Running Ragnar

Running Ragnar.

If you do not know what Ragnar is, it is a 200 plus mile relay race run between 6 or 12 of your friends piled into 2 vans and run relay style day and night.
Each runner runs 3 legs, ranging anywhere from 3 to 9 miles and varying in difficulty. 
This year I turned "50" and I wanted to do something exciting.
Knowing I am not yet ready for a marathon (yet) I choose something a bit different yet very challenging.

I decided to run this race as soon as I heard from a group of women that ran it, they talked about how hard, how hot, and how much fun it was.
I trained with my team running hills, trails, and in the heat. 
I wanted to be as ready as I could be, and I knew this course was full of hills.
Now it was time to pack:

There were a few women on the team that have ran this before and helped me put in what to pack, running 3 legs meant 3 running outfits. They are packed into individual bags so you can make a quick change and be ready for the next run. And have a bag to put your first sweaty running outfit in.
Also 2 pairs of shoes, sleeping gear because you are going to be sleeping on the ground at either a campground, school, or a park. So I recommend a sleeping pad to put under your sleeping bag. Also make sure to bring your own food, what works for you on a run. This is not the time to change things up, stay with what works.
I can not eat much when I run ( my stomach is easily upset) so my food was, grapes, bananas, cucumbers, and Cliff bars.

And make sure to pack sunscreen, extra socks ( compression) shower pill, hat, head lamp, rear light,

and reflector vest. 

Ragnar Great River here we come!

My team and I ran the Ragnar Great River, starting in Winona MN and finishing in Mpls, MN

I ran leg 2, which was titled Very hard, Hard, and Moderate.
And I was so happy I trained on hills prior to this, because those hills were not easy.

This is me heading out on my first leg, as you see I do look excited....I did not know what I was in for. 

Sleeping on the ground at a middle school, wasn't the Hilton but wow....were we tired. We got here around 3:00 a.m

This run was so beautiful, at times it took your mind off running.
The Midwest is gorgeous, at times running through Wisc. back into Minn. 

At times your running on a trail, through a park, through farmland, and at times right down the freeway.

Here we are waiting on vans 2 runner to hand off to our 1st night runner, running in the night took some time to get used to. I do recommend training in the dark at home. ( no street lights)
Checking off each leg was the highlight at the end of each run.

I do recommend this to anyone looking for a new challenge, its not easy, you really don't sleep, but you become better connected with your friends, you have this new experience to share, and it is a whole lot of fun!!

 Our Moms On The Run Coaches volunteering at Ragnar.

Nap time, or I should say rest time as no one was able to sleep.

Cheering on our the runners, not just our own.
Everyone deserved to hear the cowbells.

Slapping on the bracelet took some talent, but having it ready before you met your next runner really helps out. 

                                                        Oh' baby it was hot!! 

                       Checking off her 3rd leg, oh' what a feeling.

Had to find shade somewhere.

This is our team, Moms On The Run.

Great group of girls.

We are now Ragnarians!!

There are so many Ragnar relays around the U.S, I don't know which one to do next.

Tell me, have you done Ragnar, does this sound interesting to you?

Water resistant Mp3 player

Stormp3 review.

I was given the STORMp3 player at no charge, in exchange for a review.

This portable MP3 player is water resistant, and weighing just under 12. oz is very portable.

It has a 2GB memory, which holds approximately 500 songs.
You will need no special software to transfer your music. You simply Click & Drag as you would with an iPod or such.
The battery power provides you with nearly 75 hours of use during normal usage.

The STORMp3 player uses 4 AA batteries which are also included.
You are also provided with a mounting bracket if you choose to hang it, or it is self standing.
The sound on this devise is amazing, especially for the size that it is. 
6 1/2" L x 2 1/8"W x3"H

This portable devise is perfect for listening in the shower, lakeside, in the boat, working in your garage or the outdoors.
And for the price 29.95, you can't beat it.
It would make the perfect graduation, wedding, or birthday gift.

Besides listening to it in the shower, I bring it to the beach with me.
It fits perfectly in my beach bag.

Just a few more things to add:
Does not rely on Bluetooth
Shuffle control allows songs to be played in random order
Great sound from 2 speakers delivering 6 watts of power
Includes mounting bracket, 4AA batteries, and USB cable.

This and many other great products are found at ToiletTree.
http://toilettreeproducts.com/bathroom-accessories/

MealEnders Review and Giveaway

MealEnders: The Antidote to Overeating.

I was asked to try out MealEnders lozenges, to use and write a review on what I think.

I received 4 bags, one each of Mocha, Cinnamon, Chocolate mint, and Citrus.

