Bondi Band Giveaway! CLOSED

24 Days To Go

Okay, so just because I am a preggo mess who is feeling like muck, my running is suffering, and I have come to the realization that my time for the half-marathon in 24 days is going to be very poor doesn't mean I can't share my love for some of my favorite running gear that I have found myself attached to through this journey, right?

Yeah, that's what I thought...and that's where Bondi Bands come in. If you don't already know about these run-changing hair accessories , you're missing out! I used to suffer from the headbands that slowly crept further and further back on my head while running until they popped right off somewhere along my path and became a casualty of my training. I used to suffer from sweat beads trickling in my eyes, burning and leaving me for near blind as each pound of the pavement. I used to suffer from the ever-growing pressure headaches that crept up when I wore a headband any longer than twenty minutes causing me to rip off my headband in a dramatic, but necessary, attempt to avoid an all-out migraine (and can you imagine, me dramatic?).

Notice I said "used to?" That's because I was introduced by a fellow runner to Bondi Bands. After I wore a Bondi Band for the first time, I knew I was hooked. These "no slip, no drip" touting bands come in tons of great patterns, colors, and solids. Some even have great little messages on them. I shared on of my favorites (pictured above) earlier on the blog when I wore it in a 5K I ran this past summer. The sweat wicking material is the same that you would look for in any of your running apparel so it made perfect sense to make it an essential material for my hair wear too. Genius. Besides the functionality appeal, I am a sucker for fashion and their colorful styles and patterns can jazz up any mundane running outfit. Another incentive to get out there and run...I'll take it!

And now you can take it too. The smart-minded folks at Bondi Band are going to give one of you two headbands of your choice from their website!

Here's all you need to do to enter:

• Check out the Bondi Band website and then comment to this post on what your favorite style is (If you post a comment as anonymous, be sure to leave your email address).

And if you would like to earn bonus entries, do the following (just leave a separate comment for each):

• Become a follower of my new blog MamaOnTheRun.com that is coming in December (or leave a comment if you already are).

• "Like" Bondi Band on Facebook


• Post my giveaway link as your Facebook status, Twitter update, or your blog (just be sure to leave a link to your post in the comment).

Good Luck! Your going to become a Bondi Band fanatic.

The Fine Print: Contest is open to those in the lower 48 states with a valid shipping address. No PO Boxes or APOS. My opinions on this product are my own. I am a customer of Bondi Band and simply love their product. Bondi Band is providing the prize for this giveaway. Winner will be chosen in one week and contacted via email.

Mama On The Run

25 Days To Go

Okay, I have a quick announcement that I want to share. So over the last 175 days, I have come to love the blogging community. The community of runners, most notably mother runners, has been overwhelmingly supportive which I have mentioned throughout several blog posts. Most notably, when I found out I was preggo and a huge wrench was thrown in my training, you guys were amazing. It's for this reason that I just couldn't let go of this new found community and was left wondering what will I do after my 200-day challenge ends? Well, besides becoming a new mommy to a second child, I am also adding a third to my list (don't get crazy, I'm not having twins!). Please allow me to introduce you to MamaOnTheRun.com. The site is still under construction and the grand launch will be in December. I have been working on the design, content, and licensing for the last couple of months and I am happy to finally share it with you. The site will be focused on a lot of the things I talk about here, balancing motherhood and the ambition to stay strong and healthy - but it will also be a lot more comprehensive covering more stories from other mothers, products, reviews, deals, and more. I would also love your feedback and ideas on what you would like to see and discuss. I hope that you will all join me and would be honered if you sign up to follow the blog. Your support, advice, and stories have been so inspirational - I want to continue hearing from you. In the meantime, I'll be here...for 25 more days! Holy cow....25 more days!!!!

Great giveaway coming tomorrow!!

