Zensah Neon Compression Socks Review & Giveaway

When I found out that I was given the opportunity to review Zensah’s Neon Compression Socks I was so excited!!  I’ve heard so many great things about Zensah and I love LOVE love compression anything!!  I was sent the neon yellow socks… I absolutely love bright neon colors, so these were perfect for me! :)

When I got a package in the mail, I immediately ripped it open and pulled on the socks …they have a L and R so you know which foot they go on! Believe it or not I’ve put compression socks on the wrong feet before! ;) … then started jumping for joy… literally! ;) 

Sidenote: Do you know how hard it is to time your jump just right while using the self-timer?! :-P

Anyways… I’m sure you all have heard of Zensah compression socks BUT let me refresh your memory! ;)

Zensah is based on the Italian word "SENZA" meaning to be "without" which makes perfect sense as to why Zensah’s mantra is that athletes should be "without limits."

Directly from Zensah’s Website:

Zensah Compression Socks are the only compression socks to incorporate arch support as part of the sock - allowing your legs to last longer during marathons, races, or long rides. The compression socks have been designed and engineered by athletic trainers using seamless technology which ensures superior comfort and prevents any chafing or skin irritation common with other compression socks. The compression socks make use of graduated compression technology to provide muscle support for both your shins and calves.

What I REALLY love about the Zensah Compression Socks are the extra soft padding it has in the heal and toes!! :)  They are super comfy and super awesome! :)  Just to prove how awesome they are here are some more pictures of me “jumping for joy”!! ;)

Just one more reason why I love Zensah is that they are offering 3… THREE…. of my followers a chance to win a pair of their very own neon compression socks!!  Awesome right?! :)  All you have to do to enter is use the Rafflecopter form below!  Good luck!  Hopefully you’ll be jumping for joy in Zensah’s awesome compression socks soon!! ;)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

* Giveaway Rules:    ~ Giveaway will run from 6/28/13 through 7/6/13
                               ~ A winner will be chosen through Rafflecopter and will be notified via email by 7/10/13
                               ~ The winner must respond 72 hours after they are notified or winnings will be forfeited 
                               ~ Must be 18 years of age or older to enter or meet requirements of your state
                               ~ Must be a resident within the US
                               ~ I was given a free pair of compression socks for my review; I was not paid and all opinions are my own

Flips Audio Headphones Review

Recently I was given the opportunity to review an AWESOME product… I thought long and hard about if it would be a good fit with my blog and a good product to tell all you guys about… ok, who am I kidding?!  I really didn’t think that long OR that hard about it because lets face it… FLIPS Audio Headphones are l.e.g.i.t!  For your viewing pleasure here is me enjoying my flips:

So what exactly are FLIPS?  Thanks for asking!  Let me tell you a little about them!  They are HD headphones that you can flip out to become a powerful speaker that lets everyone around you enjoy the music you are listening to.  Remember how I LOVE working out outside??  These are perfect for those times!!  I used to crank my iPod up to full blast and always worried if I was going to blow out the speaker or not… now I don’t have to worry about it anymore!

 

It comes with a great carrying case that the headphones fit into when you fold them up! How cool is that? (I almost used the word “nifty” but refrained because I didn’t want any of you to think I’m old-fashioned and out of touch with the world!) ;)

They Flips come in two different colors:

Here are some details from their website:

I was really impressed with the quality of the Flips Headphones!  The first thing I noticed when I put them on my head was that it seemed to cancel out a lot of the noise going on around me, even with the volume turned down low!  I’m also super impressed by the quality of sound both while using them as headphones AND while using them as speakers!!  This is a super awesome product!! The only con that I could come up with for these is that when I’m wearing my glasses, the headphones smash them up against my ears and my ears become sore… I don’t know if it’s because they’re new and I haven’t gotten them broken in yet or if that’s just how they roll….

I am super pumped that I got to review these (for free) because they retail for $120!  Compared to Dr. Dre Beats Headphones at $399… that’s a good deal!!  They also have a 30-Day Money Back Guarantee!

What makes it an even better deal is that Flips Audio is offering my readers $10 off of the Flip Headphones and FREE Rush shipping upgrade when you use this code at checkout:  FA0010INT
*Only good if you purchase them through the Flips Audio Website HERE and only valid through July 16, 2013. This Offer is unlimited in quantity and cannot be combined with any other offers*

 

*I was given the Flip Audio Headphones to review for free, but all opinions stated in this review are my own

 

________________________________________________________________

 

Running For Him T-shirt Giveaway!

