Bullets!

• I ran last night, and I didn't die. I almost didn't even bother, and then, once I convinced myself I would, in fact, run, I almost passed on the speed work I was going to do (3x1600 gross). I thought FOR SURE my lazy January/semi-injured-ish February would have rendered me useless.

• Turns out, I CAN still run semi-fastish (for me), and not die. It felt WEIRD, though, like my legs were not quite sure what was happening, and if they were going to be participating. Bizarre. Or totally normal for doing next to nothing for 2 months.

• Seriously, NEXT TO NOTHING. January mileage was 85 - 53 of those miles were Disney miles, so they don't even count. I'm going to close out February with a sad, sad 71 miles. Lame, me.

• Shameless plug: I normally avoid "VOTE FOR ME!" things, but I'm a sucker for Disney, so when I saw the contest asking for a Magical Memory, I just happened to have a TON of them tucked away from Gabby's Make a Wish trip last summer. So, if you have a minute and Facebook, if you could click here: Contest LINK, then like the app, and vote for this picture....

I'd appreciate it! :)

• Wednesday morning PCRF cross training is BACK. Phew. Turns out, when I have people to meet, I do things. Unlike when I'm working out by myself. Then I do none of the things.

• We met at 6am at a local high school, for some drills, and stairs, and core, and it was kind of fun, but kind of early, and cold, and tough after last night's repeats.

brrrrrrrr

• I'll probably be back. I think I said all of these same things last February when the cross training class started then, too. Plus, the view this time is WAY better than that boring 24 Hour Fitness room....

sometimes, I have to remind myself, I LIVE HERE THIS IS REAL LIFE.

• The Team Gab (not) Virtual Race planning is going along swimmingly. I panicked a little the other day, because I'm not a party-thrower kind of person, but with some help from the internet machine, and very patient people, I was talked down from the ledge, and have a to do list that I can tackle. Give me things to do, I'm all over it. Give me ideas to implement, and I'll stare at you.

• At least I got one item checked off my to-do list...

• If you're in SoCal, I'd love to see you on March 9th!! Check the link for details, and let me know!!

It is the fragile blossom that opens in the snow

Fragile blossom, indeed.

We spent Saturday up in the local mountains playing in the snow. I always forget that snow is (a) wet, and (b) cold. So that morning, when I unpacked our snow pants, and put them all back, saying, "It's not even going to be that COLD, I don't think we need the snow gear....", I was mistaken. Really should have brought the snow pants...

There's something magic in the snow, I think, because we spent hours playing, with happy, non-complaining children.





For some reason, I ALWAYS think I'm being clever, and pick a route through uncharted territory. I don't know WHY I don't learn that I should just follow the path everyone else is taking, because without FAIL, I end up knee deep in snow, while everyone is walking around dry.




We tried to do a little hiking, but the sun was starting to set, and #2 realized suddenly that she was freezing cold and soaking wet, so we called it a day...

There goes Gabby... right up the mountain...

And then we ate here...

...the next morning. I love SoCal.

*****************************************************************************

So, my neck seems better, finally, and I ran 4 easy miles on Saturday with PCRF, so I'm going forward with training this week.

Monday: Cross train

Tuesday: 7 miles

Wednesday: Cross train

Thursday: 7 miles

Friday: Rest

Saturday: 5 miles

Sunday: 18????

One of those 7 milers is speed work; I'll give it a shot Tuesday, but might bump it to Thursday if I need to. Sunday's 18 is questionable, too... I might need to drop that back a little, since I skipped two weeks' worth of long runs.

Sigh.

****************************************************************************

Don't forget to enter the Team Gab Virtual Race, benefiting Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation! Giveaways from Nuun, PROCompression, Aspaeris, Team Sparkle, BIC Bands, and Allied Medal Hangers! Enter HERE!

Three Things Thursday

1. I went to the chiropractor on Tuesday, and had my neck adjusted. I thought I was GOING TO DIE, it hurt so much. But then, a few hours later, the hurt cleared up, and then it wasn't so bad. Yesterday, it was a little stiff - I can't look left or right very well, and no looking up at all, but at least I'm not in pain. Went back last night for some more adjusting and massaging, and was even able to sleep in bed last night.

Improving, but still no running. I'm having some doubts about Eugene being all magic and unicorns....

source

2. Have you signed up for the Team Gab Virtual Race yet?? Link HERE. Giveaways provided by Nuun, Aspaeris, PRO Compression, Allied Medal Hangers, and Team Sparkle - and, of course, you're helping a GREAT cause.

