Endorphin Warrior Bracelet Winner ...

Remember my awesome Endorphin Warrior Bracelet?


Well, right now, one of you is about to win one of your own. There were 173 valid entries submitted, and thanks to Random.org, the winner is ...

#76 - Elisabeth Waller-Scott @ ...With an S

Congrats Elisabeth! Please email me at racingwithbabes (at) yahoo (dot) com to claim your prize.

Three Things Thursday -

Food, Food and More Food - After I posted yesterday about my RMR, pretty much everyone asked me how I was going to eat 3000-4000 QUALITY calories per day. And the answer is ...

I don't know.

It would be super easy to head to Shyndigz and have a jumbo sized piece of cake everyday. Easy, but wrong. Plus, we put a self-imposed ban on that place until Labor Day.

But, in all seriousness, I don't really know what I am going to eat. Yesterday, I only made it to 2511 calories and could not have eaten another bite. Unfortunately, my 80 minute bike and 90 minute yoga session (not to mention my normal daily activity) boosted my caloric needs by about 1300. Yeah, so day one might have been a fail.

I'm sure your heart is breaking for the girl who can eat whatever the f#ck she wants.

Anyway, I'm know that avocados will become a daily staple and that I'll eat a full serving (or two) of nuts compared to the half serving I usually have. But after that, I am kind of stumped. The nutritionist recommended some interesting options for balancing my nutrients, but they are kind of counter-intuitive to endurance training, so I am not sure how I feel about them. I'm going to give them a go and will "review" them after a few weeks along with a "log" of what I am eating.

In the meantime, if you have any helpful hints, feel free to email me with them.

P90X - Ever since Ironman 70.3 Texas, I have been trying to incorporate more strength training into my routine. I have been doing a free weights circuit at home two to three times per week and I can definitely tell the difference that it is making. My shoulders, especially the reconstructed one, are much stronger and my swim times are evident of that.

Since things were going well, I had no intention of changing anything. But last week, my sister, Beans, mentioned that a co-worker of hers wanted to try P90X and that she was also kind of interested in learning about it.

I took that to mean that she wanted to start it IMMEDIATELY.

And that's what we did. On Monday, Beans, J and I started P90X. And it's beating the heck out of us. When I tried to get out of bed this morning to run, I could barely move. My hips and butt were on fire. So, I took an unscheduled rest day. Oops.

Nuun Winners - It occurred to me this morning that I never posted my Nuun Giveaway winners. So without further adieu, here they are. There were 75 entries and thanks to random.org, the lucky numbers were ...

#23 - Hot Mama @ Hot Confidence

AND

#37 Christine Ashby @ Swimmer Turned Triathlete

Congrats ladies! Please email me at racingwithbabes (at) yahoo (dot) com with your shipping address to claim your prize.

Nuun Giveaway ...

It's no secret that I love Nuun.

I drink it throughout the day, while I train and when I recover.

And now that it's 90 degrees with 100% humidity here in Virginia, I love it even more.

I currently have a tube in my purse, in my car and two in my kitchen cabinet. Not to mention the four boxes I have in my pantry.

Nuun Active Hydration rocks my world. Here's just part of the reason why:

• Packed with electrolytes, light flavor, no sugars or carbs, and portable, Nuun Active Hydration is the perfect sports drink.
• The electrolytes found in Nuun will help alleviate cramps, help muscles function, communicate and burn energy efficiently.
• Nuun Active Hydration comes in 11 flavors: Banana, Orange, Lemon Lime, Strawberry Lemonade, Fruit Punch, Kona Cola, Lemon Tea, Tri-Berry, Grape, Tropical and Citrus Fruit. (Banana and Lemon Tea are my favorites. I could tell you were wondering.)

Not only does Nuun have their Active Hydration line, they also produce U Natural Hydration and Nuun All Day, which was released last week.

I can't wait to try these new flavor combos: blueberry pomegranate, tangerine lime, raspberry grape and grapefruit orange

So, in honor of the unofficial start of summer and the high temperatures many of us are dealing with, I am giving away a tube of Nuun Active Hydration and a 21 oz Nuun Water Bottle to TWO WINNERS.

Entering is easy. Here's what to do:

Answer this question: What do you do to maintain your fitness when the temperatures rise?
 

Good Luck!

