Super Snack

It is my lunch break and as I munch on Pirate's Booty and my turkey sandwich, I read whatever pops up on yahoo.com.

Apparently, today, they know how hungry I am because they have an article proclaiming Bananas bust hunger.

Ever grab a snack but then feel hungry again 20 minutes later? Next time, reach for a banana. It’s loaded with Resistant Starch (RS), a healthy carb that fills you up and helps to boost your metabolism. Slightly underripe medium-sized bananas have 12.5 grams of RS—more than most other foods. Ripe bananas give you 4.7 grams of RS, still enough to keep hunger pangs away. Check out these tasty ways to work in this wonder food.

Let me tell you, I had a banana for breakfast this morning with my vitamins and cranberry juice and it filled me up for an hour or so (I know I should have eaten more but I was in a rush and running late). I do love bananas though and if you're looking for a way to change up your banana ingestion, check out the story for a few recipes.

Also, a few days late but I have the KT Tape winner- Fruitfly shoot me an email at fromfat2fab2009@gmail.com with your address and I will get that out for you. I'm trying to think up the next giveaway (ideally I would like to do a minimum of 1 a month). Suggestions are welcome :)

Why am I not blogging lately? Because I feel fatter than a cow and I cannot reign in my eating. Just thinking about the blog is depressing me. But I am getting a workout in every day so I have that going for me.

It's My Birthday! And You Win!

Today is my 27th birthday. I have mixed feelings about it. I don't look how I'd like so it's a daily struggle to remind myself I do weigh 10 lbs less than I did on my 26th birthday so I have that going for me. And I'm not doing anything with my life that I thought I would be doing at 27 but I have to remind myself that it'll work itself out on a time table that may not be of my own making.

This morning I woke up and am snowed in. I'm also sick so the likelihood of me running or enjoying the snow is pretty slim. I very rarely hate living alone except when I'm stuck in my apartment and can't leave. Then I wish I had a roommate to play scrabble or yahtzee with. I know this doesn't look like much but you can't see the 6 inches from my porch (zing! That's what she said!) or the ice covering the streets of Atlanta. The whole city has pretty much shut down. Cause I make it snow on my birthday.

In honor of my birthday and the fact that everyone goes out and buys milk, eggs and water (because if the power goes out the first two will be very helpful) I decided to make myself breakfast this morning: French toast. It was my first time and it turned out really well! It's good to know I can cook some things (last week was teriyaki chicken yum!).

But you aren't here for all that shit. You're here to find out who won the iTunes giftcard. Which I used a very scientific method to determine. If you followed directions, you got a certain number of entries for each thing you did and told me about in the comment section. Then I wrote out your entries on sticky notes and folded them. Here are the entries:

And here is the winner:

Ms. Boyd come on down! Shoot me an email with your address at fromfat2fab2009@gmail.com and I will send this right out! Thanks to everyone who participated and stay tuned for another give away in February!

Also, an update- week one had less running than I hoped but still had exercise and better eating than normal. Last Monday I weighed in at 166.6 and today I weigh in at 163.4 which is a 3.2 lb loss!

Hello 2011

Going from Fat 2 Fab has not gone as well as I hoped since I began this 2 years ago so here we go starting over AGAIN. I keep hoping for an epiphany that really sticks but people can I be honest here for a minute? Of course, I can. If I wasn't you'd be annoyed by me. In all honesty, you hit a point where you're like well I worked hard for a while and didn't have much to show for it and I really want that fucking large pizza with pepperoni and jalepeno's. If I'm not going to be skinny when trying to be healthy I might as well be fat and enjoy myself. And I have hit that point, despite still weighing 10 lbs less than I did at this point last year (175 1/1/10 v 165 1/1/11). Maybe it is turning 27 in a week but I'm just frustrated I haven't found something that works for me that I, with my lack of discipline, can stick with. Anyway, pity party over. Here we go again:

New Year's Resolutions:

1. Run 4 days a week at the minimum
2. Eat at least one serving of veggies and one serving of fruits a day (this will be the hardest)
3. Get 8 hours of sleep a night
4. Lift weights at least 2 days a week
5. Blog more!

So, you're turn. Tell me what your New Year's Resolutions are!

