The REEBOK Spartan Race™, global leader in Obstacle Racing since 2005, was designed by seven insane ultra athletes and a Royal Marine…. So as you can imagine, it truly takes that ‘next leap’ that other Mud Runs and Adventure Races just don’t quite reach.
“It is in you, I promise. BUT you must LET IT OUT”
I’ve always believed that fitness should be truly FUN but it should also test you and push you to places you never dreamed of. The Spartan Race is bringing all of that to the table, in one
There are three different ‘levels’ of the Spartan Race that you can run. The Spartan Sprint, The Super Spartan, and the Spartan Beast…. Which, to be fair… They are all entirely beasts of their own, believe me!
The Spartan Sprint - 3+ miles of muddy, hilly terrain accompanied by 15+ obstacles along the course. Beginners to hardcore warriors, and marathon runners alike come out to test themselves on the insane obstacles!
The Super Spartan – 8+ miles with over 20+ obstacles on the battlefield to test not only your physical, but also mental strength. This mud bath will test your limits and push you further than you knew you were capable of!
The Spartan Beast – 12+ miles with 25+ obstacles from HELL. If you have done any race anywhere in the world: whether a mud run, fun run, olympic run, bike race, death march or any kind of event claiming to be the “toughest race on the planet” you will be happy to know that this is where it ends..THIS IS THE SPARTAN BEAST… Top 3 male and female finishers of the Spartan Beast get a free entry into the… (drum roll please..) DEATH RACE!!!
Look like a hellaciously good time?!?! I sure think so!! I have been itching to run a Spartan race for a couple of years now. & believe you me, now that I live in a large city, It is happening in the next year!
LUCKY FOR YA’LL!!! the bad ass folks who make the magic happen with the REEBOK Spartan Race™, have been kind enough to let one of y’all walk away with a FREE entry into any Spartan Race in the Continental US (I’m sorry my loves to the north!)
On top of all that exciting jazz, even if you don’t win.. They are offering a 15% discount to any qualifying Spartan Event!! Just head over to this link.
Giveaway Time:
Here’s the rules folks! You have until Next Wednesday, May 29 to enter the giveaway. All you have to do is:
Tweet About the Giveaway (You can do this once per day)
Leave a comment on the blog telling me which Spartan Event you would attend, and why you would like to run one!
Leave a separate comment for each one, and remember to come back each day to up your chances of winning!! Winners will be announced next Playlist Thursday!
Betsy is a mother, runner, country music lover, blogger, FitFluential Ambassador and a member of the Idiots Running Club. You can connect with her through her blog The Everyday Warrior. Or on Facebook and Twitter.
If you are a runner you have probably been honked at a time or two during one of your runs.
With that being said, it seems like people fall on either one side or the other on this issue. You either hate it or love it.
I love it! And here’s why.
1) It makes my good runs even better.
Last week I set out to see how fast I could run a 5k. (One of my goals for 2012 is to run a 5k race in 27 minutes or less.) On that day, I was making great time and I felt great too! It was one of those runs where everything just seemed to click! About halfway through my run two guys in a truck started honking at me. I couldn’t help but smile and be appreciative of the encouragement. It’s nice to have your hard work recognized, even if by strangers! And btw, I ran the 5k in 26:30! Woot! (Now to replicate that in a race!)
2) It makes my bad runs seem not as bad.
A couple of weeks ago I had a really bad run. I left for my 6 mile long run without using my inhaler (I have exercise induced reactive airway) and I realized my oversight when I was a half mile out. I wasn’t having any breathing difficulties at that moment so I figured if I just took it easy and didn’t push myself I could get through the run without incident. Around mile 3 my chest started to feel heavy and I was only able to take short breaths. I was running an out and back so I had no choice but to keep pressing on, I had to get home one way or another. To help ease my breathing, I took MANY walking breaks which is not the norm for me. I was exhausted, hot, sweaty and could not wait for the run to be over. About a half a mile from the end of the run, someone honked at me. And I remember thinking, “Really?? I look and feel like a hot mess!” But I have to be honest, despite feeling awful it put a little pep back into my run!
I should clarify that although I enjoy getting encouraging honks from passerbys, I do not embrace being harassed or disrespected by people. I have not ever been a victim of this but I know many runners who have been. Nothing would flip my bitch switch faster than someone being an asshat. What I am talking about here is friendly and encouraging honks.
So how do you feel about getting honked at while you are running? Do you love it or hate it? Why?
As a lot of you already know, Saturday was my birthday.
