Two of My Favorite Things Give-Away!!

So, (have you noticed I tend to start all of my posts with “so”?) I am still mentally smarting from Richmond but, that does not diminish my LOVE for the Blue Ridge Marathon!!  Check out my recaps from 2016 and this year.  I’ve already starting mentally moving on to that race.

To say it is the most fun I have ever had while running a marathon would not be an exaggeration.  Everything about the race is amazing, from the course, to the course support, to custom race shirts and medals.  Literally, everything is my version of perfection.

You don’t know true bliss until you are eating gummy bears while looking at this!

Now, don’t get me wrong, the course can and will kick your ass.  The full marathon has 7,430 feet of elevation change with 3,790 for the half and 2,000 for the 10K.  There is no way you aren’t running/”running” up at least one mountain – unless you do the kids dash – but it is so worth it!

My second love, only recently found, is Crazy Compression socks! I have thick calves. Like, really thick.  And I was always sad that I couldn’t find fun socks that would fit me.  Well, I am no longer sad!  These socks fit my feet and my calves perfectly and give great support without pinching.

I ❤ stripes!

Give-Away Details

Since I am an ambassador for both of my favorite things (convenient, no?), I am doing a give-away!  Enter today to win one entry of any distance of the Blue Ridge Marathon race series (full, half, 10K – the double is sadly sold out – *cough cough freaks*) AND a pair of Crazy Compression socks or sleeves!

I think these are appropriate but you can pick whatever you want!

Don’t dawdle!  The give-away is open until noon on November 25!

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Giveaway! Blue Ridge Marathon Race Entry

Training for Blue Ridge starts in one week!  To celebrate, I’m giving a way one entry to the marathon, double marathon (!), half marathon, or 10K (your choice!).

Runner up will receive a cute mountain necklace that totally reminds me of the marathon course.

And the third winner will receive a set of Blue Ridge shoe laces.

Also, starting next week, I’ll be starting a series of posts about my training (I will post my training plan for the week on Mondays, in case anyone wants to follow my plan, too), tips about the race, and other information about Roanoke.

Don’t wait!  The contest is only open one week!

*I have this entry as part of being a race ambassador.  Other prizes are provided by me.  Only new registrants are eligible for the race entry, sorry!  If you don’t win, you can still receive a 15% discount on your entry by using code BRMFRIENDS

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Giveaway: Cherry Blossom 10 Miler Guaranteed Entry

Facebook is being ridiculous so I am sharing my fun news here, to make it easier to share with others!

I have a guaranteed entry code to the 2016 Cherry Blossom 10 Miler!  The 2016 entry fee of $43 for the 10 mile and $33 for the 5K Run-Walk (plus an online service fee) must be paid online with the entry form but you can bypass the lottery with this code!

If you are interested in receiving this code, please comment on my Facebook page with your favorite running mantra and I will select a random winner on the evening of Monday, Nov. 30.

Good luck!

Product Review and Giveaway: RooSport 2.0

As you may remember, I’m a big fan of my RooSport!  My original has taken quite a beating over the past (almost) 2 years and still works great!  However, when I spotted the RooSport 2.0 at the Philadelphia Hot Chocolate 15K, I immediately snatched one up!

Brand new!

The new version is larger so it can handle an iPhone 6 (but not a Plus), has headphone access points at both ends of the pocket, has extra water (sweat) proofing, and has additional zippers, including one on the outer flap for little things like cough drops or lip balm.  It also comes in a bunch of fun colors!

Ready to go this morning! My 6 fits just fine and I didn’t even put it in a baggie thanks to the extra water proofing!

I love my RooSport 2.0 so much, that I want to pass one along to you!  But, first, I need to ask a favor…

I applied to be a Race Ambassador for the Asheville Marathon next March but I’m not a big and flashy blogger so I need to get their attention!  This is where you come in 🙂 Please go over to their Facebook page, like it, and comment that Unexpected Runner sent you.  I have never been a race ambassador before so, if I am chosen, you can be certain that there will be some plenty of random shenanigans going on!  Also, early bird registration is $125 until April 30 so hop to it if you want to run it with me!

I am supplying the RooSport 2.0 myself.  All opinions are my own and I have not received any compensation for this post.

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Race Giveaway: Prison Break Dash

The contest is now closed

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Hey, today is my 3 year Runnerversary and what better way to celebrate than give away a race entry?

Last year, Little Runner and I participated in the Prison Break Dash.

Overall, we had a very good time! This is a family-friendly, trail-ish, 5K or 10K run on the old Lorton Prison grounds in northern Virginia. It’s now an arts center but you can still see many of the old prison buildings and the guard towers on the course.

The race director invited me to run again this year but, unfortunately, we are moving that day and I think trying to run a race and move at the same time would be a little nutty, even for me.  But, my loss is your gain as he cheerfully agreed to pass on the entry to one of my followers!

In addition to a fun race, there is a costume contest, post-race treats (there was an ice cream truck last year!), free massages, free race pictures, and other goodies that you usually only see at larger events.

To enter:

– Like Prison Break Dash on Facebook

– Like Unexpected Runner on Facebook

– Tell me if you’d dress as a cop or a criminal

The race is on April 19, starting at 9:00, in Lorton, VA. If you win, you must complete a post-race survey and, while it’s not required, it would be great if you would do a guest review for my blog!

If you don’t win, the 5K is $35 and the 10K is $50 until the price jump a the end of the month.  There is also a 1K for the Littles for $15.

I will draw a name on Friday evening, so don’t delay!

RooSport Winner

And the winner is… Hannah!  Congratulations!  I will email you shortly.

 

Giveaway: RooSport Pocket

I bought a RooSport pocket about a month ago, right before it was announced that CamelBaks would not be allowed at MCM.

My pocket after the marathon

Since I use whole food instead of GUs and gels, I really needed something to carry all of my fuel. I hate to have anything bouncing (I have enough of that on my own!) so a fuel belt was out.  When I heard about the RooSport, I thought it might fit my needs.  Overall, I have been very happy with the pocket.  My only complaint was the little piece of Velcro on the outer-most pocket. I could never get the pieces to line up right and it was a major chaffing point.  I finally took some scissors and cut out the stitches.  After that, I had no further problems.

I met one of the owners, Brenda, at the expo on Friday and told her about the Velcro. She said that they weren’t happy with it, either, so they have removed it from the current models. She then gave me a BRAND NEW, Velcro-less pouch! Well, mine works just fine now so I decided to pass the new one on to YOU!

The pocket is super soft, has a zippered pocket that can hold an iPhone, another pocket for fuel, and it attaches to your waistband via a super strong magnet. I have never had it shift or even noticed it on my runs, no matter what I stuff in the pockets!  Oh, and best of all, you can wash it 🙂

The giveaway runs until 8:00 am Monday so don’t delay!

1. Like Unexpected Runner on Facebook
2. Like RooSport on Facebook
3. Leave a comment here saying what you will put in your RooPocket

Good luck!

Giveway: Huma Chia Energy Gel!

I see a lot of traffic has been coming to my blog via my Huma Chia Energy Gel review.  When my Facebook page hits fifty likes, I will do a giveaway for 5 gels (either mixed or one flavor – you choose!)  C’mon, you know you like it 🙂

(I have not been compensated by anyone for this – the giveaway is coming from my own supply)