Races

The Color Run Las Vegas + A Four-Pack Ticket Giveaway

January 30, 2018 By lyndsinreallife Leave a Comment

I’ve been training for a half marathon (my first EVER!), and running has proved to be HARD. It’s definitely harder than I imagined. I realized that if I’m doing something fun while I’m running, it’s a lot easier. Luckily for me, and the entire city of Las Vegas, the #Happiest5k on the planet will be here Feb. 24: The Color Run Hero Tour!

Celebrate the hero in you at The Color Run Hero Tour with new course elements like: A Hero Zone, two SUPER Zones featuring double the color, a super-charged Finish Festival, superhero themed elements and more. It’s the perfect event to have FUN while being active!

You can look forward to the super charged Finish Festival after the run that will be brimming with adorable Instagrammable photo ops! This festival will feature a Grub Garden, with food vendors and outdoor seating, plus a Hero Zone, which is a trampoline photo-op activation that gives Color Runners the opportunity to soar into the sky and capture their #TCRHero moment. There will be a foam area, music, and dancing. The Color Run’s signature massive color will throw every few minutes from the main stage!

When: Saturday, February 24 :: 8:00 a.m.

Where: Downtown Las Vegas :: 945 Fremont St Las Vegas, NV 89101

What’s Included: This year’s kit features a unicorn hero medal, lightning bolt tee, temporary tattoos, pin, buff, and color packet.

I’m signed up as part of a team: Sweat Pink Las Vegas, & you should join too! Men and women welcome 🙂 Sign up through my link here!

Check In Party:

Come to the Check-In Party and pick up your participant kit in advance to avoid lines on event day!

Where: Downtown Container Park
707 Fremont St
Las Vegas, NV 89101

When: Friday February 23, 2018
12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Charity Highlight

As the #Happiest5K on the Planet, TCR wants to make the world a happier place. They’re teaming up with Three Square to work toward a hunger-free community. There are 3 ways to get involved:

* Bring non-perishable canned goods to thelocal food drive at The Color Run event.

* Donate now HERE!

* Virtual Food Drive HERE!

Instagram Giveaway

Head on over to my Instagram to enter the giveaway for a FOUR-PACK of tickets to The Color Run Las Vegas!

Disclosure: I received free entry to The Color Run in the hopes I’d mention it on my blog. No monetary compensation was received. All opinions are my own.

Have you completed The Color Run 5k?
How do you make running fun?

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Fitness Health Races

I’m Running My First Half Marathon for My 30th Birthday!

November 12, 2017 By lyndsinreallife 12 Comments

I’m turning 30 in 5 months.

Did I just say that out loud?! It seems unreal.

I had been thinking about how I want to celebrate. I live in Vegas, so I could go out and have a crazy night with partying, drinks, and terrible decisions. I could have a quiet night in with my boyfriend and dog. But then I realized: I want to be my healthiest at 30 years old. I want to start this chapter in my life feeling and looking good. So I’ve decided:

I’m going to run my first HALF MARATHON!

It’ll make me get back into working out and eating healthy, and it’s a really great goal to work toward. It’ll make my 30th memorable (& in a good way).

I’ve decided to run the San Diego Beach & Bay Half Marathon on April 14, 2018 (my birthday is April 5). I love SD, so it’s the perfect half for me to do! I’m really excited to train over the next 5 months. I’m excited to get stronger and faster. To eat for my body and fuel, and to lose some weight in the process. To make my body feel ALIVE again!

I want to look and feel like this again ♥

Follow along on my journey through Instagram, Facebook, and this blog. Also, add me on Nike+! I greatly appreciate support and tips, and hope to connect with the running community!

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Archie Events Races

Run for a Rescue with the Doggy Dashers Virtual Run/Walk + Promo Code

September 13, 2015 By lyndsinreallife 1 Comment

If you follow me on social media, you’ll know how much I love my dog Archie. He’s pretty much my favorite thing in the world. If I have a chance to help him and his furry, four-legged friends, you best bet I’m going to!