 

Official Rules:

• One entry per comment.
• Only entries submitted correctly will be counted. 
• Contest will run from 5/29 until 11:59 p.m. on 6/4.
• Winners will be randomly selected and announced on 6/5.

North Face Endurance Challenge Winner ...

In all of my obsessing about my shoulder this morning, I forgot to announce the winner of the North Face Endurance Challenge D.C. race entry.

There were 17 valid entries and thanks to random.org the winner is ...

#1 ~*~*~Tracy @ Our Life with 3 Guys and A Doll

Congrats Tracy! Please email me at racingwithbabes (at) yahoo (dot) com to claim your prize.

North Face Endurance Challenge D.C. Giveaway ...

One of the best things about writing this blog (other than having a daily journal of our lives) is the many opportunities it has afforded me, and at times, my family. I don't take these things for granted and I can not express my gratitude enough for all that I've experienced in the last four years.

Since starting this blog,

I have been able to run all over the country, with bloggers who have become great friends.
I have been treated like a princess.
I have been blessed to be chosen to run Hood to Coast with Nuun, not once, but twice.
We were featured in Runner's World.
We get to try TONS of great products that we might not otherwise.
And on occasion, I'm offered free race entries, for events like this ...


The North Face Endurance Challenge D.C. on June 2-3

Two days. 9 events, including distances from 5K to 50 miler, a marathon relay and two kid runs.

It looks awesome. And challenging. And completely Honey Badger.

Unfortunately, I can't run it.

But, my loss is your gain.

The awesome people at The North Face Endurance Challenge D.C. are allowing me to giveaway a FREE ENTRY to one reader, good for any race distance (based on availability).

You know you want to run this.
You know you are looking for a challenge.
You know your inner Honey Badger is ready to attack this course.

So, here's how to enter:

Visit The North Face Endurance Challenge D.C. website and choose a race distance. Then come back here and leave me a comment to let me know what race you would run and why.

That's it. Easy peasy. And if you want a bonus entry, share this on Twitter (be sure to include @racingwithbabes in your tweet) or Facebook and leave me a separate comment to let me know.

Good luck!

Official Rules:

• Winner receives one (1) free race entry. Transportation and lodging are not provided.
• One entry per comment.
• Only entries submitted correctly will be counted. 
• Contest will run from 4/25 until 11:59 p.m. on 4/30.
• Winner will be randomly selected and announced on 5/1.

New Balance 890 Winner ...

So, do you want to know who won a sweet pair of New Balance 890s from OnlineShoes.com like this?

Or this?

Well, then what are we waiting for.

There were 297 valid entries and thanks to random.org the winner is ...

#86 - Cynthia @ Run, Dream & Laugh Out Loud

Congrats! Please email me at racingwithbabes (at) yahoo (dot) com to claim your prize. Note: Winner has one week to respond before a new winner will be selected.

Three Things Thursday ...

Ironman - It's no secret that I have my eyes set on becoming an Ironman. And being completely impatient like I am, I really would like it to happen sooner rather than later. So, like any completely insane rational person, I narrowed down potential races to my top four, based on location, course, weather and time of year.

And thanks to my very scientific methods, I was left with the following (2013 races, of course) ...

• Ironman Florida
• Ironman Arizona
• Beach 2 Battleship
• Rev3 Cedar Point

At which point, I texted the list to my fellow potential Ironman Jill and we decided on which one would be our Ironman debut.

Ha. You didn't think I was going to tell you which one, did you?

I mean, someday I will, but not until that registration fee has been processed.

Anyway, I'm totally psyched and mildly freaked out about this. When I threw it out to J, shockingly, he didn't totally scoff. But, he wasn't entirely on board either. So, I think I need some ideas of how to frame it in the best light.

That's where you all come in. J reads this and all of the comments you leave. Let him know how you think this is an epic idea, how it won't be a total time suck and that he's wicked awesome (which he is. But, sucking up never hurts, right?).

Oh, and if you think this is a horrible idea, just pretend like I never mentioned it ...

Open Water - Since I had a complete mild freak out during the swim portion of Ironman 70.3 Texas, I decided that I needed to get some more practice swimming in open water. And the perfect way to do force yourself to do that is to sign up for an Open Water Race Series. Each of the races is 1500m, with the first taking place on April 29th. *cue panic attack*

In an attempt to determine what I had gotten myself into, I checked out last year's race results.

