NUUN Winner & Bulu Box review

EEK! So sorry it has taken me SO LOONG to announce the winner of the NUUN ALL DAY giveaway, its no excuse but I was busy wrapping things up and getting ready to head out on  a 200 mile, 2 vans, 12 runner adventure from Blaine to Whidbey Island {several posts coming soon!}.  According to random.org, the lucky winner is Jill {comment #8}.  Jill, please email me at hroberts123@gmail.com!

DO YOU LOVE GETTING MAIL AS MUCH AS I DO??

What an amazing concept: 1)sign-up for a monthly or yearly subscription 2)each month, a new

Bulu Box will be delivered to your door containing 4 to 5 premium samples 3) Save on full-size versions of the products you love.

The box includes samples pertaining to vitamins, natural & herbs, diet, energy, sports nutrition, protein, cleanse & detox, sleep, sexual health, and other!

My box:

Life Equals Omega-3: I am a huge fan/advocate of fish oil, but as many of you know who take fish oil, you can have a fishy taste after, well NOT with LIFE = Omega-3.  LIFE= Omega-3 is sourced 100% from wild Norwegian anchovies, and has the Maximum DHA/EPA {which is what you want to look for when selecting a fish oil}.  You want to the know THE BEST thing about Life=Omega 3!? For every product they sell, they donate an equal amount of chiIdren's multivitamins to malnourished children worldwide.   will definitly be turning to Life Equal Omega-3 for my fish oil needs!

pure matters for everyday health: Vitamin D3 - 3000 IU : Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption & helps maintain a healthy hear! The capsule is 100% vegetarian and also helps with Healthy Body, Bone Health, Joint and Tissue Health, Circulatory Health, General Wellness, Immunity, Muscle Health, Oral Health, Senior Health, Women's Health, Anti-aging. 

I don't know about you, but I am not the best about taking my vitamins, so this is a great reminder of how important vitamins are for us!

I don't know about you, but I am a night-time snacker, so I was excited when I saw that my Bulu Box contained nightfood, a  bar designed specifically to eat at night!  Read more about eating at night here! Its an interesting concept, and while I can't say whether it helped me sleep or not {I have been so busy & tired these days that I am out in T-2 seconds when my head hits the pillow}, the it has a great taste, and is a nice, lite snack to eat before heading to bed

RevHoney U-Tube: RevHoney U-Tubes are small tubes of honey and freeze dried fruit. No caffine, no stimulants. Just honey and fruit. I was pleasantly suprised with the taste! I plan on throwing mine in my bike pouch for all-natural, on-the-go energy next time I ride! I'm looking forward to trying their other flavors too!

I don't know about you, but I love receiving mail/packages, and it's even better when its filled with samples for living a healthy lifestyle! For as little as $9.17/month {yearly subscription}, you too can receive a Bulu Box on your doorstep full of healthy goodies every month!

Bulu Box was kind enough to send me a box to review, but the opinions and text are all mine.

We've Got The Right Stuff...and so could YOU!!!

I don't know about where you are, but here in Southern OR summer has arrived, with the temps hitting the upper 90s!  Temperatures like that scream HYDRATION, HYDRATION, HYDRATION! I'll be the first to admit that I do hydrate a lot {probably too much} with iced americanos, but  in between them I turn to NUUN for my hydration needs.  I've always been a big water drinker, but why drink it plain when you can spruce it up with fabulous flavors & electrolytes, with less than 8 calories!? I think it's safe to say I have become slightly addicted to this fabulous stuff!

NUUN just outdid themselves, once again, and came out with a new product line: NUUN All Day. Sugary and caffeinated drinks take you on a roller coaster ride during the day, but with zero sugar, under 8 calories per tab, and an all-natural blend of 117 vitamins and minerals, NUUN All Day keeps you going. For more information, go here. I am officially addicted to NUUN All Day now too, and after trying all 4 flavors {which are all super yummy}, I'd have to say that my favorite is the Tangerine Lime {which would make sense, since my favorite flavor of NUUN is Lemon+Lime} 

In 7 days, I will be running Ragnar Northwest Passage with NUUN and 9 other bloggers! We will be spreading the NUUN love from Blaine to Whidbey Island, but I also want to spread to the NUUN love with you, my blog readers! So here is your chance to win 2 tubes of NUUN all day &  a NUUN water bottle!