I was clicking through some pages on facebook one day and came across the page for Running For Him… Here is the page’s description:

We are runners with a purpose, to share the love of Christ and message of salvation through him. We leave all personal ambition behind and instead run with the goal of building the kingdom of God. Join us for a run?

Awesome right?  Well that lead me to the actual website HERE… I think this is such an awesome way to witness to people!!  Here is the story behind Running For Him:

In the summer of 2008 I began a journey to lose weight and take responsibility for my poor health. Later that year I felt the strong urge to start running. This was so odd to me because I had severe asthma and weighed 240lbs, how could a person like me run? None the less, the feeling would not leave me. It tugged at me day and night until I decided to get out and just try it. I took maybe 10 steps and quit. It hurt. I resolved to try again when I was below 200lbs, maybe then my knees wouldn't scream so loudly.

God had something else in mind and he led me to the couch to 5k program. My weight loss wasn't going as fast as I thought it would so I gave up waiting until I was 200lbs and went out and tried again. This time I got the shock of my life when I realized I wasn't having an asthma attack nor were my knees hurting. I was running! I was healed!! I was so grateful to God and his mercy and I knew I was doing exactly what he wanted me to do.

Ultimately the desire to restore my health, led me to crave the restoration of my fath and relationship with Jesus. So I rededicated my life to Him, I gave him everything. I asked God to use my life, to give it meaning again, and I surrendered everything I had. Except my running.

I desired to go fast, to run far, to impress people with the things I could do. Soon I found out that keeping it all to myself made it pretty meaningless and difficult. As I was running one morning, it was cloudy and overcast, but off in the distance was separation in the clouds and rays of light streaming down. I began to pray, "Lord, running is great and I love it, but how can I make it about you?" I would compare what happened next as instantaneous as when Saul became Paul, it was literally like God flashed the idea into my head like a lightening bolt. All of a sudden it was there.

Running For Him.

Imprint a shirt with Isaiah 40:31

I could see the logo

The Lord instructed me to  put aside my ambition to win or place or go fast and instead focus on reaching others. Reaching out and loving them. Being the light and going where it was dark.

How many times have you been inspired just by reading a shirt while at a race? How broken do we feel on the course when we're struggling. Something changes in people when they are participating in an endurance event, they are searching. Searching for something big to happen, searching for acceptance, to have someone cheer for them, looking for something meaningful. We have the answer to all of those needs.

Jesus.

The one who will always love you just as you are.

By wearing the shirt you can be a beacon of light for those who are seeking. A resource. Someone may be inspired by the verse and take time to talk to you about it. The shirt will create moments for ministry and if you're ready to put aside your own ambitions and minister to those in need I ask you to contact me about getting a shirt. Through you and the use of your hands and feet we can share with people the promise of a life that will surpass any runners high here on earth. Through the website, www.runningforhim.com, and our facebook page you will be able to meet with other Christian runners and recieve meaningful support from our blog.

I know God will move, he's already amazed me with how many people have stepped up and said, "I will wear the shirt and run for Him." Will you join me for a run?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I immediately put in a request for a shirt so I could wear it everyday! Ok, not everyday but as much as possible lol ;)  I just love the mission of Running for Him, it’s God and running mixed into one!! :)  The verse that’s on the back of the shirt is the verse I have on my Road ID :) Amanda sent me a shirt and I LOVE it!!  I asked her if she would mind if I write a post up about Running for Him and she said go for it! She even offered to host a giveaway on my blog!! YAY!! :)  So one of my bloggy friends will be able to win a dry-tech shirt and a $25 gift card to Road Runner Sports!!  Awesome giveaway right? 

Here’s the rules:

Mandatory

- Like the Running for Him facebook page HERE and leave a comment
- Be a follower of my blog and leave a comment

Optional

- Post about this giveaway on your blog and leave a comment
- Follow me on twitter HERE and leave a comment
- Tweet the following and leave a comment
Check out the awesome giveaway @superwoman4002 is having on her blog! #running #giveaway http://tinyurl.com/5tfzxvs
- Leave me a piece of wedding advice, a funny wedding story, or a link to a funny wedding video or anything wedding related… funny, serious, ironic… whatever! Be creative! ;)

This giveaway will be open til Thursday, June 23rd and I will choose the winner on June 24th!! The day before my wedding!! :)  Now go check out Running for Him!!  Such a great website and way to witness to people while doing something you love… running! :)

*Shirts are ordered in quantities of 12. If we do not have your size in stock you will be placed on the waiting list and notified when your shirt is in the mail.

