I'm doing the Sarasota First Watch Half Marathon!

It's officially official! I will be taking part in the Sarasota First Watch Half Marathon!

You should go register now! http://www.usroadsports.com/Signature/Sarasota/default.taf

There are only a few spots left. Don't wait to register!  The relay option is now officially SOLD OUT, and the individual race has fewer than 200 spots remaining. If you plan to run Sarasota in 2015, it's time to commit!  Seriously, have you seen the past medals... They are so so cool!

RUNNER PREMIUMS

• First Watch gourmet breakfast items for all participants
• Free Michelob ULTRA beer for all participants over the age of 21 (ID required)
• Largest medal in Florida for all half marathon and relay finishers
• Custom made, tech short-sleeve shirt
• Live band at the finish line presented by First Watch
• Kids Corner featuring face painting, balloon artists, interactive games and contests
• Great photo opportunities throughout the course (bring your camera!)
• And a really cool jacket while supplies last

Have you ever run a half marathon? What's your biggest piece of advice? 

Meet one awesome chick! Shannon!

Yes, that is Shannon with the rockin' arm!

I met this awesome chick about a year or so ago on twitter. We were involved in quite a few twitter chats. Then we became blogging buddies. I loved Shannon online, but when we finally met in person, I knew we were going to be buddies for life! This girl is the whole package. She is hysterical. She is beautiful on the inside and out! Seriously, when I saw her, I thought I was going to jump out of my skin! We had the best time and I cannot wait to spend more time with her. 

Meet my sweet girl, Shannon! 

Name: Shannon Colavecchio

State: Florida

When and why did you start working out? I have worked out since college, but back then I frankly had no idea what I was doing and had a very unhealthy attitude toward food and exercise. Today I work out because I love how strong and alive I feel and because it has brought me to a place where - as the owner of a fitness studio - I can be an example and instructor to help others reach their fitness goals. There is no better feeling than seeing them succeed!

What is your workout of choice? I love Tabata Bootcamp- no more than 45 minutes and it seriously kicks butt and burns calories for hours after, not to mention working the entire body. Runner-up - a great cycle session or run with friends.

What is your favorite race, race distance, and WOD? 

13.1! Just long enough to be very challenging, without 

wrecking the body like a full marathon tends to do over 

time.

What is your most favorite piece of workout gear? 

The TRX Suspension and RIP Trainer - phenomenal 

workout with very simple equipment. Runner up would 

be Gliding Discs - so innocent looking, but those discs 

can whoop your Bad--- when used properly!

Do you follow any diet or take any specific supplements 

that complement your workouts? I am a Paleo eater 95 

percent of the time and, since starting over a year ago, 

have seen an amazing change in my physique and 

fitness performance.

What is your favorite cheat food? Pizza and black and white Toojay’s cookies or big chunky cookies (NOT Paleo!) filled with lots of nuts, chocolate and butterscotch chips, etc.

What advice would you give someone just starting out? 

The hardest step is the first one, and it’s all baby steps after that. So take your fitness journey one step at a time, and consider each one a victory. Because hey, at least you’re NOT on the couch!

What is your best workout memory? Finishing my first cycling class as instructor - the first group fitness format I ever taught. Being able to leave students feeling challenged but happy and strong, I knew at 

that moment what I was meant to do - helping others through fitness.

What is your biggest “FIT BUCKET LIST” item? I want to be a master trainer for Schwinn, IndoRow and TRX someday and present at fitness conferences! 

Tell us something that not many people know about you? In college, the class I most struggled with was  Aerobics. At the time, the thought of the ‘final exam’ of leading a class solo was terrifying! How far we come, huh?! ;)

Ways to connect with Shannon:

Blog: http://www.badassfitness.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BadassFitCEO

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/badassfitnessarmy

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/shancola

Instagram: http://instagram.com/badassfitceo

Meet Nanci! Featured Blogger

Meet my sweet friend, Nanci!

I have been motivated by Nanci over the last year. She has been killing it on the pavement and at Weight Watchers! You need to follow Nanci! She is the real deal! She and I met through the Tampa Bay Bloggers. We are a community of bloggers who often work together. It is truly one of the greatest group of friends I have found. 

Name: Nanci Cernak State: FL

When and why did you start working out? 
I first joined a gym just out of high school and have worked out in some form or fashion ever since then. I have been through phases of gym memberships and working out at home for over 20 years now. I have always been self-conscious about how I look. I started running – briefly – in 2006 to lose weight. I started again in 2011 after a miscarriage, failed infertility treatments, and losing my dad all caught up with me and I realized I needed to take care of myself. In 2012, running became a big part of my life and this year it has become even more so.

What is your workout of choice?
Running. It is my therapy and has helped me tremendously this year with weight loss, stress, and becoming a much stronger person.

What is your favorite race, race distance, and WOD? 
To date, my favorite race is probably the Sarasota Half Marathon because I PR’d there in March of this year and finally finished under 3 hours. I am really hoping to PR again this Sunday at the Women’s Half in St. Pete!

