June Foodie Penpals

This post just might be my favorite post of the month! Thank you to Catherine for sending me a fabulous Foodie Penpal package, full of all of my favorites:

Yummy, I can't wait to make homemade salsa and guacamole...one of my favorite snacks! 

Chocolate & Peanut Butter is my favorite combo, and it's even better when it's Justin's Nut Butter!

An all-natural Nature's Bakery Fig Bar! This was super yummy and is great pre-workout fuel!

I'm more of a coffee girl, but looking forward to trying the tea {probably when the weather is a lil cooler}

Mini Moon Pies, which Catherine said are popular during Mardi Gras! 

I sent a package to VA, for Stefanie {and baby!!!} who blogs at Blogging With Love!

And now it's time for some details about Foodie Penpals:

-On the 5th of every month, you will receive your penpal pairing via email. It will be your responsibility to contact your penpal and get their mailing address and any other information you might need like allergies or dietary restrictions.
-You will have until the 15th of the month to put your box of goodies in the mail. On the last day of the month, you will post about the goodies you received from your penpal!

 
-The boxes are to be filled with fun foodie things, local food items or even homemade treats! The spending limit is $15. The box must also include something written. This can be anything from a note explaining what’s in the box, to a fun recipe…use your imagination!


-You are responsible for figuring out the best way to ship your items depending on their size and how fragile they are. (Don’t forget about flat rate boxes!)


-Foodie Penpals is open to blog readers as well as bloggers. If you’re a reader and you get paired with a blogger, you are to write a short guest post for your penpal to post on their blog about what you received. If two readers are paired together, neither needs to worry about writing a post for that month. 


-Foodie Penplas is open to US & Canadian residents.  Please note, Canadian Residents will be paired with other Canadians only. We've determined things might get too slow and backed up if we're trying to send foods through customs across the border from US to Canada and vice versa. 

If you’re interested in participating for June, please CLICK HERE to fill out the participation form and read the terms and conditions. 

You must submit your information by July 4th as pairings will be emailed on July 5th!



What Defines You?

As I go into marathon #2, I have been challenged to contemplate what defines me. A friend of mine is working through a reoccurring/lingering injury, and has an endurance duathlon this weekend. She was talking to a {non-athlete} friend, and she said, "Nicki, it's ok if you aren't able to participate this weekend, doing triathlons isn't what defines you." I would say that statement has some validity to it, but as athletes we are defined by what it takes to be an athlete! I am NOT defined by having the title of runner, triathlete or marathoner {or by the time/speed in which I accomplish all of those}....but I AM defined by what it takes to earn those titles. I am a firm believer that anyone {with the exception of those with physical limitations} can run, do a triathlon, and complete marathon...but you have to WANT it! The race is not the time it takes you to get from the start line to finish line, rather it starts the second you sign-up and make the commitment to do the event! It takes dedication & commitment to stick to a training plan, a willingness to make sacrifices in order to make time for the training, & perseverance to overcome obstacles that WILL arise {injury, schedule/time conflicts, weather, lack of motivation...just to name a few} I am a runner, triathlete & marathoner, but more importantly... 

 I am DEDICATED 

I am COMMITTED 

I am PASSIONATE 

I am STRONG 

I am FOCUSED 

I am CONFIDENT 

I am MOTIVATED 

I am DRIVEN

 I am COURAGEOUS 

 Yes, the marathon is going to be challenging, but so has everything else been leading up to the marathon! And yes, Nicki will compete on Saturday {not in the stupid-get-more-injured kind of way, but she will cross the finish line}! We both know what it takes to get to the finish line, and no matter what the numbers on the clock read, we will both be proud of a FINISH! There is victory in the finish! 

 

Random Running Ramblings

T-10 days until I take on marathon #2!!!! So obviously taper time has begun, but this is how my last week or so of training has gone!

MY FIRST DNF!!

