KICK CANCER WITH A COMBAT BOOT RAFFLE!

THE STORY!

I started running off and on in late 2009.  In 2010 I decided I wanted to try my first 5K.  I didn’t want just any old race, I wanted a race that meant something. Most of you know that my dream job would to be a sworn police officer. So my first 5K was with the Aurora Police Department, they sponsored a 5K for the Illinois Special Olympics.  It was the best feeling ever to finish and then watch police, firefighters, and random racers all go back onto the course after finishing to cheer on and pace a boy with Downs Syndrome as he crossed the finish line. It still gives me chills! So when I decided to run a half marathon, I wanted to do it with a bang.  I chose the Chicago Rock and Roll Half Marathon  because I’ve always heard great things about their race series.  I chose team DetermiNation because I wanted to train with a team.  I also chose them because they raise for the American Cancer Society. The ACS is important to me because I don’t want to support just one type of cancer. Breast, kidney, colon, Hodgkins Lymphoma, they’re ALL just as important. I know someone who has been affected by all different types, not just one. So I want them ALL to be beaten and I want EVERYONE to have a shot at more birthdays.  When you go to my donation page you see the list of the special individuals in my life who I will be representing in my race.  I’m going to make a ribbon for each one of them to put on my race day shirt. If you have someone in your life that you would like me to add, please feel free to leave a comment or e-mail me!

SO,  I have decided to run the entire 13.1 miles of the Chicago Rock and Roll Half Marathon in my combat boots! That’s right, I’m going to SERIOUSLY kick cancer with my combat boot! I’m looking into a few options(like the new Nike boots) but I think I’m leaning toward wearing my old raggedy pair from Iraq that are nice and broken in.  WHY? Because there is nothing I can do that even equates to the pain, sickness, and suffering that cancer patients go through. There is nothing I could ever do that even compares to the strength, courage and DetermiNation that those battling cancer have shown.  My husband thinks I’m nuts, maybe I am, but hopefully everyone else will think I’m nuts and they will want to donate and help my(slightly crazy) cause! Stick around while I train to kick cancer with my combat boots!

THE RULES!

Here’s how this is going to work.  For every $5 you donate to my fund raising for team DetermiNation,  you will get 1 entry into the raffle. The raffle will be open until July 15th, so you have from now until then to donate as much as you can/want.  After the raffle closes I will use random.org to select the winners.  Because this raffle is going ALL toward The American Cancer Society and team DetermiNation, my main goal is raising money.  I can’t give away a raffle tickets for every tweet or link love in your blog. BUT, just know that if you can and do spread the word I may throw in some of my own love in a surprise package to the person with the most tweets/blogs, whether you win or not.

THE LOOT!

Bart Yasso(Yes, THE Bart Yasso) was kind enough to donate not only his book for me to give to a winner, he also donated 3 other books! I have a copy of A Runners Rule Book, Runnersworld Guide to Road Racing, The Athlete’s Palate Cookbook, AND his own book My Life on the Run! He’s such a swell guy! I can’t wait to meet him at the IMT Des Moines Marathon!

Skinny Runner donated so much stuff that I broke it up into four prizes. TWO winners will get a grab bag of shot bloks, GUs, Mission Skin Care products and KT tape.

Then she was nice enough to give me one those super cute C9 empire waist shirts(like the one in the picture) brand new, size medium, with a matching Bic head band!

Same tank, pale pink

The last SR donated prize is a pair of Nike Dri Fit shorts. They’re baby blue with black trim. Size Medium. Even though we all miss her because she’s out fishing, she’s  DEFINITELY with us in giveaway spirit! Now if only she’d get Facebook and Twitter so we could stalk follow her more!

Etsy designer 26.2 Mile Stones  has donated a gift certificate for her shop. You can have your favorite bib made into custom coasters! Or order one of her other fabulous designs, but I think a bib coaster is a great way to remember your favorite race! Follow her on Twitter for more deals!

CLICK Espresso Protein drinks has donated a CLICK-no-go pack! CLICK is an Espresso Protein Drink. Skinny Runner drinks like a gallon a day! I(being a coffee lover) thoroughly enjoy the vanilla latte naturals. I haven’t invested in a big jar yet but I’ve sampled their flavors and it’s great stuff!  Like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter for more deals! They sent me some samples, a shaker cup and a cool bag to give to a winner!

CEP Compression has offered to give a winner a pair of compression sleeves!  The winner will be able to choose their size and color. If you’ve never tried CEP Compression stuff before, you’ll be hooked! I LOVE my socks, they helped with my shin splints, speed up recovery of my legs, and they’re super comfortable.  Like them on Facebook and Twitter because they always have good deals!

 

Some of you may remember 2Toms from Eat, Drink, Run and her fabulous cartoons about butt chaffing. It’s no laughing matter folks but Shelby made us giggle with some hot cheek on cheek action!  Well the wonderful people at 2Toms have donated a care package of goodies for me to give away to a lucky winner!

They sent butt shield, Blister shield patches, Sport Shield roll and patches.
If you don’t want it, our kitty does!

Sorry, cute kitty not included

2Toms was also kind enough to send an extra roll of Sport Shield for me to try and give y’all a review before I give away their products so you know just what awesome stuff you’re getting! So look forward to a review in a couple weeks!

The awesome people at BondiBand have donated two bondi bands! Their no slip, no drip head bands are awesome for all sorts of activities.  I have about 5 myself and wear them running all the time! Never move!

For those of you who already have this stuff or aren’t big athletes, my wonderful friend Amy has promised to make some ear rings and maybe a bracelet or necklace for a couple winners. Check out her awesome work at her Etsy shop!

GU Energy is sending me a sampler box of their GU Performance Energy Sampler. 

 

The Sampler box includes:
9 GU Energy Gels - includes each flavor of the workhorse of endurance nutrition
3 Roctane Gels - when you really need to dig deep on that long training run, ride or race
2 Chomps Packets - mix things up a bit with this delicious and chewable form of energy
2 GU Electrolyte Brew Packets - a great tasting, balanced electrolyte mix to improve hydration
1 GU Recovery Brew Packet - use after workouts to recover faster and perform better the next time out
The awesome people at Luna/Clif sent me an ENTIRE BOX of Lemon Zest Luna bars to give away!

Keep checking back for more prizes!  Spread the word to all you know and help us kick cancer with a combat boot!