BIC Bands Winner ...

Little Diva and I were recently given the opportunity to review a few bands from BIC Bands. You can read all about my fabulous experience HERE.

Please visit BIC Bands online HERE and start shopping.

There were 76 entries in my recent giveaway. One winner was chose at random.

Random.org chose ……..

Zaneta from Runner's Luck (HERE)

Congratulations, Zaneta!!! Please email me at ( runningdivamom at charter dot net ) with your name, email and mailing address. And, I will get you your prize!

Thank you for following my journey!!

[If you would like YOUR product or website featured on Running Diva Mom, please email me at ( runningdivamom at charter dot net ) ]

REMINDER ... 10/10/10 10K Virtual Race

One last reminder for the 47 of you that signed up for my 10/10/10 10K Virtual Race (HERE). I'm so excited that so many of you wanted to participate and get your chance to win some prizes! Oh yeah, it's free!

Several of you have asked questions about the rules. No rules. If you're running a race soon that is 10K ... or longer ... it counts (just devote 6.2 miles of the race to the bloggy world!). If you run it before the dates I specify, you're cool. If you want to split it up into two 5Ks, that's fine, however you can fit it in. Are dudes welcome to participate ... of course. No rules here. Just fun. And prizes. Run on the pavement, run on the "dreadmill", around the track, backwards. I encourage you to get your kids involved, too!

There is still time to sign up ... just comment on the original post.



Here are the details again:

In honor of October 10, 2010, I’ll be he hosting a 10/10/10 10K Virtual Race. Whether you are training for a fall marathon, looking for some motivation after racing season or are just competitive (you know who you are …), I hope that you will join me.

I’ve actually never run a 10K before and am looking forward to seeing what I can pull off at that distance. On October 10 I will have had exactly one week to recover from my third marathon.

Create your own race bib, featuring the #10, to be eligible for extra prizes!

Here are the details.

When: Anytime October 1 – October 15

Email me [ runningdivamom at charter dot net ] with a link to your race report, photos and finishing time by midnight on Sunday, October 17. Race reports and prizes will be announced on October 18.

Distance: 10K (6.2 miles)

Cost: FREE

Prizes:

Fastest Time: Five packets of Gu Energy Gel

Most Creative Race Bib (featuring the #10): One Pair of Chrissy’s Knee High Socks

One Random Winner: One Pair of Ryders Eyewear Sunglasses w/ Case

Now, go ahead! Simply, LEAVE A COMMENT (HERE) to let me know you’re committed. Feel free to repost about this virtual race on your own blog. Thank you for spreading the word!

The Little Red Car. In Action.

Earlier this week, it was just me and Little Dude. I wanted to fit in 4-6 miles with Little Dude while Little Diva was at school. With our treadmill broken, I could only head outside. It was cool and chilly and a dreary day. I was productive all morning, cleaning the house with Little Dude.

Little Dude and I finally headed outside for our run around 2:00 and the sun came out. Perfect. But, we were both overdressed for the warm (and surprisingly humid) weather. The sun was shining down on us as we started our run with the Little Red Car.

The plan was to get my run in and end at Little Diva's school and to play at the playground.

Little Dude ate 10 inches of his Fruit by the Foot

before we even headed out!!

We headed down the road to one of the neighborhood bike paths

Here is the Little Red Car. In action.

It keeps us BOTH happy! :-)

Beep. Beep.

We stopped at the pond to look for ducks.

No ducks today. But, we did see a crane.

This little butterfly ended up
flying along side us for about 1/10 mile.

We ran about three miles and approached the bike path near Little Diva's school. Little Dude was very quiet and his head was starting to bob again. He was out. Again.

I ended my run there. Three miles done. I took him out and carried him over to a bench at the school. We snuggled for twenty minutes until Little Diva was done with class. We sweaty. Him snoring. It was awesome.

But not before I took this sweet video.
(Of course.)

Yurbuds Product Review & Giveaway

Developed by a marathoner and a triathlete, Yurbuds (HERE), have been designed for all athletes … even endurance athletes.

Their claim:

- they won’t fall out
- ultra-soft comfort
- sweat-proof
- exceptional sound
- fit guarantee

Hmmmmmm .....

Of cours, I chose to review the Komen Pink Yurbuds (HERE). $10 of every purchase is donated to the Susan G Komen for the Cure of St. Louis. Retail for $29.99. The Yurbuds are an adorable bright pink, the earphones and cord are both white. The Yurbuds also came in their own carrying case, which is handy for putting in your gym bag.