Big mistake.

In my age group (30 and under), the slowest finishing time in any of the races was 14:40.

Do you know what my fastest 1500m time is?

31:31.

And that was in a pool. I am so going to get schooled. (Note: Only 2 people finished in over 30 minutes. There is a real possibility that I could finish dead last.)

Free Sneakers - Did you know that I am giving away a pair of New Balance 890s to one lucky reader? Well, have you entered yet? Then you should probably get on that. Just CLICK HERE to find out all the details.

New Balance 890 Review and Giveaway ...

I love running shoes.

Some might even say that I have a running shoe addiction.

Yes, I have seven pairs of running shoes in rotation and three more waiting in the wings.

But doesn't everyone?

I really don't see the problem here. I'm not addicted. I'm prepared. Sure, unless I am headed to the pool or to a formal affair, I only wear running shoes. But, let's be honest, you never know when you are going to get the opportunity to run. And with my schedule, I wouldn't want to miss a workout just because I had the wrong shoes on ...

And that's why I was totally stoked when OnlineShoes.com and New Balance gave me the opportunity to test out the New Balance 890.

Pretty sharp, right?

Oh, and it gets better. These New Balance sneakers come in a variety of colors for both men and women. Including my personal favorite, yellow/red.

Love.

Not only do New Balance running shoes look great, but they perform well, too.

Here's what OnlineShoes.com and New Balance shoes have to say about the 890 ...

"The sleek and stylish New Balance 890 training shoe delivers a lighter, more energizing take on the running experience. With a lightweight synthetic and mesh upper for breathability and support, this women's neutral running shoe gains its enhanced performance from REVlite midsole foam, which is 30% lighter than traditional foams but delivers the same responsiveness, durability and compression set. No-sew, welded seams guard against chafing, as flat laces and lacing holes lock in place for a snug, comfortable fit. An ABZORB® Strobel board and removable ABZORB® insole ensure a cushioned ride. The full ground-contact Ndurance® rubber outsole of the New Balance 890 running shoe is as compatible with midfoot and forefoot strikes as it is with traditional heel strike, adding to its broad appeal"

And I have to agree. The first thing I thought when I put them on was how lightweight they were, yet they didn't lack cushioning and support - a big sell for this Athena sized runner.

Supporting my tree trunk legs ...

After wearing the 890 throughout my travels to Texas, it was time to test them on a run. (Note: I like to break in my shoes my walking in them for a few days to make sure there aren't any obvious issues.)

Kickin' it in my casual wear.

Five miles later, and I was in love. No blisters. No aches and pains. Lightweight and responsive, I felt like I was running on clouds.

See the New Balance 890 sneaking into the shot?

Without a doubt, the New Balance 890's will have a spot in my running shoe rotation.

And they can have a spot in your shoe rotation, too. Thanks to OnlineShoes.com and New Balance one reader will win their own pair of New Balance 890. (Note: the 890 is available in both womens New Balance shoes and mens New Balance shoes.)

Here's how to enter:

Mandatory: Become a follower of this blog. Leave a comment.

Bonus Entries:

• Like Racing with Babes on Facebook HERE. Leave a comment.
• Follow me on Twitter HERE. Leave a comment.
• Follow OnlineShoes.com on Twitter HERE. Leave a comment.
• Tweet about this contest. Leave a comment. Sample Tweet - "I entered @RacingWithBabes' New Balance giveaway hosted by @OnlineShoes_com http://bit.ly/HuDwk3 #running"
• Repost on your blog or Facebook. Leave a comment.

 Official Rules:

• Contest open to U.S residents ONLY. 
• One entry per comment.
• Only entries submitted correctly will be counted. 
• Contest will run from 4/10 until 11:59 p.m. on 4/23.
• Winner will be randomly selected and announced on 4/24.

Disclaimer: I was provided these shoes for free. However, the opinions are completely my own.

an entry for me. an entry for you.

Since Sunday at 2 p.m., I have swam 650 meters, run 11 miles and biked 23.34 miles. Oh, and at some point today, I will bike another 18 miles and run 3. Needless to say, I'm burning a lot of calories.

Well, I know how to make up for it.

With a cake from Shyndigz (You know, that place that made my Cake Shake last week).

