A Few of my Favorite Things Giveaway & Happy Blog Birthday!

Happy birthday to Blog
Happy birthday to Blog
Happy birthday, dear Blo-ooog...
Happy birthday to blog!

One year ago today I posted my very first running blog post. If you feel so inclined, you can read it here.  The funny thing is, I thought I had come up with an original idea:  I would chronicle my marathon-training journey for all the world to see!

It didn't take long to discover that there were lots of people out there with running blogs.  Did I mind?  Heck, no!  What I lacked in originality, I gained a hundred-fold in support, encouragement, and knowledge from this incredible community of runners.

I believe there is a good chance that I would have given up on running and training if it weren't for my Running Blogger Friends.  Your stories, experiences, triumphs, trials, and heart-breaks have kept the running spark alive in me.   I consider each of my Running Blogger Friends a blessing.

In order to thank you and to celebrate my blog's first birthday, I am sponsoring a giveaway.  My first real giveaway!   If I had an unlimited supply of money, I'd send each of my blogger friends a special gift.  But I'm sure you understand when I say that is just not possible.

I'm calling this "A Few of my Favorite Things" giveaway.  I love running-related products!   While I have purchased a lot of unnecessary items, there are several products I won't run without.  These things I keep in my Little Pink Running Essentials bag.  Now you have the chance to try out a few of my favorite things.  

Such as... A bottle of my favorite sunscreen:  K2 Endurance Sunblock SPF 50 (1.5 Fluid Ounces).
I know it's winter... but spring and summer are coming!  As a fair-skinned, cancer-avoiding, wrinkle-hating runner, I don't leave home without this on my face and neck.  I have dry skin and I love the way this feels!  It moisturizes but doesn't leave my skin greasy.  I usually put this on instead of moisturizer and then put my makeup over it.  It is also fragrance-free, which makes me happy.  I do not like smelling my face all day. Bleh!

Another nice thing about this sunscreen is, it doesn't run when I sweat.  I wore this when I did the San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon and did not get stingy eyes from it.  I also did not get a yucky taste in my mouth.  I hate when sunscreen taste makes its way into my mouth!

I'm a firm believer in sunscreen.  Wear it.  Or I will come to your house and beat you with a stupid stick.

Another favorite:


Hello, my name is Sara... and I am a lip balmoholic.   Seriously.  If you ever find me in a lip balmless moment, watch out!  I need lip balm.  I am miserable without it.  Others are miserable when I'm without it.  I hate having dry lips.

I may have a problem... but I have found Mission Skincare  lip balms to be absolutely wonderful.  The Strawberry happens to be my favorite.  Now you have a chance to try this organic, SPFing, paraben free, wonder.

Knowing me as well as I do, I bet I'll throw a few other things into the giveaway package.  I'll surprise you!  I have a few other things in mind but I have to check on their availability first.

Here's how you can have the opportunity to try out a few of my favorite things:
1.  Leave a comment explaining what YOU can't run without.
2.  Become a "follower" of my blog if you aren't already.  If you are, leave a comment telling me you are.
3.  Post a link to this giveaway on your blog & leave a comment when/if you do.

Each person has the opportunity to get up to three entries by commenting three times.  I'll pick the winner randomly but the more entries, the better chance you have to get a few of my favorite things.

This giveaway ends on January 31, 2010. 

OK... good night you all!  Good luck & I look forward to hearing from you. :-)

Comments

Michelle said…
Happy Blog Birthday! So glad you are back!!

I can't run without my visor. It helps to hold my hair back in addition to blocking the sun off my face. I wear it even in the winter time.
Michelle said…
Oh, and, I am a follower!
Teamarcia said…
Happy Bloggyversary!

I am already a follower!
Teamarcia said…
I cannot run without some sort of hair restraint. Be headband, ponytail holder, hat or all 3 at once!
Teamarcia said…
...and I linked you on my blog.
Sarah said…
I can't run without my iPod and in this cold weather, Nike gloves and UA jacket. :)
Sarah said…
Am now a follower :)
Tricia said…
What a fun giveaway!

My must have is a hat.
Felice Devine said…
Happy blog birthday!

I can't run without my hair in a ponytail.
Jenn said…
Please don't beat me with a stick because I forget the sunscreen..lol! I do realize it is quite the necessity as I get older though!! Happy birthday to your blog! I love it!
Molly said…
I'm a high maitenance runner, need my ipod, my hair pulled back, a swipe of chapstick, and a tissue..
Molly said…
I'm a follower!!
Julie said…
Hi Sara,
I must run with my sun glasses and sunscreen!
Julie said…
Yes, I am a follower:)
Julie said…
I will post your info on my blog in a few minutes...I have a patient right now!!
I am Melanie and I am a Garmin addict.

Great giveaway!

HAPPY BLOG B-day..
I am a TOTAL Follower.. LOL!!

I will be back..
1. Call me a sheep because I am a follower!
2. What I can not run without...God giving me this crazy obsession to do something amazing everyday! (I'm not so much into the material things. I run out the door almost straight from bed, really!)
3. Linking your post in my post today. It's a cute one!

