Winner Winner!

So the winner according to Random Number Customizer is....

THE RUNNING LAMINATOR!!!!!!!

Thank you all who entered and I hope you enjoyed the contest, and at least will visit Online Shoes for your next pair of shoes, whether they be running shoes or fun shoes, they have great selection and free shipping and free returns which are a big plus. :) Stay tuned because I'll have another giveaway coming up soon!

Here's some deals for those who need new running stuff. Also right now is the perfect time to buy winter running gear as stores are trying to get rid of it!

Women

Asics Sleeveless Top

Nike Dri-Fit Traning Tank

Nike Strong And Strappy Tank (love it!)

Nike Pro Ultimate Short Sleeve Shirt

Champion Spandex Shorts

Nike Gym Basics Long Shorts

Jockey Roll Down Waist Band Pants

Brooks Power Top Mesh Tank Top

Brooks Running Skirt

Alpine Design Dri-Fit Turtle Neck

Adidas Clima Proof Wind Shell Jacket

White Sierra Microfleece Top

Heavy Weight Spyder Turtleneck

Nike Low-Impact Long Tank

Nike Pinnacle Long Sports Tunic (Love!!)

Nike Everyday Running Long Tank

Adidas Clima Cool Tank

Nike Seamless Tank (love!)

Alpine Design Women's Fleece Top

Nike Dri-Fit Long Sleeve Top

Nike Long Sleeve Banded Top (love!!)

Nike Short Sleeve Banded Tee

Asics Short Sleeve Running Tee

Nike Long Tank

Men's (sorry guys, not to many sales for you today!)

Brooks Pacer Shorts

Nike Dri-Fit Shorts

Reebok Premier Split Shorts

Nike Dri-Fit Race Day Shorts

Brooks HAVC Shorts

Accessories

Salomon Ultra Trail Running Waist pack

Nathan Sidekick Media Pouch

Nathan SideKick Fitness Pouch

As many of you know, I'm a huge Angel fan, and sadly, we lost a great pitcher last night to a car accident in Fullerton, CA. Please keep the Adenhart family and Angel team in your prayers. You can read the tragic story here.

Lastly, tomorrow I am leaving for Hawaii! :) Though I'm excited to go, I won't be blogging regularly. There are still some scheduled posts that will be going on, like ADOPTION APRIL! I also have some random things that I have been wanting to post about so they will be mixed in as well, but no deal Thursday, since I like those to be all the latest and newest deals. Good luck to everyone racing this weekend, and I'll be back soon, don't worry! Remember, if you have a question for Adoption April, feel free to email me at (danicakoo)(@)(gmail)(dot)(com).

ALOHA!

xoxo

You ask for it, you got it!

you heard right and no, this isn't an April fools joke....

IT'S GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!

Okay, enough of me acting like I'm at the circus and working for peanuts. This giveaway is for runners and non-runners alike. The wonderful and very generous Online Shoes contacted me to give away a $100 GIFT CERTIFICATE to their site to one lucky commenter. Wild, I know. Generous, I know. They have super great stuff for all occasions including heels, flip-flops and running shoes. Even better is that they have running clothes as well. The site is easy to navigate and with that much selection a girl can get in trouble!

I personally have shopped on Online Shoes, and they had superb customer service, easy transactions and great prices. With FREE SHIPPING and a 90 day return policy, how can you go wrong? I am a SUCKER for free shipping! All a super bonus to their sweet selection of shoes. They even have a pretty cool new section dedicated to New Balance Shoes, which I know some of you swear by. They have Uggs, Seychelles, Franco Sarto, Adidas... tons of great brands, so first off check them out.

Secondly, to ENTER THE GIVEAWAY.... Leave a comment with what shoes you would get with your gift certificate for $100... I know I'm making you work just a little bit, BUT it's because it's for ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS.

My comment would say, "Chic Runner would get these sweet Clark Wedges in black, because not all my shoes need to be running shoes (and I have a sick obsession with wedges) "

Easy as me getting McDonalds for lunch yesterday, so enter away! Also, playing by the rules of most giveaways there are more ways to get more entries. If you want TWO entries and are not yet a follower, you can become a follower by clicking on the stalk me follow button on the right side (if you already are, or choose to become one, just put that in your comment so I can take note) and for THREE entries, post something about this giveaway on your blog and I'll enter you three times. (leave that in the comment too)

Sadly, this giveaway is only available to US Residents. (next time all you Canadians, eh?) Also, if you are picked by the random number generator that I love, you will have to give me your email address and real first and last name. Don't worry I won't spam you or steal your identity.

Good luck to everyone!

