Harborside Week 3

September 23, 2018 by 33 Comments

Fall is officially here and best of all this past week Mother N got the memo and delivered some much cooler…dare I say, downright chilly at times, temps! You will hear absolutely no complaints out of me – just hoping it sticks around for a bit!

As I mentioned in last week’s wrap, this week was all about juggling. I was single parenting while J was on a business trip so I knew I was going to have to get creative if I wanted to get my workouts in. And I’m happy to say I was pretty successful fitting things in.

Squeezing it in

Instead of early morning runs, I settled for a couple of late afternoon 3-milers before school pick-up. There were also two “leg day” strength workouts, including a challenging session with my PT who wanted to see how my legs would respond to “stress” – translation, ouch! But, hands down, nothing made me happier than getting back to the kickboxing studio!

Last week I was convinced that yet another week was going to go by without a boxing class. But, as luck would have it, the heavy rain that swept in here on Tuesday (leftover from Florence) led to my son’s sports practice being canceled. So I picked him up early from school and had just enough time to drop him at home and then get to class.

It had been two weeks since I had seen the inside of this studio and while I held my own during the class I was working my tail off….and definitely felt it later! Love every minute of it!

The only thing I missed out on this week was time on my yoga mat – but I’m still hoping to get there before today is over.

Fun Mail

If you’ve been around here for a bit then you know that I’m a fan of StrideBox, and the September box they sent me did not disappoint!

I especially cannot wait to try the Protes protein popcorn and I love that this box included a stainless steel straw!

I also got a nice surprise from the folks at Headsweats as they sent all of the ambassadors tech shirts and stickers commemorating the company’s 20th anniversary!

And that’s a wrap on week 3!

I’m linking up with Holly and Wendy for the Weekly Wrap.

 

 

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Filed Under: #StrideBox, #TeamHeadsweats, half marathon training, Harborside Half Marathon, Weekly Wrap

5 things I’m loving lately and a giveaway!

May 18, 2018 by 46 Comments

Happy Friday!

To kick this Friday off I thought I’d share a few things I’ve been loving lately. (This post contains some affiliate links).

Headsweats headbands – I have always loved Headsweats hats and as ambassador, I have had the chance to try out some other products in their line. One of my new favorites is their Ultra Bands. While I wear it mostly as a headband, the design is pretty versatile and it could be anything from a wristband to a face mask. If you want to check out the Ultra Band or any of the Headsweats products, don’t forget to use code ATTITUDE25 to save 25%.

I just got this one – Isn’t this Purple Haze pattern awesome?

Lotta Breeze Skirt– You all know how much I love my Skirt Sports skirts and my go-to style is the Gym Girl Ultra but I recently tried the Lotta Breeze and I’m hooked. It’s so comfortable with a drawstring at the waist that ensures it doesn’t slip and 5.5″ shorties so there’s no risk of chafing. After my first run, I immediately bought another and now I’m eagerly awaiting new patterns. Use code 218Dixo to save 15% when you place an order.


Dynamic Tape – I have Marcia to thank for this find. Dynamic Tape (Affiliate link!) stays put and provides great support – and the tattoo pattern is kinda fun, don’t ya think?!

Spring Energy Gel –  Before I had to cut back a bit on mileage, I had started testing out different fuel options on my long runs. I received a tube of Spring Energy Gel (Affiliate link!) in a recent StrideBox. I really like that Spring Energy is made with real food – it was easy on my stomach, had no aftertaste, and kept me feeling good through eight miles.

StrideBox – And speaking of StrideBox, if you’ve been around here for a bit or follow me on Instagram then you know that I’m a big fan of StrideBox. It’s such a great mix of runner goodies, and I swear each box has just been getting better and better. And for just $15 per month, it’s a great deal.

So thanks to the awesome folks at StrideBox, I’ve got a box to give away! The giveaway is open to residents in the U.S. only and will run from now until 11:59 p.m. on 5/22. If you don’t want to wait, use code MICHELLE10OFF to save $10 on your first box! This code is good until 5/31 so don’t wait!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I’m joining Rachel and Lacey & Meranda for the Friday Five link-up!

