Spartan Race Giveaway

Who Doesn’t Love Free Stuff?

“A dream is a wish your heart makes, when you’re fast asleep.”

― Walt Disney Company, Walt Disney’s Cinderella

The Everyday Warrior has been on a Disney kick recently, and I guess it rubbed off. You see she just got back from the Happiest Place on Earth; and in the spirit of all things good and wonderful, I am going to send one of you to the Second Happiest Place on Earth (for Betsy it might actually be a toss up… Yes, we are on a first name basis. Go read her blog. You will love her too… and suck up while you’re there because I’m trying to get her to guest blog on her life as a female badass… I digress). Well that is for those of you who prefer to spend your time around mud, barbed wire, more mud, open flames, and people covered in mud (and scrapes… and bruises…) Sounds like paradise, right?

Well then you, my friends, have come to the right place!

Just in case you hadn’t guessed by now, we have ~~reached~~ exceeded 200 likes on the Running Thriver Facebook Page! That means our FREE 2014 SPARTAN RACE ENTRY GIVEAWAY had officially started!!! (I’ll wait right here while I give you all a chance to click the link and enter…. Are we good now? Okay!)

I would like to credit the newly added and super convenient social media buttons for this sudden boost in audience, but I have a feeling it may be more related to the FREE SPARTAN RACE ENTRY. Don’t worry. I’m not offended. I know how much people love free stuff; and if I were you I would be pretty pumped about a free Spartan Race Entry too! In fact, I’m kind of jealous that I do all this hard work blogging and you guys get to reap the reward. :-p I guess it’s a good thing I’m so attached to you all.

Actually, the truth is that I am all about encouraging you to go live life to the fullest, and I think this is an excellent opportunity to do just that. Live outside your comfort zone! That’s where the dreams that you wish come true. 🙂

Becoming A Grown Up (And My Grown Up Bucket List)

“…Let me be something every blessed minute.

And when I sleep, let me dream all the time so that not one little piece of living is ever lost.”

― Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Hello Everyone!

You may or may not have noticed some subtle (and not so subtle) changes going on with this blog as of late. You see, given that I am now married, discussing family planning, and working as supervisor it seems like my life has finally transitioned from that weird in between stage (where you are on your own but really only responsible for yourself) to official grown up. In that spirit, I thought it was time for The Running Thriver to become more grown up too.

Over the past few years I’ve been blogging, I feel like I have finally come to a place where I have found my voice (big surprise: it’s kind of snarky) and know what direction I want to take this site. Within the past few months I’ve learned a tremendous amount about how to customize my blog appearance, edit and create my own graphics, and use new social media outlets (twitter, instagram, pinterest… my head is still spinning!) all in an effort to make this blog completely my own and use it to reflect who I am as a person (and blogger!).

As much as I loved the paisley (I may find a way to incorporate it back in yet!), there is more to me than a pre-designed layout. My personality and voice are unique, so my blog appearance should reflect the same. I started with something simple and little by little I am making it my own. BTW I would love to hear your suggestions and feedback throughout the process!

My monumental accomplishment for today was adding social media buttons (present above my gravatar… which PS. now links to my “About Me” page. Who’s awesome? That’s right, me! jk… It’s actually kind of pathetic how badly I struggle with these things.) See them. Use them, Love them. If you don’t, I will have wasted several hours of my life that I will never get back.

Anyhow, as you all know updating this blog has been something that has been on my To Do List for quite some time. So, now that I am in the process of tackling the major revamp, I thought I’d share some other items on my Grown Up Bucket List:

