You win some, you lose some...

...and I think I've been losing a lot lately. I'm not sure why. I was recently told to stop being so hard on myself. Am I really that hard on myself? I don't like to do things half-way, usually. I like to give a 100% and do my best, and usually I do. But here lately I've found myself kind of half$%&ing things, if you know what I mean. And it only slightly bothers me.

So what have I lost and not won lately?

I will go from most recent back, starting with my Thanksgiving turkey.

Oh yes. I messed it up. I stuffed it with lemons and oranges and a few limes as well.  I've done this before and it has turned out delicious. But this year I tried to be fancy and stuffed it with the citrus the day before, allowing it to sit in the fridge and soak up all that flavor. Turns out a turkey that tastes like a lemon, like licking a lemon, is not exactly delicious. FAIL.

Next up is the Raven Rock Rumble 10 Mile Trail Race.  Remember that? Yep. F.A.I.L. It wasn't even close to a win. Talk about being put in your place. That trail showed me who is boss....here's a hint: It's not ME. I know that trail running is very different from road running and I (should) know better than to go out, completely unprepared, and attempt to run 10 miles on a trail. I should have registered for the 5 mile option, since that is what I almost completed anyway. I had a lot of first experiences during this race. I have to say it was fun and I did enjoy it, despite having to call it quits and taking a turn and running past the crowd who was yelling, "Turn here....to the finish! Turn!" and I just replied, "Nah, I'm good!" And kept going...away from the finish and towards the safety of my car.  I wonder what they really thought about that....a runner seemingly coming all the way to the finish just to totally by-pass it. Kind of funny I guess. Either way, this was my second DNF. Ouch. FAIL. Let's just say I need to redeem myself.

Speaking of redeeming myself, I have registered for the Reindeer Fun Run  12k this weekend. A 12k? To redeem myself? What have I done? Oh brother. I just cannot accept the fact that I am no longer in the condition I once was in, where I could hit a double digit run any given time. Not anymore. I'm lucky to make my way through 6 miles. But I did run 6 miles Sunday and another 6 this morning. I should be able to complete the 12k. Keyword: Should.  It mostly likely wont be a PR or a PW (Personal Worst) for that matter. It will be mediocre performance. 

So how many times in the past year have I said I'll get it together? Well this time I hope I mean it. I think I mean it. I mean it right now this very second....I've got to get it together. It feels good to hit the road and I have missed it. 

But I don't want you all to worry that I have gone all Negative Nancy on you. Quite the contrary actually. Like I said, you win some too!  LB, Lazy Dog and I have been having a good time...There has been dancing in the street:

Pouty lips:

 Chilaxing....

 Head squishing...

 Hugging....

 And beautiful sunrises!

So not all bad...I'm ready to head into Christmas and the New Year! 

Yurbuds #INSPIREFORWOMEN Party!!!

It is no secret that I have been using Yurbuds for the past 2 years. I  have been loyal to them and not found a single thing that can compare.  So of course I was beyond thrilled when I was given the opportunity to host a Yurbuds party where I could share the amazing earbuds with my friends!

I invited my running friends and of course they were excited to come...any excuse to party, even if they were instructed to dress for fitness. A few were skeptical and had their favorite over-the-ear type headphones because "they are the only ones that wont fall out". Well, I used to be that way too until I tried Yurbuds. Before earphones would never stay in my ear, not even sitting still on a stupid airplane. But the Yurbuds, with their patented twist locking technology and FlexSoft comfort fit stay put! That's right, they don't fall out. Not while sitting on an airplane and not while running a marathon in the pouring rain, for 4 hours and 32 minutes. Portland Marathon on 10/10/10 to be exact, where it poured like 6 inches of rain during the entire race. They did not slip, slide, or fall out.

As a matter of fact my friends and I put these babies to the ultimate test. My running buddies were given their Yurbuds Goodie Box....

Just call him Vana.

And then, we put them to the test. First was the trampoline test:

Not a single Yurbuds casualty. They stayed in place!

Next we did some burpees and jumping jacks:

Look at the form!! Impressive!

The Yurbuds again stayed in place....until Lazy Dog ran by and got his face through the headphones wire and yanked the earbuds clear out of J-Ninja's ears....the silicone Yurbuds, however....stayed in place, right there in her ear! So while the actual headphones came out the silicone piece stayed! Now that was impressive. 

We tried some yoga poses:

And again the Yurbuds held up to the test!

Finally we headed out for our run:

I was happy to hear that everyone was pleased with their Yurbuds! Even the two who were a tough sale! Both were surprised that the Yurbuds stayed in their "special" ears. I accredit this to the fact that these Inspire For Women Yurbuds were specifically designed for women. For our dainty, special, hard-to-please ears. These aren't for just any dude ears, they are for our special ears. Finally something made just for US that is beyond making it pink and calling it specially made for women!

I asked each of my guests to rate the Yurbuds on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being "I am going to throw these out the window on my way home!" and 10 being "I want to marry them!" The lowest score received was an 8 due to the sound being a "bit muffled". Two guests gave "an 8/9".  The others gave a firm 9 while I gave a score of 10. Yes, I'd like to marry my Yurbuds. Forever. And ever...I never want to run without them.   

I'd say that is a pretty darned good score!

So if you are in the market for some amazing, run-changing headphones you can find them at Target retailing for $29.99!  And they come in 6 different colors! You wont regret your purchase!

***And just and FYI,  I was provided the Yurbuds Inspire for Women earphones and gift boxes free of charge.  I must say, however, the opinions in this post are solely my own and that of my running friends who were asked to participate.