** I was not paid to do this post, I just wanted to share it with my bloggy friends!

** If you would like to host a review or giveaway on my blog send me an email at runners.luck@hotmail.com

The Road to Boston: Guest Post by Bethany

Surprise Post #2!!!

I was going to have one more surprise post after this one, but the guest poster
couldn’t pull it off… which is ok, because these two posts are so inspirational!!

If you missed it…. Surprise Post #1 was The Road to Boston: Guest Post by EMZ

Today’s guest post is brought to you by Bethany from Our Love on the Run! 
Her and Ryan are getting married on May 27th!!  24 more days!!!  :)  Go congratulate them!! :)

__________________________________________________

Hi everyone, my name is Bethany from http://ourloveontherun.blogspot.com and this
is my story of how I first qualified for the Boston Marathon.
This post is a bit long, but if you have dreams of one day qualifying,
please try to read the whole thing!
I started running when I was 12 years old as a way to drop some unwanted
weight. I never imagined at that age where running would someday take me and
what a major role it would play in my life. My first "run" was once around
my block and I could have walked it faster than I "ran" it. The run left me
winded and I remember bending over, putting my hands on my thighs. Over the
next couple of months I worked up to 1 mile. I still remember my mom driving
in the car to clock the run for me and when she said "1 mile," I felt a
great sense of accomplishment. I slowly built up my milage over the next
year and a half and finally signed up for my first 10k in 1998. It was $10,
I was the youngest female runner, I was about 25lbs lighter than when I
first started running and my time was 1:02 and change. There were maybe 200
other runners(a race that is now $20+ and has over 1,000 runners).
By the time I entered high school I was running about 5x a week and the
summer going into my freshman year I hit double digits for the first time,
running 10 miles through my town one afternoon.
I ran consistently for 7 years before deciding to run a half marathon. I
always knew that I'd run long distance races someday, it was just a matter
of timing, location and of course money. I remember seeing the Boston
Marathon on TV as a kid and thinking to myself, 'someday I'll be there.' I
completed the half marathon in 2:13:00, it felt surprisingly easy, altho I
had already been running for 7 years and 13 miles wasn't much farther than I
was used to running anyway. I ran a couple more half marathons before I
decided it was time to try a full. I ran my first full in 2005 in a time of
4:54:00. I trained alone and didn't really know what I was doing, I also
didn't know a lot of marathoners at this point.
In 2006 I ran my 2nd marathon in a time of 4:58 and 2 months later I ran my
third in a time of 4:16.
Here is the progression from memory:
#1: 4:54:00
#2: 4:58:00 Goofy's Challenge
#3: 4:16:00
#4: 4:11:00
#5: 3:50:03
#6: 4:05:00 Goofy's Challenge
#7: 3:49:56
#8: 3:38:51
#9: 3:49:00 Goofy's Challenge
#10: 3:45:00
#11: 4:20:00 MCM with a friend
#12: 3:45:00 Goofy's Challenege
#13: 4:05:00 (with Ryan, got engaged at start line)
#14: 3:29:13
#15: 3:56:00 Goofy (Ryan's 1st sub-4!)
#16: 3:40:02
#17: 4:17:00 Alaska, with Ryan!
#18: 3:34:00
#19: 4:32:00 Goofy, with Ryan!
#20: 3:55:00
#21: 3:42:22
As you can see, I've gradually got faster over the years. I credit this to
experience, the more you run, the better you get, the easier it feels both
physically and mentally. I believe I have been so sucessful in running
because I took things slow right from the start. I consistently ran for 7
years before going long distance. I always had a super-solid base and
because of this training was easier and didn't take a toll on my body. I
personally think a lot of people dive into it too fast. I understand, it's
easy to get carried away but the longer you wait the bigger base you will
have and you will be a stronger runner and be less likely to experience
injuries. I personally think you should not begin to train for a marathon
until you've had at least 1 year of injury-free running. So many people
start training for a marathon with injuries and things gets worse and people
are setting themself up for disappointment.
I first Qualified for Boston at the Marine Corps Marathon. I should mention
that after my first marathon I decided to make up my own training plans
rather than follow a standard plan online. I made this choice because I felt
that a lot of plans were too much for me(I was teaching 8 aerobics classes a
week and was full time in college) and I felt the training plans were adding
unnecessary stress to my daily life.
My training consisted of about 40 miles per week with 1 long run on the
weekend, 1 longish run mid week and a 10k race or a half marathon here and
there. My training was and still is very laid back, I never stress, I never
overdo it and I always listen to my body. If I miss a run, I miss a run,
it's not the end of the world and bodies can always use an extra day of
rest!
My PR prior to qualifying at Marine Corps was 3:49:50, run at the Country
