#TakeTheLeap with #Prana and #SweatPink Yoga Challenge!

 

 

Time for another Mad Lib!!!

 

 

 

When I think about yoga, the first thought that comes to mind is Ohmmmmmmmm. Yoga calms me and makes me feel centered.

 

That's why I am so excited to participate in prAna's Take the Leap 30 days of Yoga Challenge with Sweat Pink. I plan to crow pose my way to a  more flexible 201!

 

For me, the biggest challenge when it comes to yoga is getting my family to be quiet while I practice! Taking the Leap with prAna and Sweat Pink is a great way for me to face/conquer/achieve/find that quiet! My favorite place to yoga is the beach because it is so peaceful.

 

I wish I had a photo of me doing yoga there, but at least I can share the view!!

I would love to see some yoga poses from my readers! Post one to Instagram and tag me! @BarkingMadRun

Come on ya'll, Take the Leap with me!
Join prAna and Sweat Pink's Take the Leap Yoga Challenge and be eligible to win $500 worth of prAna gear and/or be the lucky winner who gets to gift $500 worth of prAna gear to one lucky winner. They just launched their new Spring collection so you best get on it!
If I win, I would gift Running on Candy, because she loves yoga pants!!!
Join the Take the Leap with prAna and Sweat Pink Facebook group/event which we'll use for updates, sharing, and inspiration!

And join the challenge on Instagram, Twitter, and your blog using the hashtags:
#TakeTheLeap
#prana
#SweatPink and of course tag @prana @FitApproach

Yoga On!!!!!

Want to play? Just copy and paste the Mad Lib in fill in your own blanks!

 



Wordless Wednesday #blizzardgate edition

I have been crazy sick with a bad cold and then blizzardgate happened! 2-3 feet predicted. Six inches landed.

Running With Your Dog, Hipster Leash Review

 

 

 

****** I was provided with the Hipster Leash in exchange for this review. As always, all opinions are my own!******

 

 

Let's start with the appearance! I LOVE lime green. It makes me smile. It is very durable, and the black part is elastic, so it stretches. The large pocket in the front could hold smaller phones, but my iPhone 5C did not fit well with its cover on. If I remove the cover (which I won't do, I'm a klutz!) it will fit though. There are two side pockets. The one on your right has a netted bag that can pull out to hold your poop bags, treats, ball, etc. On your left is another zipper pocket, perfect for keys or spare cash.

 

The leash attaches on either side, which I love! Depending on where you are running, that will be important! I never let my dog on the outside when we walk on the street, I don't want her to be able to run out in front of a car! I always keep her between me and the side of the road. Make sense?

On the sidewalk I don't have to worry, however, because she never jumps down into the street. Bonus.

 

 

When I ran with the Hipster Leash, I noticed a few things right away. It is super comfy. I have big hips and a tiny waist so not everything fits me well. This was very comfortable, and I had no problems running with it. That being said, you wouldn't want to attach a dog that wasn't properly trained. That can go totally sideways and you, or your pup, could get hurt! Because the band is elastic, when the pup pulls, which all pups are known to do, it is very uncomfortable. It pulls on the elastic which isn't so great for people with low back issues. When we used it with our Corgi (no pics, blogger fail) we didn't have that issue because he NEVER pulls. Our little Nugget? She's a puller.

A few facts....

 

• No-slip, elastic waistband contours to body, and fits waist sizes 31-47
• Two pockets with reverse coil zippers for carrying essentials
• Attached mesh pouch collapses and stores inside its own pocket - ideal for carrying a tennis ball or treats
• Dual D-rings for right side and left side leash attachment
• Woven leash with dual clips included, leash is about 5 feet long

Running aside, my teenie likes this leash when she walks the dog. Why? Hands free texting. For real, she can walk the dog and still use her phone. Sad, but true. In that respect, though, if you are walking the dog with your toddler in tow, this is a great way to get it done! Who doesn't need more hands?

I am really enjoying the Hipster Leash, and Nugget loves that she gets to run. Every time we use it, she gets better at not pulling, so there is hope for her yet! You can check out the Hipster Leash on Amazon, as well, and they have other great products for your pups! It comes in other colors as well, so if lime green doesn't make you as happy as it makes me, you can get it in another color!

Do you ever run with your pup?

Two Friends Who Make #NoExcuses

The folks at FitApproach have dared us to nominate two friends who never use excuses to stop doing what they love!

I've been wracking my brains to choose just two. For real, I have so many amazing friends!

I decided on two, but it was not easy. 

First is my friend Susie. In the last little while she has lost 60 pounds and started running! She will be running Princess next month and has been training so hard! I'm super proud of her! 

My second nomination is Sunshine. She is on a journey to One-Derland and she is working hard! She recently PRd on her 5k time!!!

These ladies are so inspirational!! 

Who would you nominate?

Wordless Wednesday Workouts

After a crazy week last week, I am trying to get back on track. I have some crazy stuff going in my life, and I am doing my best not to get derailed!

45 minutes of yoga on Monday! 

I joined a gym so I can run when the weather is bad! I also did another 45 minutes of yoga

 Yoga, abs, arms, and lower body today. Ouch!

Are you staying active this week?

#NoExcuses with @FitApproach and #sweatpink #madlibs

 

 

 

 

Hey, 2015, it's me BarkingMadRun!

 

This year, I would like to Run the Steamtown Marathon with Gigi  and Lose a marathon in pounds!

