EmpowerMoms

Join me for the 8th annual America’s Toughest Road Marathon on April 22, 2017! Did you know that Roanoke, VA, is one of the few running races allowed on the Blue Ridge Parkway in the country (America’s most visited National Park)?

The Blue Ridge Marathon has THE MOST elevation change of any road race in the United States. This is how it gets it’s “toughest” road marathon status.

You don’t have to run a marathon though to participate! They are offering FOUR distances for this race: 10k, half, full, & double. I will be running the 10k. New to this year is also the RELAY!!

For this post I want to highlight the FOOT LEVELERS BLUE RIDGE MARATHON specifics.

EVENT DETAILS:

DATE: April 22nd, 2017
LOCATION: Course Start at Elmwood Park in downtown Roanoke, VA
START TIME: 7:35AM
PACKET PICK-UP: Friday, April 21st from 3:00pm-8:00pm & Saturday, April 22nd from 5:30am-7:00am

MARATHON COURSE DESCRIPTION & MAPS:

Full Marathon is limited to 750 runners
Total Elevation Gain/Loss=7,430 ft
7.5 hour cut-off time AND a 6 hour cut-off time at mile 22.
If runners do not maintain a 16:20 min/mile pace then course marshals reserve the right to pull you from the course for your safety.
USATF Full Marathon Course Map
Interactive Course Map
Full Marathon Race App Map
Course Hydration provided by SKRATCH LABS
Walkers are permitted and encouraged
The Blue Ridge Marathon course is not for the faint of heart. The course begins and ends in downtown Roanoke. In between, runners will enter the Blue Ridge Parkway, where they will make three significant climbs and descents.

The course begins easily with one mile of rolling hills, before taking its first turn upward as runners begin the 2-mile climb up Mill Mountain. At the top of the day’s initial climb, the race enters the Blue Ridge Parkway, where there are several lengthy and challenging hills over the next two-plus miles. Then runners will encounter the most beautiful but challenging portion of the course – the climb up Roanoke Mountain.

Roanoke Mountain ascends approximately 780 feet in two miles with multiple switchbacks. Runners will see magnificent views of the region’s mountains and valleys as they pass the numerous overlooks, and will be rewarded with the best view at the top. The steep decent on the back of Roanoke Mountain is equally beautiful and difficult as the gradient forces runners to keep their speed in check.

After 4 miles of climbing and descending, the course returns to the Blue Ridge Parkway where runners will re-trace their steps toward Mill Mountain. Participants will then ascend Mill Mountain (the part not covered on the first pass) to the famous Mill Mountain Star, overlooking the beautiful Roanoke Valley and — much of the course still to be run!

From the Star, runners will encounter another major 2-mile decent down Prospect Avenue – also known as the “old road” to Mill Mountain. Back on the valley floor the final 10 miles is rolling with several challenging hills. Don’t let mile 18 and 24 sneak up on you!

The Valley section of the course briefly skirts the Roanoke River before turning into the historic and scenic area known as South Roanoke, famous for its beautiful homes. Be aware of a long climb on Avenham and Peakwood Avenues as you turn into the neighborhood. You will crest the hill right at 20 miles.

The terrain flattens out for the next 3 miles as you make your way through Old Southwest, along the Roanoke River Greenway, and through Wasena before heading downtown to the finish line at Elmwood Park.

Make sure to Use my code: BRMFRIENDS to save 15% any of the four race distances (10k, half, full, & double) and there is no expiration date!

You can REGISTER HERE:
http://www.blueridgemarathon.com/

Stay tuned for the 30 day countdown and specifics about the half marathon! and be sure to check out my Instagram page for all my training pictures!

Join me for the 8th annual America’s Toughest Road Marathon on April 22, 2017! Did you know that Roanoke, VA, is one of the few running races allowed on the Blue Ridge Parkway in the country (America’s most visited National Park)?

The Blue Ridge Marathon has THE MOST elevation change of any road race in the United States. This is how it gets it’s “toughest” road marathon status.

