********FLASH GIVE AWAY In honor of the BOSTON MARATHON*********

******FLASH GIVEAWAY********
EnergyBits the all natural food source that I use to fuel myself when I race has given me a really nice Swag Bag to give away in honor of their Inaugural expo at the Boston Marathon. They are also giving away free samples for you to try should you be in Boston at the expo. To win the Swag Bag all you need to do is:

1. Comment on this blog by saying Power Me With Bits

Winner will be selected Monday evening after the Boston Marathon! Good Luck
For all my friends running Boston on Monday head over to the Expo and go see my friends at EnergyBits booth #1934 and get a free sample of the awesome Bits that I use to fuel me in everything especially My Races. Tell them Kelly sent you and says hi! And for my friend not in Boston. EnergyBits is offering a 20% discount on all purchases in the next 30 days by going to their website WWW.EnergyBits.com and using the code ‪#‎MARATHON‬. Once you try EnergyBits you too will want to stay ‪#‎PoweredByBits‬! Go ‪#‎TeamBits

EnergyBits Review

Over the last two years I have been extremely picky about what I put in my body and what I use to fuel my triathlons and marathons. So when I get asked to review a "new" product I am always very skeptical about it and I scrutinize it just as much.

I was asked to review a natural organic raw fuel that was relatively new to the US but has been used in Europe for decades, by Olympic Athletes for years and by NASA Astronauts for decades as well. I was intrigued to say the least as to what this super food was and what made it so special. So, Jonathan over at EnergyBits sent me a very nice informative package which included a nice sized portion of EnergyBits to try.  Reading through the materials he sent me, I find that EnergyBits are algae. Little did I know (till I also researched it for myself) algae is packed full of protein and a ton of vitamins and minerals, 40+ to be exact. WOW and why was I just now hearing about it??? I read through all the informative material, did some of my own research and decided to give it a thorough try.

So I made a plan to try them on my next long run. Normally on a long run I fuel with GU, gels or if its a really long run Sprout organic baby food. On this day I planned a good 2 hour run so I took the bits before hand but to be safe I packed a Rehydrate gel, a Gu and a pouch of Sprout along with some more Energybits just to be on the safe side. I am a stickler about making sure I fuel during my runs so I wanted to be prepared just in case.  An hour into it I felt good. I was staying hydrated, didn't have any stomach distress, and still had a sufficient amount of energy. To be safe though I swallowed a few more Energybits to continue to sustain me as I ran on.  I didn't have any stomach distress even taking them in the middle of my run.  All in all I felt great. No fatigue no need for my Sprout baby food. It was great.

To make sure that this was the case all the time. I tried it on a long shift at work where I knew I wouldn't be able to eat dinner till very late at night and I am not allowed to even snack when I am on duty. I swallowed some bits before heading to work. Gave me great energy there and my stomach wasn't growling like it normally was half way through my shift.  The EnergyBits seemed to hold me over my whole 6 hour shift.  After that I was sold. It not only worked well to fuel me on a run with no stomach issues it also made a great snack that I could quickly swallow to get me through the long hours I sometime have to put in at work where I am un able to eat.        

Long review short I bought myself a bag of EnergyBits and a bag of SkinnyBits for my hubby who, seeing how well they worked for me wanted some as well. I have been fueled by bits ever since and am proud to say I have become a Brand Ambassador for them as well. That is how much I love my Bits! Should you want to be fueled by these awesome EnergyBits you can get them at EnergyBits.com and if you use my Ambassador discount code FaithHopeRun you can get 20% off your order. I too hope you will be #PoweredByBits right along with me!

         

