Who Dat?

After being bummed about the cancellation of the St. Jude Marathon Weekend, I FINALLY got the official email with my transfer/registration code for the...

I will be running the Half!

 

I am so excited! My husband & I love NOLA...the food...the atmosphere...the architecture...

 

Yes, this is definitely an added expense that we weren't expecting, but when the opportunity came up to transfer my St. Jude registration & seeing how heartbroken I was with the cancellation of the race, my husband didn't hesitate...he said, "Let's do it!" (meaning..."Let's go...you run the race, I'll drink beer & cheer you on!") I'm sure when he realized that the race is being held Super Bowl weekend in WHO DAT Nation, that was just a bonus to him...one huge party in the French Quarter! Now, if only the Saints can win the play-offs! Geaux Saints! I don't mind...it's an excuse to eat some awesome cajun food while there.

 

One of our favorite places to eat...The Gumbo Shop

located on Saint Peter Street

 

Another favorite...Mulate's (best bread pudding)

near the Riverwalk Mall

 

Luckily, I found a hotel, the Andrew Jackson Hotel, in the French Quarter for $159 a night (not as bad as I thought it was going to be). I've never stayed at this hotel, but it looked very quaint. When the receptionist asked me what I was looking for, I told her "Honestly, I'm looking for a place to lay my head & a tub to soak in after the race!"

 

I know I've walked past this place many times strolling up & down Royal Street.

 

Since the cancellation of the St. Jude, I've continued to train in the hopes of getting in to this race...a little over a month to go...February 2, 2014 to be exact. Then I will "earn" my beads & all I'll have to show for them is hard work, determination, & sweat!

 

 

So, with all that being said...the only thing left to say is...







Bani Bands Review & Giveaway

I believe I discovered Bani Bands on Twitter, somehow. I didn't own one of their headbands. One Wednesday they posed a question on Twitter about gym workouts, I responded & was sent a turquoise sequin headband. Later in the Summer, I won a gold sequin band from another Twitter question that was posed. I thought they were going to be like some of the other "big name" headband companies, but I was VERY wrong! These are now my absolute favorite headbands!

I must say that Renee Hanson, owner & designer of Bani Bands, is a GENIUS! Her headbands are like no other that I've tried before. They are made of an adjustable elastic band, so they NEVER stretch out! The elastic in all of my other headbands eventually stretches out.

I wear my headbands to the gym, on a run, to the beach, and around the house. I have yet to have this headband slip...it definitely stays put (even when I've fallen asleep on the couch)! I can't say enough  good things about these bands.

Just finished a run while wearing my turquoise sequin BaniBands Headband (not the greatest pic)

Showing off my new St. Jude Here singlet after a gym workout in my turquoise sequin BaniBands Headband.



Recently I was approached to do a Guest Blog on their site...my very 1st time doing a Guest Blog. It was about the "Top 5 Reasons Why Every Runner Should Cross-Train". Check it out HERE. In exchange for doing the Guest Blog, they sent me some headbands to do with as I wish.

I have decided that I want to spread the Bani Bands LOVE, so I am giving away 2 headbands: 1 Sequin Pink Sparkle & 1 Sequin Yellow (see photos below).

Sequin Pink Sparkle

 

Sequin Yellow

 

Be sure to visit the Bani Bands Facebook page and let them know Jennifer from Teacher in Training sent you.

 

The giveaway will end on December 22 at 12:00am. Good luck, everyone!

 



 

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/175f1b3/"



 

 

 

 





St. Jude a No-Go!

I'm sitting here in bed...wide awake. I would've been asleep long before now, preparing for a 3am wake-up to get ready for the St. Jude Half-Marathon tomorrow and the 1 1/2 hr. drive into Memphis. Due to Mother Nature bringing in an ice storm, an announcement was made around 7pm that the race had been cancelled. Over 20,000 runners were scheduled to run this race.

This was to be my first time running the St. Jude & my first race since April (returning from IT Band injury). This is a difficult race to get into...it sells out within hours. I decided, while I was injured, to sign up for this race by staying up 'til midnight when registration opened up...to guarantee that I had a spot. I even signed up to run as a St. Jude Hero, in which I received donations from others. This race was my drive to come back from injury stronger. I couldn't wait to see how I'd do compared to my other 2 half-marathons. I was curious to see if the PT, Active Release Therapy with the chiropractor, and all those resistance band exercises paid off.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't heartbroken when the announcement was made. I even cried a little. I busted my butt to get back to where I am. I just wanted to get out there & be a part of something bigger. I wanted to feel the excitement of running a race again. I wanted to run through that St. Jude campus wearing my Hero singlet proudly.

I know the decision of canceling the race was for the best...safety first. I have to admit, I wasn't really looking forward to running with a windchill of 5* & 15mph winds, but one of my students reminded me that it's for the KIDS! So I was willing to suck it up.

According to the email I received, we can transfer our registration to an upcoming race. So I'm eyeing the New Orleans Rock N Roll Half on Feb. 2...that is if it isn't full & I can find a room and my principal will let me off.