 

It would also be super duper awesome if I also got my home organized this year. It's not a resolution, though, just a reminder to myself to try and have the best year yet because I am worth it!!!!!

 

The thing I am looking forward to most this year is celebrating 20 years of mostly blissful marriage with a trip to New Orleans with the best hubs ever!

 

I'll use the one thing that truly gets me out of bed in the morning which is self motivation to be my best, to help me get up and get cracking to get after my #NoExcuses 2015.

 

Speaking of excuses, ahem, my very favorite excuse is that I don't have time, and I have used it to get out of doing workouts and eating well on more than 183 occasions.

 

I vow to move my body and be more healthy this year, even if it means I have to workout while I watch the Walking Dead.

 

Even if my alarm clock gets eaten by the dog in the middle of the night, I'll still get up early for my yoga challenge.

 

My kids are the not the reason I make excuses, I will show my kids who's boss and get my run on.

 

I know that running is better than cupcakes.

 

I will reward myself by buying new workouts and cute workout clothes.

 

#NoExcuses 2015 has just begun and already I am imagining myself a winner. I can't wait to rock a cute top from Augusta Active. I can't wait til my sweaty friends are jealous of how fresh, clean, and fabulous I am between workouts with help from Shower Pill body wipes. I can see myself rocking crow pose in new yoga pants from Actio926 and looking fit and fly while doing it. And of course, I'll be taking my workouts to the next level and improving my muscles with my new ActivMotion Bar to help me train for my next marathon with Sasquatch Racing.

 

Oh, and let's not forget how amazing my compression socks will smell after washing with some WIN detergent. And lastly, I'll keep rocking my 2015 with clean eats and nutrition from Beaming with Health.

 

 

OK, now it's your turn!

 

 

 

 

 



How would you fill in the blanks?

Friday Week in Review

Sorry it has been so quiet this week, my Dad had surgery and I had a test I had to get done that required a lot of uncomfortable prep! TMI? Maybe!

Anyway, I did get some great workouts in and I colored in two squares on my Achievement Board already!

 Monday's workout

Tuesday's workout

A challenge through RunWithJess.com

Wednesday's workout and my green jello liquid day!

5 pounds lost plus 1000 followers in Instagram, which is not shown 

 So this is happening. I will be running the marathon and possibly the 10k and cheering for my friends while they run the half!

Do you have any activities planned this weekend? Perhaps igloo building?

Wordless Wednesday, Elf on the Shelf Edition

Congratulations to the winners! Pics were put together by Darlena of Run Find Your Happy Pace, who hosted the contest along with me, Mandie of Mandie Sewell Fitness,  and Michelle from Miles to Go. Be sure to join us in 2015 for the Elf on a Shelf Photo Contest!

 

Do you have an Elf? What's his/her name?

3rd Blogaversary and a #Giveaway

 

 

WOW!

Three years ago I started this blog as a way to stay accountable during my training for my very first half marathon! Who would have thought that I would be sitting here now, three years later, with thirty half marathons under my belt? Not me, that's for sure!

It has been a wild and bumpy ride, and I wouldn't trade it for anything!

I am hosting an Instagram giveaway, with ten fabulous prizes for ten fabulous winners!



 

 

How do you enter?
Follow me on Instagram
Follow me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Comment on my pic on Instagram that you did so.
You can also earn up to 5 bonus entries for tagging up to 5 friends! (or more, but you can only earn 5 extra entries)
Easy, right?
I will draw the winners on January 17th and announce them by the following Monday. The winners will have a chance to choose their prizes, in the order that they were chosen. Good luck!!

Are you running this weekend? How many miles?

Bowling the New Year in

I bowl because I love the shoes!

 I kind of stink but I managed a couple strikes.

 Second place.... Barely!

First place! I am way too competitive. I love finding ways to be active with my family!

Believe 2015: Journalling

I love journals.
I could write in them all day!
I usually have two journals at all times, one for running and one for my food journal. I use an app, nut I find that if I don't also write it down, I am not as careful about my food and exercise! I have gone through a lot of different journals, searching for just the right one. I hate when it doesn't have enough space, or has too much space, or spaces I will never use.
I was introduced to a great journal by a fellow blogger, called the Eat Well, Sweat Often Journal. Sara sent me a pdf to print out, so I didn't have the awesome spiral bound book that you can purchase using the link above, but that didn't stop me from using it!

I love visual aids, so having the water glasses to color in was a treat. The spaces are just right for my use, and at $8.95 a journal, the price is right as well. Her journals are so great that they are available next on January 15th, so if you order one, be patient.
From Sara's website:

Product Description

Keep track of your workouts, your meals, how much water you’re drinking and how much sleep you’re getting — all in one place! Meal plan and grocery list pages, a weekly fitness schedule, 4 weeks of daily log pages and a place to keep track of your goals.
Start each day with a quick tip or word of encouragement. Learn how to improve your overall health, clean up your diet, fit fitness into your busy schedule, stay motivated, and reach your goals!
We’re awaiting a new shipment of books. All orders will ship by January 15, 2015.

Another journal I use is the Believe journal. This journal will take you through the whole year, with weekly pages to keep track of workouts and mileage.

There are pages in the front for your monthly tallies, goals, and some helpful tips for new journalists.The back of the journal has space for race day plans, goals, and reviews. The only Con about this journal is that it isn't spiral bound. I do love me some spiral bound books. The cover is fabulous, however, and conveniently has my word for 2015 shouting loud and proud on the front!

 

 

 

Do you journal? What do you use, and what do you record?