What a differance a year makes... Review of the SCTS Parris Island Triathlon

What a year this past year has been. The race that started this all for me in 2013 has now been forever etched into my heart as the most memorable event I will ever compete in.  Rewind over 2 years ago... I had just finished my treatments and surgery from the ovarian cancer. I wanted to make a change in my life and I wanted it to be a big one to prove that my being a cancer survivor didn't dictate what I could do in life. I had already started making small changes in my life and lifestyle to live healthier. I quit smoking after a nasty 20year habit, I started eating clean and added supplements to my daily diet and routine, and after my surgery I started working out. But that still wasn't enough for me. I wanted to do something I have never done before, something I would have never thought possible till then. That's when I made a grueling bucket list of things I was going to accomplish last year. The first thing on that list was The SCTS Parris Island Triathlon. I was a swimmer after all... How hard could it be to learn how to run and bike. WOW I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I signed up for Triathlon training that was being held at the P.I. gym and went to work. Hard work! It took me almost a year to build my endurance and for my body to properly heal from my surgery to finally get to where I was able to compete in the Triathlon, but I managed to pull it off. My first ever race, The SCTS Parris Island Triathlon was March 16th 2013. All I wanted to do was finish that race to prove I could do anything with Faith, Perseverance, Dedication, and the Support of my friends and family, and By Gods Grace I finished that race 3rd from last. As I crossed that finish line the very first time the announcer called out "Kelly Causey 3time cancer survivor crosses the finish line" causing me to break down in tears. I had done it! I had done something I thought never possible before. I didn't let cancer define who I could become. A whole new world opened up to me and I began my new life in the race community competing in every race I thought impossible at one time. My 2013 year included 2 Triathlons, a Warrior Dash several 5k's and 10k's, 2 Biathlons, a 3 mile river swim, a Marathon, 3 1/2 Marathons, a 50k bike race and to end my year a 50k trail run (I may have forgotten something but I am sure you get the picture). Nothing was impossible to me anymore.

Fast forward to 2014... This year has already started with a bang. I have already run several races but the one I was most looking forward to was the one that started it all, The SCTS Parris Island Triathlon... My goal this year... To place in my division. I didn't care what place as long as I placed. My swim times this year qualified me to start in the very front in the elite division (which was really scary for me considering how good all of the athletes were in the front).  I almost let that fact deter me and get in my head. Of course they were good. They put just as much into this as I did. It took all I had to focus on my race not to worry about their race. I was going to run this race to the best of my ability and let the other competitors do the same. This year this was a personal competition to see if I could, with the right gear, the right fuel, and the very best training, compete on a level that would get me placed. Fueled this year by EnergyBites (a natural organic food for fuel) and Advocare performance elite products for hydration I waited to start my race.

Jumping in the pool I was off to a good start. But when I came to my second flip turn I hit an obstacle. My leg hit the ladder and my push off suffered kinking my leg in an awkward way that felt like a bad crap in the back of my ankle up the back of my calf. I didn't let this stop me. I kept going swimming my heart out and hearing one of my trainers scream "Go Kelly, Swim Kelly" during every other turn gave me the drive to make it through the pool. It wasn't my best time but I wasn't done yet either. Transition 1 took me longer than I wanted, switching into my Swirlgear (but adding a loose fitting hoodie because of the cold temps and still being wet) I persevered on, heading out on the bike. Though harder to get on because of being wet out of the pool, my Swirlgear long sleeve running shirt kept me warm under my hoodie thus making the bike portion better than I expected. Matter of fact my bike portion or the Tri went smoothly. I was actually happy with it other than my left leg still being kinked from the pool. Transition 2 went like a breeze. I was in and out in less than a minute and a half, just having to take off my hoodie, before I was off on to my run portion of Tri. The run is where I could really feel the kink in my leg. I hit the first water station and one of my other trainers was there volunteering. He could see the pain I was in and even asked if I wanted to stop and rest it a second but I refused adamantly. I was going to finish one way or another if it meant crawling across this finish. Taking a sip of water, with renewed determination I went on through with the run. Reaching the second water station I was somewhat limping with my calf and Achilles tendon now screaming at me. Yet I took a sip of water and still pushed on. I figured at this point my time was shot to place. I even was praying just to make it across the finish telling God that I promised to take it easy and not sign up for any more races other than what I was already committed to up till May. I just wanted to finish at that point worried my leg wouldn't hold out the last mile to the finish. But as I said, I was determined to finish even if it meant crawling across the finish.

I crossed the finish in a running limp so thankful I made it there upright. Then came the wait to see if where in my division I placed. Because it was a pool start the competitors start time didn't start till they jumped in the water. So it was a staggered start allowing each competitor to get to the first flip turn before releasing another competitor. I was already preparing myself for a not so good placement because of how I thought my race had gone. I even thought to myself I would be happy even if I came in dead last because of my mistake in the pool and getting hung up on the ladder. It caused my times to slow and I knew it. But regardless where I placed I was thrilled to come back to where it all started to compete for the second year running. So I waited till the awards. I was going to cheer everyone on that placed, though I figured it wasn't going to be me this year. When the awards started I was shocked to find out, (as they called my name) I placed 3rd overall in the open female division. As I walked up to receive my trophy, the head of MCCS Parris Island once again brought me to tears as he announced to everyone there that not only was I the 3rd over all but I was a 3time cancer survivor and he was proud of how far he has seen me come over the last 2 years. I cried for the second time competing in this race. I had come full circle. From 2013 being 3rd from last in the very same division to being 3rd overall female in 2014. Nothing can ever compare to that accomplishment to me. That trophy and this race will forever be etched in my heart as my greatest accomplishment and most meaningful race coming a complete full circle in just one year and as a 2year 3month in remission Ovarian Cancer Survivor.