Music Marathon in Nashville, TN. To qualify I would have to take off 9
minutes. Marine Corps was my 8th marathon and I was incredibly confident (in
a non-cocky way) that I would BQ. I knew I had it in me and that it would
only be a matter of time before I did BQ. If I didn't BQ at Marine Corps,
then I would at my next marathon. At this point, it wasn't a matter of if,
it was a matter of when.
The morning of the marathon I wore a brand new shirt, brand new socks and I
nervously ate an entire package of Clif shotblocks for the first time ever
about 3 min before the race started, oops. Oh, and I ate Mexican food the
night before and I walked around DC for over 10 hours the previous day and
skipped lunch.
My plan was to run with the 3:40 pace team, a guy named Bill who was running
his 30-something marathon of the year. I started off in the group with about
100 women under age 35 who were determined to stay directly on Bill's
heels!! I was trapped in the middle of this group and missed the first
waterstop. At mile 3 I picked it up just enough to get about 20 yards in
front of Bill, here I had the whole road to myself! At mile 14 I met up with
a girl named, Ryan, who was also looking for a BQ. We ran together the rest
of the way and talked about everything under the sun like 2 old friends.
There's not much I can say about this race, it was FUN, the weather was
perfect and everything went well. I visualized myself crossing the
finishline sub 3:40 the entire time. I pictured myself putting my arms up in
the air and bursting into tears.
At mile 25.2ish Bill suddenly ran by me yelling "let's go ladies, GO! GO!
GO!" At this point I freaked out a bit thinking we weren't going to make it
so I took off running as fast as I could. When I crossed the finishline in
3:38:51 it felt completely normal. I did not throw my arms up in the air and
there were no tears. It just was. I looked down at my watch and hit "stop"
then casually went over to get my medal. It was VERY strange, almost like it
was no big deal. I think maybe because I was so confident I knew I had it
long before it actually happened maybe, I don't know. It still feels weird
til this day. I think bc I truely, truely believed it would happen (at this
race or the next one) I wasn't surprised.
I guess my story really isn't all that exciting. I put the work in over the
years and I kept dreaming until my dream became a reality. I am NOT a
naturally faster runner, not even close. Sure, there will always be natural
talent and people who will BQ on their first or second attempt and people
who are much faster than me right from the start, but that was in no way,
shape or form me. I've taken 1.5 hours off my mrathon time over the years,
I've gone from a half in the 2:10s to the 1:30s, and a 30++ min 5k to a sub
20 min 5k. A lot of people don't realize that I was once a "slower" runner
because they didn't know me back then, but I wish more people knew. Any
struggle that you might be having, I've had it too. Running is easy and
natural for me now and I rarely feel uncomfortable and hardly ever suffer
now, but believe me, I've been there and experienced it all.
If there is anything you can take away from my anti-climactic story, it's
that you CAN. It really burns a hole in my stomach when women who have run 1
marathon in a time of 4:15 say they know they will never qualify. Give it
time. No one expects you to BQ on your first, second or even third attempt.
If a BQ is what you want, then go for it, reguardless of what your current
PR is right now. You don't have to take 30 min off your time in 1 race, just
slowly chip away at it a little each time . Each race you run you'll get
more experience and it'll make the next race that much easier. It's a
process, it doesn't happen overnight. Even if you have a "failed" attempt at
a BQ, there really is no failure at all bc that race is all part of the
overall quaifying process. You don't need to quit your day job, you don't
need to run 60 miles a week, you don't need to run yourself into the ground
etc. A BQ is a reality for most women I'd say if you put in consistent
training over a period of time. Is it a reality that you will BQ on your
first marathon? No, probably not. But if you take your time, plan out your
training, stay focused and stay healthy, a BQ could easily be in your
future. Don't go writing anything off just yet, ESPECIALLY if you have only
run a couple of marathons or none at all. And once you know you can BQ, try
not to be too upset if you don't get it, there will be more chances and in
the end it makes it that much sweeter. Once you know you can do it believe
it to the fullest, so even if you miss it, that's ok, you'll get it next
time.
Well I hope you have enjoyed reading this and I hope you have got something
out of this very long post. Please feel free to send me an email if you have
any questions or need some support. Please feel free to comment with your
goals or your improvements or victories, I would LOVE to hear them! Btw, I
would love to share some of my old race photos from back in the day but
digital cameras weren’t around back then! Lol Thanks, Zaneta!!!
Bethany
Bbertrand@vzw.blackberry.net

