STRAIGHT OUTTA Thinking INSIDE my #TrainingRockBox! #RocknBlog

STRAIGHT OUTTA  #TRAININGROCKBOX....YO.

      What does one do when you have the MOST FABULOUS Box of Training Goodies show up at your doorstep from Rock n' Roll Marathon Series? This girl goes into Full Heck Yes Ninja Mode.

      Little things in life make me happy and when a little box is PACKED FULL of goodness, I gotta share it with the world.

      To recap my love relationship with Rock n' Roll Marathon Series...I am one of their Rock n' Bloggers this year and am through the roof excited to be running their Las Vegas and Savannah Races. Holla!

      I was SO hoping to be able to work Brooklyn into my schedule this year too but it's not looking promising...New York, I'm a struggle! SOS. Lol.

      Back to the #TrainingRockBox....

As soon I saw the hype on the outside of the box, I knew it was going to be a fun one.

I was 100% Correct.

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For the Love...WHAT'S IN THE BOX?!?!

      The first thing I saw was a handwritten note from our fabulous leader...Ashley. Love hand-written thoughtfulness. Seriously, I do.

Let's go through each piece....

Thanks Brooks Running!
#RunHappy

1. Awesome #RockNBlog tech tee from Brooks.  Love this! I'm a fan of grey and gimme any shirt with a hashtag and I'm a #HappyGirl. #ForReal.

      More from Brooks Running....This awesome hat in a cool pattern. I appreciate these colors...navy, pink, grey. So versatile!

Brooks Performance Hat

Yep. I'm loving it.

Side Zip Love!

       Let's talk about this side zipper....I can put my GU Energy Gel, money, credit card in my hat?!? Brooks...I love you. This brings me to the next item....GU Energy Gels!! These flavors tho.

Vanilla Bean, Blueberry Pomegranite, Tri-Berry, Strawberry Kiwi.
(Check out my awesome camera work. ;)
#GUForIt

I've got LOTS of long training miles coming up and these will definitely be put to use!! Thanks GU!

Gatorade Endurance Formula Powder Stick

      Gatorade Endurance Formula... There were three of these packages in the box. A few things about this:

      Lemon-Lime is my fave flavor. These packages are meant to be added to 24oz. of water. PERFECT size after a long workout. I'm a fan of anything that I can take on the go with me. Thanks Gatorade!

TransAmerica Power Blank Cell Charger
#Active4Tomorrow

      Anyone that knows me online (OR IRL), knows that I'm a Social Media bug! TransAmerica...you knew the way right to my heart. Give a girl a new battery charger and she will love you forever. ;)

Nature's Path Foods
Qi'a Cranberry Vanilla Cereal
#EatWellDoGood

      One of the products in our box was a bag of Nature's Path Foods Q'ia Superfood Chia, Buckwheat and Hemp Cereal. I gotta be honest and tell you that I have NO IDEA what to do with this!! But. I'm excited to try it out. So very thankful for the recipe cards that were included. 

      Per the back of the bag...." Enjoy as a breakfast cereal, hot or cold; or add to yogurt, smoothies, oatmeal, or salads for an added nutritional boost."

Serving size: per 2 tbsp (30g)

Servings per container: about 7

Calories: 140

Calories from Fat: 60

Total Fat: 6g.....9%

Saturated Fat 0.5g....3%

Trans Fat 0g

Polyunsaturated Fat 4g

Monounsaturated Fat 1g

Cholesterol 0mg.......0%

Sodium 0mg.......0%

Total Carbohydrate 14g......5%

Dietary Fiber 4g......16%

Sugars 3g

Protein 6g

Ingredients: Chia Seeds, Buckwheat groats, Hemp Seeds, Dried Cranberries (cranberries, cane sugar, sunflower oil), almonds, vanilla flavor. Organic. Contains Tree Nuts. Produced in a facility that uses soy, peanuts and milk.

Thanks Qia Superfood! This cereal looks AWESOME!

Sports Authority Gift Card....Yes Please!

     You know it's a good day when you receive a gift card JUST BECAUSE. Yep. It's a really good day and I have no idea what I'm going to purchase but I'm going to tuck this away in my back pocket for when I need a cute new tank for a race or something like that. I'm a sucker for cute new race clothes. 

      Thank you Sports Authority! Running Gear Retail Therapy is a girl's best friend!

Maui Jim
#MauiFilter #Mauireflection

      The Maui Jim Discount Card was really interesting to me. I currently own a pair of Maui Jim Aviators that I run in daily so I realize the value of this card but am curious as to what online training is?!? I'll do the research and if I buy a pair of these...I'll report back!!

      Thank you Maui Jim....I'm quite certain that this is a FABULOUS DEAL!

35% off Discount from Garmin.
#GarminRocks

     I have been a Nike+ Sportwatch girl for the last several years but heck, maybe it's time for a change. With this great discount card from Garmin, I could see that happening. If I don't use it for myself, I will definitely share with a friend, or two. :)

      Thank you Garmin for providing this great discount card that I can use for TWO ITEMS....my friends will definitely be pleasantly surprised!