Moral of the story... NEVER let your diagnosis or circumstances stop you from going after and achieving all that God has planned for you in life. Never Give Up and NEVER Surrender. Like the back of the MCCS Parris Island Triathlon shirt says... "There is NOTHING impossible for those who TRI!"

My review of the Disney Princess Half Marathon and Glass Slipper Challenge weekend :)

My family and I rolled into Orlando Thursday evening ready to run. I have run in Disney before so I had an idea of the first class run events Disney is famous for. But this time my husband and daughter joined me for this run adventure and they were in awe of the massive size of everything, from the expo to the sheer amount of people both men and women that were there to run Disney that weekend. We hit the expo to pick up our race packets as soon as we got into Orlando because my husband and daughters race was the very next day. You see my husband and daughter registered for the Cinderella Family 5k and I was registered for the Inaugural Princess Glass Slipper challenge. When ever my family and I run an event together they generally run a separate event than I do. This is because I run faster and a lot longer distances than they do. But there is a sweeter reason. When they run I am their cheer squad and cheer them on and when I run they do the same for me. We have done this since I started running/racing 2 years ago. It is something special to us. Though sometimes, like this Disney event and all the fun on the course they had, I wish I was there to experience it with them.  At the expo we were greeted in the same Disney grand fashion that is expected with anything Disney puts on. We picked up some awesome merchandise such as a Handana for my daughter and KT tape for me and my husband (getting taped up by the pros while we were at it) and then we headed out to go to my dads where we stay when ever we are in town.


We get to my dads house in Orlando and all of us have nervous energy about our races that weekend. It was about 7pm when we finally sat down and ate something before going straight off to bed because we had an extremely early morning ahead of us. Their race started at 6:15am which meant we wouldn't leave my dads till 4:30am in order to get through all the traffic. I in my race mode was up at 3am ready to start my race routine, and to my surprise my daughter and husband got up as well with me even though they didn't have to get up till 4am. None of us could sleep a wink we were so excited. Dressed in their costumes, they ate a good breakfast and off to Epcot we went at 4:30am to partake in the race festivities. Once we arrived we were not disappointed because we were met with a party like no other in the race area where there was dancing, photo ops and so much more. I think I was more excited seeing my husbands and daughters reaction to the sheer size and energy of it all. My daughter dressed as Tinkerbell with a Swirlgear twist (stealing one of my favorite Swirlgear shirts) and my husband in his Tinkerbell lime green tutu took advantage of all the Pre race festivities. I giggled every time I looked at my husband in his lime green tutu that he wore just for my daughter. We found our way to where the runners entered their corals, had some fun dancing and singing till my husband and daughter had to leave to go run. At which time they left me to go to their corral and begin the Cinderella Family 5k. I as the cheer squad cheered them as they left to run through Epcot and then made my way to the finish to cheer their arrival. Through the pictures my husband took I got to see the fun they had on the course with all the numerous character stops Disney had for the runners, as well as the beauty of Epcot as it was their 1st time in that park. The only complaint they had was the long lines they encountered at some of the character stops, otherwise they had so much fun. As they crossed the finish line together my husband was called out for his outfit by the announcer because my husband wore his Marine Corp shirt with his lime green tutu LOL. We all laughed as the announcer said he didn't know the Marines could wear a tutu. A fathers love knows no bounds when a daughter basically dares him to wear a tutu with her for a race! Accomplished and with their metals my family and I headed back to my dads to clean up and then we were off to the Expo to pick up some Disney merchandise as well as other things we HAD to have. I tried to meet up with my fellow Swirlsisters while I was there but I just missed them. :(

Another night of nervous energy tossing and turning and I was up at 2:30am to start my race regimen once again. This time I let my hubby sleep in, but surprisingly my daughter was up to meet me and wish me luck and spend a little mother daughter time with me as I got ready. I woke my hubby up at 3:30am so he could get ready and we were off to Epcot again, this time for me to run the Inaugural Enchanted 10k as part one of my Princess Glass Slipper challenge. I had a small snag which was my husband forgot to pack my running shoes. So I barrowed my daughters which were a 1/2 size too small and were not the type of shoe I normally wore. I knew at that point this was going to be a tough challenge for me. But I Princessed up and ran anyway.

