Dopey Training, Week 6 plus a Kona Kase Review

This week was a lazy week for me! I had the duathlon coming up, so I just stuck to running! I did my challenges each day, which involved pushups, squats, planks, and core work, but that was about it!

Monday: My friend Cheryl asked me if I wanted to run, and even though it was not my usual day, I couldn't resist running with her! She is one of my favorite running buddies, because she really pushes me to increase my pace!

Dopey calendar, week 6 is covered in stars now!

Tuesday: squats, plank, pushups, and Cobra for the August Core Focus Challenge
Wednesday: Another great run with Cheryl, a little shorter this time, and a little slower, but still a great sweaty run! I couldn't resist taking a pic of my neighbor's flowers. He has the nicest flowers! I used my running buddy again, and it didn't budge! I am loving it!

 Thursday: squats, plank, core focus, and a finished crochet project for the teenie....an Ewok hat!

date night was also Thursday night!

 Friday: squats, plank, pushups, and core. The hibs went to packet pickup for me, and also got cupcakes! Good thing I have been running a lot!

We walked to dinner, and had yummy Mexican food

 Saturday: Asbury Park 5K, lots of walking as well. No PR, but really close! Also did plank, push ups, and core work.

Sunday: duathlon, dog walk, and plank, as well as lots of other walking!

I am hoping to add in lots of activity this week, but we will have to see! Biggest Loser Erie is this weekend, and I don't want to be sore for that!
I was given the opportunity to review the July Kona Kase as a Sweat Pink Ambassador. I was provided with the Kona Kase free of charge in exchange for a review. As always, all opinions are my own!
My kids were probably just as excited as I was to receive a Kona Kase last month! The teenie was packing for a trip to a Leadership Conference, and the boy was hovering around, trying to get his hand in the box!

the boy gobbled these down. He really liked them, which says a lot because he is picky!

These are stashed away to try during an upcoming long run!

yummy! Just the right amount of sweet and yumminess!

I kept these in the car for a hunger emergency, and had them while I was out on the road. YUM!

we shared this, and decided it was perfect! I love craisins, and it was a great on-the-go snack!

I don't do gels, so I gave this to a friend! She loved it, and will be trying more as her runs get longer!

on yogurt. YUM!

the teenie and I each ate one of these yummy coconut cookies!  They were sweet, but not too sweet, and we really enjoyed them. I was kind of mad that she snagged one while she packed!

What is your favorite monthly goodie box?

Tuckahoe Duathlon

I am so exhausted, so this will mostly be pictures! They say pictures tell 1000 words, so this should do!
I will say, the race was very disorganized at the start,  but there were amazing volunteers on the course, and I never once wondered where I needed to go. The directions were perfection! They did not close the road to traffic, however, and more than once I worried a bit for my life!

Getting my age and event written on my calf 

lucky #13

putting my bib number on my bike and helmet, asking those a round me just how to do that, lol. Such an amateur 

first 2 mile run, there weren't many duathletes, and they were all FAST! I finished in just under 21 minutes!

I was feeling pretty good at this point, lol

finishing up the ride, I pretty much wanted to die, but the girl behind me yelled out "#13, you are motivating me" which pushed me to finish the ride strong!

starting the last 2 mile run

my buddy from the first run cheered me on. She was finishing just as I was starting.

it really cheered me up, and helped me to start strong!

Approaching the finish. The hubs took about 30 approach shots, I picked the best 2!

almost to that precious mat!

DONE! 1:53

Have you done a du or a tri?

Asbury Park 5K

Don't you just love last minute races? You didn't plan for them, you had your Saturday free, and then BAM!
Two of your friends post on your Facebook wall about how you *just have to run* with them on Saturday. This, of course, was on Thursday.
So, I registered. The clincher was the bling! Most 5ks do not have bling, but this was a rather large race, and they.had.bling.
Oh.my.heck.
Tie dyed bling! The hubs even stopped at packet pick up for me the night before, and i got my bib (Tie dyed!) and my shirt. I don't know how, but I ended up with the shirt that the volunteers were wearing, so it wasn't tie dyed like the rest, but it had Tilly, the face of Asbury Park on it, so I am good with it!