This is how YOU can win some NUUN All Day {please leave a separate comment for each}:

1. Follow me on twitter

2. Follow my blog

3. Follow NUUN on twitter

4.Let me know how YOU stay hydrated during the summer, especially while working out

5. Tweet about the giveaway!

Contest closes July 18th at midnight PST, and winner will be announced on July 19th! 

Marathon #2: Rock N Roll Seattle

I can't believe it's been over a week since I ran my second marathon; it's past due that I get a recap up! So, without further adieu, here is the Seattle Rock N Roll marathon, from the view of a 2nd time marathoner , who runs slow & steady, but has a great time while doing it and is ready for #3!

I am not going to focus too much on it, but because it was part of our adventure, I would like to share that getting to Seattle was nothing short of a nightmare! After getting only 3 hours of sleep the night before, and getting to the airport at 5am, we waited for 8 hours {yes, we could've drove there faster} for a flight to Seattle {our plane was having mechanical issues, and they ended up bringing in another plane}.  At 1:00pm I got the last seat on a flight up, leaving my parents and 2 other friends who were also running the marathon, in the airport, waiting for a plane to come in! I'll be honest, I got a little emotional and was afraid they wouldn't make it {which wouldn't be unheard of for the Medford airport}, which was NOT how this weekend was supposed to go down! We all finally got there {exhausted, starving}, cancelled our dinner reservations {due to traffic it was nearly impossible to get there} and joined the rest of our group for dinner at The Cheesecake Factory...and all was well again! 

Here we are, at about 5:40am, heading to the race and our photographer has already started snapping shots, and we haven't even left the hotel!

The group {ALL soon to be marathoners} before heading to the monorail! 

Group Cheer!

"FINISH!!!!!"

It was SO wonderful to finally meet two more of my Ragnar NUUNKOTB teammates Stacie and Dawn

I missed the blogger meet-up at the expo, but made it for the picture on Saturday before the race! Afterwards I was embarassed because I was standing by people I tweet with all the time, and never even introduced myself! I'm blaming it on the marathon nerves! 

NUUNKOTB!!!

My dad & I, pre-race

NUUN Team Fun...Ok, we we are always "team fun" when we hang out, and Parker had heard me talking about the NUUN team, so he came up with the brilliant idea of NUUN Team Fun! 

JFDI....Just Focus and Do It! Our friendship started almost 3 years ago, when we all met at Rapport Leadership International, which we had all been sent to by our employers! {Lindsey and I work together, and Heidi & Heather are sisters from  Missouri}

Our amazing cheering squad! 

And we're off!!!

Entertaining themselves while we ran! 

And he did it!!!! 

Happy to be finished! {sorry its blurry}

The rain hit just as we were finished, which is why there are no pictures of the rest of us crossing the finish line! But yes, I still cried, even though there was no one to cheer for me! {I am such an emotionally runner, ha}

It's a tradition...Chipotle for post-race fuel! 

BLING!!!

I loved {almost} everything about this race...the organization, weather, route, etc.  I ran the entire race solo, with no music {until mile 18}, which was actually pretty nice! I got into a zone and went! I absolutely LOVED the marathon portion around the lake...SO BEAUTIFUL! I started off feeling really strong...saw my dad around mile 8, and then Heather, Heidi, Lindsey and Phil as I was running up the ramp to the bridge around mile 15 {and again after the turn after mile 17}, which was nice and gave me a little pick me up! My main complaint about the race was the out and back on I-90 {I think thats what hwy it was}...for me it was extremely tough mentally, in addition to losing GPS signal in the tunnels {and my phone saying mile 50, mile 51...I got so frustrated I just turned it off} the grade was horrible and annoying to run on, and I just wanted to make it to mile 20, and get off the darn bridge! Once I made it through the tunnel at mile 20, I felt much better and got a lil burst of energy {its all relative, I WAS at mile 20! ha}, and loved running back towards the Seattle Center. Unfortunately, around mile 23 it started to rain...it was cold, windy and raining sideways! I just wanted to be DONE!!! I ended up with a 25 minute PR and a desire to do another! 