Dressed in my Little Mermaid Costume we set off arriving at Epcot at 4:15am and I met up with the rest of the  Dream Come True Vacation Running team (the team I was running with for Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry Charity) for a photo opportunity and then we were off again to enjoy the pre race festivities till it was time for me to leave for my first of 2 races. When it was time I headed off to my corral and waited for the start. Once we started I was once again greeted with the grandeur of a RunDisney event. There was tons of characters on the course and I took advantage of most of them. There were a few I passed up due to exceedingly long lines but I did snap pictures as I went by. The ones with the longest lines I noticed were the characters you don't see very often such as Princess Tiana for The Princess and the Frog. All in all I finished with a decent time only adding 20 mins to my personal best due to character stops and I only had a few blisters from my daughters shoes that I would doctor for my race the next day.  With my first metal in hand I was elated knowing the little girl I Run4 Katelynn would be super excited and I felt accomplished. You see Katelynn has CDLK5, its a rare chromosomal form of epilepsy that causes her to have hundreds of seizures a day some of them being so debilitating that she has to be hospitalized. Katelynn will never know the joy of running or even walking. She experiences these things though me. She also has never been to Disney so I make it a point to get lots of pictures so she will have those to experience the "Happiest Place on Earth" as well. Post race I headed to my dads cleaned up and off to the expo again because I needed a couple more things that I had forgotten. Then back to dads to carbo load on some home made pasta and sauce before heading to bed at 7pm again.

Next morning I woke up a little late at 3am so I had to rush my race regimen before heading off to Epcot for the Princess Half Marathon. Dressed as Princess Anna with a Swirlgear twist we were off at 3:45am to the race. I was supposed to meet my fellow Half Fanatics at the DJ stage for a photo op but I was 5 mins late due to the massive amount of traffic. My husband was amazed at how many more runners there were in the Half Marathon. With no time to really spare I kissed My family goodbye and I headed off on that long 1 mile walk to my corral to await the start of the Princess Half Marathon praying the whole way my feet would hold up in my daughters shoes for the long 13.1 miles ahead of me.

It was a humid, hot, muggy, foggy morning that gave almost an eerie chill in the air. It stayed this way for the whole race minus the fog which lifted later in the morning. When we finally took off in corral H I knew it was going to be a tough challenge but I was determined to make the most of every moment and have fun. It was after all Disney, and the happiest place on earth. I took advantage of the characters on the course that I hadn't yet had a photo op with such as the Heroes that I waited in line for 30mins for, but I passed the one such as the pirates I already had photos with form the previous RunDisney races I had done. There were tons of photo ops with new characters that I didn't previously get to meet so I was extremely happy. Coming into the Magic Kingdom I had to loose one of the shirts from my costume because it was so hot and humid I looked like I jumped into a pool. The fog was still thick as we came to the castle. It was a very unique photo op due to how eerie the castle looked in the background. At this point my feet were still feeling ok. The blisters were uncomfortable but they weren't blazing yet from my daughters shoes. My time started to slow considerably though and I was having to take regular walk breaks which is something I don't normally do in a race unless it is for a photo op in Disney. But as each mile went on my feet began to hurt more and more. I wasn't going to let this stop me form having fun along the course. I made a point to stop now at every photo op to give my feet a break and I took regular walk breaks. I knew the last 7 miles of the Princess Half was going to be a challenge but I was determined to finish for my sweet little Katelynn who I Run4. She was counting on me and I knew it. It Took me nearly 2 hours longer than my best time to finish the 13.1 miles I had but even in serious pain I crossed the finish line with arms raised in triumph yelling "This is for you Katelynn, We did it".  I walked/limped through the shoot to get my metal. I was over joyed to see a fellow Half Fanatic giving out metals so I had her put mine around my neck. One of the medical volunteers saw how I was limping and escorted me to the med tent where the awesome volunteers doctored my feet and ankles that looked like hamburger from blisters and were so swollen that I had to unlace my daughters shoes completely to put them back on so I could go receive my Glass Slipper Challenge metal. I limped to get that metal and take my finish photo then met up with my family in the reunion area overjoyed and feeling accomplished that I managed to finish despite not having my own running shoes. My family after cheering me to the finish, got me to my dads where I cleaned up and doctored my feet with new skin and KT tape so I could go to Downtown Disney for the after race party. Decked out in our metals just my husband and I headed to the party. My daughter decided to spend time with her grandma and papa instead. In downtown Disney there was more photo ops that my hubby and I took full advantage of as well as we took advantage of the great food and entertainment.

