Does Mattress Hauling Count?

Didn't have a moment to run yesterday, however, I did manage to get some exercise in with my buddy Jeff.  We set up Trav & my brand new KING mattress yesterday evening.  HOLY CRAP!  Since it was only Jeff and myself (Goober was too sore from her lifting workout to help out this time), it was quite the sight to see us haul this GIANT mattress up 1.5 flights of stairs.  I yelled "Pivot!" at one point, which only made me laugh, thus rendering my strength completely useless and Jeff face-planted on the hardwood.  He was ok, but it was TOO funny.  We both got a good laugh.  In the process I got 5 papercut-like cuts on my fingers, a cut on my forearm and a banged up tricep (man, the mattress pinned me between the door jam and wall---owie!).  And, it was a workout, so I'm counting it. :P

New bed! Goober is enjoying it, and so is Murphy (who is the lump to the left of Goob)

Got a little run on the treadmill in after I put Goober to bed tonight.  Now that I purchased a jogging stroller rain cover, I'm hoping to use it.  That, or the weather could cooperate?  Wishful thinking.

Glad it's Friday tomorrow!  YAY!  Happy almost Friday everyone!

Getting Dekinkdefied

Oh boy.  I.AM.SORE.

Travis and I did a hardcore lifting session Sunday evening as Goober watched.  We totally wrecked ourselves with deadlifts, bench, bat swings, calf raises, punching bag, jumps, planks, side bends, squats, and some plyo.  *Phew!*

Last night's run was supposed to be a "recovery" run, but I just kept picking up the pace, which was actually frustrating.  My body was so achy, I felt ancient.  There were two giant boulders where my butt should've been and my quads were wicked tight.  You want to know one of the reasons I kept getting faster?  I was a little angry.  Here's why:

They're baaaaaack

CRAP BAGS!  I'm making that sign.  They first made an appearance last June, disappeared, then I guess the dog owner decided to get super lazy yet again.

Any last questions for me for the question post?  Anyone?  Anybody?  Bueller? 

Alright, I'm off to tackle the day with my little Goober doll and Murphy kitty.  Don't forget to check out the Road ID giveaway AND the new Running Giveaway Listing site Runner Swag (follow! be in the know!).

Road ID Review & Giveaway

You know that saying "Safety first?"  Well, it's uber important for an athlete...especially when out on the open road.  Since we aren't in that age where our medical info or identification is embedded in a microchip under our skin yet (I think?), the next best thing is to wear an ID of some sort.  A Road ID in particular.

Goober's is pink, mine's purple. Awwww.

I've had my Wrist ID Elite Road ID for some time now, prior to being contacted by OutsidePR for a review.  But when I was asked to test Road ID out for real, I jumped at the chance:  Goober goes running with me now, and she needed her own ID just in case.  I designed a Wrist ID Sport in girly pink for Miss Goober, and also ordered a bright blue Firefly for my night runs.  Sorry flashing blue Aetna light...I just don't like chasing you down the street.

Goober's ID has her name, full birthdate, hometown, 3 emergency phone numbers, a "NKA" (No Known Allergies) and "Baby Goober" for good measure.  My Road ID has my name, year of birth, hometown, 2 emergency contacts, my penicillin allergy alert and "Angelfish - LiveLoveLaugh" for luck.  That's some really important information in case anything happens to me during one of my solo runs with the Goob monster.  I truly hope my Road ID is never put to use...

"Don't go into the light, Carolann!"

The blue Firefly is pretty awesome.  It either blinks or is a constant LED light for all your night running safety needs.  I clip this bad boy on the back of my running hat and it stays put (unlike some other blue flashing lights that shall remain anonymous...).  My only gripe would be that turning the light on and off by twisting the top kind of hurts.  I always have to use my shirt as a buffer.  Owie.

 

I want you to be safe out there!!  And now for the giveaway!

One lucky winner will receive a $35 gift code for a Road ID.  

Here's the scoop on how to win:

(Please leave separate comments for each entry)

Mandatory entry:

• Go to Road ID's site and let me know what you would get (1 entry)

Additional entries:

• Follow RZR via Google Friend Connect, or let me know you already do (1 entry)
• "Like" Road ID on Facebook & let them know Run, Zoë, Run! sent you (1 entry)
• Follow Road ID on Twitter (@RoadID) (1 entry)
• "Like" Run, Zoë, Run! on Facebook (1 entry)
• Tweet this 
• "Stay safe out there! Your chance to win a @RoadID is with @RunZoeRun http://bit.ly/g7dnSG" 
• or Click Tweet
• Link to this giveaway on your blog, Twitter (include @RunZoeRun), or Facebook.  Let me know in a comment (1 entry each)

The giveaway will end at midnight Friday 4/8, with the winner picked via Random.org or Miss Goober if she feels so inclined.  Winner announced on Saturday the 9th.  OutsidePR will send the prize to the winner. :)

**Note:  All reviews are based on my own personal experience with the specific products I was provided with.  I received these products free of charge from RoadID/OutsidePR and was not compensated for my review. Gift card provided courtesy of RoadID.**

Bullet Points

A couple of things:

• ActiveWrap was kind enough to offer $5 off your order when you use blog5 at checkout.  Be sure to LIKE them on Facebook, too!
• I'm still up for answering any question you have for me.  See {this post}...apparently I may be an open book on this blog because there's not a lot people are curious about!
• I started a Running Giveaway listing site called "Runner Swag." Check it out.  If you want a giveaway posted to the site, then send me an e-mail to runnerswag@gmail.com with the info.
• Subscribe to Whooga's Newsletter and be entered to win a pair of ugg boots!  Easy as pie!  Click here to subscribe.
• My husband has Adonis DNA.
• Goober is obsessed with her tongue lately.  She's a goof.  