Also, since no one really participated in my last giveaway and the hat thing hasn't occurred yet because I blew the money on sporting events (which I will share with you in future post), I have a new giveaway! I got an iTunes gift card for Christmas and need some new running tunes. The winner of the giveaway gets a $10 iTunes giftcard to buy their own music with! To enter:

1. Become a follower (1 entry)

2. You're already a follower? Cool (2 entries for you)

3. Tell me about your New Year's Resolution (1 entry)

4. Tell me your favorite running song (1 entry)

5. Share this giveaway on your blog, facebook, twitter, whatever (1 entry)

6. Become a follower of me on facebook (2 entries)

So there you have it- tons of opportunities to win this giftcard. I expect a lot of love for this giftcard. And by love I mean, comments. Because I thrive off the comments, yo! You have until January 9th at midnight to enter. I will choose a winner on Monday, January 10 and announce it in that day's blog.

I need a hat...

It occurred to me while I was on my run this morning that I desperately need a hat. The burn in my ears that fades to complete numbness only to return to burn upon entering the warmth of my apartment is not something I will miss. It needs to be remedied immediately except for one tiny hiccup in said remedy.

I haven't a CLUE what kind of headgear to purchase. Generally hats make my head itch. Add sweat into the mix and I spend a majority of the run scratching. But a hat is necessary as the rumor I've been hearing since I ran track in high school is that much of our warmth escapes through our heads and hands. Gee...I cannot for the life of me imagine why. Oh wait, I'm covered everywhere else.

So I'm looking to you bloggy world. I need suggestions- include why you like the headgear, cost and where I can get it. Leave it in the comments section. Mainly because I need some validation that someone besides Fruitfly and Barbie and Kristin are reading the blog.

Also, I am assuming none of you read unless it is blogs since not a single person has entered to win the book Real Fitness Real Nutrition. First off, for shame. Reading books is very important. Second, is it too complicated because I'm making you EMAIL me instead of commenting? Okay then, you may leave comments on why you should win the book below along with your suggestions for head coverings. One person will win the book for the most creative, funny or bring the readers to tears comment. Another person will win a yet to be announced prize for the winning suggestion of which headgear I should purchase.

In effect, I am BRIBING you to put comments on my blog so I feel your love. Tis the season so hop on it.

One More Mile Winner!

Well I used the old random number generator this time. It's definitely not as fun as my other methods but I'm kind of strapped for time due to my inability to drag myself out of bed lately (which could be a result of being so stressed out about my job). Anyway, there were 34 eligible entries in the contest (one comment was mine, the other that got disqualified was the person who put all entries in one comment indicating they did not read my directions. Sorry buddy). You don't care about that shit though so here ya go:

Courtney of I Can Do This come on down! Or shoot me an email (fromfat2fab2009@gmail.com) letting me know your email address so I can get you your gift certificate to One More Mile!

One More Mile Giveaway Extended

I am the queen of extending giveaways. Here's the deal- I'm heading to Athens for the weekend for UGAs homecoming (if we lose to Vandy the giveaway may be off due to death by alcohol poisoning. Ruled a suicide even without a note because it will be that obvious I did it on purpose to stop watching the downward spiral....). So the contest is going through Monday at midnight (thats 10/18/2010) for those of you who need dates. Be sure to head over here and follow the entries.

Also, if I were an unfair person, I'd just give it to Ms. Boyd who buttered me up with her sweet comment about me being the bright spot in her day. No pressure to me or anything. Thanks for reading :)

And finally, I'm going to be late to work because I stopped to write this. You're welcome.

Adam is definitely NOT boring...and other odds and ends

Okay, I admit, I am FAILING my blog these days. In my defense I have a lot of shit going on. Plus I have the post- half marathon BLUES. Seriously, my body and I seem to be at war about what to do next. It wants to sleep and I want to rock'n'roll. Like do SOMETHING. Unfortunately, a pinched nerve in my lower back is preventing me from doing a whole hell of a lot. Which doesn't leave me much to blog about except...

Oh yeah, Adam of I Am Boring fame won a sweet subscription courtesy of ME and blogged about it. Let me just say, if Adam keeps up these types of photo shoots his site might crash and it will need to be renamed because it is anything but boring. His wife is a lucky woman judging from these photos.

