Merry Christmas & my winners!

I hope you all had a wonderful christmas!

Sorry for the lack of posting, but I've been super busy.

Saturday afternoon we hosted christmas eve dinner for Kevin's family, then headed to his Aunt's house to be with the whole group. His 3 cousins all have 2 kids a piece that range in age from almost 3 to 11. The kids love me because I hang out and play with them. The 5 year old is adorable. He loves the disney princesses, and after talking about our favorite princesses, he asked me if I was going to get married. I told him yes, and he asked to who. When I told him Kevin, he said "Well how come you're not married yet? When are you getting married?" haha smart kid. I told him he had to ask Kevin. He then proceeded to "marry us" while bopping us on the head with a plastic plate, then made it official by making us kiss. How cute can kids be!?

Sunday we did presents (more on mine another day), then headed to my mom's house after church, followed by a trip for dinner to my dads house. It felt so good to finally get home & relax. We had a great time spending time with our families. Problem was I ate too many sweets and now I can't stop.

Today I embarked on a Christmas sugar detox. I'm working really hard to avoid cookies & candies & so far I haven't failed.

I know I forgot to post the Inperspire winners....

ImtheMarigold @ Knickers in a Twist gets rewarded for buying her secret santa a towel!

&

Suzy @ Running on My Time!

email me at sgrigely at hotmail dot com to claim your prize!

My Weekly recap will come tomorrow!

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Week 13 Recap!

Thanks a million for all your words of encouragement after my sunday longrun.

In an odd way, even though I didn't finish the 20 miles, even though 18.5 is my longest distance before the marathon, even though I'm sure my running parter will ditch me & I'll run the race alone, I'm feeling better moving towards January 8th.

The biggest thing is, that my knee has been feeling a million times better. I made it 16 miles on Sunday with just a little stretching for it, and finished those 16 almost a full hour ahead of the 18.5. 

I'm optimistic that the taper, plenty of stretching, and some fabulous shorter runs will keep me ready. 

Any other words of wisdom to keep me moving in the right direction?


Marathon Training Week 13 Recap
Monday- rest day.
Tuesday- Treadmill Speedwork. These speedworks are beginning to get easier. The speeds feel more manageable and the knee is feeling better. Its amazing how 16 weeks of speeds you thought were impossible start to seem doable.
Wednesday- TRX class. My first in almost 2 weeks! Felt a little sore afterwards.
Thursday- 8 miles tempo @ 5.4mph. Felt pretty good throughout with a couple stretch breaks.
Friday- rest day. Slept through my alarm, and was lazy all night.
Saturday- I had every intention of riding the trainer in the afternoon. But after working in the morning, getting my massage, and wrapping presents I was out of time!
Sunday - 16 out of 20 miles of my long run due to the freezing cold weather.

Nutrition- My goal was less sweets, and I was mildly successful. This weight loss thing has been a no-go  lately. With less than 3 weeks until Marathon time, and VACATION (hellooo Bahamas!), I want to work hard to look and feel the best I can. With the holidays here, I know it will be tough. I want to try drinking more water, eating less sweets, and eating more lean proteins.

Today I had an awesome Speedwork run! The speed & knee felt great, and it was an amazing confidence booster to lead me into the final days before the race.

Tomorrow is the last day to win an Inperspire fitness towel, enter HERE!

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Inperspire Giveaway!!

Another great Holiday gift idea....

I love Inperspire towels and at less than $11, they make a great secret santa gift, stocking stuffer, or present to yourself. I have a bunch, and love them all...

I did a review last year (HERE) and this year stocked up on another for myself, and a couple for my mom!

I love the new designs!

Having a motivational saying on your sweat towel to block those miles ticking by on the treadmill, works amazingly. A little piece of inspiration to keep you going through those tough moments.

Jimmy at Inperspire has offered a Holiday Giveaway to my readers with 2 winners! Each one will be able to have the towel of their choice!

How to Win

please leave a separate comment for each

1. Be or become a follower of my blog

2. Visit Inperspire HERE and tell me which towel you would choose

3. Share the news! via blog, twitter, facebook (1 for each)

Ends 12/21, good luck!

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Sneak peaks: weather, raffle, and sweaty band winner!

This week has been a little tough, getting ready for my Nana's funeral. Last night was the wake, and after we went to Olive Garden with the family since it was her favorite restaurant. I overindulged and ate way too much. A little bruschetta, breadsticks & salad (how can you say no?), my meal thankfully was a light seafood dish (and I only ate half), and finished with some tiramisu. Did I mention I washed it down with 2 glasses of Pinot Noir? Thankfully I did get in a fabulous run after work, before the wake. A nice speedwork run on the treadmill for a total of 5.5 miles.