They are also available in Blue Yurbuds (HERE) for $29.99 and Ironman Red Yurbuds (HERE) for $49.99.

To get make sure that I got the right fit, I was asked to send them a photo of my profile and my ear alongside a quarter. You can also upload your photo to the Yurbuds website when ordering.

You can order your Yurbuds online now or visit a local retailer. I saw them at my local Fleet Feet in Madison just last week.

The Yurbuds are guaranteed not to fall out. They offer an extreme-fit 100% money back guarantee. How many of you have struggled with this?!? They are even guaranteed to work in the rain!

I am a sweater and have never been able to run with music or headphones. After dealing with headphones falling out constantly, I gave up on running with music a few years ago. It just wasn’t worth it to me to keep messing with the headphones. I also tried the wrap-around headphones, but those just rubbed and irritated my ears. And, they still shifted.

I was intrigued by Yurbuds. Wanting to believe that they wouldn’t fall out. But, honestly I didn’t think they’d work. I have tried them on a few runs of six miles our less. I put them in my ears and set out for my run. By mile one, I was starting to get sweaty and I could feel the puddle in my ears starting to fill up. They honestly stayed in place. The sound was clear and there was no movement on their own. The left ear never moved and the right ear moved slightly a few times on my first run with the Yurbuds. This was only because I’m not use to running with headphones and would accidentally tug or rub on the cord, causing the headphone to move. I adjusted accordingly and it wasn’t a problem. The Yurbuds never moved on their own. Even with my sweaty ears. Gotta love the pink, too!

They ARE indeed quite an investment. Since I'm not typically a runner with music, I would not have made the investment on my own. But, I'm glad that I have tried them and have changed my mind about running with music ... because these were comfortable and didn't fall out, for a change. So many of you ONLY run with music (even during races). If I were one of you, I would definitely shell out the thirty bucks to try them out.

It’s like a whole new world has opened up to me … running with music. I’ve ran for so long without it. It’s nice to get a little upbeat song in my head and have my feet speed up accordingly! Hey, maybe it will make me faster?!

I think I will still do a lot of my runs without music, just because it is my “me time” and allows me to think, prioritize, plan ... and just be by myself. I really enjoy listening to my breathing pattern and my feet hitting the pavement. It helps me concentrate on pacing myself. But, the Yurbuds have now offered me an alternative to that … when I want something more. I look forward to having options now, thanks to Yurbuds.

Since I'm getting into running with music again,

I will seek your advice on powerful songs to run to

... see # 1 below ...

******************************

One lucky winner will win a

PAIR OF YURBUDS

PLEASE LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY!!!

1 – Become a follower of my blog or already are?! LEAVE ME A COMMENT AND TELL ME YOUR FAVORITE SONG TO RUN TO

2 – Follow Running Diva Mom on Facebook HERE. LEAVE ME A COMMENT HERE

3 – Visit the Yurbuds website HERE and tell me which style/color you'd like most. LEAVE ME A COMMENT

4 – Become a fan of Yurbuds on Facebook HERE. LEAVE ME A COMMENT

5 – Post about this giveaway on your blog, Facebook or Twitter account. LEAVE ME A COMMENT FOR EACH.

Enter now though Sunday, October 3.
Winner will be announced on Monday.

[If you would like YOUR product or website featured on Running Diva Mom, please email me at ( runningdivamom at charter dot net ) ]

"Weighing In" on Taper Time ...

With only eleven days until Lakefront Marathon ... it's taper time! I only have one longish run of ten miles left to run this weekend. The rest of my runs scheduled are easy-peasy.

It's interesting how I've gained about seven pounds during this training cycle. I have not been as disciplined with my diet, despite running more miles than ever to get ready for this marathon. I was running 5-6 (usually six) days every week and logging over 150 miles every month. Still, I gained weight. Just how many calories was I actually consuming these past few months?

However, ever since I started tapering after that twenty miler a week and a half ago, I finally saw my body changing. And, so has everyone else. I've had so many people comment on my "weight loss" and change in body shape. However, I'm not.

I'm noticing my waist is a bit slender and I'm comfortable wearing belted shirts again. My pants are a bit looser in the back and in the legs. And, now I'm proud to wear running skirts around the neighborhood, and am not embarrased about how they snug my tooshie and hips.

