Bioskin Fall Sale

The awesome folks over at BioSkin are having a Fall sale today through Thursday September 23rd, 2014!  I've been using the calf sleeves you see in the picture above for both support during my runs and recovery after my runs.

All you have to do is go to the BioSkin site, find what you want and place your order using the special code FALL2 and it will take the 15% off for you.  They have a wide range of products that help with support and recovery including braces and compression gear.  The BioSkin site is http://www.bioskin.com.

Until next time, keep those beats coming!

Pre-Marathon Nerves and Project Purple Winners

My stomach is already in knots and the run is 3 days away.  I'm so nervous and excited.  I'm trying to remember to make sure I keep tapering.  When I go for my run today for #Runch that I'll have to take it easy.  I am also trying to remember to stay hydrated.  In case you are wondering, my bib number is #1983.  That was already communicated.  I think it's because you can track runners by bib number.

So, let's get to the Project Purple giveaway winners!  Since we have 11 prizes I'm going to start with the prizes available and update what is left as prizes are selected.  After that I will list the winners and their chosen prize.

The Prizes Offered (Prize without a strike are still available for selection):

1. Project Purple Shirt (Size of choice)
2. Project Purple Hat
3. $30 box of Coconut Cashew Bonk Breakers
4. $25 Gander Mountain Gift Card
5. $25 iTrain Fitness Gift Card
6. $10 iTunes Gift Card
7. $5 Amazon.com eGift Card
8. $5 Amazon.com eGift Card
9. ENERGYbits Sample Pack
10. ENERGYbits Sample Pack
11. Pair of LOCK LACES (any color, recommended is Purple)

The Winners and their choices:

1. Debbie G won an ENERGYbits Sample Pack for Being Awesome
2. Lindsay M won  the $30 box of Coconut Cashew Bonk Breakers for Being Awesome
3. Jonathan L won a $5 Amazon.com eGift Card for Liking Dreadmill Drummer on Facebook
4. David D (AKA Capt. Speedy Pants) won his choice color of LOCK LACES for donating $25 to my Crowdrise for Project Purple
5. Lisa N won {Undetermined Prize} for Tweeting about the giveaway (everyday I think)
6. Teresa M won {Undetermined Prize} for Tweeting about the giveaway
7. Carrie H won {Undetermined Prize} for Tweeting about the giveaway
8. Julie P won {Undetermined Prize} for Liking Dreadmill Drummer on Facebook
9. Natalie Y won {Undetermined Prize} for Liking Dreadmill Drummer on Facebook
10. Taylor D won {Undetermined Prize} for Being Awesome
11. Amanda H won {Undetermined Prize} for Liking Project Purple on Facebook

So, does anybody want to take bets on my results?!  6:14:23? 4:58:22? DNF? Injury? Hit the wall and never recovered?  Leave your predictions in the comments below!

Until next time, keep those beats coming!

Project Purple Giveaway UPDATED

So, one of my goals is to run a marathon.  Thanks to Project Purple this dream will be a reality in just 12 short days.  Thanks to them I will be running the Lincoln Marathon on Sunday May 4th, 2014.  Maybe you remember the post that I did in January, if not or you weren't reading Dreadmill Drummer at that time you can read about it at HERE.  I am so excited (scared) to run and accomplish this rather lofty goal of mine.  I have another goal at the same time.  I have a goal to raise funds for Project Purple to help aid in all that they do for those affected with Pancreatic Cancer as well as their family.  And by helping me help them, you also have a chance to be rewarded.  For every $5 you pledge towards my goal you will gain additional entries.  I'm going to ladder the entries even so you can have more entries for donating more.

The entries will follow suit as follows:

• $5 nets you 1 entry
• $10 nets you 2 entries (plus above)
• $15 nets you 3 entries (plus above)
• $20 nets you 4 entries (plus above)
• $25 nets you 5 entries (plus above)
• Additional amounts about $25 will be given 5 additional entries per day

NOTE: For all those that have donated already, you can accept entries for the amount that you have donated already!

