Picking It Up And Taking It Running!

Earlier this week, in this post, I wondered about where Runner’s Lounge went with their TiaRT.  I mentioned how I really missed it and Lindsay suggested I pick it up and start my own TiaRT. 

BRILLIANT!!!!

But I need your help!

I can’t, for obvious reasons, use the name Take it and Run Thursday as it does belong to them.  Sooo….what should I call it??  I am so not creative when it comes to this kind of stuff so I am counting on all of your creative juices to help me out! 

Here are some things to think about:

• I would prefer to either post this on a Monday or a Thursday
• I want to keep it in a question format. 
• I want it to be about both running AND triathlon, as well as nutrition and various forms of activity (Pilates, yoga…etc).
• The idea is the same basically; I will put out a question for others to answer on their blogs and of course, I would also answer it myself.  The following week, before presenting the new question post, I will link all the blogs that commented the previous weeks answer. 
• It will begin next Thursday, March 25, 2010.

What I loved best about TiaRT is that it connected me to so many different blogs, and I would like to continue that for those who are always on the search for good reads  

Is this something you would be interested in? 

If you want to submit a name/idea simply leave it in a comment below.

 

I am taking suggestions through Monday when I return from Virginia Beach.  I’ll pick my top favorites and put them out for a bloggie vote!  And there WILL be a prize for the winning name/idea

Being Random & Give-A-Way Winners

All about the list-format randomness today!

• Welcome new readers!!!!!!!!!!!
• I have one more sleep until Florida. I.Am.Stoked.
• Thanks for all the support yesterday in reference to my flight fears!  There have been over 6,000 cancelled flights in the last week out of Philadelphia so something tells me it will be a full flight, but I am still crossing my fingers for a free seat next to me!
• Please go Casey’s page, read this post, and if you have it…give it.  Yeah, the economy sucks, but every little bit counts. 
•  I have five half-started posts waiting to be finished. 
• For some reason every time I post on Rachael’s blog it double-posts.  It apparently really bothers this guy!  But that’s okay…it got him to read (and quickly fall in love with) my blog
• I love all the wonderful emails you all sent me in reference to my give-a-way–> looks like the easy format was a hit!
• Julie and Suzy and Cathy all awarded me the SunShine Award   I feel so loved- Thanks girls!  I’ll be paying this forward sometime next week.
• I have an insanely busy day today; half-day work, ice skating field trip, night conferences which I am leaving early in hopes of getting to my Team Meeting for an hour or so.  Then home to pack
• I finally went to Pilates last night!
• I dropped my Tuesday Magazine class.  As much as I wanted to love it, is how much I hated it.
• Pilates is better than class!
• The new instructor reminds me of the grandma in Something About Mary, except much buffer and without the cigarette hanging from her mouth.  She is crazy hardcore, has a hysterical accent and I loved every second of the class!
• The Redhead and I have some seriously hysterical stuff planned for the race.  The more ridiculous, the better!
• Has anyone ever ordered a wet-suit online?  It is so much cheaper but because I am so short I am afraid it won’t fit.  Experiences??  Anyone??  Bueller??
• I think about random things on the treadmill and last night it dawned on me I need to update my blogroll.  Don’t be shy- if you aren’t there, and want to be, speak up!
• I was featured today on Robin’s blog- what a wonderful post to see first thing in the morning- Thanks Robin!
• I wish I kept better track of people’s races and give-a-ways so I could plug them.  Sorry guys, just not my department.
• Philly Women’s Triathlon was rated one of the TOP 5 women’s tri’s in the world by Triathlete mag this month- woo-hoo! Go CGI!
• Everyday I find new ways in which blogging is like “real life”; sometimes it makes me smile and sometimes it reminds me of high school and I want to throw up.
• After reading this list do you need any more evidence that I am A.D.D????

And moving on to the good stuff….

….winners….

For giveaway #1, I picked a name out of a bowl.

The Winner Is……….

 *And you will just have to trust me because for some reason the photos aren’t uploading…I’ll try again tonight*

LIBBY @ From O to Runner

For giveaway #2 I listed the names in order of when the emails came into my inbox.  Then, I emailed my mom and asked her to give me a number between 25-47 (two random numbers I chose).  She chose # 33  and the winner is….

SUZY @ Running On My Time

Congrats girls!  Send me your addresses (and Libby I need your sock size) and I will be sending out the packages after I return from Florida.  Thank you to everyone who participated!!!!

 

Ok kids…I’m out of bloggieland until Monday.  Not that I think you ever could or would, but don’t forget about me   I’ll be back with the three-part post and picture fest next week.  And I’ll be diligently working on what is sure to be a very full google reader!  Have a lovely weekend

Simple Give-A-Ways For A Happy Anniversary To My Blog

Welcome new readers!!! 