In other news, yesterday was a big day for me. First, I had my first personal training session in two weeks. Whew it was like I had never worked out before. Drill Sergeant Cassandra put me through the paces and while I felt fine during and afterward...today? Not so much. Yeah, my legs and ass could really use a massage. I wanted to ask my gym crush to handle that for me but the gym doesn't afford much privacy for rub downs. Back to yesterday, I also signed a lease on my new apartment in Atlanta! Instead of being on the outside looking in, I will be on the inside looking out. Probably, I'll end up hating my decision but whatever the apartment is GORGEOUS. I will post pictures as soon as I move in (which is sadly like a month away).

Today I read Self (yes, I am a magazine whore) and found some interesting shit in there. It's like Self has decided "fuck it, these women will do what they want so why not spin it into some positives?" I like your style Self magazine. There might have to be a giveaway soon so you guys can adopt the same attitude. Heather, still waiting on a few pieces but the bulk of it is in and boxed nicely. Though I may have to decorate the box a la Pretty Whimsical. Way to step up the game!Anyway, some gems mined from the pages of this months Self:

• Fueling up with Protein pre-workout can speed up your metabolism (thank god for my GNC shakes. Maybe I should review those sometime for you people).
• Running seem harder for you and than for your pal?(ahem, Barbie) It's in your DNA!
• Check out there Self Healthy Food Awards. I just made over my entire shopping list.
• Anyone watch the Olympics? My love (I have a lot of them) Apolo Anton Ohno yawns A LOT before his race. Turns out, he's not just doing it as his own mental quirk to get prepared for a race. Brain scans reveal that yawning activates areas responsible for social awareness and feelings of empathy. The oxygen you take in during a yawn actually helps you stay focused!
• Healthy people have more sex and its better (ummmm because they are hotter? that's my assumption).
• There is a whole article about doing the dirty deed like a guy. Revamp your mentality about sex and your whole life will be better. I really like their advice to expect an orgasm every time.
• Looking for some honesty? Ask direct questions in a well-lit room and that's what you'll get.
• If you want to have babies, steer clear of the article on childbirth. The girls story is scary enough to keep me far from that ledge.

Also, I am going to make more of an effort to blog on the reg. Unfortunately, I am pretty ambitious about my blogging and the three separate blogs take up some serious time. If only I didn't have a job....

Oh, shit...yeah, someone won...and stuff

So, today I got a package in the mail. I won a giveaway and completely forgot! Then I remembered back on June 24th, I had a contest end and needed to draw a winner. Whoops. Soooo...I thought about using the random number generator but I'm enjoying not using it. Whooooaaaaa rebel! So, this time around, instead of using my super awesome MASH method, I decided to go the numerology route. Kind of. Soooo.... my birthday is 1/10/1984.

1+1+0+1+9+8+4= 24

Which means that when I subtract out my running commentary, the 24th entry belongs to Ms. Erica H over at I Run Because... I Can! Erica is the lucky winner of a $20 gift certificate to One More Mile! Erica, shoot me an email at fromfat2fab2009@gmail.com and I'll get that over to you!

As for the super awesome thing I won... A necklace from Pretty Whimsical courtesy of Sticky Fingerprints!

The package was decorated! So fun!

Look how cute! It comes in a tin and Stacey included a note :)

My scrabble piece! How cute. I can't wait to find some awesome ribbon to put this on!

LAST DAY!

Last chance to enter the I WON A PRIZE SO YOU SHOULD TOO! giveaway. And yes, I just named the giveaway on the last day. For those of you not in the know, that would be a $20 gift certificate to One More Mile. Hop on that with a quickness.

Also, tomorrow I head to Boston for a weekend with Team Challenge complete with a 13.1 mile run....YIKES.

And finally, I leave you with a question. This week has been a rough one for me in terms of getting my ass out of bed and working out. Luckily its been a taper week but it still concerns me that I've been so tired and sluggish even with the extra 2 hours of sleep I'm getting due to not hitting the gym. Yes, the question is coming. Anyway, I'm hoping some of you guys can help me out by telling me what you do to get a pick me up when sleep is NOT an option? How do you break a funk? I'm super concerned since next week I will be in a different locale AND coming off my half marathon. When I return home, will I still have the drive that carried me up until this week?

