Monday, April 6, 2009

Happy 200 and a carb-licious giveaway!

This is my 200th post and in addition to reveling in my new-found love of speedwork, I am also reflecting on the state of my running, and hosting a giveaway!

First, let's talk about the running. In an outright rip-off of Middle-of-the-Pack Girl, I've declared this spring my Season of Speed. I've actually been enjoying my speed work. This hasn't always been the case. In fact, I really never did much speed work. Hills, that's about it. And, believe me, I still love my hills and credit them for the bulk of any improvement I've experienced over the course of my running life. But, this speed thing. I started with Yasso 800s a few months ago when I was still training for the marathon. Tough. Very tough, those Yassos. But, you know, you get used to things and I've gotten used to speed work and have started, as I said, to enjoy it. I like running fast over shorter distances. There's just something satisfying about that type of workout. And I believe that the speed work will get me to my goal of a sub-23 minute 5k.

So that's that. Short and fast for me. With some long(ish) runs tossed in here and there, to build my endurance, and some easy runs, too. Just because. Because I like the easy runs. Who doesn't?

As I look beyond my current running situation and start to think about running in general, I have to think about what this blog means to me. Over the course of 200 posts (and about 10 months) I've gotten so much out of writing about running on this blog, reading your comments, and reading other running, fitness and unrelated blogs. See, I've always been a solo runner. Seriously solo. Now, though, I feel like I'm part of a community -- a virtual community, sure, but a community nevertheless -- and I'm grateful for that. This whole experience has allowed me to be more thoughtful about my running and it has helped me learn ways to improve not only my running, but my life in general.

The title of this blog is The Happy Runner, as you know. When I started the blog I thought it sounded good because a) I'm happy when I'm running and b) it was a bit of a play on my name, Felice, which means happy. Am I always a happy runner, though? No, certainly not. Sometimes I'm anything but. Overall, though, I am. I've grown into the title. I've made some subtle shifts in the way I look at the world and my place in it and I've become truly happier (running and not). I've also become a smarter and better runner, both of which have combined to make me a happy runner!

I'm not going to get all Dr. Phil here, so we'll just leave the reflection stuff there and move on to the good stuff.

The Giveaway!

To help celebrate my 200th post, the nice peeps at Rudi's Organics have offered me some of their products to giveaway! There will be two winners: Each winner will receive 5 free products from Rudi's Organics.

This is a carb-licious giveaway that I know you will love! Rudi's Organics baked goods are terrific. (You may remember from an earlier post that I'm a big fan.) I received a box full of their products to try out and review: I'll post my full review on Friday, along with the winners of this giveaway.

So, here's how you can enter. First, pop over to the Rudi's Organics web site and check out their offerings. Then, come back here and leave a comment along with the product you are most interested in trying and you'll get one entry. To receive three entries, mention this giveaway on your blog (tell that you've done so in your comment). You can enter until 11:59pm (est) on Thursday.

The two winners will be picked using random.org and announced on Friday.

So, good luck and happy Monday, everyone!

~ Felice

131 comments:

X-Country2 said...

Seems like you're in a great running place. Happy runner indeed. :o)

I'd be all over those multi-grain bagels. Toasted up with pb&j. Mmm.

Aron said...

you are definitely a happy runner :) congrats on #200!!!

YUM I have been all about my egg burriots lately so I would definitely try out some of their tortillas!

Mark said...

Happy Monday! I love my speed work as well! Those multigrain wraps look tasty! have an awesome day!

Unknown said...

multigran english muffins with flax are more interesting to me

J said...

Just reading that you like speedwork makes me soo happy! I wish everyone loved speedwork!

I looked at Rudi's Organic website and I realized it has been forever sinec I had english muffins. I used to eat them every morning in the fall with peanut butter! I would love to try the whole grain wheat enligh muffins!

Oz Runner said...

i totally agree with your comments about discovering a "running community" in the blog-world...i am right along with you....loving speed work though? not so much...

the apple-n-spice bread sounds unique, and worth a try....and i have linked to you on my most recent post...