Saturday, morning my friend Cheryl picked me up and I rode to the race with her, her mom Ronnie, and her brother Ryan. Ryan is one of those annoying guys who gets age group prizes at every race. Luckily, he is a nice guy, so I let it slide. I admit to being a bit of a hater, but I get over it pretty quickly!
It was a beautiful morning although it was a little hot and humid.

The course was a double loop, not something I am a huge fan of, but at least the scenery was nice! I lost my friend Cheryl, and figured she had run ahead of me, as usual! I hit the first mile marker in under 9 minutes, and knew it would not end well. Too fast! I stopped at every water stop and drank at least half, but I still kept up the pace. Two mile marker was about 19 minutes. Better, but I knew I wouldn't be able to keep it up in the heat. My best time for a 5K is 29:45, perfect Fall weather, though. My goal at that point was to stay under 31 minutes. As I approached the finish, I picked it up as best I could, but the heat was making me nauseous. Ugh. I finished in 30:39! Hooray! I love that my time started with a 30! Woohoo!
I collected my medal and some water and went to look for my friends.

Isn't it pretty? I am sending it to my pal Bryce, who I run 4 through the I Run for Michael Program. I hope he loves it, it is so colorful!
I found my friend Cheryl, who finished *after* me. I have only beat her once before, so you know I enjoyed that just a little too much. She is awesome about it, and was so happy for me! We stopped to take photos and then went to look for her family.

We found Ryan right away, and he told us he finished in 19 minutes. It's okay, you can be a hater, too. He understands. He left to go hang out with his wife's family, and we waited for Ronnie. She did such a great job! She got her medal and we went to get some food. They had a great spread, lots to eat and drink, and a mini expo. We watched the kids race, where they all got special medals and tees, and then walked over for the age group announcements.
Ryan got third in his group and 33rd overall! Holy heck!

expo, and the Berkeley

live music singing some Bruce!

Ryan getting his prize, he is on the right

I saved the best for last! Noooo, no prizes for me, let's get real! The 60 year old ladies kicked my butt. I have mentioned before that there is an amazingl talented and generous guy who plays the trumpet at all of these events. He stands out there, no matter the weather, and plays and cheers everybody on. His name is Dave, and I just love seeing him at these races. I finally saw him *after* a race, though, and got a picture!

Jase would be so proud of that beard!

I.Love.Dave.
What a great, unplanned race day!
I am now impatiently waiting for the first Football game of the season. Go Giants!

Did you race today? Are you watching pre season Football?

The Running Buddy

****I am a Brand Ambassador for the Running Buddy, however, I do not receive commission for your purchases. As always, all opinions are my own!****

I recently became a Brand Ambassador for the Running Buddy, and I thoroughly tested it out before I posted, to be sure it worked as promised!

The top left photo was my attempt to show what it holds, but the photo does not do it justice! It holds my iPhone, keys, plus cash or credit cards. It can also hold a couple Honey Stinger Waffles or Chews.
LOVE!
How does it work? Magnets! There is a flap the size of the Running Buddy that goes inside your shorts or skirt that has magnets on it. The magnets work along the bottom of the Running Buddy, keeping it perfectly in place. It does.not.budge.
My first run, I used it on the side. While it did not budge, I did not like it. Personally, it felt kinda wonky there, although that could just be me. The next time I ran, I used it on my stomach, and it was perfection. Never budges, never moves, never bounces. Heaven.
No more strap riding up my back or hips, no more bouncing around because I put too much stuff in it.
I even used it on my back to ride. Didn't budge!
If it only it came in pretty colors.....
They have just announced colors are coming soon! Woot!
OH and the inside pocket is water resistant, so bring on the rain!

They have just given us codes to share for 10% off PLUS free shipping! Woohoo!
Use this code at checkout, and be sure to tell them I sent you!
6SUYUBDPF1BW  (that is a one, not an L)

What is your favorite way to hold your gear?

