Friday, May 10, 2013

Onward and Upwards Blog Hop!

"I try to avoid looking forward or backward and try to keep looking upward."
Welcome to my blog and my entry into Jennifer's Onward and Upwards Blog Hop! 
If you're following along on the hop, you probably came here from Jennifer's blog.  If you're not following along on the hop and just stopped by (but want to follow it), you might want to go to Jennifer's post here to start. And, you'll definitely want to read all the way through my post today to find out how to win Jennifer's big prize pack, as well as a small prize from me!
"Onward and Upwards!"  For me, those words are full of action and loaded with potential . . . the belief that you can accomplish something if you put your mind to it. 
As many of you know, I have been training with my teenage daughter to run a half-marathon on June 2.  We are doing this for so many different reasons - to get into shape; to spend quality time together and strengthen our relationship; to take back some of the control of our lives which my husband's cancer robbed from us; and to raise money to help find a cure for leukemia and lymphoma.  You can read more about why we are running and donate by clicking on this link. Our training is going along really well - we are accomplishing all our goals. And more! The more includes meeting terrific people and becoming part of a team, seeing Clara mature and come to value the importance of giving to others, and the feeling of accomplishment from realizing that I will be able to run 13 miles - something I wasn't sure I could ever do. 
For today's blog hop, I thought I would show you a little more about what I use to keep moving onward and upwards in my training and also give you a chance to win a little prize (the tag at the top of today's blog post; don't you love that Charlotte Bronte quote?). 
To win the tag, lets play a game of "What's Missing?"
In order to be a successful endurance runner, you need several things - a good pair of shoes and running socks (obviously), but also a few other things:
A good pair of running tights (to prevent chafing and wick away perspiration); a running shirt made of high-tech fabric that dries quickly but also keeps you warm (as an added bonus, mine lets everyone know that I'm running for a good cause); fuel for before the race (bonk breaker - fig bar flavor); fuel for during the race (grape flavored sports beans and blackberry flavored GU); and fuel for recovery (picky bars - all in almond flavor). 
And there's even more:
A visor to keep the sun (and rain) out of my eyes; sunscreen to keep from getting burned; "body glide" which I rub on various parts of my body to prevent chafing; and a water belt where I carry four bottles of water or Gatorade, plus my beans and Gu.
But there's still one essential thing missing from these pictures - can you guess what it is? If so, leave me a comment with your guess.  If more than one person guesses correctly, I have a tie-breaker question: what color are my new running shoes (purchased earlier this week)? Add that guess to your comment as well. If there's still a tie, I'll pick a random winner from those with the correct guess(es).  I'll pick the winner Sunday night, 9:30 p.m. California time and post it with my "Hello Monday" post.
There are other prizes to be claimed today on the Blog Hop, including this huge prize package  from Jennifer:
To win, simply go round the hop, commenting on all the blogs, and then leave Jennifer a comment letting her know that you have done so (Jennifer's give-away closes Monday, May 13 at 10:59 BST).  To continue the hop from here, click on this link to go see Meghann.
But not before you leave a comment guessing what's missing from my running kit and the color of my new running shoes. Onward and Upwards we go!

38 comments:

  1. Initially I was thinking yourself but then I decided socks cos I'm not sure if the tights alone are enough to stop you getting foot blisters. So proud of you for doing this. My lovely friend Chelsea did the London Marathon last month and said the atmosphere of support was amazing. She also said she ran/walked as she didn't want to get too tired too early,
    Jo xxx

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  2. I know for me it would have to be my music. I can't go anywhere without it. Plus it's a motivator. If that's the correct answer, then I guess I would have to say that your shoes are gray with green, like in the picture. Good luck to you!

    Julie
    I Create Purty Thangs

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  3. ooh I am not sure what is missing but would guess some sort of gizmo that tracks how far you have run and/or maps out a route for you?? Something like that! I am gonna guess your trainers are purple! Well done on all the training Rinda xxx

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  4. I'm thinking Jo is right about the socks. The shoes in the photo look pretty new to me and I love the colors. I'm so impressed with what you and Clara have accomplished!

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  5. I really want to say vaseline for those delicate chafing areas! I think your running shows are gray and green. Good luck with the run.

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  6. I think I'd have to say an ipod...music for motivation and green and grey trainers too. A very inspiring post Rinda x

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  7. I am guessing a watch or stopwatch to keep an eye on the time & your pace. I recently watched the London Marathon & I was in awe of those running. Good luck with your challenge.

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  8. For me the missing item would be a sports bra! And my guess is your running shoes are orange. Best of luck with your running :o)

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  9. I think i would also guess socks that are missing, and I'd guess at yellow running shoes?
    I've never visited your blog before but it looks very inspiring so I have just become a follower so I will be calling in again. BEest of luck to you and your daughte with the half marathon.

