Friday, August 3, 2012

Predict It, Win It!!


So you all know I don't do giveaways often; I really just want this blog to be about my journey in life....mostly about running with a few sidekicks thrown in such as my kids (it was my twins birthdays yesterday - 17 *gasp). Or swimming (read last post if you haven't). Or the occasional biking thing or *ahem* a triathlon - which I have on Sunday.

But recently I won an adorable necklace from Tag! You're It! Designs after I simply followed them on Facebook (I love their stuff).  I spent a couple weeks deciding what I wanted on my tags; I've wanted a necklace like this for a really long time but always have had such hard time deciding what I wanted it to say so I never ordered one.  It wasn't any easier when I got the necklace for free, either....but eventually I decided on a couple simple words.  Here's my necklace:


I thought it best described myself after my 2-year foot fiasco.  I may not be running anywhere close to the paces I was before my foot problem, but I never gave up believing I would run again during those 2 years...and those who followed me way back then know I knocked on so many doors until I finally found someone who understood the root of my problem and could fix it permanently for me.  I LOVE my necklace.  Absolutely love it and it couldn't have come at a better time.

Sarah (who is just the nicest person ever!), from Tag! You're It! Designs offered to give one of you a necklace of your choosing - just for being my blog friend.  How cool is that.  At first I was a little reluctant as I just don't live giveaway blogs much....but heck, this is necklace is just really neat and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to share.

But how to do it....my mind was pondering this for a long time and it finally hit me on my bike ride today:

Win it by predicting my overall finish time in my triathlon this coming Sunday.  I know it's short notice, but like I said, the thought just came to me so you're going to just not have to be a procrastinator - like me.

Here's a quick overview and thoughts of the tri I am doing this weekend, to help your prediction (Tri for the Cure link here).

  • Swim
    • 1/2 mile
    • I am in the 3rd wave and start at 7:06am.
    • First wave are "elite" triathletes, about 100 in all.  Second wave are cancer "survivors", also about 100 in all.  Not too worried about running into the elites, but there may be some navigational challenges around the survivors.  
    • Swimming is one of my stronger suits but I'm in a "competitive" wave so my wave placement may not be too high, but I think I'll do fine as long as I don't have to swim around too many people.  Or get lost.  Or get a concussion from someone kicking me in the head.
    • You can check my last post for my mile swim times.
  • Bike
    • 11.4 miles
    • I'd describe the course as "rolling" with a couple big, but short, climbs.
    • Biking is definitely my weakness of all 3 events.  Hills slow me to a crawl!
    • Course has two sharp 180 degree turns.
    • The road is rough in many long patches.  Sucks, to be precise.
  • Run
    • 5k (3.1 miles)
    • Straight out of transition is a major climb for about a half mile.  Then the course winds onto a gradual incline for the next 1.5 miles.  At the half way mark, you turn around and run back the way you came (thus, a nice downhill - yay).
    • I haven't run much since my I sprained my ankle over 2 weeks ago.  I give my ankle a 50/50 chance of behaving.
    • I've done no hill work since Leadville the end of June.
  • Other stuff:
    • Race morning temps are predicted to be about 65 degrees for the start of my swim.
    • Transition from swim to bike is up a big hill and though my bike is suppose to be one in of the closer-in spots, but I have a feeling this is going to be messed up and I'll end up pretty far away.
    • 3000 people (holy crap!!)!!  Thus my concern for the bike rack placement.
    • When I did the Chilly Cheeks Duathlon 2 years ago, the whole transition thingie was pretty slow for me.  I suspect it will be the same this race but I have been practicing! :)
    • It was my boys' birthdays yesterday and I ate so much crap and put on at least 10 lbs in one day.  Or so it feels.  
So there ya go, that's the run-down.  I have no idea how I'll finish.  I haven't a clue how the bike is going to go for me or the transitions or the 1.5 mile uphill climb to start on the run.  Your guess is as good as mine - so HAVE FUN, guess a time, and maybe win an awesome necklace of your own design.  Super fun, huh?? I thought so! :)

Here's the rules:

In ONE comment below (please just one, I don't want a comment for each 3!):
1) Like Tag! You're it! Designs on Facebook by clicking HERE.
2) Browse Tag! You're it! Designs website HERE and tell me what designs you like .
3) Predict my finishing time for the triathlon on Sunday!!!  Wheeee!