The Road to Boston: Guest Post by EMZ

SURPRISE POST #1!!!

The Boston Marathon was 2 weeks ago today…

Many of you ran it, many of us did not…

BUT, most of us have a dream to one day run it… I asked a couple people who have worked hard to qualify and actually ran BOSTON this year, if they would mind writing a guest post on my blog… hopefully their words will inspire you and give you hope!!  I’m so excited to share these with you…

Today’s guest post is written by EMZ from If I Can’t Convince You - - I’ll At Least Confuse You.  She’s pretty awesome.. she’s actually getting ready to run a 24 hour treadmill run for a great cause… so go support her if you can and leave her some encouraging words! :)

____________________________________________________

So happy Z asked me to do this.
I.
Adore.
Her.
 
I started running about 16 years ago. To be honest, I just loved the simplicity of it.
 
Lace up shoes. Hair in ponytail.
And. I'm. Good. To. Go.
 
I would usually run 2-3 miles. However, one day [15 years ago- man, I'm old] after a recent family move.....I got lost. When I returned my dad guessed I had run about 7 miles.
What?
I
Can
Run
7
Miles
And
Not
Die?!
 
A runner was born. ;)
 
I ran my first marathon In 1999 [unknowingly pregnant] and thought.
 
Ok. Been. There. Did. That. Got. The. Shirt.
 
Soooo not doing that again.
 
I continued to run over the next 10 years but then......
 
Wham.
 
Marathon bug bit again. And. Hard.
Started training in late August of 09'. Bought a treadmill. [best $1,750 I've ever spent].
Ran my second marathon on a rather challenging course in December 2009 & BQ'd?!?
 
I vividly remember standing at that starting line telling myself, "leave it all out here. Don't cross the finishline thinking you have anything left in you. You want this. You want Boston. "
 
And. I. Got. It.
 
3:36 - with a slower giddy, grinning, joking, laughing & teary last 2 miles [once I knew I had "it"]. So much for leaving it ALL out there but holy crap.... I just BQ'd!!!
 
Yes. BQ'd. By only running about 34-38 miles/week.
 
Something I know helped me was knowing I had to be diligent in my training. I own my own business & have a family. I needed these workouts--all of them to count.

Boston was a thing I'd heard about. Dreamed of. But now- I'd be running in it.
 
Awesome.
 
In the 15 months that have followed. I've come to better understand the marathon distance. And why it's so flipping awesome. I've now run 12 marathons & one 50 mile trail race. While slowly shaving 18 minutes off my marathon time.
 
My one bit of advice to someone looking to qualify.
 
Do it.
Accept. Nothing. Less.
 
All it took for me was one person telling me it was "unattainable for a novice runner".
 
Tell me I can't & I'll spend countless hours proving I can.
 
It's. Just. How. I'm. Built.
 
So you want Boston?
Guess what?
Boston wants you.
 
If you think you want to run it now--wait till you get there and realize it's 100x better than you had even imagined.
 
The only surprise I had with Boston was "heartbreak hill". I had envisioned it being worse than it actually is/was.
 
The people lining up all along Heart Break Hill are so motivating -- I'm afraid that if I had stopped I'd have had someone yelling at me or pushing my butt up that hill for me.
 
Don't tell but ..... I loved HBH.
 
The crowds are even bigger there for a reason. And. That. Reason. Is. You.
 
The crowds.
The course.
The people.
The volunteers.
The hills.
The outfits.
The $85 jacket you WILL end up buying even though you know it's an overpriced piece of nylon. You. Need. The. Jacket.
 
The finishline.
The medal.
The pride.
 
You've. Freaking. Got. This.