I am always impressed by Rock N Roll events, and am looking forward to running the half in San Antonio! In terms of my next marathon, if I can find someone local to train with me {which I am working on} I will be doing CIM in December! 

June Foodie Penpals

This post just might be my favorite post of the month! Thank you to Catherine for sending me a fabulous Foodie Penpal package, full of all of my favorites:

Yummy, I can't wait to make homemade salsa and guacamole...one of my favorite snacks! 

Chocolate & Peanut Butter is my favorite combo, and it's even better when it's Justin's Nut Butter!

An all-natural Nature's Bakery Fig Bar! This was super yummy and is great pre-workout fuel!

I'm more of a coffee girl, but looking forward to trying the tea {probably when the weather is a lil cooler}

Mini Moon Pies, which Catherine said are popular during Mardi Gras! 

I sent a package to VA, for Stefanie {and baby!!!} who blogs at Blogging With Love!

And now it's time for some details about Foodie Penpals:

-On the 5th of every month, you will receive your penpal pairing via email. It will be your responsibility to contact your penpal and get their mailing address and any other information you might need like allergies or dietary restrictions.
-You will have until the 15th of the month to put your box of goodies in the mail. On the last day of the month, you will post about the goodies you received from your penpal!

 
-The boxes are to be filled with fun foodie things, local food items or even homemade treats! The spending limit is $15. The box must also include something written. This can be anything from a note explaining what’s in the box, to a fun recipe…use your imagination!


-You are responsible for figuring out the best way to ship your items depending on their size and how fragile they are. (Don’t forget about flat rate boxes!)


-Foodie Penpals is open to blog readers as well as bloggers. If you’re a reader and you get paired with a blogger, you are to write a short guest post for your penpal to post on their blog about what you received. If two readers are paired together, neither needs to worry about writing a post for that month. 


-Foodie Penplas is open to US & Canadian residents.  Please note, Canadian Residents will be paired with other Canadians only. We've determined things might get too slow and backed up if we're trying to send foods through customs across the border from US to Canada and vice versa. 

If you’re interested in participating for June, please CLICK HERE to fill out the participation form and read the terms and conditions. 

You must submit your information by July 4th as pairings will be emailed on July 5th!



What Defines You?

As I go into marathon #2, I have been challenged to contemplate what defines me. A friend of mine is working through a reoccurring/lingering injury, and has an endurance duathlon this weekend. She was talking to a {non-athlete} friend, and she said, "Nicki, it's ok if you aren't able to participate this weekend, doing triathlons isn't what defines you." I would say that statement has some validity to it, but as athletes we are defined by what it takes to be an athlete! I am NOT defined by having the title of runner, triathlete or marathoner {or by the time/speed in which I accomplish all of those}....but I AM defined by what it takes to earn those titles. I am a firm believer that anyone {with the exception of those with physical limitations} can run, do a triathlon, and complete marathon...but you have to WANT it! The race is not the time it takes you to get from the start line to finish line, rather it starts the second you sign-up and make the commitment to do the event! It takes dedication & commitment to stick to a training plan, a willingness to make sacrifices in order to make time for the training, & perseverance to overcome obstacles that WILL arise {injury, schedule/time conflicts, weather, lack of motivation...just to name a few} I am a runner, triathlete & marathoner, but more importantly... 

 I am DEDICATED 

I am COMMITTED 

I am PASSIONATE 

I am STRONG 

I am FOCUSED 

I am CONFIDENT 

I am MOTIVATED 

I am DRIVEN

 I am COURAGEOUS 

 Yes, the marathon is going to be challenging, but so has everything else been leading up to the marathon! And yes, Nicki will compete on Saturday {not in the stupid-get-more-injured kind of way, but she will cross the finish line}! We both know what it takes to get to the finish line, and no matter what the numbers on the clock read, we will both be proud of a FINISH! There is victory in the finish! 

 

Random Running Ramblings

T-10 days until I take on marathon #2!!!! So obviously taper time has begun, but this is how my last week or so of training has gone!

MY FIRST DNF!!