Publish a book– Of course not just publish a book, but become a New York Times best seller. Then I can take the proceeds from the book and provide scholarships for other victims of trauma to live their dreams. No, I am not kidding. Go big or go home people! I am going to share my story and inspire the masses that they too can chase their dreams, regardless of athletic prowess or coordination (or lack there of…)
Start a Non-Profit– Because someone needs to be in charge of coordinating and handing out the scholarship money. If the best seller thing doesn’t come through, I may need to win the lottery for this one. On the plus side, at least I have my life figured out should I ever strike it rich.
Start a Family– For the record, these are not in order of importance. Also, it turns out I am not pregnant (yet) just crazy, as previously expected (I finally got my period and it snowed today. Happy Monday to me! I know, TMI). I may need to see a doctor if this continues… the weird symptoms that is, not the lack of pregnancy.
Run an Ultra in an Exotic Location– Well maybe not super exotic because I’m not really into humidity and giant bugs, but I wouldn’t mind Tuscany or Ireland…
Vacation at the Sandals Resort in St. Lucia– Why? Because we never had a honeymoon, and if we did have one that was where I wanted to go.
Finish a 50 Miler– This one should be totally obvious since I have already done a 50K 😉
Maybe Try a 100 Miler– I refuse to commit to this dream at this time
Finish a Half Ironman– I am clearly dedicated to this one if I stuck with swimming in spite of Coach M kicking me out of class and telling me to get a refund.
Finish a Full Ironman– This one is going to happen before I die!
Become a Marathon Swimmer– That’s right, I said it out loud… or typed it anyway.
Get Comfortable on My Bike– Preferably before the Half and Full Ironman…
Qualify for the Boston Marathon– At the rate I am going I may be able to qualify at age 80… if I don’t get any slower by then…
Meet Diana Nyad– Because she is AMAZING, I admire her, and I am secretly hoping to become a better swimmer by being in her presence.
Meet Meredith Atwood (Swim Bike Mom)– Also AMAZING, and I’d like to thank her in person for the book. I’d prefer not to meet her though until after I’ve written my book or completed an Ironman because otherwise it will just look creepy and stalker-ish
Complete an Un-Assisted Pull Up– I am SOOOOOO close… It’s going to happen. This will be my year!
Compete in a Body Building Competition– It’s probably the only time I will get on track with my nutrition and eat enough calories in a day. Plus, I think it’d be a great challenge.
Climb Mount Kilimanjaro– The Hubs is on board with this. We just need to find extra couple thousand dollars for funding…
Live on a Lake– Luckily the Hubs also has this one on his Bucket List.
Become a Fitness Instructor/Coach– Just part-time, you know, because I don’t have enough else going on…
Be a Guest on Oprah or Ellen (probably Ellen… there’s more dancing and oh maybe I could meet that girl who raps Nicki Minaj…) Clearly this would have to happen after becoming a best selling author
Place First in My Age Group– Just once… maybe when I’m 80 and qualify for Boston.
Make an Impact– Before I die I want to do something to leave my mark. I want to have helped to make the world a better place.

That’s all I have for now… I’m sure I’ll think of others after I hit publish.

What’s on your Bucket List?

Any in common?

How about a Spartan Race?

You know I do still have that free race entry, and we are only 9 likes away from starting the giveaway. I think you should all head over to like my Facebook Page through my new social media button and take note of the “Giveaway” tab while you’re there.

9 MORE LIKES PEOPLE! That’s all that’s separating you and the chance for an EPIC RACE EXPERIENCE!

Tell your friends, tell your neighbors, tell random strangers. The sooner we get to 200 likes, the sooner I can make one of you a very happy fellow thriver. And for those of you who enter but don’t win, I also have a link for a discount code.

In the meantime, I hope you are all having a very Happy Monday!

Because I couldn’t help myself…

How to Be Epic

“I want to have an epic life.

I want to tell my life with big adjectives.

I want to forget all the grays in between, and remember the highlights and the dark moments.”
-Isabel Allende

You may have noticed from all the links in my posts recently that I have been doing a lot of reading via various social media outlets (including some of my favorite bloggers <3). Recently I came across this gem titled How to Be Epic. My first thought when I saw the title was “Um, I already am“, but then I realized that the article was about a woman who took on an Ironman during a midlife crisis. Given that have a keen interest in one day completing an Ironman, and am not that many years off from a mid life crisis myself, I took notice.

Once you get past the typos (this was difficult for ~~my inner grammar nazi~~ me, but I’m not perfect either (gasp)… and I love Runner’s World) it is a pretty good read… maybe not Triathlon For Every Woman good, but still worth the glance. For those of you too ~~lazy~~ busy to read it for yourselves, let me give you the gist of it:

“More busy runners are pushing themselves in endurance races. Maybe you should too!”

Basically, the article recaps how one busy, former rowing champ, endurance junkie, Kona dreaming, middle-aged mom becomes an Ironman (through endless hours of training that made her question her sanity). Sounds totally relatable to me… aside from maybe the rowing champ part. Excuse me, but where are all the articles about unathletic, uncoordinated folks taking on an Ironman? None? Okay well thank you Swim Bike Mom for filling that void. Hopefully, someday I can help you out with that.

Anyway, the point of the article is how training for an EPIC RACE (ie. one that is WAY out of your comfort zone and seems impossible) changes you as a person. Back when I ran my first (and only: “first and last!”) marathon I posted on how the training had changed me long before I ever ran (hobbled through) that race. Truly, training must change you or completing the race would never become possible. Once the race is over, you cann’t go back to the person you were before training, and isn’t that the point? To get out of your comfort zone? To build a better, stronger, and more confident you?

When people hear that I am signed up for yet another “crazy” obstacle course race or 30+ mile run, they invariably wonder (out loud) why I would want to. Isn’t it obvious? Because I can! Wouldn’t you if there was a chance you thought you could? Wouldn’t it be worth knowing just how far you can push yourself? Wouldn’t it be worth the sense of accomplishment?

