Run, Karla, Run!

Running DC’s Lincoln Park in my GORE-TEX Saucony Ride 9 GTX shoes (RunKarlaRun.com)

This post is sponsored by GORE-TEX. Why? I love their running shoe liner and want everyone to have the chance to win a pair of GORE-TEX lined running shoes.

What does it mean to you to “Own The Run?” For me, it means enjoying the day, no matter what my run brings. Sometimes I feel great and crush it, sometimes I’m sluggish and struggle to get through three miles checking my watch every minute, sometimes the weather is perfect, and sometimes it’s too hot, too cold, too wet, too humid, like I’m the Goldilocks of running.

Washington DC’s Rock Creek Park (RunKarlaRun.com)

But when I #OwnTheRun, I embrace whatever the day throws at me, happy that I get to run, that I can slog it out, rain or shine, good or bad. It’s my run and I own it, no matter what happens out there.

How do you #OwnTheRun? Between now and November 8, 2017, you can enter to win GORE-TEX shoes and gear at gore-tex.com/owntherun. In addition to weekly GORE-TEX lined shoe giveaways, one winner will receive head-to-toe gear—shoes, running shorts, running pants, a jacket, headphones, and more—to help them #OwnTheRun in any weather. Enter at gore-tex.com/owntherun.

Running NYC’s East River path in Saucony Ride 9 GTX shoes (RunKarlaRun.com)

GORE-TEX lined shoes have been a staple of my running closet since I first tried them in 2014. I’m on my third pair with the Saucony Ride 9 GTX, given to me by GORE-TEX. Read the rest of this entry →

Fit Fashion: Courtesy of CardioGlow (RunKarlaRun.com)

It’s giveaway time, thanks to CardioGlow! CardioGlow is a new online boutique filled with stylish, curated, and affordable fit fashion, brought to you by none other than my sister, Kathleen.

You’ve seen CardioGlow curated looks all over my Instagram feed. And now you can nab some too.

Running in CardioGlow curated gear. (RunKarlaRun.com)

To celebrate the opening of her online shop, we’re giving away four full outfits—including top, sports bra, bottoms, and hoodie—to four lucky winners. I’ll choose two winners at random from here on the blog and two winners from Instagram. The giveaway is open now through July 4, 2016.

Winners will pick between these two looks.

CardioGlow capris look (RunKarlaRun.com)

CardioGlow Skirt look (RunKarlaRun.com)

Read the rest of this entry →

Giveaway time!

Why celebrate Christmas on one day when you can celebrate for 12 whole days? It’s time for my 12 Days of Christmas Running Giveaway! Sure the 12 Days of Christmas traditionally start on December 25 and conclude on January 5, otherwise known as Twelfth Night, but let’s get the party started early.

For the next 12 days, I’m giving away an array of running goodies that could fill Santa’s sleigh. I’ll feature one prize per day in social media. Enter via the widget below or on Instagram. Enter as many times as you like on as many days as you like; all entries are eligible for any prize. I’ll choose all 12 winners randomly at the end of the 12 days, which conclude Tuesday, January 5 at 12:00 a.m. Eastern time.

Check out these awesome prizes—some culled from my own personal cache and others generously gifted from the companies below. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

12 Days of Christmas Running Giveaway

1) On the first day of Christmas my run bud gave to me…

Boston Marathoner Map by JHill Design

NYC Marathoner Map by JHill Design

An 8 x 10 Marathoner Map by JHill Design.

These gorgeous maps have had me drooling all over their Instagram feed: @jhilldesign. One lucky winner will choose from 25 marathon and 13 half-marathon maps. Customize it with your name, time, bib and race date. Want to snag one yourself? Use code KARLARUN for 15% off jhilldesign.com through January 16, 2016.

2) On the second day of Christmas my run bud gave to me…

Spartan Race

A Spartan Race entry.

Pick a race. Any race. This entry is good for any open heat (non-confirmed start time) in any Spartan Race in the continental U.S. That’s worth up to and upwards of $150. Tackle a Sprint (3+ miles, 20+ obstacles), Super (8+ miles, 24+ obstacles), or Beast (12+ miles, 30+ obstacles). With 40 races on the current schedule in the continental U.S., it’s up to you! Read the rest of this entry →

Koss FitClips

I asked and you answered: What are your favorite running songs?

Thank you to everyone who shared their faves and to everyone who entered my Koss Fit Series earbuds giveaway!

Rafflecopter has chosen two winners at random, who will each get a pair of Koss FitClips and FitBuds, courtesy of Koss.

But first, I put all of your favorite running songs into a playlist for easy sampling. (Except for Girl Talk’s “All Day,” which isn’t on Spotify. So I added a different Girl Talk mash-up instead.) Maybe you’ll find something new or something you forgot about to add to your playlist.

Your Favorite Running Songs

Koss Fit Series Giveaway Winners

Read the rest of this entry →

Koss Fit Series featuring Olympic Swimmer Dara Torres

Like many runners, I love listening to music when I workout. While I don’t always run with music—leaving them at home for races, track workouts, and busy roads—I’d say I run with them most of the time. I do the bulk of my running in parks, car-free rec paths, and the treadmill.

But I’ve blown through many different earbuds for running—earbuds that don’t fit or constantly pop out, earbuds with clips that hurt or tug on my ears, earbuds that soak up my sweat and stop working, getting crackly or cutting in and out. I’ve never fallen in love with a pair of earbuds for running or included them in my annual gear roundup—until now.