2 Saturdays ago, I set out on what would've been my 3rd 20 miler of the training! When I was putting together my training plan, I had a 20 miler scheduled the weekend of the Portland RnR 1/2 and the next weekend I had a 15 miler, so I switched the two runs, which resulted in 2-20 mile runs back to back, not to mention that during the week of the first 20 miler, I ran 57 miles!  {because the RnR was on a Sunday and I did my 20 miler the following Saturday}. So I set out on my third and final 20 miler before the taper would begin, and I was EXHAUSTED, absolutely no "gas in the tank." At mile 3, I stopped to use the bathroom & could've easily been done at that point.  My friend, who was kind enough to Sherpa, kept saying "What is wrong with you? I have never seen you like this? You're almost lethargic-like, I've never seen you bonk like this!" {And she meant it in the nicest way}.  At mile 7, I stopped, and knew and that point I needed to reevaluate my plan for the day.  Kaylee kept telling me to listen to my body, and call it a day, but that just wasn't an option for me.  So we ran home {which got me to 10 miles}, then I went to the gym and alternated between 2.5 miles {at a faster pace} on the treadmill and 2.5 miles on the elliptical, and then ran another 1.5 miles home.  Although I technically didn't "run" 20 miles, I pushed my body when I was beyond "done" which means something, right!?

LET THE TAPER BEGIN!!

Last Saturday, I had a 13 mile run at marathon pace, and I felt great!!! Sometimes for me, the shorter long runs are harder for me than the 20 milers! I don't know if its mental {this is easy compared to 20 miles} or what; but this time I had a really good run and I'm feeling ready for the marathon.  For those of you who know me, tapering & taking it easy, don't come easy to me! But I have really been enjoying  & taking advantage of the taper this time around! {this blog post is fueled by the 2 hr nap I took after work tonight...taper = catching up on sleep}

"INJURIES"

I am so thankful that I have had no major injuries, but I have had a case of nasty blisters recently {which actually landed me in the medical tent at my last marathon....they were so big & painful, I had to do something to even be able to walk back to the hotel}.  After wiping out their moleskin inventory {no joke}, I was on my way! I have tried different shoes, different sock, body glide...you name it, but I keep getting blisters {and in random spots...on the side and just below by big toe}! I went in last week, and they suggested an arch support...I have used the arch supports for a couple of runs, and they definitely seems to help! Let's hope they do the trick next week! After the marathon, I am beginning the search again for new shoes...I have heard great things about the Asics 33 collection and the Saucony Kinvara 3s, so I might give them both a try! 

NUUN Kids On The Block Are Going on Tour

You'll want to read this entire post because there is something special just for YOU at the end {and it just might include a way for you to save on some NUUN}!!!

I'm sure you all remember, but just in case you forgot I am running the Ragnar Northwest Passage with NUUN!!!  Ok, I me be just a little excited about this.  Well the excitement is building as my teammates and I tweet more than birds about the relay and running with NUUN, and we now have aa team name and have been assigned out legs! For the first announcement, our official team name, drum roll please, is:

NUUN KIDS ON THE BLOCK!!!!

So, as you may expect, my teammates and I will be bringing the 80s back! My packing list now includes scrunchies, leg warmers, NEON, NEON, NEON, shirt ties, overalls {of course with one strap un-done}, acid wash denim, maybe some MC Hammer pants, and possible even a leotard {ok, not really!}.  

Fashion inspiration: 1) Saved By The Bell 2) the infamous thong leotard 3) Jane Fonda workout videos {and yes, I had this video...my favorite song was the country western one!}

Here is a sneak peak into my packing:

An 80's themed relay wouldn't be complete without pink high top reeboks with matching leg warmers 

The second BIG NEWS, I will be runner:

As runner #1, I am excited to get us started the right way....with enthusiasm, fun, a huge smile, and hopefully a few road kills! 

Here are the legs I will be running:

Leg #1

Leg #13 {my second leg}

Leg #25 {my third leg}

Enough about me, lets talk about YOU! Whether you are a NUUNaholic {like me} or have never tried it, but are just dying too, now is your chance! Use the promo code "bloggerslovenuun" to save 15% off of your next purchase at the NUUN webstore!

HINT, HINT....there might be a NUUN giveaway on my blog soon too!!!