I love RunDisney events. Disney puts on one of the most entertaining and memorable runs I have ever done. I hope to run someday all of the races they put on including the Disneyland races on the west coast. I am currently registered for the Dumbo Dare where I will be running as a Saint Jude's Hero with a very good friend of mine. Who knows if the fates allow it and I can get the time off of work I may also be at the Tower of Terror 10miler and the Wine & Dine. We shall see. But these races I can guarantee I will be wearing my OWN running shoes. Moral of the story, always be specific when telling the hubby to pack the truck and ALWAYS check behind him because running in your daughters shoes is harder than I ever thought.

RunDisney round 2 :)

I can't sleep! Race day excitement and it isn't even for my race. Yesterday my husband, daughter and I arrived in Disney for our #rundisney weekend. Today my husband and daughter will set off on their Cinderella Family 5k run as I cheer them on! I am so proud of them! Tomorrow and Sunday they will cheer me on as I run The Glass Slipper challenge for my sweet princess Katelynn. So excited to be back at Disney! Any time my family and I race together it is a wonderful thing and I CHERISH those moments. We have a great system I cheer them on the first day and they do the same for me on the next day. But in the case of Disney... They cheer me on the next 2.  Days because I am running the Princess Glass Slipper Challenge this weekend.

I have had a few set backs with this run so far. First last week I ended up getting sick with aSinus Infection and a Double Ear infection. I went to the Doctor Monday frantic because I knew this weekend was important especially to the little Princess Katelynn who I run for. So the Doc set me up on antibiotics and sinus meds so I would be feeling better By the time I run the Glass Slipper 10k on Saturday and the Princess Sunday. Then end 2nd set back and the biggest one... we forgot my running shoes. Thankfully, my daughter wears the same size normal shoe as I do, but a half size smaller in running shoes. So this should be interesting. Moral of the story keep my running shoes in my truck!

Being sick...

So after my happily ever after ending at the Disney Marathon weekend I ended up coming home and getting deathly ill. Which for me is not an option. I am too busy between working, being a wife and mother, and training for this years race schedule. I guess God had other plans and wanted me to step back and take a breather literally for a couple weeks. So now I sit here antsy wanting desperately to get back to what I love so dearly, my running, waiting till I can breath correctly and be able to run again.

A little about me....

My name is Kelly and I am a 3 time cancer survivor. I started running 2 years ago after I finished ovarian cancer treatments (tree times a charm right) and subsequent surgery to remove the tumor and my ovary. When I was going through treatment I made a bucket list so to speak of things I had never done or could not do and running the Marine Corp Triathlon was one of them. You see prior to then the only time I ran was if something was chasing me and even then I could barely run 100 feet let alone the 5k distance needed at the end of the tri. So with the help of a good friend of mine I began training two years and learned how to run (though not very long or fast at first). I am a great swimmer and though slow I know how to ride a bike. The key was the run and that would be the make or break on if I could actually finish. I trained for a full year. And a year and 3 months in remission to cancer I finished the Marine Corp tri in March. That sparked a whole new adventure for me of things added to my bucket list. Since then I have ran a couple obstical trail races such as the Warrior Dash. I have run 3 half marathon (one of which was with the same wonderful friend who taught me to run), several 5k's and a few biathlons as well as a 3 mile river swim in the Beaufort River. I have developed a personal love for a sport I couldn't do till almost 2 years ago. I am an addict of racing and I have tons of "bling" metals to prove it. I love to push my body to the limit. To experience the rush of mastering a challenge. I have ran back to back 1/2 marathons to qualify for the Half Fanatics (which I not only did but did in only 7 days time) and  I have raced an Ultra Marathon 50k in the year 2013. I took my life back and will NEVER GIVE UP AND NEVER SURRENDER! I run for all those fighting cancer, for those who fought the good fight but did not make it, and for those like me that Survived. I run to bring awareness and show people that Cancer is not the end, it can be beaten and great things can happen with Gods direction.

Last October 2013 my running and racing has taken on even greater meaning and importance. I joined the group Irun4 which is a group where runners get match with people of all ages who can not for whatever reason run themselves. I was matched with a beautiful little girl name Katelynn who has CDKL5 disease. I run, workout, race and train for this beautiful princess. I am her legs and she has become my inspiration to go long. So long after my legs want to give out I still keep running for her. 

I cant wait to see what 2014 brings!