You don’t have to run a marathon though to participate! They are offering FOUR distances for this race: 10k, half, full, & double. I will be running the 10k. New to this year is also the RELAY!!

There are SO many things to share about this exciting race so be checking back here on my blog and social media sites for more details about the races and my training.

Make sure to Use my code: BRMFRIENDS to save 15% any of the four race distances (10k, half, full, & double) and there is no expiration date!

You can REGISTER HERE:
http://www.blueridgemarathon.com/

Did you know all proceeds of the Blue Ridge Marathon go toward their main beneficiaries the Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway or other local charitable organizations?

DC’S WINE COUNTRY, VA
SEPTEMBER 15-16, 2017

I am really excited to be participating in the “Run Like a Diva” race for the third year-second year as a Race Ambassador. Because I am a Diva Ambassador, I get to share special sneak peeks, promo codes, and even giveaways for my followers!

How would you like to WIN a race entry to either the 5k race or half marathon race in DC’s Wine Country in September? Keep reading so you can find out all about this exciting race weekend and how you can WIN!

Join us for the 5th Annual Divas® Half Marathon & 5K in DC’s Wine Country, VA!

All participants (half & 5K) will receive:

– Pink tutus
– Amazing finisher medals
– Women’s fit tech shirts
– Divas drawstring bags
– Boa & tiara along the course
– Shirtless hunks
– Post-race nourishment & entertainment

More specifics here:
http://www.runlikeadiva.com/Events/Divas__Half_Marathon___5K_-_DC_s_Wine_Country.htm

2017 Divas Half Marathon & 5K in DC’s Wine Country event registration link here:
https://endurancecui.active.com/new/events/39154754/select-race?regnow=awe-regnow&_p=5725408813053618

Right now the price is at $50 for the 5k race on Friday September 15
and
$80 for the half marathon on Saturday September 16.

The host hotel is the Lansdowne Resort which is where the race packet pickup AND the 5k race is being held on Friday September 15, 2017. The hotel and golf course are breathtaking! They are offering a special DIVA price per night, so don’t delay with making your hotel reservations if you want to stay on site. They are also offering shuttling to the half marathon course from their hotel saturday morning.

You can visit the link here for more info:
http://www.runlikeadiva.com/Events/Divas__Half_Marathon___5K_-_DC_s_Wine_Country/Travel/Host_Hotel.htm

So are you excited yet??

COUNTDOWN
27 WEEKS 2 DAYS 07 HOURS

>>>Here’s how to win<<<

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**I try to give you lots of options to get points. The more points and entries you have, the better chance you have of winning! 🙂
Winner will be picked by rafflecopter at the end of the contest. Entries will be verified before winner is announced. Please do not enter contest if you can not travel to the DC area for the 5k race or half marathon race in September 2017. Good luck!

My son and I love doing yoga together so I was really excited to get these cards from Amazon. I love that the poses are rated with stars on the bottom of the cards based on difficulty so I can select what cards we do ahead of time.

They are two sided so you can put them face down and select a card randomly from the pile. One of the cards is a game card showing 15 suggested games using the set of 30 yoga cards. I did the musical yoga game with my fitness group this week and everyone (women and kids) loved it!

The pictures made it very easy for my son to figure out how to do the poses. Great size for travel or to keep at home. I would recommend getting a little container or bag to put them in to keep them protected and all together.

Highly recommend this kids (and adults!) yoga challenge card set!!

You can view my mini Instagram video here:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BREjZPqgOVS/?taken-by=empowermoms

About the cards:
The Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards will challenge you and your kids with balance, flexibility, mindfulness, and more. This card deck includes 30 poses including partner poses, confidence building pose mantras, and fun games to play together using these cards.

The Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards include:
· 30 progressive yoga poses including partner poses
· Empowering pose mantras for beginners and meditation
· Poses rated from 1-5 stars based on difficulty
· Easy to follow poses to create many original yoga flows
· 15 Bonus Games to play using these pose cards
· Tested and proven yoga poses to bring most mental and physical benefit
· Takes only minutes each day to gain lifelong skills and health benefits.

You can purchase your own set here: