2013 Flying Pig Half Marathon – Race Recap With A Twist

May 17, 2013 Comments: 20

Running is about more than just running.

Fitness Friday #95!

Celebrate fitness. Celebrate good health. Celebrate friends. Celebrate your passion.

Sunday, May 5, 2013
2013 Cincinnati Flying Pig
Cincinnati, OH
Weather – Perfect 60 degree temps and the rain held off until after I crossed the finish line!
Distance: Half Marathon [a 2013 Goal Race!]

For a race recap I would typically describe the race day with details about before the race, the race and post- race. While all that is great, this year the Flying Pig taught me that sometimes running is about more than just running.

My thoughts of the friendships that form from a common bond. A love of running!

I have had so many wonderful opportunities to meet and run with some amazing people. People that without running I probably would have never met. Meeting runners in person for the first time often feels like you’ve known them forever.

This year, at the Flying Pig, I met Christine who has been my online running coach for about a year. Sidenote: She has an uncanny knack for knowing just what to say and when you need to hear it. We met at the Expo first then a enjoyed a great lunch. Getting to know each other felt more like friends catching up. I was hesitant when she said she wanted to run the race together. Less than a week ago I ran my longest distance ever and I knew I could finish today’s race but it definitely wasn’t going to be a PR. It was quite possible that this would be my slowest half ever. I didn’t want to hold Christine back with a slow pace. Her reply? “It will give us a chance to talk.” It’s true…

Sometimes running isn’t about the pace, distance, winning or medals. It’s about the joy of running friends. It’s about enjoying the experience of running.

During the entire race I never once felt like I was holding Christine back. We found a comfortable pace and talked for 13+ miles. By mile 2 we had an ultra relay team put together for a future race. Sometime before the half way point we planned 3 possible races in VA to meet again.

Running Friends

My thoughts of running friends started when Christine asked, What is your race goal? My thoughts quickly went to things like your weekly mileage is higher than ever, you just ran a 32 mile trail race the weekend before, The Pig is hilly and the course is tough. My answer? To enjoy the opportunity to run with a friend and simply to enjoy the experience of the event. I didn’t worry about time or pace. I listened to my body and let it tell me what I needed to do. It was without a doubt an amazing day!Don’t get me wrong. I will continue to have race goals. I will continue to push my limits. And I will continue to strive for a faster pace and longer distances. But, what I will no longer do is discount the satisfaction of running a race just for the sake of being with friends and enjoying the run.

[Christine, Me, Renee, Lacey and Kim]

I also got to meet Christine’s running group and her fiancé, Mike (the man behind the camera). More great people that I’m so happy to have had the opportunity to meet.

Who else have I had the wonderful opportunity to meet?

Kim from (Just) Trying for Little Girls, Jess from Run with Jess and Lisa from Because I Can at the Air Force Marathon last year.

The mecca of running friends, The Runner’s World Half and Festival.

Katie from Katie Runs This.

The amazing group of Fitfluential Ambassadors.

Roommates for the weekend, Tina of Best Body Fitness, Lindsey of Itz Linz, and Larisa of Zero to Twenty Six Point Two

The amazing Amanda, a.k.a. Miss Zippy.

Jenelle, the voice behind Mile Twenty Eight.

Harold of A Veteran Runnah.

Chelsea, Tina and Jennifer at the 2011 Air Force Marathon.

I met Courtney from Third Times A Charm at the 2012 Flying Pig.

Have you ever run a race or a training run that turned out to be about more than just running? Do you plan meet-ups at races?

There’s still time to enter the Sambazon (juice and smoothies) and Viewsport Athletic Apparel giveaways!

Viewsport Athletic Apparel Review and Giveaway

May 13, 2013 Comments: 32

ViewSport Transforms Perspiration Into Personal Motivation

I was given the opportunity to review Viewsport fitness apparel with sweat activated technology. Sounds cool doesn’t it! Wait until you see. It’s very cool!

What is ViewSPORT?

ViewSPORT is an innovative fitness apparel line focused on the motivated athlete, sports teams, the military, and others looking to get the most from their fitness and training efforts. When an athlete exercises, the patent-pending ViewSPORT sweat-activated technology reveals a design that is only apparent once perspiration comes in contact with the fabric. The harder the wearer works, the more apparent the image.

The fabric is soft and the fact that I received the BEAST MODE design is awesome! So far I’ve worn it for strength training, yoga and kickboxing! The tank fit comfortably for all 3 workouts.

Note: I added water to the tank in the image below. I wore it for yoga not even thinking I wouldn’t sweat enough through yoga pants to reveal the motivation. After adding the water the words appeared immediately. So cool! I can’t wait to wear it for a run this week!

Your sweat + hard work = motivation revealed.