Now the prizes!  Of course everyone wants to know about the prizes.  Since we are raising funds for Project Purple they have donated a Project Purple t-shirt in the size choice of the winner and a hat (I'm assuming a ball cap).  Those were made possible by Elli Zadina on the Project Purple Board of Directors.  I have 2 gift cards courtesy of Erica from Erica Finds.  The 1st is a $25 gift card to Gander Mountain.  The 2nd is a $25 gift card for online training workouts (still tracking where it is).  I am also personally donating a pair of Lock Laces and 2 $5 Amazon.com gift cards.  I am hoping to add more prizes so I have more winners.

UPDATE: Neon is My Color has donated a full box of Coconut Cashew Bonk Breakers and 2 ENERGYbits sample packs!

Fill out the entries below in the Rafflecoptor widget.  You can claim entries for your dollar amount and the dollar amounts at a lower amount.  For example, if you donate $10 you get to claim the 2 entries for $10 AND the 1 entry for the $5 range.  So, the more you donate the more entries you get.

Before you get your entries you should probably visit my Crowdrise page and donate to my team so that you can get your entries.  You can find that at http://www.crowdrise.com/cecilvermule and just donate to the "Project Purple Lincoln 2014" fundraiser.  And since Project Purple is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization, ALL DONATIONS are tax deductible!

Together let's help fight pancreatic cancer!  Thank you for your support!

www.run4projectpurple.org

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Until next time, keep those beats coming!

Nebraska Youth Camp 5K Spring Obstacle Run

Since I started running and doing events I have been doing obstacle runs and mud runs.  My kids have been really wanting to do one with me.  Last year, 2 of my kids sort of got the opportunity to do one with me.  They actually did the run and obstacles, I just ran along the course for pictures and support.  This year will be different.  Come April 12th, 2014 we will be doing our 1st family mud obstacle run.  The Nebraska Youth Camp in Kearney, NE is hosting their annual 5K Spring Obstacle Run.  This will be an event that the whole family can participate in.

Before I get too much into the run, let me share with you a little about the Nebraska Youth Camp.  The following is from the Nebraska Youth Camp site:

"Nebraska Youth Camp is a non-profit organization of Christians who joined together in the early 1960's to provide opportunities for young people to enjoy camping in a Christian setting. In 1965, the "Trail Junction" campsite, near Kearney, Nebraska, was acquired. The campsite is just north of Fort Kearny where the Oregon Trail, the Oxbow Trail, the Nebraska City Cut-Off and the Pony Express Trail came together.

Trail Junction is a sixty acre area of light woods which is bordered on one side by the Platte River. It contains a five acre lake with a sand beach, a dining hall/kitchen, chapel, classrooms, 2 staff cabins, 12 camper cabins, shower house, 2 covered picnic shelters, basketball court, soccer field, 8 campfire sites and numerous hiking and tractor trails.

Nebraska Youth Camp has been serving the greater Nebraska area for the past 50 years, providing 8 weeks of youth camping each summer at Trail Junction along with several activities for families. Members of the Churches of Christ from around the Midwest have weekend retreats throughout the camping season."

Now that you have a little info about the camp, let's check out some of the details of the run.  As I mentioned before, the run is Saturday, April 12th, 2014.  It starts at 10:30 AM on that day.  The run is on the grounds of the camp located at 65 Sweetwater Ave Kearney, NE 68847.  The cost to do the run is $35 per person.  So, the price is pretty good when you think about the price of some of the other mud obstacle runs out there.  Another positive on the fee to do the run, ALL proceeds to directly to the Nebraska Youth Camp.  So, you get to run a 5k Obstacle Run AND you get to help out a youth camp.  Sounds awesome, right!?  Provided with the entry is your secured place into the run, a t-shirt to let everyone know that you did it, and a hot dog lunch.  Now who doesn't like swag and lunch included with their run entry!?  I know, the question didn't need to be asked.