Back In the Saddle...and a Little Rusty

32 Days To Go

I'm here! I have had an unexpected delay in blogging, well, because life has been quite unexpected lately. I am still fighting the sickness that I am learning just goes along with me being preggo for those first few months. It's hard not to dwell (and be resentful) that some people never get sick during pregnancy, or simply just have a headache every now and then. As for me, I am fighting to keep myself hydrated and nourished and also be an adoring mother to my oh-so-deserving little monkey. I have also been truly down about not getting the runs in that are on my schedule. After all, I have to progress from 7 miles to 12 in just a little over a month! I know, I'm being quite the downer, right? I realized this a couple of days ago and decided it was time to calculate the positives. Here's what I came up with.

1. During this sickly period, I have finally lost my last 5 pounds of baby weight!! (No, the irony is not lost on me.)

2. This pregnancy seems to have a schedule (I guess that's convenient). I feel relatively well in the morning - just dehydrated. The sickness begins to roll in around early afternoon and the monster doesn't subside until I go to bed. However, with my last pregnancy, I was sick all day, everyday through the entire first trimester. So, I'm getting a break, right?

3. I get to once again be reminded of what a wonderful Hubs I am blessed with. He is so kind to me when I am sick and has played full-time dad many nights - feeding, bathing, and putting to bed our little angel. He also never complains that the house is dirty, laundry is piling up, or the dishes are stacking (although this eats away at me daily).

4. Of course, it goes without saying - this sick period will pay off immensely. It's all for a greater good (and I can forever remind my children what I went through to give them life - and don't you worry, I will).

I decided to pick back up on my training schedule today - walk or run. I completed four miles pushing the stroller, slowly but surely. Time is of no special concern to me these days - I am just trying to get the miles in. I look forward to that blessed turn in trimesters and hope that I get that "burst" that many pregnant women speak about - and I hope it propels me right through that finish line.

I have a GREAT giveaway coming up featuring one of my favorite brands when it comes to running. Stay tuned!

And most importantly, THANK YOU! Your words of support, wisdom, and encouragement mean more than I can express. I take each very seriously and am so blessed to have your contributions.

Herbal Water Winner

39 Days To Go

Congratulations to Sarah (Frugaluser) who was chosen according to random.org as the winner of the Herbal Water Sampler Pack Giveaway.For those of you that entered and didn't win, don't forget about the current sweepstakes Herbal Water currently has going on here.

As for me, today is my birthday and my sweet Hubs has surprised me with a spa day! I am off to be pampered and relaxed (is this possible?) and will talk running (+1) shortly!

Running...+1

45 Days To Go

You may (or may not) have wondered about the lapse in my weekly update last week. I think it is time to explain. Honestly, this compilation of my journey wouldn't be accurate unless I did. Well, remember when I shared about my experience almost eating the pavement upon a dizzy spell not long ago? And the not feeling so well here recently? The slight misspellings and grammatical errors from absentmindedness in my last few posts? Are you catching on yet?

Yes, I am preggo. Unexpected? A bit. Blessed? Unbelievably. These past few weeks have been spent trying to grasp my brain around the fact that this month I will spend my second birthday in a row knocked up and that my little chunky monkey is actually going to be an "older" brother. I am elated and thrilled but I would be lying if I didn't admit that when I thought about my half-marathon journey, I wasn't a bit crestfallen. After much discussion and angst, I decided I would not give it up. I kept running and kept progressing. That was until last week. Last week my familiar (and unwelcome) friend, good ol' morning sickness made it's appearance. Unfortunately, morning sickness is a huge understatement for my experience. It's more like I morph into a dehydrated, queasy, vom-monster. And without being able to keep anything of substance in my body, you can imagine, it's impossible to run. I went a full week without running and was heartbroken. Literally. Looking at my lonely running shoes sitting in my closet like a neglected stray cat on my front porch, starving and freezing, made my heart ache.

However, this week after learning to manage the sickness a bit better, I picked back up my running and I have to say it's one of the best distractions from feeling like you've been riding on a carousel for 24 hours...while trying to read a book....sitting backwards....staring into a kaleidoscope....with a belly full of ice cream and pickles. It actually provided some feeling of stability. I also found some relief in the ginger flavored Herbal Waters - which I didn't mention in my review since it was pre-announcement. (Don't forget to enter the giveaway if you haven't already.)

