Spring Couch to 5K Runners ... You did it!!

Back in April, I started a nine week adventure with fourteen women.  They had no clue what was in store for them as they showed up in their cotton athletic wear, ready to run/walk for twenty minutes. 

Fast forward nine weeks later ....

Their cotton t-shirts have transformed into technical clothing.  Their sloppy pony tails are now secured with fashionable Bondi Bands.  Their off-the-shelf sneakers have been put aside for some well-fitted running shoes.  Their gasps for air have been transformed into controlled breaths of fresh air as they have found a comfortable rhythm with their footsteps.  Frustration has turned into smiles.  Strangers have turned into friends.

But most importantly, "I can'ts" have turned into "I cans" and then "I did"!!

We experienced a few injuries this season; many were pre-existing conditions.  It was sad that everyone could not finish the program.  But, I'm told that some of them will be back in the Fall for more, after they allow their bodies to heal.

The ten ladies that did complete the program, ran their 5K on June 23 at Sun Prairie's Strawberry Festival.  Some of them have even included their children and their spouses in their running activities.  I love when the enthusiasm spreads throughout the family!!  And, these ladies finished strong ... I mean, one even competed with a double ear infection and a sinus infection!  38-45 minutes of strong running on a very hilly course.  I am very proud of each and every one of them!!

 

Congratulations to the 10 Ladies
that completed the
Spring Couch to 5K Program!!

Pam

Marcia
Chris

Debi

Beth

Natasha
Abby
Ellie
Nicole
Brenda

Thank you for allowing
me to join you
on YOUR journey!!

Giveaway Winners (Lots of them!!)

Little Diva, Little Dude and I were recently given the opportunity to review several products geared towards active families.  You can read all of our experiences at the links below.  One winner was chosen to receive each of these fabulous products.

Congratulations everyone!!!  Please email me at ( runningdivamom at yahoo dot com ) 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 yahoo dot com ) ]




Ruffles With Love Custom Shirt (HERE)
Winner:  Run Find Your Happy Pace (HERE)





FRS Healthy Performance Products (HERE)
Winner: bayctygrl (HERE)


Hero Huggers Belt for Kids (HERE)
Winner:  The Pioneer Apron (HERE)


Chi Marathon Book (HERE)
Winner:  My Continuing Quest for Sanity (HERE)




Rae Cosmetics (HERE)
Winner:  The Brothers YZ (HERE)




Handful Bra (HERE)
Winner:  The Weatherley Adventure (HERE)




Ahnu Footwear (HERE)
Winner:  Mrsr1n1 (HERE)




Sharkies (HERE)
Winner:  Run Sofalvi Run (HERE)




For My Children Book (HERE)
Winner:  Run O'Donnell (HERE)




Zipfizz (HERE)
Winner:  Tales from an Average Runner (HERE)




SPIband by SPIbelt (HERE)
Winner:  Sucking Air (HERE)




Febreeze Detergent & Tide Laundry Bag (HERE)
Winner:  Tab a Dilly (HERE)


Proud Runner Socks & Armwarmers (HERE)
Winner:  Mag Mile Runner (HERE)




Americas ToothFairy Kids Club / Tooth Fairy 2 DVD (HERE)
Winner:  Girls Just Wanna Go Run (HERE)

Heatbreaker Indoor Half Marathon Race Entry Giveaway

Don't like racing in the summer heat? Try the inaugural Heatbreaker Half Marathon & Relay (HERE).  It is Wisconsin's only summer indoor half marathon and will take place on Saturday, July 28 at the Pettit National Ice Center in Milwaukee.  It is the sister event to the wildly popular Icebreaker Indoor Marathon & Half Marathon, which draws a sell-out field to the Pettit Center every January.

I was one of the lucky runners that ran the Icebreaker Indoor Half Marathon this past January and it was one fabulous experience!!  I will definitely be goin gback.  People always ask me what it was like to run so many laps around the Pettit National Ice Center ... and I say it was awesome.  The laps didn't bother me at all.  You had dozens of opportunities for water, great race support, rest rooms, it was cool and the course was flat.  Awesome.

About the Heatbreaker Indoor Half Marathon:

There will be four heats with a capacity of 125 runners in each.  The heats will begin at 7 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.  Runners can sign up for whichever heat they would like.  Following the half marathons there will be a half marathon relay starting at 7 p.m. for teams of 2 to 4 runners.

