Beaten by a door and free race entry to giveaway...

Last weekend I had a relaxed 22kms planned. My running buddy lives just around the road from me (so convenient) and we always meet at the same time and same place for our long runs. I am always the one that gets there a minute or two late - although I always say I am just allowing her some warm up/stretch time because I am such a kind and thoughtful friend.

This Saturday, however, I was more than a couple of minutes late. Just as I was about to get changed and head out the door I had a weeeee accident...

Door 1, Rachel 0

Yip, I walked into the door. Blonde much? And not actually just the door, but the corner of the door. And yip, it hurt! It makes me shudder to think about it now. It was so hard and crazy sore! The stupidest thing ever, I was laughing and crying at the same time because of how much it hurt and how silly it was.

Anyway, moving along now...

Once I got on the road I managed to forget about the throbbing pain in my head, right in behind my eye, and actually enjoyed the run. I ended up running for 22kms and walking the last 2km home.

I am so excited to be on the downhill to the marathon now. Less than two weeks to go and I am feeling great. All the hard work has been done, now I am just on cruise/taper mode til the big day. I have been thinking about the goals I want to set for race day but have not completely decided on them yet so there will be a post about those coming very soon.

On another note, I also did a whole bunch of baking this weekend for some random people in my hood. It was great fun and I really enjoyed being back on the baking wagon for a few hours.

Some of the treats I whipped up

I am so excited about my upcoming marathon that I decided to go ahead and register for another race... Only two weeks after the marathon. Yikes! I certainly have 'the bug'. I am still a little nervous as to whether I will be able to (or should) run a half marathon so soon after a marathon but I think I will be fine and worst case scenario would mean I walk for a bit (or a lot). No biggie.

So I registered for this half marathon and I also have a free entry to give away. All you have to do is leave a comment here on the blog, or here on my facebook page letting me know that you have entered the race and you will be in the draw to win the cost of your ticket back. That is a bonus and $49-$67 that can go towards my Christmas present. Thanks, you are too kind :)

Entries for the half close 10th November, and early bird entries (cheaper price) close 27th Oct - this coming Sunday. Get in quick people, it is an AWESOME race.

Anyone else ever been beaten up by a door, some stairs, a wall or the like? 

Anyone else racing soon? Running a full or half marathon?

Any bakers out there? Do you bake for yourself or to give away as treats?  

Weekly Recap...

One of my best weeks of training this week, finished with a great long run of 23kms.

I somehow got myself one week ahead in my marathon training plan so the workouts I did last week were supposed to be done this week coming... Oh well.

About 18kms into my long run

Here's a recap of last week's training:
Monday: 2 x 1200m, 4 x 800m repeats at approx 12.5k/hr pace.

Tuesday: Weight session

Wednesday: 11km tempo run - 1.5km easy, 8km at marathon pace and 1.5km easy

Thursday: This is my rest day as I have picked up one day a week of work so it will pretty much always be a training rest day now.

Friday: Spin class

Saturday: 23km run with 1km walk at the end for cool down followed by lots of stretching and lots of eating. I included some trails in my run which always makes it a bit more enjoyable. And they are some of the trails which will be included in this half marathon that I will be running next month.

Some trails in my long run

The only time I walked - this hill is crazy steep!

 Sunday: Rest day

I have two rest days a week as I find this is what I need. Sometimes I will do some light exercise on one of the days but no actual 'training' as such.

This week I am going to do last week's training since I had gotten ahead of myself. Rather relieved actually as it means there is one extra week of training in there now :) 11 weeks to go, not 10... Phew! Hopefully it will look much like last week did with a spin class in there and a weight and cardio session of some sort, plus my 3 key runs.

I am really enjoying my training now when I can manage to fit it all in, and getting into the longer distances. It's not always the easiest to get all my training sessions in now with a baby, but it's definitely so convenient my Mum having a treadmill. Never thought I would say that I am loving the treadmill sessions!

Are you training for anything at the moment? How is it going?

Anyone run this weekend? How far?

Don't forget my awesome active incentive/giveaway that you can find out more about and sign up for here.

Runner's World Book winner...

From the facebook competition I had going, thanks to the random number generator, the winner is Anika Barclay. Thanks so much Anika for following my blog and for all your kind words of support and encouragement. I hope you enjoy the book and get tonnes out of it, I know I did!

I just want to say again, a huge thanks to all of you who read my blog and who offer awesome encouragement, tips, advice and support, you people are amazing! And if you haven't checked out this book already, I suggest you do - it's super helpful, especially if you are new to running!