This morning my original plan was a cross training day before a manicure and the funeral. However have you seen the weather report?

I think this is just tonight into friday morning, and we're expecting more during the day. Like we don't have enough yet? I'm anticipating not being able to hit my gym tomorrow. So my new plan is to get my tempo run in this afternoon, and do some videos and the bike trainer on friday. I know I'm not supposed to do my key runs on back to back days, but I really do not want to miss any more runs before the race. I hate how winter weather is messing with my training schedule.

I also started reading The Long Run: A New York City Firefighter's Triumphant Comeback from Crash Victim to Elite Athlete, which I won from Whitney's pay it forward giveaway. So far I love it. I am the girl who loves to hear the traumatic stories of accidents gone wrong. I love shows like real life trauma in the ER, and Medical Mystery Diagnosis, and pretty much any crazy trauma show you can find. When I get a new patient at work, the more complicated the injuries, the better. I LOOVE working with complex injuries with interesting stories. Makes my job a MILLION times more interesting! It would have been amazing to be his physical therapist and help get him back on his feet, a HUGE kudos to whoever rehabbed him!

I want to throw a BIG shout out to the companies so far offering items for my Run to Home Base raffle!

 This is a sneak peak at what there will be, with more items in the works!

Thank you to all the amazing companies who have donated items so far! There are more items in the works for some great surprises too! If you are a company interested in donating to my raffle, please email me at sgrigely@hotmail.com to let me know!

Also, a special shout out to Whitney @ Running with Whit who donated an awesome training log to the raffle!

My Sweaty bands winner?

Baby weight My Fat Ass

haha what a hilarious blog name, LOVE it! She's also sponsoring a virtual 5K, so go sign up, I am!

email me at sgrigely@hotmail.com to claim your prize by Sunday!

Happy running, I'll be posting some other exciting things as soon as i have the chance.

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Feel fat thursday....

I am feeling sluggish. Isn't it amazing what a few days of crappy eating and lack of workouts can do to you? I am feeling like my fat self, did not weigh in today, but know that I am huge today. Some days, no matter how hard you try, you can't get on track. 

I find that when I know my workouts will be tough to get in, I slack instead of trying harder. I eat with reckless abandon instead of being careful to stay within my target. Tomorrow I know I'll miss a workout since I have an early breakfast before work for a coworkers birthday. Saturday I have to work, followed directly by my company's holiday party. Sunday, the day I am supposed to do 15 miles, I am now worried because of the 2 feet of snow on the ground and the fact that I may have to work sunday too. FML. Can it get any worse? I'm sure it can, I shouldn't jinx myself.

I want to be this hardcore endurance athlete. One that eats the right foods, works out according to plan, and drops the pounds needed to be fit, yet still in athena category. Most days, I feel like that girl. Some days, I feel like fat 16 year old Stephanie with plenty of excuses, and food as my only friend. I've worked hard to get away from her. I know slip-ups are inevitable, but I hate them regardless.

Some good news?

I got an email from Ron @ Punk Rock Racing

Not only did he offer an item to donate to my raffle, 

but he also made a $50 donation to my fundraising site!

Don't forget that Jimmy @ Inperspire towels

Is kindly donating 10% of his towel sales to my fundraising

when you enter the code: Run at checkout. 

Please head over to help me out & get yourself some fabulous workout towels in the process!

If you are a company interested in donating an item for my raffle to help me raise funds for the Run to Home Base, please email me at sgrigely at hotmail dot com. All proceeds go towards helping injured war vets and their families for our troops in Afghanistan & Iraq.

I'm looking forward to really kicking off my fundraising with a BIG raffle, but I am still looking for fabulous prizes. Please stay on the look out, I will announce it in the next couple weeks!

Please send me some happy running/life vibes right now. Happy running to all of you!

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Run to Home Base & Inperspire towels!

I have a really exciting announcement!

I have signed up for the Run to Home Base 9K at Fenway Park on May 22, 2011

This is a run put on by the Red Sox Foundation & Massachusetts General Hospital to help raise money to help treat veterans of war, specifically with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) & traumatic brain injury (TBI). I am running with my brother in honor of Sgt. Mark Ecker, a soldier from my home town who lost both his legs in afghanistan, and later died in a car accident. I am also running with my friend Lindsey who is currently serving in the airforce over in afghanistan.

I have committed to raising at least $1,000, and would appreciate your help to meet that goal! Soon, I will be announcing a big raffle I have in the works, but for now I have teamed up with Jimmy at Inperspire Towels to get a kickstart on raising funds!

Jimmy has generously volunteered to donate 10% of any inperspire towel order from now until my race date, as long as you input the code "Run" at checkout! Some of you may remember the review & giveaway I did on their towels (Check it out HERE). I love them! A few of my favorites include....

