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Meet Our Ambassadors: Jody
Get ready to meet our next Runnerbox Ambassador...Jody! Â Â Jody Stoops, 46, Southern California Tell us a little about your personal running journey: I am a personal trainer and a certified RRCA running coach with a passion for helping others achieve their goals, whether itâs running their first race, qualifying for the Boston Marathon or attaining a new healthy lifestyle through faith, fitness, motivation, and nutrition. As a marathoner, I have completed 11 full marathons, including the 2013 Boston Marathon and five San Francisco Marathons, my personal favorite. Most importantly, Iâm a wife and mother of three teenagers balancing a life that involves staying healthy and fit while raising my family. Your favorite race distance and why: LOVE the full marathon! I love the challenge of the distance, pushing my body to its limits and the feeling of accomplishment after crossing the finish line. What's one race on your bucket list? NYC Marathon Three words that describe your running philosophy: Faith, Believe, Motivate What do you love most about Runnerbox? The high quality of products devoted to runners. Where can we find you online? Cross My Heart Fitness on Facebook CrossMyHeartFitness.com Twitter: @xmyheartfitness Instagram: crossmyheartfitness
Learn moreMeet Our Ambassadors: Jenn
Get ready to meet our next Runnerbox Ambassador, Jenn! And stay tuned to meet more of our Ambassadors this week. Jenn, 36, NE Florida Tell us a little about your running journey: I started running to help support my husband in his weight loss and fitness journey. I've been running since February of 2013 and so far, it's been incredible. I really didn't think I would enjoy it at all but it's been great. I especially love the sense of accomplishment that comes from setting my race goals and then meeting (and sometimes even crushing) them. Your favorite race distance and why: I think 10 miles. I'll be able to answer better after my first half marathon, but I like the feeling of hitting double digits. What's one race on your bucket list? The Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta. It sounds like so much fun! Three words that describe your running philosophy: Just keep going. What do you love most about Runnerbox? There are so many different products on the market and so many individual opinions. It's great to be able to sample and try things to see what works for me and to get to try things that maybe I wouldn't think of otherwise. Where can we find you online? Blog: http://www.runswithpugs.com Runs With Pugs on Facebook Twitter: @runningwithpugs Instagram: @runswithpugs
Learn moreIt's a #Runnerbox Twitter Party!
We're hosting our very first twitter party this Thursday, November 21st from 9-10pm EST. Simply join the conversation by using the hashtag #runnerbox on your tweets. No formal RSVP is required. Meet our new Runnerbox Ambassadors, chat with other runners, make new twitter friends, and win prizes! We'll be asking ten questions. Answer those questions with the #runnerbox hashtag and you're entered to win one of three Limited Edition Holiday Runnerboxes! One lucky party attendee will win a six month Runnerbox subscription! Will we see you there?
Learn moreQuest Nutrition
October and November Runnerbox subscribers received something truly delicious this month: a Quest Nutrition Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough protein bar. It's so good, you may be tempted to dunk the bar in milk. Not only is this bar decadent and delicious, but it also offers 21 grams of protein with only three grams of active carbs. You get muscle-building protein without the added burden of unnecessary carbs, making Quest the perfect choice for athletes looking to build muscle or slim down. Quest Nutrition is dedicated to making healthy, gluten-free, low carb snacks. Yes, snacks. Quest doesn't just make bars. Trying to resist that basket of Halloween candy? Reach for a Quest Cravings Peanut Butter Cup (packed with 20 grams of protein) instead. Want to ditch your everyday pasta for something with more fiber? Try their Quest Pasta. And Quest is so confident you'll love their no-nonsense approach to delicious nutrition that they offer a money-back guarantee. Looking for clean eating recipes? You'll love Quest's YouTube channel and their "Cooking Clean with Quest" series. Quest has fun with nutrition, there's no doubt about it. Quest Nutrition makes it easy to get the protein your body needs with real ingredients and great taste. Keep a Quest bar in your bag, your car, your desk, and a few in the cabinet at home so you can grab a bar whenever you need a boost. With several flavors to choose from like White Chocolate Raspberry, Cinnamon Roll, Peanut Butter Supreme, and Chocolate Brownie, you're sure to find a flavor you love. Connect with Quest on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Learn moreJelly Belly Sport Beans