Not interested in running, biking, swimming, or general sweatiness, I'll still happily take your donation HERE :).

In addition to these great prizes, this year all participants (both in real life and virtually) will receive MEDALS. I know, that's exciting, right??

So, listen, I am NOT a crafty person. I don't even really like pinterest. But The H dutifully followed me around multiple craft stores last weekend while I wandered aimlessly hoping to find what I needed (made exponentially harder when you don't understand the context of the item and where to find it in the store), and then proceeded to buy all of this item I could find in the Irvine/Tustin area. Sorry if you're looking for this thing, I have them all on my dining room table.

But I think the medals will be the cutest ever, and I'm so excited to share them.

Source

3. Something I can share RIGHT NOW? These amazing bibs, designed by Deidre at Oh Well Whatever.

Download link HERE. Cutest EVER, right?

Plan for the week: Amputation

Last week:
Monday: nothing :(
Tuesday: 4 miles, before work, 2 miles easy + 2 miles fast
Wednesday: nothing again.....
Thursday: 5 miles easy, before work with Julie
Friday: apparently broke my neck
Saturday: 3 miles easy with PCRF
Sunday: got a long neck/shoulder massage because it'd be nice to be able to move my head. But it didn't work.

So, listen. I don't know what exactly I did on Friday, but I noted that my neck was a little achy. Saturday, it was more achy, but not the end of the world, so I headed out to our first PCRF training.

But then it got progressively worse. I heated, I massaged, I rested. Nothing. Saturday night was spent being woken up to SEARING PAIN LIKE MY HEAD MIGHT FALL OFF. So Sunday I was on a mission to get a massage, because a massage can fix everything. Right?

People in Irvine are fancy, so I found the only place with an opening, and I took it. They had a neck/shoulder deal, and I thought for sure, I'd walk out of there cured.

Nope.

The dude that did my massage (Jun, if you ever need to go to Majestic Spa in Diamond Jamboree) didn't speak much. As in, I talked to the front desk about my "issue", and she communicated it to him, and then he went to work.

The only words he said to me: "Your neck TOO TIGHT. Drink hot water".

Huh.

So, it's not any better, and in fact, it might be worse. I've tried heat, ice, stretching, KTTaping, all to no avail.

My next step is amputating. Because I'm at a loss.

Also, I didn't sleep well (I ended up in my living room chair with a heating pad folded under my neck - it was the only way I wasn't in unbearable pain) (that's not hyperbole, I normally have a pretty high pain tolerance), so I might be prone to the dramatic this morning.

My "plan" for this week includes:
Monday: rest
Tuesday: 6 mile tempo
Wednesday: Yoga? Strength?
Thursday: 7 easy
Friday: Rest
Saturday: 4 easy
Sunday: 16

Obviously, all of this is contingent on me not, actually, amputating my head.



Source

Team Gab Virtual Race - SoCal Edition

 

Details!

On Saturday, March 9th, I'll be hosting a picnic preceded by a fun-run through Mason Regional Park in Irvine.

"Registration" donation:
5k - $10
10k - $15
Half Marathon - $25
Marathon - $40

Donations can be made online HERE, or in person via check (payable to PCRF) or cash.

Included with your donation:

• Your choice of a marked, 1 mile loop in the park (a la the Operation Jack Richard Leary 6 Hour Challenge from October 2011), or I will provide a map of local routes if you prefer to set out on your own (hills, trails, fairly flat bike path - all available).
•  Water, Nuun, GU, and other fuel will be available at the staging area.
• "Race" bibs, and medals for everyone.
• Staging area will be ready by 8am.

I dare you to find a funner bib picture.

Delicious food provided at the finish area post-run.

There are plenty of bathrooms in the park, and a playground if you'd like to bring your kids to play.

This is an OPEN INVITATION! Please RSVP so I have an accurate head count :)

Link HERE to the evite - share it!

Not in SoCal on March 9th, or can't make it? Join us virtually! CLICK HERE.


Do I need a disclaimer here? This is not an actual, timed race. Just some people, hanging out at the park, and some running. I'm not a professional.

Three Things Thursday

1. I ran this morning, AGAIN. And, I don't know that I've given it enough of an opportunity, but I certainly don't like it any better than I did the first time. I don't like how cold it is (shut up, I KNOW 42* isn't THAT cold), I don't like that it's dark, I don't like that I'm exhausted all day, I don't like that I'm hungry all day. I just don't like it.

