Bondi Band Fundraiser!

So what is something every runner needs? Perhaps a sweat wicking head band? I have to tell you, I wore my Bondi Band for my first 1/2 last weekend and it was awesome! It did not slip, it did not slide, and it kept my ears warm since it was 50 degrees out at the start.

I am selling this as part of a Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Team in Training Fundraiser. Basically you shoot me an email at TeamEpton dot com. You tell me which one(s) you like and include your address. I'll send you the info for paypal and VIOLA! You will get your band(s) in the mail in a few days AND you will be helping raise money for the LLS… Sounds pretty awesome right?

So this is the breakdown
They are $10 each (which includes shipping).
If you want to get multiple, then 2 for $18, 3 for $25
If you want more than that, email me - we'll work something out :)

So there are two types, one kind is a Lycra headband, it's not technical wicking material but they do dry fast. They are more like fashion ones, but if you're doing a lighter workout - they are great. Then the thicker ones are for heavy sweat wicking.

<---- These are the fashion bands.
No Longer Available: Black & White Polka Dot, Flower (2nd from Right), Red Shiny Paisley (Upper Left), Blue Floral (Top, 3rd from Left), Crazy Swirl, Blue Shiny, Blue & Yellow Floral


Even if you don't wear bands while working out, these are so bright and fun - maybe you just want a funky fresh headband?

The heavy wicking bands, are great for harder workouts, like I said, I did a 1/2 and never had to adjust these!

All Gone!	All Gone!
Only the 6th "I am a Warrior"  remain	All Available (I have multiples)
For the Fashion bands and the bands with sayings, what you see if what I have. For the Team in Training bands, I have about 50 of the assorted colors, so order away! No Longer Available: You don't smell like a princess anymore (black, lime green, navy), In it for the bling (blue, green), Runner chick (black), Some girls chase boys (gray, navy), Run Like a Girl (pink, lime green, blue, red), Princess (black, orange), Tiara (black, pink, orange), Runner Girl (orange)

Appreciating Where You're At

It's amazing how we can sabotage our own excitement and happiness with our accomplishments, simply by comparing ourselves to others. As I was running (and at some point past mile 11, shuffling) I kept thinking how is it that I can consider myself a 'runner'. Do I enjoy it? Yes. Have I been doing it longer than most of my friends? Yes. Am I good at? Hmmm, I guess? Could I be better? Always. Am I naturally gifted with speed? Ah No. So does it make me less of a 'runner' because I am slow? I often wonder if people think you have to be the fastest person from the start to be considered serious.

I wish I was fast, like people would be in awe of my time. Maybe it has something to do with being competitive - but really running is you against yourself. So what is my deal? Why is it that I am thinking, "You should have done better. Pushed harder. Finished sooner." - is it normal? Well if it's not, I can't say I'd be surprised...this is me we are talking about here.

Is it possible for me to just enjoy the moment? I finished a half marathon, 13.1 miles, and mentally, it was a huge obstacle and I made it. I completed it - No I didn't come in first, far far from it, but I got out there and tried, going in knowing that finishing was a goal (unrealistically I was hoping for a sub 2:30 finish, but seriously I didn't even train like I should have - not to make excuses.) and I did indeed finish.

So I guess my point is, I struggle with not excelling in all I do. I am not just a classic overachiever but the epitome of overachiever. It really does piss me off when people make comments to (or more often about & behind their back) people who run slower than they do. If there is one thing I realized this weekend, as I started out at a good pace and slowed down as time went on, whether your tall or short, heavy or twiggy, your ability to run is only impacted by your will to do so. So, no matter what your finish time is, you finished your race, completed your event, you got your hard earner bling, you should be proud of your accomplishment. You did it, and chances are - you'll do it again... happy running (no matter your pace)!

To bring it all home, appreciating where you're at (and not just in your running/training but in life) is the key to happiness. Sometimes we (I know I am guilty of it) are so focused on the "next" step - we rarely take the time to love where we are at. Honestly, right now I am at my home office desk, on vacation, in my fleece bottoms and one of my numerous race shirts, looking at this list (yes, another list!) of things to do, and loving it. I am blessed and today (as I should everyday), I am taking the time to breathe and appreciate my place in this world. I hope you are too.

Grey Goose Goodbye & New Beginnings...

This week I am I guess I am in all reality "unemployed" but really just "on vacation" for a week before I start a new chapter in my professional life. It is always bittersweet, moving from one job to another. I know this new position will be beneficial not only financially for my family, but will really allow me to tap into my creativity, fine tune my problem solving skills, and allow me to develop new skills as an IT nerd. The best part, I can telecommute, so my work wardrobe will now be consisting of lounge pants and workout gear (really excited about the idea of two-a-days!) …and I know Stephen is psyched about me finally learning all about this whole crock pot cooking thing… we've had it almost 3 years, I guess it's about time right?

So on Friday morning I had come in to my tiny closet of an office, one last time. Almost 5 years ago, I elected to move in to this space, despite the fact there was no air or heat, it had a window. Of course, this window didn't open, but it was still natural light, and that was more important than heat or a/c… I squeezed a rather large desk and bookcase into this minuscule (used to be a storage room) space and spent the next few years working away… One highlight from Friday, seeing a black bag with gold stripes, just sitting there on my desk, inside…well one of my favs, a little Grey Goose…lol Thanks to Becky & Michelle, my morning was made. I told them if every Friday started like this, I may have stayed... They said they considered a going away lunch, but we are busy people. In my opinion, this was perfect. Thank you ladies…you know me so well :)

So this week I am taking some time to get organized, as boxes pour in, computer stuff, supplies, etc. According to Stephen, I have a 'shitload' of shoes (the running kind of course) so I am going to get to cleaning out my side of the closet, weed out things I really won't wear (this is hard for me) and make room for the new (that is how this works right?).

One a completely unrelated subject, I am a wee bit sore from my little run on Sunday… Nevertheless, I am toying with the idea of running the Battleship Half in Wilmington NC on Nov 6th, but as of right now, I don't know that I will do it. I did however register for the Disney Princess Half (Feb 26, 2012), NC Half Marathon (March 25, 2012) and the Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon (October 21, 2012)…am I crazy? Certifiable I am sure. 

In other news, ok well it's kind of related to being Running Crazy, TheDigitel Myrtle Beach (like them on facebook!)has asked me to be their sponsored runner for The Myrtle Beach Race Series (like them on facebook too!) and I am stoked! I was totally going to do this series, but now I get to be all official and share my experiences with everyone - I am super stoked now…lol The thing that I love about this series, not only are these races all a little different, they all support charity & I am a sucker for a race for charity! So stay tuned, I have A LOT of races coming up! Guess I should update my race page…