"No, Goober. The kitty binky doesn't go in your ear, silly."

• Congrats to TMB on getting a 34 minute marathon PR yesterday!

More later.  Happy Sunday!

Can Do 5K Recap

HAHAHAHAHAHA!

Well.  This race was, um, not my finest.  In fact, I was 2 seconds slower this year than last year.  But, I have a good reason, I suppose.

I MISSED the start of the race.

WHAT????  You read that correctly.  I was just chillin', watching some kids play on this awesome bubblewrap spread when I heard the starting gun.  What the #&*(!&???  According to my watch, I had about 7 minutes until the 8:50am start time.  Well, apparently the race people perhaps got too anxious and started early?  In a confused daze I asked some random dude with a bib number if this was the start to the 5K run and he said "it's for everything--the run and walk."  Crap!  I sprinted over the starting mat, fumbling to get my iPhone tunes working and dodging the walkers that I had started with.  I looked up ahead on the hill and saw that I was waaaaaaaaay far behind the starter runners.  Double crap!  To make up for lost time I was weaving around people like a freaking maniac, but I never really got my stride.  There was no stretching time, or even time to just gather my thoughts/wits/guts, just GO time.  And I was not in the zone.

Kids running on bubblewrap. My distraction apparently.

Ugh.  At least it didn't rain, right?  Yeah.  I knew somethings were just not going well when I got up this morning.  My stomach was not feeling very good and I was overcome with just a "blah" feeling.  A little bummed that Travis and Goober weren't going to join me, of course.  And, if you've run with me before, you may know that I never need to use the restroom hardly ever during a race or before a race.  Well, I needed the restroom before this race.  Bad omen much?

Oh well.  I got my 5K on.  And I somehow managed a decent placing.  Next year I'm bringing a friend, or two!


FINAL STATS:
Mileage - 3.1
Time - 25:35
Overall - 50 out of 654
Division Place - 3 out of 53 (F25-29)
Sex Place - 14 out of 421
Pace - 8:15

Post-race. The only pic I'll probably have of this race.

Whooga Ugg Boots Review

Remember that post a few weeks back about the boutique brand of ugg boots called Whooga uggs?  Well, here's the results of me testing out their tall black ugg boot.  Keep in mind that ugg boots are a type of boot (sheepskin), not a brand.  The brand "UGG Australia" just so happens to use "Ugg" in their name, so it confuses people...including me.


Now, I was an ugg skeptic.  To me, these boots should only be worn around the house because they looked too much like slippers, and they weren't very, um, pretty.  Well, I think I may have changed my mind.  Whooga Ugg boots are incredibly soft, warm, cozy, convenient, and simply scrumptious.  There I said it!  I'm no longer an ugg skeptic...I'm a FAN.

When the package arrived in the mail I was super stoked to begin wearing these boots, however, the condition of the packaging left me a little worried.  The box itself was pretty banged up, and there wasn't even a tissue covering over the boots.  If I'd been a paying customer, I would have probably been a little upset that my pretty boots weren't protected very well.  But alas, the boots were perfectly fine.

You're supposed to wear Whooga ugg boots without socks because:

• The sheepskin contains lanolin which promotes circulation and is a natural moisturizer
• The sole of the boot molds to your foot shape (just like a flip-flop sandal does)
• The thermofleece inner lining is supposed to regulate air flow around your foot, to keep your feet at the right temperature and reduce sweating (and smelly boots)

My Thoughts:
Initially the boots smelled a little like new foam/rubber and I just let them air out for a day and they were fine.  Also, I felt like the sole of the boot was a little tough, with little padding, but once I started wearing them they seemed to soften up a bit.  I definitely noticed that they kept my feet really warm, even without socks--and I've got notoriously clammy feet.  My feet did get a little sweaty at times, mainly when running around the house with Goober, but like I said before, my feet are clammy (really).  In terms of looks and construction, these boots are top notch: the stitching is well done, and the color is really rich.  I'm very impressed by all the colors Whooga offers on their site: from the well-known Chestnut color to the lush Violet.  I guess when I thought of ugg boots before, I immediately thought of the chestnut color and disregarded any other options.  I'm so glad I picked black!  To me, they can go with a ton of different wardrobe choices without looking to much like house slippers.

I use my Whooga boots while pacing with Goober during the night, and after a long run.  Comfiness is key!

PROS:

Sheepskin promotes circulation & warmth

Excellent construction equals a longer-lasting boot

Whooga customer service is fabulous

Boots are WARM!

Convenient: slip on and go

Lanolin is moisturizing

CONS:

With the black dye, some might run a little with initial use (just don't wear the black boots with white pants tucked in at first!)

Mailing package snafu

Be sure to check out Whooga's website and LIKE them on Facebook too.  Tell 'em Zoë sent ya!

**BONUS!**  Whooga was kind enough to extend the coupon code for a discount on their ugg boots for RZR readers! Just use 1402ZOERUN for 10% your order at checkout...sweet!!  Code expires on April 14th, so act fast.

**Note: All reviews are based on my own personal experience with the specific product I was provided with.  I received these ugg boots free of charge from Whooga and was not compensated for my review.**

Let Me Have It!

Cherry blossoms!

No running today.  Taking a little rest break, but that doesn't mean I haven't been active all day...Goober keeps me on my toes.  When she's taking naps and I'm in another room, she starts whimpering/crying and I ruuuuuuuuuun to give her her bink.  Then I ruuuuuuuuun back to whatever I was doing.  This necessitates a lot of stair running, too.  I'd like to think of it as my indoor fartleks. ;)

So here's the deal, I'm going to jump on the question bandwagon....

Ask me anything. That's right.  Anything.  

(Well, except what my Social Security number is. Sorry)

Go ahead, and let me have it.  I'll post answers in, well, another post.