2 Saturdays ago, I set out on what would've been my 3rd 20 miler of the training! When I was putting together my training plan, I had a 20 miler scheduled the weekend of the Portland RnR 1/2 and the next weekend I had a 15 miler, so I switched the two runs, which resulted in 2-20 mile runs back to back, not to mention that during the week of the first 20 miler, I ran 57 miles!  {because the RnR was on a Sunday and I did my 20 miler the following Saturday}. So I set out on my third and final 20 miler before the taper would begin, and I was EXHAUSTED, absolutely no "gas in the tank." At mile 3, I stopped to use the bathroom & could've easily been done at that point.  My friend, who was kind enough to Sherpa, kept saying "What is wrong with you? I have never seen you like this? You're almost lethargic-like, I've never seen you bonk like this!" {And she meant it in the nicest way}.  At mile 7, I stopped, and knew and that point I needed to reevaluate my plan for the day.  Kaylee kept telling me to listen to my body, and call it a day, but that just wasn't an option for me.  So we ran home {which got me to 10 miles}, then I went to the gym and alternated between 2.5 miles {at a faster pace} on the treadmill and 2.5 miles on the elliptical, and then ran another 1.5 miles home.  Although I technically didn't "run" 20 miles, I pushed my body when I was beyond "done" which means something, right!?

LET THE TAPER BEGIN!!

Last Saturday, I had a 13 mile run at marathon pace, and I felt great!!! Sometimes for me, the shorter long runs are harder for me than the 20 milers! I don't know if its mental {this is easy compared to 20 miles} or what; but this time I had a really good run and I'm feeling ready for the marathon.  For those of you who know me, tapering & taking it easy, don't come easy to me! But I have really been enjoying  & taking advantage of the taper this time around! {this blog post is fueled by the 2 hr nap I took after work tonight...taper = catching up on sleep}

"INJURIES"

I am so thankful that I have had no major injuries, but I have had a case of nasty blisters recently {which actually landed me in the medical tent at my last marathon....they were so big & painful, I had to do something to even be able to walk back to the hotel}.  After wiping out their moleskin inventory {no joke}, I was on my way! I have tried different shoes, different sock, body glide...you name it, but I keep getting blisters {and in random spots...on the side and just below by big toe}! I went in last week, and they suggested an arch support...I have used the arch supports for a couple of runs, and they definitely seems to help! Let's hope they do the trick next week! After the marathon, I am beginning the search again for new shoes...I have heard great things about the Asics 33 collection and the Saucony Kinvara 3s, so I might give them both a try! 

NUUN Kids On The Block Are Going on Tour

You'll want to read this entire post because there is something special just for YOU at the end {and it just might include a way for you to save on some NUUN}!!!

I'm sure you all remember, but just in case you forgot I am running the Ragnar Northwest Passage with NUUN!!!  Ok, I me be just a little excited about this.  Well the excitement is building as my teammates and I tweet more than birds about the relay and running with NUUN, and we now have aa team name and have been assigned out legs! For the first announcement, our official team name, drum roll please, is:

NUUN KIDS ON THE BLOCK!!!!

So, as you may expect, my teammates and I will be bringing the 80s back! My packing list now includes scrunchies, leg warmers, NEON, NEON, NEON, shirt ties, overalls {of course with one strap un-done}, acid wash denim, maybe some MC Hammer pants, and possible even a leotard {ok, not really!}.  

Fashion inspiration: 1) Saved By The Bell 2) the infamous thong leotard 3) Jane Fonda workout videos {and yes, I had this video...my favorite song was the country western one!}

Here is a sneak peak into my packing:

An 80's themed relay wouldn't be complete without pink high top reeboks with matching leg warmers 

The second BIG NEWS, I will be runner:

As runner #1, I am excited to get us started the right way....with enthusiasm, fun, a huge smile, and hopefully a few road kills! 

Here are the legs I will be running:

Leg #1

Leg #13 {my second leg}

Leg #25 {my third leg}

Enough about me, lets talk about YOU! Whether you are a NUUNaholic {like me} or have never tried it, but are just dying too, now is your chance! Use the promo code "bloggerslovenuun" to save 15% off of your next purchase at the NUUN webstore!

HINT, HINT....there might be a NUUN giveaway on my blog soon too!!!