#TheGoodGummy Giveaway!!

I lead a very active lifestyle!  In addition to hitting the gym at 5am each day, I'm also working to keep up with my 2 active chickies!  To help keep me moving and keep my energy up I try my best to fuel my body the best way I can but even a great diet can be missing things.  I must admit I am awful at taking a multi-vitamin (except when I'm pregnant) but adding SmartyPants Vitamins have made it a breeze!  I was so thankful to have been chosen to try out SmartyPants Vitamins through a campaign with Fit Approach!

Getting my SmartyPants Women's Complete in the mail certainly made my girls jealous...Mom gets to eat gummies in the morning?  What?!  Thankfully there were some samples for them....which reminds me I need to order theirs since they loved them!  

We all know that as busy, active women we don't always get all the nutrients that we need to help our bodies function at their best...enter SmartyPants Women's Complete Vitamins!  Each serving is packed full of a multivitamin PLUS Omega 3s and Vitamin K2 which helps support bone health! Plus they are so yummy in three flavors orange, lemon, and blueberry!  An added bonus is what they DON'T have...

No Junk in These Gummies!

• No Synthetic Colors
• No Artificial Sweeteners
• No Artificial Flavors
• No Artificial Preservatives
• No High Fructose Corn Syrup

• No Gluten
• No Tree Nuts
• No Peanuts
• No Dairy

I honestly feel so much better making sure I take my vitamins in the morning knowing that I'm getting the nutrients I need....I just don't have time for anything stopping me!!  Don't just take my word for it though, try them out yourself!!  A bottle (and may I add the bottle is huge) is just under $33 and you can order it online or at many easy locations like Target and CVS!  They have products for everyone in your family from Men's and Women's Complete to Prenatal and Adult....and let's not forget the kiddos!  

Want to win a bottle for yourself?!  Well enter the giveaway today!!!  I will be picking a winner on Saturday!  

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I was given a bottle of SmartyPants Vitamins but the opinions expressed here are 100% my own!

Preventing the Holiday Pounds

It's that time of year again!!!  The time when our offices are filled with treats and our calendars are filled with parties.  I knew this was a hard time of year to keep the pounds off but I was shocked to hear that the average American gains around 10lbs between Thanksgiving and New Years....WHAT?!  Well that is just not going to work one little bit around here!  I'd much rather be strutting into 2016 feeling great than hiding behind my big sweaters!  Here's four tips that I try to follow to keep my eating and thus pounds in check during this time of fun!

In addition to keeping our eating in check, be sure to get yourself moving!  Tomorrow's topic with the Holiday Sweat challenge is to show how we get moving during this busy time so stay tuned for some great tips on how to fit it all in!!!

How do you keep your eating in check and still have fun?

Monday Motivation

This is the first week of the Holiday Sweat Challenge with Amanda at Run to the Finish and Fit Approach.  I love doing this challenge each year!  It not only keeps me focused during a crazy holiday season, but it forces me to get creative with my activities.  This year I am also including my girls.  During the Summer and beginning of Fall we are super active and outside a lot.  However once the time changes we (probably more me) turn inside.  Each week I am setting a minute goal for myself to be active and also one for my girls.  I know that some days depending on weather or daylight, I am going to have to get creative on this but I am ready to show them that being active is important...and FUN!  So this week I am setting a goal for myself to be active 400 minutes...and for my girls we are going to shoot for 25 minutes a day!  I set my workouts in my calendar and have fun planned for the girls.  We are going to rock this week!!

What is your goal this week?

#1MillionMinutes Summer

I love all things summer...you have to know that this beach girl is all about the summer!  Aside from having more freedom to spend days at the beach, I love the weather and the ability to be out and active!  I honestly try to use up every drop of sunlight being outside and active.  This was why I jumped at the chance to join in with Fit Approach and my SweatPink sisters for their #1MillionMinutes challenge aimed at making this your most active summer yet!

It started on June 21st but honestly you can join in at any time!  Grab the kids...your friends...or head out on your own and MOVE!  It really doesn't matter what you're doing as long as you are moving your body!!! 

Last night I headed out as the sun was starting to go down and literally raced the sun...with no street lights around I was in just as dark was coming in!!  We spent time playing basketball as a family and showing our girls how good it feels to be moving!!  My goal for this challenge is simple...find ways throughout the day to get myself and my family moving...whether it is through running or working out at the gym or riding bikes...swimming...obstacle courses in the yard...dancing...playing hopscotch...hiking...whatever as long as we are moving!!!

Come join in and get moving!!

