CLICK WINNER/ Wearing Spandex vs Not wearing Spandex

Stephanie from Running to Health was the lucky winner of the CLICK package.   Email me at pinkhatrunner@hotmail.com with  your address Stephanie and than I'll get it forward to CLICK.  Thanks everyone for  participating. 

The other day I got up and decided I just didn't want to wear my compression shorts under my shorts.  I just wanted to let it all hang out as I call it.  Sometimes I get so tired of wearing compression short to hold the junk in the trunk in .

So when I got to the gym I thought I would hit the elliptical and get warmed up and than do a DVD.  When I got done with the elliptical, I decided to do the Last Chance Workout DVD.  I totally forgot that I didn't wear my spandex as I call my compression shorts and that the Last Chance Workout has some jumping in it.  It's not that I don't like to do jumping jack or jumping  stuff, but as I said early I didn't wear my spandex, because I just wanted to let it all hang out today. 

Thank Goodness, I was the only one in the gym that  morning.  The first circuit  of course called for  jumping jack along with some other jumping exercises.   As I started  to do the  jumping  jacks I hear this clapping going on behind me, than I remembered why I wear spandex to the gym.  My ass pardon my french and thighs were literally clapping together for me every time I did a jumping jack.  That is what I get for being a yo-yo dieter most of my life.   I've literally lost and gained the same 80 to 100 lbs most of my life.  I wish I could sit here and say I wont every gain those 80 to 100 lbs back,  but I've learned never to say never .


 

I would love to have these legs , than I would never have to wear spandex again.

I will say that running my first marathon in 2010 has changed my life. It made me go way outside my comfort zone, especially with my running.  I never thought I could run 10 miles  let alone run a marathon.  Than again  this year I was forced outside of my comfort zone in my running .  I had signed up for the Half Marathon, but I felt  in my heart that I was suppose to do the full marathon in 2011.  Knowing full well  that my running partner would  not be by my side as I was running it.  Lets just say it wasn't my best time,but I was just so darn  happy to be finishing my second marathon.

Now, I'm trying to decide what I can do to keep me motivated for 2012.    It's not written in stone yet, but I'm seriously thinking about running an out of state marathon.  Most people that know me know I don't like to travel or at least not more than 6 to 8 hours away.  I really am a home body.  Traveling tends to throw me way off of my daily routine.  That means my eating habits are not good and I get lazy and don't want to  workout on vacation, so I'm really not a fan of vacationing. 

There are  two other girls in Earlham that are trying to do a marathon in every state.  They have decided to do the Little Rock Marathon in Arkansas on March 4.   They have asked my running partner and I to go with them.  To be honest going out of state to do a marathon is really taking me out of my comfort zone again..  I also know that the closer it gets the more my  anxiety level will be rising. One thing I do know is  that God is always with me and through him I'm capable of doing anything.

                         What is going to keep you motivated for 2012?

           HAVE you lost and gained the same pounds over and over?

Don't forget to enter my RUNNING DIVAS giveaway.  Ends 12/30

Running Divas Review/Giveaway

Running Divas - is a clothing line that inspires women to live fun, active, outdoor lifestyles. A hip line of casual wear for mile-minded women that’s cute and playful, with slogans and styles that celebrate running — a labor of love.

I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the package.  Marc sent me several things to try.  The one thing I noticed right off was all the awesome sayings that were on the shirts and shorts.  The sayings were very  meaningful to me.


I loved this shirt it was soft and so comfortable.  The saying on the front says "MARATON MOM" and on the back it says "RUN ALONG NOW'.  I've had the pleasure of running 2 marathons, so when I put this shirt on it just signified all that I've accomplished in my running.



Picture of the way the shirt fits.



The tank and the shirt had the same saying "freakishly strong" and on the back it  said "alot of me tells me that" .  When I put these two shirts on, I felt so strong and powerful.  It's amazing how words can affect  the way you feel about yourself.    The tank was so  comfortable and I thought it brought  out the  little sexy in me.  I loved the shirt to, it had a nice soft feel to it. 

Bringing my sexy back

Letting people know I'm "FREAKISHLY STRONG"

                                                                     

On the bottom back of the shirts it has "running divas".  Now it just doesn't get any better than that.  I'm very proud that I'm a runner and I  like to think of myself as a 'RUNNING DIVA". 