Right now, until 5 p.m., they are running a contest for a free cake on their Facebook page HERE. I would love to win. But I need your help. I'll get one entry for each of you that goes to their page HERE, "likes" it and posts on their wall that I, Tonia Blanchet, sent you.

Super easy, right? And if you do so, I will give you a bonus entry in my Ahnu Boots Giveaway HERE. Just leave me a comment on the giveaway post to let me know.

Both me and my stomach thank you in advance.

Ahnu Boot Review and Giveaway ...

Recently, the amazing people at OnlineShoes.com gave me the opportunity to review the Ahnu Monte Vista.Prior to this, I had not hear of Ahnu, a footwear company that focuses on outdoor performance and convenience, with men's and women's styles ranging from water sports to casual exploration, but I was eager to try the Monte Vista, which retails for $199.95.

(Note: Check out the story behind Ahnu in their fall newsletter HERE).

The Monte Vista boasts a waterproof oiled leather upper with contrast stitch detailing up the ankle and calf for a sleek, flattering fit. The eVent waterproof bootie and 200 grams of insulation offer cozy, dry comfort in cold conditions. The Vibram® outsole of the Ahnu Monte Vista Waterproof boot ensures reliable traction on slippery surfaces. Plus, it's mid-calf design gives me the ability to rock my knee highs. And I am sure these boots would look epic over your pants as well.
There is a lot to like about the Monte Vista. Here are just some of my favorite features:

• Waterproof - We don't get much snow here in VA, but we do get a ton of rain, especially in the Fall and Spring. I felt that I could stomp through the puddles and mud with my kids and not be concerned about ruining the shoe.
• eVent - I just loved that my feet were always warm (a big selling point for this perpetually cold individual) but NEVER overheated or sweaty. I am attributing this to the eVent feature of the shoe which while offering durable waterproof protection, the eVent membrane allows moisture from sweat to pass directly through millions of tiny open pores and to the outside of the fabric. Outside water is unable to enter, in turn keeping you dry and comfortable.
• Numentum Hike Technology - I have really bad feet. I can't wear unsupportive shoes for more than an hour or so and I can't ever go barefoot. This usually means I have to wear sneakers. But the Monte Vista's Numentum Hike Technology, which creates the comfort of an athletic show with the heal stability of a rugged hiker, allowed me to be comfortable even after 10 hours of wear.
• Function vs. Fashion - We all know that I value style and function in my apparel and shoes are no different. I love the brick red color of these shoes that elevate them from your typical hiking boot.

With that said, there was one thing I'm not a fan of about this boot ...

I had the hardest time getting it snug enough. The lacing system didn't allow me to keep the lower part of the laces tight as I moved up the shoes. I wish it had the lace hooks, which are located at the top of the boot throughout the entire shoe.

Do you want to try a pair of Ahnu Boots? Thanks to OnlineShoes.com one reader will win their choice of either the Monte Vista (women's) or the Mendocino (men's). Here's how to enter (one comment for each entry please!):

REQUIRED: Become a follower of this blog.

BONUS ENTRIES:

• Follow me on Twitter HERE.
• Like Racing With Babes on Facebook HERE.
• Follow OnlineShoes.com on Twitter HERE.
• Spread the word about this giveaway via your blog, Facebook or Twitter (include @tmbrunnerfirst and @onlineshoes_com in your tweet).

Entries will be accepted until Thursday, December 15. Winner will be randomly selected and announced on Friday, December 16. Only entries submitted correctly will be counted. Contest open to U.S. citizens ONLY.

Disclaimer: I was provided this product for free to review. The opinions stated here are solely my own.

Blue Ridge Marathon Entry Winner ...

Thank you to everyone who entered my Blue Ridge Marathon Entry Giveaway. There were 29 entries and thanks to random.org, the winner is ...25 - Rene @ The Amherst Shuffle. Congrats! Email me at racingwithbabes (at) yahoo (dot) com to claim your prize.

And if you didn't win, you can register HERE. But hurry up, rates increase on January 1st.

Blue Ridge Marathon Entry Giveaway ...

Do you have your 2012 race calendar planned out? Bored with pancake flat courses? (I'm not, but you might be ...) Are you looking for a challenge? Well, then look no further than the Blue Ridge Marathon in Roanoke, VA on April 21, 2012.

Picture this -- a cool breeze at your back, the scent of blossoming flowers, “purple mountain’s majesty” in front of you…and the SEARING pain in your quads with each and every stride down this freaking mountain!