Our 2 year old won't be running in this, she'll be playing with other kids as they have childcare provided for those that won't be running.  The rest of the family will be though.  From our 5 year old, all the way up to mom and dad.  Now per the usual there is a Liability Waiver and a Parental Consent Form that will need to be filled out, but of all of us that run we are used to that by now.  If you want some more information you can check out the links for the Nebraska Youth Camp below.  You can also contact me, since my family is running it I have a fair share of knowledge about the run.  If I don't know the answer, I happen to know a couple of the directors that sit on the board for the camp.  If I can't answer it, I know I can ask them and they can answer it for you.

You can check out the Nebraska Youth Camp at the following:
Website: http://www.nebraskayouthcamp.com/
Mud Run Page: http://www.nebraskayouthcamp.com/mudrun.php
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NebraskaYouthCamp
Twitter: https://twitter.com/campNYC

Until next time, keep those beats coming!

*I am not affiliated with this run and no compensation was given for my post.

The Color Run 2014 Kaleidoscope Tour

So when I say, "The Happiest 5k on the Planet!"  What do you think of?! That's right...The Color Run.  This is a unique paint race that celebrates healthiness, happiness, and individuality.  This is a run that I've been wanting to do for a couple of years.  And thanks to the awesome folks over at The Color Run I will get to do just that.  And the plan is to have my whole household running it.  Yup, all 7 off us!  We'll deck out the 2 year old in all white, to the 5 (almost 6) year old, the 8 (almost 9) year olds, the 12 year old, and mom and dad!

This year I think my girls especially will be excited for the swag.  Especially the "rockin sling bag."  My boys will like the brag bracelet.  The retro headband will probably go over well for all of them.  And the designer tee will probably be mom and dad's favorite.  You can check out some details of them below.

Check out the details of the headband!

Some info on the designer tee.

The wide brag bracelet!

They have added several locations this year for the Kaleidoscope Tour!  In 2013, The Color Run hosted over 170 events in over 30 countries.  And this year is no different.  They have announced a ton of locations and their dates (if not sold out) are available for registration now.  Keep checking back though, they still have many events still not secure in their details and they will be adding these as they become available.  They even have the option to join their VIP list so that you can get updates sent to you when they become available.  And they may even send you a special VIP discount and registration period before the general public can access it.  Now, speaking of registration discount.  Right now you can use the code "COLOR5OFF" to get $5 off your registration for ANY location.  Now, like most discounts this offer can't be used in conjunction with other sales or discounts.  Don't forget to enter it during your registration because they don't retro-apply these.

My family will have to wait until July in order to do The Color Run Omaha.  It is going on July 19th, 2014.  So, we have a 4 months wait! UGH!  It will be so worth it though.  If you can't wait you could always go to Nashville, TN for March 29th, 2014 or Maui, HI for March 30th, 2014.  And there are many more to follow throughout the year.

You can follow The Color Run in the following ways:
Website: http://www.thecolorrun.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecolorrun
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheColorRun
Instagram: http://instagram.com/thecolorrun/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+thecolorrun
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/thecolorrun/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/thecolorrun

Until next time, keep those beats coming!


* This is a sponsored post.  I was provided with 2 race entries for the post.  That being said, pictures and race recap to follow when I run The Color Run Omaha.

Be Selfish...and a #Giveaway

A lot of the time I don't want to go for a run because I feel that I am taking time from my family...or work even.  I mean, taking care of the things that my family needs is certainly more important than my physical need (want) to go running.  Now as my wife who has been studying philosophy in school, (which she "loves" by the way) would say that this is a falsity.  Yes taking care of my family's needs are more important than going for a run.  And yes doing my actual work is more important than going for a run.  However, if you don't take care of yourself then you won't be able to take care of your family or your work so easily.  Your family may even have to start taking more care of you instead in the long run. (Pun not intended.)  I don't want to put a burden like that on my family.  So, yes I will be selfish.  For being selfish in this type of scenario means not being selfish at the same time.