The 7 a.m. half marathon will be the competitive heat and will have a $1,000 purse paid out to the top three male and female finishers.  We also have special challenges for runners who want to compete in multiple heats.  There is the Two Alarm Challenge for two of the heats, the Three Alarm Challenge for three heats and the Inferno for those daring enough to run in all four half marathon heats.

It's been a very hot spring and summer for distance racing so we are hoping to take advantage of that with an indoor race on what is notoriously the hottest weekend of the summer.  The temperature inside the Pettit Center is always a cool 55 degrees!

For more information or to register, visit our race website at www.indoormarathon.com

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One lucky winner will win
an entry to the July 28, 2012
Heatbreaker Indoor Half Marathon

PLEASE LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY!!!

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

 2 – Become a fan of Running Diva Mom on Facebook HERE.  LEAVE ME A COMMENT

3 – Visit the Heatbreaker Indoor Half Marathon website HERE and tell me why you want to run this race.  LEAVE ME A COMMENT

4 – Become a fan of Heatbreaker Indoor Half Marathon on Facebook HERE (and let them know Running Diva Mom sent you!).  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 Monday, July 9. 

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

Three Things Thursday

1:  The Little Dude has been OBSESSED with his first extracurricular activity.  He's been playing, sleeping, swimming ... you name it ... in his new t-ball shirt.  It's not the shirt that he loves so much.  It's the fact that this is all about HIM ... and it should be!  It has been so entertaining watching his first few practices as he catches a fly ball as he's supposed to be running bases and seeing him take pride in hitting the ball after seven or eight swings. He really has enjoyed being a "big boy" and learning about something new.  He's not following in his sister's footsteps ... this is his gig.  His two families are coming out to support him.  And, he owns this turquoise blue shirt.  I think that the look on his face says it all.

2:  On Monday afternoon, I had the sweet opportunity to be interviewed by BRAVA Magazine (HERE) for their August issue.  I met up with Ann, a local writer, at Machinery Row in downtown Madison.  We ran together back and forth between Machinery Row and the Monona Terrace about fifty times and logged a mile or so during our "active photo shoot" with Amber.  After the action shots, we headed out on the Capital City Trail for five more miles of active conversation.  I loved it.  Ann asked me questions about how I got started in thie crazy sport, why I love it so much, how the whole coaching thing came to be and why I love Couch to 5K runners so incredibly much.  We also touched a bit on blogging and social media.  I can't wait to see what the article entails (stay tuned).  Eek!

 

3:  This past Saturday, two of my coaching sessions ended at Sun Prairie's Strawberry Festival.  I coached several wonderful woman in both the 5K and 10K events.  I will post more on their accomplishments soon, but wanted to share this beautiful charm bracelet that I received from two of the dedicated 10K runners.  I love the little shoe charm, pink crystals and diva charm addition.  A perfect way to remember that training runs that we shared together over the past few months. I am so proud of all that they've accomplished, while balancing careers, kids, extra curricular activities, sick children ... they fit it all in to their schedules ... and you can too!

America's ToothFairy Kids Club / Tooth Fairy 2 DVD Giveaway

I was recently contacted by America's ToothFairy to provide their mission and Kids Club.  Little Diva is at that age where her toothless grin is constantly changing.  The kids have been excited about purchasing their own individual toothpastes and toothbrushes and are getting more and more independent with their own dental hygeine.  However, they still need some help and guidance at times.

America's ToothFairy (HERE) has a mission to o eliminate pediatric dental disease and promote overall health and well being for millions of children from vulnerable populations. They do this by being a comprehensive resource provider for non-profit community programs delivering critical preventive, educational and treatment services.

Serving as America’s ToothFairy, National Children’s Oral Health Foundation is dedicated to eliminating childhood tooth decay and gum disease and ensuring all children can access the comprehensive care they need for healthy, happy, and productive futures.  NCOHF provides vital financial, product, and technical support to a growing network of not-for-profit Affiliates and volunteer dental professi...onals who deliver critical oral health services for underserved children. All NCOHF Affiliate partners use a comprehensive preventive, restorative and educational model to break the cycle of pediatric dental disease and improve the overall health of children from vulnerable populations.  NCOHF has delivered nearly $10 million in financial and product contributions to Affiliate partners, reaching more 600,000 children each year!

