Last Chance Giveaway and Run Like a Mother

Run Like a Mother
This morning I made my way to downtown Portland to attend a Run LIke A Mother Event , put on by Sarah Bowen Shea, the co-author of the ever so popular Run Like a Mother book that I hear so many of you rave about.  I am so glad that my blog friend Julie, from The Finish LIne Diaries  told me about this event because it was Fabulous!  It was great to meet Julie and a couple other running bloggers that I've become familiar with over the last few months.  It was also wonderful to see such a big group of running mothers come together to celebrate motherhood, running, and a great book! I have to say, as much as I loved the mingling, eating yummy snacks, and the light run through Portland, one the highlights was the incredible SWAG BAG that Sarah had for everyone!  Seriously awesome!  Socks, a hat, arm warmers, a race bag, tons of fuel and electrolyte products including GU, GU chomps, Nuun, etc.  There were many wide-eyed and slack jawed mamas checking out their loot as they stretched their muscles and munched on snacks before the drawing Sarah did to give away more fabulous prizes!


Thank you to Sarah Bowen Shea for organizing such an energizing event and for helping to create a supportive community of Mamma Runners!  If you have not already, check out Another Mother Runner, the blog that Sarah and Dimity share.  I have not been a follower for long but I'm excited to catch up on there!  


Nathan Hydration Belt Giveaway
Don't forget that tomorrow is the last day to enter my giveaway for the Nathan Hydration Belt!  I've loved reading your comments and connecting with new readers!  Thanks for sharing parts of your life with me.  Many of you have some really great stories of weight loss, fitness goals, family life, etc.  


Half Marathon Tomorrow
Super excited about my half-marathon tomorrow!  It feels good to be at a point in my life where racing is fun!  I'm especially excited to run with my husband.  Our last half marathon together was in 2004 so this will be a treat for us to run together again.  Here's hoping for NO RAIN!  I'm might even wear my short speed shorts from Lululemon that Jenn convinced me to get.  I kind of thought I'd be a blogger that avoids taking pictures of myself in my pre-race outfit but I gave in and took one anyway.  This is what I think I will be wearing if I don't end up wearing my tights.

I know, boring old black but at least I'll be spicing things up with my new RED hat from the Run Like a Mother event today.  I love how ridiculous people look taking pictures of themselves in mirrors.  But I also love seeing the pictures people post even if they are funny sometimes.  The funniest part about this picture besides me taking myself seriously enough to take a picture of my pre race outfit is the lovely mirror.  No folks, that is not your computer screen that is dirty...that is the result of 3 kids squirting, licking, touching, and smearing things on my mirror, walls, and various other things around my house.  

Some of you have asked me if I have a time goal for this one.  Not really.  I'd just like to run a few sub 7's, remind myself to have good form, get in a groove, and just find a pace that makes me feel STRONG!  The end is a gradual elevation gain so hopefully we can save some of ourselves so we can finish with a kick!  
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 The saying on the shirt in the top picture really resonates with me.  It reminds me just how much running is my calm.  Running is something I do for myself to stay healthy, centered, and challenged.  It is so much, really.  Without it, I'm certain I wouldn't handle the stress of motherhood and life nearly as well and I very well might find myself going crazy (thank I already am) or wanting to "run away" at times.   


What does running do for you?  Do you think that running helps to make you a better YOU? Why do you Run? (Chris K, dudes can answer this question too!)  


Amanda