What is your most favorite piece of workout gear? 
I have two… My Brooks Glycerin 10 running shoes and my Garmin Forerunner 100 watch.

Do you follow any diet or take any specific supplements that complement your workouts? 
After successfully losing 27 pounds on Weight Watchers back in 2006 and then putting it back on, I decided to go back again on January 1st of this year, making 2013 my year to lose weight. I set a goal of 40 pounds and I am down 27 pounds so far. Weight Watchers works for me. Nothing is off limits if I have the points, I love the meetings, and I need the accountability of the weekly weigh-ins.

What is your favorite cheat food?  
Wings and beer. So bad, but so good. I firmly believe in working hard and playing hard, and enjoying my favorite cheat food is a necessity!

What advice would you give someone just starting out? 
Don’t give up. Do what you can, when you can. Don’t have an all-or-nothing mentality when it comes to working out or losing weight. What is your best workout memory? 
When I ran my first half marathon in 2012, I had an average pace of almost 14:00. I would walk more than I ran. Now, I run much more than I walk. I can run a full 3 miles without a walk break, and have done a couple 5 mile runs without a walk break as well. I believe walk breaks are fine – and important – but it is a huge thing for me to run non-stop for 30+ minutes. My best pace to date is 09:37 – that was on a 3 mile run. Pretty darn awesome!

What is your biggest “FIT BUCKET LIST” item? 
Even though I swore I would never do a full marathon, I want to train for one in 2014 and complete one in 2015.

Tell us something that not many people know about you?  
Contrary to what people may think, I am very shy and I always worry and wonder what people think of me. My blog has helped me step out of my comfort zone, to open up a lot more and I am becoming a much more confident person.

How we can connect with Nanci: Blog: http://thiscrazylifeofmine.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuntNanci Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nanci.cernak Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/auntnanci/boards/ Instagram: http://instagram.com/auntnanci#

Do you have a success story like Nanci? I want to hear it!!!

Meet My Friend Kat!

This week's featured blogger is someone I met about a year ago. She and I connected before I knew any bloggers in person. My first impression of Kat was that this girl was beautiful. She is super fit and kind on the inside as well. I think I just assumed that she was one of those people who was just naturally fit. I was shocked to find out that Kat has worked really hard to get where she is and nothing comes easily. I think it was an eye opener for me in the fitness blogging world. All of us have a story. You need to check out Kat's. She is truly inspirational!

I almost forgot too... Kat is participating in the Marine Corp Marathon this weekend! Good Luck girl!

Name: Katrina P

State: Florida

When and why did you start working out? 

Back in 2005 I started a fitness journey since I gained weight through college. However, I didn't do it the right way, hoping fat burners would do the trick. They did, but temporarily and with side effects. So, I began running in 2007 with 5ks and slowly built up to a half marathon that I did last year - 6 more after and now will do my first marathon at Marine Corps Marathon 10/27/13. Living a healthy and fit life helps you to ENJOY life that much more fully!

What is your workout of choice? 

Running or High Intensity Interval Training Circuits/Tabata

What is your favorite race, race distance, and WOD? 

My favorite race to date was the Disneyland Half marathon, race distance is the half marathon, and WOD - I attempted crossfit and didn't stick with it, I use various circuits when I strength train. My favorite exercise is the push press and the pushup knee-to-elbow

What is your most favorite piece of workout gear? 

Good sneakers!

Do you follow any diet or take any specific supplements that complement your workouts?

I eat a mixed ratio of carbs/fat/protein. I aim for .80 g of protein per lb I weigh. I also eat tons of veggies and avoid starches if I can. Through marathon training my body's craved more of those starches and I don't fight it. After training is over, I'm attempting the Whole 30!

What is your favorite cheat food? 

Frozen yogurt

What advice would you give someone just starting out? 

Start slow and don't compare yourself to anyone but yourself! Set attainable goals that you can achieve and focus on!

What is your best workout memory? 

Sub 2 hour finish at my first half marathon and again at half marathon #5

What is your biggest “FIT BUCKET LIST”item? 

Achieving the 6 half marathons in 6 months, To complete my first marathon, to compete in a figure competition one day!

Tell us something that not many people know about you? 

I'm slightly OCD - order makes me happy ;)

You can find Kat at:

Blog: http://www.katrinaelle.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KatrinaElleP

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katrinaelle

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/katrinaellep

Instagram: http://instagram.com/katrinaellep

Runners and Our Socks!

Socks are an important piece of the runner's toolbox! And my choice is injinji! 


About a week ago, my favorite sock company, injini asked me to post about their new website. The address is http://www.injinji.com/ They told me that they would send me some socks and offer a giveaway to my readers. There was no twisting my arm on this one. I definitely wanted some more injinji socks, and I knew that I wanted to offer the giveaway to you.

It took me a little bit to get used to having my toes in their own little holes, and honestly, I have Fred Flintstone feet in a bad way! Seriously! But I have grown to love these! My baby toes used to sneak into the toe next to its hole, but now it has even found comfort in its own hole. I love wearing these socks!!! You will too!



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