There are so many people in this world who go through life without ever testing or knowing the true depth of their strength or ability to persevere. In doing so they grossly underestimate themselves. That seems far more crazy to me than continually pushing my limits. What’s the worst thing that could happen? I fail? Well that just makes the eventual victory that much sweeter! I would rather be a failure than someone who never tried. Living life on the sidelines isn’t living, it’s watching.

What would you do if you weren’t afraid of failing?

Are you ready to give up the sidelines and BE EPIC?

It just so happens that I now have that code for a FREE SPARTAN RACE ENTRY. How’s that for a chance to get out of your comfort zone? Here’s an idea: You can enter the giveaway, and if you win take as a sign from fate. With the money you save on the race entry you can even pick up the new Reebok All-terrain shoes. Since a race entry can run up to almost $200 and the shoes run about $120 (when ordered directly from Reebok), it’s almost like getting a discounted race entry and the shoes for free… at least that’s how I’d justify to the hubs if it were me… 😉

The giveaway is slated to start just as soon as we hit 200 likes on the Running Thriver Facebook Page. Why you ask? Well, because WordPress does not allow Rafflecopter giveaways on the blog, which means I will be hosting the giveaway through Facebook. So my lovelies, I am really doing this for all of you. I want to make sure you all find the page, so you don’t miss out!

Once the giveaway starts, look for the tab (pictured above for your convenience) to enter.

We are only 10 likes away, so it should be soon!

In the meantime, I hope you all have an EPIC WEEKEND! I’d love to hear about your adventures!

Remember When? (aka Big News People!)

What is success?

I think it is a mixture of having a flair for the thing that you are doing;

knowing that it is not enough,

that you have got to have hard work

and a certain sense of purpose.
-Margaret Thatcher

Alright Peeps,

Remember back when I told you all that I had arrived in my blogging career because The Bloggess started following me on Twitter (and some of you likely rolled your eyes and thought I was looney… which I am, but only in the best way)…

Just in case you missed it the first time…

Well, now Spartan Race has also noted my obvious awesomeness and reached out with a free race entry to give away. Umm… YOU’RE WELCOME!!!! (TAKE THAT EYE ROLLERS!)

So here is the deal, Dan Krueger from the Spartan Race social media squad sent me an email this morning offering a free race entry for one lucky reader in exchange for me helping to promote their upcoming 2014 Racing Season as well as the new Reebok Spartan Race All-terrain shoes series. Seriously? This is like asking me to promote peanut butter… and we all know how much I love peanut butter…

I know you are thinking too good to be true, right? Me too! But I went ahead and googled him (CSI has nothing on me!), and he is a real person affiliated with Spartan Race. He has also worked with other bloggers on giveaways, so the only thing that may mess this up for all of you is if he actually reads my blog and realizes what a raving nut I am… then again, what kind of people sign up for Spartan Races anyway? 😉

You may remember my first experience with Spartan Race back when the Hubs and I took on the very first Ultra Beast (and Spartan Race grossly mis-advertised the actual distance of the race… FYI Spartan Race roughly 26.2 miles does not equal 30 miles… not ever… but then Marathon Beast doesn’t have the same ring as Ultra Beast, does it?)

All joking aside, the experience was life changing. It was one of only a few experiences in my life that has truly tested my limits (physically and emotionally). Now one of you may have the same opportunity!

For the few of you who ~~have been hiding under a rock~~ are unfamiliar with the Spartan Race Series, here’s a little preview what you are signing up for:

ARE YOU READY TO SPARTAN UP?

If you are watching this video (or read about my experience with the Ultra Beast) and are convinced you could never do it, let me reassure you. Spartan Race has multiple distances and difficulty levels ranging from Sprint (roughly 5k) all the way to Death Race (multiple days). You should pick a distance that scares the hell out of you and then train for it. That is how growth happens people! If you can already comfortably run a 5K and are nervous about the obstacles, try the Sprint distance. Looking for a challenge, try the Super or Beast course.

For those of you who already have done and love the Spartan Races, this could be your chance to get an extra race in!

Oh and don’t forget the shoes:

Strategically placed water drainage ports
Rock guard (to protect your feet from sharp rocks and objects)
Obstacle grip (which is also invaluable when wet shoes meet slippery rock faces)
Spartan Tough

We all know I am a loyal Inov 8 girl, but then a girl can never have too many shoes… especially trail shoes. 😉 BTW Reebok I generally wear a size 7 in running shoes should you decide you would like a review… I have an ultra coming up that would definitely put them to the test… just saying 😉

So my question who is excited?

PS. For more information on Spartan Race and Obstacle Racing in general, check out these blogs:

Dirt in Your Skirt

On My Way To Sparta