Gifts for someone that has everything?!

I've had the chance to test and review two great products recently and I wanted to share my thoughts with you.  Maybe a holiday present for someone that has everything?!

The first product is the Runner's World Cookbook. I've been pretty bad about cooking recently, but I have made a few recipes from this cookbook and they've all been great! My FAVORITE is the Minestrone Soup! I've actually made this several times already, passed the recipe on to a friend and keep meaning to send it to my mom. It's simple, tastes great and is healthy!

The cookbook is very easy to use, with all recipes all having "tabs" at the top that tell you at quick glance if they're gluten free, vegetarian, good for recovery, etc. If you're looking for a certain type of recipe, or something that will be great to eat after long runs, this book makes it really easy to find the perfect recipe.

The Table of Contents breaks down the various types of meals and even includes breakfast & smoothies! Things have been insane recently, but I'm looking forward to using this book more and trying out more recipes in the next few months as I start marathon training!

The second product that I've had a chance to try out is the Sony Walkman MP3 player. I don't swim, but if I did, this would be even cooler because it's WATERPROOF! Remember that, triathletes!!

I have always used my iPod Shuffle for running so was skeptical about wanting to try another item. Until I looked it up online. Look how simple it is!

Excuse my hair....

  

Once I figured out what I was doing, it was really easy to load music onto this device.

My favorite things about it are:

1. No cords to deal with on the run

2. Easy to use

3. You can bend it so it fits your head ears well

4. It comes with several different size ear pieces so you can choose the one that fits you best

5. Perfect for solo speedwork, tempo runs or just an easy day

Things to think about before purchasing this:

1. When I run races (or if I run on the streets at night), I usually just use one headphone, but that's not possible with this item

2. It doesn't fit comfortably under headbands or hats during the colder months

While I won't be able to use this MP3 player for races, running with friends or in the winter months, I do look forward to being able to use it in the Spring for solo marathon training days!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! What's your favorite Thanksgiving dish?!

Disclaimer: I was given the Runner's World Cookbook and Sony Walkman MP3 player to test and review. All opinions are my own.

Vote for me to run the BOSTON MARATHON!!!

I have a favor to ask! From now until November 10, you can vote for me to run the Boston Marathon through PowerBar's Strong Together Campaign. I qualified for the Boston Marathon back at the Philadelphia Marathon in November 2012 (can't believe it was a year ago already!) but as we all know, the bombings at the 2013 Boston Marathon changed everything. Everyone wants to be there to run in 2014, including me. In Philly I ran 3:33:29. Unfortunately, the 2014 Boston Marathon filled up with a qualifying time (in my age group) of 3:33:22. I missed running by 7 seconds. My goal at Philly was to qualify AND run Boston. Not qualify and not be able to run it, so this is where I need your help!

You can vote for me once a day (until November 10) to send me to Boston. The top 10 people with the most votes will be considered finalists. From those 10, judges will select 4 people to be the grand prize winners and gain entry into the Boston Marathon. Help me become one of the 10 finalists!!

Unfortunately, PowerBar hasn't made voting very user friendly, so here are some tips to make it easier:

1) Click this link https://www.facebook.com/PowerBar?sk=app_183837888454522&app_data=18&ref=ts

My name (Abby F) should appear. You have to "like" the PowerBar page before you can vote. If you're directed right to my profile, "like" the page (top right), a voting button will come up and you're all set. THANK YOU! (You may also have to confirm that you're releasing some information to PowerBar, which I know is weird and unnecessary but I think should be fine in this case) Edited to reflect new information: It sounds as if (for the first time you vote) you have to login, agree to give PowerBar some info, reload the original page, press login again and then vote. Sorry it is such a hassle! Really wish they would have made this process easier for EVERYONE! 

2)IF MY NAME DOES NOT APPEAR when you click the link above, you should see a screen like the one below. Click "View Gallery", then you can search for "Abby" (you don't need to enter city or state). Note: you must have a Facebook account and be logged in

After you search for "Abby" my picture and the word "DETERMINATION" should appear (like below)

Once you have "liked" the PowerBar page (top right corner), the "VOTE" button will appear (as shown below)

Click it, and you're all done! At least until tomorrow :) (You may also have to confirm that you're releasing some information to PowerBar, which I know is weird and unnecessary but I think should be fine in this case)

I honestly hate asking people to do stuff like this but would absolutely LOVE to run Boston in April. I promise to shut up after November 10! And thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking a minute (or 2, since the system is funky!) to vote for me!!!