July 06, 2014

Early morning run, and five days of giveaways

Last night, the kids stayed the night at my parents' house, and Jerry had to work all night, so I had a pretty quiet night to myself. I went to a couple of stores looking for the Wii EA Sports Active "More Workouts" game, but it's an old game, and I couldn't find it anywhere. I want to do another strength training challenge, and I loved doing the EA Sports Active 30-Day Challenge a couple of years ago.

I have a couple of other games--The Biggest Loser and Nike + Kinect game, but I don't like those ones. Even though the EA Sports Active game is old school, I really like it! I just wanted to get the "More Workouts" version to add some variety. I'm going to order it on Amazon.

When I got home, I ended up putting my pajamas on super early. I made some tea and sat outside on the front porch, just enjoying the weather.


I had gotten in a shipment of David's Tea--I ordered three new flavors: Cotton Candy (rooibos), Root Beer Float (black), and Caramel Corn (herbal). I made the Caramel Corn last night, and it was decent, but I don't think I'd order it again. This morning, I tried the other two. I hated the Root Beer Float, and the Cotton Candy was pretty good.

Jerry got off work early this morning, so we made plans to meet up at a park for a run. It was the park with the infamous hill that I wrote about before, where I chose to crash in the grass on my rollerblades instead of flying into the river ;)

It was humid this morning, but not too hot, so it wasn't bad. I love the park that we went to!


I wish the path around the park was long enough to run, but it's only about 3/4 of a mile around, so we started there and then ran the connecting path toward the Metropark. I told Jerry that it was either two or three miles to reach the Metropark, I wasn't sure which; so we decided to just run the length of it and turn around at the Metropark.

During the first mile, I felt so stiff! I'm not sure why my body has felt so stiff lately when I run, but I still felt like we were running around a 10:00/mi pace, maybe a little faster. When I heard my Garmin beep at one mile, it said 11:00/mi. I was shocked--even on my easiest runs, my pace is faster than that. We obviously weren't trying to run fast, but I was surprised that it felt kind of difficult at that pace.

Anyway, we reached the Metropark at mile 2.1, so we turned around, deciding on a 4-miler. My legs really started to loosen up at mile three. Mile three seems to be the magic number for me! I tend to feel really stiff and clumsy for the first couple of miles, and then I loosen up. When we hit mile four, we stopped the Garmin and just walked the short distance to the car, enjoying the scenery. The park is kind of far from home, otherwise I'd run it more often!



I really like that Jerry has been running with me sometimes. I feel like I'm getting spoiled, running with Jerry, Nathan, Jessica, Stephanie, and anyone else I can recruit. I enjoy running so much more when I run with a partner; I'm always bummed when I run alone now ;)

I have a pretty awesome giveaway today! When I went to the Runner's World Half & Festival last month, I was given some sample products to try out. Some of the things I really like, and I decided to put together five days of giveaways (giving away a different item each day for five days).

First up? Shoes! There was a New Balance rep at the Festival to show us a new shoe line, the FreshFoam 980 Trail Runners.


They sent us bloggers a pair in the mail to try out for ourselves, which was so generous! Admittedly, I've never run on a trail before, but I am excited to try it, and testing out the shoes makes it even more fun. The first pair of the Trail Runners I received, even though they were my size on the label, fit much too small. New Balance sent me a size larger, and told me to give the others away on my blog!

The shoes are the ones pictured above--women's size 9.5. Now, in my normal street shoes, I wear an 8.5. My Brooks Adrenaline running shoes are a 9.5 wide. These shoes are a 9.5, but my toe was hitting the front of the shoe, and the toe box was too small for me, so I ended up with a 10.5. So, if you want to enter the giveaway, it's just something to keep in mind when deciding whether it's the right size for you.

To enter to win the shoes, just fill out your name and email address below. I'll select a winner by random drawing on 7/14/14 at 9:00 AM EST.



I have some other great stuff to give away, so check back over the next four days for that :)

20 comments:

  1. I love the idea of trail running, but I'm so stinking afraid of running hills! There is a short one mile gravel trail that I run as part of my long runs. Just wish it was longer.

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  2. Thanks for the chance to win! I've been thinking about adding trails to my running routine, and it would be great to win shoes made for that purpose.

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  3. I am so jealous you have the metro park near you to run in! It really sounds like a lot of fun!

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  4. Hiking is a great pastime hobby for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy being close to nature. thanks share the post Hiking shoes for women

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  5. Great giveaway! I've been wanting to try a pair of trail shoes (and they're just my size!).

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  6. I wear the same size running shoe as I do "street" shoe. I've heard you should go to a bigger shoe, but I've never understood why nor have I felt I "needed" a bigger shoe. Can I ask why your running shoes are bigger?

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    1. I was always told to go up a size in a running shoe because your feet swell when you run. Maybe there is a more logical answer though?

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  7. chrissy (trampoline girl)July 07, 2014

    Thanks so much for doing this Katie!! I really need some running/walking shoes and there is no way I can afford them right now. I had lost 85 pounds and I gained it all back so my shoes don't fit anymore :(. These would really help so thanks for the chance to win :).

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  8. Do I remember right that you said Jerry rarely runs with you? Happy that you are getting in so much fun Jerry run time :)

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  9. Those shoes are sure purdy--I normally wear an 8, so they might be just right for me?! I hope I win, but even if I don't, it's so nice that you're giving them away. I love the covered gazebo on the lake/river--so pretty. Like you, I appreciate it when Du will walk with me. Today I walked with my youngest son Chris, sure makes time go faster when someone walks/runs with you!

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  10. AnonymousJuly 07, 2014

    Hi Katie....hope Canadian's can enter....I did:)

    And I made the KFC coleslaw last night for supper We had it with sloppy Joes and was a real hit. Today I am having some with my lunch ! I had to chop it all with a knife too. Thanks for the recipe!
    Michelle in Canada

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  11. I've always wanted to try trail running, but I have a tendency of rolling my ankle often (I've even sprained my ankle just standing still and my ankle rolled!). I love the shoes though! New Balance is a great brand. I usually stick with Sauconys. LOVE them. Never tried Brooks, though I know a lot of runners prefer Brooks. Thanks for the chance to win those shoes!

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  12. I just did my third trail run yesterday. I never thought I'd like it (plus, I'm a klutz), but I love it. I'd love the shoes but I only wear a 7.5.

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  13. Excited about this new line of shoes. I just finished a mud run and realized I had the wrong shoes. I need to train for the next year for the next run and these shoes may help me out.

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  14. what a fun week ahead.. the shoes wont fit but hopefully I will be able to enter in the coming days.... so glad you got a good run with you husband...

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  15. The headband looks ADORABLE on you!

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  16. Oh man I love the Fresh Foams! Got to try out a pair and now I wear them all the time for running. They are so cushy and comfy!

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  17. Thanks for the chance to win. Based on your moving up a full size these may just be the right size for me. as I usually wear a 8.5 in running shoes and a 7.5 in my everyday shoes.

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  18. Thanks for the great giveaway! Those tea flavors sound interesting. I never knew they made tea in flavors like that. Also that park looks so beautiful :)

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I used to publish ALL comments (even the mean ones) but I recently chose not to publish those. I always welcome constructive comments/criticism, but there is no need for unnecessary rudeness/hate. But please--I love reading what you have to say! (This comment form is super finicky, so I apologize if you're unable to comment)

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