Diana said...

Sourdough bread. Or, the white bread. Or the cinnamon raison bagels. Oh, wait. You said one thing. Dang. Then maybe the english muffins? lol.

I linked back to you. Congrats on the 200! I can't wait to read the next 200 :)

Lauren @ mostly i run said...

Happy 200!

I think I'd like some multi-grain/flax English muffins :)

Gotta Run..... said...

Sometimes I feel more connected to my "blog family" than I do to my own. You guys understand me :)

Denise said...

Fun! I'm doing a giveaway right now, too.

Since I never treat myself to bagels, that's what I'd LOVE to try.

I'll link back to your post tomorrow!!

raulgonemobile said...

Hey, happy 200! I find the blogging community a great place. Not only can I learn from the people in it, but it's just been a lot of fun.

Abby said...

Happy 200!

I've actually been surprising myself recently and enjoying speedwork as well.

I'd definitely have to go with the bagels on this one...

RunToTheFinish said...

yeahhh to the virtual community!!

and did you say carbs??? I think the cinnamon raisin bagels look SUPPPPER

RunToTheFinish said...

I have a link in my post going up tonight around 6

Lori said...

Congrats on your 200th post! I enjoy your blog so much and appreciate your style of writing and humor. You always crack me up.

I am such a sucker for wraps. Love em'. I'd be willing to try those 7 Grain with Flax Wraps if some just happen to come my way. :)

cathy said...

Love Rudi's! Our store doesn't have their tortillas, and I'm dying to try them, so that would be my pick.

Congrats on your 200th post!

Mel -Tall Mom on the Run said...

Congrats on 200! The Bloggy running world is amazing..

I think any of the Bagels would be amazing.

I will put a link to your Blog and contest in the next few minutes.

Happy Blogging.

Mel

MizFIt said...

HAPPY 200, Woman.

You make me laugh and inspire me to run run run like Atalanta.

Miz.

Jane Beall said...

Keep it simple - I'd go with the multigrain bagels! Congrats on the 200th :)

Anonymous said...

Wow sounds like you are in such a great, and certainly happy place right now. I'll have to remember that when I get brave enough to try some speedwork!

I would love to try the rosemary olive oil bread. I heart rosemary!

I Run for Fun said...

Great post!

Felice, CONGRATULATIONS! Let me tell you...I love your blog. You have a great style of writing and you've been such a motivation for me, with your speed runs and your hill training (still don't understand how you do them and like them too!).

I feel greedy entering this giveaway, after I've won the Run Faster book, which I'm enjoying so much.

But I'll try not to feel too guilty! I visited the website and
the Tuscan Roasted garlic bread sounds yummy!

Hope to read many many more posts from you. Keep blogging!

merathon said...

hooray for 200!

7 grain bread with flax!

The Laminator said...

Happy 200th, Happy Runner!
It's been great having you as part of this virtual running community. I hope your spring season of speediness leads you to bigger and faster races...haha. Great job!

Lindsay said...

OMGGGGG soy free bagels! i want them allllllllllllllllll. :) so hard to find soy free bagels in my life. i miss bagels!

so, i'd like the bagels.

happy 200!!!

Leslie said...

i would LOVE to try the whole wheat spelt tortillas! looks so yummy!!

-Leslie
http://lovejackson.blogspot.com

Heather said...

Congrats on your 200th post! Great job with the 800's - I started doing them regularly last summer and felt that they really helped me improve.

Lindsay said...

just posted and linked back to you and this giveaway. :)

Natalie D said...

Good you are liking the spped work - wish I could say the same when I do it! I like it when its over! I feel the same about the blogging community, it is so cool. And I'd want to try the multigrain wrap w/ flax.

Anonymous said...

Happy 200th post! I am a sucker for a good Cinnamon Raisin Bagel.

Anonymous said...

Mary
zenrei57 (at) hotmail (dot) com

Here's a big Thumbs Up and CONGRATS on your 200th post :)
And I would like to try the Spelt Tortillas !

Amber said...