Still, my weight is up from before. However, just this week I've lost three pounds. After running my lowest mileage week in months. Go figure.

That number on the scale just gets me. I should be more focused on that time on the clock on race day.

What's your experience with

the taper?

ShirtsThatGo Product Review & Giveaway

I recently came across ShirtsThatGo (HERE). They offer tons of transportation and construction vehicle themed shirts for little boys.

This means more than cars and trucks. They feature everything … fire truck t-shirts, train t-shirts, airplaine and jet t-shirts, tractor truck t-shirts, cement truck t-shirts, bulldozer t-shirts, helicopter t-shirts, motorcycle t-shirts … and even garbage truck t-shirts! The images on these kids t-shirts are realistic and fun.


They also offer quantity discounts for families that have multiple little guys and birthday parties! Free USPS shipping on all orders, too. And, they are made in the USA.

ShirtsThatGo is a family owned business that has been in operation since 2008. The shirts are soft and 100% cotton. The ink they use is a water-based eco-friendly ink. The colors are vibrant and wash well with no fading (from experience). Little Dude is a chubby 2 ½ year old and wears a size 4 comfortably.

The box even arrived in an adorable vehicle-themed package.

Little Dude tried out the ShirtsThatGo Jet Airplane T-Shirt (HERE). They have several jet and airplane designs. Little Dude has been obsessed with airplanes since her turned one. We live about ten minutes from the airport and he loves seeing the planes fly in and out of the area. He has to announce them and point to them as they are overhead. For his second birthday we even converted his bedroom to an airplane theme, so that he can be surrounded by them at night, too. This ShirtsThatGo t-shirt was perfect.

From the ShirtsThatGo website:

The airplane shirt is inspired by our awe and love of air travel. When toddlers and kids go on their first trip by air for the first time or to an airport observation area they love it right away. Watching a huge airliner leave the ground never ceases to impress us here at Shirts that Go! and our kids sure do like it. There is a sense of adventure that comes from any trip that involves airplanes. If the airplane is a large Boeing and the distance is great then it is even more exciting. When kids see airplanes departing first it is just wow and then they start to wonder about the destination. Very cool stuff. We are trying to capture a bit of that feeling with our jet airliner t-shirt.

Save 10% on single shirt orders with coupon code: runningdiva

If your little guy STILL can’t get enough of the vehicles, they offer some free, fun coloring pages (HERE)

******************************

One lucky winner will win a

Shirt of their Little Guy's Choice

from ShirtsThatGo

PLEASE LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY!!!

1 – Become a follower of my blog or already are?! LEAVE ME A COMMENT

2 – Follow Running Diva Mom on Facebook HERE. LEAVE ME A COMMENT

3 – Visit the ShirtsThatGo website HERE and tell me what you think is fabulous. LEAVE ME A COMMENT

4 – Become a fan of ShirtsThatGo on Facebook HERE. LEAVE ME A COMMENT

5 – Post about this giveaway on your blog, Facebook or Twitter account. LEAVE ME A COMMENT FOR EACH.

Enter now though Thursday, Sept 30th.
Winner will be announced on Friday.

[If you would like YOUR product or website featured on Running Diva Mom, please email me at ( runningdivamom at charter dot net ) ]

I'm a List-Maker ...

I love summer and hate to see it end. But, I do love fall, too. I love pumpkin shakes from Culver's, pumpkin lattes from Starbuck's and burning pumpkin pie candles in my kitchen.

I am in LOVE with Honeycrisp apples ... well worth the $2.99/lb at the grocery store last week. I can't wait to head to an apple orchard with the kids next weekend and pick up some more. Fresh.

I've been reading so much about Chobani greek yogurts lately. We've been indulging in it on-and-off for the past month. It's a little hefty on the wallet, but a nice treat. I love the strawberry and pomegranate flavors best. Thick and creamy. Filling, too.

BTW, I picked up a set of four of these adorable dishes from Savers last week, during my thrift store run ... only $0.49 a plate!

I'm a list maker. I've become even more of a list maker ever since I became a mom. Maybe we have too much going on. Maybe it's because I forget things now. Maybe it's because I get satisfaction about seeing how much I've accomplished. And, maybe sometimes I add things to my list that I've already done -- just so that I can cross off more!!!

Some projects have been put off until Little Diva was back in school and the weather turned cold. I didn't want to waste our time indoors ... cleaning and organizing. Sad, but true.

