November 21, 2015 by Darlene

Girls on the Run 5K Race & Long Run Recap

November 21, 2015 – 9:30 am- Corning Preserve

I was running this race for many reasons:

1. GOTR is a great organization. I was a GOTR running buddy in the spring and I was happy to support them again.

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GOTR participants in a May 2015 5k

2. The STEM runners were running their first 5k. I volunteered to help Kelly train for this race.

STEM participants in a previous 5k

3. Several people where I work were also running their first 5k. They claim that I motivated them to run so of course, I had to be there.

4. My running friends Barbara & Judy are also running this race. It’s nice to know people to hang out with before & after a race.

with Barbara on the same course but back in May

with Judy in March

4. I love to race. This is a flat course and one where someone could PR. I have also gotten a AG award every time I’ve run on this course. But I guess it would be selfish of me to try.

Laurie on the right was also going to be at the race.

5. I had to run 12 miles today in preparation for my Dec 6 Half Marathon. The Corning Bike Path is a perfect place to extend my miles from 3 to 12.

nice river views

So I arrived early to a crowd of excited runners – young and old.

I parked in the parking lot that was farther away and walked to the start.

It was cold. I had better get used to this weather because it’s only going to get worse.

I wore layers which I shed before the race. I knew that I would be cold waiting to begin but fine once I started running.

I immediately bumped into Kelly who was, of course, nervous about her first 5K. As soon as I talked to her, I knew that I had to run with her and encourage her. This is what running is all about. Not PRs.

Every time, I turned around, I saw someone that I knew.

I chatted with Judy, Laurie & Barbara.

But unexpectedly, I saw 3 ladies from last fall’s STEM program They were still running and I was so happy to see them again. One runner, Kim, just ran the Stockadeathon and is thinking of a half marathon in the spring.

I also saw Judith who is GOTR running buddy, Elenora, a fellow SkirtSports ambassador and several others that I knew.

Kelly & moi

After we took lots of photos, it was time to line up.

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GOTR runners

The GOTR runners, their coaches and running buddies lined up first. Everyone followed.

Needless to say, it was very slow going for the first 1/2 mile.

But we had perfect weather. What seemed to cold at the beginning, warmed up. I shed my gloves & tied my jacket around my waist. (Overdressed again!)

Kelly, a few other STEM volunteers and I chatted the whole race. Kelly never walked or even seemed to struggle. We ran at around an 11 min pace which was faster than Kelly was used to. It was so great to see her run well and to be a part of it.

As soon as she saw the finish line, she took off. She finished at 34;XX and I know she was thrilled…so much faster than she expected.

on the front & back of our Mizuno jackets and these runner really ARE!

I am glad that I didn’t run ahead and try to PR. This experience was much more rewarding!!

After I was done, I hung out with Judy and Barbara and watched the others finish.

Everyone crossed the finish line so happy and so proud of themselves.

Finally my co-workers crossed….crying!! They had finished their first 5K…something they had thought was impossible. It brought me to tears, as well.

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posted on FB

I was so engrossed in the finishers that I forgot to get water or something to eat after the race. (I guess that was OK since I didn’t really expend a lot of energy during the race.)

Even though, this was one of my slowest finish times, I am glad that I participated in the race.

Afterwards, Barbara was nice enough to keep me company as I needed to get some more miles done.

as you see, I got rid of my gloves, jacket & hat

She is great to run with because she keeps me moving. The next four miles were definitely faster than the first 3 and much much faster than the solo miles to follow. We ran in the opposite direction from the race course and then turned around and followed the course again.

But after 4 miles, she left me to my own devices.

I decided to run back to my car, get my baseball cap, shed my half zip and add back the green windbreaker.

lots of geese

Then I ran the race course again but continued on beyond it before I turned around.

trees are so barren

These miles were TOUGH!! I was tired but I think my lack of energy was from my lack of food & water. What kept me going was the decision to turn back, cross the bridge and run into the city and go to Cider Belly Donuts. (They are supposedly the BEST and last time, I ran there, I didn’t have any money to buy one.)

