Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Bengay Cold Therapy review and giveaway (and birthday!)

Seems appropriate that today, which happens to be my birthday, would be the day that I would review the new Bengay Cold Therapy. Because, you know, you get older, you get some new aches and pains. Especially when you try to do run faster than your younger self.


That faster running sometimes comes with a price. Not always -- because the other thing that comes with age is a little bit of wisdom and, therefore, smarter running -- but sometimes. So, I've been a good test subject for Bengay the past few weeks because I've been training for this 5k coming up on Saturday. I really -- really -- want to run well in that race so I've been running some fast intervals and tough hilly runs in preparation.


My knee and hamstring have not completely cooperated. After my last two speed workouts, my right knee and hamstring both felt wonky. I did the usual routine of foam rolling and stretching and added in some Bengay. I was immediately transported back to lacrosse season during my sophomore year in college when I had a problem ankle that I used to load up with old-school Bengay.


Now, I don't know about you, but when you get to be a certain age (hey, I turned 41 today!) being transported -- if only in your mind -- to your 19-year-old life isn't such a bad thing. In fact, it's kinda OK. So, there I was, remembering those lax games when we'd rock-out in the travel van:



That's right, a whole van of college girls singing along with crazy Joe. What a sight.


Anyway . . . 


The Bengay. I was invited to try the new Cold Therapy before it hits the shelves in June. As I said, I tried it on my pesky knee and hamstring and I liked how it worked. The menthol scent -- which is what probably comes to mind when you think of Bengay -- is strong at first but it goes away fairly quickly. That's nice because who wants to walk around advertising your ailments by the smell of your pain relief? Not me. 


The gel went on smooth and wasn't sticky. Yes, I had to wash it off my hands afterward but neither my knee nor my hammie felt sticky after application. What's more, I felt that the Bengay worked as it was supposed to. No, it didn't take away my knee or hammie pain 100% but it did reduce it substantially, enough for me to continue to use it and plan to keep Bengay in my arsenal. Of course, I hope that I won't have much cause to use it but knowing that I am getting older and I still want to get faster means I just might rely on the Bengay now and then. 


To buy


Bengay Cold Therapy will be available at most food, drug and mass retailers (like Target, etc.) starting in June. It has a suggested retail price ranging from $8.49 to $9.99 for a 4oz tube. You can download a coupon for Bengay Cold Therapy HERE


To win


Lucky readers! TWO of you will win a tube of Bengay Cold Therapy to try out for yourselves. Entering is simple: Leave me a comment and let me know you'd like to try it out!


Additional entries:

As always, you can gain extra entries. Remember, though, you must complete the required entry first! (Leave one comment per entry for the additional ones to count):


  • Follow this blog, or let me know that you already do (leave a comment)
  • Become a fan of The Happy Runner on Facebook, or let me know that you already are (leave a comment)
  • Link to this giveaway from Facebook or Twitter (do as often as you'd like, just leave a comment each time)
  • Link to this giveaway from your blog (leave a comment)
This giveaway will run through Monday, June 6 at 11:59pm EST and the winners will be announced on Tuesday.


AND . . . 


DON'T FORGET THESE TWO THINGS!!!!


1. My Saucony giveaway ends on Thursday.


2. I still need your vote! (Did I mention that today is my birthday? What a great gift . . . voting for the Happy Runner . . . )







Have a great day, everyone!


~ Felice


Review/giveaway disclosure: I was sent a tube of Bengay Cold Therapy to review. I was not otherwise compensated and the opinions expressed are my own.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Winner, discount, and Flash!

Happy Friday, everyone!

This one's a bit of a mish-mash.

*     *     *

The Pirate's Booty giveaway is over and I used random.org to pick a winner. Thanks to all who entered. The winner is  . . . the lovely ajh over at Age Groups Rock. Congrats! Send me an email at felicehalf at yahoo dot com with your address so you can get your booty!