The shorts that I'll be giving away are a size L.  I really like these shorts,but for me they are to short.



Here is a picture of the short I'm giving away.



What they look like on. I wish my legs looked that good.

       HOW TO ENTER

1) (Mandatory) - Become a follower of  my blog, if not already.  1-entry

2)(Mandatory)  Like Running Divas on facebook HERE  and tell them the Pink Hat Runner sent you. 1-entry

3) Facebook, Blog, twitter,etc about giveaway. 1-entry for each

                                                    US residents only

                             The winners will be chosen by random.org on 12/30

                                                          Good Luck!

Don't forget to enter my CLICK giveaway.  It end tonight 12/9.



Disclaimer-The Federal Trade Commission mandates that I let you know that Running Divas provided me with the products free of charge. However, the opinion expressed is solely my own. 

3 Little Pigs / Living History Farm Race

This was my second year to run the  Living History Farms Off Road Race.  It's 7 miles of woods,creeks and corn fields.  I love doing this race.



I love dressing up in a costume for this race.  Tree's daughter came up with the ideal of dressing up  as  the 3 Little Pigs, now  how appropriate is that for a farmer's wife.  I was totally  up for that one.  We decided to get pink sweat suits and ordered the nose,ears,tail of the pig off the Internet.  Than Tree's niece decide to run with us, so we had to come up with a costume for her. It was to late to get another pig outfit ordered, so she ended up wearing Tree's hippie costume from last year. 

3 Little Pigs and a Hippie

The race didn't start till 9, but we new we needed to get there early, because it gets very crowded at this race. We met at the Kum and Go in Desoto  at 7:15 and followed each other  in to Des Moines. As we are getting off  on the off ramp their is a  long line of cars already.  Last year we parked at Living History Farms parking lot, but  this year we decided to  park at the hotel across the street.  Last year it literally took us at least 30 to 40 min to get out of the LHF parking lot.  This year it took us 10 min.



Rachele  in the slippers  and her friends that she runs with on the weekends



The first mile we ran around LHF and than threw a tunnel that lead out to the fields and creeks.  We kept a pretty steady jog. We couldn't run to fast because one of my friends that was running with us, normally doesn't run at all, but she loves doing this race.  So, I told her I would stay with her.   Tree's knees  have been hurting when she runs, so she was OK with not pushing it to much and just having a fun time with this race this year.  Tree and I would get to talking and than we would  get ahead of Laurel, but we would just keep looking back to make sure that we could see her.  If we couldn't  see her we would stop and wait for her.   Once we hit the creeks it wasn't a problem with her staying with us.  

Before we hit the creeks they have this hill you can run up one side and down the other. I always have to run up it and stop and take a picture of all of us at the top.



On top of the Hill



This  was the first creek we came to.  Their was this couple dressed up as a old man and woman. The man actually ran with a walker and the woman  was running  with a cane. It was a hoot to see them crossing the creek. 

Old man and lady trying to get up the creek bed with a walker and cane

 Tree and Penny.  So far we are  clean  Little Piggy's

As we are into the race about 4 miles we are still pretty clean pigs. Everyone was telling us we were the cleanest pigs they had seen. But we let them know these 3 Little Pigs wouldn't be clean for long.

This is Tree's daughter and niece running to the finish.  You can see one of the other 3 little pigs coming up behind.



This little piggy got dirty



I was so  happy this year that my twin sis got to come and watch me run this race. 

We had a blast this year. We're already trying to come up with  a costumes  for next year. 

                                         Do you like to dress up for races?

          What is the funniest costume you've wore to a race?

             Don't forget to enter my CLICK Giveaway open till 12/9.

Reaching My Goal

This morning I got up at 4 am to get ready to go run with R.   Last night I also  talked to Steph  and she was going to meet us at In Training and run with us.  I was  so excited, I'm  always thinking the more runners the merrier it is.   I got to In Training and turned my phone on so I would be ready when R and Steph got there.  I always run with my phone now days, remember I'm a scaredy cat of the dark. There was a message from R saying she was not running this morning.  Her mother in law had fallen down the stairs on Friday and was in the hospital.  Her mother in law had surgery on sat and was on  a ventilator.   I texted R, this morning and she said they took her off the ventilator. I haven't heard anymore since this morning.  Keeping them in my prayers. 