Little Dude loves to "help me" around the house. He also has become pretty good at entertaining himself now and playing with his toys ... or Little Diva's toys when she's not here to fight about it!

I feel pretty good about what I've accomplished over the past five hours with Little Dude. The only thing left to do is ... RUN.

For those that may think that we "obsessed runners" have our blinders on, to all of the other priorities in our lives ... wrong. Running made my list, but came up last on the things to be crossed off.

Running is a priority, but is not always THE priority. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't.

Little Dude and I will be heading out shortly

for a run with the Little Red Car

and a trip to the park.

What's on your agenda today?

momAgenda Winner ...

I was recently given the opportunity to review Zebra Print Desktop Planner for 2o10-2011 from momAgenda. You can read all about my fabulous experience HERE.

Please visit momAgenda online HERE and start shopping.

There were 168 entries in my recent giveaway. One winner was chose at random.

Random.org chose ……..

Run4May (HERE)

Congratulations, Run4May!!! Please email me at ( runningdivamom at charter dot net ) with your name, email and mailing address. And, I will get you your prize!

Thank you for following my journey!!

[If you would like YOUR product or website featured on Running Diva Mom, please email me at ( runningdivamom at charter dot net ) ]

Amazing Grass Winner ...

I was recently given the opportunity to review Super Food mixes and Whole Food Bars from Amazing Grass. You can read all about my fabulous experience HERE.

Please visit Amazing Grass online HERE and start shopping.

There were 62 entries in my recent giveaway. One winner was chose at random.

Random.org chose ……..

Track Coach and His Adorable Wife (HERE)

Congratulations, Track Coach ... and Adorable Wife!!! Please email me at ( runningdivamom at charter dot net ) with your name, email and mailing address. And, I will get you your prize!

Thank you for following my journey!!

[If you would like YOUR product or website featured on Running Diva Mom, please email me at ( runningdivamom at charter dot net ) ]

Twelve More Miles Down & Two Weeks 'til Marathon

I'm exactly two weeks away from marathon #3. I can't believe it. I feel ready and I feel not-so-ready. I have a lot of miles under my belt this year and already ran a full marathon earlier this year. I believe I have been marathon training since January. I finished one marathon on May 30th and then started marathon training again mid-June.

I had twelve miles on my schedule for today and another ten miler next Sunday. Hubby also is running this marathon with me, so he has a similar plan. He finished his two hour run this morning. I planned to set out after lunch.

I started heading out the door around 2pm this afternoon. Little Diva and Little Dude saw me get my running shoes and Bondi Band on. Both were disappointed that our treadmill is still broken and that I wouldn't be running downstairs. Not that I would WANT to run 12 miles downstairs ... unless there was a foot of snow on the ground. Little Diva insisted that she could run 12 miles with me. When I explained that I would not be back until dinner time and that this was equivalent to four Hannah Montana episodes, she still insisted on joining me. Not being a mama that wants to deny her daughter of some bonding time and a good run, I let her go grab her running shoes.

She and I dressed appropriate. There was a chill in the air and a high of 60 degrees. Definitely cool for or slow run/walk pace this afternoon. We finished about 3 miles (2/3 of it walking) in about 45 minutes.

We returned home and it was starting to sprinkle. I used the restroom and grabbed my handheld waterbottle. This was my first run in a loooong time in a long-sleeve technical top. I also wore my pink Recovery Socks to keep my legs warm.

I zig-zagged through my neighborhood and felt grat. I had my new pair of Brooks Adrenaline's on. The bottoms of my feet ached, which was surprising. Usually new running shoes feel like fluffy little pillows under my feet. I hope that this goes away. Around mile 7, I headed out of my neighborhood and downed a Honey Stinger Energy Gel (Gold flavor). I picked it up in my purchase at Fleet Feet yesterday. All I can say is YUMMY! That stuff was fantastic and I want to go buy more. If you like honey, you need to try this. It was heaven. It was REALLY sweet, so it may be overpowering for some. This is right up there with my favorite GU flavors (mint chocolate and orange vanilla). I never felt sluggish the entire run and finished my entire bottle of water. I headed from bike path to bike path and only had to run on a country road for about 3/4 mile (a very busy road).

Twelve more miles down. Two weeks to go.

My old pair of Brooks Adrenaline's had approximtatly 900 miles! Ooops! I should have visited the running store a month or two ago. Look at how beat up these babies were. I think you could see me a mile away in my new kicks. No reflective accessories needed!!