The one closest to the actual time, WINS!  Easy, huh?

All entries must be made via a comment on my blog and all made by 10:00am Mountain Standard Time Sunday, August 5th.  No late entries, as the results may be posted after this time and that's just way too easy then (I know, I'm so not fair!)


Okay...y'all have 45 hours....Ready, Set, Goooooooooo!!!

In the meantime, I'll be trying to de-nervous myself as much as possible for Sunday's little event.

Guess strong, my friends!  :)

25 comments:

CautiouslyAudacious said...

I'm going to predict you finish around 1:15 - 1:30! I recently won a similar necklace to this so I won't enter but I did like their page to be supportive! :-) GOOD LUCK with your race!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait to hear all about it!

Katie said...

My guess is 1:35. Good luck! The necklace is awesome!

Terzah said...

Ooh, great giveaway, Jill!

I went to their site and I like the bracelets. I'd have to think long and hard about words, too.

As for tri....what do I know about tris?! Nothing. I'm going to say 1:25:27.

Happy Birthday to your boys! 17 is crazy. I can't imagine.

Rachelle Q said...

I guess 1:28:06 :) Good luck!

Darlene said...

I'm going out on a limb - 1:12.

I would pick the same as you. I broke my ankle badly last Dec and hoped to run again.

Kate Geisen said...

I have no clue, so I'm not entering. Just wanted to wish you GOOD LUCK!! You're going to be awesome! :)

Tasha Malcolm said...

1. I liked Tag! You're it! on FB
2. My favorites are the dogtag & the initial necklace with charm
3. I predict you will finish in 1:37:27

Average Woman Runner said...

Have fun this weekend! I think you'll do it in 1:23:40

Julie said...

I think you are going to great! I may be guessing to slow, but I'm going with 1:36. The hills aren't to bad but the rough road and the sharp turns suck pretty bad. :) I'm so excited for you! Keeping my fingers crossed that you have no ankle issues.

I liked them...and I have no idea which one I would pick...as I'm kind of son focused now I might pick one of the mommy ones...however I could also use some inspiration to get my butt moving so I might go that route.

Ransick said...

Good luck and have fun this weekend! I guess 1:19:57

bobbi said...

I like them on fb already, but like you, I'm incapable of deciding what to have a necklace like that say. But I think they are so pretty!

Here's my (very scientific) prediction. Please don't be offended - I know not triathlon AT ALL, but I'm just rough adding in my head. I'm going with 1:40:45.

GOOD LUCK!

Bubble Boy said...

1:39:45. Have fun and take care of that ankle!

Amanda@runninghood said...

Not entering the giveaway but just saying good luck on your tri! Happy birthday to your twins. And sorry to hear about your ankle...hope it behaves during your 5k. I really know nothing about triathlons and would be guessing blindly but I'm impressed that you're doing it! Go get em!

XLMIC said...

I'll bet you crush it. But I don't know what that means :P

I can't believe your boys are 17!!!!! Good luck in your race :)

ajh said...

I haven't looked at the other comments so this is truly what I am thinking. I am going with 1:06:11

ajh said...

And good luck and have a ton of fun! I'm jealous!

Tara said...

Good grief, haven't read blogs in forever. I guess 1:21.

Good luck tomorrow, see ya there! xoxo

Liz said...

I'm not entering the giveaway because i live too far away, but GOOD LUCK! Have a great time!

C2Iowa said...

Good luck!!! Looking forward to your RR

2 Slow 4 Boston said...

I guess I'm reading this too late to take a guess, so I'm just going to look it up.

I see some commenters came pretty close.

Sorry to hear about your ankle. Sprained ankles suck.

Unknown said...

Happy birthday to the twins (17 must have been an error..... you don't look old enough).

Raina said...

I am too late for this one! But i am anxious to know how you did!! Will be clicking to try to find out :)
Hope it was a great race, Jill!

Lindsay said...

i predict that you will pick me as the winner!

Kandi said...

Cute necklace! I can never decide on words for those things either. I'm so behind since I was at the beach this week! Now off to read your recap. (Happy birthday to your twins! Holy crap! 17!!)

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