Crazy Weekend Approaching

I have had a crazy week, and will be capping it off with a crazy weekend!
I just registered for a last minute 5K, Saturday morning, in a local town that I have run some longer races in. Asbury Park, NJ is a beautiful area to run in, as it is on the ocean, and the buildings are all very old. I LOVE running through there!
Even better? The bling and the tee are tie dyed!

This is a previous year's tee, but they are all similar in some fashion. I am super excited that my two running friends talked me into going! Thanks, Cheryl and Eileen!

Sunday, I will be racing in my first duathlon!
Oh.My.Heck.

It also runs through some beautiful shore areas, and I am super excited to be trying my first duathlon! Who knows? There may be many more to come!
After the duathlon, we will be visiting a beautiful zoo in the area, the Cape May Zoo! It is a donation run zoo, the admission is technically what ever you can afford to donate as you enter! This was super helfpul when the kids were little and the hubs was in law school!

I will be sure to take a million photos to share with you all on Sunday night! Well, maybe Monday morning, since FOOTBALL starts on Sunday!
Woooohoooooo

source

Do you watch football? Who do you cheer for?

Dopey Challenge Week 5 and Vitacost ARO Black Series

****Vitacost provided me with product in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own. ***


This week was week five of my Dopey Training Plan! It was also a crazy busy week, but I managed to get all of my runs in, as well as a few extra workouts! The countdown to the duathlon is dwindling! One week from today will be my first ever duathlon! Woot!

Let's get down to this week's workouts!
Monday: 8.5 mile training ride, rough because I was sore from the mud run! I also did Slim in 6, and a beach walk!

 Tuesday: Zombie sprints!

 Wednesday: 2 mile ride, no picture though!
Thursday: Slim in 6, plank, plus I started a squat challenge and a sit up challenge, and a core challenge! Yikes! I hope I can keep up!

 Friday: 8.4 mile training ride, Slim in 6, plankaday (I am on day 119 today, think!)

 Saturday: beach yoga, and a trip to NYC...perfect together! I took the teenie to see Matilda, and we had a great time! Lots of walking, and a trip to Crumbs for cupcakes on the way back to Penn Station!

I rode to beach yoga. Overcast. but a nice breeze!

Sunday: so far, a Zombie run. I plan to do Slim in 6 later and attempt a pull up.  I am hoping to at least improve there!

About a month ago, I received some amazing Sports Supplements from Vitacost to try out, from their ARO Sports Supplements Line. They are all for recovery, which I LOVE, being a runner!

Aren't they pretty?
My kids were excited about the protein powder, especially being chocolate flavored! I was excited that it was lactose free, like me! It is also gluten free, which the teenie's friend loves! Just add water, and you have a nice creamy protein drink. LOVE! There are also no colors or dyes! SO thrilled about this! This a great drink for after a long run! I have a lot of those in my future, so I am excited to have this in my arsenal!

Glutamine in Natural Blue Razz flavor is amazing! Check out the color. Wait! There is no coloring! None of that nasty bright blue going on here. Just a small scoop of powder in 6-8 ounces of water, and you have a refreshing, blue razz recovery drink. I like this one after shorter runs and workouts. This one is also gluten free! The taste is not too strong, it is just right! Very refreshing, and you don't feel like you are drinking a recovery drink! Fabulous!

L Carnitine is a small, easy to swallow supplement that targets muscle health and cardio health at the same time! Perfect! It also enhances recovery! I am all for that! I take one of these after workouts for recovery.

I also received Creatine Raw from the Attack Series. This is unflavored, and you use a small scoop for in your 8 oz beverage. I drink 16 oz at a time, so I mix it in with my iced tea, and I am ready to go! I use this on the days when I a am working out. It really is unflavored, and it mixes in easily.

I am loving all of my new ARO products! Use this link for $10 off your purchase of $30 or more!
Which product would interest you the most?