200 posts? That is amazing! I would most like to try Rudi's Spelt English Muffins!
Thanks for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

The sour dough bread...yummy. ruthing73 at hotmail dot com

LittleEagle said...

Congratulations on your 200th post. I'd love the Country French Artisan bread. sharonaquilino(at)hotmail(dot)com

5webs said...

Spelt Ancient Grain Bread
Alicia Webster
5webs@comcast.net

Marlene said...

Honey Sweet Bagels! Yum!!

I mentioned the giveaway on my blog.

Also, happy 200 posts! Can't wait for the next 200. :)

mar said...

I am most interested in trying the cinnamon raisin bagels!

Linda Wilmer said...

The Rocky Mountain Sourdough Bread sounds so divine. That would be my favorite pick.

Jill Will Run said...

I've looked at Rudi's products on their site before... I've always wanted to try their hamburger buns. I can't find 100% whole grain hamburger buns at my regular grocery store and my closest Whole Foods doesn't seem to carry the full line of Rudi's. The tortillas and wraps sound good too...

Molly K said...

Since it's just about grilling time I would love to try both the Hamburger buns and Hot dog rolls.

MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...

cinnamon raisin bagels yum

Katharina said...

Big congrats on the 200th post!

From Rudi's, I'd choose the multigrain wraps. I've been known to turn *all* kinds of things into a wrap :-) and I never get tired of trying new foods wrapped up like that.

Using an organic wrap would make it so much more fun because it would be healthier for me and I definitely need to pay better attention to that!

Sue said...

I love reading your blog. You are always so cheerful and motivating. I go through spurts in my running where I love it or don't. Spring here again has me excited to get out there.

I'd love to try Rudi's Whole Spelt Tortillas. Thanks for the giveaway.

Denise S. said...

I'd love to try the Rocky Mountain Sourdough!

Anonymous said...

I'd most like to try the white hamburger buns. Thanks.
-Terra H.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

csue said...

I'd like to try the cinnamon raisin bread.

utahups said...

I would love the apple spice bread. Thanks

Brooke Lorren said...

I'd love to try the cinnamon raisin bread.

Schlauberger said...

Country French Artisan bread

bill3sgal said...

I'll say the apple n spice bread. So many things look good!

Brooke Lorren said...

I blogged about you on Squidoo! #1
http://www.squidoo.com/Blog-Sweepstakes
Congrats on 200 posts!

Brooke Lorren said...

I blogged about you on squidoo #2!
http://www.squidoo.com/Blog-Sweepstakes
I'm trying to avoid HFCS, thanks for sharing the link to the products!

Brooke Lorren said...

I blogged about you on squidoo #3!
http://www.squidoo.com/Blog-Sweepstakes

mverno said...

love the cinnamon raisin bread ( e-mail me if i win don't be a lazy runner have some courtesy come on now) mverno@roadrunner.com

janeh said...

congratulations on 200th.....

I'd like to try the Rosemary Olive Oil Artisan Bread....

Anonymous said...

The Multigrain Bagels look good.

dangotmail AT yahoo DOT com

Anonymous said...

I favorite is Cinnamon Raisin Bagel

gjsrjs@sbcglobal.net

chromiumman said...

would love to try Rudi's Whole Spelt Tortillas

Alisa said...

I LOVE english muffins...so I'd be all over those!

Happy 200!

I have to say reading your blog and your talk of speedwork was definitely a factor in pushing me toward trying it. It has made me an even happier runner =). (granted it was only workout but it was pretty awesome!)

Meet the Browns said...

Congratulations on your 200th post!

I bet we'd like those Multigrain Wraps. Yum!

Katie Brown
showbizkp[at]gmail.com

LADYHIGHTOWER said...

I'D LOVE TO TRY THE HONEY SWEET WHEAT BAGELS!

Lauren @ Sassy Molassy said...

Oooh...cinnamon raisin and honey wheat bagels! And whole wheat buns and wraps wouldn't be bad either. It all looks good and I loooove organic!

heaventrees said...