I tried during my run to think of anything positive that was coming out of this experiment. And I just can't think of anything. I don't know.

I guess it's nice that I don't have to run after work, BUT I don't mind running in the evening.

I guess if I practiced this more, I would get the timing down better, and stop needing to cut the morning runs short of my intended mileage. BUT, I never cut out early on an after-work run. So I'm cheating myself in my mileage.

I don't know. I guess I'll keep trying for another week, and try to keep an open mind. But overall? It's just not my cup of tea.

2. Have you entered the Team Gab Virtual Race yet?? Great prizes up for grabs, and so far, not a ton of entries, so your odds are GOOD. Click HERE to enter!

3. Dude, did you see this story about Pistorious??? CRAZY. Obviously, with the media, you only get the story that they want you to get, but he certainly seemed like a nice enough guy. Huh.

BONUS!

Have you seen Rose's new tumblr?? HILARIOUS. She's the funniest person alive.

credit: Positively Radishing. HA.

Patience is like bread I say, I ran out of that yesterday

·         I received a lovely comment from someone the other day, but when I wanted to reply to it, I got this dreaded "noreply-comment @ blogger.com". Womp, womp. So, commenter known as At Midnight on Cedar Street, please shoot me an email!

·         Related, here's a quick how-to on connecting your email address to Blogger comments. Obviously, you don't have to do this, but sometimes, I'd like to reply to a comment, and realize I don't have any way of connecting with you.

·         We met with Gabby's surgeon regarding removal of the port in her chest. Initially, I thought the port would stay in for awhile longer - even after her end of treatment, she'll be back at clinic every month to check her blood work, and the port is easy access. Granted, she still loses her mind every time it's accessed, but... But apparently, they want that thing O U T OUT fast. Huh. (Sorry in advance for the monthly blood draws from your arm, Gab).

·         Remember that terrible 14 miler I complained about last week? The one where I ran in a creepy nature preserve? Turns out, it is adjacent to an apartment complex in Irvine, where Christopher Dorner killed to people. On the same day that I was running there. Alone. Ughhhhhhh.

·         I ran before work again yesterday, and it wasn't awful. It wasn't great, either, but early things rarely are. But, I only managed to fit in 4 of my 6 miles, so.... it seems like cutting runs short is becoming a habit. That's probably not a good habit to start forming.

·         A kid sent me a message yesterday that she was making "anatomically correct" Valentine's cards. I wasn't sure which kid sent that message, so I was a little apprehensive...

hilarious

·         H and I are contemplating sending the kids to FL for the summer again. All of the kids, this time, including Gabby. I kind of feel like a month is a REALLY long time for a 6 year old to be away from home, even if it's with grandparents. Why is parenting so complicated.

·         I tried to convince him that we should just go to Disney World again, but he seemed not super receptive to this idea.

·         Semi-related, we're tossing around vacation ideas, and can't come up with anything budget friendly that we both love. Sigh.

·         PCRF training starts Saturday, and the VIP Training Team is already at $1,000 raised! Have you donated to Team Gab yet?? You can, just click here.

You can't teach people to be lazy - either they have it, or they don't. (PFTW)

The Second Annual Team Gab Virtual Race, benefiting Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, is open! Details HERE.

Decide what distance to run (or bike, or swim, or walk, or whatever), make you DONATION HERE, and comment to let me know and be entered in the giveaway!

*****************************************************************************

Last week:
Monday: rest
Tuesday: 6 miles, with 10x40 @ 8:20. - I didn't die, and - brace yourself - it was NOT BAD.
Wednesday: 45 minutes of yoga and stretching.
Thursday: 5 miles - was scheduled for 6, but I ran before work, which is UNHEARD of for me, so I'm okay wth the 6.
Friday: 30 minutes foam rolling/tennis balling/stretching
Saturday: 15 minutes on the bike killing time, 16 mile run, with last 3 faster*
Sunday: Does a tv marathon count?

Total: 27 miles. Not quite what I had scheduled.

*The long run was GOOD. I felt really good for most of it - 11 of it on the treadmill watching Top Chef (GOOD BYE, JOSIE). Last 5 outside with The H. I struggled picking up the pace on the last three, and only really managed to hold a faster pace the last mile. Oh well.

Overall pace was 10:41 - that is FAST for a long run for me. 10:41 was my goal half marathon pace less than a year ago. If I had thought this through, I would have realized that with the last 3 being 30-45sec faster, I should just slow down the rest of them and, you know, take it easy. But it felt good, my heart rate was low, I had no trouble talking, so I was just cruising along.