It was truly a great birthday, for the mere fact that it was nothing fancy. I didn’t have a huge party. I didn’t get to go camping like I had originally planned. It was just — relaxing. I spent the day with my husband-to-be discussing growing old together, hanging out by the pool, running, and drinking vodka-lemonades. (then going to work slightly buzzed.) There are not very many days that we can just hang out together, alone, with nothing on the agenda — so it was actually quite special to get to do that for my birthday…. Even if it was interrupted in the evening by adult responsibilities.
Oh, and also — some of you already saw this because I shared it on instagram when it was posted, however — we were submitted to our local newspaper back home. We had decided we aren’t doing an engagement photo shoot. We just don’t see the point. We have billions of photos together, and we already have a professional grade photo that we are using for our save-the-dates… We also decided we weren’t doing an egagement announcement. One of MY biggest fears about wedding day is, well — being the center of attention. It just makes me uncomfortable. I have severe stage fright. So, I didn’t want to submit an announcement.
But — his family decided to be sneaky & team up with my mom to submit one.
I have to admit, I am so glad that they decided to go against our decision. They knew us better than we know ourselves. It secretly makes me smile from ear to friggin ear to see it in print. They’re mailing us a copy of the newspaper so we can save the clipping. It’s something that we’ll look back at in the years to come and smile fondly remembering how our family did something so cute. I know announcements are totally normal, but its the adorable way they went about it! LUB OUR FAMILIES SO MUCH (oh if you want to see the article online you can scoot on over to the post journal online over here)
in other news I fell in love with this dog over the weekend and decided that as soon as Z & I move next summer and get a yard, we’re getting a sheltie. They’re pretty much the best dog in the world.
LOOK HOW PRETTY SHE IS. love her. want her. must adopt one just like her next year.
oh and I vlogged.
I am now 6 days out from my first post-injury race. I vlogged. My second vlog ever. I look like a dirt bag that just rolled out of bed.. (or ran 4 miles. either way) anddddd I should probably just stop making videos but y’all keep asking me to, so FINE YOU WIN
seriously, watch at your own risk. It aint pretty
But – I’m making a point this Summer to check in via youtube after every workout. Now, I’m not always going to publish these videos to my blog, no one wants that.. But — I have a LOT of goals this summer that I need to make sure I accomplish. Posting videos for the entire internet to see is a huge way to make sure I stay on top of these goals. Plus, its a great way to break into the world of vlogging. I’m afraid of the camera….. It’s why I laugh too much during videos, its why I look away from the camera. Over time I want to kill this fear of the camera. I mean, one day I’m going to be on the Food Network, right?! Can’t be bashful then!
Anyways, if you want to keep up with these workout check-ins feel free to subscribe to my youtube channel. My username is NeitzelC!
***IF YOU WANT TO FOLLOW SWEAT TO STREET ON TWITTER OR PLAN ON TWEETING YOUR POST, PLEASE USE THE HASHTAG #SweatToStreet***
Sweat to Street has been created as a place to link up your favorite outfits of the week as a new Sunday blog feature. The idea is to have some fun and change it up! Each week we encourage you to post one workout outfit and one outfit you wore that isn’t fitness related.
STREET:
This weekend Zack and I went out to celebrate my upcoming birthday & his new job. While my birthday isn’t until next Saturday – it was the only chance we had to go out and celebrate just the two of us. Next weekend we’re going camping back home with friends. (Side note: EEEEE!! CANT WAIT) I took the opportunity to wear my new Summer Dress! Summer dress weather is hands down the best of the year. All around.
But that’s not all I’m showing off today!!! My incredible, fiance got me a beautiful ring from my favorite jeweler of all time, Brilliant Earth. If you haven’t heard of their jewelry, do yourself the favor & wander on over!
The boy did good, y’all!!!! More than good, he did GREAT! I am in love with sapphire, AND halo rings. gahhhhh. LOVE HIM. Can not wait to go home & camp out with him and so many of our friends for my birthday!
There was a lot of sweating going on this week! Felt great. But that’s neither here nor there at the moment
Every week we spotlight one awesome blogger who links up with us in the previous week! Our way of thanking you for sharing your fabulous/fun/fitness style!
This week’s featured blogger: Sarah from Sarah Learns
Today, I took my very first DNS. For those non-runners out there, DNS stands for “Did Not Start” a race…. While it’s better than having a “DNF” next to my name, or re-injuring myself.. It still wasn’t exactly wanted, by any means.
