Nuun Review and Giveaway

I'm taking a break from my motivational Monday series to allow a few of my inspirational runners time to answer all my questions and to offer you an amazing giveaway! Today marks the 39 day countdown to running Hood to Coast with Nuun Hydration and a team of bloggers that love running! I think it's the perfect time to share with you why I love Nuun products and why I am so excited to run with them and join the Nuun team for HTC 2013.

Nuun products are great for replacing lost electrolytes without the sugar of Gatorade. The bottle is small enough to carry in your purse or keep in your car so you can always be prepared. All it takes is a bottle of water and one tablet to make the perfect sports drink. My favorite type of Nuun is their active hydration line. I am training for Hood to Coast, my third Marathon in October at the Nike Women's Marathon and my first Spartan Beast race. With all these tough workouts, I need to make sure I'm eating right and getting proper hydration. That's where Nuun comes in. Here is what I love about the Nuun Active Hydration line: 

• Packed with electrolytes, light flavor, no sugars or carbs, and portable, Nuun Active Hydration is the perfect sports drink.
• The electrolytes found in Nuun will help alleviate cramps, help muscles function, communicate and burn energy efficiently.
• Nuun Active Hydration comes in 14 flavors: Banana, Orange, Lemon Lime, Strawberry Lemonade, Fruit Punch, Kona Cola, Lemon Tea, Tri-Berry, Grape, Tropical, Citrus Fruit, Cherry Limeade, Watermelon, and Lemonade.

My favorite flavor of Nuun is Tri-Berry. I really can't say that I have ever found a flavor I don't like. When I need a little extra kick I grad the Cherry Limeade because it has some added caffeine. Nuun hydration tabs can also be found in an all day version that is a great substitute for soda. 

I love Nuun because it helps power my workouts. With the heat in California, summer training can get harsh and Nuun helps me avoid dangerous dehydration is these tough conditions and it tastes great! If you haven't tried it, then today is your lucky day. You could win a 4-pack of Nuun to try! 

In honor of my upcoming Hood to Coast race, Nuun and I have partnered to offer you a chance to win a 4-pack of Nuun hydration! All you have to do is enter in the rafflecopter giveaway below. If you don't win, or are like me and just can't get enough Nuun, then use the code: hydrateHTC at checkout on their website and receive 15% off your order! That's simple enough, right? Good luck!

~Happy Hydrating!

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Monday Featured Runner - Elle Linton!

Happy Monday all! Today I have an amazing athlete, runner, and trainer to share with you. Her name is Elle Linton. I have yet to meet her in person, but based on our Twitter chats, her trainer greatness, (she's a certified Nike Training Club instructor) and all around fun personality, I can't wait to someday travel to London and take a class from her!

Elle is a personal trainer by profession and blogs from her home in London, UK at keepitsimpElle.blogspot.com. She loves to inspire others through her fitness journey and is always up for a challenge! I asked her a few questions about her running journey and she was kind enough to share her story with me. Elle has been running for six adult years, but many more childhood years, so she has plenty of experience and some great advice to share. 

How did you get into running? Can you share your running history?

I began running at about aged 9 or 10. I remember winning sports days at school, and being chosen to represent our school and country at 100m, 110m hurdles, long jump and triple jump. As I got older though, I suffered badly with anaemia and dropped out of sport altogether around the age of 13. I then started training again when I continued my studies at aged 16 but only really got into it after University. At that time too, I only ever ran on a treadmill for years before I found a love for running outdoors! I ran my first 5km race 4 years ago. For me, this distance was a long way as my body had only ever trained to run 100m! I then ran a 10km race, and without any training ran a half marathon last year! I finished the half marathon in 2 hours 27 minutes which I am very proud of. After that I decided I needed to take a step back and train properly for a 10km so that has been my goal for 2013. I wanted to complete a 10km race in under an hour, which I successfully did in April 2013 - now I'm aiming to scrape some time off each race I complete! I have my next race in July 2013 - The British 10km.

How do you train? Are you a part of a running group? Do you prefer running with a group or alone?

