Running Gal Necklace (Tarma Jewelry) Winner & This Week's Roundup

The winner of the Running Gal Necklace from Tarma Jewelry is....

Sara from http://wordstorunby.blogspot.com/

Congratulations, Sara!!!  Shoot me an email with your complete name, mailing address!

Thanks to everyone who joined!  Please wait for next giveaway this coming Tuesday! =)

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End of the Week Roundup

Here's a roundup of the week's postings all in one place in case you missed any of them!

• D'oh! I injured myself during my long run!

• The last pic from my Wordless (?) Wednesday post will surely leave you speechless. :p

• 3 days of no running?  All I can say is, @#$%^&!!! Me thinks, every runner can relate to this. Ha!

• Sharing some yummy new recipes I tried for Foodie Friday.

• Jeff GallowayVideo (Part 2):  Proper running and walking form.

Jeff Galloway Video (Part 2)

This is the second video of the Jeff Galloway training series sent to me by RunDisney.

Description: Proper running and walking form is essential to reduce the risk of injury. The Jeff Galloway method teaches runners to stay upright, maintain a short stride and eliminate bounce.

Let’s get training with Jeff Galloway.

Personally I don't think I run completely upright.  I do just a bit of a forward lean to eliminate heel strike and to use gravity to propel your legs to move forward.

The short and smooth stride and feet low to the ground bit I do agree with.  I've tried doing bigger strides and picking up my feet higher and I felt some pain on my knees and ankles when running long distances.  I understand how the latter would work for most runners but sadly, it doesn't for me.

As you know, when you're running, your feet hit the ground with a force equal to or greater than three times your body weight.  So, doing short strides and keeping my feet low on the ground somehow eases the pain on my joints.  This is basically my running style.  

• Your thoughts? 
• What's your running style?

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Foodie Friday

Since I took a little break from running (coz of this knee issue), I don't have much to share about it so I'll be talking about food today.  I've been trying out new healthy recipes lately and I'd like to share some of my favorite ones with you guys.  I wish I had a better camera so I can at least give justice to these dishes.  But trust me, they're good!

This would make a nice starter or appetizer.  But for me, this is already lunch. Haha!  You may serve the Hoisin Sauce on the side but this recipe says to mix it in already.  I think it's less messy that way.

 Asian Lettuce Wraps

Ingredients:
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 lb. ground chicken
2-inch piece ginger, peeled and finely grated
2 scallions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons lite soy sauce
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 cup hoisin sauce
1/4 cup chopped peanuts
1 head Boston lettuce, leaves separated, cleaned and dried 
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:
1.   In a skillet over medium-high heat  add the vegetable oil and saute beef until brown.
2.  Stir in ginger, scallions, garlic, soy sauce, red pepper flakes, and hoisin and cook for 1 minute.
3.  Remove from the heat and stir in the peanuts.
4.  Season with salt and pepper and serve warm wrapped in lettuce cups.

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Fall is finally here so that means warm soup is in order!  I usually make my pumpkin soup, but I like this coz I don't need to use potatoes. 

 Butternut Squash w/ Coconut Milk & Ginger Soup

Ingredients:
1 butternut squash, peeled and chopped (1/2 inch pieces or smaller)
4 carrots, chopped (1/2 inch pieces or smaller
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 tsp of finely minced ginger
100 ml of lite coconut milk
1/4 cup of cashews, ground
1/2 tsp salt

Directions:
1. In a non-stick frying pan, put the carrots, celery and squash in a 1/4 cup of water and simmer with a lid over the veggies.
2. Blend the coconut milk with ginger, cashews and about 1/2c of water until the liquid is smooth.
3. Add the liquid mixture into the frying pan with the vegetables and simmer until all the veggies are soft.
4. Pour the mixture in to a blender and blend until it is smooth...and salt or any alternative to taste.

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I really loved this Salmon dish. Mmmm...it's high in protein and good fats (Omega 3 baby!) and provides a full day’s requirement of vitamin D.  What's not to like? =)

Baked Salmon w/ Tomato and Basil

adapted from eatingwell.com

Ingredients:
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 lb. wild salmon fillet 
1/3 cup thinly sliced fresh basil
3 thin slices of  medium tomatoes
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper


Directions:
1.    Preheat oven for 15 minutes at 350 degrees.
2.    Mash minced garlic and 3/4 teaspoon salt on a cutting board with the side of a chef’s knife or a spoon until a paste forms. Transfer to a small bowl and stir in oil.
3.    Measure out a piece of heavy-duty foil large enough for the salmon fillet. Coat the foil with cooking spray. Place the salmon skin-side down on the foil and spread the garlic mixture all over it. Sprinkle with basil. Overlap tomato slices on top and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
4.    Transfer to the oven and bake until the fish flakes easily, around 15 minutes. Use two large spatulas to slide the salmon from the foil to a serving platter.

