run

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?

Thank you for reading my blog! If you want to receive my new posts by email, you can subscribe here:

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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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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!

Fashion Fitness Nutrition SoCal

My New Favorite Store: Athleta at Fashion Square in Sherman Oaks

April 26, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 9 Comments

I have never had the desire to buy high-end fitness apparel, and hadn’t even heard of brands like Athleta or Lululemon until I moved to Los Angeles. Where I grew up (just West of Cleveland, OH), that just wasn’t a thing. Then I moved to LA, and realized I am worth the more luxurious athletic wear! I heard of a brand new opening of Athleta at Fashion Square in Sherman Oaks, and after seeing their super cute clothes online, I decided to check out the store in person.

(Source)

I AM IN LOVE!!!

I was greeted by two of the most wonderful women, Tatiana and Kara. They were both energetic, positive, beautiful, and excited to help me find what I was looking for. Shortly after, I met the store manager, Samantha. She was wonderful, too! I was the only person in the store at the beginning, and I felt so special, because they really paid attention to me and what my needs/wants were. Various customers came and left while I was shopping, and I still received amazing customer service! That doesn’t seem to happen very often anywhere else.

My favorite fitness is yoga, but I don’t have a lot of great yoga clothes, and needed help picking out an outfit. Kara was AMAZING! She showed me her favorites, customer favorites, what would flatter me most, and so on. They even have super cute, quality swimwear! Kara set up a dressing room for me, and even put a few pieces in there that she thought I might like! I felt like royalty, as silly as that sounds. It feels good to be taken care of, even if it’s for a short period of time in a store!

When I was walking into Fashion Square to find Athleta, I actually saw a display of mannequins sporting Athleta wear. I realized as I was leaving that those were some of the pieces I had tried on!

I have a really hard time finding sports bras that fit well because I am pretty well-endowed (haha, but seriously). I tried on the exact sports bra in the picture above, and it fit me better than any other sports bra I’ve ever worn! I tried on the exact same shirt, too, and it was so incredibly comfortable! The shirt is more for sizes A-C cup though, so unfortunately it wouldn’t be able to hold me without wearing something else with it.

Another amazing thing about this specific location is that they host free workouts in the store! On Saturday mornings from 9-10 am, they have black dog yoga and/or pure barre. On Sunday mornings, they have zumba from 10-11 am! The schedule changes though, so you can check out May’s schedule here.

I was so pleased with my experience at this location, I even told my boyfriend I wanted to apply for a job there! The atmosphere was awesome, the store itself was super chic, and I could go on and on about the amazing clothes. I mean, what’s better than an outfit that you can wear to yoga or zumba, and then be able to wear out in public and still look amazing?!

By the way, this is me rocking my new Athleta Fast Track Half Zip:

I also have the Revelation Capri and Breathe Tee.

I highly recommend checking out Athleta’s new location in Sherman Oaks! It’s only a 20 minute drive from Culver City. You’ll get more than a shopping trip, you’ll get a luxury experience, at least in my opinion! A store that looks great (modern, chic, clean), has a great staff (happy, positive, helpful, energetic), and a great product (the most comfortable/cute active wear ever) is a store that I will definitely be spending a lot of time at! And again, free workouts?! Done deal.

You can check out Athleta at Fashion Square in Sherman Oaks at this address:

14006 Riverside Dr. Suite 227
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
818-285-0228

During these hours:

Mon: 10 am – 9 pm
Tue: 10 am – 9 pm
Wed: 10 am – 9 pm
Thu: 10 am – 9 pm
Fri: 10 am – 9 pm
Sat: 10 am – 9 pm
Sun: 11 am – 7 pm

Tell them Lyndsay from getfitwithlynds sent you! (If you want to, of course) 🙂

***I want to thank Samantha, Tatiana, and Kara for a wonderful experience, and for taking the time to help me find my worth through high-end active wear. THANK YOU! <3

Disclosure: I was invited by the general manager at Athleta Fashion Square to help promote this location by writing about it here on this blog. In exchange for writing this post, I received a $50 gift card toward Athleta active wear. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

Fitness

Run This Year April Challenge

March 31, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 4 Comments

#RTY April Instagram Challenge!

This is being hosted by Run This Year and Jill Conyers!

How you can join (rules borrowed from here):

Follow @RunThisYear We’ll be posting a daily reminder of each task or theme on our Instagram as well as Facebook
Save the graphic above to your phone or computer for easy access- You can grab a quick photo with your phone or right-click on the graphic to save to your computer
Each day, snap a photo of yourself completing the running task or the theme – Use an app with a timer to make it a self-portrait or grab a buddy to double the fun. You DO NOT have to run everyday. You’ll complete a variety of running tasks as well as capturing running related themes.
Tag us in your caption! Tag @RunThisYear and add the hashtag #RTYApril
Connect with others- search for the #RTYApril hashtag to find others having fun with running photography!

“A little motivation while you’re logging your RTY April miles and if that isn’t enough reason to join, we have prizes! By sharing your daily photo you will be entered into a random drawing at the end of the month for fabulous prizes! To be eligible, you must complete every single day during the month of April and tag the photo with @RunThisYear and hashtag #RTYApril.”

Keep in touch with Run This Year through social media:

The challenge starts Tuesday, April 1st!! I am definitely VERY excited for this!

Keep in touch with me during the challenge also! I would love to see and hear all about your progress! And I will be posting mine, too 🙂

You can read the original post by Jill Conyers and get more information here! Let’s go!!!