I was actually very surprised when I woke up, angry that I wasn’t running the Mini10k. I steered clear of Twitter as so many of my friends were out there running and kicking some NYC booty…. I had really been looking forward to this particular race. It was going to be my first Race in NYC, it went through Central Park… GORGEOUS. A crapload of my friends were running. I have also never raced a 10k. I’ve done a 1 mile. Plenty of 5ks… 10 Miler, Half Mary…. But never a 10k.. I was really looking forward to tackling that distance.
However, the incredible running community, and awesome friends I have on twitter quickly came and rescued me from my anger. After a few pep talks, I know I made the right choice. Racing a 10k after being sidelined from an injury for 3 weeks is not smart. Especially considering – my issue isn’t fixed yet. It’s going to be a process aligning my hips. I know for a fact if I would have ran that 10k, I’d have walked away with a medal for finishing, but in the exact same situation I was in after Warrior Dash.
So I sit here with mixed feelings. I’ll of course be longingly wishing I did the mini until next year, but I also know 100% it was the right choice. I’m proud of myself for knowing when not to push it, and in the end there’s always another race.
Instead of wallowing in anger I’m lacing up the shoes to get in a couple miles. It is gorgeous out there after all!
***IF YOU WANT TO FOLLOW SWEAT TO STREET ON TWITTER OR PLAN ON TWEETING YOUR POST, PLEASE USE THE HASHTAG #SweatToStreet***
Sweat to Street has been created as a place to link up your favorite outfits of the week as a new Sunday blog feature. The idea is to have some fun and change it up! Each week we encourage you to post one workout outfit and one outfit you wore that isn’t fitness related.
Sweat:
Fitness Magazine Blogger Meet n Tweet… I guess that would be called Street but since they asked us to wear our favorite Fitness Apparel TOPS: Nike PANTS: LuLulemon SHOES: Birkenstock
STREET:
For the life of me I can’t remember where I got this top. Oops.
Every week we spotlight one awesome blogger who links up with us in the previous week! Our way of thanking you for sharing your fabulous/fun/fitness style!
I’m sitting here, staring at my computer, thinking about yesterday and I just don’t even know how to put it into words. The day was incredible. I am so thankful to be a part of the FitFluential community. Words don’t describe it. I am even more thankful for the wonderful people I met… Until I started blogging, I would have never imagined so many people making sure I’m okay alone in the big city who I had never met. I would have NEVER imagined someone I talked to on twitter offering me a ride from the hotel. I would have never imagined being so comfortable with people I had “never met” & I CERTAINLY never imagined I would walk away from any event with a Fitness Enthusiasts POT OF GOLD (aka swag bag sent straight from my personal heaven!)
The day started with Jen & Josephine rescuing me from having to treck across the city, most likely getting lost along the way to the event! (THANK YOU AGAIN<;3) These two ladies have been some of my favorite twitter friends for some time now!! We were already planning on meeting up at the NYRR Mini 10k next month, but FitBlogNYC sped up that process. & Just like I KNEW we would, we instantly got along smashingly from the second I got in the car. We were off… Ever so slowly thanks to traffic. But we were off none the less.
After circling the same few city blocks a few times we were finally parked and excited to start the #FitBlogNYC event!
As soon as we walked up the stairs to the 2nd floor, it all became real. Here we are!! Insert a “OH LOOK I GET A NAME BADGE, OOOOU” moment in my head here. (Yes, this was my first Blogger event. lol)
I looked up after checking in, and started really taking it all in. There were brand stations kind of circling the place with a stage in the back where the seminars would be going on. When we checked in, we were given a…. well treasure hunt so to speak You were to go to each station and get a little star from them and along the way we got little pieces of treasure, that led us to the BIG treasure bag at the end of the day.
A HUGE, giant, you kick so much booty, thank you to Reebok, V8 Fusion, Schick, Oakley, Vichy, Birkenstock, Kiwi Sweat, Pure Protein and the other various brands who participated in the FITNESS Bloggers Meet n Tweet. To say I left with double the amount of things I arrived in the city with, would be an understatement… & I didn’t even go shopping!
Don’t worry, I ate WAY more than this But this is a sneak peak at the lunch they had available. Yum. That chicken was seasoned so well
Gym to Street Fashion Show (DID YOU SEE THAT. I wanted it so badly to say #SweatToStreet ;P )
Easy Beauty Secrets Q&A
How to Turn Your blog into a Business with CARLA BIRNBERG, who I adore<;3 and the sassy & lovely Kelly Olexa.
Pop Up Workout
My favorite session was obviously the How to Turn Your Business into a Blog, because like I said i lurrrrb Carla & the legendary Kelly
However, hands down the best part of this entire experience, was meeting all of the faces behind the tweets and blogs I love most! I am astonished how hilarious, gorgeous, and kind every single person was… You would never guess that most of us have never met.