Don’t come to Roanoke, Virginia to enjoy a relaxing weekend; come to see just how much the National College Blue Ridge Marathon can kick your butt.

Deemed the WORLD'S TOUGHEST ROAD RACE, the marathon course boasts a 7,200+ foot total elevation change (the half course comes in at 2,500 ft of elevation change). That's just insane! But, it's the kind of insane that us runners like to brag about. Here's the race director's take on the race.

Blue Ridge Marathon: America's Toughest Road Marathon from Pete Eshelman on Vimeo.

Intrigued? Here are the details:

• What: Full & Half Marathon, 5-Person Team Relay, Walking Half, YMCA Kids Marathon
• Where: Roanoke, VA and Blue Ridge Parkway
• Date: April 21, 2012
• Start Time: 7:30 am
• Total Elevation Change: ~7,234 ft. (full), ~2,500 ft. (half)
• Most Difficult Section: Roanoke Mountain on Blue Ridge Parkway
• Beneficiary: Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway
• Magnificent Views: Plenty

I mean, how could you not want to run this?


I'll be there running the HALF. Another marathon is so not on my radar right now. And you can be too. If you register for the Blue Ridge Marathon before December 15th, you can use the code "tough" for 15% off the registration fee.

Or, if your lucky, you could win a FREE entry right now.

Here's how to enter (separate comments, please):
1. Leave a comment to let me know why you want to run this race.
2. Become a follower of this blog. Leave a comment.
3. Follow Blue Ridge Marathon (@BRM26pt2) on Twitter HERE. Leave a comment.
4. Like Blue Ridge Marathon on Facebook HERE. Leave a comment
5. Repost this giveaway on your blog, Twitter (include @tmbrunnerfirst and @BRM26pt2 in your tweet) or Facebook. Leave a comment.

Entries will be accepted until Sunday, December 4th. Winner will be selected at random and announced on Monday, December 5th.

Disclaimer: Blue Ridge Marathon is providing entry to their race for both me and the winner of the giveaway. There was no other compensation for this post.

PlanetGear.com Winner ...

Thanks to everyone who entered my PlanetGear.com giveaway. There were 48 entries and thanks to random.org, the winner is ...

#16 Randi S. @ S Club 4

Congrats Randi! Please email me at racingwithbabes (at) yahoo (dot) com.

Shutterfly Holiday Card Winners ...

Thanks to everyone who participated in my Shutterfly Holiday Photo Card giveaway. There were 69 entries and thanks to random.org, the winners are ...

#17 Julie Arts @ Adventure is Out There
#32 Wym @ A Tall Order
# 38 BigHappyFamily @ Big Happy Family

Congrats! Please email me at racingwithbabes (at) yahoo (dot) com to claim your prize!

PlanetGear.com Giveaway ...

OK, so yesterday I admitted that my pink hair wasn't done in an attempt to show support for Breast Cancer Awareness. A nice coincidence, yes. But the intention, no.

I have, however, teamed up with PlanetGear.com to help spread the word and raise as much money as possible for the Breast Cancer Awareness fund. From now until October 31st, PlanetGear.com will give $1 to the fund for each new "like" on their facebook page HERE.


If you don't know what PlanetGear.com is, here's a little information from their website:

"About Us: The world's best gear, apparel, and travel destinations at prices up to 70% off on most leading outdoor brands. Sale events start daily at 9:00am PST and last up to 7 days. All sales are on a first come, first serve basis. So please come visit us early, and have fun shopping!

At PlanetGear.com we're passionate about people, the outdoors and the world we live in, and we're excited to share this passion with you.

Invite your friends to become members of PlanetGear.com, and we'll send you an instant $10.00 credit when they make their first purchase* Membership is free!"

Pretty cool, huh? Great deals provided by a company that is supporting an amazing cause. You should probably CLICK HERE right now and go "like" their page.

And if doing your part wasn't simple enough, there's something else in it for you. Thanks to the people at PlanetGear.com, one reader will win a $40 credit to shop on their website.

Entering is easy, but please leave one comment per entry or they will NOT be counted.