Make sure you check back here tomorrow for the Shock Absorber Product Review... My first ever! Yeow!

This week's ab challenges and a giveaway...

How did you go with the weekend's abs challenges? We were away and I was a bit slack but I made up for it today, making sure I got in yesterday's ab workouts as well as today's plank challenge.

Here are the challenges for this week until Friday, there are a mix of workouts and healthy eating tips and advice:

Day 11 (Tuesday): Training Tip: Count to Three
It isn't easy, but when you strength train, count to three as you lower the weight (or your body weight) back to the starting position. Slowing things down increases the breakdown of muscle tissue—yeah, it sounds bad, but all that damage you're incurring is actually a good thing. The repair process pumps up your metabolism for as long as 72 hours after your session, according to researchers at Wayne State University.
But pass on those featherweight dumbbells; you need to use enough weight that you struggle to complete the final few reps. Try this challenging "burn-out sets" workout and you'll lose more when you lift more!

Day 12 (Wednesday): Slim-Down Strategy: Plan Your Meals In Advance
If you know what’s for dinner (and you already have the ingredients), you’re much less likely to cave and order takeout. Need some planning help? Print our one-week eating plan: You'll eat well and stay satisfied with healthy 1,500-calorie menus from Keri Glassman R.D. Each delicious day includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, two snacks, and dessert.

Day 13 (Thursday): Core-Sculpting Workout: 360-Degree Abs Routine
Your abs aren’t only on the front! They're an intricate system of muscles, connecting to your rib cage, your hips, and even your backbone. To get a strong, sculpted core, you not only need belly exercises but also lower-back strength and exercises for your obliques (the abdominal muscles that run down the sides of your torso). TRY IT: These fat-burning abs exercises work all of the key regions of your core: upper abs, lower abs, obliques, and lower back.

Day 14 (Friday): Slim-Down Strategy: Never Skip Breakfast
Eat (a good) breakfast. Every. Single. Day. If you don't, your body goes into starvation mode (it's paranoid like that), so your metabolism slows to a crawl to conserve energy. Try one of these 10 healthy breakfasts!

 My Facebook giveaway...

Earlier on here I mentioned that if I got to 100 'likes' on my FB page I would have a giveaway and we made it people! Thank you to all who went here to my page and 'liked' it, I made it to 116... Woop! That's about 116 x more than the amount of friends I have!

So to celebrate that, one of the people on my FB page will win this...

The reason I have chosen this book to giveaway is because I have read it and think it is an awesome book for people who are already runners, want to be runners, or dabble in the odd bit of running. It has everything you need to know about beginning running, nutrition for running, building strength and endurance, training for a half or full marathon and SO much more! I read this book when I had been training for a couple of years and was wanting to start training for my first marathon. I found it so helpful and learned a lot! Definitely a must read for any runner whether you are new to running or not, it's great! 

I will use the random number generator to draw a winner tomorrow. I will let you know here and on my FB page who that lucky person is.

Have you read this book before?

What is your favourite book about all things running? 

Coming up on the blog... The winner of this book as well as a product review on the Shock Absorber Bra. Watch this space!!

Picking a running buddy and the Shock Absorber giveaway winner...

As I am nearing the end of my pregnancy, 4 weeks to go and counting, I am beginning to get a little less active and indulging in a bit more relaxing. However, I am beginning to think more about post baby exercise and training. As I mentioned earlier this month in this post, I have a
goal of doing the Auckland Marathon in early November. I have been thinking about it a lot, as it's not my first marathon but it will be my first since baby, and wondering how it will go.

One way I thought it would be easier to train for and get motivated for it would be to get a running buddy to do it with, or at least train with. So how do you pick a running buddy you ask?? Well, typically this is what I would have USED to suggest:

Pick someone who is...
1. Slower than you so you always feel fast and amazing
2. Someone who doesn't look as good a runner as you so you look fast and amazing
3. Someone who will definitely NOT beat you in the race, if you do end up doing it together
4. Someone who just all round makes you look fast and amazing!

But actually, that is ALL rubbish!

They totes are!

Picking a running buddy is not about getting someone who will make you look good, but it's about getting a buddy that will challenge you, motivate you and encourage you that you can do it and do it well!
So here are my new pieces of advice. Pick someone who...

1. You can happily chat to whilst running, and with ease - this is not the place for awkward conversation and trying to find commonalities with someone. This will take your mind off the running itself and will help you keep a good pace for those Long slow runs.