Heads Up

Posting is going to be light in the next week and a half and here's why:

1. I'm looking for a new job while working 40 hours PLUS overtime AND contract at the job I currently hold.
2. I have three stories due to Blush Magazine and I haven't had a chance to start them yet.
3. I'm tapering for the Boston 13.1 this weekend.
4. I fly to Boston on Friday, run my race on Sunday and then hop in a car and drive to New Jersey on Sunday or Monday depending on my dad's plans.
5. My grandmother is battling lung cancer. She had been doing really well but two weeks ago dementia set in. She is now grinding up her pills and stuffing them into the couch. Also, she gets up to go to work at 5 am when she hasn't worked in over a decade. My mom has asked me to fly home to see her because she doesn't think my grandmother has much longer. So I am taking the lap top and going there to see her and work.
6. I'm hunting for an apartment. I have to be out of mine by August 8th. One bedrooms are hard to find. At least in my price range.
7. My apartment is a fucking mess. I hesitated to drop that f bomb but quite honestly, I think I had trouble sleeping last night because my apartment is such a mess that I thought there'd be roaches and all manner of disgusting creepy crawlies coming out to get me while I slept. I know. I'm fucking weird.

Anyway, just stumbled across this giveaway and I want them so here you go- enter to win some sweet Ryder sunglasses. When one of you wins and I don't, you can thank me on your blog. Or mine. Either way.

I'm also fairly certain my giveaway ends sometime this week so you should probably check that out if you haven't done so already. Something like a One More Mile gift certificate is up for grabs if you enter by June 24th. Scroll back to the post titled I Won! I Won! I Won! becuase I'm too lazy to link it.

And, what's a race report without a camera? I can't fathom how you people run and take photos but if you are one of them awesome people, enter here to win a Canon Powershot :)

Damn Girrrrrl

Someone just posted this picture of me, and I can't help but notice how hot I look...minus the tan lines. Whoops forgot the sunscreen when I was at the pool/lake (sorry Adam, guess I should have entered your giveaway). So, I had to post the picture. Check out that cupid shuffle, bitches. Don't be jealous but its kind of my jam.

I am the chick in the blue floral dress. Yes, I am that hott.

In other news, I have a giveaway that I know is ending at some point soon. So you should probably hit that up here. (Heather, your stuff is in the process of all being ordered and delivered to me. Then I will package them up and ship them to you! Patience, little winner).

Just stumbled on this website...and there is a giveaway. So check, check, check that out. The jewelry she is giving away is in honor of her training and cute as can be. I want running jewelry damnit.

And I think I've made it clear that I would like to win a RoadID. So clear, in fact, that my girl over at My Reason to Run posted a giveaway. Okay it probably had nothing to do with me but I'm working on my self-esteem here people. Why oh why won't I just order the damn thing myself? Your guess is as good as mine.

I May Be a Slacker...

But other people are just a blogging away!

• Sticky Fingerprints is giving away some of my most favorite gear ever- a Skirt Sports running skirt. I've reviewed both the SkirtChaser 5K and the skirt I ran in so you know I entered!
• Endurance Isn't Only Physical is giving away a Road ID and damnit I want it! I know, I'm not the safest runner out there but money can be spent on more "fun" things like...running clothing, booze, UGA attire...
• MORE Running skirts courtesy of Run Momma, Run! Gosh, there sure are a lot of you Mom's out there.
• More Sticky Fingerprints and More Road ID!

Also, since I'm here...can I just say I bought a sports bra for $16.99 at Target yesterday and LOVE IT. I bought it because I am out of quarters to do laundry and needed a sports bra for this morning (I know, it really makes no sense to me either. Don't try to figure out my logic, just go with it). It is the BEST sports bra I own. I would kill for a Nike sports bra because I love their products but my measly budget won't cover that want. Target has a great 30% off section, that I bought my Train Like a Girl sports bra (featured in the first ever topless photo post) for a cheap $10. So I will slowly inch away from my cotton bras by perusing this section whenever I get the opportunity and buy whatever cotton-free sports bras they have in my size. Sadly yesterday, the white with crisscrossing hot pink stripes one I had been coveting only came in a size XL and I am officially a size medium! Back to the bra I bought though, it fits like a dream and definitely wicks moisture. I felt totally dry by the time I hit the locker room. And the color was extremely feminine and looked great peeking out of my black tank- what a confidence booster. Absolutely no chafing, no weird twisting or movement and adjustable straps. I give it 5 stars!

Yes, that is a 40oz of Miller Lite with my brand new awesome sports bra.

And the Winner is...