I am committed to my family and my job, so in turn I have to be "selfish" and also be committed to myself and run.  How am I going to be selfish?  It means not letting work take over my lunchtime runs any more; or as often as I have been allowing.  It means taking the time for me so that I can perform better in all aspects of life.  It's a scientific fact that running (a.k.a. exercise) releases endorphins; and endorphins make you happy.  And if you are happy, then you can handle more easier and with less of a feeling that the stress will get to you.  This also means making sure that I get my taekwondo classes in so that not only am I doing something for cross training, but also so that I can be sure to have some kind of defense if something happens while I'm running.  (Thank you to my wife for supporting me in all my wacky ventures.)

Now speaking of being selfish, you have an opportunity to be selfish. Skinfit USA has sponsored Run This Year in our 1st quarter giveaway!

Here are the details to enter:
There will be ONE winner who will receive all of the following:
Klima S/S Baselayer: http://skinfitusa.com/shop/all/1201-klima-ss-shirt-baselayer/
Functional Beanie: http://skinfitusa.com/shop/all/9701-basics-functional-beenie/
Running Gloves: http://skinfitusa.com/shop/all/9556-basics-running-gloves/
Visor: http://skinfitusa.com/shop/all/9709-basics-sun-visor/
Basics T-Shirt: http://skinfitusa.com/shop/all/9202-basics-functional-t-shirt-ss/
Sport Socks: http://skinfitusa.com/shop/all/9401-basics-sport-socks-short/

All Valued at: $200 

Giveaway ends March 31st, 2014.

How to Enter:
1 Entry for Leaving a Comment (Mandatory)
1 Entry for Following @skinfitusa on Twitter
10 Entries for Every 100 Miles Ran (May only enter this way once per day.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms & Conditions
Giveaway ends March 31st at 11:59 PM EST. Open to Residents of the US & Canada only.  Prizes cannot be shipped to PO Boxes. Winners will be selected by Random.org and be notified by email. Winners have 72 hours to respond before a new winner is selected. Please note that Running Hutch and all members of the Run This Year Team are not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes. We have represented each sponsor with the expectation they will fulfill their prize and in a timely manner. I, Running Hutch, will contact the sponsor regarding your prize(s). The sponsors, in most cases, are shipping their items to you directly. I will make every effort to assist you obtaining your prize. If there is an issue with a sponsor, please notify the blog you won a prize from within 30 days for assistance, after that we may be unable to assist you. The product offered for the giveaway is free of charge, no purchase necessary. Facebook, Twitter and Google+ are in no way associated with this giveaway. By providing your information in this form, you are providing your information to Run This Year and Run This Year alone. We do not share or sell information and will use any information only for the purpose of contacting the winner.

What do I have coming up?

I will have a Run This Year runner spotlight.  The runner is from the great state of Kansas and is self described as a Sasquatch!  I also have an update on my Lincoln Marathon training for Project Purple.  With the how well my fundraising efforts have been through my Crowdrise account for Pancreatic Cancer.  And along with that I will have a giveaway for some awesome stuff.  So, be on the look out.  Now get out there and be selfish!

Until next time, keep those beats coming!

Project Purple and Lincoln Marathon

So, as of yesterday I am officially a member of the Project Purple Lincoln Marathon Team!  Well, what does this mean exactly.  This means that I will be running my 1st marathon wearing the color purple.  Okay, that was probably a little too obvious.  Project Purple is non profit 501(c)(3) organization that raises funds and awareness towards a cure for Pancreatic Cancer.  What are some of the reasons that this research is needed?  Pancreatic Cancer is actually the 4th largest killer out of the list of cancers.  It is also the least funded out of the top 10 cancers.

I have not been afflicted by cancer, but there are a lot of people around me that have been.  My brother's sister-in-law has been winning her battle with Breast Cancer.  The current Chairman and former CEO of Union Pacific Railroad (the company I work for) is currently battling Pancreatic Cancer.  So, right off the bat I have 2 direct connections to the need for a cure for cancer.  Family and the "leader" of my organization.