Now onto a completely unrelated giveaway topic of my life, I got the opportunity to go to the House of Blues Anaheim to check out The Lost Trailers and Luke Bryan. I am not a hardcore country follower... but I do like the music and man, both these bands were GREAT. I really like the Lost Trailers new song, How 'bout You Don't. You should check them out, they are really a fun band. I had randomly met a guy from the Lost Trailers and he got Mr. R and I tickets to the show and I am forever thankful to him. It was amazing and so cool to see him live. It's weird to see so many girls screaming for them. Secondly, LUKE BRYAN I have a crush. Holy Moly, I must need to look at guys more often because DANG. Okay, I'm off that topic now. Thanks again Stokes and the Lost Trailers for a great show!

Finally tonight I am going to go for a short little four miler to see how I feel. I hope the cold is behind me and I won't be hacking up a lung out on my run, and I know that easing myself back into running will be the best thing for me. Tomorrow I'll have some sweet deals so keep your eyes peeled for those.... now, comment away!!

xoxo

And the winner is.....

...... Jamie of Food Junkie! :) Congrats to her, and thank you for everyone who entered! It was a great contest and I really do love these books. I would recommend them to anyone who needs a little bit of help in the food section.





Out of 306 entries, she took spots one AND two... go get yourself some lottery tickets girl!!

I went straight from home, where my meals were prepared for me, to cooking on my "own" in college, which included a lot of soups, macaroni and cheese, sandwiches and quesadillas. Now, being a complete 'grown up' I have come to realize how important food is and how many great meals there are out there that was super easy to make. It's a process but I am learning.

As for the Eat this Not that Books, I would buy the fast food one if you are constantly out and trying to find healthier choices for yourself. I would buy the supermarket survival guide if you eat in a lot and are buying a majority of your food at the market. I found both really helpful, because a lot of the time in the market if it says, "fat-free," or "low calorie" I automatically assume it's better for me, which is a lot of false advertising.

Tonight I'll be running seven miles at the park and then watching the biggest loser! I was going to run this morning but figured a little more rest for my sore knee couldn't hurt. Hope everyone has a great day! Don't forget to email me if you want to sign up for the Freakishly Flexible 5k Virtual Race!!! Earn yourself an extra cupcake this Valentines Day!

xoxo

Trail Running, Giveaways, and Virtual 5ks

So check out yesterday's post for more information on the virtual 5k. It's a great way to be able to enjoy a Valentines Dinner with your loved one if you wanted to burn some extra calories before hand! To sign up, just email me that you want to participate at Danicakoo@gmail.com. Even if you have to run more than 3.1 miles that day, you can still participate in the 5k, just keep running after you've completed the virtual 5k! I will be running six miles that day, but will be running the first 3.1 in honor of Non-Runner Nancy!

Today is the LAST day to sign up for my Giveaway! Don't forget to comment on that post to be entered!

So as many of you know, this weekend I ran the first race of the OC Chili Trail Run Winter Series. I had never run on trails before and have yet to do so, because the race was somewhat rained out this weekend. We had to stay on paved roads, but I still ran through a small river. It took me out of my comfort zone for many reasons.

1. I don't run in the rain. I despise being wet, especially for long periods of time, therefore rain running is not for me.
2. I don't like being muddy or dirty, especially when I run.
3. I went all by myself, and knew absolutely not one other person
4. I didn't run with my ipod

The race was well put on, and they had some great provisions, but it was kind of a different crowd that was at this race. I'm a very friendly and outgoing person, and trying to talk to these people was really hard for me. Well, I tried to make conversation with them and they stared at me like I was growing another leg. It was kind of bizarre and not the normal running community that I have become used too.

The race actually was pretty interesting. I saw everyone getting out of their cars and just kept telling myself that I was going to be okay. I was going to do this. It was okay to get wet, it was okay to get dirty. We finally lined up and off we went. It rained the entire time, and after we rounded a small bend in the paved road trail, I saw it. This river. I was going to have to run through a river. In my head I kept saying, just do it, you can do this, and then splish, splash, splish, splash I was through it. I told myself the entire race that it was okay that people were passing me and that I was just running this race at my own pace and not to worry about others around me.

I finished the race, went over and grabbed some free bars and muffins and left. I checked the results yesterday and realized that I got first in my age group, (24 and under) DOY! How does this happen! I wasn't running fast at all and my time was 33.50.xx. I was 9th overall. So random.

It was a good race to just enjoy the scenery, though it wasn't actually on the trails, it was still really pretty and different than what I'm used to and it was good to just run to run and not to race and get all worked up about time/place etc.

My knee has been giving me some problems though and yesterday around mile 6 on my 10 mile run I started having a lot of pain. Today is an off day so we'll see how that pans out. I've been putting on some bengay and using my new stick to rub out my sore muscles. Besides the knee yesterday my 10 mile run was great and it felt good to be putting in some nice miles again. I'm excited for the marathon still, so we'll see what I say when I have to put in 20 miles... Hope everyone had a great weekend.