My last 3 miles were 10:31, 10:38, and 9:43. Eh.

Anyway.

This week:
Monday: Yoga/Upper Body
Tuesday: 6 miles
Wednesday: Yoga/stretching
Thursday: 7 miles
Friday: rest?
Saturday: 4 miles with PCRF!
Sunday: 12 easy

This week, I'm challenging myself to run before work. I do not like running before work. It's so early, and so cold, and so dark. I did it one day last week when I couldn't sleep, and... it wasn't AWFUL. The run was good. And I really liked having the evening open, instead of getting home from work and THEN running.

So, for this week, for two whole days, I'll wake up an hour earlier and hopefully get my running done in the morning.

It's just two days.... Right?

Three Things Thursday

ONE
I guess complaining for the world to see is what it takes to snap me out of a running funk?

I don't want to speak too soon, but both of my runs this week have been.... good?? Trust me, I'm knocking on wood while I type this one-handed.

It's been so long since running felt GOOD, I'd forgotten what that was like. It's a welcome change, I tell you what...


TWO
In case you missed it, I'm fundraising for Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, in honor of my daughter, Gabby, who is currently nearing the end of her leukemia treatment.

I choose to fundraise for PCRF, because I believe - strongly - in their mission: “To bring hope and lifesaving treatments to children battling cancer.” 

Last night, I attended the Team Captain kick off event, as we head into the fundraising season.
 

The things that PCRF does with the money donated - it makes a difference. It makes a difference in lives of children fighting cancer RIGHT NOW.

One of the statistics shared last night was regarding non-hodkins lymphoma. The treatement protocol for NHL used to be 2 years of rigorous chemo, sometimes radiation, and resulted in a 40% survival rate.

Today, the treatment is 90 days, and a 95% survival rate.

These changes are because of studies that PCRF has funded.

I'm asking for help, in a few ways:
If you're local, and not already committed to OC Marathon, I'd love to have you join Team Gab on May 5th - you can click here to learn more about the Reaching for the Cure events (there's a half, 10k, 5k, and 5k walk). Team Gab is open to anyone.

If you're not local, join the Second Annual Team Gab Virtual Race! In addition to MEDALS this year, there are great prizes donated by Nuun, PRO Compressino, Aspaeris, Team Sparkl, and BIC Bands. Click HERE to register. There is some chatter of an OC fun run/picnic/margarita/beer festivity on March 9th, as well.

If you're not a runner/walker/cyclist/swimmer/hopscotcher - you can still donate! Click HERE to make your tax deductable donation to PCRF.

As always - THANK YOU. It truly, truly makes a difference, not just for this one.

But also for the 28 other kids who will be diagnosed with cancer TODAY (stats here)


FINALLY, on a happier note....
I don't really pay attention to the "stats" for my blog - but I sometimes glance through search terms that lead people here, just out of curiosity.

Some of my favorites over the last month:

does evan dando have kids? - Oh, Evan.....
batgirl las vegas 2010 - wasn't me
funny boob names for races - confused. are you naming your boobs? naming your team after boobs?
how to be really fast runner in 365 days - sorry, my friend. wrong blog.....
why is bridge being a little bitch - haaaa. why, indeed.
zebragiraffe - what?
ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh - sounds rough....
cim neighbour bilding an ark - an ark? they might have needed it, with the typhoon and all...
forehead wrinkles - are you talking about my TV boyfriend, Agent Michael Vaughn?!
jabberwocky creature - intrigued.
little forehead wrinkles - are you with that guy, up there?
super sexy make out ideas - sorry, friend, I've been married 15 years. I'm all out of ideas (also, I have children who read the internet machine, so I wouldn't share them here if I did have ideas)

And, strangely enough, one of my most frequently viewed posts? The one I did about my grocery shopping for $75 a week. 

Huh. Maybe lifestyle blogging brings in the cashflow more than medicore runner blogging....

Wordless Wednesday: The beginning of the end

The Second Annual Team Gab Virtual Race, benefiting Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, kicked off Friday! Details HERE.

Decide what distance to run (or bike, or swim, or walk, or whatever), make you DONATION HERE, and comment to let me know and be entered in the giveaway!
*******************************************************************************************************

Last Thursday, we took Gabby for her last visit here...

OPI is where Gabby receives her chemo treatments through IV or lumbar puncture. You can read about one of our visits HERE - A day in the life.