REQUIRED: Like PlanetGear.com on Facebook HERE (you should have done that already) and leave a comment to let them know I sent you.
REQUIRED: Become a follower of Racing With Babes

BONUS ENTRIES (separate comment for each, please):

• Share the link to the PlanetGear.com Facebook page HERE. The more "likes" they get, the more money that goes to the Breast Cancer Awareness Fund.
• Share this giveaway on your blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc.
• Like the Racing With Babes Facebook page HERE and leave a comment on my wall to let me know how breast cancer has touched your life.

Entries will be accepted until Monday, October 31st. Winner will be randomly selected and announced on Tuesday, November 1st.

Shutterfly Holiday Card Giveaway ...

Do you know what my favorite thing about Christmas is?

Christmas cards.

I stalk the mailbox all December long waiting for them to arrive. I ALWAYS send Christmas cards. And not just any Christmas cards. Christmas Photo Cards from Shutterfly.

You might even say that I am obsessed. OK, I am obsessed. It's just that I can ALWAYS find the perfect design on the Shutterfly website, in fact I often have a hard time selecting just one. With styles ranging from "simple and classic" to "bold and modern", I'm never disappointed. Plus, photo cards are super cute and I love to see how the girls changed through the years.

But for me, the process of creating the perfect holiday card starts long before December, in fact my 2011 cards have already been shipped to me.

Here's how the magic happens.

1. I take a zillion and one photos throughout the year, in search of the "perfect shot."
2. I start to narrow down my selection of holiday card designs in late September/early October.
3. I choose a design, a photo and have 100+ cards printed. (I use all the photos that don't make it onto the card in photo books that I give as gifts.)
4. I address and stamp all the cards by hand and have them in the mail the day after Thanksgiving. (My Christmas card is sure to be the first you'll receive.)
5. I sit around and wait for cards in return.

Want to see what I've come up with in the past? Of course, you do.

2008
2009

2010

And this year's is even better (Close your eyes if you expect to get one of these from me) ...

Awesomesauce, right?

Probably makes you want to go create your own holiday card right now. And you should, because thanks to Shutterfly, three (3) of my readers will win 25 FREE Holiday Cards from the 2011 Shutterfly collection.

Entering is simple, just leave me a comment telling me your favorite holiday tradition. Want a bonus entry? Let me know how fabulous (beautiful, talented) you think my family is.

Entries will be accepted until Sunday, October 30th. Winners will be randomly selected and announced on Monday, October 31st.

Note: I was provided these photo cards for free, but the opinions are all my own and I would have purchased them anyway.

Subway Baseball DeSIGNS (giveaway)

Although, I am primarily a runner now, that wasn't always the case. As a child, I focused my energies on team sports. At the age of three, I began playing soccer, something I would continue for 15 years. Then, when I was six, I added basketball to my schedule. And eventually, as a teen, track and field.

Year in and year out, I was part of a team. It was a time in my life that I wouldn't trade for anything. During those formative years, I learned to both support and depend on others. I established self confidence and drive. I gained strength and humility. All lessons I have carried into adulthood.

And now that I have my own children, I expect them to participate in team sports, as well. I want them to experience what I did, to enjoy being active and to learn lessons that they will carry with them for a lifetime.

I'm sure most parents would want the same. Don't you?

Answer the question "What life lessons do kids learn from playing team sports?" for a chance to win a $500 gift certificate for sporting equipment for your child’s team.

Want to help more children stay active by playing team sports? Go to SUBWAY® Baseball DeSIGNS Auction onEbay. All proceeds go to the Little League Urban Initiative, which helps fund inner-city youth leagues and teams.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of SUBWAY® Baseball DeSIGNS. The opinions and text are all mine. The $500 Gift Certificate Giveaway Contest runs from August 19 - 28, 2011. A random winner will be announced by September 1, 2011. Official Contest Rules.

Aspaeris Pivot Shorts Winner ...

Remember those sweet Aspaeris Pivot Shorts I was giving away? The ones I love so much that I sleep in them pretty much every night? The ones that give my quads the squeeze that they need?

Well, I've decided to keep them for myself. I really need another pair so that my current ones can be washed more often.

OK, so I'm kidding. I'm pretty sure Aspaeris isn't going to let me keep them (but I will take another pair, if they want to send them. *hint, hint*).

And now for the winner ...

There were 215 entries and thanks to random.org, the winner is

#162 - Jennica @ Miss Jennica

Congrats! Please email me at racingwithbabes (at) yahoo (dot) com with your size, color preference and mailing address to claim your prize.