REACHING MY GOAL


When I was putting my workout on Daily Mile I notice I had  reached my goal of running  a 1000 miles  so far this year. YAHOO.  I'm  still having a hard time believing that I actually have ran that many miles.   If you would of new me in my younger days, you would not believe it either.  I was more of a couch potato, than a runner.  

Their are days I  still don't want to run or it is to cold to run, but I absolutely love the way I feel after a run.  I feel like I could conquer the world.  I also love getting into those tight fitting jeans in my closet.

Last year this time I really wasn't feeling  like running, it was getting colder and I was getting lazier.  My running partner didn't want to run in the cold either, so that made it even harder.   I did  however  do the treadmill and DVDs, but I wasn't consistent with either.   By the end of the year I wasn't liking myself at all.   I was allowing  myself to get into a rut and with each passing day it was getting harder to get out of that rut.  I continued to struggle with  my weight all summer.  That is until I decided to commit to doing  my second marathon. I was hoping that by committing to another marathon  I would get my weight under control again.  It did help me get more focused on what I needed to do to run and finish this marathon.

Just before the marathon in October of this year, a lady from church decided not to rejoin the YMCA, because they were charging more to do the extra classes.  Believe me when she told me that she was going to start working out at In Training, I was ecstatic about  it.  Just maybe I might have a new running partner. I was not looking forward to go into the winter months not having someone to run outside with me.

So far so good. We are still running together and we are doing it outside in the cold weather. I can't believe  I'm saying this, but I'm  loving it even when it is cold and windy outside.  I feel so much  stronger and more focused on what I want to accomplish this winter. 


How do you handle the winter months when it comes to running outside?

 Do you ever just want to become a couch potato for just a little while?


  Don't forget to enter my CLICK Espesso Protein Shake giveaway.

CLICK Espresso Protein Shake Review/Giveaway

Kelly from CLICK sent me 2 packets of CLICK Espresso Protein Shake, one French Vanilla and one Mocha  along with a shaker. 

You can use 12 oz or 14 oz of water with the protein shake.   For me less water is better, so I went with  12 oz of water and than  I added the packet  of French Vanilla and got to shaking it up. I normally use milk instead of water mainly, because other protein shakes  that  I've  tried in the past tend to be watery when I mixed them with water.  CLICK was not watery at all.  It had a smooth creamy  texture to me, plus  I love this shaker.   It has a metal round ball that you put in the shaker, so you can get all the protein and water mixed really good.  I have used  a lot of the different shakers, but this little baby is sweet. It really got everything mixed well.



A great cup of JOE


CHECK THIS  SHAKER OUT.   If you are looking for a good shaker that will  mix your protein shake very well.  Look no more this one will do the trick.



The metal ball is awesome in getting all the protein shake mixed up real good.

 After getting it all mixed up I poured it into a cup,  than heated  it up.   After the first  couple of sips I could really taste the coffee flavor.   I like my coffee to taste  a little more like French vanilla, but never fear I can take care of that.  I just added a few drops of french vanilla syrup and than I was good to go.  This cup of Joe was great.  I'm  just  not a  real big fan of a strong coffee taste.  With the Mocha I heated it up  and was ready to drink it when my  hubby needed  me to move him to another field, so I put it in the refrigerator.  When I got back a couple of hours later I took it out of the refrigerator and heated it up again. It heated up just like a normal cup of  Joe.  It didn't curdle or look yucky,  after I reheated it.  It even still had that  smooth creamy texture when I drank it.   I absolutely love that you can heat this protein shake up.  I have tried to heat  other protein shakes up and they just looked  yucky.

  If you love the taste and aroma of coffee you are absolutely going to love CLICK  Espresso Protein Shake.   The best thing is you can have it cold in the summer and hot in the winter.  I love that this protein shake has only 120 calories and 15 grams of protein.  CLICK is great after a hard workout, it can also  be used as a  meal replacement or  snack.  Normally after a couple hours of drinking my usually cappuccino I would start to feel tired, not with CLICK.  After my cup of CLICK  I felt like I had a lot of energy to get through the rest of the day.  