The adorable Michele (@NYCRunningMama & NYCRunningMama.com) & LOL the look on Jen’s face. LOVING IT.
I met so many other people that I just didn’t get to snap a photo of or with But It was truly an awesome day full of new friends
oh & don’t get me started on the eye candy they hired to do the catering. YUM.
& Now, the part so many have been waiting for. The swag bag. This has been a very popular question since the event ended.
That’s only some of it!!! There are so many reviews & giveaways coming y’alls way!!
I have to say, I am really stoked to try out the Reeboks!! I tried them on when we were at the Reebok booth, and was over the moon when I saw they were the ones in our swag bag!! They are SO lightweight and SO comfortable!! I have never run in Reeboks, and I don’t think these will be great for running but I do think they’ll be awesome for hiking and working out & plain ol’ happy/comfy feet!!! As well as the Oakley’s!! So fabulous, they match my hair perfectly haha
After the event, Josie, Jen & I went to grab a bite to eat… We decided on Eataly. THAT is a blog post all of it’s own, as I seriously had a foodie religious experience while I was there. I was in heaven all. day. long.
Seriously, the fact that I can’t eat there every single day of my life breaks my heart (if I lived in NYC I would be a bazillion lbs)
All in all it was an awesome day. I had a great time at FitBlogNYC && a fabulous time with Jen and Josephine. However after an awesome couple of days in the big apple, I am happy to be home in my little suburb apartment
***IF YOU WANT TO FOLLOW SWEAT TO STREET ON TWITTER OR PLAN ON TWEETING YOUR POST, PLEASE USE THE HASHTAG #SweatToStreet***
Sweat to Street has been created as a place to link up your favorite outfits of the week as a new Sunday blog feature. The idea is to have some fun and change it up! Each week we encourage you to post one workout outfit and one outfit you wore that isn’t fitness related.
This week, I made a cardinal fashion sin. THREE TIMES. Never go shopping (and try things ON) immediately after a run or workout. (Or anytime you look like complete CRAP) Everything will look hideous on you. Especially when you’re still rocking your burnt orange hat from said run…
Seriously questioning why I’m posting these photos on the internet for the world to see.
Bikini Shopping – HAT: University of Texas BIKINI: Target GAUZE: Courtesy of my job
I actually wasn’t even meaning to buy any clothes when I found this top! But as soon as I saw it I knew it needed to be added to my Spring Wardrobe
Every week we spotlight one awesome blogger who links up with us in the previous week! Our way of thanking you for sharing your fabulous/fun/fitness style!
***IFYOU WANT TO FOLLOW SWEAT TO STREET ON TWITTER OR PLAN ON TWEETING YOUR POST, PLEASE USE THE HASHTAG #SweatToStreet***
Sweat to Street has been created as a place to link up your favorite outfits of the week as a new Sunday blog feature. The idea is to have some fun and change it up! Each week we encourage you to post one workout outfit and one outfit you wore that isn’t fitness related.
Sweat:
BRA: Nike SINGLET: Nike TEMPO SHORTS: Nike (seeing a theme here? ha) SHOES: Brooks Running Pure Connect FUEL: Honey Stinger Chews
Every week we spotlight one awesome blogger who links up with us in the previous week! Our way of thanking you for sharing your fabulous/fun/fitness style!
For those of you who are new to #SweatToStreet, Each week my fabulously fit co-hosts and I link up with one everyday outfit AND one fitness outfit that we love!
***IFYOU WANT TO FOLLOW SWEAT TO STREET ON TWITTER OR PLAN ON TWEETING YOUR POST, PLEASE USE THE HASHTAG#SweatToStreet***
Sweat to Street has been created as a place to link up your favorite outfits of the week as a new Sunday blog feature. The idea is to have some fun and change it up! Each week we encourage you to post one workout outfit and one outfit you wore that isn’t fitness related.
Sweat:
I received an incredible surprise package this week! Full of amazing Nike Running clothes.. I am seriously LOVING my orange singlet. I don’t usually like bright colors in my wardrobe, but running makes me LOVE it
To Street:
Technically I guess this isn’t street – but I am over the moon about it! My first post Culinary School Chefs Jacket! :D LOOK MA, I’M ALL GROWN UP
Every week we spotlight one awesome blogger who links up with us in the previous week! Our way of thanking you for sharing your fabulous/fun/fitness style!
Just head over to this link.
Can not wait to go home & camp out with him and so many of our friends for my birthday!
But It was truly an awesome day full of new friends 