Archie, my boyfriend, and I ran The Puppy Run 5k/10k a few months back, and Archie LOVED it! He loves running more than he loves toys, and he super loves toys. The Puppy Run was such a success that Gametiime decided to host the Doggy Dashers Virtual Run (Nov. 6-9) benefiting the Northwest Boxer Rescue (NWBR). NWBR’s mission is, “Every boxer deserves to live a happy life in a loving home.” Archie isn’t a boxer (he’s a toy poodle), but dogs are dogs, and we love them all!

Not only do you get to spend quality time with your pup, family, and/or kids, but you get to help doggies in need. Plus you get awesome swag! Check it out:

Awesome, right?!

Let’s make it even more awesome with a discount code for 10% off your registration. Go to doggydashers.eventbrite.com and the code (lyndsay10) will already be applied! This discount is good for adult and kids registration. Registration is open from 8/25/15 to 10/9/15 or until they sell out.

Get 10% off the @doggydashers virtual run w/ code lyndsay10! http://bit.ly/1M5zlt1 #doggydashers #nwbr #rescue #race

Click To Tweet

To register your dog, start the registration process for yourself. When you get to the page where you enter your personal details (name, address, date of birth, etc), scroll all the way down to the bottom. There, you’ll see options for adding a dog registration(s). Click to add one or more to your cart before checking out.

*If you already finished registering, but forgot to add your kid and/or dog to your registration, send an email to info@doggydashers.com and they’ll help you out.

With registration you get:

Quality time with your pup
Family-friendly fun
The option to join or create a team
- To register as a team, just select “create a team” when you register at doggydashers.com. It takes 2 minutes.
- You can even set up this up before you register, so you can tell others to join it before you do.
Awesome swag
- adults receive a super-soft custom shirt, bib, finisher’s medal, and sticker
- kids receive a drawstring bag, folder frisbee, bib, finisher’ medal, and sticker
- dogs receive a custom bandana, collapsible water bowl, and a doggy treat
Benefit animals in need (NWBR has foster homes in WA, OR, ID, MO, and CA)

I’ll definitely be running the 5k with Arch and my boyfriend; be on the lookout for us!

Follow Doggy Dashers on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more info and updates!

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Events Races

Spartan Race Giveaway + Discount

November 23, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 2 Comments

Have you ever heard of the Spartan Race? It’s similar to the Tough Mudder, but more challenging. A few of my friends are running the Malibu Sprint on December 6.

Disclosure: I was asked to share about the Spartan Race on my blog. No monetary compensation was received. As always, all opinions are 100% my own. All images and videos are from their media kit, with permission.

According to their website, “Spartan Race is on a mission to get you active, healthy, excited about change, and return to our ancient roots where running through woods, getting dirty, and facing adversity was part of everyday life. Our events are all about challenging today’s perception of normal.”

Check out the official Spartan Race video!

If it seems intimidating, never fear! “Spartan Race now introduces a level for everyone beginning with the entry level Spartan Sprint, intermediate level Super Spartan, the advanced Spartan Beast, and the ‘99.9% need not apply’ extreme level Death Race. Whatever your level, Spartan Race will test your strength, stamina, and sense of humor” (website).

Spartan Race isn’t the type of race I would usually do, mainly because of my tachycardia. However, it seems like an awesome way to challenge yourself mentally and physically, and I could see myself working toward it in the future!

Giveaway + Discount Code!

The people at Spartan Race have graciously allowed me to give away {ONE} free entry to any continental US Spartan Race in 2014/2015 (any open-heat; non-confirmed start time)! The giveaway ENDS Sunday, November 30 at 11:59pm PST. You must be 18 years of age or older. The winner will be notified via email. Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below & good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I am also offering a 10% discount on any US race with code SPARTANBLOGGER! You can find the calendar for all upcoming + 2015 races here.

A Few Upcoming Races:

12/6 – Malibu Sprint
1/17 – SoCal Beast
1/18 – SoCal Sprint
1/24 – SoCal Super
1/25 – SoCal Sprint
2/7 – Arizona Sprint
3/7 – Atlanta Sprint
4/11 – Charlotte Sprint
4/18 – Las Vegas Super

Get more information on the Spartan Race on their website, and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram!

