Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Wednesday #GIVEAWAY Roundup - #WinAllThePrizes

Happy Wednesday friends!  It has been a long week already so I am so happy to be slip sliding towards the weekend.  I know you are all here for the Giveaways so let's get RIGHT to it!  


On to the GIVEAWAY Roundup part of this post!  As always, Erica and I together bring you all the great giveaways from around the interwebs!


For a refresher on the rules to link up, read them here.  Otherwise, please link up your giveaways with us and enter them all!  They are so much fun!

I have a giveaway going on right now for some Women's Running gear from Women's Running Magazine.  Enter that one over here!



I also have a Clif Kids Z Bar variety pack giveaway for you!  My kids love these!  Enter that one here.


So, have you entered any of the other giveaways on the Roundup?

As always, I hope you link up with us and enter all the Giveaways!
I wish you Happy Feet,
SD Mom



Friday, September 25, 2015

#FriendshipFridays - How I Met My Best Friend #6

Have you seen the newish feature on the blog?  I started a new feature on this here little blog called #FriendshipFridays.  It is really simple.  Running isn't about exercise and fitness only anymore.  It is about being social and finding a community. For example, see We Run Social!  Bloggers get to know other bloggers and become besties and I want to explore how that happens by interviewing different people. So sit back and enjoy the stories of these Blends (Blogger Friends)!




This time, we are talking to Montana at Pretty Lil Mudder!   This is another story on how social media can bring you awesome friends and friendship!



Montana and Krystal met through a group on meetup.com. They didn't know at first that they were both bloggers.  Montana started reading Krystal's blog about 6 months AFTER they met!   She inspired Montana to start her own blog!

Their first meeting was in June 2013 on a dolphin tour cruise in Florida where they both live.  They met in real life first and it took a while for them to become close but now they hang out all the time and talk running and blogging.


There was no real issue about safely meeting in person because the meetups usually happen in groups. Montana wasn't too worried about it. She went to a lot of meetups in 2013 with other ladies in the group. A few of them are still good friends with Montana today!



When asked what it is about Krystal that inspires Montana, she said that Krystal's running and blogging inspired Montana to run and blog. And Montana followed Krystal's timeline- she started with 5k races and moved on to do half marathons. Montana has been the same way. They learn from each other and love running together!


They run together all the time! Krsytal only lives an hour from Montana so it's not hard to get together. They ran Montana's first and Krystal's fourth half together at Iron Girl Clearwater and Krystal also did her first mud run at Rugged Maniac with Montana.


You can follow along with Montana and Krystal on their blogs or on Twitter:

Montana
Blog
Twitter

Krystal
Blog
Twitter

These stories make me so happy!  Do you have a running BRF?  A Blend?  A Blogging Bestie?  As always, if you would like to be featured on FriendshipFridays, drop me a note at RunningwithSDMom at gmail dot com!  I would love to hear your story!

I wish you Happy Feet,
SD Mom


Thursday, September 24, 2015

Thinking Out Loud Thursdays - Why the "Dislike" Button is a BAD Idea!

Happy Thursday everyone!  I am linking up with the lovely Amanda at Running with Spoons for Thinking Out Loud Thursdays!  


So, have you all heard the news?!  Looks like Facebook is getting a "Dislike" button.  Read about the news here.  Stay with me on the soapbox while I tell you why I think the dislike button is a BAD idea.  


Facebook is Like High School


If you knew that your kids went to high school and got tagged by a like or dislike button everyday, wouldn't you want it to stop?  Isn't the whole point of Facebook to try and feel good about ourselves without someone tagging us with a "dislike?"  Do we want to go back to days of high school when we had to worry what people would think of us?

I don't think even us grown ups can handle the insecurity of waiting to see if the pictures of our kids, race, pets etc. will get a Like or a Dislike!