A Running Mama's Saturday

I love being a mama (most of the time!) and am obsessed with my running (most of the time!). Since hubby is not home today and our treadmill is still broken, I still haven't gotten my run in today!!!

However, my day still seems to revolve around the kids ... and my running ...

I WILL get that run in later ...




I love to hit thrift stores. I visited my local Savers and got all of this for less than $15.

A running skirt for Little Diva, an sports bra and to wicking running tops. All in my size and all my style. Love it!

Little Diva had a dance team clinic this morning, held by the high school dance team. Little Dude and I ran some errands and then picked up Little Diva after her camp. That girl loves to perform! She sported her new running skirt and her rainbow knee high socks from Pride Socks (HERE). Lots and lots of comments on those socks today!!

I can't wait to see her perform their routine at the football game, to "Baby" by Justin Beiber. Now, I have had that song in my head all day.

The kids and I headed towards the other side of town to the running store. I knew that there was a McDonald's in the area that we hadn't visited before. They also had a nice play area, including one for toddlers. I love the excitement on their faces when we go somewhere new. The way they run towards the play area, ready to play for hours. Even if it's the same old crappy food, it's still a new, fun experience for them. It keeps things exciting.

I also love that since I've discovered so many new parks, places and picnic spots on my long runs ... I often take the kids somewhere new. Today, when we showed up at this McDonald's (about 15 miles from our house), Little Diva asked ... "How did you know about this place?! Do you run over here?!".

The kids and I headed over to Fleet Feet Sports in Madison (HERE). I had received a call that my new pairs of Brooks Adrenalines had arrived. I had stopped by last week, during Ironman, and they were out of my big size 10's. They had a nice kids play area and table to entertain the kids while I shopped. Little Diva also enjoyed looking over the assortment of Sweaty Bands!

I was able to try on an adorable running skirt that was 50% off and I got it for only $30!! I also loaded up on some energy gels and bars. I was able to use my $15 off coupon from the Running Diva Mom bloggers meet up last month -- yeah! Still a hefty bill when I checked out ... but cheap considering it all came from a running store!!

I loaded up on some old favorites and some new items that I wanted to try, including Bonk Breaker Bars in (chocolate peanut butter and also PB&J), and Accel-Gels. I can't wait to try some of these on my long runs and at my marathon ... in two weeks!!

On the way back home, the kids and I stopped at Bean Sprouts Cafe (HERE) in Middleton, WI. We have been there a few times before. It's always a fun experience. The kids get a kick out of the special little things they thought of when creating this cafe for children. If you're ever in the Madison area with your children -- you definitely need to check it out. And, for those of you that read this blog ... and that have been there with our kiddos ... we need to go back soon. You know who you all are!!

The cafe also does birthday parties, tea parties, free story time and fun, interactive cooking classes (HERE) for children. I hope to get Little Diva over there someday for one of our mommy/daughter dates.

We rarely eat out with the kids anymore -- it's just not worth the time or the effort for how quickly we try to scarf our food down before there is a tantrum. Bean Sprouts is totally geared towards kids. Just look at this ...

Stroller parking!

Big Sprouts / Little Sprouts Doors

The kids continue to get a kick out of this!

Big Potty / Little Potty in both of their restrooms

Kids potty supplies, too!

Thank you, Bean Sprouts ...
I had been trying to get Little Dude to sit on the potty all day ... success!!

Bumbo Seats everywhere for the infants

Sorry, Littla Diva ... you're a big girl now

Step stools everywhere

Since our visit last year, they have also added a kitchen and grocery store to their play area.

Bins for placing toys with germs

Fun play area with chalkboards

Floor seats and booster seats everywhere

Drawing / creation station

The cafe features a food menu (with entree sizes for children and adults), snacks and drinks and smoothies. The menu is available online (HERE). The prices are a little more than fast food, but totally worth the healthy options you get there and the experience. We've tried several of the items on their menu during our four trips to Bean Sprouts. We've never been disappointed.

Today we tried the Pink Patootie smoothie (they gave me an extra cup with the leftovers - yum!), chocolate milk, fruit salsa with baked cinnamon chips, and a fun chocolate cake lollipop from the bakery case.

They also sell tons of organic foods, yummy baby foods (aka Baby Bites), playdate platters, and healthy sides.

Do you eat out with your kids?

Where can you take them and avoid a tantrum?!