It’s a fun novel idea! The workout clothes are available in a variety of colors, motivation and styles.

How about a chance to win your choice of one of the Viewsport shirts?

How To Enter:

Mandatory Entries

Go to http://www.viewsport.us and pin the shirts you want to win and tag #Viewsport, @jillconyers.com, and #sweatproud in the comments on Pinterest.
Leave a comment on Fitness, Health and Happiness and tell me if you could design a Viewsport shirt what motivational words would you want revealed?

Bonus Entries

Follow Viewsport on Pinterest http://pinterest.com/viewsport/ (They have great boards!)
Follow me on Pinterest http://pinterest.com/jillconyers/.
Tweet the giveaway. Sample tweet: Win a @viewsport workout shirt with sweat activated technology http://jillconyers.com/?p=7118 @jillconyers #sweatproud #MotivationRevealed

Leave a separate comment for each entry.

Giveaway ends May 20 at 11:59 pm EST. For the purpose of this giveaway, the prize was generously donated by Viewsport. No monetary compensation was received. All thoughts and opinions of this product are my own. I do not share or sell information and will use any information only for the purpose of contacting the winner. Open to US residents only.

Tips for Smart Snacking

May 12, 2013 Comments: 32

Sambazon Review and Giveaway

I’ve come to the conclusion that my snacks are seriously lacking in variety and as a result they have become very unsatisfying. So much so that I started skipping snacks. Mistake! I definitely notice by how I feel when I go too long without eating and then, I’m starving, when it’s meal time.

I know part of the reason for my lack of snack variety is convenience. Most of my snacking is done at work so snacks throughout the week have to be convenient and easily packed.

Sambazon offered me an opportunity to try their superfood juices and smoothies. I immediately agreed as a possible solution to my snacking dilemma. Plus, I have a hard time resisting trying anything that contains superfoods.

About Sambazon

As surfers growing up in Southern California, we were raised to believe that caring for our own health and happiness is just as important as caring for that of our community and our planet. This philosophy — of understanding that we are all connected — has always made sense with how we want to live our lives. It’s part of our role and our responsibility to seek a common wellbeing that lets us love how we live and live how we love.

We make healthy products with full integrity that promote a better you – the kind of you that lives better, works better, feels better and inspires the world to be a better place. That’s why we are organic, we believe in non-GMO and we support fair trade. It’s the reason we craft our recipes with superfood ingredients that provide epic flavors and amazing health benefits. Ingredients like Acerola Cherry to boost your immune system, Yerba Mate & Guarana for energy, and protein from whole food, vegan sources instead of processed isolates.

The SAMBAZON Scientific Advisory Board is a team of professionals with extensive knowledge in organic foods and nutrition assembled to assist in establishing and communicating the accuracy of existing data around the nutritional benefits of our range of Amazon Superfood products and ingredients from the Brazilian Rainforest.

Click the image below to learn more about Sambazon products and recipes.

My Review:

Based on the all natural ingredients I was sure the smoothies would taste good. Sambazon did not disappoint. The smoothies and juices taste good and are a satisfying snack. They’re obviously convenient and great for on-the-go. I was careful to try the higher calorie smoothies as a meal replacement (as suggested). When I had access to a blender I added a little ice to make the smoothies extra cold and a little thicker consistency. Now that I think about it they’re perfect for the ease of summertime.

Tips for Smart Snacking

Choose fruit if you’re wanting a sweet snack.
Choose a snack that contains carbs and protein.
Limit added sugars like high fructose corn syrup and sucrose and maltose.
Veggies are always a great option.
Eat a snack if you have more than 4 hours between meals and post-workout.
Choose nutrient dense snacks.
Watch portion size. I usually snack while I work so it is easy to eat more than you realize.
Limit snacks to about 200 calories (depending on my workout for the day).

Sambazon is sponsoring a giveaway! One luck winner will receive Sambazon vouchers to try the smoothies and juices! Check out the variety at Sambazon dot com. Enter to win!

Ironically, Laura is giving away Sambazon goodies today too, so for double the chances, go enter hers as well!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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On the Menu
[5/12-5/18]

Lemon Water
Coffee

Breakfast Green Protein Smoothie, Almond Butter Cup Green Smoothie, Overnight Protein Oats

Lunch/Dinner Vegan Mexican Haystacks, Vegan Burrito Filling, Amy’s Roasted Vegetable Pizza, Green Salad with Amy’s Soup, Balsamic Zucchini Sandwiches, Black Bean and Toasted Corn Tacos

Snacks Edamame and Cranberries, Protein Smoothies, Quick Bran Protein Muffins

What’s on your menu for next week? Do you ever feel like you’re in a snacking rut? Do you snack throughout the day?