RunnerBox subscribers and GiftBox recipients are all getting to try out Jelly Belly Sport Beans in the October-November boxes. Sports Beans come in either Energizing or Extreme Energizing (50 mg caffeine), formulated to help fuel the body during intense exercise. Clinically proven to maximize sports performance, each bean is loaded with carbs for fuel, electrolytes to help maintain fluid balance and vitamins to optimize energy release and protect cells against oxidative damage. Made with natural flavors, real fruit juices and they come in a resealable zip top bag that makes it portable and easy to stow on the run. Some benefits include: 25 grams of carbohydrates to fuel your body during activity Balanced supply of electrolytes (sodium and potassium) vital for maintaining fluid balance Vitamins B1, B2, and B3 helps burn carbs and fat 100% natural flavors and real fruit juices, natural sweeteners Vitamin C to protect muscles and cells against oxidative damage Gluten Free, Peanut Free, Kosher Flavors to choose from are: Berry, Fruit Punch, Lemon Lime, Orange, and Assorted. Extreme/caffeinated versions are Pomegranate, Cherry, Watermelon, and Assorted. It is recommended to take 30 minutes before activity, and use additional during activity to sustain. These not only perform well but taste great and are easy to eat on the run or bike. We included them in our very first RunnerBox and love them so much we have brought them back with their newer flavor. We have also featured Jelly Belly Protein Recovery Crisps. These delicious crisps help rebuild muscles post exercise with 10 grams of protein. A crispy pea protein center wrapped in a whey protein layer and a crunchy shell. Packed with protein, Vitamins B and D, Calcium. A terrific recovery snack from Jelly Belly. Be on the lookout from more Sport Beans Recover Crisp samples in your RunnerBox. Your tired muscles will thank you!
Learn moreP4: Proven4 Sport Certified Energy Drink
Today, we're taking a look at a company making their debut in Runnerbox: Proven4, a Michigan-based company dedicated to providing consumers with high-quality vitamins and sports supplements. Included in the wide range of products offered by Proven4 is the Proven4 Sport Certified Energy Drink Formula. The Proven4 Sport Energy Drink Formula is NSF certified, which means professional athletes can feel confident using the product without the worry of violating any league substance policies. What does NSF certified mean, exactly? In addition to a superior blend of ingredients, Proven4 Certified Energy Drink Formula has been screened and analyzed for banned substances allowing this product to carry the prestigious NSF Certified for Sport symbol. The NSF Certified for Sport program is offered by NSF International, an independent testing facility that focuses on protection against adulteration of products, verification of label claims with product contents and identification of athletic banned substances in the finished product or ingredients. This program is part of NSF's successful 60-year history of providing certification programs for food, water and consumer goods. The Energy Drink Formula is designed to give you a boost whenever you need it: before, during, or after a workout. It mixes easily into water, without a gritty consistency or aftertaste and gives a gentle energy boost without crashing or caffeine jitters. The Fruit Punch flavor isn't overly sweet, so no worries about upset stomachs on race day! Proven4 Sport Energy Drink Formula is perfect to carry along the course in your fuel belt as an alternative to some of the sugary sports drinks served at a race. Proven4 offers much more than energy drinks! They offer three distinct lines of products (Sport, Certified Sport, and Health) designed to make the best you, including a wide range of vitamins and supplements for men, women, and children: from daily multivitamins to vitamins for skin, hair, and nails. Runnerbox subscribers will find $10 gift certificates to Proven4 in their October/November boxes.Â
Learn moreLaceLocker survey
Calling all August and September subscribers and gift box recipients! Please take a quick moment and let us know what you thought about one of our featured products: LaceLocker. We hope you were all as excited as we were to have LaceLocker featured in your boxes for August and September!  As always, if you have any questions or comments about the products featured in our box. Contact Us.