*     *     *

I recently reviewed Sun Chlorella (HERE) and I have to say I'm still enjoying it.


Some of you have mentioned that you are interested in checking it out and today is your lucky day! You can try out a 20 day supply of Sun Chlorella and Sun Eleuthero tablets for a discounted price of $39.95. The discount page is HERE and the code to enter is BLOGSAVE11. 

Enjoy!

*   *   *

Flash for your Friday!



No doubt, there was some very important Flash-rific business to attend to. You can't see it in the photo but there was a lot of "Flash, to the rescue!" going on.

And on and on.

*     *     *

Don't forget to enter my Saucony giveaway and . . . please vote! THANKS!




I hope you all have a great weekend! Good luck to everyone who is racing.

~ Felice




Thursday, May 26, 2011

Saucony giveaway!

I told you I was way behind on my reviews and giveaways and I wasn't kidding -- here's my second one this week with more to come over the next few days. Brace yourselves!

Today I have RUNNING SHOES for you, people. Yup, pretty much the numero-uno piece of gear that every runner needs. OK, some of you chesty runners, and all of my fellow breast-feeders out there, would probably vote for sports bras but, you know, running shoes are up there on the list of important gear. Unless you are running barefoot then you need running shoes. And a good pair is always better than a crappy one so, if you're anything like me you end up spending a few hundred dollars on shoes each year.

Yikes, right? I know. But, c'mon, running is worth it!

So, anyway, about these running shoes that I have for you. Well, it's actually Onlineshoes.com that has them for you. They have offered to give one of my lucky readers $100 to spend on Saucony running shoes! You can pick out whatever you'd like. Maybe even something minimalist, if you're so inclined, like these bad boys:


The stylish black and pink Saucony Hattori. That's what I would go for, because they look ever so slick. And probably fast. And who couldn't use a little slick speed in their life? But, like I said, you could pick any of the Saucony shoes -- and Onlineshoes.com has plenty of them.

Do you want to win $100 to spend on Sauconys at OnlineShoes.com?

To enter -- leave me a comment and let me why need some new shoes.

Additional entries:

As always, you can gain extra entries. Remember, though, you must complete the required entry first! (Leave one comment per entry for the additional ones to count):

  • Follow this blog, or let me know that you already do (leave a comment)
  • Become a fan of The Happy Runner on Facebook, or let me know that you already are (leave a comment)
  • Link to this giveaway from Facebook or Twitter (do as often as you'd like, just leave a comment each time)
  • Like OnlineShoes.com on Facebook and let them know that the Happy Runner sent you! (leave a comment)
  • Link to this giveaway from your blog (leave a comment)
This giveaway will run through Thursday, June 2 at 11:59pm EST and the winner will be announced on Friday.

If you can't wait to find out if you win, OnlineShoes.com is also having a Memorial Day special with 20% off regular orders of $80 and up. The code to use for that is 1SUN.

Good luck!

~ Felice

PS: While you're busy entering, don't forget to vote!

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Hello, Wednesday.

Just a quickie post today because I'm watching a friend's two girls today and with four kids in the house, I don't imagine I'll get free time to be my usual creative, entertaining self. You don't think I'm usually creative? Or entertaining? Yikes. Tough crowd.

No matter. Here's what I have for you today:

  • I have a giveaway running right now. Pirate's Booty!
  • I'm so far behind on other reviews and giveaways it's not even funny. But just think of the goodies awaiting you!
  • My birthday is coming up. Soon.
  • I had a great, Garmin-free run yesterday. 
  • Speedwork tonight. I will own those mile repeats. Own them.
  • The Freihofer's Run for Women is in less than two weeks. I've been writing a lot about it over HERE
  • I still need your help to stay in the Top 25! You can vote once every 24 hours. Please consider voting for me -- I would really, really, really appreciate it! And, remember you can vote for some of the other great moms while you're there, too. Just, please, if you like my blog, give me a vote!


Have a great day, everyone!

~ Felice

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...