I have a run coach who provides me with a weekly training schedule so most of my training is done on my own. I do like to attend run clubs though, as I find I always run faster in groups as in events! I don't have a preference, but running with others is great for motivation. Also, being accountable to a run coach means that I drag myself out and complete my runs as it's no fun reporting to your coach that you missed a run for no good reason! I also regularly teach classes as a Personal Trainer and attend many different classes including Yoga, Body Pump, Pole Fitness...you name it...I'll have / will try it! 

What is your favorite memory from running? 

I ran a 5km race with a friend a few years back; she was pacing me to come in under 30 minutes. I remember getting close to the end of the race, begging her if I could walk for a few seconds. her response was NO! you need to run faster now! No walking!!! ...I continued to run and made it to the finish line in 27 minutes which was my PB at that time! It shows that sometimes you need to keep that voice in your head quiet that is telling you to slow down...

What advice do you have for new runners? 

I'd advise new runners to keep running...through the bad runs, the okay runs until they reach the good runs! ...Also, don't underestimate the importance of a warm up, cool down (stretching) and other classes such as Yoga and Pilates which can help to make you a stronger runner. 

How do you use your blog/social media to influence your running? 

I write up my run training on my blog mainly as a way of keeping a record. I include everything, the ups and downs so that other runners know they are not alone when they wake up and don't feel like going out! Twitter is also great for all the run chat to inspire me and then it's great when you get encouragement from others just when you need it!

How do you fit running in with your daily schedule, work, etc…? 

I like to run first thing in the morning so I know I have completed what I need to for the day and no excuses can get in the way. 

Elle has this advice for you:

You need to find your own niche...your own distance and what suits your lifestyle. Enjoy the stories and progress that others share but remember to only ever judge your progress on you! We are all individual, and we should train that way :)

You can follow Elle on Twitter: @X_eLle_S and Instagram: @ellelinton

I was really inspired by reading Elle's story and I love getting new training advice from her blog! She has helped me step out of my comfort zone and try new fitness classes. Have any questions for me or Elle? Leave them in the comments below!

Happy Training!

Iron Girl Half Marathon in My Sights!

I am looking for a winter race and the Santa Rosa, Athleta Iron Girl Half Marathon looks like a really fun race. I love that it's sponsored by Athleta and is a raced focused on women. As the Athleta Roseville sponsored athlete, I really feel like this is a race I could really promote and get behind. I would love to run it with the amazing women from my Run Club!

Check out the amazing amenities at this race:

"Amenities at the Athleta Iron Girl events include: a post-race Breakfast Café, shirts sized for women, personalized race bibs with participant name, custom medals for all finishers, Iron Girl jewelry age group awards from Milestones Sports Jewelry, professional timing, free training programs, local pre-race clinics, event webinars, social media live Q&A sessions with the race team, post-race giveaways and much more. 

Iron Girl empowers women to discover their personal best, embrace strength and celebrate accomplishment in a supportive community of women that will cheer them on. The event is about women with all the touches and amenities developed with women in mind. Whether this is your first or 100th event, there is a place for you at Iron Girl."

This year is the 10th anniversary of the Iron Girl series, so the races are sure to be a blast! I have two races in October, the Nike Women's Marathon in SF (which is also the 10 year anniversary) and the Reebok Spartan Beast 12 mile race, so I'll be plenty busy with training! I might as well add on a shorter, fun race.

Have you raced an Iron Girl event before? What did you think of it? Let me know in the comments below!

PRO Compression Review and Giveaway!

The weekend is here and that means extra time to workout! At least, that is what my weekend plans are. I have two scheduled runs, one on Saturday and one on Sunday. I'll be leading Run Club at the Athleta, Roseville Galleria store and I hope to see you Sacramento area runners there Sunday morning! The first Sacramento Capitals World TeamTennis match is Sunday as well, so if anyone is up for some great professional tennis matches in the Sacramento area you should really check them out!

I've been trying out some new products lately and one of my new favorite things are PRO Compression socks! I know, so many runners speak their praises, I can't believe it has taken me this long to test out a pair. I was surprised at just how much I like them! I was sent a black pair to test out and now I want to buy some neon ones for racing. It never hurts to have some extra color on the road. 

For those of you who don't know what compressions socks are, here is a quick description, curtesy of PRO Compression:  

"PRO Compression socks are designed specifically to deliver both maximum comfort and speedy recovery times. The science is complex, but benefits such as improved blood flow, stability and comfort are universally understood.  The moment you put these socks on your feet and incorporate them into your game, you will feel and understand the difference. 