Key features of the CLICK Espresso Protein Drink Powder:

• Alternative to Sugary Coffee & Energy Drinks
• Only 120 Calories
• High In Protein - 15 grams
• Enriched with 23 Vitamins & Minerals
• Low In Sugar & Calories
• Enjoy Hot or Cold
• Caffeine Content Equal to 1 1/2 Cups of Brewed Coffee

The great people at CLICK are  offering one of my followers a gift package, so that  you can give CLICK  a try yourself.  How sweet is that.

                                         HOW TO ENTER

1) (Mandantory) - Become a follower of  my blog, if not already.  1-entry

2)(Mandantory)  Like CLICK  on facebook HERE  and tell them the Pink Hat Runner sent you. 1-entry

3) Facebook, Blog, twitter,etc about giveaway. 1-entry for each



                             The winners will be chosen by random.org on 12/9

                                                          Good Luck!



Disclaimer-The Federal Trade Commission mandates that I let you know that CLICK provided me with the products free of charge. However, the opinion expressed is solely my own. 

RCC Run the Woods

The RCC Trail Race  didn't start till 11:00.  This race is only 4 miles from my house, so I just had to do it. Right!   The 4-Mile trail runs over open pasture to dense timber; including rocks and
rough terrain, steep upgrades and water crossings.

 I loved that I got to sleep in this morning.  Good thing, because I didn't sleep worth a crap last night.  My buttock was aching all night.   I don't know what I did because it has been feeling a lot  better lately.  DAM BUTTOCKS.  

When I got up I had to get hubby's lunch ready for him to take to the field. Than  I had a few errands in town  to run before the race. 

  I did this Trail Race last year and said I wouldn't run it again. It is a tough trail race. This trail  race is literally a pasture where they put cows to pasture for a short time. You are mainly running in the cow path that they make when they are put there.  So you're not only running through creeks or jumping over fallen trees, your trying not to step in any cow pies.   It looked like to me the cows hadn't been moved very long ago.  The cow pies were  looking  pretty fresh to me.   I was trying so hard to watch my step because I didn't want to sprain an ankle or screw up my knees, that I unfortunately kept stepping in those DAM cow pies.   

 

I'm not use to running  trails, so for me this is very challenging.  I fell 2 times, each time I was praying I wouldn't land in a cow pie.  Thank goodness that didn't happen.   I was already going to smell like shit when I got done with this race from stepping in so many cow pies.  Last year, I don't remember having to deal with fresh cow pies, they  must of moved the cows earlier last year.

Yes, I finished in 45 min.   I really liked doing this race this year.  It was a nice change from always  running  on the pavement.

My next race is in two weeks, it is the BIG Living History Farm  Off Road Race.  We're dressing up as the 3 Little Pigs. 

                                        Have you ever done a Trail Race?

                                 What do you like about running Trails?

I'm a Believer/ Tommie Copper Review

Jordan from Tommie Copper was awesome and  sent me the Women's Compression Shirt, Calf Sleeves and  Knee Sleeves to review.  I've  never even new what compression  garments were until I started blogging and reading more about the use of  compression gear.  The only thing I have that is compression is my compression shorts.  I use them mainly so that the  junk in the trunk doesn't shake to much and I don't get chaffed between the thighs,when I'm running.  I was so excited to give Tommie Copper compression gear a try.  

About Tommie Copper

Tommie Copper is the leader in innovative copper compression wear that is designed to be comfortably worn all day by athletes and non-athletes alike who want relief from everyday aches and pains. All Tommie Copper gear are manufactured in the United States utilizing a patented Therapeutic Copper Compression (TCC) technology that combines copper infused yarn with an exclusive multi-directional recovery process. 

The line includes multiple colored sleeves for the elbows, knees, calves and ankles, as well as a line of compression shirts for men and women and gloves available online and through a special television offer.

 What are the benefits of compression? (source)

Compression helps stabilize muscle tissue, keeping the swelling of muscle fibers at a micro and manageable level. The benefits of compression and the ability of compression to increase oxygen blood flow to the muscles cannot be overstated. Gravity can cause a build-up of fluid in the muscles and surrounding tissue, not only from overuse or repetitive movements, but also during and after exercise. This increased swelling will often result in limited mobility and pain due to inflammation. Without wearing compression, the result can be muscle damage, including micro-tears leading to inflammation. Compression helps reduce the inflammation that might slow down the recovery process and therefore helps reduce Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness.