Well, that's it!  Bon Appetit!
I'll try running again tonight (after a 4 day break) and I hope my knee doesn't hurt anymore. *fingers crossed*

Wishing you all a fabulous foodie Friday!

• Is there anything new you'll be cooking this weekend?
• Any dishes/treats you've been looking forward to having all week?
• What is your favorite go-to protein food?

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@#$%^&!!!

I feel my body shaking.  And I'm walking aimlessly around the house.

Three whole days of no running?!  I mean seriously!  I feel like an addict craving for her next hit.  Cardio hit that is.  I'm getting really impatient here.  Having a bummed knee sucks big time!

I feel like I gained 3 lbs!
I feel like my days haven't been complete without running.
And I feel like I'm going crazy already!

Don't I sound crazy to you?

I'm the most impatient and panicky person in the world.   I don't want to ever be injured again, please! 

I know the pavement will still be there and that I can run another day.  My knee is feeling better though, so maybe tomorrow I can try running again.  I've been good the past 3 days.  R.I.C.E.-ing it and all.

We'll see...*crosses fingers*
                                                 



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Wordless (?) Wednesday

*first 2 photos borrowed from a friend on dailymile.




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D'oh!

Hi! My name is Julie and I'm known as Hotlegs Runner...but I'm thinking of changing it to Stupid Runner. Ugh!

Ok first let me share some fun pictures from last weekend....

Our good friends, Joty and Cris Rodriguez (with their son, Aiden), treated us to a lovely Japanese Ramen lunch.  We ate at Daikokuya and I tell you, it doesn't get any more authentic than this.  Their ramen was superb!  Would've been perfect to have on a rainy day, but the sun decided to come out that day even if it was in hiding the rest of the week!  Still, it was a fantastic experience. Perfect timing too since I needed to carbo-load for my long run the next day.

I didn't finish this on my own.  Shared This ginormous bowl w/ my daughter.

For dessert we had some Strawberry mochi ice cream.  I love plain mochi, ice cream mochi, any kind of mochi!!!
 

 Mochi is a traditional food popular in Japanese cuisine, made from specially treated rice.  But this one was stuffed with creamy ice cream! Mmmmm....

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So that same night I prepared everything I needed for the next morning's long run: 19 miles!  I was scared and excited at the same time.  I put aside what I was gonna wear, put 6 GU gels in my hydration belt pouch, KT Taped my ankles and feet and wrapped some sport tape around my toes.  I slept 2 hours earlier than usual.

Fast forward to the next morning...

Started my run at 7:30am.  Everything was a-ok until I hit mile 13.  The right side of my knee started to hurt riiiight here...

It's on the side of my right knee.  In between the two joints which I think is the patella and the bone on the outer right side of my knee.  Sorry not familiar with anatomy!  I didn't twist it or anything.  I just felt it.  Never ever felt pain in my knee area before. =(

When I would take walk breaks, it hurt even more but would disappear whenever I'm running.  So I had to forego the whole 5:1 Galloway plan and just ran the whole time until I finished.

And how in the world did I manage to injure myself?  Well, I read my calendar wrong!  I was just suppose to do 17 miles (27K) today but ended up doing 19 miles (31k) instead which was supposed to be for next week! STOOOOOPID!  I was so pissed at myself!  I can't afford to get injured 6 weeks prior to THE DAY (my first full marathon)!

I was assured by bloggie friend, Jason, that this seemed like nothing more than pure soreness because of the big mileage jump.  I R.I.C.E.-d it and took ibuprofen and it's feeling a little better now.  Though I don't know if that's coz of the meds or if I'm actually healing.  Hoping for the latter!

Thanks also to Mark for giving advice on treatment and strengthening exercises.

Ugh!  I still can't believe what I have done to myself.  Though I'm pretty proud and happy that I was able to finish the 19 miles.  My farthest distance, so far. =)

I'm scheduled to run 6 miles (10K) tomorrow and 5 miles (8K) on Friday. Both are easy runs.  I'm going to listen to my body and see if I can do it.  God knows I need to.

Any suggestions to speed up my recovery?



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PRODUCT REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Tarma Jewelry (Running Gal)

Tarma Designs and manufactures a variety of unique, hand-crafted, earth-friendly and fair trade jewelry that celebrates the spirit of life and a love of the outdoors. From our Active line of sustainable, recycled 316L stainless steel jewelry to our fairly traded, hand-made Artisan collection, there are many styles including pendants, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, wristbands, and bottle openers to choose from.