Happy Birthday Blog!
Glenn Jones said…
One thing that's becoming apparent to me - I can't run without Sun!

Hope you're staying warm and dry!
Bethany + Ryan said…
happy "birth" day blog! i went back and read your first post, SO funny! i love it! you have certainly accomplished a lot in a year! congrats!! :-)
Bethany + Ryan said…
ok, now for the give away...what i can't run without...hmmm, thats tough. i think i'm taking it WAY too literal LOL. i think i'm going to be SUPER extreme (i know this is not the answer you are looking for) but i'm gonna have to say i couldn't run without my legs. nothing else would stop me from running, not even clothes, i'd just run at night :-) hehe. i do like my garmin a lot but it'd be overdramtic to say i couldn't run without it. haha
Bethany + Ryan said…
wait no, i've got it!! gravity!! i couldn't run without gravity!! that would be the only thing that could stop me!
Beckie said…
look at you and your givaway!!! thats awesome sara! you inspire me every day. happy blogbirthday and i am a follower!
Beckie said…
i posted a link on FB because i don't blog anymore!
Beckie said…
forgot to post what i cant run without. i have to have my nike+ wristband to ensure my runs get uploaded and logged. i need my ipod full of crazy music ranging from kid rock, to country, to christian, pop and alternative. anything to keep me moving. lastly, my water bottle.
Unknown said…
Happy Birthday to your blog! I hope you're staying dry, it's so WINDY today!
Nicole said…
Happy Birthday to your blog. I am a follower. I cannot be withoout my hair tied back or my ipod.
Denise said…
Happy blog birthday!!! I can't run without my bondi bands!!
MCM Mama said…
Happy Birthday to your blog!

I can't run without a hat. I can NOT stand my hair in my eyes and it's too short to keep back any other way.
MCM Mama said…
Oh, and I'm a follower!
Tyly said…
As of today, I can't run without my Garmin! YEAH! And I'm a lip-balm-aholic too. I wear Burt's Bee's but I'd love to give your favorite a try!
Tyly said…
I am a loyal follower on Google Reader. I hope that counts!
Tyly said…
Giveaway posted on my blog! :)
Anna said…
Can't run (or prefer not to!) without a hat, because I can't stand wiping sweat out of my eyes!
Anna said…
I'm already a follower and love your blog! Thanks for the fun giveaway :)
Anna said…
Just linked you in on my blog!
I can't run without my sunglasses. I wear them rain, shine or wind!
you are linked on the sidebar of my blog!
Anonymous said…
Happy blog birthday! Just linked to you!
Anonymous said…
I'm already a follower!
Anonymous said…
I can't run without a headband/ear warmer in the cold!
I can't run without my ipod (or some sort of music). It's just how it is, i'm not sure why.

I will also post a link to the giveaway on my blog later today.

Love your blog by the way :)
Jenna Z said…
I can NOT run without a watch with a timer. I get so caught up, it can be WAY past time to go to work and I'll still be out there miles from home. I set the timer for when I need to start heading home so I am sure to be home on time!
I cannot run without my Garmin. Even if I am not going for speed, I still like to know that I went exactly the right distance.

Congrats on the Blog Birthday!
Jill said…
I have to have my GARMIN! I hate running without that or my ipod!
Jill said…
I am a follower now!
Jill said…
Linked you! HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your one year blogging!
Libby said…
Happy birthday to your blog :) What is funny is I am a total sunscreen and even more so lip balm addict. I actually have to take a tube with me because apparently I must lick it off when I run or I just feel the need to reapply every couple of miles! Being fair skinned living in Florida definitely makes me fly through tubes of sunscreen.
Libby said…
I am now a follower :)
ajh said…
I can't run without my can do attitude! Probably not what you mean! I can't run without a hat of some kind, baseball in warm weather, fleece headband in winter, stretchy headband inside!
Bob said…
For training, I cannot run without an MP3 player (NOT an Ipod. Apple is evil.) In summer I'm also careful with sunscreen, lip balm, and OFF!

I linked to your giveaway and if I wasn't already a follower I am now! (Even though I'm not quite sure what that means/does).

Happy anniversary, keep posting!
Becca said…
Hi Sara!

I can't run with out first putting on my super wonderful Frog bra, gotta keep the girls in place:)
Becca said…
i know follow your blog, found it via Tall Mom!

:)
Oz Runner said…
don't worry about entering for the giveaway, just wanted to say happy bloggy birthday!
April said…
I'm a new follower! Happy Birthday to your great Blog!
April said…
I can NOT run with out my hair tie and bobby pins, I can't stand for my hair to hit my face when I'm running!
ShutUpandRun said…
I can't run w/o toilet paper. Just in case. Happy birthday to your blog!
I LINKED you in my post yesterday.. and on high five friday..
Marlene said…
Happy Birthday Blog!

I can't live without:

-bodyglide
-hairbands
Janet said…
I just became a follower of your blog! Found you via Tall Mom on the Run!
Janet said…
I can't run without my i-pod. It's the only time I use it but the music takes me to another place like I'm Rocky Balboa or something!
ajh said…
I am now a follower.
ajh said…
I posted a link to your giveaway!

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