PRO Compression socks are noticeable tight and require more effort to put on than standard socks in your drawer. But it's that extra effort and much-needed compression that make all the difference. Be patient and your feet will thank you."

PRO Compression socks are made in the USA, so you know where they come from and that you are supporting our labor force. Since the manufacturing occurs right here in the US, PRO Compression can monitor the quality of each and every product and design.

I immediately felt better after putting these on. It was as if they were hugging my calves. I wore them all day after a long run. They are great for recovery. I did not want to take them off before bed. I have also heard these socks are great for wearing on airplanes and help reduce swelling during travel. I really wish I had a pair before my trip to DC. Next time I will be prepared.

I wore these PRO Compression socks on a three mile treadmill run and felt like they were neutralizing the jarring effect of the treadmill. They only thing I would say is that they can get hot on longer runs. I'm used to wearing ankle socks when I run so this was a bit of a change. In the cold weather, these would be great for support and for keeping my legs warm. 

Have you tried compression socks before? Do you wear them during training or for recovery? If you haven't tried PRO Compression socks yet, today is your lucky day, because you can win a pair! Or maybe you have a few pairs at home but want to expand your collection. Be sure to enter my giveaway below and the lovely folks at PRO Compression will send you a brand new pair if you win! If you just can't wait you can enter the promotion code: PCBLG for 40% off your purchase and free shipping in the US at the PRO Compression website. 

Happy Training and Good Luck!

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Happy Fourth of July

Happy 4th of July! I hope you have a great day. I have heard of so many fun races going on today, I can't believe I'm not signed up for one. Oh well, I'll plan on participating next year. Today I am going to get my run on in the cool air conditioning of the gym on the treadmill. We have a pool party, barbecue and fireworks display to attend, so the rest of the evening is going to be busy!

I just wanted to check and and wish you all a great day. It's truly a blessing that we get to celebrate our freedom and I plan on doing just that! If you haven't yet, head on over to espnW's Instagram or Twitter and submit your red, white and blue photo in their 98 Days To Shine photo contest for a chance to win some amazing prizes, like the awesome "W is for winners" shirt I am sporting in this picture. Good luck! 

Find your amazing today!

Mizuno Wave Sayonara Review

The following post is sponsored by FitFluential LLC on behalf of Mizuno.

These last few weeks I have been testing out the Mizuno Wave Sayonara running shoe. As an ambassador for FitFluential I occasionally have the opportunity to try out new products and I was recently sent a pair of the entirely new Mizuno Wave Sayonara shoe releasing on July 5th. I have been running in my Nike Lunarglide's and Nike Free Run's so I was interested to see how these compare. They arrived about two weeks ago and I have been testing them out on runs ever since. 

Just out of the box!

The Mizuno Wave Sayonara comes in two colors. The blue color is for the men and the pretty pink color for the women. Yes, you may have noticed that my pair is the men's version. Unfortunately, for a girl I have very large feet and Mizuno did not have these produced in a women's size 11.5, while they do make my size in other shoe styles. They offered to send me the men's version and I have to say the bright blue color has grown on me. It's not as girly as the pink and purple, but I have already received quite a few compliments on them at the gym. Do you see the pretty pink ones below? How cute are they? I'm not normally a pink person, but oh how I want these! Maybe they will make them in my size soon? Pretty please Mizuno!

Fun Pink and Purple Women's Wave Sayonara

I started out my testing by wearing the shoes around the house. The first thing I noticed was how light the shoe is. The men's version is only 8.1oz and the women's version is 7.1oz (though weight may vary based on size). These shoes are Mizuno's lightest everyday training shoe yet. The second thing I noticed was how low to the ground these shoes are. This makes the shoes more responsive and I can see myself using these on shorter, faster runs and track workouts. Say goodbye to slow and hello to a speedy ride! 

The sole was really interesting to me. It's a G3 sole that is lightweight and offers superior traction. I did notice that the shoes seemed to be gripping the ground more than my current runners. The rubber sole also allows the shoe to be very flexible. The design on the bottom of the shoe is super fun too! Almost like a piece of artwork. Wouldn't you agree?