Have you ever completed a Spartan Race?
Is this a race you would like to complete in the future?

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XO

Lyndsay

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Fitness Lifestyle Personal Races

Relay For Life Virtual 5K Recap

July 8, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 15 Comments

This past Fourth of July, I participated in a virtual 5k for Relay For Life! I am currently in Ohio visiting family, and the day of the 5k I was on Kelleys Island on Lake Erie (my family has a cottage there). My little brother Mike was visiting as well, and he did the run with me!

The day before, we rode around on the golf cart and mapped out 3.1 miles. It turns out it’s almost exactly that from my front door, past the West quarry, and back. Gorgeous route! It ended up being 3.43 miles. My longest run yet!

Our view on our run 🙂

It was awesome because Mike moved to Chicago today to attend graduate school, so we had the opportunity to talk and bond. He is four years younger than me and I don’t see him nearly enough! We decided to do a fast-paced walk (he didn’t have running shoes, and I have two sprained ankles). It still ended up being my fastest mile and fastest 5k!

My nephew Toby held on to the medal for when I got back to the house. He is such a great helper! I now officially have two medals!

The 5k was the perfect start to my Fourth of July this year! I spent the rest of the day (and weekend) with family on the island. Next race: San Diego Beer Run in August!

How did you spend your holiday?
Have you ever done a virtual race?

XO,

Lyndsay

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Ambassador Events Fitness Races

Help Us Get To The Finish Line of Cures!

June 24, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 18 Comments

These next few months are incredibly exciting for me, as I am training for my very first half marathon (the Nike Women’s Half Marathon in San Francisco on October 19). Not only am I training for it, but I am raising money to fund research to advance lifesaving blood cancer treatments for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) as a part of Team In Training (TNT)!

Most people unfortunately have had some type of experience with cancer, whether it’s themselves or a loved one. While it was not leukemia or lymphoma, I had cervical cancer in 2009. I also lost my grandfather to prostate and bone cancer in 2000. Raising money for any type of cancer research is extremely important to me! The feeling of being told “you have cancer” is not easily explained. It’s like your heart stops, your stomach sinks, and you want to cry, but you’re in too much shock to let the tears flow. To have the chance to prevent someone from feeling like this and experiencing this pain is incredibly important to me, and I have that opportunity with TNT.

YOU can have an impact on cancer too!

Join Team In Training (TNT) and run the Nike Women’s Half Marathon (NWHM) in San Francisco on October 19. You’ll be helping The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) fund research to advance lifesaving blood cancer treatments.

TNT is the flagship fundraising campaign for LLS, and the NWHM in San Francisco is always sold out. At its 25th anniversary last year, TNT has trained more than 600,000 participants and raised more than $1.4 billion. With TNT, in exchange for raising funds, you’ll train for four months with world-class trainers, have access to clinics on nutrition and injury prevention and race through San Francisco’s iconic landmarks.

Learn More About Team in Training here and help TNT harness the power of physical activity to help LLS find cures and improve the quality of life for patients with blood cancer. Help patients feel better while you achieve your personal best (which is my goal!).

Join TNT and help us get closer to a world without blood cancers.
I’m running, won’t you join my team?

If you wish to donate without running or fundraising yourself, you can do so here at my personal fundraising page!

XO,

Lyndsay

Disclosure: I received a free entry to the Nike Women’s Half Marathon in San Francisco and free registration with TNT in exchange for committed fundraising and social media posts. As always, all opinions are 100% my own. Thank you to Fit Approach and TNT for the wonderful opportunity!

Events Fitness Races SoCal

Now I Understand “Addicted to Bling”

June 19, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 30 Comments

This past Father’s Day, I completed my first 5k! Now, I’ve actually walked a couple 5ks in the past, but I consider this my first 5k because I now consider myself a runner. I’m about to start training for a half marathon (like full-on training), and I went into the 5k with the mindset of it being my first of many.