Tomorrow I'll announce the winner of the giveaway! Thursday I'll have another deal day, with stuff for guys and gals, and who knows what else this great week will bring. Remember to sign up for the 5k!

I leave you with this amazing picture, proof that I too can run in the rain. Not the best picture of me... this proves that I don't always look great! :) ( I so wish they got one of me running across the river!)

That guy literally stopped like 300 yards from the finish line. I turned to him and said, "Come on, your almost there," and he said, "Oh yea, that's right," and he kept running. Ha ha ha

xoxo

GIVEAWAY!

Thanks to everyone who commented on my Surf Shitty Race Report. I am feeling a lot better today and I was actually going through some older posts this morning and found this one a post about another run that I had while I was sick back in September. "It's only when you realize how hard running can be is when you appreciate the talent it takes, to even go out and have the determination and will to complete mile after mile. I appreciate my body being able to take mile after mile of my pounding sidewalk after sidewalk, and it's when I can barely do that anymore I realize what a feat I continue to do by just running alone." I know that running is incredibly mental, and on Sunday for some reason, my mind just wasn't there. I didn't believe in myself and that's why I felt like a failure the entire run.

I'm glad that it's over now and I know I just have to get out there (once I can move again) and get back after it. I am doing a small four mile trail run this weekend and I know it will be a nice change of scenery and I'm really looking forward to it. Tomorrow night I think I'm going to try to go out and run again, but I know I have to give my body a rest and just relax. I'm still incredibly sore from the race and I oddly enough got really chafed as well, which has not been fun to deal with.

I'm so thankful for everyone and their kind words. You all reminded me that running is hard, it's not easy and I know I should be grateful for finishing another race and even having the ability to run. Thanks for putting up with my rant and now... onto the giveaway!


So as promised today I will be sharing my GIVEAWAY in honor of my 100 posts!! It's going to be going on from February 3rd to the 10th, and I will announce a winner on the 11th! I've talked about this great book before, and now there is a new one in the series. Of course, I'm talking about the Eat this, Not That! books.

I started reading the one that is about fast food and it really opened my eyes to a lot of things that I thought I knew but didn't really understand when it came to eating fast food. I always though eating chicken would be better for you, but as this book has told me sometimes it's not worth it at all. There are so many options and nutrition is important to all of us. The latest book is the Supermarket Survival Guide and it's the one I'll also be giving away to one lucky person!

I am in dire need of some nutritional help and this book really allowed me to analyze the labels of some of my favorite foods and also made me realize that just because it says 100 Calories! or Healthy, doesn't mean that it is truly healthy or even good for you. There are many features of the Eat This Not That! Supermarket Survival Guide including the 20 Worst Foods in the Supermarket, the Ultimate Supermarket Label Decoder, 17 Secrets the Food Industry Doesn't Want You to Know, Shop Once, Eat for a Week, and my personal favorite, How to Stock the Perfect Pantry. This book can help you navigate your shopping carts through the thousands of nutritional pitfalls in every grocery store to help you lose weight, save cash, and bring home the tastiest, healthiest choices every time.

In order to enter for 1 entry, just leave a comment on this blog.

In order to enter for 2 entries, become a follower or mention that you are a follower in your comment. (To Become a follower, just click the stalk me on the right hand side)

For 3 entries, post about this super sweet giveaway on your blog.

So if you are a follower, post an entry about the giveaway and leave a comment, you will be entered to win three times! It's a great prize and I'm looking forward to everyone entering and picking a winner off of Random.com! So good luck!

Here's Amazon's review of the book: With tens of thousands of products crammed into the walls of the neighborhood supermarket, trying to find a reliable snack, pantry product, or frozen dinner can be a serious challenge. The Eat This, Not That! Supermarket Survival Guide changes all of that, offering discerning shoppers everywhere a simple plan for finding the healthiest foods for them and their families. Beyond homing in on the best and worst in the world of packaged foods, the Eat This, Not That! Supermarket Survival Guide scours the aisles to help you pick the most nutrient-packed produce, the leanest, tastiest cuts of meat, exotic cheeses that double as healthy snacks, and the best contaminant-free fish the ocean has to offer.

Hope you guys enter and I can't wait to pick a winner! :)

xoxo

Surf City Half Marathon Race Report

So to start this off, I'm very disappointed and upset about this race so I'm sorry if this isn't my normal peppy upbeat post. I just have to share with you guys and then I hope to never think of it again. I know I can't keep beating myself up about it, but I literally cried about it yesterday. Sitting at my computer desk, tears rolling down my face, crying. It was bizarre, but I felt like it was a good cry and that helped me to not be so hard on myself. After that little preface, read on!