I took the shoes out on about five different runs, with the longest run being three miles. I can see putting these shoes into my rotation and using them for speed sessions and tempo runs. The shoes are firm enough to support my knees and feet, yet flexible enough to not feel heavy during speed work, a problem I have had in the past. 

Headed out on a three mile run through town.

The release of the Wave Sayonara fits in well with a new project Mizuno has started promoting. Their Mezamashii running project is described below:  

"The Mezamashii Run Project is an effort by Mizuno to help create a more euphoric running experience — a more "brilliant" run — for more runners everywhere. The word "mezamashii" means "eye-opening" or "brilliant" in Japanese — it's a word that captures the euphoric feeling of a brilliant run."  

Basically, it means transforming yourself and the world through running. Learning from your runs, growing from your runs and sharing that feeling with the world around you. Make that world a better place. I personally have experienced so many freeing moments on my runs and consider myself a member of Mezamashii. Running gives me an outlet, it gets me out of the house and allows me to have time to either be alone with my thoughts or to relax and hang out with my friends by sharing the same passion. For some inspiration from other Mezamashii runners, check out the video below.

If you're looking for a light shoe with superior cushioning and a fun design, you can find that in the Mizuno Wave Sayonara. These shoes release July 5, 2013 and retail for $119.99. With so many upcoming fall races now is the time to invest in a great training shoe and you can't go wrong with the Wave Sayonara. Will you join me in finding Mezamashii running?

Motivational Monday - Meet Brandy Corrales!

For the second installment of motivational Monday I am introducing you to Brandy Corrales! I first started chatting with Brandy while training for the Nike Women's Marathon in 2012. She was following our ambassador journey and we started to connect through running. 

This past April, I had the pleasure of running with her at the Nike Women's Half Marathon in DC! She was even more amazing in person and inspiring. We ran all over DC together, toured the area and became fast friends. Since then she has been an inspiring and motivating force in the fitness world. I asked her to share her journey with me. I hope it inspires you as it has me!

How did you get into running? Can you share your running history?

I've always flirted with running for weight loss, but finally became passionate about it when I was asked to run the 9/11 Heroes 5K. I ran a 5k four years prior and that was a disaster. This time around I somewhat trained and set a goal, then nailed it. I was on a runner's high and immediately looked for a 10K and signed up. 

How do you train? Are you a part of a running group? Do you prefer running with a group or alone?

I train 5-6 days a week. My schedule is usually 3-4 days of running and 2-3 days of cross-training (weights, swimming, Nike Training Club app and yoga). I would love to be part of a group, so I could push myself even further. Right now it's just me and my treadmill/trails. Since my husband's schedule takes him away for periods at a time it's hard to attend group runs in my area. 

What is your favorite memory from running?

Being invited to the Nike Women's Inaugural Half Marathon in DC by Nike Running. I had such an amazing time meeting you, seeing my running idol, Olympian Shalane Flanagan literally inches away from me (still regret not asking to take a photo with her), and meeting women who I'm a big fan of from the twitter community.

What race is your favorite? Why?

As of right now the Nike Women's Inaugural Half Marathon DC is my favorite because of all the events and sightseeing I got to do. I ran a horrible race which I suffered a bad injury but the memories of the weekend surpassed my finishing time. 

How do you use your blog/social media to influence your running?

I really need to get serious and start an official blog because I have so many thoughts and information to share. Twitter has been a huge influence in my life and running. The community of runners on there has become my extended family. They are always willing to give you advice or words of encouragement to keep you going. I couldn't have done half the things I've been able to without them. 

How do you fit running in with your daily schedule?

It's a necessity, I'm a stay at home mom and I need my sanity. I usually workout when my youngest is napping or when my husband walks through the door, it's go time for me.  

Do you have any favorite running gear we should know about?

Nike dri-fit tanks or running tees. I love that it pulls the sweat away from your body keeping you dry.

Brandy is going to start training for her first full marathon and I can't wait to follow her journey. She says running a marathon is scary and exciting at the same time. I couldn't agree more! It is totally worth it though! I loved meeting her at the Nike Women's Marathon in DC and hope we get to share many more races in our future!

If you want to follow Brandy for running tips and to cheer her on in her training you can find her on Twitter: @OSUlovingirl