Riding and Ryders (winner!)

Here we are , 5 days into #bikestreak and I'm having fun with it. I am enjoying getting outside more and more even if it is only for a pre-dinner quickie.

This mornings cycling adventure was an interesting one. I messaged Charles, my cycling instructor and told him I would forgo class today since I wanted to ride outside. My Mom had offered to watch Lola early in the morning so the plan was 30 on the bike and run the 5k loop. It was still early and cold so I did a quick warm-up on the trainer and then decided to get all bundled up to head out. I was planning on doing the 11 mile loop around my house 2-3 times but once I got out there and moving I decided that I would be only doing ONE loop today. It was cold, dark and windy. Go ahead--call me a whimp!


I logged a bit over 15 miles on the bike and then got out for a quick 3 mile run. Changed again, loaded up my bike, picked up Lola and headed on out to cycling class. A fun morning of cadence drills and I really feel like I got my money's worth out of training today!

But you did not come here to read about #bikestreak did you?
NOOOOO.
You wanna know who won the Ryder's giveaway, right??

There were 104 eligible entries for this contest. I wrote each name out on a big sheet of paper with the corresponding entry number and here is how the winner was selected.

"Hey Mom, I need you to pick a number between 1 and 104"
"What? Why?"
"Because I asked you to...please?"
"Ok. You did not sign me up for anything did you??"
"No Mom, it's a blog thing. Can you just pick a number 1-104??"
"Alright. Number 64 since it's your father's Birthday and he is 64 today"
"Perfect. Thanks Mom"

The winning comment?
I would get the VTX. They look bada** and the red ones look even better
-JASON-

#64-JASON

So Jason, you will soon be looking BADA$$ my friend in your new Ryder's.
Please send me an email at jsmall14(at)maine(dot)rr(dot)com and I am gonna get you all hooked up so you look cool all summer long!

Thanks to all the entered! I have some super fun giveaways coming up so be sure to stop by again really, really soon.

Oh and Happy Birthday Daddy!
I love you and thanks for being my "race sponsor".
I could not do 1/2 of what I do without you! xoxo

Good Morning Mr. Sun

Good Morning Mr. Sun!!

(as Lola says)

The sun is shining and I have a huge smile plastered on my face this morning.
Yesterdays weather was terrible-lots of pouring rain with thunder and lightening.


Today's forecast promises sunshine and 60's.
I'm feeling a LOT better--extra rest and that one dose of NyQuil did the trick! I am really feeling the itch to get outside!


I was thinking about last summer and how Lola and I would get up and out early for our jogging stroller runs. I would keep her occupied by singing to her or we would count the birds and the trees, or make a quick stop at the duck pond to say hello to the many ducks. I would also bribe her with M&M's or gummy bears on an as needed basis. As the sun would get higher in the sky we would greet Mr. Sun by saying "Good Morning Mr. Sun" and then pretend to reach up and tickle the sun (inspired by her favorite show Kai Lan).

I am looking forward to many early morning runs with my girl THIS spring and summer. Ahh, how she has grown since last year. I can just imagine what I will have to do this year to keep her entertained in the jogger? I wonder how much harder I will be working too, as she is quite a bit bigger and heavier!! What a great workout THAT is going to be.
I am so ready for nice weather! It has been a very long, cold winter.

Today's agenda?
some plyo & balanced based weight training followed by
Tuesday's with Charlie (aka indoor cycling class with Charles)
later today I am getting out for a run in the sun!

I am just exploding with energy today and ready to take it all in.

What are you looking forward to now that Spring is here??

Happy Tuesday all and don't forget to enter my Ryder's Eyewear giveaway!

Vela, Velo, Voila! It's a Giveaway!

My future's so bright...I gotta wear shades!
Happy Friday!
I just saw the weather report and it appears that for the next couple of days Southern Maine will be hitting temps close to 60*--I cannot tell you how excited I am about this. After a craptastic week of training, I need to get out to run and bike.
Since I will be outside running and biking most of the weekend in this sunshine, there is one thing that will not leave my head!!
That would be my pair of Ryder's Vela sunglasses!

I'm celebrating sunshine with a review of my Ryder's and a giveaway!!