So the night before the race we had a little forum encounter from the Runners World Forums. It's incredibly motivating to me to meet more runners and hear more stories. Everyone was so nice and it was a blast to meet more people that I 'talk' to daily on the forums.

Here's the whole group!

With Sara and Rachel, these girls are amazing and such an inspiration to me!

Billy was there being Billy and talking shop with everyone.

And this is Charlie Pro, he's just straight amazing and if it wasn't for him I would be much more off my time.

So the day of the race I woke up feeling really good, like over the top good. I felt strong and ready to race. I picked up my cousin who was running the 5k and we were both ready to go and got amazing parking right off Main Street.

After she started her race, I went back to the car took a gu and got myself ready for my race. I jogged to the starting line and was feeling really good. I also got to meet up with P.O.M too before the race at the expo on Friday and we found each other in the throng of people. I got off to a great start and my first three miles were strong. At the three mile, I was at 23:16 and my pace was 7:46. I was feeling really good. I was running well and my feet weren't hurting too bad. Around mile six the balls of my feet started to hurt a little bit.

Then mile seven came. I ate my gu and drank lots of water on the course. I was starting to feel my stomach cramp up and it was beginning to hurt around mile seven. This was when I felt like mile eight would never come. I kept looking for a sign and hoped that it was coming soon but I was so out of it and I knew if I lost my focus I would walk the remainder. For the first time I felt like giving up. I didn't care. I didn't want to keep going I didn't want to run anymore I was so over it. It was really weird, I almost started crying and I was really upset at myself for having these feelings. I never want to quit, and I can run for so long normally but yesterday it just wasn't in me.

For some reason mile eight seemed so far away. At 8.2 miles I was at 1:04:16 and my pace was 7:51, but I felt like I was sloshing along it wasn't good and I was already upset with myself. There wasn't much crowd support and the course was much different that I thought it was going to be. My mind was just not in the racing mode and my body was matching my mind. I felt like a slug.

This was when I found a guy and just ran with him. Sometimes when I try to run with other guys I feel like they are intimidated and speed up a little bit because they don't want to get 'chicked'. He didn't leave me though and he didn't seem to mind either, who knows what he really was thinking though. He was a little bit taller than me, wearing a gray tank top and had sleeves of tattoos. He was wearing a beanie and when my music was soft I could hear his. I ran next to him for the next 3.5 miles. I must have been super annoying but I knew if I didn't give myself a goal like staying with someone that I would just sputter out and be done.

I started out with a long sleeve tee and took that off around mile 3 and had to carry it with me until mile 9 when I think I saw Mr. R and tossed it at him. I was so upset with myself at the time I couldn't believe what I was doing. I felt like my paces were so far off and I was just having a horrible day. Finally mile 10 and 11 passed. This was when I knew it was almost over. I knew it was soon going to be done so that gave me a little bit of hope. I was still running with tattoo man and then I saw Charlie Pro. Without him I would of been a complete meltdown.

He ran with me (after finishing second in the 5k for his age group running 18 something. Crazy! I know) and told me that I was looking great. His friend Kevin got me all the water I needed and kept me right on pace. They told me when to kick before the finish and told me to be strong and steady. Keep the even pace. The balls of my feet were just killing me and I just wanted the race to be over. I hadn't seen anyone I knew besides Mr. R at Mile 9 and I was so, so grumpy. Charlie and Kevin helped me get to the finish line and I seriously owe everything to them. I crossed the finish line and stopped my watch. 1:45:58. Sweet, I had done it.

Then I checked the times later online at home. The website said 1:46:00. I literally started bawling. I felt like after all that, could I really hit 1:46:00 on the dot? Seriously website. I am disappointed in you. Other than that! Gosh, I feel like that was such a rant and I'm sorry. Not every race is going to be great and I am glad that I of course finished the race. I am incredibly sore today, and still in a glum mood about the race. I watched so many of the finishers in the marathon and I did get a little bit excited because I know soon that I will be able to say that I also have ran a marathon.

My cousin and I after the race.

I hate you Surf City.

I'm taking today off and going to try to go for a little jog tomorrow to see how my body feels. I'll probably cry about the race once more and then be over it. I'm looking forward to getting my mileage up and running some fun races now for a little bit. I'm looking forward to marathon training and being able to complete a full marathon and enjoy it.

Congrats to Sara who qualified for Boston. When she crossed the finish line I almost cried. I am an emotional mess lately!

Here's the rest of the stats from the Surf City Website.

Overall: 1005 out of 10743
Women: 248 out of 6513
F 18-24: 29 out of 536
Age/Grade: 62.12% Place: 1018
Finish: 1:46:00 Pace: 8:06
Tag Time: 1:46:00
Gun Time: 1:47:08

And on a completly unrelated and happy note, TOMORROW I'M GOING TO BE POSTING ABOUT MY GIVEAWAY! Hooray! :)

xoxo

100?