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Filed Under: #skirtsports, #StrideBox, #TeamHeadsweats, Friday Five, giveaways

2017 Gift Guide for Runners

December 1, 2017 by 27 Comments

This week’s Friday Five theme is “Gift Giving” so it seemed like the perfect time to share my annual gift guide for runners!

Sharing some gift ideas for the runners in your life! #runchat #runnersgifts Click To Tweet

Skirt Sports  – Well let’s dive in with one of my favorite apparel companies, Skirt Sports. I love the philosophy of this company and it doesn’t hurt that they make great clothing in such fun patterns. I have to admit I’ve become a little obsessed 🙂 Use code FALL20WIN for 20% off (expires 12/31/17).

a very small sample of my collection

Stride Box –  I’ve mentioned my love of StrideBox many times here. StrideBox offers a great combination of food/fuel options, running gear, and body care. And, at just $15 per month, Stridebox subscriptions make a great gift that can be enjoyed for many months to come! Code RunAttitude10 will save 10% off 3- and 6- month subscriptions (expires 12/24/17).

Knuckle Lights – These were on my personal wish list last year and lucky for me Santa was listening! I love the on-hand design and that these lights are rechargeable. They’re lightweight and slide easily over gloves in winter months.  Perfect for running or walking the dog!

Use code RUNNINGWITHATTITUDE and save 10% (expires 1/31/18).

Trigger Wheel – The RPI Trigger Wheel (affiliate link!) has been a lifesaver for me since I picked one up at last year’s R’n’R Vegas expo. It is perfect for those small muscles that you can’t quite get to easily with a foam roller.

SPIbelt – SPIbelt has been with me since my earliest days of running. I love that it’s lightweight, doesn’t bounce, and holds my phone and other essentials.

And with toggles for clipping on your bib, it’s a must-have when racing! (The Hydration Belt in this pic sees a lot of use during the summer months).

 

Use code michelle2017 to save 15% (expires 12/31/17)

Momentum Wraps – This is one on my wish list! I have a couple and just love the motivating messages they offer. They make a great stocking stuffer!

Yeah ok.. so that was 6 items instead of 5 😉

I’m linking up with Rachel and Lacey & Meranda for the Friday Five link-up!

What’s on your wish list this year?

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Filed Under: #StrideBox, Friday Five, Gifts for runners, holiday cheer, Skirt Sports, SPIbelt

Guest Hosting the Weekly Wrap!

August 13, 2017 by 70 Comments

Happy Sunday and welcome to the Weekly Wrap!

I am so excited to be this week’s guest host while Holly and Tricia enjoy some time off from hosting duties this summer. Weekly Wrap brings together such a great group of active women supporting each other, and I am honored to be guest hosting.

If you’ve never joined the Weekly Wrap, I encourage you to dive right in! The rules are pretty simple. Visit and comment on as many blogs as you can, including the host blog. Please don’t just link and leave – let’s support each other! It’s a great way to discover new blogs and make new friends!

If you were here for my last Wrap, then you may remember I skipped last week’s long run, as my lack of quality sleep had left me totally drained. Well, what I didn’t share was that my left ankle was feeling super tight and my upper calf was sore, and I think even if I’d had the best of sleep the ankle would have kept me from hitting the road.

So, how did this week shake out?

Monday: I wasn’t taking any chances with the ankle, so I headed to my PT/chiro. The verdict? Ankle immobility was affecting my fibula head – I’ve been here before and had to fess up to lagging on any of my ankle exercises. So you can guess what my homework was!

Tuesday: After checking in with my RC coaches, we were in agreement to skip the speed work and cross train instead. So, I made a long-overdue return to my gym and hit the Arc Trainer. 40 minutes of cross-training done!

Wednesday: Yoga  – keeping to this month’s goal of at least one weekly session.

Thursday: Strength day including ankle work.

Friday: I was so hoping to run, and while the ankle felt better, it didn’t feel great. Back to the Arc Trainer I went for another round of cross-training, followed by foam rolling and more ankle work.

By the way, if you missed my post about the benefits of the Arc Trainer, you can read it here.

Saturday: Rest day filled with shopping and errands, and yes, more ankle work (are you sensing a theme?)

Sunday:  5-mile run! Babying my ankle all week paid off with a glorious morning run. OK – it was ridiculously humid, but I was running so I didn’t care. My pace was solid, and best of all the ankle stayed quiet until the last half mile – I’m calling that a win! Nice to end the week on a high note.