Thursday - 738 days after our first OPI visit - Gabby had her last trip to the Infusion Center.

The child life specialist helped her access a tiny elephant's port, and give him some chemo too, just to share the love.

And after her treatment was over, and she was recovered from the "silly medicine" (anesthesia), all of her nurses came in, sang her a "Happy last chemo to Gabby!" song, and presented her with a trophy.

She still has about a month of treatments at home, but it's one giant, giant step closer to over for her.

"I have seven fingers...."

Zombie Gabby

She was pretty excited. 

  

Come listen to my tale of woe. PFTW

The Second Annual Team Gab Virtual Race, benefiting Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, kicked off Friday! Details HERE.

Decide what distance to run (or bike, or swim, or walk, or whatever), make you DONATION HERE, and comment to let me know and be entered in the giveaway!

********************************************************************************

Last week:
Monday: Yoga - yoga for runners, hip opener sequence, and some foam rolling
Tuesday: Scheduled for 6 with 4 at tempo pace. I ran into some kid scheduling problems, and squeezed in 4 with 3 at tempo. It was really hard, at a pace that used to NOT be hard, but since I didn't think I'd be able to hit the right pace AT ALL, I was pleased enough.
Wednesday: Rest
Thursday: Scheduled for 6 easy. Again with the kid issues, so only fit in 3 easy. Lame. And they sucked.
Friday: 30 minute strength yoga for lower body. This was NO JOKE.
Saturday: 5 mile moderate hike/jog with The H (see below)
Sunday: 14 "easy" (see below again), 30 minutes stretching/rolling

This week:
Monday: Yoga/stretching/something
Tuesday: 6 miles with 10x400
Wednesday: Rest/Cross training
Thursday: 6 easy
Friday: Cross training
Saturday: 3 easy
Sunday: 16 easy

I did fit in 2 cross training sessions last week, and that was nice. But I should be less lazy and just do some strength/upper body/core work. bah.

Running is just not really going well for me lately. Although the kid scheduling issues should be over (#1 was working on a project that is now complete), my work schedule has shifted and I just have a hard time running after work now, since I'm home pretty late. Unfortunately for me, I also have a hard time getting up in the morning, because it's early and cold.

And I know these are just lame excuses, and if it's important to me, I'll make it happen. But combined with the really SUCKY time I have while I'm running, it's hard to stay motivated. Maybe if every run wasn't terrible, I'd want to make time for it?

BAH.

********************************************************************************

Hiking used to be one of my favorite things to do. It still is, but with running, training has kind of taken over my weekends - if I'm not running long, I'm recovering, or resting.

BUT, this weekend, I decided, since running sucks anyway, to hike and suffer the consequences later (I'm sure this is completely unrelated to the terrible 14 miles the next day...).

On Saturday, we went to Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, about 10 minutes down the road from us.

We usually would hike the Laurel Canyon/Willow Canyon loop (I blogged this loop HERE), but we were late getting out, and the weather was perfect, so that lot was full. We ended up doing a loop from the Nix Nature Center, out Little Sycamore to Serrano Ridge, down Camarillo, and back on Stagecoach South. It was not too hard - only a few steep sections, but mostly rollers, and the ridge was nice (I'm a sucker for a ridge).

It certainly wasn't my favorite route (that's still El Moro and Crystal Cove), but it was nice enough, and a little challenging, and so close to my house.

The cool thing is, these trails all connect to my favorite trails, so if I were more ambitious (or less of a chicken), I could, in fact, do a long trail run RIGHT FROM MY HOUSE.

I should be less chicken.

WHAT IS THIS????? Looks ominous!

Good to know...

On Sunday, I was having an epic meltdown over the sun being in the sky (WHY), and the treadmills being used by people walking leisurely watching TV for well over the allowed 30 minutes, so I decided to head to San Juaquin Wildlife Sanctuary.

The trails are nice and flat, and there are a lot of shady areas (mostly in the northwest corner of the park). It's not a huge area, but there are a billion smallish loops. I was hoping that some mindless running and looping would just confuse my brain, but... it didn't work. It was a pretty miserable run, despite the pretty surroundings.

Pros to running here: Pretty, the trails are well groomed and easy on the legs, and not a ton of people. There's a variety of things to look at - water, ponds, wetlands, marsh, "woods".

Cons: A lot of it is exposed, and, especially in the wooded areas, it's a little creepy. I turned off my iPod in those areas.