It was the Culver City 5k, and it was awesome! A friend of mine, Jen from Finding My Inner Bombshell, was also doing the race. We met through various Facebook groups and realized we live right by each other, but hadn’t met yet! This race was all about having fun and getting in the spirit of races, so I decided to walk the course with Jen. I am so glad I did! It took us about an hour to complete the course, but we had an entire hour to talk and get to know each other (we’re both bloggers, babysitters, and dogsitters), and I didn’t overexert myself, which was definitely important to me.

This is Jen and me after completing the race:

My friend Cameron came with me for the first part of it. He was going to run the race with me, but wasn’t feeling well. It was super awesome that he still came with me to register, hang out, and take pictures! So Cameron, thank you. Your support is always very much appreciated!

As Jen and I were walking to the finish line, everyone cheered. Granted, we were finishing at the same time as the 10k runners, so it was probably for them, but we smiled anyway! I’ve read a lot of stories recently about people finishing their race, then leaving and not cheering everyone else on. I’m so glad that was not my experience at the Culver City Run! It was so awesome.

Then I got a banana, Clif bar, water, and a MEDAL!! My very first race medal ever! It is so beautiful, and I now understand why people say they’re addicted to race bling. Because I already want more!

This is me after completing the race. I was so happy! Rocking my Swirl Gear shirt, Katie K Active capris, and #sweatpink shoelaces!

I also received a super soft tee shirt with the race name and the sponsors:

Needless to say, my first race experience was AWESOME! It got me very excited about my race in August in San Diego, and then my two half marathons coming up in the next six months! I am running the San Francisco Nike Women’s Half on Oct. 19, and then the Zion Half on March 14 of next year. I never thought I would be a runner, but I am so excited to push myself beyond my perceived limits and accomplish something I’ve never even thought about!

The first photo is during the race; it was a beautiful day! The second photo is at the finish line. So many supporters, I love it!!

Oh, and quick, funny story…

I completed the 5k no problem, but then I got home and stepped down the steps wrong…

Womp womp. 🙁 Light sprain. This is my makeshift ice pack my boyfriend made me haha. He’s such a doll. It’ll heal fine, but it’s swollen, so I’m nervous about beginning my 12 week training for my half in October.

Any suggestions/recommendations from runners who’ve experienced injuries? (I feel like that’s most runners LOL)

Despite the sprain, it was an awesome day, awesome experience, and I am very excited for the future!

XO,

Lyndsay

Events Fitness Personal Races SoCal

My First 5K; Dedicated To My Father

June 15, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 11 Comments

I’m really excited because tomorrow morning (Sunday), I am running my first 5k! I’ve walked 5ks before, and I’ll probably walk a good amount of this one because I am doing it with a friend, but this is the beginning of a new chapter for me. I’m going into it with the mindset of a runner, and I notice that it is helping me to think of what I want to do to prepare for my half marathons coming up in the next six months.

My race schedule so far this year:

Culver City 5k/10k Run/Walk
San Diego Beer Run 5k on Aug. 23
San Francisco Nike Women’s Half Marathon on Oct. 19 (Thank you Fit Approach and Team In Training) #WeRunSF
Zion Half Marathon on March 14 (2015) #ZionHalf

I am dedicating the Culver City 5k to my dad. He lives in Ohio (where I am from), and we have always been very close. I live in Los Angeles now, and it’s difficult being away from him and my mom. Since the 5k is on Father’s Day, I’ve decided to participate as an independent woman/runner/mental health advocate/overall health advocate, because that’s who my father raised me to be. I’ve gone through a huge transition in my life this past year, and this is the very first Father’s Day I will not be able to see my dad.

So Dad, this one’s for you. <3

This is my dad & I saying our goodbyes at the airport in Cleveland before I boarded my one-way flight to Los Angeles in Feb. 2013. I love you Dad. Happy Father’s Day <3

xo, Lyndsay (or as he calls me, Lynz)

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Events Races SoCal

Want To Support The Homeless? Join The Midnight Mission’s 5k/10k Run/Walk

June 12, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 2 Comments

Living in Los Angeles, it’s pretty apparent how many people are homeless and have lost everything. There is one man in particular who lives under the bridge right by my apartment, and every time I see him, I always wonder what his story is. I’ve given him money, and I will every time I walk by him, because you never know how he got there, why he is there, or if he’ll ever get out of it. The Midnight Mission is an organization dedicated to helping those who have lost everything. They are celebrating 100 years this year, and are hosting their second annual 5k/10k Run/Walk on Sunday, June 22 in La Canada-Flintridge, Calif. If you are in the area, I highly recommend attending!