Today is my blogversary! 

I cannot believe I have been blogging for one whole year!  Seriously…keeping up with a blog sounded good in theory but I really didn’t know how well it would work out.  I tend to have grand plans and then forget about them at some point.  I cannot tell you how many half-full journals I have lying around.  But this was different.  I kept writing.  Then I found other blogs and they found me and I made friends and it was a while different experience then what I set out for.  When I started this blog, I thought to myself “This would be a really cool way of tracking my progress”, never did I think “I’ll start a blog that people will read, and then I will make plans to meet those people” but that is exactly how it happened and I wouldn’t have it any other way. 

In honor of one whole year of blogging, I have not one…but two(!!!) give-a-ways.  That’s right…two!

OneLittleTriGirl’s Blogversary Give-A-Ways!

Give-A-Way #1-

Included:

• Book- The Runner’s Literary Companion.  Includes short stories and poems from runners; some are funny and some are sad, but they are all good stories.
• Balega socks- My most favorite socks ever.  The small ones pictured here are mine, but if you win, I’ll send you a pair in your size!
• Body Glide- I love this stuff !!!

How to enter for Give-A-Way #1

• Go to my #200 posts, choose one of the Top 6-8-10 lists and fill your own answers out in a comment below.
• Link this back on your blog for a second entry.

Give-A-Way #2-

Included:

• It’s a surprise bag of goodies :)
• I’ll post a photo after the winner is announced.

How to enter for Give-A-Way #2

• Email me (see my contact on sidebar) with “Goody Bag” in the subject line. 
• Additionally, because some emails (like mine) don’t give it away,  include the name of your blog in the body of the email so I know who you are!

 

Additional Information: 

• The winners will be announced Wednesday, February 17. 
• Yes, give-a-way #2 really is that simple!!!

Surprise Give-A-Way :)

I have been blogging almost every day since the New Year began (sick of me yet?!?) which was one of my blog goals for 2010.  Blogging is a definite commitment and I am sure when school starts up again my posts will be fewer, but I hope to keep up more frequently as I have because writing for me is very cathartic.  

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A few days ago in this post, I asked for some song suggestions for my new playlist.  It needs a make-over and I was looking for some songs I might not have thought of.  Thanks to those who came through and as promised, one reader is being rewarded. 

A few months ago the wonderful people at LaraBar sent me some bars to try and give-a-way.  I <3 Lara bars (cashew cookie is my favorite) and highly recommend them!  Lara Bars are gluten, dairy and soy free.  Super healthy and very tasty!

• I listed the contributors on an excel page so that each bloggy had a number.
• I asked a random student in my office to give me a number between 1-8  (good odds!!!)
• He picked number 7!

Congrats to Jill from JillWillRun

Jill send me your address and I’ll get the bars out to you

 

Is anyone else thinking TGIF for tomorrow already???  I know I am- three day weekend ahead!

And The Winner Is….

I put all the names in a bowl…

One of my wonderful co-workers picked out a winner…

And the winner is…

Lacey from Lacey’s Objects and Events!!!!!

YEAH!!!  Lacey- Send me your info and I will get it out in the mail

Thanks to everyone for playing

Other give-a-ways to check out:

Victory Is Finishing- Brian is a friend of my who is starting up his motivational blog.  Brian is a 2 time IronMan (he completed his first one just days after being hit by a car!!!) and one of my teammates!  Check him out and enter to win a Total Immersion Swim DVD!

Running Circles Around the Turtles- I am new to her blog but I love it already.  She is having a GREAT give-a-way that I want to win…but because I am nice I am also spreading the word

Post Holiday Give-A-Way!!!!!

Hi bloggies- what better way to spread out the holiday season just a bit longer than with a give-a-way!!!!

OneLittleTriGirl’s Post Holiday Give-A-Way!!!!

What can you win?

As pictured:

-A bag of 20 Holiday Vanilla Gingerbread Flavor GU’s (sponsored by GU)*

-A one-year subscription to Runner’s World magazine

How to enter (one comment per entry please):

• Visit the GU website and check out their products.  If you are already a GU fan, share with me your favorite flavor.  If you have never tried GU, tell me what flavor you would be most excited to try?  What other products from GU do you use or would you be interested in using with your training?
  
• Tell me: Do you read Runner’s World?  What is your favorite magazine (sports related or not)?  Why you are interested in this subscription?  (Note: if you already subscribe you can have it sent to a loved one or even another blogger…no problem )
• Link this give-a-way on your blog and let me know so you get credit!