I received the Tommie Copper  compression  garments  one week before my marathon.  I would of loved to give them a try right away, but  I new not to change anything a week before a marathon.  However, I've been in the field day and night harvesting  and my poor knees have literally been killing me when I'm running the combine.  I think it's from sitting in the combine  all day.   I was trying some braces that I've used in the past  when I was having some knee issues.  They turned out to be so bulky in the back of the knees, that  I had to take them off after 2 hours of being in the combine.  



Combining with my Tommie Copper Knee Sleeves.

 So, when I saw those knees sleeves I couldn't wait to give them a try.  The knee sleeves are made of a thin  material that is light and not bulky at all.  As I'm looking over the knee sleeves I was  having a hard time thinking that these, thin  knees sleeves were going to work. I would have to say I was feeling a little skeptical.  When I put the knee sleeves on they were not as  tight as I expected them to be. Since I've never had a pair of knee sleeves, I thought they would be skin tight, but that was not the case with Tommie Coppers knee sleeves.  I loved that I was  able to wear them under my jeans and not have any bunching up on the backside of my knees.  The first time I wore the knee sleeves in the combine, I couldn't believe how after 2 hours in the combine, I still wasn't having any knee pain. Each time I wore them while combining, I had no pain in my knees and it has been a long harvest.  I have gotten to use the Tommie Copper Knee Sleeves alot over the last several weeks.  I'M A  BELIEVER. Tommie Copper  Knee Sleeves are awesome.   You won't catch me in the combine, without my Tommie Copper Knees Sleeves.

 Tommie Copper Knee Sleeves

Increases range of motion and mobility

Designed to stay in place, unlike most other knee sleeves

Adds strength and support to the knee

Helps relieve pain caused by arthritis

Tommie Copper Calf Sleeves 
I've  been hearing alot about wearing calf  sleeves after doing  a marathon or  after your long runs, so your calfs aren't as sore the next day.   I was so pumped that the calf sleeves got here just  before the marathon.  What a great way to give them a try, after running 26.2 miles. When I got home that night after running the marathon, I put the calf sleeves on when I  got ready for bed.   They were not to tight or bulky.  I really didn't even notice I had them on.  I know after my first marathon, it seemed like my legs were sore for  days afterwards. This time when I woke up the next day, my calfs felt really good.  I didn't have the soreness as I did with the first marathon.  I'm loving these calf sleeves.



OK, Don't look at my awful knees, but these Tommie Copper calf sleeves are awesome

 Tommie Copper Calf Sleeves

Reduces muscle inflammation in the calf

Relieves calf pain and shin pain

Stimulates circulation

Comfortable compression that you can wear all day

 Tommie Copper Compression Shirt
After the marathon I was having some awful pain in my back right between the shoulder  blades.   I'm not sure what caused that, but I couldn't wait to get home and give that Tommie Copper Compression shirt a try,   When I went to bed that night I put on the Tommie Copper Compression shirt, not  knowing  what to expect. It was snug, but not to tight.   When  I woke up the next morning  my back was feeling much better.  It was still a little sore, but not like it was the night before.  I decided I would wear it to work,  just to see if I could get some more of the soreness out.  After several days of wearing the Tommie Copper  Compression shirt day and night my back  was feeling good.

Tommie Copper Compression Shirt 

                                Comfortable enough to be worn all day under your work clothes.
                                Adds compression support for the back and shoulders.

Tommie Copper garments are machine washable and dryer safe.

 

I love that Tommie Copper gear are affordable  to.  The sleeves are $24.50 and the compression shirts are $ 44.50.

As skeptical as I was, I'm now  a Believer of Tommie Copper Compression gear.  Now, if  Tommie Copper could just make  compression shorts or  thigh sleeves  that would make my hammies and buttocks happy, I would be eternally grateful.

Tommie Copper isn't  just for runners, it's for the everyday person seeking relief from daily aches and pains.

Have you ever been skeptical of trying a new product?

Have you ever tried compression products before?

What is you favorite compression garment?

Disclaimer-The Federal Trade Commission mandates that I let you know that Tommie Copper provided me with the products free of charge. However, the opinion expressed is solely my own.