Learn moreSubscriber Review and Giveaway: LaceLocker
Today we're featuring a review from one of our Runnerbox subribers, Carlee. Carlee is a runner and blogger. You can also find her on twitter @carleemcdot. All content and opinions are that of Carlee's. We love getting reviews from our subscribers! And be sure to check out the LaceLocker giveaway at the bottom of the post for your chance to win your own LaceLockers and a mini Runnerbox! ______________________________________________________ I received a pair of LaceLockerŽ in my RunnerBox that came at the end of August.  Source I hadn't tried them until yesterday. In all honesty, I have never really had an issue with my laces. I normally don't find myself tying them too tight or too loose (I am pretty much like Goldilocks and get them 'just right' the majority of time). Also, I normally double knot my shoes, so they don't tend to come untied on me. BUT IF YOU ARE SOMEONE THAT DOES HAVE LACE ISSUES, THIS WOULD BE A GREAT ITEM FOR YOU TO PICK UP!  Although when I saw them I didn't think that I "needed" them - they were extremely convenient. They were very easy to 'install' on my shoes. The nice thing is that I didn't need to alter my laces at all - just slide the LaceLockerŽ on each shoe and they held my laces in place. They are extremely light weight and I didn't even notice that they were on - just noticed my shoe laces weren't flopping about or coming undone. Two other features that I love are, first, the fact that they are made in the USA, and second, they come in an assortment of colors. The different color options are: black, silver (which I have), hot pink, neon green, lady bug graphics, and even a Neely Spence Gracey Signature series "Inspired...Get Runnng" - which donates 20% of the proceeds to a scholarship fund. Source  LaceLockerŽ is a sports apparel specialty device which securely stores tied shoe laces. If you wear laced shoes, LaceLockerŽ will securely store tied laces without you having to stop and and tie shoes repeatedly. Your child can still learn to tie shoes, but they are safer and you won't have to worry about falls. _______________________________________________________________________________________ And now for the giveaway! We're giving away a set of LaceLockersŽ and a mini Runnerbox! Simply use the Rafflecopter form below and good luck!! Be sure to read the Terms and Conditions before entering.
Learn moreSkratch Labs Exercise Hydration Mix
Today's post features Skratch Labs, based in Boulder, Colorado. Our thoughts are with the state of Colorado as they face a devastating natural disaster. If you'd like to help in any way, please check out this list of ways to help in Colorado. In 2008, Dr. Alan Lim was a Director of Sport Science for the Garmin Professional Cycling team during their preparations for the Tour de France. He noticed many of the athletes were watering down their sports drinks because they were too strong. He knew that while the riders were still being hydrated, they were diluting their electrolyte intake, something no endurance athlete wants to do. Soon he began cooking up his own formula "from scratch" in his kitchen. In 2012, Skratch Labs was opened in Boulder, Colorado with a clear mission: " to develop and sell food and drink products based on real world science and practice that taste great, that are made from real ingredients, and that optimize performance for both sport and life." Skratch Labs also offers a fitness-centric cookbook, Feed Zone Portables (a tasty alternative to gels and bars), and stylish race gear. August and September subscribers were given a sample of Skratch Labs' electrolyte drink mix. I've never been a great fan of sports drinks. They're either too sugary or they upset my stomach. I've been trying to find the best hydration plan for long runs, especially now that I'm training for my first marathon. I decided to bring my Skratch sample along to Anahiem, CA last week and test it out during the Disneyland Half Marathon. It was HOT on the course (and humid) and I was definitely sweating a fair amount. I prepared my Skratch hydration mix the night before and had it ready to go in my fuel belt for the next morning. My plan was to sip on the Skratch hydration mix in between water stops. I was a bit nervous to try out something new during a race (a big race day no-no), but I knew my stomach wouldn't like the provided electrolyte drink anyway, so what did I have to lose?! After 13.1 miles of sunny, hot, and humid running, I can say with certainty that Skratch is my new go-to electrolyte drink. Instead of feeling like I was drinking a bottle of sugar, I felt like I was drinking a refreshing flavored water. My stomach thanked me for not forcing down that other "stuff" and I felt strong and hydrated the entire race. The single serving sticks are fabulous for travel or for race day. Skratch also offers one pound bags of mix and several flavors including raspberry, lemon and limes, and pineapples. Be sure to check out the Skratch website and catch them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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