This week also brought some fun stuff in the mail, including these beauties:

One of my birthday presents from my hubby – Saucony Zealot 3

And, the August StrideBox arrived!

I have really been enjoying these StrideBoxes! It’s been a great way to discover some new products. This month’s box includes items from Bakery on Main, Eboost, Hungry Buddha, Vital 4U, Zealios, No Sweat, and Gear Well – all of which are new to me. Can’t wait to try them all! Huge thanks to the nice folks at StrideBox for the goodies.

So that’s my week, and now I’m off to enjoy some lazing on the deck 🙂

I'm hosting this week's #WeeklyWrap! Come on over and join this fun link-up! Click To Tweet


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Filed Under: #StrideBox, Arc Trainer, Cross-training, listening to your body, Saucony, Weekly Wrap

A quick wrap-up

July 16, 2017 by 22 Comments

Happy Sunday!

Taking a quick break from enjoying a lazy Sunday with my family for the Weekly Wrap, hosted by Holly & Tricia, and this week’s guest host Janelle.

Thanks to a combo of multiple days of crazy thunderstorms, my youngest being home sick from camp, and feeling way under the weather myself, there’s not much to wrap this week from a workout standpoint.

I did keep up with my daily planking but did only one lower-body strength workout.

Planking & learning to work the new selfie stick!

And, there were just two days of running in humidity so thick it felt more like swimming!

I got a nice pick-me-up on Wednesday with the arrival of the July StrideBox! Always so much goodness – I especially appreciated the extra water bottle!

Thankfully I was starting to feel more like myself this afternoon so my husband and I headed over to catch a great sale and tasting at our favorite wine shop.

Photo Courtesy of Bin Ends

The rest of the afternoon will be kids choice, which I’m sure will include mini golf, ice cream, and dinner on the deck! 🙂

How are you spending your Sunday?

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Filed Under: #StrideBox, Weekly Wrap

Global Running Day 2017

June 6, 2017 by 9 Comments

Global Running Day is Wednesday!

So on the first Wednesday of June, the annual call goes out to celebrate running!

The driving rain we’ve been dealing with here for the past couple of days is supposed to finally break tomorrow so I’ll be starting my celebration with a run, of course. Then it might be time for a little retail therapy in the form of both gear and races 🙂

SPIbelt – SPIbelt has been with me since my earliest days of running! Use code michelle2017 to save 15%!

StrideBox – I have shared my love for StrideBox many times here! Use code RunningDay17 for 50% off of the first box for a new regular monthly subscription to StrideBox! (Offers good only on 6/7)

SkirtSports – And I’m always happy to share a little SkirtSport love 😉 Use code SPRINGCPT20 to get 20% off.

So many races – Active has teamed up with a bunch of races to offer registration discounts. And, everyone who registers for a participating event on 6/7 will automatically be entered to win a swag bag valued at $500, featuring products from Garmin, New Balance, Gatorade, and Road ID just to name a few. Click here for details.

How will you be celebrating?

Linking up with Erika, Marcia, and Patty for this week’s Tuesday on the Run – the topic this week is Global Running Day, naturally! 

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Filed Under: #REALwomenmove, #StrideBox, Global Running Day, race shopping, Skirt Sports, SPIbelt, Tuesdays on the Run

Weekly Wrap: Goals, Decisions & StrideBox

April 30, 2017 by 42 Comments

I know it’s already been said by many, but I do have to ask – how is it possible that tomorrow is May 1st?!?

I had set 5 goals for April:

  • Hit every workout
  • Run 100 miles
  • Continue my plank challenge
  • Weekly yoga
  • Meal planning

Well, if you’ve been following along here, you know goals 1 and 2 quickly went out the window as I’ve been plagued with a hip/glute thing that just won’t quit! I am happy to say that I did a pretty good job with the other 3 goals so that makes me happy!

While it’s taken me a while to say it out loud, it’s been very clear that my body’s just not up for dealing with a lot of miles right now. 5 – 6 miles is my sweet spot at the moment – any more miles and the hip speaks up loud and clear. As much as I want to be running the Run to Remember half marathon at the end of May, it’s clear I need to stay in my zone, drop down to the 5-miler option and continue to get healthy. So my race dilemma has been resolved.

