Mamma Chia Organic Energy Beverages Review and Giveaway!

Mamma Chia graciously sent me some of their new Organic Energy beverages to try.  They were delicious.  I love anything chia and I think chia is an amazing little seed!  During winter break, I drank some before most of my runs.  Caffeine and Chia = winning combination. 

 

Mamma Chia made it possible for me to share goodness!  They are allowing me to give away:

One week supply of Mamma Chia Organic Energy beverages

One week supply of Chia Squeezes

Mamma Chia Camelbak water bottle

I love the chia squeezes as well (and so does my daughter!).  They are perfect to have in my bag as a quick snack! 

 

 

You can find hem on Facebook - @MammaChia1 and on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest  – @MammaChia

 

Enjoy!

 

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#TakeTheLeap 30 days of Yoga Challenge!

When I think about yoga, the first thought that comes to mind is strength. Yoga strengthens me and makes me feel grounded.

That’s why I am SO pumped)to participate in prAna’s Take The Leap 30 days of Yoga Challenge with Sweat Pink. I plan to "wheel" my way to a more flexible and strong 2015!

For me, the biggest challenge when it comes to yoga is consistency. Taking the Leap with prAna and Sweat Pink is a great way for me to find my year of strong!

My favorite place to yoga is in a yoga studio because it is so motivating to be around others sharing the same goal.

Come on y’all, Take the Leap with me!

Join prAna’s & Sweat Pink’s #TakeTheLeap 30 Days of Yoga Challenge and be eligible for a chance to win $500 worth of new prAna gear from their latest collection as well as gift an additional $500 worth of prAna gear to the person of their choice... because isn’t giving as important as receiving? They just launched their new Spring Collection so you best get on it!

If I win I would gift the $500 to Kara at http://www.oneredheadandlighthouses.blogspot.com/ because she always inspires me with her running, her yoga, her teaching and her mindful food choices that are healthy for her family, animals and the planet! 

Join the Take the Leap with prAna and Sweat Pink Facebook group / event which we’ll use for updates, sharing,and inspiration: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1525412337742204/

and event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/423377431152799

Looking to Add to Your 2015 Race Calendar? 10 Races Not to Be Missed!

1.  Cherry Blossom Ten Miler.  April 12, 2015.  Not to be missed.  This race is a DC institution and self dubbed "Runner's Rite of Spring".   People travel from all over the US, hoping to get perfect race conditions that line up with peak blooms!  The lottery is over, but they do allow for bib transfers.  People are always selling their bibs as the race gets closer....so keep an eye out and put the word out that you are looking! 

 

2.  Marine Corps Marathon.  October 25, 2015.  "More Than a Race".  So true.  You will feel such emotion and pride for your country running this one.  You will feel an amazing sense of gratitude for our service members and their families.  You can't beat the amazing 26.2 mile tour of the Washington, DC area...staring at the Pentagon, running past monuments, the Potomac River and ending at the Iwo Jima Memorial.  Entry for this race is also by lottery which opens March 13, 2015.   You can get guaranteed registration by running the 17.75k on March 28, 2015, but of course that will sell out quickly as well.   Registration for this race is on March 11, 2015 and will sell out in a matter of minutes. 

3. Navy Air Force Half Marathon  Sunday Sept. 20, 2015.  This race is a great PR friendly course - mostly flat, start at the Washington Monument, through the monuments of DC and Rock Creek Park.  It comes in early September at the perfect time when all your hot summer training lends to a PR on the cool race morning!  It's a perfect race too because it hasn't become so popular (YET!) as it's relatively new and so there is no lottery for this one.  But mark my words....it will grow every year!  Registration opened Feb. 2nd and use code COLLEEN at registration to be entered to win a tech tee!  Register here: http://navyairforcehalfmarathon.com/

4. Annapolis Running Classic  November 2015 Date TBD based of the Navy Football schedule.  Great race through historic Annapolis.  Not flat and not a PR race, but the after party will make the 13.1 mile jaunt well worth your time.  Lots of micro-brews and unlimited oysters in the party tent.  They always have amazing premiums for the runners as well. 

5. Smuttynose Half Marathon Great seacoast course and a great medal with the Smuttynose Harbol Seal on the medal!  The beachfront after-party in true New England style is fantastic as well.  Lobster rolls, clam chowder, and Smuttynose Beer! 