Okay, first, can I just say I had a softball game last night to kick off the summer season. And I've been in a bit of a slump batting-wise (and a lot of other things, too- don't judge). Anyway, I connected with the ball all three times I was up to bat though twice I got out :( Big sad face for that. BUT ONE TIME, I stretched a single into a double due to an overthrow and BARELY made it to second base. I was so happy I wanted to jump up and down but then they could have tagged me midair and how embarrassing would that have been? Anyway, the next batter hits it on the ground so I start to go....but then i realize it missed the hole and the third baseman HAD THE BALL. I immediately start heading back to second as he makes the throw. Now, excuse me, for those of you who haven't sucked complete ass so bad that people cringe when you get up to bat, you may not understand my desire to be back on that bag. At the last second, noticing that the second baseman was not actually on the bag and assuming (correctly) that she wouldn't expect it, I went to the ground. The wet, disgusting infield. Head first, diving for the bag. Not only was I safe, but I took about 1/2 of the infield dirt home with me- in my shorts, my sports bra, caked on my stomach, my legs and arms. I even had it in my mouth and all over my face. But, I was not about to lose that base. I was going to touch homeplate if it killed me. Now, I have some awesome scratches all up my legs and knees and all over my stomach. Apparently, sliding in shorts without knee socks and without my shirt tucked in wasn't the best plan of attack. But I wanted it baby.

The worst part? We lost the game. Another big sad face. But as Coach James put it, "We're never going to play this badly again this season. Way to get it out of our systems."

Oh, I'm sorry, you wanted to know who won an awesome prize pack with thirteen things?!?!?! Well, that lovely gift goes to Miss Heather, who not only donated generously but also became a follower of my blog and tweeted my contest out AND has two neighbors who suffer from Crohn's. So, I think it's fair to say that though I used my super-scientific MASH method of deciding that luck was on her side and it was fitting for her to win it! Heather, shoot me an email at erin.grantham@gmail.com and let me know your address and your choice of Words to Sweat By towel! CONGRATS!

For everyone else, don't forget about my One More Mile Giveaway!

Also, a big HELLO! to some of my new followers: Alanna, Amanda and Michelle!

Not Feeling So Hot...

I'm feeling funky...yesterday and today. Today I was scheduled 5 miles and I just COULD. NOT. BRING. MYSELF. TO. DO. IT. So, I hit the stair climber (20 minutes STRAIGHT THROUGH!) and then the bicycle. I might try for a run tonight but I have this one blister on my little toe that is basically my little toe in it entirety and my shoe squeezes it. Walking is even painful. So, I don't know how I'm going to take care of this puppy but I will.

25 DAYS UNTIL THE BOSTON 13.1 AGGGHHH!

Giveaways:

• 13 prizes for Team Challenge/CCFA ENDS TODAY! Hurry and enter :)
• Also, my One More Mile Giveaway began yesterday!
• Keep On Keeping On is celebrating her 100th post with a cute shirt from Running Chics!
• Run To The Finish likes to shop and wants you to shop too with her $80 CSN giveaway!

I Won! I Won! I Won! I Won!

Is there anything better than winning something for free? For just perusing a blog and following directions you can do from your desk? I think not, my friends. And I should know, as I was told yesterday THAT I WON A GIVEAWAY! My very first running blog giveaway. Check, check, check it out! I already picked my car magnet and got so excited about the One More Mile store that I decided to host ANOTHER giveaway and I haven't even announced the winners of this giveaway yet! Whoo!

Anyway, hit up the one more mile store and peruse the site so that if you win you can tell me what you want! The nitty, gritty (aka the 3 rules to enter):

1. Be a follower. If you aren't a follower yet, connect to me through Google Friend Connect and then let me know you've done so. If you are a follower, just remind me (though I'm not likely to forget you since you are one of only 28).
2. Follow me on Twitter.
3. Link this post to your twitter, blog, facebook, email it out. I don't care- just pass the word and leave me a comment letting me know you've done so.

Leave me one comment per entry, meaning if you do all three things then you leave three separate comments. Double WIN: The 35th follower will receive a car magnet of their choosing. Winner will receive a $20 gift certificate to the one more mile store! Giveaway ends on June 24th at midnight EST.