And speaking of RtR, week 8 played out like this:

Monday:  A trip to the chiro and yoga
Tuesday:  Cross-training on the arc trainer
Wednesday:  Rest
Thursday:  3-mile run and a 90-minute sports massage
Friday:  Strength day – hips & glutes (no surprise!)
Saturday:  5.6-mile run

In other news, the great folks at StrideBox sent me another box of goodness along with a special coupon code to share with all of you!

Use code 5RWA417 to receive $5 off of the first box when you sign-up for a monthly StrideBox subscription! This code is good through May 15th. I have really enjoyed receiving these complimentary boxes – you can check out my review here.

As always, I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for the #WeeklyWrap. Please be sure to head on over and check out all of the great ladies participating in this fun and motivating link-up! 

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Filed Under: #StrideBox, Boston's Run to Remember, training, Weekly Wrap

March StrideBox Reveal

March 10, 2017 by 16 Comments

If you follow me on Instagram, then you’ve seen some of the fun things I’ve received from the great folks at StrideBox over the past couple of months. Well, this month I thought I share an up close look at the recent box I received. (You can also read my first review here).

Each month the box of treats comes all wrapped in tissue paper — this month, of course, it’s green in honor of St. Patty’s Day. And the first thing you see is The Stride Guide – a quick guide to all of the goodness inside. And this box did not disappoint! 

So let’s break it down….

On the nutrition front there is:

Nuun Vitamins – these tablets can be used at any time for a daily hydration boost.

Ultima Replenisher – electrolytes and mineral support with no sugar and zero calories.

CarbBoom Gel — caffeinated and made with real fruit purees, and no artificial flavors or sweeteners.

Peanut Butter & Co — a nut butter that combines dark chocolate and peanut butter…need I say more?

Jimmy Bar — peanut butter ice cream?! It’s a miracle I haven’t ripped into this one already!

In addition to the nutrition, StrideBox always offers both personal care items and running gear.

2Toms Blister Shield — a must-have for any runner, as the create an almost frictionless surface and repel moisture to help avoid blisters.

Wrist Wallet — a simple zippered sleeve that slips comfortably over your wrist. It’s perfectly sized to hold a key, money, or possible chews on your run.

I also love that the box included a card with a recipe (Fruity Endurance Gel Blocks) on one side and a workout (Firing Up the Glutes) on the other. 

Pretty awesome mix for just $15/month, right? 

(Disclosure: I was sent this box by StrideBox. All opinions, as always, are my own.)

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Filed Under: #StrideBox, product reviews

5 Things I love about StrideBox & a Giveaway

December 16, 2016 by 13 Comments

Rachel, Lacey and Meranda are inviting everyone to share holiday gift ideas for this week’s Friday Five. Since I have already shared my Holiday Gift Guide, I thought I would take this chance to share about a new favorite  –  StrideBox!

(Disclosure: This post and giveaway is sponsored by StrideBox. All opinions, as always, are my own.)

  1.  A great mix! – StrideBox offers a great combination of food/fuel options, running gear, and body care. This month’s box included a Bonk Breaker energy bar, GU chews, two packs of Run Gum, VFuel performance drink, Hammer gel and Essentials reflective safety shoe laces.
  2.  The Stride Guide. – In each box you get the Stride Guide, which is a nice cheat sheet on what’s inside the box with a suggestion on when to use each product (each item is coded for “before” “during” “after” or “always”).
  3. No long-term commitments.  – I really like that StrideBox offers an easy monthly subscription you can stop at any time.
  4. Affordable!  – StrideBox offers so much goodness for just $15/month.
  5. Makes a great gift!  – With each box offering such a great mix for both newbie and seasoned runner alike, and at a price that won’t break the bank, StrideBox is a perfect way to give your favorite runner lots of running treats from both well-known and new brands  – and delivered right to their door! What’s not to love?!
Check out my @StrideBox review & Giveaway! #stridebox #runnersgifts Click To Tweet

Want to try one for yourself? The great folks at StrideBox have offered to give 2 RWA readers a free box to try! The giveaway will run from now until 11:59 p.m. on 12/21. Winners will be announced on Thursday, December 22nd. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Filed Under: #StrideBox, Friday Five, Gifts for runners, product reviews