So I realized today that I'm posting my 97th post... My 100th post is going to knock your socks off, but I don't know if it will be my race report from this weekend, next Monday, which is an amazing 100 post in itself, but I just wanted to let you all know that I'm having a SICK giveaway for this milestone. It might not be mentioned in my 100th post specifically but right around then get ready to get the best book ever that just came out that I'm obsessed with already. So that is just a little hook to keep you all coming back for more, and of course I'll post a race report complete with horrible pictures of myself and others. I'm planning on making that shirt tonight or tomorrow as well. I'm going to also get paint thinner today on my lunch break because guess what! Paint doesn't come off with just water. My hands are covered in white paint right now and I don't know how my co-workers would feel about that during the production meeting later today. :) That was maybe the most random paragraph I've ever written. You understand, I know.

Of course I have some Thursday finds to lighten up your wallet a little bit as well.

The Women's Asics Reflective Short Sleeve Tee in White (Sorry girls, they only have a Medium left) This elite running t-shirt offers 50+ UPF protection, protecting you on bright, sunny days. There is binding at the neckline, an exclusive Hali reflective graphic and an ASICS® reflective logo. It was $24.99, but is now only $14.99.

Get yours here!

Then there's the The Reebok® Mission women's Tee that has a lot of sizes left and comes in Black, White and Aviator Blue. It's crafted using PlayDry®, Reebok®'s moisture-wicking performance fabric that draws sweat away from your skin to help keep you cool and dry at all times. The forward side seams help prevent uncomfortable abrasion against your skin. It's cute and looks like it would fit well and is a steal because normally it's listed at $17.99, and now is on sale for $9.97.

Get yours here!

Then this is the DEAL OF THE DAY! Show your support the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer with the Reebok® women's Avon Pink Ribbon Tee. Super cute for working out, or just wearing as a tee. This cotton tee features the pink ribbon logo printed on the front. Normally $19.99, now only $4.97.

Get yours here!

If you are a beginning runner, or starting training for a 5k or 10k, Check out OZ Runner's Blog. He's a Kansas guy and just started running 6 months ago, but this list that he posted can speak to any runner, especially beginners. I would just straight copy it, but then I would feel like I was stealing, so check it out. It has so many great tips and insights and it's very encouraging.

I'm so ready for the race to be here already! I haven't done much running this week, but I will get in around eight miles tomorrow and Saturday to make sure I'm ready. I feel ready and have been overloading on sleep and pastas, so that should be good for Sunday as well.

xoxo

Enough Already!

If I have to watch one more commercial with Obama taking stabs at McCain, or vice versa, I might, might just pass out! Seriously. One more commercial with chickens being cooped up in a cage, or yes or no on eight, AGH! I can't take it anymore. Take down all the signs littering my running pathway, clean up the streets again! I can't take looking at last names for this position, or vote this for this anymore! I feel like this!

Anyways, with election day tomorrow, there are some sick free deals to be had, and many restaurants are taking advantage of them. Hey, the economy's down, go big and give away free stuff to win people back. I'm a believer. Keep your coveted, "I voted" sticker all day, and get freebies all day long! Long Live Democracy!

Anyways, for all you java junkies, Starbucks is giving away one tall coffee to anyone who votes. I assume this is when you are wearing the 'I voted' sticker. Want to read more, click here.

Anyone else running in the morning? This gives you free reign to celebrate or drown your sorrows in either delicious ice-cream, or donuts, or both!

Krispy Kreme Donuts is giving away a star shaped patriotic sprinkled original flavored donut to everyone with the "I voted" sticker. Looks super tasty! To find your nearest Krispy Kreme go here.

So about the ice cream... Ben and Jerry's is giving away free scoops in between 5 pm and 8 pm tomorrow night, to ANYONE! Democracy never did taste any sweeter! It's limited to one per customer, but hey, what a deal! Want some? Find your local B&Js here!

If you live in the Orange County area, feel free to check out all these election deals @ Fast food Maven, for local steals and deals for tomorrow. You'll be finding me at the Daily Grill for free appetizers!

Also, since were are pretty much covering all fast food today, check out Jack in the Box for the latest installment on Jack Antenna Balls, “Beanie Jack.” The new ball features Jack wearing a multi-colored beanie cap topped with a propeller. Beanie Jack are selling for $1 at participating restaurants. And Jacks lookin' out to help! Seventy percent of Beanie Jack sales will go to Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Also I found this great shirt at Run Bargains:

It's a Brooks Women's Equilibrium Long Sleeve, and they only have sizes M-XL left, but it's a great price of 19.95, normally 35.95, and it comes in three different colors. I really like the scoop neck and it's fitted throughout, with cuffed sleeves, which I like when I run because then they stay down.