Join in the fun over at America's ToothFairy Kids Club (HERE).  Join the America’s ToothFairy Kids Club and receive a personalized Letter from the ToothFairy and quarterly fun, educational activities!

The National Children's Oral Health Foundation: America's ToothFairy (NCOHF) has taken the small, mythical character that children dream of and transformed her into a true superhero. Did you know that tooth decay is the #1 chronic childhood disease? In fact, millions of children are suffering in such pain, they are unable to eat, sleep and learn. While severe tooth decay is a growing problem, it is also treatable, curable, and preventable through basic education and proper oral hygiene practices. The NCOHF is dedicated to delivering comprehensive oral healthcare for underserved children. Providing preventive, restorative and educational oral health services to more than 600,000 children each year, the NCOHF: America's ToothFairy aims to eliminate pediatric oral disease and promote overall health and well-being for millions of children from vulnerable populations.
 
Little Diva recently enjoyed the Tooth Fairy 2 movie and joined the America's ToothFairy Kids Club ... we hope that you will join in the fun and educational activities, too!

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

One lucky winner will win
a copy of Tooth Fairy 2
from America's ToothFairy Kids Club
(Winner must reside in continental US)


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 – (REQUIRED) Visit the America's ToothFairy website HERE and SIGN YOUR CHILD  UP FOR THE AMERICA'S TOOTHFAIRY KIDS CLUB. LEAVE ME A COMMENT


4 – Become a fan of America's ToothFairy Kids Club on Facebook HERE (and let them know Running Diva Mom sent you!). 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, July 5.
[If you would like YOUR product or website featured on Running Diva Mom, please email me at ( runningdivamom at charter dot net ) ]



Febreeze Detergent & Tide Laundry Bag Review & Giveaway

Have you ever noticed that your running gear tends to hold in the odors and smells from your workout?  Technical fabric tends to trap in all of that hard work and sweat ... and stink.

I was recently contacted by Febreeze (HERE).  They have a cool product, called Febreeze Laundry Odor Elminator (HERE).  Febreze Laundry Odor Eliminator is a laundry aid that pairs up with your regular laundry detergent.  It works in the washer with detergents to eliminate odors such as perspiration, cooking oil, grease, motor oil, pets, garden soil and mildew from virtually any washable fabric, including technical fabrics. While detergents clean the soils Febreze Laundry Odor Eliminator cleans away odors that get trapped in fabrics.  Use Febreze Laundry Odor Eliminator in any of your laundry loads with odors that can be hard to remove with detergent alone. These loads often include items such as work uniforms or clothes, sports or fitness clothing, cooking towels, or restaurant uniforms.  Add directly to wash cycle with your liquid or powder detergent.

This worked well and left my running gear smelling nice and fresh.  If you like using Febreeze to refresh your home, you will love this product.  Some of my old gear is new again! 

I also received products from Tide (HERE).  I checked out the Tide Odor Absorbing Travel Laundry Bag (HERE) (pictured in blue) and the Tide Odor Absorbing Sports Laundry Bag (HERE) (pictured in black).  These products are great for use when you are doing workouts on-the-go or traveling.  They are perfect to keep in your gym bag, trunk or desk drawer.

The Tide Odor Absorbing Travel Laundry Bag (HERE) keeps smelly clothes separate from clean clothes in your suitcase or gym bag.  Fabric traps and eliminates odors commonly found in your laundry.  It is Microbial Resistant – Inhibits the growth of bacteria and mold on your laundry bag caused by wet or deeply soiled laundry.

The Tide Odor Absorbing Sports Laundry Bag (HERE) keeps smelly clothes separate from clean clothes in your athletic bag. It does everything that the travel bag does, but it also comes with a drawstring closure that doubles as a shoulder strap.

These products are all good way to keep the pricey investment you've made with your athletic gear.  Keep it like new and keep it fresh.  Keep it separate from everything else (including delicates) in your gym bag or clothes hamper.  And, that doesnt' meant that you still can't purchase new gear for your next race!!

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

One lucky winner will win an assortment of products from
Febreeze and Tide

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 Febreeze website HERE and the Tide website HERE and tell me what you think is fabulous. LEAVE ME A COMMENT

4 – Become a fan of Febreeze on Facebook HERE and Tide on Facebbok HERE (and let them know Running Diva Mom sent you!). 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 Saturday, June 30.