Liking is Acknowledging

So what is disliking?  Here’s what psychologist Dr. Larry Rosen wrote for Psychology Today:
“Like” is an example of what I would call, “virtual empathy.” We are all well aware of what it means to be empathetic toward someone: having the ability to understand and share in another’s emotional state or context.
 So what then does a dislike mean?  Does it say your feelings are not worthy?  Or your opinion doesn't matter to me?  I get it.  There are some posts where the author posts a horrible event in their life and you want to "dislike" it.  But what if the author posts something that means the world to them and they get a dislike?  Then what?!

According to Facebook’s Help Center:
"Like" is a way to give positive feedback or to connect with things you care about on Facebook. You can like content that your friends post to give them feedback or like a Page that you want to connect with on Facebook.
So flip it.  Then "Dislike" would be a way to show what you DON'T care about?  Ugh!  I am not sure we are psychologically prepared to handle the "Dislike" button.

Like = Self Worth

"Like" it or not (see what I did there?), we all look at the number of likes we get on Facebook as a measure of worth.  Believe it or not, people go on to Facebook to look for kindness and empathy.  They are not looking for ways to further bring themselves down.  


But Facebook already does that.  There are articles everywhere about the effects of Facebook on your self esteem.  The University of Salford in the UK did a study last year on social media’s effects on self-esteem and anxiety and this study concluded that social media causes low self-esteem and anxiety.  So why on God's green earth would you add yet another weapon in that arsenal?  Won't the dislike button make it worse?

Those who anxiously turn on their computers / iPhones and other devices looking to see how many likes their pictures received?  Think they will feel good about themselves by seeing that their dislikes outweighed the likes?


Sorry for the rant!  I am a fairly self-confident person but even I know if I post a picture of my kids or my dog or my husband or my latest Spandits outfit and I get 345 dislikes and 12 likes, I will be crushed.  So please Facebook, I urge you to reconsider introducing the Dislike button into our already fragile ego'd lives.  I am not sure I we could take it!

As always, I wish you Happy Feet,
SD Mom

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Wednesday #GIVEAWAY Roundup - @ClifBar Kid ZBar Giveaway #WinAllThePrizes

Disclaimer: I was sent Clif Kids Z Bars for review and giveaway purposes.  I was not compensated in any other way.  All opinions belong to the #SDKidz.

Happy Wednesday friends!  I have a giveaway going on right now for some Women's Running gear from Women's Running Magazine.  Enter that one over here!


And OF COURSE I have a discount code for you!  Use code SDMOM valid for $9.99 subscription (normally $19.99) to Women’s Running Magazine! Please share this with friends, family, Twitterverse, anyone that may be interested! This is where you can use the discount code to subscribe: http://runrocknroll.co/lUlDmH.

Today, I also have a Clif Kids Z Bar variety pack giveaway for you!  My kids love these!



And as a mama, I feel really good about sending them to school with these as snacks and pick me ups during the day.  



My kids have different favorite flavors.  D loves the Iced Oatmeal and S loves the Chocolate Brownie.  But they were both thrilled to see the Honey Graham flavor in the line up!


So now all they have left to try is the Chocolate Mint and the Lemon Cookie.  They seriously love these and wanted all the kids out there to know that they are "yummy."  D asked if you win and get the Lemon Cookie or the Chocolate Mint in your pack, you send him one!


Wanna win an assorted 12 pack of these Z Bars?  Enter on the Rafflecopter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Contest runs 9/23/2015 to 10/01/15 at 11:59 P.M. PST
No purchase necessary.  Void where prohibited. 1 winner will be selected via the Giveaway widget.  Open to Residents of the US 18 years of age or older.  Must have a non P.O. Box mailing address.  Winner must have a valid email address.  
Winner will be notified via email (if available) and/or blog post, and will have 24 hours to claim prize.  If original winner does not claim prize within 24 hours, an alternate winner(s) will be selected.
Contestants must enter on the Giveaway widget in order to win.
All winning entries will be verified. If a winning entry cannot be verified as completed, a new winner will be drawn.  Winner will be provided the prize directly from Clif Bar.  Substitutions unlikely but may apply.  SD Mom not responsible for failure of Clif Bar to deliver product.


