inquiring minds want to know ...

Like much of the blog world, I am jumping on the Q and A bandwagon, after being tagged by my Hood to Coast Nuunmate, XLMIC.

So, with no further ado, it time for ...TMB

Here's how to play (and you'll want to. There's a prize involved):

1. Ask me a question, whatever you feel like. I promise to answer them all honestly, but since I am on vacation, I can not promise it will be done in a timely manner. I'm thinking Friday, but maybe I'll wait to the weekend and surprise you by posting on a day that I usually don't. Who knows? I like to be mysterious like that.

2. Well, there is no two. I just felt like a numbered list with only one item was too short.

I will accept questions until Tuesday, July 19th at 11:59 p.m. Anyone who as asked me a question at that point will be eligible for a "Runner's Prize Pack" (a random mix of things I love).

OK, that's it. So ask away ...

p.s. Today is the last day to enter my Brooks giveaway HERE ...

NYC Marathon Raffle Winners, Week 3

I just want to say thank you to everyone who has already donated to my fundraising efforts. As of this morning, I have raised $1545 of my $3000 commitment, just about 52%! Without all of your support, reaching my goals wouldn't be possible.

With that said, there is still plenty of time to donate and to win some FABULOUS prizes. Just head over to my NYC Marathon Raffle post HERE, make a donation HERE and come back to enter. It's easy peasy.

And now for the next three winners! There were 318 entries and thanks to random.org the winners are ...

#302 - Katie @ Blessed with Full Hands
#141 - Erika @ MCM Mama
#205 - Lesley @ Racing It Off

Congrats! Please email me with your prize selection at racingwithbabes@yahoo.com

And if you didn't win (or didn't enter yet) remember that there are still 9 prizes in the mix and the next three winners will be selected on Friday, July 15. Good luck!

P.S. - I'm also giving away a pair of Brooks (valued up to $100) from Onlineshoes.com. You can enter HERE.

3TT: Travel Edition ...

Christmas - As you may know, J and I have started the tradition of taking the kids on vacation for Christmas, rather than filling our house with things we don't need. I want my children to have experiences, not things (They do still get a gift from Santa, though).

Plus, Dizzle, Doodle and Dilly are the only children on either side of the family, which means there are PLENTY of gifts for them to open from everyone else. Last year, we surprised the girls with a trip to Disney. And we had an absolute blast.

On Tuesday, we booked our tickets for this year's trip to SAN DIEGO - home of Legoland, the San Diego Zoo, Sea World and the Running Skirts store (OK, it's in Encinitas, but close enough). This trip is going to be total awesomesauce.

Summer Adventures - Each Summer, J and I try to make a trip back to see our families in NJ and RI. This year, thanks in large part to my race travel and the aforementioned San Diego trip, J isn't going to be able to get time off work. So, instead, I will be road tripping with the girls.

Next weekend, we will head up to NJ, a short, six hour drive from here. It should be heaven. In a complete torture kind of way. Seven days after we return, G and I head out to San Francisco for our Girl's Race Weekend (J was kind enough to take off time, so that I could go).

But the fun doesn't stop there, in August, I am going to be brave and make the 12 hour trip to RI with no backup. After spending six days there, I'll make that 12 hour trip again and then leave the following morning to run Hood to Coast with my nuunmates.

It might be just me, but I'm thinking that this plan borders on insanity ...

NYC - My final destination trip this year will be the NYC Marathon. I am running with Team Grassroot Soccer and have committed to raising $3000 and I need your help to reach my goal.

Right now, I am hosting an AWESOME fundraising raffle HERE. There are 12 fabulous prizes left and I will be selecting the NEXT 3 WINNERS TOMORROW. You know you want to enter. All you have to do is make a donation HERE and then leave a comment on the raffle post. Easy peasy.

And, if you want another shot at winning a sweet prize, check out my current giveaway HERE. Thanks to OnlineShoes.com, one lucky winner will walk (or run) away with a new pair of Brooks.

OnlineShoes.com Brooks Giveaway ...

Unless you have been living in a hole, you know that Brooks is an industry leader when it comes to running shoes and apparel.

But, just in case you're new to this whole running gear thing, here's the 411 on Brooks ...

"Founded in 1914, Brooks® Sports, Inc. is headquartered in the Seattle suburb of Bothell, Washington. The company designs and markets performance athletic shoes, apparel and accessories available in more than 40 countries worldwide.

Biomechanically engineered for the running and walking needs of men and women of all shapes, sizes and experience levels, Brooks shoes offer advanced stability, cushioning and motion control, utilizing constructions designed to enhance comfort and reduce the risk of injury."

Basically, Brooks is where it's at. And their line brings together fashion and function - something I love. Just look at my personal favorites:

Brooks Ghost 4Brooks Mach 13 SpikelessOH.MY.WORD.

You know you want a pair. And now you can have them.

Thanks to OnlineShoes.com (your one stop shop for running shoes and apparel) one reader will win their choice of Brooks shoes (valued up to $100).

Here's how to enter (Note: ONLY separate comments will be counted)

1. Answer this question: "How would you use a new pair of Brooks running shoes?" Leave a comment.
2. Become a follower. Leave a comment.
3. Follow OnlineShoes.com on Twitter HERE. Leave a comment.
4. "Like" OnlineShoes.com on Facebook HERE. Leave a comment.

And although it won't be counted as an entry (onlineshoes.com contest rules), spread the love. Earn some good karma. Let your friends know about this giveaway.

Entries will be accepted until Monday, July 18th. Winner will be selected at random and announced on Tuesday, July 19th.

P.S. Rumor has it that my friends Tall Mom and Tricia are giving away a pair too.

a loser and two winners ...

LOSER: Doodle

Apparently, Doodle was attacked by a venomous insect. Because yesterday morning, I realized that her hand looked like a ping pong ball had been implanted under her skin. Total suckage. Take a look for yourself. The unaffected hand ...

And the affected hand ...

It's looking better today, but the score is definitely "Evil Bug" 1, Doodle 0.

WINNER: Dizzle

Just look at this outfit.

Enough said.

WINNER: ajh

Because although there were 405 entries in my Brooks Giveaway, random.org chose number 12, which was the lovely ajh. Congrats! Email me your contact info and I will send out your gift certificate from Brooks.

Brooks Giveaway ...

We all know that Brooks Running has long been a major player in the running world. From race sponsorships to awesome shoes to great apparel, Brooks Running is a force to be reckoned with. And despite their standing, they continue to be innovative.

Seriously, have you heard about their new top-secret SAC technology? And what about Team BILBO (Brooks Innovation Laboratory for Biomechanical Observation)? And that new "Spy Happy" video that they released?

No? Well, what are you waiting for?



Go ahead. Watch it. The payoff could be HUGE.

Are you back? Good. Now for the payoff.

Thanks to Brooks Running one lucky reader will win a gift certificate for their choice of Brooks shorts or jacket. Pretty sweet, right?

Here's how to enter (SEPARATE COMMENTS FOR EACH ENTRY PLEASE):

REQUIRED:
1. Become a follower and comment to let me know.
2. Watch that video (you already should have) and comment to let me know your favorite part.

BONUS ENTRIES:
3. Visit Brooks Running HERE and comment to let me know what you would choose if you won.
4. Repost this giveaway on your blog, Facebook, Twitter, gym locker, wherever and comment to let me know.

Entries will be accepted until Tuesday, September 21. Winner will be randomly selected and announced on Wednesday, September 22.