6. Nike Women's Half Marathon San Francisco.  October 2015. With no DC race this year, San Fran is your only US Nike Women's race to get that coveted Tiffany necklace at the finish line.  Entry is through lottery, unless you can prove that you are a college student and get guaranteed entry.  The course is hilly, but should afford you some great views of the city.  Unless it is socked in by fog of course!  But as always SF is a great city and it is a great destination race. 

7.  New York City Marathon.  Nov. 1, 2015.  Need I say more?  The lottery is open right now 1/15/15-2/15/15.  What are you waiting for? 

8. Army Ten Miler.  October 11, 2015.  A great racing distance, the 10 miler.  This is also a very popular race and sells out very quickly so you have to stay on top of registration when it opens on May 19, 2015. 

9. Mountains to Beach Marathon May 24, 2015 A great Boston Qualifier that is slightly downhill the whole way from Ojai to the Beach.  Sponsored by Cliff Bar, you know you will be getting some great fuel along the course! 

10. Lululemon SeaWheeze Half Marathon. August 15 2015 This race is already sold out for this summer and not sure if they allow bib transfers, but keep your eyes peeled for next year.  You can still attend the Sunset Festival attached to the race as tickets can be purchased separately if you aren't running.  A great waterfront course in Vancouver plus sunset yoga festival and concert.

11. Thinking Ahead to 2016!  January 2016.  Clearwater Distance Festival!  A beautiful course with great ocean views.  A fantastic beach destination race but not for PRs as you will cross 2 bridges twice each.  Great post race festival with unlimited pasta and beer.     

The Color Run- The Happiest 5k on the Planet GIVEAWAY FOR TWO ENTRIES, ANY CITY!

 

THE COLOR RUN JUST GOT BRIGHTER!

 

2015 marks the start of The Color Run Shine Tour...all the color and now glitter!

 

Find your city's tour dates here: http://thecolorrun.com/events/  They are all over the country!  If you don't see your date yet, sign up for updates and you will be the first to know when the date is released.

Everyone in 2015 will receive a limited edition Shine Tour Participant Kit, including: custom race tee, gold finisher's medal, tricolor headband w/ silver stitching, brand-new shine packet, and shiny tattoos. Talk about "bling" with benefits!

They are pumping up the 5k course and finish festival too! Look for a unique Sparkle Zone and killer photo ops on course. At the finish festival, get ready for confetti cannons, shimmering clouds of color, and more!

 

 

 

 

 

The Color Run, also known as the Happiest 5k on the Planet, is a unique paint race that celebrates healthiness, happiness and individuality.

Now the single largest event series in the world, The Color Run has exploded since our debut event. We have more than tripled our growth, hosting more than 300 events in 50+ countries in 2014.

 You can't beat two free entries into this very cool race.  Have the time of your life! 

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Ends on Feb. 15th, 2015

Yes- I am a Whole 30 Drop Out

 

You may have heard a lot of buzz lately about the Whole30 Diet.  I decided to give it a whirl because I had a family member embarking on it and she created a group for support, so I thought I would give my support.  Please note- I did the vegetarian version of the Whole 30 as I do not eat meat.  I thought I can do anything for 30 days and it seemed pretty similar to how I eat already.  No processed foods, no added sugars, etc. 

I planned out meals and meal prepped and was ready to go.  The first and second day, I thought "This is pretty easy, no big deal".  Then I started to miss things that were a part of my normal eating habits...like quinoa.  I still don't think quinoa is bad by any means, but it is not allowed on the Whole30.  Then I really started to realize there were a lot of things that weren't on the list....like chia seeds....ahhh my love for chia!  I made my daughter lunch one day, spelt noodles, and I wanted some so badly.  Since it wasn't Whole30 approved, it was off limits.  That act of having to tell  myself "no" and deprive myself of something that really wasn't that bad to begin with, really struck a chord with me.  I began to feel obsessed with what I could and couldn't eat.  I had never had that relationship with food and I didn't like it.  I started to really re-assess my goals.  Why was I doing this?  What is the point?  I eat pretty darn healthy by many standards already.  I began looking up online for other Whole30 drop outs or people writing about that it wasn't for them, and I kept finding testimonials that it made them feel "the best they've ever felt!"  That made me feel worse because, I am really the only one who wants to drop out?  Am I really the only one who doesn't think this is right for them?  (Edit: when editing this post, I found a great blog by The Poser Mama that basically sums up everything I am trying to say.  It's great and read it here.)

