The Retired Athlete

I hope everyone had a great weekend! Mine was filled with family and a struggle of a 9 mile run. I can’t really be upset though since it was my longest training run ever and I finished it! That’s all that matters.

I ventured out on the 9 miler Saturday afternoon and it was a bit warm for my liking so maybe that’s why I struggled so much towards the end. Miles 1-6 were not awful, but miles 7, 8, and 9 were not pretty. I went from being consistently under 9 min miles to going WAY over. I felt sluggish and my legs felt like they had bricks tied to them.

Good thing mileage is still mileage regardless of time and that is what long runs are all about! Next up: 10 miles this Friday. I’m ready!

Let’s get down to business. I really do have not one, but two half marathon coupon codes to giveaway PLUS I am going to announce the winner of the Creative Activity headband giveaway.

Thank you to those of you who commented and entered the headband giveaway. I was a little disappointed with the turn out, but I am happy to announce the winner:

The winner is Meg! Please send me your shipping info as soon as you can and I will send you your sparkly new prize this week! You can send an email to candice.peak@gmail.com. Again, thanks to those of you who participated and lucky for you, I have another giveaway, so keep reading!

Onto the half marathon giveaway. Someone involved with the Allstate Life Insurance 13.1 Marathon in Boston contacted me about spreading the word about the organization they are partnered with: Give Your Sole. The concept is simple: donate your used athletic shoes to those who are less fortunate. Give Your Sole will be at the Allstate Life Insurance 13.1 Marathon on September 16th and all donated shoes will go to the Boston Rescue Mission.

photo credit: Give Your Sole

The Boston Rescue Mission helps out the homeless and less fortunate men and women of Boston.Donations from race participants and Boston residents will also be collected during the 13.1 Marathon packet pick-up at Fast: Splits Multisport on Friday, September 14 and at the Karhu and Craft North American headquarters on Saturday, September 15. Runners who donate their shoes on race day will receive a pair of flip flops to go home in. As I runner, I know I have a ton of shoes lying around that are still in great shape, but just have too many running miles on them and have been retired. It is such an easy way to help out those in need. The retired sneakers sitting in your closet could seriously make someone’s day to day life that much better. I also know, as a runner, that race entries can add up and get really expensive. I have two coupon codes for a free race entry to the Boston race on September 16th.

photo credit: Allstate Life Insurance 13.1 Marathon

Here is what you have to do to enter:

1. Tell me what pair(s) of shoes you would donate after the race (mandatory)

2. Tweet the following (also mandatory): I just entered The Retired Athlete’s Giveway for a free race entry! http://wp.me/p2Bz2X-eU @candicepeak @131marathon #giveaway 

3. Visit the Give Your Sole website and tell me one thing you found interesting or learned

4. Follow Give Your Sole on twitter  and leave a comment telling me you did so

5. Follow Allstate Life Insurance 13.1 Marathon on twitter and leave a comment telling me you did so

6. Follow me on Twitter and leave a comment telling me you did so

I will announce the winner on Wednesday morning. You only have two days to enter, so get on it! This is a great opportunity to run a half marathon for FREE and to get involved with a really cool organization! Good luck to all and happy Monday!