Spartan Race giveaway...and the trails!

If you haven't learned by now I have a true passion for helping my readers, family and friends reach and exceed their health and fitness goals.  

Sometimes it's a simple commitment to fitness 3-4 times a week, or changing eating habits but other times it's MUCH more. 

Some people like to push themselves beyond their limits and really see what they are capable of...and for you, I have a race that might get you excited:

Please tell me you've heard of this race series?  An event just took place in Texas this past weekend and I was asked to cover the race, but sadly couldn't attend because of my son's last baseball game and party!

What is the Reebok Spartan Race series?

*It's the world leader in obstacle races

*There are races all over the globe

*Different distances for all levels

*Although each race is different there is fire, mud, water, barbed wire, and MORE!

Want to know if a race is coming to your area? check HERE and click on their events page.  Their events page is PACKED full for the 2013-2014 season, so what are you waiting for?  Check it out and see if it's something you'd like to experience and if you create a team, the pricing is lowered by the amount of team members...pretty cool huh? 

Registration usually ranges from $60-$85 depending on event and time of registration.

How'd ya like to WIN A FREE ENTRY??

The folks at Reebok Spartan Race would like to offer one of my lucky readers the chance to do something amazing, something different, 

something that will surely be an experience you will never forget!  

HOW TO WIN:

Mandatory- Tell me why you'd like to compete in a Reebok Spartan Race? (1 entry)

Follow me via Istagram- Move It Marissa (1 entry- leave a comment telling me you do)

Follow me via Twitter- @TheMoveItMomma (1 entry-leave comment telling me you do)

Blog, Tweet, IG or FB about the giveaway linking back to this post( 2 entries!!)

Speaking of pushing yourself, my husband and I decided to try trail running last week!  It was something we've never done but had been inspired to try!  It was HOT and HUMID but we survived!  We completed 4.92 miles at noon.  A very different experience and great scenery but honestly, I felt much more exhausted than pavement running?  Parts of the trails were wooded, some were right on the water-which was beautiful and parts were just parallel to the streets but it was a neat change!  We pushed hard and I maintained a pretty good pace throughout.  

My husband is a machine, he could go for miles and miles so truthfully I think sometimes I hold him back but he's so sweet, he stays with me :)

And more trails?  How about TRAIL MIX?  

This was yummy, simple and perfect for on the go!  Trader Joe's Raisin Bran, dark chocolate chips, natural almonds and sunflower seeds!  SO good!  You can use any combination you have on hand but I'd choose a high fiber, low sugar cereal with a good amount of protein.  I'd also add some dried fruits and nuts-always a great combo.  This took minutes to prepare but hit the spot when we needed a snack!  Much better than grabbing a bag of chips!!!  

BE PREPARED!
I say it often but want to stress how important it truly is.  
If you are NOT prepared, you will usually make poor snacking/eating decisions.  Sad but true for most of us, not all of us.
If you reach the point of hunger, you're on the go and some fattening, trigger foods are around you, won't you be more likely to give in if you have nothing to curb that hunger?  I would :(  but if you are prepared, then you grab your healthy lunch/snacks and move on about your day!  
Simple as that!  

Pictured above: hard boiled eggs, avocado, purple grapes, string cheese 

and our ready to go salads 

which include spring mix, almonds, string beans, green peas and Trader Joe's steamed lentils!  

I chopped the egg and avocado to add to our salads and it turned out perfectly.  

**I've shared this salad-packing tip before but would like to share it again for those of you that missed-

Pack your salad upside down!!!  

Begin by stacking your protein, veggies then put your lettuce on top!  It keeps the soggy veggies, fruits, etc from saturating the lettuce!  Then when it's time to serve, dump the container out onto the plate and your salad will be "right side up!"  BRILLIANT!!  

This works for onion, strawberries, apples, grapes...pack it all on the bottom, 

top with the lettuce and you're good to go!  No soggy lettuce leaves here :)

Disclosure: I was given a free entry code in exchange for my honest review and agreement to host a giveaway for a free entry.  All opinions are 100% mine and no other compensation was received.