ALSO! The winner for my first ever giveaway of the Marathon Pace Band is KIM from KIMPOSSIBLE!!!!! Hooray!! :) Her PR for a marathon is from the Kentucky Derby Marathon on April 28, 2006 and it was 4:56:43, and she is now working towards a 4:45! :) Hopefully the Marathon Pace Band can help her reach her goal! Congrats Kim! I will be having another contest soon that my involve a SPIBELT from Overton Fitness!! Once I get mine to do a review I'll also be giving one away... Stay tuned!

Hope everyone's weekend was great, I struggled through five miles on Saturday, but my cold is subsiding and I am going to run to my polling location tomorrow morning before work. I was on the elliptical last night at the gym watching the football games, and it looks like my fantasy team might surprisingly squeak out a win tonight! Tonight I am going to hit up the gym again with some dreadmill running and weights. I'm really working on toning and firming. As they say in the movie "Knocked-Up", don't lose weight, just tighten. :)

xoxo

BrewHAHA!

So tonight I will be supporting my boy's football team for the big game. Any injuries, and he's on the field! Way to go Athletic Trainers! Tomorrow we might go to a party, but we'll see. I have been caught down with another little cold, and I'm trying to get better as quickly as possible. You see I've never been one to be really great with the whole snot rocket thing while running. Not that I have a problem with the idea, or even doing it, I just can't do it properly, (believe me I've tried quite a few times) and always just end up with snot all over my face, shoulder, shirt, etc. Enough with the goriness... but hey it's Halloween right?

This morning I was going to get up and go for a jog, but it was raining, and I didn't want to make myself more sick than I already was. I did look outside, and though I complain a lot about living in the people infested area that I do, this was just gorgeous...

Sometimes seeing one of those just puts you in a great mood in the morning, doesn't it? Since I seem to be all about posting pictures and it's Nike Mom's T.g.i.f photo friday, this is my favorite Halloween card, EVER, hands down! I seem to get it every year, and I just love it

So funny! And maybe this is even funnier... I've talked about my dog, Cassie, before, well here is finally a picture!

She's half Dalmatian, and half black Labrador. What a little loving bee! :) She's the queen bee of the house, that's for sure.

Anyways, hope everyone has a safe and happy Halloween. I am going to get out and run again tomorrow morning, and if it's raining I'll hit up the gym dreadmill. An easy five, with another 4 on Sunday, that one at about 8 minute mile splits. Trying to get the speed back up for the Long Beach Turkey Trot and Chicken Chucking Contest 5k/10k I am hoping to do on Thanksgiving, and then the Quench The Fire 5k in Long Beach on December 7th.

Here is another little recipe I found that I'm going to make after my run tomorrow morning, the bananas are a good source of potassium after a long run.

Brewhaha Chocolate Banana

Ingredients:

1/2 cups low fat chocolate milk

1 ripe bananas

1/4 tablespoons peanut butter (go for the low fat kind if you are watching your weight)

5 ice cubes

Place the chocolate milk, bananas, peanut butter and ice cubes in a blender and process until smooth.

Very little calories, and banana is super good for you after a run.

Happy Halloween all my lovelies! And check back on Monday for some great election freebies.. (yes free food if you vote!) and some more running gear! Remember tomorrow is the last day to sign up for the giveaway. Don't miss out, sign up here!!!

Yummy Comfort Food and Halloween Candy Patrol

So I am by no means a chef or cook of any kind. I can barely make cupcakes, out of the box, none the less frost them. So when I decide to make dinner, it's quite a feat for me. I wanted to share a few of my favorite, "lower calorie" meals that I love to fuel up on.

First is a Broccoli Chicken Mush. There is no other way to describe it, than a mush, I guess you can call it a bake, but it looks like a mushy pile of gooey goodness. Looks aren't everything though, especially down in the tum! It's super easy and quick to make too. After a run I usually throw the ingredients together, throw it in the oven and hop in the shower. When I get out, it's time to take it out! I know, I'm into multi-tasking. So here it is.

(that isn't my picture, but it looks like that!)
Broccoli Chicken Mush
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (thawed)
1 pound broccoli florets, cooked
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 can water
1 cup brown rice

First preheat the oven to 350 degrees, put the rice on the bottom of a 3 quart baking dish, put the chicken on top of it and then pour in the soup and water. It looks like a ton of water, but the rice absorbs it, don't worry. Put the broccoli into the pan. You can add some cheese on top of it, but if you want to cut calories, skip the cheese and use the Campbell's 98% fat free Cream of Mushroom soup. It doesn't mess with the taste at all, and there are only 70 calories in it. Then put it in the oven for 25-35 minutes. I usually like my broccoli super well done, so I leave mine in for around 35-40 minutes. It's delicious!