My favorite is the Mocha, but all are very good flavor. After my meal I took one of the lozenges and let it dissolve in my mouth,

 (don't bite) savor it and allow it to dissolve completely.

When eating your meal and have the urge to finish your food, just because its there this is the time to open a MealEnders lozenge.

Or when you crave a second helping, snacking between meals, or just want a sweet treat. 

This isn't like taking an appetite suppressant, that gives you an artificial full feeling.  For me it was more about feeling satisfied, knowing I did eat enough and I truly do not need more food.

MealEnders consist of two components: a sweet outer layer, and a cooling center. The outer layer provides a little dose of dessert, while the center engages your trigeminal nerve, the nerve that senses taste sensations, to cu the end of eating and clear your palate.

I love mealEnders for the flavor, low calorie, and easy to fit into my meal plan. I keep a few in my purse, in my glove compartment, and in a dish on my kitchen counter.

Other information: no drugs, no added stimulants, no herbs, low calorie, low fat, gluten free, and kosher.

So along with a healthy diet, and of course exercise you are on your way to a fit and healthy life.

If you have any questions, or want to order MealEnders here is the link, http://mealenders.com/

MealEnders is also giving me the opportunity to give away to one lucky winner 4 packs of MealEnders.

You will find the giveaway on my page: www.facebook.com/highheelsandpinkshoelaces

Tracking Fitness

Fitness Tracking

When it comes to keeping track of your fitness, it has never been easier.
We have at our fingertips ( literally) access to many apps, and devices to keep track of our activities and eating habits.
What I find worked well for me is journaling what I ate and when, there is something about writing it down and being accountable for what goes in your mouth. It makes you think about it, are you actually hungry, are you bored, are you eating because your stressed, sad, happy. 
With some fitness tackers and apps, you can write in your food intake, or in some devices ( scan ) and it will tally calories, and other nutrition information.
The one I use, and have been for about 4 years now, is the Fitbit.

It fits snug on my waistband, and records my movement through the day.

Being able to see your progress each day, I believe is motivation.
Even though keeping track of your eating habits is good on paper, you will have even better success if you go the digital route.

There is something about being able to see the progress your making each day that keeps you going, looking at your device and wanting to hit that 10,000 steps is motivation.


The more you record, the more likely you are to see results.
I will show you a variety of different devices, and apps to get you started.
With the improvements in health technology, many companies are joining the movement. Oscar, a company that provides health insurance in New Jerseyand New York, is one of them who has started to motivate their members by providing each member Misfit Band with the opportunity to earn back cash rewards when they hit their personal health/fitness goals each month.

 

They come in many styles, and price ranges.


Apps to check out are: Lose it!, Noom Coach, and My Diet Diary.


Are you ready to get fit!

Let me know what you use, and do you find it helpful on your journey to Fit.

Fifty and Fit.

50 and Fit!

Who knew turning 50 would feel so great? Not me.
Not too long ago I didn't even want to think about it, 50 was "old".
How many of you still think like that, I am loving my age.....and I do believe, its because I turned it around by loving my life.
And it all began with me taking control of my health, and getting fit.
To me healthy and fit go hand and hand, you can't have one without the other, so therefor there are changes you have to make.

First: I became a runner, well maybe I started out as a fast walker, turned into a jogger, and I now call myself a runner.

Never in all my years would I ever think I would be running, let alone running 1/2 Marathons. I am also ready to run a marathon relay with my son which I am really excited about. And someday, I will run a full marathon. (bucket list)

Second: Nutrition, teaching myself to eat clean, healthy, organic foods made a huge difference in how I feel and look. I feel better now than I did when I was 30. ( Truth)  No fast food, no processed food, no soda and cut way back on sugar.

To really see a change in what you do, it has to become a lifestyle. Don't wait till you get to a certain weight, or feel good about yourself and think.....I'm done, and go back to your old habits. Not good.

Third: Make sure to pick something you will have fun with, and you will be sure to stick with. You may find yourself in a rut, as I did, so I added fun runs, Dirty Girl Mud run, color run, also kickboxing, zumba classes, anything to keep you from feeling bored with your workout.

I also share this new found passion of running with one of my sons, he truly inspired me to become a better runner. 

When you find a passion your more likely to stick with it, and it will show from the inside out. You become a better, happier person. Life means so much more, you actually look forward to your workout, your healthy food, and the feeling of more energy. 

I am loving 50, and I hope those of you that are far from 50, getting close, or already there. Embrace life, not the number, its time to be in charge of our health, our bodies, and live life to the fullest.

Looking forward to another 50 years!

Life is good.

Share with us how you are embracing your age.