Let's talk Compression Socks....

     Thank you CEP for including a pair of Women's Compression Socks in my size! I received this awesome blue pair....I would have NEVER bought this color in a million years but I'm liking them a whole lot! It's great to try new products in new colors and varieties.

I'm THINKING INSIDE THE BOX!! ;)

Look at these fabulous blue socks....
I'm going to ROCK them out with a cute skirt or pair of shorts.
#JustSayin #OwnIt

Flat #TrainingRockBox

So what is better than a TRAINING ROCK BOX??? A FLAT TRAINING ROCK BOX!!!!

Here's a look of all of the goods.....I cannot wait to put every single item in this box to work towards my race training. Training for races is hard enough and it's REALLY nice to have cool gadgets, quality gear and new things that I would not normally splurge on for myself to train with. I can't say THANK YOU enough to Run Rock N' Roll  and the great sponsors of the #TrainingRockBox!!! My overall thoughts???.......

Here is more information about each item in the box and links to all of the FABULOUS sponsors!

Brooks Running | @BrooksRunning | #runhappy 

In the box: Brooks Performance Hat

www.brooksrunning.com

CEP | @ CEPCOMPRESSION

In the box: CEP Compression Socks

www.cepcompression.com

Garmin | @GarminFitness | #GarminRocks

In the box: 35% off coupon, redeemable online, code on the card

www.garmin.com

Gatorade Endurance | www.gatorade.com/endurance

In the box: Endurance Formula Powder Stick

Dropping knowledge: Hydration Tip: Make sure to practice your race fueling strategy in training to make sure you can tolerate fluids on race day without problems.  Learn more at www.gatorade.com/endurance

Offer: Get 20% off your choice of Gatorade Endurance products when visitingwww.fuelbelt.com/GatoradeEndurance.  Enter code ENDURE20 at checkout. Valid through 9/31/15.

GU Energy Labs |@GUEnergyLabs | #GUforit

In the box: GU Energy Gels

www.guenergy.com

Dropping knowledge: Train with GU, race with GU, and recycle your packets! TerraCycle and GU have partnered to create a Performance Nutrition Brigade, a free recycling program for performance nutrition packaging, and a fundraising opportunity for participants. Thanks for your help in keeping sports nutrition OFF the roads and trails by stashing your trash and OUT of the landfills by taking part in our TerraCycle recycling program!

Offer: Save your performance nutrition packaging and bring it to the GU booth at your next Rock ‘n’ Roll expo for your chance to win (2) race-day VIP passes! What are you waiting for, #GUforit!

Nature’s Path Foods | @NaturesPath | #EatWellDoGood

In the box: Qi’a Cranberry Vanilla Cereal

www.us.naturespath.com

Dropping knowledge: Qi’a (pronounced Kee-ah) is our NEW Superfood Cereal made with Chia, Hemp and Buckwheat. This power trio is full of plant-based Protein, Fiber and ALA Omegas. Boost your nutrition after your run with only 2 tbsp. of cereal and feel the energy from this powerful, functional, and nutritious superfood.

Maui Jim Sunglasses | @OfficialMauiJim | #mauifilter #mauireflection

In the box: coupon for 70% Maui Jim products after taking their online training!

Go to mauijimtraining.com. or www.mauijim.com

Sports Authority | @SportsAuthority

In the box: $25 Sports Authority Gift Card

www.sportsauthority.com

Dropping knowledge: We know training is tough and it takes a lot of time. We hope that when the time comes during training, and you need something, we'll be able to help. We'll also be cheering you on across social media and at many of the races in the year ahead! Find your local Sports Authority: bit.ly/SA_RnRFindAStoreor Shop online: bit.ly/SA_RockNRoll

Transamerica  |  @Transamerica |  #Active4Tomorrow

In the box: Power bank cell charger

www.transamerica.com

Dropping knowledge:  Running races, crushing your personal records, and achieving greater results takes planning. By planning ahead, you can reduce worry that something could get in the way. Transamerica is here to help with a variety of solutions from race registration protection to insurance, investments and retirement planning. Transamerica helps people plan for a better tomorrow. Explore Products.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series | @RunRocknRoll | #RocknBlog

In the box: digital hug from Ashley, 2015 Team Rock ‘n’ Blog Brooks Technical tee

www.runrocknroll.com

Happy Training and Happy THINKING INSIDE THE BOX! #StraightOutta #TrainingRockBox

STRAIGHT OUTTA #TRAININGROCKBOX.
YO.

If I can do it, YOU can too! #WorkHard

Disclaimer: This post is meant to be a celebration of being healthy and in shape. In No Way am I writing anything negatively towards anyone battling weight issues. Please know that in advance. :)

I wasn't sure if I EVER wanted to post pregnancy pics on my blog but if you are my friend on Facebook, they are there....so why not?!?

Well. I'll tell you why not. BECAUSE THEY ARE AWFUL!!!!! Well okay. They are not awful. I was pregnant.....but still. I don't want to be THAT heavy again. I want to be Healthy. I am very THANKFUL for these pictures though. 

I weighed 204 pounds. 