So there you have it!  Three chances to win   A winner will be selected at random and announced Friday, January 8th, 2010 @ noon.

Have fun !!!

*Just want to give the people at GU an extra shout out.  When they offered to sponsor this, they also mailed me a huge bag of my favorite flavor, Tri-Berry for my 2010 racing season.  Seriously, awesome!!!

Give-A-Way Winner, The Next Two Weeks and Pictures

Yeah, I am jamming a lot into this post- this is a short and busy week, so I might not be around too much.  I am trying to get as much in as possible before the craziness begins.

First…without further adieu…the winner of my very first Give-A-Way is…………….

Felice

 

Yeah Felice!  Email me (jillyfly81 at comcast dot net) your address and I will get the goodies out in the mail.  Congrats!

And thanks to everyone who participated in my first give-a-way.  And a special thanks to TallMom for sending over so many new readers- I look forward to getting to know you all

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Now that this race is over, I really feel like I can relax.  At least where training is concerned.  For the next two weeks, I have more on my plate than can fit, so this is the perfect time for a training break.  With the exception of Pilates class and a bit of cardio and lifting, I really have no plans to work-out at all.  Mostly because in the next two weeks I have two papers(one seven page and one fifteen page) and a video project due and I have to get my Whitman blog up to date.  And of course, right in the middle of this is the Thanksgiving holiday.  And my high school reunion.  And holiday shopping.  Oh, and I am still looking for a place to live- I am still meeting with a realtor @ every two weeks, but still nothing.  I am already exhausted just thinking about it all!

Have I mentioned that I can’t wait for the semester to be over???  Have I mentioned how this semester has kicked my ass??? Cause I can’t and it has!  And I am so ready to be done!!!

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And moving right along…

How about some photos from yesterday’s race:

 At the expo

More at the expo

At the start line- not as bad as last year, but I was still freezing!

Coming into the finish- having just spotted my sign!

Me and my personal pacer, Brian, after the finish!

My mom and I with the official half-marathon sign

With Monique and Shawn, who came to watch me run!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Monday!

Give-A-Way Extension…

I am extending the deadline for my give-a-way until tomorrow at 9am.  I will have my co-worker pick a winner soon thereafter.  For those of you who are curious, I finally got a pic

As promised: three GU’s, a XOOD, a pack of clif bloks, hair-ties and one bag of Trader Joe’s Pretzel Slims

(note: the hair-ties are a stand in, the winning pack  is in my car, still in the bag)

Good Luck!!!

My First Give-A-Way

Yeah…here it is!!!!!

This is my 150th post and my very first give-a-way.  It is full of some of my favorite must-have’s

Right now my camera is on the fritz–HUGE BUMMER–so as much as I wish I could have taken a picture*, you are all just going to have to settle for trusting me   Here is what is included:

• 3 packs of Espresso Love flavored GU.  I LOVE GU (honestly, Tri-Berry is my favorite but they were out at the store) and depend on it very much when training and racing.
• 1 pack of Clif Blok’s strawberry flavor.  These are my favorite kind of chews and my favorite flavor.
• 1 pack of XOOD pomegranate flavor.  I don’t particularly like sports drinks because they don’t always get along with my stomach.  With XOOD, I can choose how much powder to use and it makes a big difference.
• 1 pack of Goody Ouch-less hairbands.  These are one of my favorite accessories, and I have one on my wrist at all times.  In my opinion, they are the best hairbands around.  Girls, you will love ‘em and boys…you can give ‘em to the lady in your life and win some brownie points.
• 1 bag of Trader Joe’s Chocolate Covered Pretzel Slims.  Look…these gems can only be summed up with one word- AMAZING! I am serious.  If you never had them (and if you don’t have a TJ’s near you, then you probably haven’t) you will be in love instantly.  And if you have had them, you know that they are A) hard to get because they fly off the shelves and B) possibly the best snack food ever made.  I eat them in ice cream, with pb and sometimes just by themselves.  If you have no other reason for entering the give-a-way, you have this!

Ok…now for the rules.  I said it would be simple and I am keeping to my promise, cause I like simple.  All you have to do is comment this post:

• telling me how you found my blog and how long you have been a reader (if you remember)
• telling me a few items that you would include in your favorite things

Yup that’s it.  You don’t have to link this post (although I would appreciate it!) or add me to your blog roll (but it would be great if you did!), you just have to answer those two questions!  See…simple.  And the best part…you don’t have to have a blog to enter, so it is fun for everyone

The winner will be picked on Sunday night, sometime before midnight!  Have fun and good luck

 

*[my mom will be down tomorrow night and I will borrow her camera for a picture...so stop back to see]