Knee Pain, Conferral, and Birthday Giveaway! UPDATED!

UPDATE AT THE BOTTOM!!!

I've been having some knee pain since last winter.  I went to my yearly physical and talked to my doctor about my knee.  She said that from my description of my pain and where it was located that it was likely a tendon issue, but she knew that she would likely need to check out if there was a bone issue before doing an MRI or anything.  So, she sent me down to radiology to get x-rays of my knees.  They told me that I'd hear from the doctor's office when they got the results.  That was on Wednesday, so in doctor speak I didn't expect to hear anything until the next week.  I heard on Friday from them!  Say what!?  They said that my x-ray looked just fine.  They said that my bones didn't have any issues, but they did notice some arthritic degeneration.  I asked them if they just said that I have arthritis.  They said that's generic terms for what happens to your bones as you get older and they expect it from someone of my age.  Speaking of my age....be sure to check out my birthday giveaway!



I have officially finished school!  Last week I ordered my diploma as I finished the final courses for my Bachelor's of Science for Software Development a couple of weeks ago and they conferred the degree mid last week.  So, that means that I have more time to train now.....right?  Well, my wife is still in school for a short while longer.  I also have 4 kids on 6 different all-star cheerleading teams.  The 5th kid is almost my saving grace.  I am putting together a workout plan for him that he'll do most often with me, so I will be training with him at least.  Speaking of training, I am training for the Market to Market Relay Nebraska again this year.  That will be Saturday October 8th, 2016 from Omaha, NE to Lincoln, NE.  I had a great time last year and we are doing it again this year.

And now to the part you all are waiting for, my

BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY!

This year I thought that I'd give away a few of my favorite things.  I'm starting with my favorite hydration product, that would mean a tube of Nuun of course!  What self respecting Nuunbassador wouldn't give one away?  The guys over at Viter have graciously offered up a tin of either Wintergreen or their NEW Spearmint flavor!!!  I'm also hoping to add more as the week goes on.  So, stay tuned

UPDATE!!!!!

ENERGYbits decided to join in on my birthday giveaway.  If you haven't tried them, you should!  I first posted about them in September of 2013 when I wrote "A bit about bits, and bits for you!"  They also have Recoverybits that I've used as well.  The prize will contain ENERGYbits, RECOVERYbits, & some "swag" (sunglasses, headband, etc.).  If you can't wait to see if you win, or you want to order otherwise you can go to ENERGYbits website (http://www.energybits.com) and use the discount code BLOG for 20% your purchase!

The giveaway has now been extended until Sunday September 18th, 2016.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Until next time, keep those beats coming!

National Running Day

It's that time again.  The day of the year that we all celebrate running together!  Okay, maybe we won't ALL be celebrating it.  Today is National Running Day! Or Global Running Day! Or International Running Day!  Depends on whom you talk about it, but they are all the same thing.  It's a day where we go out and run to celebrate that we can.  If you want to pledge that you will run, you can go to the Global Running Day website at http://globalrunningday.org/ and click the green button that says "PLEDGE TO RUN".  You can download a bib to wear and a badge to use on social media.  So, strap on your shoes like I will be and put some miles on them!

After you participate in Global Running Day be sure to come back as I will have a couple of reviews for some gear from SLS3 including their new Plantar Fasciitis Compression Foot Sleeves and their Water Resistant Dual Pocket Running Belt.

Until next time, keep those beats coming!

Cheer Raffle Winners!

First, my cheerleaders would like to say thanks to those that have supported them.  If you still would like to donate to their fitness future, you can still do so by going to http://bit.ly/CheerRaffle.  They are looking forward to the next season and you can help them achieve their goals!

Now, on to the winners!  There were 2 winners chosen from the entries and they were randomly drawn via random.org.

The runner up was Pedro L!!!  Pedro won a Camelbak water bottle, KT Tape, a Gander Mountain gift card, some relaxing bath salts, and a $10 Gift Certificate to Red Dirt Running Company!!

The grand prize winner was LaTisha B!!!! She won the Garmin Vivofit Fitness Tracker, a bottle of Charge, a $10 iTunes gift card, a $25 iTrain.com gift card, a jar of Tiger Balm Ultra, and a sport sack to carry it all around in!!!

Congratulations to our 2 winners!!!

Below are the entries plus the numbers generated.

Until next time, keep those beats coming!

Family Fitness = Cheer!? Say What?!

We all strive to have a good balance of fitness in our families.  At least, I hope that we all do.  As hard as it is for me to admit, that isn't always to do with running.  (Yes, that was hard to say.)  However, fitness is the whole reason why I run.  My personal fitness is primarily to inspire my kids to strive to be more physically fit and healthy.  Where am I going with this you might ask.  Well, we aren't just a running family anymore.  We are also a cheer family!  We have 4 cheerleaders!  They all go to the Global Spirit Cheer & Dance school.  Now, most people when they think of cheerleading they think of high school cheerleaders pumping up the crowd saying quick cheers between plays of a game.  My kids participate more in the type of cheerleading that you see on ESPN where they do the stunts.  You know, where they throw each other in the air, do flips, and all of that jazz.

Now it's time to meet our cheer lineup.

Ryan is our oldest and newest to cheer.  He's quickly proved that he is able to do cheer and recently competed at the NCA and NDA International Championships in Daytona Beach, FL with the them Fendi Fame.  He's a strong base and is becoming a strong tumbler.

Bella shows strong passion out on the Blue Mat.  (The term "Blue Mat" is directly in reference to the fact that they mats they perform and practice on are primarily blue.)  She pushes each week to be better.  She is a great base and loves to do the dance moves.  She was also in Daytona Beach and has been on the Fendi Fame team since she started cheer and is a base that is improving her tumbling skills & flexibility.

Sierra is our up and comer.  She has been with her younger sister on the team Prada Power.  She has been a base (especially for her younger sister) working to improve her overall skills.  She has a goal to move up next season to be able to do more competitions and ever increasingly difficult stunts.

Jocelynn is our Tiny/Mini cheerleader.  She has been on Prada Power.  Given her size she is perfect for a flyer.  She was even a flyer for the recent exhibition that parts of all team levels did jointly at a fun run locally.  Jocelynn is coming into her own and has a bright cheer future ahead of her.

With all of that being said, we are looking ahead to the future of there career in the demanding sport.  it takes a lot of time and effort for these kids to do what they do.  The other thing is that it takes money.  Our kids have been working to get a garage sale together to help pay for their obsession.  They have also organized (with help) a raffle.  They have got buy in from several sponsors to donate items that will be raffled off to everyone that helps donate to their futures.

Let's get into the details on how to help:

1. Go to https://www.crowdrise.com/cheering-for-fitness/fundraiser/cecilvermule
2. Donate the amount you wish
3. Earn 1 entry per $1 (a bonus entry for every $10)
4. Win a prize

What prizes can you win?

• Garmin Vivofit fitness tracker
• Camelbak water bottle
• $25 Gander Mountain gift card
• $25 iTrain.com gift card
• Sports Drawstring bag
• Bath soaking salts
• Tiger Balm Ultra
• KT Tape
• $10 Red Dirt Running Company gift certificate
• more expected to be added!!!

The drawing will take place on or about May 23rd, 2016.  Winners will be selected at random from all donations received.

Until next time, keep those beats coming!