Monday Motivation

The past few months have and continue to impress upon our family that you never know what tomorrow will bring.  It has me certainly thinking about plans...plans that are put off for a different time in life...plans for when the girls are older....plans for when my career gets slower...plans for when life is a little less hectic.  Yesterday driving home from visiting my family, as the girls snoozed peacefully in the back, I thought...why?  Why am I putting these things off?  What am I waiting for?  What if I get to that time and there is something else in the way?  What if that time never comes?  Why not go for it now?  Don't put it off for the perfect time to come!  Don't be in a holding pattern until your life is different....do it now!!

What are you waiting for?

Newport 10 Miler Race Report

This is the third year that I have run Newport 10 Miler and I have to say it is one of my favorite races every year!! 

Not only is the scenery gorgeous during the race but it is my hometown which means...family and friends...running my old routes...being back in my hometown for a weekend!  I'm sure the girls didn't mind jumping on the trampoline for hour with their cousins either!

My big sister was kind enough to not only grab my bib but also have the ladies sleep over her house so that I could get up and going early on Sunday!  We put the girls to bed...watched a little Chris Powell and I had my outfit laid out and was tucked in snug early!

I slept awesome and almost didn't wake up!!  A quick breakfast and coffee and I was headed to Fort Adams to meet up with fellow blogger Samantha and her super sweet friend!

It was great to see someone there and catch up a bit before we were headed to the start line.

I had a big goal for this race...even though I never made it public!  I really wanted to get in under 1:25.  With the way I was training prior to Ragnar I could have nailed it no problem, but Ragnar had left me tired and honestly I was having a hard time picking up the intensity.  Needless to say I was nervous stepping up to the start line on Sunday!  The course takes you up and out of the Fort, by Hammersmith Farm (the former summer home of Jackie Onassis and JFK), and along the Ocean Drive before it takes you down Bellavue Ave which boast all the mansions.  From there we make our way back to Fort Adams. 

Since I have run the race twice before I knew what to expect...some rolling hills in the beginning and some big dogs at the end...just my luck they save the hills to the end!  Knowing this I had a plan...go out at a faster pace than what I needed to do and bank some time for when the hills hit.  At first it worked out great (plus I am HORRIBLE at starting out conservatively...right Jill?!).  My first two miles clicked in at 8:00 and 8:02.  I continued to run sub 8:15 min miles right up until about mile 6...my stomach was being very cranky on me (I got some great advice that I can't wait to try out...hoping it will be the end of the cranky stomach).  I saw my sister and my favorite cheering section around mile 7 (Aubs hugged my leg and said "Congratulations Mommy!  You did it!)...

and that was what I needed to focus on the first big hill ahead!  I had my BRF Jill in my head...just keep your eyes forward and pick up your knees!  I went cone by cone until I felt the strain lift from my quads and back down the hill we went!  We hit mile 8 and I looked at my watch....if I kept the pace I was at then I would have no problem getting my goal!  What remained was a mental battle between my head and my heart!  My head was saying, "Ummm hello lady we're tired here!" but my heart was saying, "You have worked too hard to give up now!".  I think I promised myself everything short of a pony if I just kept going!!...you won't have to run for a week...you can have a big ice cream...a pedicure can be in your future...whatever it took to not stop!!  Back up the hill I saw the 9 mile marker and I knew I had it in my sights!!!

Through the tunnel (ummm Mr. Gray one complaint...can you please stop moving the finish line?  Every year it is somewhere different and it messes with me every time!) and push to the finish!!  It wasn't pretty but I DID IT!!!  I looked down at my Garmin to see

1:22:44

slightly faster than the official time but still UNDER 1:25!!!  I was so excited!!!!!  Looking back over the results I found out I was 35th in my age group of over 300 women (of course it got me that there were 4 girls in my age group that finish literally a second before me...ugh!)!  I ran into fellow ZOOMA girl Jess at the finish line...said my goodbyes...and headed back to my parents for some rest!

I would highly recommend Newport 10 Miler to anyone looking for a race in RI to do!  It was very well organized...BEAUTIFUL to run...and not expensive!  They have great finish line snacks and even a beer garden sponsored by Harpoon!  Plus they moved it to June which makes it a great time to make a weekend of it!  I honestly look forward to this race each year!!!

National Running Day 2015

Well well!  Happy National Running Day all!!  You have to know that this mother runner is spending the day running...and talking about running!!  I'm linking up today with fellow mother runner Kristen over at Jonesin' for a run with this fabulous survey!

Enjoy!


1. Why do you run? I have been running almost 20 years now...wow that makes me feel old!  The reasons I have laced up my Sauconys has changed over the years from trying to continue to feed my competitive spirit to trying to escape the dark hole of post-pardum depression.  Running is part of who I am and I can't imagine a time not running!  Here are some reasons from the last few years that I still agree to today!