It's still early and I still have several more weeks before leaving my first trimester. Honestly, probably too early for most to make a public blog announcement. But I can't stay true to this journey without being completely honest. You have all been with me each step of the way. Each step in this (so far) 288 mile journey and I feel compelled to share the news. Aside from family and close friends, your the first to know. Yes, even before I have made an official Facebook announcement {gasp}. However, I have seen the flutter of the heartbeat of my little bean on my sonogram and I simply can't pretend he/she is not a part of this journey now.

After talking with my doctor (who is also a mother and a runner) I am aware that I will likely not be able to run the entire half-marathon. I have come to terms with this. Most importantly, I will finish. I will complete this goal - and have my own little two-person-in-one team with me each step of the way.

And there it is. This is where I am. Luckily, I am a creature of adaptation and a believer in a plan that is much more well thought out than my own. Best of all, I am a soon-to-be mother of two.

I'll still be reporting in and keeping you posted...on running +1 (smile).

Herbal Water Review & Giveaway!!! - CLOSED

47 Days To Go

Forty-seven days to go and I have had the pleasure of spending the last seven days getting to try all six of the refreshing flavors of Ayala's Herbal Water. And let me tell you, I am hooked! I was first introduced to Herbal Water while shopping with a friend at our local Fresh Market. She was familiar with the brand and picked up a Lavender Mint flavored Herbal Water and began drinking it before we even made it to the check out line. I stole a swig of hers and she could tell by the look on my face it was highly likely I might drink all of hers. So she bought me my own. This was the beginning of my love affair with Herbal Water.

Then, the kind folks at Herbal Water sent me over a 6-bottle sampler pack to try and I just can't get enough of this water. First of all, I am not much on flavored waters. I usually find them to be too sweet and often artificially flavored yuckness. Not the case with Herbal Water. The flavoring is all natural, organic, and simply a subtle infusion of flavor - not overpowering. It still quenches your thirst, contrary to what I find with other flavored waters that leave me unfulfilled. I actually reused my Herbal Water bottles and was still able to get a hint of flavor in my refilled bottles (and don't you just love those bottles?). After a good run, I have loved refueling with Herbal Water and plan on keeping it as a staple in my refrigerator.

They have a great story behind their inception too. You can check it out here at and follow Herbal Water founder, Dr. Ayala on her own blog here.

They also have this amazing sweepstakes happening now through October 18 where you can actually receive a $10 off coupon just by entering! You can enter for a chance to win $500 and Herbal Water for a year just by suggesting a food pairing with your favorite Herbal Water flavor. My friend (an aspiring chef and who I credit with introducing me to Herbal Water) helped me come with a delicious pumpkin and goat cheese ravioli, drizzled with a cranberry reduction and pine nuts to be paired with the cloves cardamom cinnamon Herbal Water. Perfect fall meal. Yum.

Best of all, one of YOU can win your own pack of Herbal Water and become hooked too (I told you the folks at Herbal Water were kind). They have offered to give one of my lucky blog readers their very own 6-bottle (full size) sampler pack of Herbal Water!

Here's all you need to do:

• Check out the Herbal Water website and then post a comment on this post about which flavor you think you would like to try. (If you post a comment as anonymous - be sure and leave your email address.

And if you'd like to earn bonus entries, do the following (just leave a comment for each):

• Become a follower of my blog (or leave a comment if you already are)
  
• Like Herbal Water on Facebook
  
• Follow Herbal Water on Twitter
  
• Post my giveaway link as your Facebook status, Twitter update, or on your blog (just be sure and leave the link to your post in a comment)

Good Luck!! Your going to love this stuff.

The Fine Print: Contest is open to those in the lower 48 states with a valid shipping address. No PO Boxes or APOS. I was provided with a 6-bottle sampler pack of Herbal Water for sampling and review but my opinions are my own. Winner will be chosen at random in one week and contacted via email.