So please! Help me reach my goal by buying one of these fabulous towels HERE & jump start your workout motivation into the new year! 

Don't forget to enter the code: Run at checkout!!!

From their website: "In New England, an estimated 50,000 veterans who served in Iraq or Afghanistan are affected by TBI and/or combat stress. These invisible wounds of war are extremely complex, highly individualized and extraordinarily difficult for all those affected. Families of veterans suffering from combat stress and/or traumatic brain injury often need support and guidance as they seek ways to better understand and support their loved veteran. Many veterans struggle with the stigma associated with these injuries and the so called “invisible wounds” caused by battlefield experiences. While anxiety and distress may not be as obvious as the physical wounds of war, the scars are just as painful and deep. Such injuries require attention and treatment by a team of providers who are familiar with and experienced in the complexities of combat stress and traumatic brain injury." 

I would really appreciate your help in making a difference in the lives of those who serve our country! 

I'll be asking for donations soon (can't get away from that), but hold off making any for now until my raffle is all set up. I want everyone to get the entries they deserve! For now, you can support me by buying Inperspire Towels and spreading the word about my code word "Run." Thanks!

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Inperspire Winners!!

I am so excited for you to enjoy your new towels!

I just ordered a few for christmas gifts and am wishing I had ordered more!

Remember I said there were 3 winners who could win fabulous towels by Inperspire?

towels such as....

and...

The winners are.....

Lesley @ Racing it Off (who now deserves that 26.2 towel after this weekend!)

Erica @ I run because.... I can

&

Misszippy!

Congrats to you guys! If you didn't win, the towels are only $10 and look fabulous hiding the treadmill screen & wiping up your sweat!

winners please email me at sgrigely at hotmail dot com by Saturday with your address and towel pick!

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Inperspire Towel review & Giveaway!

I am a sweaty girl. I bring a towel every day I go to the gym. Not only do I use it to mop up my sweat, but I like to throw if over the screen of the machine I'm on to avoid staring down the minutes until I'm finished. I came across Inperspire, was pumped that I might actually have the option at staring at something other than the ratty old hand towels I currently use.

I loved the company philosophy:

Our philosophy is that everyone can be healthy... sometimes we just need a little motivation to help us along the way.

We supply the motivation.  You supply the sweat!

Darla, Jimmy, Dana & Greg

 They may be a small company, but man are they passionate! If you ever check their facebook posts HERE, you'd see that they stay late to ship out every last order of the day, post smoothie recipes, post workouts, and even have taken the time to comment on some of my status updates!

Another plus, they work hard at being a green company. They use recycled tissue paper for packaging, are committed to recycling & using energy efficient products, and encourage others to do the same. Overall they are a group of inspiring, and passionate people with a pretty awesome product on their hands.

The towels come in 28 different designs. When I talked with Jimmy about my selection, I was torn, but decided to go with the "Sweat is Sexy". This is clearly because I sweat like crazy, so I figure I must be extra sexxxy. Super fast shipping! I wouldn't be nervous about orders coming in on time for christmas (what a great gift these would make!), I received mine within a couple days of ordering.

When I got my towel, it was packaged in pretty tissue paper and looked really nice (nice like you could put it in a box for a gift nice). The towel was SUPER soft! So important for something your face is going to be rubbing up against (I know my hand towels are not). I was so excited to use it, I used it the next day at the gym.

Loved it! Super absorbent, and I loved draping it across my screen. Only problem? I should have washed it first! Fuzz from the towel got on my sweaty face, and I’m pretty sure I looked a little ridiculous. No problems though, I tossed it in the washer/dryer later in the week, and there were no problems after that. It came out just as soft, and although the letters are slightly faded, the message still reads loud & clear.

a hot sweaty mess after the gym

These would make excellent stocking stuffers for your runners, triathletes, cyclists & gym-goers! At $10 a piece they’re even in the perfect range for the office yankee swap or secret santa. Here’s a few of my favorite towels:

Want one before santa stuffs your stocking? Inperspire has generously sponsored a giveaway with 3 WINNERS!! Each winner will get to pick out their favorite towel, and Jimmy will have it shipped off your way, ready to meet your sweat soaking needs.

How to win

Leave a separate comment for each entry

1.    Mandatory – Be or become a follower of my blog

2.   Mandatory- Like Inperspire towels on facebook  HERE - let them know Running to Health sent you!

3. Visit Inperspire HERE and let me know which towel you love

4. Tweet, Facebook or blog about this contest (1 entry for each)

5. like Running to Health on facebook HERE

6. Make a purchase from Inperspire towels for 5 bonus entries!


You have until December 8th to enter, and there will be 3 winners! good luck!

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