2. How do you plan to celebrate National Running Day? Ummm by RUNNING!!  I started this morning with an easy run.  I'm planning on hitting up a nice lunch run on my usual route and then capping off the day with my mini running buddy!!

3. How many miles have you run so far this year?  I had a short month in February with the flu that ransacked our house but I am proud to say that I've run 581.5 miles so far this year!

4. What big events do you have on the race calendar so far this year?  My biggest event for this year for me is going to be ZOOMA Women's Half Marathon in September (Don't forget to join me and use the code NANCY15 for your discount!).  That is my race of the year really for me!  I am also really looking forward to the Newport 10 Miler this weekend (one of my favs) and running my daughter's first 5k with her later this month.

5. Before I leave for a run you must have: my phone...I got into the habit of running with my phone when I was pregnant with my daughter and I honestly don't leave for a run without it.  I don't always listen to music but I like having it for safety reasons...and for the occasional times I get lost!...in my own neighborhood!

6. Do you have one favorite app to track your runs?  Lately I have loved using the RunGo app to track my runs.  It has a feature that will tell you how far you have gone as well as your pace which keeps me from staring at my Garmin a million and one times!  Also you can search other people's routes if you want to change things up!

7. Who is your favorite running partner?  While I love sharing my runs pushing the double wide with these ladies in tow...

My favorite running partner has to be Jill!!!  She has pulled me across more finish lines than I can count including my first post baby....I wouldn't be half the runner I am today if it wasn't for her!!

8. What races have you ran so far this year?  This year has been the year that I have cut way back on my racing.  I set my sights on a few races and have focused more on quality rather than quantity.  That being said, the only race I have run so far this year was Ragnar Cape Cod in May.

9. If you had to give someone one piece of advice about running what would it be?  Only one piece?  How about...If you don't feel like you're going to puke at the finish then you didn't run hard enough....Lol!  That's Jill's!  I would say believe in your own greatness.  We all have the ability to do something great within us...put in the training and you can reach your dreams!

10.  Describe your relationship with running in one word:  Ok so I have never been able to do anything in one word!!!  I would say I would describe my relationship as.....transformative.  Throughout the years running and my relationship has transformed me and my life.

How will you celebrate National Running Day 2015?

Monday Motivation

At any given moment you may spot my girls and I driving down the highway belting out this song!  I mean with lyrics like "This is my fight song..take back my life song...I still have a lot of fight left in me" how could you not belt it out?  This weekend I slogged through my last long run before the Newport 10 miler.  Between the newly settled in humidity and the lack of caffeine consumed beforehand, I was left with heavy legs and an even heavier heart doubting my ability to do well next weekend.  However I remembered what my BRF Jill told me the night before...you've put in the training...keep your eyes on the horizon and fly up those hills!  I'm not going to let a bad run rule out...cause I DO have a lot of fight left in me!!  I'm not done improving...not done in the least!!

How will you play your fight song this week?!

Ragnar Cape Cod Recap

Trying to sum up this relay is a really big undertaking!  There was just so many moments that made it the relay that it was that I am certain I will either forget something or bore you with silly inside jokes!  This was my second year doing Ragnar Cape Cod and at first I was not going to be part of it.  It was a lot on my family last year and we had decided that I sit this one out.  However about a month before the race, my coworker and friend Christy asked me if there was any way I could run and bing bang boom...I was in!! 

Ready to roll with my Feetures! socks and compression socks...Ziplock bags galore!

Christy and her husband Ryan were our fearless team leaders and to say they were beyond organized would be an understatement...however I guess after doing 11 relay races you get that way!

A bonus about having them as captains...we were able to crash at their house while our team was off and sleep on real beds and eat real food!!!...oh yes and showers!!!

I was again in van 2 this year

and Christy, Eva and I went to Hull to cheer on our first van as they made their way to Duxbury to meet us.

Our team at the start

With hours to spare we hit up some shopping to replace a poor, archaic ipod and some Lululemon therapy!  We grabbed food at Whole Foods (I'm was cautious about eating because I was first up in our van and didn't want any belly issues!).

The wind on the beach was FREEZING!

Before we knew it, it was time to head to Duxbury and meet up with our van!  I was runner 7 which meant that I was the first person heading out!  We hung out a bit...got our safety briefing...fought the wind...and then it was my turn!  9.8 (But really 10 according to my Garmin) miles into Plymouth. 

My favorite part of my leg...crossing the bridge!

This was the leg where I developed what our team later called "hill Tourettes"!  I mean seriously could there be more hills?!