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  10. Great post and very inspirational. What a lovely way to do so many positive things. I can think of several things missing, some mentioned already:
    1. a good sports bra
    2. a pedometer or gadget to track your distance and speed
    3. music if you like it, to keep pace and motivation going
    4. a plan for increasing your stamina and distance
    If I am right and share my answer my guess is that your new running shoes are purple :)

    Good luck with you and your daughters' training, it is a lovely experience to share.

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  11. For me it would be socks and a sports bra....I wouldn't think of running without them....though I probably wouldn't be thinking of running at all!!! I am soooo impressed with how dedicated you and Clara are....and how brilliantly you are both doing.
    If the shoes are going to be used for the actual race....I'm thinking purple to match the t shirt.

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  12. I'm going with a sports bra! Guessing your trainers are blue!

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  13. I would say a sports bra and socks! I'd definitely need the sports bra lol! Guessing your new shoes are purple, like Jacky, to go with your kit. I could never run 13 miles - actually I couldn't run a mile although I have walked a full marathon for charity. I am full of admiration for you and Clara xx

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  14. I am not a runner personally, but I love hiking (every now and then). I would say a good sports bra is definitely a thing you should wear.

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  15. Good luck with your run. I was going to hazard a guess at a watch and your shoes are blue.

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  16. Good luck with your training. I know it's already been said but it was also my first thought .... a sports bra! I will guess blue for the trainers! Right I'm off to the next blog! x

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  17. How funny! I was going to post about my trainers and how my fitness is coming along for this hop and then I forgot and posted about it on Story Telling Sunday instead! I think you are missing music. I can't physically run without the right sort of music and now I have a zombie story to play along with too. Best of luck to you for the running - I really admire you (I can't run outside). Onwards dear friends! :-)

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  18. I am loving that tag at the very start of your blog!! wow:)and good luck with your running!
    Thanks for stopping by my blog to comment:) FranT xo

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  19. I am fairly sure I remember that you run with music so I know that will be in there somewhere ... if it were me, I'd also want sunglasses. Ha ... if it were me she says ... as if it would be!

    Your new shoes ... hmmm, let me see. Purple with aqua and fluro yellow laces. Going out on a limb here!

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  20. I would say music? And your shoes- fluorescant pink?! Good luck with your run- i admire you so much for doing it. I honestly can only run 100m!

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  21. I'm going to be cheeky like some others and say a sports bra, I know I couldn't run without one! And I think your new trainers are grey and orange.

    Beautiful tag,I love the sentiment, and the fibres at the top. Well done for progressing so well with your running, you are a real inspiration to work so hard for a great cause.

    Thanks so much for joining in with my Onwards and Upwards Blog Hop! x

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  22. I'm going to say the bra and green and grey are you shoes.
    Thanks so much

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  23. I would say that the thing missing is an ipod or some other kind of MP3 player. I can't exercise without music.

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  24. Good luck with your half marathon - that will be quite the accomplishment. I used to run (not half marathons though), but my knees don't let me anymore. I always felt really good and healthy when I was still running.

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  25. Good luck with the Marathon, not sure on the guesses but thinking music, distance tracker, map....not sure lol Orange shoes too the other question though is my guess.

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  26. Great post Rinda - interesting and I love a good puzzle! I see socks in your first pick, and I think that running in company with Clara means you'll be chatting rather than listening to separate music-players, so I'm also going for a good and supportive sports bra!!!

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  27. Ooops - forgot the shoes tie-breaker - feel free to delete the first comment!!!

    Great post Rinda - interesting and I love a good puzzle! I see socks in your first pic, and I think that running in company with Clara means you'll be chatting rather than listening to separate music-players, so I'm also going for a good and supportive sports bra!!!

    I'm thinking your new shoes are the ones in the photo - they've certainly newer compared to when you started training - so grey/green would be my guess!

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  28. There couldn't be anyone less qualified than I am to take a guess on this! Maybe what we can't see in the picture is the mind set you need to complete something like this? You go for it!

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  30. Good for you Rinda. Shoes = purple & green, and you really need a pedometer and/or music. Reckon the sports bra is not necessarily specific to this race.

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  31. Good luck with the run!!!!!! A sports bra and some sort of music gadget I reckon....and I think your trainers are pink and white!!

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  32. Good luck with your run! I think your trainers are purple and I think you might be missing some tunes to keep you going!

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  33. Just wanted to say good luck :)

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  34. Running looks like it is so relaxing. Does chasing my kids count? LOL I think you are missing someone to chase.

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  35. Hmmm, I'm torn between a good sports bra, a stop watch and an iPod. I think I'll go with the sports bra and as for the shoes, those shoes in the picture look awfully new so I'll say gray and green.

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  36. Good on you and your daughter for training for your goal. I am definitely voting for a good quality sports bra (I don't know you so this might say more about my figure type than yours!

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