I got two pairs of glasses from Ryder's over a month ago and I have had many opportunities to try these two pairs out:

VELA

• FRAME: NEON PINK
• LENS: PINK with FLASH MIRROR, POLYCARBONATE, 100% UV PROTECTION  
• TINT: 37% VLT (visible light transmission)
• FIT: MEDIUM  
• FEATURES: ADJUSTABLE ANTI-SLIP NOSE PADS, ANTI-SLIP TEMPLE TIPS

Why pink a pink lens? Well other than it being my absolute favorite color, I just started swimming with a new pair of pink tinted swim goggles and I love them! The pink hue is very "happy".
But there is also some science behind it.
Rose- and vermilion-colored glasses really do make the world seem brighter. They provide excellent low-light visibility and enhance contrast. They also enhance the visibility of objects against blue and green backgrounds, which makes them ideal for driving or exploring in forested areas.

I love the mild pink tint of the lens

  

DEFCON

• FRAME: WHITE  
• LENS: YELLOW*, POLYCARBONATE, 100% UV PROTECTION   
• TINT: 57% VLT  (visible light transmission)
• FIT: MEDIUM   
• FEATURES: ANTI-SLIP NOSE PADS AND TEMPLE TIPS   

Why yellow? Yellow, gold and amber lenses provide less overall brightness protection, but excel in moderate-to-low level light conditions. They provide excellent depth perception, which makes them perfect for skiing, snowboarding and other snow sports. They also enhance contrasts in tricky, flat-light conditions.

Yellow lenses provide protection in low light.

THE VELA: These have become my everyday running and riding glasses. I have tried so many pairs of shades over the last two years and each time they fall short of my expectations.
They either slip down my sweaty nose or rub up against my cheeks and slide around. I am constantly having to adjust them which is distraction and annoying. The other thing that would drive me bananas is most of the glasses I'd wear would get all fogged up!
Not the case with the Vela.
The nose pads are adjustable to get a perfect fit and they are constructed of a soft, rubber-like material that is non-slip. The lens wraps around the eye area providing great wind protection (it's been crazy windy lately!) which I like. There are also non-slip grips on the temple area of the arms.
This style comes in a variety of colors and lens choices-a three lens interchangeable option is even available. While pink is my favorite color, in honor of The Tiger, I think I will be adding an orange pair to the collection as well.
I am super pleased with The Vela-functional and fashionable-this is a cool looking pair of shades.

Lola approved!

THE DEFCON:I have worn this pair out twice; once for a quick, 3-miler and then again for a 22 mile bike ride. Both days I opted to wear The Defcon because it was overcast and drizzling. I had never worn yellow lenses and the yellow provided a great contrast in the landscape. It also made the dark,dreary day a lot brighter. 
I always like to wear glasses when riding and having the yellow option is a great alternative on cloudy/dark days so I am enhancing my sight-not diminishing it with a dark, tinted lens.
As for the frame design, I liked the way it wrapped around the side, again providing protection from the elements. The nose pads are non-slip but do not offer the option of size adjustment like the Vela. The temple tips are also non-slip and this style did pretty much stay put with only a bit of movement on my face. The frames are comfortable and stylish. The Defcon is also offered in black and camo frames with several lens options available.

Now it's time for YOU to get your very own pair of Ryder's and get out there!
How do you enter to win??

It's easy!

You MUST be a follower of my blog to enter.
If you are not already a follower, just click the little FOLLOW button on the right hand side of the screen. Once you do that THEN:
You must complete at least ONE of the following to enter

1-Visit Ryder's website and check out their glasses. What pair would you pick if you won? Why? Tell me in a comment.

2-Then go to their Facebook page and tell them Jen from Miles, Muscles & Mommyhood sent you. Tell them which style YOU love!

3-Follow Ryder's Eyewear on Twitter and sent out the following tweet: Win @RydersEyewear from @milesmusclesmom & look good training http://tinyurl.com/mmmvela


Easy peasy right? Please leave a separate comment for each entry. One winner will be selected from all eligible entries via Random.org or by Lola. Entries will be accepted until April 16th at Midnight.

**The Ryder's glasses were provided to me for review by Outside PR. The opinions expressed in this blog post are my own and I was not compensated for my positive comments in any way, shape or form.