Team Gab Second Annual Virtual Race!!

Can you call something "annual" if it's in its second year?



I am SO excited for this year's virtual race, you guys.

I'm doing things a little differently than last year, and I hope the changes are good ones.

If you're new here, Gabby, the cute kidlet in that picture up there, is my 6 year old daughter. Two years ago, she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. I run for to raise funds for Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, in hopes of a better treatment, better cure for kids in the future.

If you're in SoCal, I'd love to see you on May 4th for the Bike tour, or May 5th at the Reaching for the Cure Half Marathon, 10K, or 5K. I'd really, REALLY love to see you join the VIP training group and be part of the fundraising team - click HERE for info on the VIP program (or email me!).

You can click on the "Team Gab" tab up top to read more about her diagnosis, what her treatment has been like, and where we are now.

Team Gab Virtual Race Details!

DONATION LINK HERE

Registration 
Begins February 1-March 9.

Date
You can run your Virtual Race any time, any where!
However, I will be running my race on March 9th, the date of Gabby's last chemo treatment, and I'd love for you to join me - virtually for my internet friends, and maybe for real, in person if you're local! - on March 9th to celebrate her end of treatment.

CLICK HERE for SoCal "Race" Details!

Events, Donations, and Giveaway Entries
STEP 1 - Click HERE to make your donation to PCRF.

5K = $10 donation = 1 entry
10K = $15 donation = 2 entries
Half Marathon = $25 donation = 5 entries
Marathon = $40 donation = 10 entries

Want to donate more than the above? That's awesome, and you rock. I'll throw in 5 extra entries if you donate beyond the amount of your registration. For example, say you want to run the 5k option, and donate $17 - you'll receive 1 entry for the 5k donation, and another 5 entries for the donation beyond the registration = total of 6 entries. 

After you've made your donation, please comment on this post, and if you'd really like to make things easier, tell me how many entries you qualified for (otherwise I'll have to match up donations to names) (which I will, but it'll be awesome if you just tell me).


Bib, Race Reports, and Pictures
A bib will be posted mid-February, for you to print at home, if you'd like.
Once your race has been run, email me (hmgiraffy @ the gmail) with a link to your race report, and note that I may use your pictures in a report round up :D


What do YOU get?
This year, in addition to warm and fuzzy feelings for donating to an excellent cause, you will also get a hand-drawn medal (designs courtesy of the 6 year old).

You'll also have a chance to win some excellent things from these generous sponsors. I only sought out donations from companies that I personally use and love.

Nuun has donated 2 gift packs (each containing a pint glass, a water bottle, and a 4-pack). Nuun is a lifesaver for me - I'm a salty sweater, and I drink this stuff like mad during marathon training.

A medal display hanger from Allied Medal. I have two of these (you can see one in action here) and they are GREAT. They'll also customize hangers, if you can't find what you need!)

1 pair of Magic Pants from Aspaeris. I wear these for long runs, and recovery, and I swear they are like a hug for you bottom. Magic.

A set of BIC Bands. BIC Bands is an amazing company - $1 from every sale is donated to charity. I love these bands - they tame my hair like no other, and they're the only band that stays put on my weird head.

TWO winners can select a pair of compression socks from PRO Compression. I LOVE PRO Compression - they're my favorite sock, and they have a fabulous selection of colors (I own the neon yellow, orange, baby blue, and black).

Race legs and a sparkle skirt from Team Sparkle. I wear my Team Sparkle gear in almost every race - most recently, you can see my red, black, and turquoise skirts in action during Goofy Challenge and Tink Half the following weekend. That's 52.6 miles of SPARKLE.


How the prize drawings will work:
Instead of the normal, boring weekly drawings, I'm hand picking a couple finalists in some specific categories (including, but not limited to, best dressed {duh}, funniest, most creative use of the word amok, the report Gabby points at, or whatever else I find interesting when I'm putting the reports together). Once the finalists are selected, I'll put their reports up for a vote. Make sure you submit your link to me by March 10th to be considered for the voting!

The remainder of the prizes will be selected via random.org using the number of entries as calculated above. Race closes March 10th, and drawing will be done that week.

I hope that makes sense, if it doesn't, please ask, because honestly, it's been a long day and I may be confused :D.

Bottom line: Some winners selected by vote, some via random, if you're sending a report for voting consideration, do so by March 10th. Every participant will receive a medal designed and colored by Gabby. Please donate, if you can. 


As always, I truly, beyond words, appreciate your support of this cause.