So over the bridge, I dragged myself even though I already already completed my 5 miles (bringing me to my planned 12 mile total for the day.) And when I arrived…

Royal bummer!!!

What did I do? Settled for second best…

skinny peppermint mocha & sandwich)

Luckily, Starbucks was across the street.

When I was done, I was so chilled that I had to sprint the 1/2 mile back to my car.

Yes, 13 (broken up) miles for the day!!

Happy Running! Did you race or run this past weekend? Ever run a race just to help someone else?

August 28, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: What I Did This Summer

Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mar at Mar On the Run, Cynthia at You Signed Up For What?! and Courtney from Eat Pray Run, DC to host the Friday Five linkup. Anyone can join with their own Friday Five post (yes, it must be a Friday Five!!) They encourage you to visit other blogs on the linkup, comment, share and engage!

This week, the theme is What I Did This Summer

Here are my 5 favorites things:

1. Boating on the lake

2. Running in scenic places

3. Weekend on the Schroon River

4. Trip to NYC

5. 5K Races

Happy Running? What did you do this summer?

August 26, 2015 by Darlene

Bulu Box Review

I have heard of subscription boxes but have never tried one so I was excited to try out Bulu Box!

What is Bulu Box?

Bulu Box is a subscription box that aims to help you discover health, nutrition, and weight loss products that are right for you! They offer two different styles of boxes – the original Bulu Box, which focuses on vitamins and supplements for general health and the occasional lifestyle item, and Bulu Box Weight Loss, which contains weight loss items such as vitamins, supplements, fitness gear, and healthy eating tools.

Bulu Box subscribers pay just $10 / month for their monthly box of goodies, or $110 for a year-long subscription. Their rewards system seems to be set up in that each month you are able to earn points for reviewing your items. The website says you can earn 50-100 points each month. For each 100 points earned, you get $10 to spend towards your favorite full-sized Bulu Box products.

This is what came in my box:

Here’s a closer look at each item I received.

These gummies are packed with all essential vitamins, and are bursting with the delicious, juicy flavors of cherry, orange and lemon. These gummies are not only great tasting; they are also safe for all vegetarian diets. The unique formula is a blend of vitamins, minerals and fruit and vegetable concentrates.

I don’t take any vitamins but I probably should and these taste good.

This cherry-flavored powder is a fast, on-the-go solution to your upset stomach and can be taken without water! Every UrgentRX pouch is credit card sized so you can take it with you anywhere.

I am glad I haven’t needed this yet but it’s in my pocketbook and I think it’s a great idea.

Movit Energy Gummies are specially formulated by athletes- with the goal of creating an energy gummies that isn’t just packed full of sugar. These energy gummies are made with real nutria-science to fuel your body.

I love the idea of an energy product that isn’t just sugar. These taste good and I love the happy face on each one.

Each piece of candy has a blast of 15g of protein to go along with juicy taste. This NEWLY FORUMLATED candy is now extra soft and more delicious than ever with a new look and new flavors! Funnbar is a gluten-free, sugar-free, and guilt-free candy.

These are great. Protein and good taste and they have NO sugar. WooHoo!

Ovega-3 is a vegetarian supplement that contains all the same benefits of fish oil, without actually using any fish! Ovega-3 derives DHA, EPA, and omega 3 fatty acids from the original source, algae.

Again, this is probably very good for me. I personally don’t take any supplements. If you do, who can argue with one that supports your brain, eyes, and heart.

Nuvia Café combines the delicious flavor of coffee with a combination of powerhouse ingredients to support healthy energy and immune health. African Mango Seed extract is rich in B vitamins and other nutrients that help lower cholesterol and boost energy naturally. Green Tea with ECGC is loaded with polyphenols and antioxidants to increase energy and combat stress at the cellular level. Nuvia Café also contains Ganoderma extract to support the immune system and promote cardiovascular health.