Okay, now on to the GIVEAWAY Roundup part of this post!  As always, Erica and I together bring you all the great giveaways from around the interwebs!


For a refresher on the rules to link up, read them here.  Otherwise, please link up your giveaways with us and enter them all!  They are so much fun!

So, have you entered any of the other giveaways on the Roundup?  Have you signed up for your Women's Running Magazine subscription yet??  What is the favorite Z Bar flavor in your house?

As always, I hope you link up with us and enter all the Giveaways!
I wish you Happy Feet,
SD Mom


Guest Post: @RunRevel #BigCottonwood Recap #TOTR

Hi everyone!  I am linking up this post with Tuesdays on the Run blog link up with My No-Guilt LifeMCM Mama Runs and Run the Great Wide Somewhere


have told you before that I am a Revel Race Series Ambassador.  And I have met some amazing people who are also Ambassadors and who run more races than just Canyon City like I have.  They have run the other two - Rockies and Big Cottonwood.  All Revel races have fast downhill courses in BEAUTIFUL settings!  


So this recap is from fellow Ambassador, the wonderful Jamie Cheney!  Sit back and read and see why Big Cottonwood is a MUST DO!  In fact, this girl is planning on heading to beautiful Salt Lake to participate in the race myself next year on September 10, 2016!  
_________________________________________________________________

The Big Cottonwood Marathon is a must do race.  At 5:00 a.m., I boarded the bus.  The buses were extremely well organized and I waited less than 5 minutes before I was on my way up the canyon.  The buses take you 9 miles up beautiful Cottonwood Canyon.  


Once at the starting point, there were plenty of restrooms and space to spread out, stretch, or my newest favorite pre-race tradition -- sleep.  I had roughly an hour before start-time.  Equipped in my sweatpants, half-zip, scarf, and beanie, I laid my fleece blanket on the floor and put my provided aluminum blanket over me.  I slept for a good 40 minutes before returning to the restrooms once more before the race started.  I then stripped off my sweats, tossed them in my drop bag, and dropped them as I took a brisk 40 degree jog to the starting line.


The race started right on time (unusual for most races) and the first few miles were the perfect temperature.  I had a half-zip jacket on and my shorts and I was plenty warm.  The fall colors in the canyon were amazing and you could not have asked for better weather.  Around mile four, I left my jacket at an aid station and stocked up on mandarin oranges (I’m not a huge eater before a race so I really appreciated the fruit, gu’s, and candy that were given out at the aid stations).  There were a number of restrooms all along the course.  The downhill of the canyon is one of my favorite parts.  I am a strong downhill runner and love downhill courses, but boy did I feel my quads and hamstrings the next day. 


You really can’t beat Big Cottonwood’s downhill grade (especially if you are trying to qualify for Boston). The canyon is FAST.  This is my 3rd year running the Big Cottonwood Canyon half. I used a pacing wristband to make sure I hit my goal of under 2 hours (I finished in 1:58).  I have tried to hit this goal 2 times before.  Last year I came in at 2:03 and the year before 2:10. This year was different.


Each aid stationed buzzed with volunteers, cow-bells, and goodies.  The mile markers were clearly marked and the signs along the course were funny and amusing. Here are some of my favorites:
- Pretend that Ryan Gossling is waiting for you at the Finish Line.
- Do these shorts make my butt look fast?
- You are doing something 99% of the population cannot do.

By Mile 8 it was a beautiful 75 degrees. Mile 10 welcomed a slight uphill grade as you came out of the canyon.  It felt really great to start using different muscles as you propelled uphill.  
The finish line was equipped with pizza, fruit, bagels, popsicles, cold towels, and my personal favorite beverage of choice – Coke.  The medal is definitely one I look forward to adding to my collection. I posed with my two kids as my husbanded snapped some pictures. 


Big Cottonwood is a race I look forward to every year and can’t wait until next year to run and try to reach my BQ time. 