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

Three Things Thursday

1:  I was PSYCHED to find this fabulously large can of Diet Dew at a Racine gas station, during our recent Ragnar Relay journey.  Since I snagged the can, several of my peeps have contacted me to tell me they've seen them too!  It doesn't take much to make me happy.  It was the perfect way to keep me going, after fourty hours without sleep and 22 miles under my belt!

2:  My current excitement ......

Yes, yours truly will be inteviewed by BRAVA Magazine, a local magazine for Madison-area women.  We will chat about the benefits of running and how to fit marathon training into your life.  Coolest thing is she will be interviewing me, while we run together for one hour and will follow up with a photo shoot.  Check out the August issue at your local doctor's office (where I usually snag a copy) or Brava Magazine online (HERE).

3:  This weekend, I get to run with the latest Couch to 5K ladies in their first race!  I will also be running with last fall's Couch to 5K group in their first 10K!  More shout
Are you interested in running your first 5K?  RDM has several coaching sessions starting soon. 
NEW! Catalyst Ladies Couch to 5K Summer Session Starts July 18 (HERE)

NEW! Date Night/Couples Couch to 5K Session Starts July 31 (HERE)

Interested in other days/times or want an individual session?  Just need some help getting started?  RDM also offers virtual coaching and training programs for all distances! 

Email me at runningdivamom at yahoo dot come for rates and availability.



SPIband by SPIbelt Review & Giveaway

Chances are, you've seen SPIbelt (HERE) booths at your local running store or race expo.  I've observed dozens of mad runners pulling them off of the shelves.  And, why not?!?!  They are both fashionable and functional.  The SPIbelt is sleek, expandable, secure, and does not bounce. Did you read that?!?! ... It does not bounce or shift!!!  How many products have told you that, yet you try it out and they move (annoyingly!) with every step?!  SPIbelts don't.  PLUS ... It can hold a cell phone, keys, cash, credit cards, identification and many other small personal items.   And these nifty contraptions come in so many fun colors and wild patterns.

SPIbelt recently sent me their new product, a SPIband (HERE).  Cool, huh?!  They are pretty nifty and you can wear them on your wrist, arm or ankle. You could wear several and look like one cool (and functional) super hero!  They even come in a red, white and blue american flag pattern ... perfect for Independence Day Super Heroes next month!!

Selling online for under ten bucks!! ....  the SPIband creates a more compact way to keep track of the tiniest belongings without interrupting a productive workout. With SPIband’s compact yet roomy design, users can keep the smallest personal items around their ankle or wrist. With the safe and secure fit, you can work out without the worry of keeping track of with their smallest, yet valuable belongings, like keys, gym membership cards, cash, and even wedding bands.

They come in three sizes and various colors (including pink!!):

Small-4”H x 6”W x 2”D fits size of 5”-6”

Medium- 4.5”H x 7”Wx 2.5”D, fits size of 6”-7”

Large- 4.5”H, 8 ”W x 3”D, fits size of 8-9”

Personally, I prefer to usually carry my handheld water bottle, which includes a zipper pocket for keys, etc.  I don't really like wearing anything extra around my waist.  The SPIband was a perfect option for me.  I carried it, in addition to my handheld water bottle.  It fit snug, but wasn't too snug and not annoying at all.  And yes, IT DIDN'T MOVE!!  I opted to put a gel in it during some long runs.  I loved it and wore it on my wrist.  My only gripe would be an additional tanline ... LOL.

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

One lucky winner will win
a SPIband
from SPIbelt

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 SPIbelt website HERE and tell me what you think is fabulous. LEAVE ME A COMMENT

4 – Become a fan of SPIbelt on Facebook HERE (and let them know Running Diva Mom sent you!). 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 Friday, June 29.

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



Zipfizz Review & Giveaway

Zipfizz (HERE) contacted me last year and I thought that it might just be another energy drink.  I've tried several ... loved some ... hated others.  But, Zipfizz is everything I like and my body needs to fuel me for a run.

Zipfizz contains only 10 calories per serving; no sugar; and provides you with 4-6 hours of energy (perfect for a long training run.  They also claim there is no "crash" after the benefits wear off.  Awesome.

There are thirty times the electrolytes to sports drinks!  And, Zipfizz is the only healthy energy drink-mix powder in a tube.