2. Will challenge you to keep going, even when you just want to throw in the towel. You don't want some psycho screamer who rants and yells at you every time you want to stop, but you want someone who will challenge you to keep going for that last mile, 2kms, or 10 minutes.

3. Is in tune with your running style and can see signs of needing encouragement and cheering on. I know this sounds a little lame, but sometimes we just need someone to tell us we are doing well and that we can keep going!

4. You want someone who has similar training goals to you. Even if you are not training for the same distance, you can still do some of your training together. For example, you might be training for a half marathon, they might be training for a full, but you could still combine your speed and track sessions, as they are not about distance but improving fitness and speed.

5. You do not feel you have to compete against. The last thing you want is a running buddy who is always trying to 'one-up' you or beat you in your training runs.

Run with someone you feel comfortable with, someone who you feel at ease with and ENJOY their company. Remember that every run does not have to be done with a buddy too, as you will most likely be solo on race day, so having a mix of training runs is a good balance.

If you want to read more on the subject of running buddies, here's a link from Runners World which talks a little more about the subject.

Do you like running with people or flying solo? 

How do you pick a running buddy? 

NOW TO THE WINNER OF THE GIVEAWAY...

Thanks to the random number generator,  I entered all of your numbers in and the winner that came out is...

Jenn Overton!! Woooohoooo!! 2 entries for liking and commenting :)

Jenn has just had a baby and before she was pregnant she had started running but then stopped once she found out her happy news. Enjoy your Shock Absorber Bra Jenn and I hope it helps with the post baby exercise! You totally deserve it!

Thanks to everyone who entered, I hope I will have more giveaways throughout the year for my amazing readers!

One Year Blog Birthday and Shock Absorber Giveaway...

Today Curious Runner Girl Blog turns one and what better way to celebrate than with my first ever GIVEAWAY!! Yay! I am so excited about my blog being one and about a giveaway.

Happy Birthday to me!

Before I get to the giveaway though, I just want to thank all those people who read my blog. If you look back to my very first post here I think we can all safely agree that the blog has come a long way. From a short little post with no pictures to a new look blog with a new name, as well as a facebook page. I started this blog with the hopes of encouraging readers, with my story as a non-runner to a marathon runner, that everyone can run, and to inspire and motivate you along your running and fitness journey.
So one marathon, two half marathons, numerous training trials and tribulations and one pregnancy later, here is my blog: one year old! 

Now... The part you all really want to hear about... The GIVEAWAY...

In October last year I was lucky enough to win a Shock Absorber Bra, as well as my entry to this year's Auckland marathon, PLUS one Shock Absorber Bra to giveaway on my blog thanks to Ruun - your sports bra specialists.

If you win this giveaway you have one of three Shock Absorber Bras to choose from, valued from $99-$109. These three selections can be viewed here. Shock Absorber Bras have been named 'The No 1 sports bra brand' and are the winner of the best sports bra 2011.

"A good sports bra is as essential a piece of kit as a good pair of trainers, whatever sports activity and whatever your cup size.
In Shock Absorber, we apply unique scientific and technological research to our sports bra design, so every thread, stitch and contour gives you the best support and comfort."

So... How do you win it? All you have to do is go to my facebook page here, like it and you are in the draw. If you have already liked my facebook page then congratulations, you are already in the draw. For a second entry, however, you could comment either on here or on my facebook page something about my blog or the giveaway. So you can have a total of two entries, which for all you people who are not so mathematically minded, is better than one! Yip, I'm a maths genius!

You will have one week to get your liking and commenting on and I will announce the winner Thursday the 31st Jan. Good luck!

A MOTHER of a giveaway...

Hey everyone...

As you know from several posts, I have a wonderful friend who is a Personal Trainer. Her company, called One 2 One Fitness is giving one lucky Mama the chance to win BIG... Here's some more details...

From Mummy to Yummy - Go here to watch the YouTube Clip about the giveaway, or keep reading...



These guys are giving the chance to win an amazing package including personal training sessions, regular massages, chiropractic consultations, physio and more, all followed up by a total make over at the end, including hair, clothing and more! The value is at around $5000 and if you win it will be yours for FREEEEEEEEEEE! What more could you want?

 Pretty awesome if you ask me.

To enter, all you have to do is tell them why you think you should win. Also, if it doesn't really sound like your thing, you could enter someone else who you think would really appreciate and benefit from this. Click here for the link to enter (unfortunately you must be in the area to win) and GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL!!!