This is The Midnight Mission’s Mission Statement:

“The Midnight Mission offers a path to self-sufficiency to men, women and children who have lost everything. Our emergency services, 12-step recovery program, job training, education and work programs offer a compassionate bridge to productive lives. We remove obstacles to self-sufficiency and provide the accountability and structure that people who are experiencing homelessness need to rejoin their communities. Our conviction and commitment to their success define us.”

I cannot attend this year due to schedule conflict, but I wanted to share about it because it’s such a great cause! Giving to those in need is one of the best things, in my opinion. Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” It is one of my all-time favorite quotes! The race is to raise awareness of homelessness in Southern California and advance health and wellness programming.

Here are some details of the race:

When: Sunday, June 22, 2014

Where: Oak Grove Park: 4400 Oak Grove Drive. La Canada-Flintridge, Calif.

Cost: $35 registration for adults/$20 for kids – Register now and use code MIDNIGHT for $5 off your registration

Schedule: 6:00am – 8:00am Bib Pick-up

8:00am Race

Awards and Post Race Lunch to Follow

Photos courtesy of the blinkcreativegroup.com

You can get more information about The Midnight Mission by liking them on Facebook and following them on Twitter.

If you choose to participate in the 5k or 10k, I would love to hear about it! Comment below if you are attending, and email any pictures or experiences to lyndsay@thebalancedbrunette.com, if you don’t mind! I would love to share it all with the people of The Midnight Mission.

Good luck to everyone participating! 🙂

**I did not receive any compensation in any way for this post. All opinions are 100% my own!

Fitness Races SoCal

Culver City 5K/10K + A Giveaway!

June 1, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 11 Comments

So I am pretty excited, because I am running my first official 5K this month! It’s the Culver City 5K/10K on June 15, 2014, which is perfect because it’s literally like half a mile from my apartment. I’ve walked 5Ks before in Cleveland, but never went into them with the intention of running. Until now.

I’ve decided recently that I want to become a runner. Yoga is my fitness of choice, but I want to do something to get myself out of my comfort zone. I want to push myself to be great. I went on a search for local 5Ks, and knew I wanted to run one that had some sort of charity or cause attached to it.

The Culver City 5K/10K is perfect because it benefits the Culver City Education Foundation (CCEF) and Train 4 Autism! In addition to a 5K and 10K, there is also a FREE kids run for kids 11 and under! I am currently fundraising for Train 4 Autism (donate here if you’d like!), and I am so excited about it! My mom has been a special education teacher for almost 15 years, and I was a certified paraprofessional and taught in a special education preschool classroom. I also took a class on autism when I was in college for speech-language pathology and audiology. So it’s definitely something that I care a lot about!

They are also looking for volunteers if you don’t want to walk/run the race! All the information can be found on their website.

Schedule:

6:30 am-11 am: The Expo and Family Fun Zone open to the public in Media Park

8:00 am: 5K starts

8:30 am: 10K starts

10:00 am: Kids Fun Run starts

10:30 am: Awards Ceremony

GIVEAWAY TIME!!

The Culver City 5K/10K organizers were VERY generous, and are allowing me to give away one FREE registration for the 5K or 10K! That’s a $35 registration fee that you don’t have to pay, OR you can put it toward fundraising for CCEF or Train 4 Autism! Registration ends June 13, 2014.

Rules to Enter:

Comment on this blog post why you want to walk/run this specific race, and if you’d do the 5K or 10K!
Follow The Balanced Brunette on Instagram
Like The Balanced Brunette on Facebook
Like the Culver City Run on Facebook

This giveaway ENDS on Friday, June 6 at 9 p.m. PST!

Good luck!! 🙂

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one free registration to the Culver City 5K/10K to give away in exchange for mentioning it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. All opinions are 100% my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

xo, Lyndsay