My Top Five Reasons Big Cottonwood is a MUST DO race:

1- The organization of this race is amazing.  A race that can start on-time that has shuttled 3,000 half-marathoners and 1,500 marathoners to the top of one of the most beautiful one-lane canyons in the West deserves a huge shout-out.

2- The SWAG-  The medals are awesome.  The shirts are made by ALBION and you have the choice of long sleeve (with thumb-holes), short-sleeve, or a tank. The packet pick-up is easy and your bag comes with headbands, gloves, a blanket, chapstick, and some yummy vitamins. 

3- You receive all your race pictures FREE and can even format them into a video if you choose to.

4- The scenery is unbelievably beautiful.

5- Big Cottonwood Canyon is Fast and beautiful.  The miles literally fly by.

Note from SD Mom: Wow!  I totally am ready to sign up for Cottonwood!  It will be my first Utah race and I have a feeling I will LOVE it!  Have you ever run a beautiful downhill race?  A Revel race?  A race in Utah?

As always, I wish you Happy Feet,
SD Mom

Monday, September 21, 2015

#RockNBlog: @WomensRunning #Giveaway and Discount Code!

Disclaimer: I received Soybu gear from Women's Running as part of my ongoing Ambassadorship with Run Rock n Roll Marathon series!

Hi friends!  As you know, all year long, I have been part of the Rock n Blog 2015 team!  And I couldn't be more honored or be surrounded by cooler people!  I have made awesome friends and run some fun races!


In fact, I am running Rock n Roll LA soon on October 24.  I am super excited about this one because I will be rooming with none other than Sarah aka Mom on Empty!  Love that lady!  I would love for you to join me.  Here is a code for $15 off!  Feel free to share with everyone!


AND I have a code for you for the race that NEVER has discount codes: Rock n Roll Las Vegas!  It is valid for $15 off until the race sells out!


Well, thru Rock n Blog, I was introduced to Women's Running Magazine.  Do you read it?  I am in LOVE!  Perfect articles for the Woman Runner!


Like this Guide to Beginning Running!  I sure could have used this 3 years ago!  Or the latest issue with advise on GPS watches and trail running!


And OF COURSE I have a discount code for you!  Use code SDMOM valid for $9.99 subscription (normally $19.99) to Women’s Running Magazine! Please share this with friends, family, Twitterverse, anyone that may be interested! This is where you can use the discount code to subscribe: http://runrocknroll.co/lUlDmH.  But wait...there is more!  



As part of my ambassadorship, I received a white Goddess tank and a gray Athena pullover from Soybu.  Unfortunately, I got it in a size Small.  


Fortunately for you, I can't wear it.  So, I am giving away the Pullover and the tank in a size small to ONE LUCKY WINNER!  My loss, your gain!  But don't feel sad for me...they sent me my own in a Large!


So want to win the tank and pullover?  Enter to win on the Rafflecopter!  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Contest runs 9/21/2015 to 9/30/15 at 11:59 P.M. PST
No purchase necessary.  Void where prohibited. 1 winner will be selected via the Giveaway widget.  Open to Residents of the US 18 years of age or older.  Must have a non P.O. Box mailing address.  Winner must have a valid email address.  
Winner will be notified via email (if available) and/or blog post, and will have 24 hours to claim prize.  If original winner does not claim prize within 24 hours, an alternate winner(s) will be selected.
Contestants must enter on the Giveaway widget in order to win.
All winning entries will be verified. If a winning entry cannot be verified as completed, a new winner will be drawn.  Winner will be provided the prize directly from SD Mom.  Substitutions unlikely but may apply.  SD Mom not responsible for failure of USPS to deliver product.

So are you a regular reader of Women's Running?  So happy I found this magazine!  They have really good articles online too!  


They are currently running a cover search contest and I encourage you to nominate someone who inspires you or even yourself!  Check it out here!

Good Luck!  And as always, I wish you Happy Feet,
SD Mom