I gave up caffeine and drink herbal tea so I haven’t tried it but if you drink coffee, this is a healthy version of your morning drink.

I also received a voucher for $100 worth of Naked Wines. But it can only be used off a case costing $160 or more. I like wine but not that much.

I definitely like the idea of getting samples so that you could try different products without having to spend the money on the full size.

If you are interested in trying Bulu Box, use the discount code SWEATPINK for 50% off a 3-month subscription to BuluBox. That’s only $15.

Happy Running! Have you used subscriptions like this? have you tried Bulu Box?

August 20, 2015 by Darlene

Freekeh Foods Giveaway

I was recently given the opportunity to try Freekeh.

Have you heard of Freekeh?

I had not.

So what is Freekeh?

According the website:

…Freekeh originated by accident when an ancient Middle Eastern village was attacked and their young wheat fields were set ablaze. In attempts to salvage their crops, the villagers rubbed away the burnt chaff and found that the roasted kernels inside were delicious! Since that time, Freekeh (which literally means, “to rub”) became a mainstay of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine.

Since Freekeh is a roasted green wheat, gluten-free runners, you will have to pass on this one.

When I first saw this grain, it reminded me a lot of quinoa as far as being able to substitute it for rice and add it to any

However Freekeh contains 8 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein. It is low fat too which makes it a great substitute for both rice and quinoa.

Freekeh cooks up very similar to rice and comes in three flavors – Rosemary Sage, Original and Tamari.

First I just cooked the Rosemary Sage per directions (add water and cook for about 25 minutes) and served it as a side dish.

It tasted great. My hubby who is picky didn’t even ask what it was. I think he thought it was brown rice.

Then I made this recipe from the Freekeh Foods website: Warm Breakfast Freekeh

I used almond milk and added raisins since I didn’t have any fresh fruit.

I was surprised how good it tasted and one package made breakfast for 3-4 days.

You can buy Freekeh at Whole Foods as well as other health food stores.

But if you’re lucky, you could win some here.

I am giving away a cookbook and a package of Freekeh to one reader. You can choose the flavor (original, rosemary sage, or tamari). *U.S. residents only.*

Click HERE to enter.

Good luck!

Happy Running! Have you tried Freekeh yet? If you won some, how would you eat it?

October 15, 2014 by Darlene

Manitoba Hemp Hearts Review

As a Sweat Pink Ambassador, I was given the opportunity to try this product*:

I had never heard of eating “hemp” (I thought it was another name for “maijuana”) so I looked it up their website – http://manitobaharvest.com

Food, clothing, rope, paper, building materials, animal bedding/herd, plastic, paint, fuel – the list of hemp applications goes go on and on. We like to call hemp the “green buffalo” as every part of the plant can be used. Hemp that is grown in Western Canada is primarily used for hemp foods. At the top part of the hemp plant you will find the hard hemp seed. This small seed “seeds” nutritiously delicious products like Hemp Hearts, hemp protein powder, and hemp oil.

What should you eat Hemp Hearts?

Great tasting – Hemp Hearts have a slightly nutty taste, similar to a sunflower seed or pine nut.
Easy to use – Simply sprinkle Hemp Hearts on salad, cereal & yogurt, add to smoothies and recipes, or eat them straight from the package!
Nutritious – per 30 gram serving, Hemp Hearts contain 10 grams of plant-based protein and 10 grams of Omegas.
Hemp Hearts have more protein and omegas and less carbs than the same serving of chia or flax.

I would be the first to admit that I am not the most healthy eater. I don’t go out of my way to make recovery shakes or add chia, flax or kale into my meals.

I buy an occasional protein bar and hot cereal with flax.

I do realize that eating foods that contain protein and omegas are beneficial for athletes so I decided to give Hemp Hearts a try.

I added them to my hot cereal for breakfast.