I'd like to try Rudi's Multigrain Wraps. I have been unable to find them in stores so far.

Anonymous said...

7grain with flax and spelt wraps.

quincy@i-love-dogs.com

ky2here said...

There's not an item on there I wouldn't try. I'll start with Rudi's Whole Spelt Tortillas.

Princess Golden Hair said...

I love Multigrain Bagels and don't these sound great:

Our Multigrain Bagels combine the finest organic ingrients and multiple types of grains for a hearty taste your family will love.

js22 said...

I'd love to try their cinnamon raisin bagels!

Thanks for the giveaway!

Anonymous said...

Well I've been hungry for english muffins lately so it would be that...their "Whole Grain Wheat" muffins.
Thanks for this offer.
naturetoclickatyahoodotcom

Qwerty said...

I'd LOVE to finagel
a cinnamon raisin bagel!

riceburns (at) hotmail (dot) com

Sarah said...

I'd like to try any of their spelt products because I've never had it before - guess I'd start with Spelt Ancient Grain.

Gabriel S-J. said...

I like the Rosemary Olive Oil Artisan Bread.

carolpie said...

I would love to try the Whole Spelt Tortillas as I am looking and looking for a truly healthy brand am am having problems finding what I really want. Most just contain something nasty!

Lisa Garner said...

These all look delicious! I would love to try the Honey Sweet Wheat Bagels. Thanks!
lisalmg25 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

MMM...apple and spice bread
Diane
Dianesmb@aol.com

Unknown said...

I would like to try the wheat enligh muffins. Thank you!
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net

sachidewey said...

I would love to try the Cinnamon Raisin Bagels.

Colengal said...

I think the Rosemary Olive oil bread sounds devine!

Unknown said...

I'd love to try the rosemary olive oil bread!

Sahm Lee said...

I would really love to try the Tuscan Roasted Garlic bread! Yum! Thanks for the contest!
airalynn(@)gmaildotcom

Anonymous said...

OOO! Tuscan Roasted Garlic Bread..
I'm already building the the perfect sandwich in my head. Toasted bread, red pepper goat cheese,sharp cheddar, spinach, red onion and a little bit of turkey pastrami.
kaytewatts AT aol DOT com

I Run for Fun said...

Hi Felice, the giveaway is mentioned on my blog. Thanks again!

nsord33 said...

The Cinnamon Raisin Bagels look awesome.

Anonymous said...

mmmmm......I'd love to try the Honey Sweet Wheat bagels! Made me hungry looking at their site, breads are my weakness.

Thank you!

Unknown said...

The Rocky Mountain Sourdough Bread sounds delish. That's my favorite kind of bread. Hope I get to win this one.

jesskaufman{at}hotmail{dot}com

Unknown said...

I get their rocky Mt sourdough and the sweet honey wheat breads at wholefoods .... yummmm

intime said...

the cinnamon raison bagels

janetfaye said...

I would like to try the Cinnamon Raisin bread.

janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

clc408 said...

I would like to try the Rosemary Olive Oil Artisan bread. Thanks for the giveaway.

lsfish said...

I would like to try the Multigrain bagels

pattycake said...

multigrain english muffins with flax sounds really good

clynsg said...

I have looked at Rudi's site before and drooled over their breads. Would like to try the Tuscan Roasted garlic bread and the sourdough breads.

clynsg at yahoo.com

jayne said...

I would love to try the Cinnamon Raisin Bread!

Jeni said...

I would like o try the cinnamon raisin bagels

Pamela S said...

YUM!! I'd love to try the Rosemary Olive Oil bread!!

pamelashockley at netscape dot net

Bonnie in FL said...

I'd love to try their Wheat and Oat bread

Nanette said...

The Rosemary Olive Oil Artisan bread sounds delicious. Congratulations on your 200th post.

ladyvon5845 said...

I'd love to try the Rocky Mountain Sourdough Bread.

Hetal said...

I like Honey Sweet Wheat Bagels.thanks
herry123_us@live.com

Julie Insley said...

