for this review and the opinions are my own.