After speaking with a friend, who basically told me, it's okay to quit,  I felt that is what I had to do.  I am not a quitter, but I didn't like where this was going for me.  My friend mentioned that unless you are trying to pinpoint an allergy or an auto-immune response there probably isn't a need for the Whole30.  My hope, in addition to supporting my cousin, was to drop the little bit of extra body fat I've been carrying around since I haven't been strength training/doing boot camp.  But, I really looked at the whole picture.  I know that I could drop that by upping my strength training and cutting down a little on the beer consumption.  That seemed like a much better solution for me.

In short, the Whole30 was not for me.  I am still not convinced that beans or quinoa are "bad".  I think they are a great part of a healthy, well rounded diet.  Is Whole30 all bad?  No.  But, I do think the regular version is a bit Atkins-y with the super low carb and meat heaviness of it.  I think the positive side is it will get people to focus on whole foods, ditch processed foods and remove added sugars from their diet.  Those are all good things that we should all strive for, Whole30 or not. 

I am not writing this to shame those who are doing Whole30, I am writing to make those who feel it is not for them or those who "quit" know that it is okay!  As The Poser Mama wrote in her post, "I always encourage people to carefully assess their dietary habits and make changes when necessary.  But if that doesn't look like Whole30 to you, I want you to know one thing:
You aren't the only one. "

Product Review: Addaday Stick

Thanks to BibRave for sending me a stick to try out.  I was able to use it last night to try and roll out my sore muscles from my very hilly runs, yoga and lunges! 

 

I am so pleased with the Addaday Stick!  It is so much better than my old roller!  It feels so good.

 

 

Here is a quick comparison of my old rolling stick and the addaday side by side.  You tell the addaday is going to do a better job just by looking at it. 

 

Thanks to BibRave and Addaday for providing me with the product to test! 

2014 in Review and Setting Goals for 2015

It's funny....I was just reading my Recap of my running year 2013.  It's always fun to relive those memories.  At the bottom of the post, I outlined my goals for 2014.  


"What will 2014 bring?  I'm thinking another full marathon, getting my personal training certification, my RRCA Running Coach certification and my health coach certification.  I have my fingers crossed to be chosen as a Lululemon ambassador, a Zooma Ambassador and being chosen for Nuun Hydrations Hood to Coast Relay Team!" 


I accomplished some of those goals, but not others.  Honestly some I had sort of forgotten about....and some to be honest...I was probably a bit ambitious.  I don't have all that time!


Running another Full Marathon: CHECK!  I ran Marine Corps Marathon again....and really wanted to break up with the marathon at the finish line.  Read about it here. 

Getting my personal training certification: STILL ON THE BACKBURNER


Getting my Health Coach Certification: STILL ON THE BACKBURNER


Becoming a Lululemon Ambassador: SOMEDAY!  Hoping and wishing on that one!  As a spin instructor, I would love to have my picture up on the wall of my local Lululemon! 


Being as a Zooma Run Ambassador: CHECK!  I was chosen and ran the Zooma Annapolis 10k and Half Marathon. 

Being chosen for Nuun's HTC Team: CHECK...SORT OF.  I was chosen as part of Team Nuun, which I may then be able to run HTC for Nuun! 

Getting my RRCA Run Coach Certification: Coming up in April 2015!  Wahoo! 


But also completed a goal that wasn't on that list....I completed my very first triathlon!  At the Nations Triathlon here in DC.  You can read all about it here.  I finished 1st in my Age Group and it qualified me for the Age Group Nationals this summer in WI. 

What are my goals for 2015?


I want to run another full marathon (or two!).  I definitely want to go sub 4:00 as my initial goal and then run a 3:35 to qualify for the Boston Marathon.  Heck, my hubby did it...I can do it too!


I want to attend yoga once a week.


I want to incorporate more strength training.  This used to be a larger priority for me, but it let it slide in 2014.  2015 will be the year of strong!  I feel like such a stronger runner when I focus on weight training!


Let's see what 2015 will bring!  What are your goals?