Also, today and tomorrow are your LAST days to enter for the chance to win 13 prizes in honor of my Half Marathon for CCFA and Team Challenge. A recap- you have a chance to win:

1. BodyGlide
2. Team Challenge T-Shirt
3. Team Challenge WaterBottle
4. More Team Challenge Goodies of some sort that is a surprise even to me!
5. Back to Nature Chocolate Delight Granola
6. iTunes Giftcard
7. Words to Sweat By towel
8. Jelly Belly sports beans
9. Bondi Band
10. Starbucks Giftcard
11. Gu Variety pack
12. The Runners Guide to the Meaning of Life
13. Asics mesh bag to tote it all around in

10, 11, 12, and 13

Prize #10: is a gift card to Starbucks because there is always a day we could use a little ummmppphhh in our lives. Mine occur on all days ending in....DAY. so thanks for joining me on those days.



Prize #11: Gu of some sort. I don't eat the shit so if you do I'll let you pick. Otherwise you're hoping I pick a flavor you like that does big things. So think long and hard before you say, "I don't care...." In fact, forget letting you pick, I'll buy you guys a sampler pack. That's how much I love you. But if you love ME you'll send me mucho followers!



Prize #12: The Runners Guide to the Meaning of Life. Apparently running is good for more than athleticism. I'll let this book explain it more eloquently then I could dream of!



Prize #13: Asics Mesh bag to carry all your awesome new shit for free you got from me because I was begging you to be my friend. And I mean begging. And by begging I mean praying you might throw a dollar or two toward my run. For realz. You can choose from pink, blue or black!



So, head over to the original post and figure out how to possibly win all 13 or NONE of these prizes :) You have until June 2nd to win and so far...I have 4 entrants! You don't want to miss out! Good luck to Ben, Ethan, Heather and C Elmore!

Feelin Fine at 9

Giveaway update- real quick- gotta hit the bed so I can get up EARLY and run 10 miles.

Prize #9: Bondi Bands. Why? Because I keep entering to win them and so far I am FAILING. If I'm going to buy one it might as well be for an awesome reader. Don't worry they come in all kinds of styles for kids, men and women. I'll be real nice and let you pick. Then you can tell me how much you love it :)

Also, just in case you can't win it here, you can enter to win Bondi Bands over at Sticky Fingerprints (adore this blog so add it! Immediately!)

** Remember my giveaway ends June 2nd, so head back to the original post to enter 13 prizes!

Could Not Have Said It Better

This might be a new weekly post for me. Just whenever I stumble across something motivating or funny or whatever. Anyway, while on Daily Mile, I came across this comment about someone's workout. In fact, go friend Rob K right now if you haven't done so!

"Had to pick up the pace today to make it to beer o'clock."

Yes, yes, you did. I shall repeat this to myself tomorrow on my 10 mile run!

** Don't forget to enter the giveaway contest for 13 prizes in honor of my Boston 13.1 for Team Challenge!

Giveaway Update

Heyo! Welcome to my two newest PUBLIC followers- 24 was a good year for me so I can dig 24 public followers. Thanks for stopping by the ol bloggy blog. Why did I say that? I have no freaking idea. Anyway...

Giveaway update: Prizes 6 and 7 and 8 revealed!

Prize 6: One thing that gets me going for a run- be it 20 minutes or 2 hours and 39 minutes (the time of my first and last half marathon) is TUNES. I've only had one race where I didn't really hear the music and the one time I did tune back in it was a TERRIBLE song. I firmly believe it threw me off my rhythm and skewed my time. Anyway, prize # 6 is an iTunes giftcard so you can add some fresh beats to your running mix. Not sure what songs to add, head back in time to my post on running music sites and pick up some tips and tunes from the experts!







Prize 7: I need one of these. Or any kind of towel really. I just DRIP at the gym and I'm sure no one enjoys seeing it (not even gym crush or creepy guy). I can also use all the motivation I can get. So I'm throwing one of these awesome towels in for you to enjoy! Probably I would want the No Excuses towel but since I'm feeling generous, the winner can pick the one they want. I'm so giving.





Prize 8: The other thing that got me through my half marathon was a little token our Endurance Manager, Angel, gave to us the night before the race. I cracked this bag open at mile 9 and ate a few every time I felt my energy flag. No idea if they actually work or if I just tricked myself into thinking they do but I like candy. And they taste like candy so its a win in my book. Therefore, the winner gets a pack, or two, or three of Jelly Belly Sports Beans!