Seriously who trusted me with the clipboard???

After our van was done we headed back to Christy's house for some food and sleep before we were at it again! 

Can I please just keep my eyes closed?!

Leg #2 for me was at 2am and near my house!  The fog was so thick as it rolled in off the water that I could only see directly in front of me most of the time...good for focusing on running...bad for a spooked mama!  Add to that the fact that the air was so filled with humidity that the water was falling off the trees making it sound like someone in the woods, and you have a pretty quick pace for 2am!  My van was awesome and stopped every mile or so to make sure I was still around!

safety first

Again back to "homebase" and a shower to make life seem doable after we were all done!  We then headed out to Nauset High School for our last push to P-town!  My last leg was a 6.3 miler along the bike path in Wellfleet which really was beautiful...

I however started counting bugs in my mouth instead of kills (6) and those HILLS!!!  I could see the end in sight and was SOOO excited to pass off the slap bracelet and be done!

Our team quickly (we had one runner that ran the last 10 mile leg in a pace of 6min/mile...seriously!) made their way to P-town and got ready to run across the finish together...even though we had trouble keeping up with our lightening fast last runner!! 

Team CC/DC Back in Black

The back of our medals fit together like a puzzle!

A little celebrating and then home we went!  Honestly I had such a great time and met so many interesting people as a part of this race!  I also learned a lot about me as a runner...like how Red Bull as much as it gives me wings it also gives me terrible stomach pains midrun...or how I just need to run faster!!  I kept such an even pace that really only varied by a second or two on all of my legs, that now I know I can do that pace and need to push it more.  I discovered I can live on pb&js and magical gluten free Ragnar cookies!  I've explained it to several people that have asked me how it was and looked horrified when I blurted out how little sleep and how many miles I ran followed by "It was AWESOME!", that runners are a little bit like the Island of Misfit Toys.  We all have our quirks and such...well Ragnar is like our Christmas or perhaps Carnival...all those quirks are out there to celebrate...tutus, funny costumes, and randomness and all!! 

Cheating...Helpful or Hurtful?

In all other areas of life besides eating, cheating is a bad thing...cheating on a test, you get a zero or worse...cheating on your taxes, jail...cheating in a race, disqualified.  Cheating, however, in many areas of dieting is an official day or meal. 

I'm pretty sure this started with body builders getting ready for shows or along those lines.  After watching my husband prep for his show, I think it could be used as torture in some cultures! 

There are noted benefits of incorporating a cheat meal into your diet plan especially for people with very specific goals in mind like cutting and other ways to shock your body.  This I can see and understand as it is often times monitored by a coach.

I started thinking the other day about cheat meals for everyday people that aren't doing shows.  I'm not so sure it has the same effect.  For me a cheat meal opens the door...Pandora's Box if you will to a world of junk food.  Most times I can shut it...other times it takes a bit longer to tighten the lid on my cheat "meal".  This often times follows a long run or race when I feel like I've "earned" it!

When you are striving for a healthy lifestyle, is "cheating" ok?  Moreover, when you are on that road to a balanced, healthy body, would anything be off limits as long as it is in moderation? 

I know personally when someone says NOT to eat something, that is in fact the ONLY thing I can think about!  Don't eat sugar....I think about it constantly!  Don't eat carbs...you find me dreaming about a bagel!

There is the allure of being "bad"...of cheating and getting away with it!  For me, I think that having a healthy, balanced diet most of the time and finding ways to be healthy around all food, is the most important and the best way for me to reach my goals.  So while a "cheat" meal sounds fun...it's the feelings that happen after for me...or when I can't stop cheating...that I need to stay away from.  Am I saying that I ALWAYS eat healthy and perfectly?  My husband can attest that I do not...but do I try my best to fuel my body the best way I can...yes.  I'm working towards having a healthy balance and healthy mindset around all foods!  I'm not saying cheat meals are bad...I'm not saying you shouldn't do them...I'm saying for me...I have to put a lid on that box!!

Do you have a cheat meal? 
How do you keep it from becoming a cheat day...week?

Training Talk

When I started 2015, ZOOMA Cape Cod was the one and only race on my calendar.  A few more have found their way on there and while I am looking forward very much to running Ragnar this weekend and the Newport 10 miler in June, ZOOMA remains my focus...my goal...what gets me up in the early mornings and pushes me over hills!  Speaking of hills, this week's training miles were chock full of them so here we go!