I also made these the other day, and though mine didn't come out right, (mine were like little weird lumpy biscuts) I know if I wouldn't have used the wrong ingredients they would have been just delicious as well. These are my favorite cupcakes in the entire world!

(that isn't my picture)
Red Velvet Cupcakes
1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1 fluid ounce red food coloring
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon salt


Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease two 12 cup muffin pans or line with 20 paper baking cups. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Mix in the eggs, buttermilk, red food coloring and vanilla. Stir in the baking soda and vinegar.

Combine the flour, cocoa powder and salt; stir into the batter just until blended. Spoon the batter into the prepared cups, dividing evenly. Bake in the preheated oven until the tops spring back when lightly pressed, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool in the pan set over a wire rack. When cool, arrange the cupcakes on a serving platter and frost with desired frosting.

Pretty basic but oh so delicious! :) Especially if you have never made or had red velvet cupcakes, you are missing out!

Also this is my new FAVORITE website, Fast Food Maven, it's mostly for the Orange County area, but a lot of chains are also talked about on this blog, and it's so helpful. This is where I found out about the Wendy's Halloween Deal! It's not talked about on their website at all, but Wendy’s has come up with a great alternative to handing out Halloween candy: a free Jr. Frosty.
Wendy's is selling booklets that contain a coupon good for one free Frosty Jr., which is six ounces and contains 150 calories. You can find it's nutritional info here. Each booklet cost $1 and contains 10 coupons, but some Wendy's are selling 5 coupons for a $1. Either way, what a fun, cheap treat, I think I'll just buy a book for myself :) A little reward during the work day!

Another perk is that for every booklet sold, Wendy’s donates money to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. Since I was adopted, I totally believe in the cause! Yay for adoption! The coupons may be redeemed Nov. 1 through Feb. 1, 2009.

And for all you candy fiends like myself, I have been doing some research about Halloween Candy. I have this problem, that if candy is around, I mow through it, but if it's not around, I never eat it. So I've been poking through some resources to find the best candy out there, since I seem to indulge way too much. I found that Twizzlers, individually wrapped - 40 calories aren't too bad, but make sure they are individually wrapped vines because that is the KEY here! They are good too! For suckers, Caramel Apple Pops - 60 calories, and are INCREDIBLE. Dum Dum Pops - 25 calories, are tiny, but do last a while and are pretty tasty. A personal favorite, Blow Pops - 60 calories are good too, and the bubblegum in the middle is a little extra special treat, as long as it's flavor lasts which is about two minutes.

(that isn't my picture, but I love this aisle! I'm like a bug to the light...)
Also chocolate, if you have to keep it around, try to go for the minis. The fun sizes, are not fun once you have to work off all the extra calories. Milky Way Minis - 38 calories, per mini while 2 fun sizes are 154 calories. Musketeers Minis - 24 calories, while 2 fun-sized Musketeers is 120 calories. Tootsie Roll Midgees - 23 calories, which are a personal favorite! Yea, sorry for just ruining all your candy dreams right there. One fun sized package of Skittles is 83 calories alone!

The overall outcome has lead me to believe that the smaller, the better. I've also tried to select candy that offers sugar-free options. Another thing I learned was to avoid the candy corn - it stays in molars and causes dental havoc. I'm working on learning to like dark chocolate. It's healthy and has less sugar. Dove and Hershey offer small dark chocolates.

Also if any of you are on linked in, I recently joined the Orange County Running Professionals Group, and I want to encourage you to, if you are in my area, join the Group, or start up your own running professional club by you! :) It's always nice to interact with other runners around the community.

Remember to sign up for my giveaway! You can go to the link here! You can sign up until Sunday, November 2! The winner will be annouced Monday morning. Have a wonderful, delicious day, and as for me, I'm trying to keep my hands from the candy bowl.

Sore...

So Sore! That is all I have to say. I went to the gym and did a ton of sit ups, needless to say, my hip flexors have been so incredibly sore all weekend that I didn't run. Not that big of deal since I wasn't planning on doing much running this week after my two 1/2 marathons over the past two weeks, but now no more excuses, back to the grind this week! Starting with a few more speed work outs too, not fun, but must be done!

It's been abnormally hot here these past few weeks, and I want the fall to come! I am also looking at moving out of the place I currently live, into a closer location to work and closer to the boyfriend. Also if I move out that way, the running trails are MUCH better, and there are lots of cool spots to run that I know about from when I was coaching.