Here's' the scoop.....make it a double scoop. See what I did there?! ;)

I've never thought that I had a real weight loss story before. I workout. I run. I teach group exercise classes. I personal train. I run a Bootcamp. I motivate. I encourage. 

But seriously, I like to do ALL of those things. I like to be fit. I like to be healthy. Not gonna lie....I like to wear cute jeans. ;) 

So when people ask me....."so what's your story?" I just kinda have a weird look on my face. 

I just always considered myself to fairly consistent when it came to my weight. 

HOWEVER, let me present this lovely little jewel of a pic! This pic came from the morning when I delivered  my first baby. I weighed in at a whopping 204lbs (almost 90lbs heavier than when I got pregnant). So I guess reality really needs to set in. Gaining 90lbs and eating like a maniac is NOT NORMAL. I think I ate McDonald's everyday for the first three months straight. #QuarterPounderWithCheeseIsMyWeakness. Mid-Pregnancy, My Doctor told me..."at this point, there's nothing I can do to make you quit eating, you look like you are enjoying every bite". #OUCH

Truth hurts. 

Going from a size 2 to wearing maternity clothes waaaaaaay after I delivered my babies is NOT CONSISTENT. Looking back on it. I was delusional, overweight and completely out of shape!!!

I have never beat myself up about it though. No need to do that. I gave birth to three beautiful, healthy babies and there is no amount of "skinny" would I ever trade for that. 

My goal post-pregnancy was to be skinny! Boy oh boy, did I do that!!! I drank Slim-Fast, dropped all of the weight. And then some. I also ended up in the emergency room because I had not eaten in weeks, had not slept and was completely dehydrated.....so stupid. But I was skinny. Yay me. 

Fast forward 5 years....l was turning 35. My last baby was going to kindergarten. I had not exercised one bit. I decided to run a 5k  on my 35th birthday. The rest is Bamagirlruns history! 

I've managed to keep the weight down, have made exercise a daily priority, work in the fitness industry,  kicked the sugar habit and am proud of all of the goals that I have achieved!! I'm not super skinny anymore. And don't want to be. I weigh in now around 138....140 if I eaten a few extra pieces of pizza! #NoShameInMyTruthGame

Now my main goals are to stay healthy and keep my kiddos active...I think I'm doing a pretty good job. ;)

So there ya have it...that's my story and I'm sticking to it! No quick fix, no crazy diets..just hard work, CONSISTENCY, and lots of miles logged. :))))

Happy running, happy exercising and Happy Transformation Tuesday...lIf I can do it, YOU can too! Work Hard!! 

It's OFFICIAL!!! I'm Going to Runner's World Half Festival!!! #RWHalf

I'm going to Runner's World Half & Festival
Presented by Altra!

     I am beyond excited as I'm writing this post!! I am OFFICIALLY headed to Runner's World Half & Festival Presented by Altra in October!!!!!!

      This is a race that I have had my eye on for a couple of years now and I've been invited by Runner's World Magazine to attend. Seriously. I am humbled. I am grateful. I am eternal THANKFUL.

This is my reaction when I received the Happy Confirmation for the RWHalf!!!

     It is NO secret that I love Runner's World Magazine....I even entered the contest to be on the cover!! Crazy longshot dream I know but I entered. You can't win if you don't enter, right?? 

     Back to the race details...This Race will take place the weekend of October 15-18th in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. I've never visited Pennsylvania before so I'm happy about that too! 2015 continues to be a year of firsts for me.

     The Race weekend will consist of a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon with a recent addition of a 3.8 mile trail run. Running 30.2 miles in one weekend?!?! Yes Please!!!

     Most people that know me in real life know that I absolutely love to run crazy challenge races. This weekend is right up my running alley. To run the 5 and 10K is considered "The Five and Dime" and to run the 5K, 10K and the Half Marathon is considered "The Hat Trick". There will also be a new name for adding in the trail run....stay tuned because that name has not been announced yet!! SO exciting!!! 

     As if running the races aren't exciting enough, I've heard a rumor that Deena Kastor will be there also. Okay Okay it's not a rumor, IT IS FOR REAL!! Deena Kastor will be running!!!  Seriously. I'm just TOO excited for this race weekend. 

     Runner's World has created a special discount code for me to offer to all of my friends! Please use it and COME RUN WITH ME!!!!!!

CODE: BLOGBAMAGIRLRUNS

This code is good for:

$3.50 off of the 5K

$4.00 off of the 10K

$7.50 off of the Five and Dime

$9.50 off of the Half Marathon

$17.00 off of the Hat Trick

     There are so many great things on the agenda for that weekend that I cannot even wrap my brain around how much fun it's going to be!! I'm already planning what I'm going to wear. I need shorts and skirts. I need cute socks. I need cute everything!! Priorities!!!!

     For more information on this race weekend, Please visit www.runnersworld.com/rwhalf.

I will be Blogging, Facebooking, Instagramming, Tweeting and Periscoping from the event.....Woah. I need cute Battery Packs too!!!! LOLOLOL

Happy Running and See you at Runner's World Half!!