Monday: 3-4 miles...hit the gym mill for 3.5 miles and kettlebells after.
Tuesday: 1 mile WU-Tempo 4X1 mile with 0.25 recovery- 1 mile CD...This was the day of my mom's lumpectomy and I had to leave the house early to get to the hospital in RI so this was pushed back.
Wednesday:  rest...I plugged in yesterday's workout today
Thursday:  5 miles(10 min WU-6X2min hills-10 min CD)...I did this workout on the treadmill because I wanted to make sure I wasn't slowing down on the hills...kicked my butt!!
Heading out for an afternoon run too since I need to get in some miles on tired legs for Ragnar!!
Friday: Fun...What does a runner do for fun?  I hit the gym to swing some KBs!
Saturday:  10 miles...mini-chickie had a swimming lesson (she was over the top excited!) so I headed out after and logged a run with the App Run Go as an ambassador for them.  It was really easy to use and spoke to me which was nice!  It is finally getting warmer here on Cape Cod and this run was awesome!!
Sunday:  rest...took Em out on a training run for 1.5  miles.  She's getting there!!

How did your week go?
Is it warm in your neck of the woods?

Monday Motivation

This weekend we had dinner with friends...a family who also has a 6 year-old and a 2 year-old.  The difference is that while our girls have their hiccups, they usually sleep through the night nestled in their own beds while this mother is up all night with her cuties.  As she was talking with me about how she feels like she is at the end of her rope, I heard myself encouraging her...begging her to find the time to go do something just for her.  For me it's running and working out.  Early morning sweat sessions and long Saturday morning runs give me the mental energy to be a mom...it makes my soul happy and therefore I can give to others.  Whatever it is that makes YOUR soul happy, go out and make sure you do it....go walk, run, spin, knit, bike, whatever it may be!

Take the time....YOU are worth it!!!

Monday Motivation

Dreaming can be a tricky thing.  I could dream that I will be strutting my stuff in a bikini on the beach this summer but...well then I would wake up and rethink that dream!!  We can dream whatever we want...it is when we talk about those dreams that causes the butterflies...that catches in our throat...that scares us a little.  When we talk about them then it is on.  Dreaming to run a faster half marathon...to gain muscle...to be a better version of my best is one thing...to talk about it is something all together different.  I own it now and while it scares the pants off me....so does knowing I could do more.  This week....that fear is getting me to lace up my Sauconys when the plan calls...that fear is waking me up at 4:15am to head to the gym...that fear gets me excited to see where I can go!!

What are your dreams?  Are they big enough to scare you?

AMR Own It Week 3

I have to admit that this week was a huge challenge for me to get it together and get my runs in.  My hubs was away all week for business, which meant I needed to get creative...even more than normal!

Monday: 3 miles...I ran on very tired legs after I taught until 7pm!  Came home...put the ladies to bed...and hit the mill. 

Tuesday:  1 mile WU...3X1 mile tempo...1 mile CD...I ran 3 miles of this on the mill first thing in the morning until my oldest woke up (she loves to just sit there and stare at me which just turns up the mom guilt to a new level so I usually stop).  Then I geared up and headed out at lunch.  The weather was awesome and the route was hilly, but I managed to negative split it!!  WIN!!

Wednesday:  Rest:  I did the Lower Body Fix video from the 21 Day Fix program

Thursday:  10 min WU...HILLS 6X1 min...Headed out again at lunch and tackled some serious hills!!  ZOOMA Cape Cod and Newport 10 miler have some killer hills especially at the end so these hill days are super important for me!

Friday:  3 easy miles...I had taken the girls to my visit my family and the day got away from us...no run

Saturday: 10 miles (4 miles @ Race Pace)...After waiting for the rain to clear...and possibly a fair amount of whining about the weather...I tried out a new route FILLED with hills!  This was a mental run for me but listening to the AMR podcasts with Summer Sanders and Terzah Becker was just what I needed.  I wish I had had a notepad with me to write down all the quotes!!!  Definitely two podcasts I need to revisit!

Sunday: rest...you don't need to tell me twice!!  It was a great Easter...the only running I did was after eggs!!

Don't forget...Come run with me at ZOOMA Cape Cod!!!  Use the code NANCY15 for 10% off!!!

Monday Motivation

This weekend I caught up on my AMR Podcasts.  It was as if these two latest podcasts were just for me for just this run.  I have been allowing doubt to creep in this past week...the pressure of being alone with the girls while hubs was away I began to question whether or not I "had it in me" to reach the goals I have been setting for myself.  The wall was up and hearing Summer Sanders say this quote I knew....am I going to sit here behind this wall...comfy but always wanting what lies just beyond the wall...or am I going to bust through it and show myself just what I can do?  I reached my house at the end of my run and I knew...watch out wall....I'm coming for you and you WILL NOT stop me this time!

What wall is stopping you?  How will you bust through it this week?