Just click on this link to go to the entry post and follow the directions. Remember YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DONATE TO WIN. (** update I am a mere $141 away from my goal!) You have until June 2nd to enter so HURRY. So far only EZEthan and Celmore have entries! Personally, I'd like to keep this prize pack myself but I can't so you should enter :)

Giveaway Revealed...prize 1, 2, 3, and 4

Okay, so as you know, I am throwing together a giveaway to correspond with my last ditch fundraising efforts for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America through Team Challenge. On June 27th, I will be running my 2nd half marathon in Boston. I am super excited but time is running out to donate my money and if I can't raise enough, I can't go. So, in typical Berryfine fashion I'm winging it and throwing together a super awesome prize pack of which I will slowly reveal as this week continues. Be sure to go back to the original post to enter the contest and see the details.

Anyway...

Prize 1- Well, this morning I had a shit start to my day. I couldn't make myself get out of bed for 10 minutes. This is a particularly annoying issue on a Tuesday or Thursday as I like to get a 30 minute run in before Cassandra the Devil comes at me (want to know what I did today, hit up a basketball court and try some moving pushups- one time to halfcourt and back. That was just to start). Anyway, after delaying the inevitable in my ridiculously comfortable bed I finally got it together. But just when I thought I might actually squeeze the 30 minutes in...My BODYGLIDE went missing. Therefore, I'll be tossing a BodyGlide into the prize pack. I can't say enough good things about the shit- especially after gobbing on vaseline as a poor substitute. So HURRAY BodyGlide!

Prizes 2, 3 and 4- In a fit of desperation, I emailed my endurance manager, the INCREDIBLE Angel Whitworth, and said HELP! I explained to her my dilemma and the decision to hastily throw together a giveaway and she said she'd love to help! Therefore, you can show your love for CCFA and Team Challenge and rock an awesome waterbottle (I run with mine constantly), a sweet t-shirt and assorted goodies that she's yet to bestow upon me. 1.4 Million Americans suffer from Crohn's and Colitis and you can spread the word just by sporting the goods :)

Also, I mentioned I would tell you about my honored teammates. I'm going to start with the one closest to me and work my way out from there. The inspiration behind my decision to join Team Challenge is my Daddy. I am most definitely a Daddy's Girl ( has listened to me whine and moan about some stuff I doubt he could care less about, helped take me in after college and headed to NYC, drove all my stuff back to Atlanta when I failed in NYC and just is generally pretty awesome). I doubt I would have ever developed an interest in running if it weren't for him.

My strongest high school memory involves a track meet at Greater Atlanta Christian School. I was 15 and running in the finals of the 400. And my dad flew into town and got to see me run it. I did my best time (admittedly not the best time in the world but MY best time) and I think 50% of it was knowing he was there because I have never matched that time since and he hasn't been to one since! But that memory has been replaced by an even better memory. You see, when I was a kid my dad suffered in silence. Back then (oh so long ago in the 90s) not much was known about Colitis and it took a while to determine that is what he had. There was not much they could do and nothing seemed to help. So they decided to take out his colon. Not only is colitis painful to the point of preventing people from living their lives but it can also lead to colon cancer. He has a scar spanning is torso (chest to just below his belly) and had a lovely bag collecting pee when he first came home.

So when a pamphlet came in the mail in Jan 09 I decided I had to do it for him- to show him I saw what he went through and to thank him for being a parent throughout that ordeal. I don't imagine it was easy for him having to balance weekends with his two children and a disease he couldn't seem to combat. Anyway, in July of last year I flew to California and ran the Wine Country 1/2marathon from Napa to Sonoma. I barely trained because I lack discipline and I was already nervous. After spending the night before the race meeting honored teammates and other runners I was wiped out...until I got off the bus at my hotel and saw my Daddy standing there. He flew from New Jersey to watch me run for him. It was a total shock to me and I admit even now telling the story makes me cry. He has been my biggest supporter and fundraiser- emailing everyone he knows and collecting money to donate in his name so his company will match. I absolutely would not be where I am in any aspect of my life (or this race) without him.

It is for him that I run my 1/2 marathons.

Research is crucial to finding a cure for Crohn's and Colitis. And funding is necessary to make that happen. Therefore, people like me make a huge effort to do what we can to get the word out and beg people like you to do what you can. Donations are always awesome and taken with a HUGE smile no matter the amount (this little girl at the gym handed me $.50 the other day for it!). But even just spreading the word helps a ton! So thank you to everyone who has donated or mentioned to their friends my journey :) More prizes and stories of strength and courage from my honored teammates are to come!