If you haven't seen the new Nike Berrylicious Collection, um, it's pretty much my new favorite thing! You can see it as the highlighted collection on Running Warehouse! I also found these cute purple shorts on super sale. They were $28 and now are $9.95 which means you save a whopping $18.05. Pretty good sale if you ask me.

They are a soft microfiber short with a comfy low-rise fit, (I only wear super low rise shorts) and are pretty short too, which is easier for some to run in. They have a reflective front logo, V-notches at hem let you move freely, and the important inner key pocket. They are made by BOA and you can pick up a pair here.

Also this weekend, I traveled to Target, and wandering the aisles lead me to the jacket I've been looking for the past few trips to Target. I usually do this thing where I see something I like, and then if I see it again and still like it, then I buy it because I know it's meant to be. Well I saw this jacket and decided I wanted it, and then went on a hunt to get it... It took me like six different Target wandering sessions to relocate it, and I was so glad when I did! I adore it!

You can see it here. It looks pretty boring in the picture,but it's not, I promise! It's only 19.99, is by C9 by Champion for Target. It's long sleeved and has Duo Dry to speed up evaporation and keep you dry and warm. It's so soft and the back of it is a very fine mesh, so that it keeps you super dry. It also has a 1/4 Zip Front Closure which I love in running jackets. The price and material are great, so I had to scoop it up! I looked at their running spandex pants, and they had a good selection, but they were mostly fleecy inside, and where I live I would be sweating like a beast in those, so therefore I returned the pair I got. Anyways, hope every ones weekend went well, and all the races were good! :) Have I told you lately that I love you all!

Remember to sign up for the Giveaway for the marathon pace band. Enter Here!! Wednesday will be a post with some recipes! :)

xoxo

Giveaway?!

This morning I was going out on a quick jog before work, and I wore my Nike headband to keep my ears warm. I was jogging along, happy as a clam, and then my left ear bud started getting caught in the headband. I tried to quickly adjust it, and in the process it came out of my ear and was flopping around. Before I knew it it was caught in the chain length fence, and RIPPED FROM IT'S CORD! WHAT!



I loved my ear buds, so I'll be soon purchasing a new pair. I completed the run with one ear bud, and oddly enough it was kind of a good idea because I was much more alert to my surroundings. But seriously, I run along side a chain length fence for about 200 meters of my 3 mile run, and it got ripped apart so easily. I wish I had my camera on my run because I turned around, and the ear bud was just hanging there on the fence. Though sad, I had to laugh. I got home and took a picture of the lone bud, that's what you're seeing above.

So besides that, I wanted to reward my chic readers! I'm hosting my very first giveaway! I'm going to be giving away a personalized Marathon Pace Band from Marathon Pace Band.com. I know I have many marathoners out there, and if you don't already have one, you need to get one, so enter my drawing! I know running even mile splits is very important when you run a marathon, especially to meet your goal. It can also be difficult to remember twenty-six splits.



The "Marathon Pace Band" is unique in many ways. The band itself is made of soft polyester material that fits most wrist sizes. This fabric eliminates chafing and fits snugly making it easier to focus on your mile splits. The ink on the pace band is part of the material making it impossible for your splits to be removed no matter the weather conditions, or who throws water on you at the first station. The band is four inches long making the font size of your splits easy to read. You can use the pace band on all your training runs leading up to the marathon because it can be washed like any other piece of clothing. On the other side of the splits, you can get an inspiration message. For me, I would put, "Go for the Chalupa," or maybe "Mmmm think of your Crunchwrap!"



This little guy is all yours and personalized with your goal time, splits to match the goal, and your personalized inspirational message! All you have to do is leave a comment with your Personal Record, and what race you got it at. Enter by next Friday, the 31st and I'll draw the winner on Monday!

Also I found this great shirt, especially since the winter months are approaching quickly, not that I would know, it's still like 90 here every day! It's an Adidas American Essentials Long Sleeve Tee for Women.



On sale for only $19.97, where normally it goes for $39.99
The Adidas women's American Essentials Long Sleeve Tee incorporates moisture-wicking Clima365 and ClimaLite performance technologies into a clean, under-stated design. It's super great for running outdoor in the winter, and I love Adidas durability of their workout clothes. I still run in a pair of ten year old shorts made by them! You can purchase it here.

Thanks for all the positive feedback about my last post. I am so glad to have such a great community of bloggers and running buddies that are so inspirational as well! :)

Good luck to all the racers out there this weekend. I've decided to run a few shorter races around town in between now and the Huntington Beach 1/2. I will be doing the Long Beach Turkey Trot, in which I haven't decided if I am going to run the 5k or 10k yet, and I will also be doing the Quench the Fire 5k at El Dorado Park in Long Beach on December 7.

** Didn't mean to leave out all the marathon hopefuls! Just put in any PR for any race if you want to win. What was I thinking!!! :) **