Zipfizz contains 100 mgs of caffeine ... about one-fourthe the caffeeine of a Tall Starbuck's.  I did let my kids try it (despite the caffeine)and they loved the pink lemonade flavor (perhaps appearing at our next lemonade stand?!?!?) and the berry flavor. 

I liked the pink lemonade as well.  I didn't like the berry flavor, because I tend not to like berry-flavored beverages. The grape Zipfizz was a treat and super tasty.  They also have orange soda and citrus flavors that I tried.

I drank Zipfizz before my runs, but not during.  I also enjoyed it leasurely in my water bottle (while not working out).

One box of 20 tubes sells for $37.99.  Or you can try out a sampler pack of five flavors for only $8.99 (HERE).

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One lucky winner will win
an assortment from
Zipfizz

PLEASE LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY!!!

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

2 – Become a fan of Running Diva Mom on Facebook HERE.  LEAVE ME A COMMENT

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

4 – Become a fan of Zipfizz on Facebook HERE (and let them know Running Diva Mom sent you!).  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, June 28.

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

Lego Kids Fest Milwaukee

The kids and I had the exciting opportunity to attend Lego Kids Fest (HERE) in Milwaukee this past weekend. What a treat … for all of us! We not only received tickets to attend the Friday evening session. But, the kids were also invited into the VIK (Very Important Kid) event, before the show opened.  Lego Kids Fest events took place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Frontier Airlines Center in Milwaukee.

We, and about 20 other families, showed up an hour before the event to get a sneak peak at all of the figures and meet with two of the Lego Designers. Did you know that there are only seven of these designers in the US? The kids sat down in a pow wow with Chris, part of a father/son designer team to learn about good “lego structure and building” and then we were able to build some space ships together. We also were able to make our own creation for the US model. Little Dude opted to make a “red farm” for the Midwest, which was strategically placed in the central part of the United States Map.

Then, the doors opened  at 4:00 and the show floor was flooded with families and Lego enthusiasts. We went from station to station and had some nice, quality time together playing with Legos of all sorts and building all sorts of contraptions. The best part was when the kids dove into the Lego pile. Kids were giddy and parents were snapping photos everywhere. There were so many different shapes and contraptions that I had never seen before. Little Dude enjoyed making a boat.

We had so much fun at the Lego Art Gallery, where you were each allowed one tile to customize as you wish.  Little Diva made a beautiful self-portrait, Little Dude made a very colorful and time-consuming design (I helped him place in the single Legos one-by-one!) and I made a 26.2 design that was admired by many people (I suddently met every runner in the building area!).

We enjoyed racing cars that were really fast ... and others that WEREN'T really fast!!

I loved the stations that had single colors of Legos and about stole the bucket of pink goodness.

We had fun playing with various buildings and sculptures that were already made.  Little Diva enjoyed playing with the girly line, called "Friends".  Little Dude enjoyed playing with the larger Duplo blocks and the toy train they had in the area.  There was tons of fun for everyone!

We went and saw all of the sculptures that were made by the Lego Designers, many by the designers that we met earlier. They liked seeing the Harry Potter characters, near life-size Lightening McQueen, Batman and many others.

There were also Lego board games and a nice reading area with Lego-themed books.  It was fun seeing families interacting in various way with Legos.

And, of course they had several small Lego stores, where you could buy Legos, Lego apparel and books.  I told the kids that if they were well-behaved that they could each pick something out before we left.  Of course they were gems and $50 later we left the festival.

I also enjoyed having the opportunity to meet up with the beautiful and grateful Julie from 47 and Fearless (HERE). She and her boys had won tickets to LegoFest via RDM. It was nice that we finally had the chance to meet up and to see the excitement on her boys’ faces.

Check out the Lego Kids Fest website
(HERE)
to see if they are stopping near you!

Quick Ragnar Relay Reflections

Last Friday, I embarked on a 200 mile journey from Madison to Chicago with 2 vans full of 12 ladies ... Some I knew ... some I've only met through cyberspace.

The Ragnar Relay was a crazy experience that deserves a full recap.  It's something that I'm sure is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me.  And I'm glad that I was able to experience it.  I've been constantly asked if I would do it again.  And my answer is, "I would ... but I probably won't.".  Just like the marathon experience, that could change as I get further away from the event.

I'm not quite sure how to condense all of the experiences, planning, dedication, regrets and devotion by my teamates into one blog post entry.

.... and then there is also the running! ....

 Stay tuned.