Koss FitClips

Enter Koss FitClips and FitBuds, headphones made for women, by women in five fun colors and two styles. I stumbled upon the Koss Fit Series at a press event for a different product. But after trying each of the FitClips and FitBuds, it was love.

The FitBuds are just six millimeters in diameter, 33 percent smaller than most Koss earbuds. With three included ear cushion sizes, Koss’s earbuds for running fit my ears perfectly and stay put during sweaty runs.

Plus, they’re comfortable. I barely notice they’re there, even the clips around my ears. The key? A soft and very flexible clip that hugs in the right places and doesn’t squeeze where it shouldn’t. And they’re super light too with a sweat resistant coating.

Once I got the Koss FitClips and FitBuds, I handed my old black and red headphones to my husband with a, “Here. You can have these.” FitClips are it for me now!

Win it!

Giveaway: Koss FitBuds and FitClips Earbuds For Running

I’m excited to give away two sets of Koss earbuds for running, courtesy of Koss. Two winners will each get both the Koss FitClips and Koss FitBuds, which each retail for $29.99.

The giveaway is open now until 9 a.m. Eastern on Friday, February 6. Enter through the Rafflecopter widget below! Enter via the options you want and skip the ones you don’t. You get one entry for each. Read the rest of this entry →

Brrr!

Have you dreamed of completing a marathon on every continent? Did you read Where’d You Go, Bernadette? Want to make a like a penguin and march across Antarctica? This might be your chance!

Vibram is giving one winner an all-expenses paid trip for two to compete in the 2015 Antarctica Marathon presented by Marathon Tours on March 9, 2015. Just 200 runners have the privilege every year, and the race is sold out through 2017.

“Vibram is thrilled to offer our fans the opportunity to compete in one of the most adventurous marathons in the world,” said Vibram CMO Allon Cohne in a press statement. “We look forward to being an integral part of our winner’s journey to conquer the treacherous terrain of the Antarctica Marathon.”

There are no qualifications or requirements needed; however, organizers strongly recommend that entrants have previous marathon or endurance race experience. This one isn’t for the faint of heart.

The Antarctica Marathon course takes runners through 26.2 miles of hilly gravel roads on King George Island. Runners can expect to trudge through ice, mud, and slush while taking in the local sights: icebergs, penguins, seals, and whales. Race-day temperatures typically range from 15 to 34 degrees Fahrenheit, with wind gusts reaching 40 mph. And that’s during the Antarctic summer, folks! Read the rest of this entry →

Runners cross the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge at the start of the ING New York City marathon. (Photo: Fergal Carr, via Creative Commons)

It’s no secret that the TCS New York City Marathon is one of my absolute favorite races. It was my first marathon in 2007. I’ve run it three times total and now cover the race with New York Road Runner’s On The Run web and TV show. I’ll be at the TCS New York City Marathon 2014 race with “On The Run” on November 2.

But if you want to join in the action in the Big Apple, you can win one of two official entries into the TCS New York City Marathon 2014 race courtesy of ASICS. Each winner will also receive an ASICS gift pack valued at $500. During “On The Run’s” race week coverage, I’m often decked out from head to toe in ASICS New York City Marathon gear. I love it so much that I continue to wear it year round, like at the Trot Off Your Turkey 5K. Read the rest of this entry →

Princess Aurora tutu (Tutu-da-loo)

Thank you to everyone who entered my running tutu giveaway! I wish I could pass out tutus to you all.

But if you’ve got your heart set on one of Tutu-Da-Loo’s magnificent creations, use code “Karla” to get 15% off your next purchase at Tutu-Da-Loo. I’ll be wearing a Tutu-Da-Loo design, courtesy of Tutu-Da-Loo, at an upcoming race.

Elsa Frozen Tutu (Tutu-Da-Loo)

Whether you’re looking to run as Elsa from Frozen, Lilo from Lilo & Stitch, Captain America or some other character, Tutu-Da-Loo has an inspired design. Enter the coupon code at checkout for a 15% discount off any running tutu in the shop. Tutu-Da-Loo’s tutus normally range in price from $30 to $45. The code is good through Sunday, July 27. I don’t get compensated for your purchase in any way. Just want to pass along some savings.

Now, without further ado, the winner is… Read the rest of this entry →

Tutu-da-loo’s Snow White tutu (Tutu-da-loo)

Registration opened today for the Disney Princess Half Marathon at Walt Disney World in Florida, from February 19-22, 2015. The Glass Slipper Challenge, Princess Half Marathon and Enchanted 10K are already sold out as of 6:30 p.m., while the 5K is 52 percent full and the Kids Races are 50 percent sold.

(Tutu-da-loo)

In honor of the occasion, I’m thrilled to give away a custom-made running tutu courtesy of Tutu-da-loo! One winner will receive a handmade tutu of their choice, perfect for running any themed or costume race. Enter via the Rafflecopter widget at the bottom of the post.

Tutus are 9 inches long with a crocheted elastic waistband and two layers of tulle. Sizes range from X-Small to 3XL to cover women’s sizes 0-24. All of Tutu-da-loo’s tutus are custom-made, and they fill special orders as well. For an additional cost, runners can order a 12-inch length via Tutu-da-loo’s Etsy shop.

The winner of this giveaway can pick any basic multi-colored tutu of up to 3 colors, like the one pictured at right.

Or choose a basic single color tutu, like this: Read the rest of this entry →