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
Monday, April 6, 2009
Happy 200 and a carb-licious giveaway!
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131 comments:
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.
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!
Happy Monday! I love my speed work as well! Those multigrain wraps look tasty! have an awesome day!
multigran english muffins with flax are more interesting to me
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!
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...
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 :)
Happy 200!
I think I'd like some multi-grain/flax English muffins :)
Sometimes I feel more connected to my "blog family" than I do to my own. You guys understand me :)
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!!
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.
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...
yeahhh to the virtual community!!
and did you say carbs??? I think the cinnamon raisin bagels look SUPPPPER
I have a link in my post going up tonight around 6
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. :)
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!
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
HAPPY 200, Woman.
You make me laugh and inspire me to run run run like Atalanta.
Miz.
Keep it simple - I'd go with the multigrain bagels! Congrats on the 200th :)
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!
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!
hooray for 200!
7 grain bread with flax!
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!
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!!!
i would LOVE to try the whole wheat spelt tortillas! looks so yummy!!
-Leslie
http://lovejackson.blogspot.com
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.
just posted and linked back to you and this giveaway. :)
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.
Happy 200th post! I am a sucker for a good Cinnamon Raisin Bagel.
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 !
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
The sour dough bread...yummy. ruthing73 at hotmail dot com
Congratulations on your 200th post. I'd love the Country French Artisan bread. sharonaquilino(at)hotmail(dot)com
Spelt Ancient Grain Bread
Alicia Webster
5webs@comcast.net
Honey Sweet Bagels! Yum!!
I mentioned the giveaway on my blog.
Also, happy 200 posts! Can't wait for the next 200. :)
I am most interested in trying the cinnamon raisin bagels!
The Rocky Mountain Sourdough Bread sounds so divine. That would be my favorite pick.
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...
Since it's just about grilling time I would love to try both the Hamburger buns and Hot dog rolls.
cinnamon raisin bagels yum
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!
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.
I'd love to try the Rocky Mountain Sourdough!
I'd most like to try the white hamburger buns. Thanks.
-Terra H.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
I'd like to try the cinnamon raisin bread.
I would love the apple spice bread. Thanks
I'd love to try the cinnamon raisin bread.
Country French Artisan bread
I'll say the apple n spice bread. So many things look good!
I blogged about you on Squidoo! #1
http://www.squidoo.com/Blog-Sweepstakes
Congrats on 200 posts!
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!
I blogged about you on squidoo #3!
http://www.squidoo.com/Blog-Sweepstakes
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
congratulations on 200th.....
I'd like to try the Rosemary Olive Oil Artisan Bread....
The Multigrain Bagels look good.
dangotmail AT yahoo DOT com
I favorite is Cinnamon Raisin Bagel
gjsrjs@sbcglobal.net
would love to try Rudi's Whole Spelt Tortillas
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!)
Congratulations on your 200th post!
I bet we'd like those Multigrain Wraps. Yum!
Katie Brown
showbizkp[at]gmail.com
I'D LOVE TO TRY THE HONEY SWEET WHEAT BAGELS!
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!
I'd like to try Rudi's Multigrain Wraps. I have been unable to find them in stores so far.
7grain with flax and spelt wraps.
quincy@i-love-dogs.com
There's not an item on there I wouldn't try. I'll start with Rudi's Whole Spelt Tortillas.
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.
I'd love to try their cinnamon raisin bagels!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Well I've been hungry for english muffins lately so it would be that...their "Whole Grain Wheat" muffins.
Thanks for this offer.
naturetoclickatyahoodotcom
I'd LOVE to finagel
a cinnamon raisin bagel!
riceburns (at) hotmail (dot) com
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.
I like the Rosemary Olive Oil Artisan Bread.
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!
These all look delicious! I would love to try the Honey Sweet Wheat Bagels. Thanks!
lisalmg25 at gmail dot com
MMM...apple and spice bread
Diane
Dianesmb@aol.com
I would like to try the wheat enligh muffins. Thank you!