Beyond me directly, readers of the Dreadmill Drummer have been directly affected by Pancreatic Cancer.  Harry W. lost his father to Pancreatic Cancer in 2008.  Erin P of Calf Sleeves are Cool and her husband lost his step-mother 2 years ago after a 4 1/2 year battle with the disease.

Now, you are probably wondering how Project Purple relates to running.  I mean, I do have a blog dedicated to the things having to do with running for me like race recaps, snacks, gear, etc.  Well, by being accepted to the Project Purple Lincoln Marathon Team I will be helping to raise funds for Project Purple.  And for that support from me, Project Purple and the Lincoln Track Club (the one that puts on the Lincoln Marathon) have given me the opportunity to run the Lincoln Marathon on Sunday May 4th, 2014.  Now, this will be my very 1st marathon....ever!  So it is going to be a challenge for me, but I am willing to take on that challenge.  Especially for such a great cause.  I am not only running for me to run my 1st marathon, I am running for all of those with an affliction such as Pancreatic Cancer and the families and friends of those afflicted.

Another cool thing is, I have joined the Run This Year challenge and have set a goal of 2,014 km.  I think that training for my 1st, and certainly not my last, marathon will help me in accomplishing that goal.

And to top off the coolness, I'll be running on my dad's birthday!  I guess his present will be something to do all morning since they have live tracking.

If you want to find out a little more about Project Purple's mission you can watch the below video.

How can you help?!

Since I am running and raising funds I have set up a Crowdrise account as a place to collect these funds under Project Purple.  They set a base goal of $400 for each runner.  I think I can surpass that and hit at least $600.  So, it is my goal to hit that by May 1st, 2014 before I run.  In order to get to my Crowdrise page you can click the following link: http://www.crowdrise.com/ProjectPurpleLincoln2014/fundraiser/cecilvermule and hit the big orange "DONATE TO THIS FUNDRAISER" button.  Every little bit counts.  If you can donate $1, I welcome it.  If you can donate $100, then that would be amazing of you.

Other ways to check out Project Purple:

• http://www.run4projectpurple.org/
• https://www.facebook.com/pages/Project-Purple/143501922338437

Until next time, keep those beats coming!

Team Run This Year Ambassador

Have you heard of the "Run This Year challenge?"  I'm going to tell you about it.  I was selected as an ambassador for Team Run This Year for 2014.  So, what that means is that I will be encouraging others to join in on the challenge on top of taking the challenge myself.  What is the challenge you say!? Well I'll tell you about it. There are 3 different ways that you can participate.

1. You can run 2,014 miles in 2014
2. You can run 2,014 km in 2014 (1,251.441 miles)
3. You can set your own goal

As much as I would love to be able to take on the full challenge of 2,014 miles I am not yet in the shape or on track to be able to hit that many miles. So, my personal goal will be to take the 2nd challenge. So, I will be challenging myself to hit 2,014 km. This is almost 1,252 miles. Meaning I will be adding about 25-30% on to my mileage from 2013. This may seem like a jump, but I'm sure I can persevere and get there. Especially with my goal for 2014 of running my 1st marathon. Training for that I'm sure that I can get there.  if you need some help there are also training calendars and examples that you can follow.

Here are the ways via social media that you can follow Run This Year:

Web: http://runninghutch.com/runthisyear/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RunThisYear

Instagram: @RunThisYear

Twitter: @RunThisYear

There is an awesome team can help you if you have any questions or if you simply need some motivation.  I am included in this team.  You can find the list of team members including their major role by checking out the Run This Year page on Running Hutch's site.  If you are up for the challenge, head on over to register to Run This Year!

Click to register to Run This Year

And last, but not least I have the winner of the Core Power Fit-Kit giveaway.  The winner is Maria Huff from Lil Mys Ninja!!

Until next time, keep those beats coming!