And if you didn't win, head over to the Aspaeris site HERE and use the code "NOACLHURT" for $10 off a pair of Pivot Shorts.

Aspaeris Pivot Shorts Review and Giveaway ...

Recently, I was given the opportunity to test out a pair of compression shorts from a new company named Aspaeris.

Aspaeris, a New Haven, CT based company, is developing products with the female athlete in mind.

"Aspaeris was created because women’s sports are evolving at a lightening pace. In just a few generations after Title IX, the Moms who once played competitive sports like lacrosse in the 70’s now watch their daughters play a much different game. Young women athletes push their bodies to their limit. They jump, turn and pivot with ever-increasing determination and drive. An unfortunate result is that these athletes suffer a wide range of injuries.

Our mission is to create technical performance apparel to address the complex needs of female athletes. Our product designs are built using continuous feedback from athletes. We seek to constantly evolve and improve our next generation of products so that they adapt to whatever standard our athletes seek to achieve."

A company that wants to give the consumer exactly what they want and need. Sign me up.

I was sent the first product in Aspaeris's line, the Pivot Shorts (retail for $60) in a size Medium, to test and was eager to try them out. Personally, I am a huge believer in the benefits of compression gear. I wear compression socks and sleeves pretty much daily. However, despite my constant complaining about quad fatigue, I had yet to cave in and buy compression shorts (I have worn them around the store, though).

When the shorts arrived, the first thing I noticed was the size. They were SO TINY. I really didn't think I would be able to put them on. Here's a picture of the Pivot Shorts on top of my very small bike shorts. Note the size difference ...

Somehow, after much tugging, pulling and squatting, I got them on. And jumped on the treadmill for a six mile run.

At first, the compression seemed to be a bit much for my cold muscles, but a few minutes into the run the Pivot Shorts settled into place and my quads felt fantastic. The shorts stayed put (probably because they were basically glued to me) and I had no problems with chaffing. It was awesome.

But like with any compression product, it is hard to assess it's effectiveness until the next day. I knew that if the Pivot Shorts did their job, my legs would feel strong on my long run the next morning, less than 10 hours later.

Do you know how that run went? It was my best run post-surgery. It was one of those days that I could have kept running. Sure, it wasn't entirely due to the Pivot Shorts, but I am confident that they contributed.

And do you know when the Pivot Shorts perform even better? During recovery. I swear that as soon as I put them on post-long run, I felt instant relief. Heaven in a pair of shorts.

How bad do you want to try these? Well, thanks to Aspaeris, one lucky reader will win a pair of Pivot Shorts of their own. Here's how to enter:

REQUIRED: Visit the Aspaeris website HERE. Then comment to let me know one thing you learned.

BONUS ENTRIES:
1. Follow this blog. Leave a comment.
2. Follow Aspaeris on Twitter HERE. Leave a comment.
3. Like Aspaeris on Facebook HERE. Leave a comment.
4. Follow me on Twitter HERE. Leave a comment.
5. Like Racing With Babes on Facebook HERE. Leave a comment.
6. Repost this giveaway on your blog, Facebook or Twitter (be sure to include @tmbrunnerfirst and @AspaerisPivot in the tweet). Leave a comment.

Entries will be accepted until Thursday, August 11th. Winner will be randomly selected and announced on Friday, August 12th.

Note: I was sent this product free of charge to review. However, the opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

why I'm lacking content and a winner ...

Right now, the girls and I are halfway through our trip. And I've found it hard to find the time to write a post, because rather than staring at a computer we've been hanging out here ...

eating a lot of this (Ralph's Italian Ice - so yummy) ...

while catching up with family ...

But then, something that started out looking like this ...

sent us to the ER for the afternoon (spider bite - she's fine).

But, I've run. And played. And the girls are having a blast. Summer vacation is rocking their socks.

(And in case you were wondering, the drive here was fantastic. I swear someone sedated my kids before we left.)

And since we are having such a fabulous time, it's my turn to make someone's day by announcing the winner of the OnlineShoes.com Brooks Giveaway. There were 556 entries and thanks to random.org, the winner is ...

#73 Amanda @ There are Two Sides

Congrats! Please email me to claim your prize.

Didn't win? Go over and enter my NYC Marathon Fundraising raffle HERE. The next three winners will be selected on Friday.