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net
I would love to try the Cinnamon Raisin Bagels.
I think the Rosemary Olive oil bread sounds devine!
I'd love to try the rosemary olive oil bread!
I would really love to try the Tuscan Roasted Garlic bread! Yum! Thanks for the contest!
airalynn(@)gmaildotcom
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
Hi Felice, the giveaway is mentioned on my blog. Thanks again!
The Cinnamon Raisin Bagels look awesome.
mmmmm......I'd love to try the Honey Sweet Wheat bagels! Made me hungry looking at their site, breads are my weakness.
Thank you!
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
I get their rocky Mt sourdough and the sweet honey wheat breads at wholefoods .... yummmm
the cinnamon raison bagels
I would like to try the Cinnamon Raisin bread.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
I would like to try the Rosemary Olive Oil Artisan bread. Thanks for the giveaway.
I would like to try the Multigrain bagels
multigrain english muffins with flax sounds really good
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
I would love to try the Cinnamon Raisin Bread!
I would like o try the cinnamon raisin bagels
YUM!! I'd love to try the Rosemary Olive Oil bread!!
pamelashockley at netscape dot net
I'd love to try their Wheat and Oat bread
The Rosemary Olive Oil Artisan bread sounds delicious. Congratulations on your 200th post.
I'd love to try the Rocky Mountain Sourdough Bread.
I like Honey Sweet Wheat Bagels.thanks
herry123_us@live.com
Yummy homemade breads! ANY of them!
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.
the apple and spice whole grain bread sounds good
The Cinnamon Raisin Bread sounds yummy!!
annemarie562000(at)yahoo(dot)com
BAGELS, BAGELS, AND MORE BAGELS. MMMMMMMMMMMM
i'd love to try this:
MultiGrain with Flax - english muffins
autumn398 (at) yahoo.com
the Rosemary Olive Oil artisan bread sounds delicious
I would most love to try their Rocky Mountain Sour Dough Bread!
http://zestywonderland.blogspot.com/
ZESTYWONDERLAND@GMAIL.COM
Tuscan Roasted Garlic Bread con5459(at)gmail(dot)com
i'd like to try the "Right Choice" bread
Cinnamon Raisin Bagels
I am most interested in trying the Tuscan Roasted Garlic bread...mmmmm!
I'd like to try the cinnamon raisin bagels.
sour dough bread thanks for the giveaway
Spelt English Muffin. skyxsky27(at)gmail.com
Cinnamon Raisin Bagelsis a must have
They have a yummy looking site. I would like to try their bagels.
george ferris
littlegeorgie56@yahoo.com
I would love to try the Honey Sweet Wheat Bagels. garrettsambo@aol.com
Blogged #1 http://skyxsky27.blogspot.com/2009/04/win-some-bakery-goodies.html
Blogged #2 http://skyxsky27.blogspot.com/2009/04/win-some-bakery-goodies.html
Blogged #3 http://skyxsky27.blogspot.com/2009/04/win-some-bakery-goodies.html
skyxsky27(at)gmail.com
The Whole Spelt Tortillas sound good.
Would most like to try the Cinnamon Raisin Bagels. Those sound really good!
I want to try the whole wheat spelt tortillas!
The Rosemary Olive Oil is good, I think the Tuscan Roasted Garlic would be good to try
Blog 1
http://vickieb52.blogspot.com/2009/04/bloggy-giveaways.html
Blog 2
http://vickieb52.blogspot.com/2009/04/bloggy-giveaways.html
blog 3
http://vickieb52.blogspot.com/2009/04/bloggy-giveaways.html
Country French Bread :)
I'd love to try the Cinnamon Raisin Bagels
The breads are all healthy and robust. A healthy choice for me is the 7 grain bread with flax.
I like english muffins.
I would like the English muffins.
donna444444@yahoo.com
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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