Tarma's Active Line for women and men includes jewelry for: climbing, hiking, kayaking, running, mountain biking, cycling, yoga, surfing, snow boarding, and skiing.

LIGHTWEIGHT
I really do not wear jewelry when I run.  The only things I wear around my neck and arms are my RoadID, Garmin Forerunner 305 and my Livestrong wristband.  Before the runner gal necklace was sent to me by Tarma Jewelry to review,  I already knew that I would not be wearing it while out running.  Frankly, I do not need the extra weight.

When I opened the package, I was amazed at how lightweight the pendant was.  Guess it was wrong of me to assume that the pendant would be heavy and would annoyingly (or painfully) bounce on my neck.  I actually wore it during my 15 mile run and hardly felt it was there!

my running gal necklace with sage colored cord

EARTH-FRIENDLY
I am for all things earth-friendly or green. And Tarma is Earth-Friendly Jewlery from the product itself,  down to the packaging and shipping materials used. 

Stainless Steel a "green metal"

Tarma's 316L stainless has a +60% post-consumer recycled content and ability to be worked in many different finishes. It can be cut or cast and made in many finishes, including brushed and sand blasted. It will never tarnish,  is very lightweight and strong. It's a great substitute for gold and silver.

Vacuum Plated Finishes

New for 2008 are vacuum plated finishes in faux gold. Environmentally friendly vacuum plating doesn't use liquids like electro-plating or anodizing processes, which leave toxic liquid waste that has to be disposed.

RePly™ Recycled Polyester Cord

For all cord products, Tarma has moved entirely to a recycled yarn from RePly made from PET water bottles and industrial polyester scrap.

Recycled Chipboard Packaging

All of Tarma's packaging is made from a minimum of 90% post consumer recycled and unbleached paper pulp. Even the cord used for the hanger is made from RePly polyester.

Shipping Containers

The last step in maximizing use of recycled materials and environmentally responsible practices comes in our shipping containers. For envelopes and boxes, we use unbleached mailers and corrugated cardboard with a minimum of 60% post consumer content paper.

DESIGN & DURABILITY
Tarma offers a plethora of designs and styles to choose from.  They have designs for each type of fitness activity: running, cycling, yoga, hiking, and more.

Their jewelry is very durable and colors won't fade or tarnish even when it is submerged in water or exposed to other elements. That said, every runner, kayaker, cylist or hiker can still wear some bling while pursuing her (or his) favorite activity.

More designs at their site

Christmas is fast approaching and these beauties would definitely make a great present for fitness enthusiasts --- Female OR male!  Yes, they carry manly adornments as well!

Or... why not gift yourself with one? or two! 

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GIVEAWAY

And it's time for the Tarma Jewelry Giveaway!  One lucky reader will win a Running Gal Necklace (see pic below)! If you're a male reader, you can still join.  Like I said, this will make a nice gift for your wife, girl-friend, daughter, sister or any female runner you know.

Unfortunately, this giveaway is for U.S. and Canada residents only.  If you live abroad and want to have this shipped to a U.S. address of a relative, then you are welcome to participate.

I will announce the winner this coming Sunday, October 31.

Please remember to leave a SEPARATE comment for each of the things below.  1 comment = 1 entry.  I suggest you do everything specified below to increase your chances of winning.  If you do all 9, that's 9 entries!

Mandatory:

1.  Must be a FOLLOWER of my blog. I'm doing this because it's my way of thanking you for being one! =) Click the Follow button located at my right sidebar. And let me know that you are following already by posting a comment here like, "I am a follower" .  I am always happy to see new people following. = 1 entry

 2.  Visit the Tarma Jewelry Website and tell me your favorite piece of jewelry there that you'd want to gift to another person. Let me know who you'd like to give it to and just briefly explain why you think he or she will like it. = 1 entry

Extra Credit

3.  Add my site to your blogroll = 1 entry
4.  Follow me on Twitter (@HotlegsRunner) and leave a comment that you already do. = 1 entry
5.  Like the Hotlegs Runner on FACEBOOK and leave a comment that you already do. = 1 entry
6.  Like Tarma Jewelry on FACEBOOK and leave a comment that lets me know you already do. = 1 entry
7.  Post this giveaway on your blog, Twitter and/or Facebook.  Let me know when you've spread the word. Leave a comment for each. = 3 entries

Good luck!

Disclaimer:  I did not pay for the Tarma Jewelry.  It was sent to me and in exchange, I post an honest review of it.  I was not compensated nor was I encouraged by the manufacturer to post a positive review.  This review is based solely on my experience with this product.


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