Yummy homemade breads! ANY of them!

mensa63 said...

Everything at the bakery set my taste buds tingling but the spelt English muffins were a genuine surprise. Spelt is something like wheat and is grown some in the US as animal feed but in Europe it is made into flour for baked goods and is really great. While I was living in the UK for 4 years I discovered it. It is somewhat sweeter than our whole wheat and has a lucious nutty taste quite different than regular wheat. Lots of good fiber there too as the husk of spelt is firmer than that of wheat. Never seen it here in the states as flour but was pleased to learn it is gaining recognition and am going to look for it next time I get to gourmet store. Meanwhile will go on up to Stroudsberg and get me some of dem.

Sunnyvale said...

the apple and spice whole grain bread sounds good

Annemarie said...

The Cinnamon Raisin Bread sounds yummy!!

annemarie562000(at)yahoo(dot)com

PAIGE said...

BAGELS, BAGELS, AND MORE BAGELS. MMMMMMMMMMMM

Unknown said...

i'd love to try this:
MultiGrain with Flax - english muffins

autumn398 (at) yahoo.com

kdkdkd said...

the Rosemary Olive Oil artisan bread sounds delicious

ZESTYWONDERLAND said...

I would most love to try their Rocky Mountain Sour Dough Bread!

http://zestywonderland.blogspot.com/

ZESTYWONDERLAND@GMAIL.COM

demmi said...

Tuscan Roasted Garlic Bread con5459(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

i'd like to try the "Right Choice" bread

masonsgranny59 said...

Cinnamon Raisin Bagels

Unknown said...

I am most interested in trying the Tuscan Roasted Garlic bread...mmmmm!

liliesrnice said...

I'd like to try the cinnamon raisin bagels.

mindy said...

sour dough bread thanks for the giveaway

Valancia said...

Spelt English Muffin. skyxsky27(at)gmail.com

llinda29 said...

Cinnamon Raisin Bagelsis a must have

george ferris said...

They have a yummy looking site. I would like to try their bagels.
george ferris
littlegeorgie56@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I would love to try the Honey Sweet Wheat Bagels. garrettsambo@aol.com

Valancia said...

Blogged #1 http://skyxsky27.blogspot.com/2009/04/win-some-bakery-goodies.html

Valancia said...

Blogged #2 http://skyxsky27.blogspot.com/2009/04/win-some-bakery-goodies.html

Valancia said...

Blogged #3 http://skyxsky27.blogspot.com/2009/04/win-some-bakery-goodies.html

skyxsky27(at)gmail.com

Helen said...

The Whole Spelt Tortillas sound good.

/\Heather/\ said...

Would most like to try the Cinnamon Raisin Bagels. Those sound really good!

Jinxy and Me said...

I want to try the whole wheat spelt tortillas!

VickieB said...

The Rosemary Olive Oil is good, I think the Tuscan Roasted Garlic would be good to try

VickieB said...

Blog 1
http://vickieb52.blogspot.com/2009/04/bloggy-giveaways.html

VickieB said...

Blog 2

http://vickieb52.blogspot.com/2009/04/bloggy-giveaways.html

VickieB said...

blog 3
http://vickieb52.blogspot.com/2009/04/bloggy-giveaways.html

cman said...

Country French Bread :)

yadgirl said...

I'd love to try the Cinnamon Raisin Bagels

memetu said...

The breads are all healthy and robust. A healthy choice for me is the 7 grain bread with flax.

theolotto said...

I like english muffins.

Donna said...

I would like the English muffins.
donna444444@yahoo.com

Vickie said...

I too always loved running short fast distances. I worked very hard one summer, running many 5k runs and doing weekly speedwork to achieve the 23 min. 5k. Can you believe what my end of year 5k was? 23:01. Unbelievable. But, just in case you don't make it, don't give up, because the story continues with just doing weekly long runs consistently all winter with the spring surprise of my first 5k, sans speedwork, of--22:20. And I went on that year to reach another milestone: 21:05. So you can do it! I'm well past that stage in my running career, but still like doing short fast runs.

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