Tag Archives: SPIbelt

The SPIBand Winner Is….


Carry your cash, keys, ID, and credit cards.

Thank you so much to everyone that entered the SPIBand Giveaway from SPIbelt! I chose the winner by using Random Picker.

The lucky winner of her choice of SPIBand is……Melissa Lea!!!  Congratulations, Melissa! Please email me (gcmjjm03 at gmail dot com) with your mailing address and I will forward your information to Dawn at SPIbelt

Don’t forget that I’ve got another giveaway going on right now! Click here to check it out!

Thank you to everyone that entered! 

Congratulations again, Melissa!

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Filed under Giveaways

SPIBand Giveaway!


This giveaway has now ended. Thank you for entering!

If you haven’t had a chance to read my review on SPIbelt’s new SPIBands, please take a moment to read it here.

Now here’s a chance for you to win your own!

Here’s how to enter:

1.   Become a follower of my blog and leave a comment to let me know.  Already a follower?  Check in with a comment on this post. (+2 entries)

2.   Become SPIBelt’s fan on Facebook. (Let them know I sent you!) Leave your Facebook name on this post’s comments section. (+2 entries)

3.   Follow SPIBelt on Twitter. (Please let them know I sent you.) Leave your Twitter nickname on this post’s comments section. (+2 entries)

4.  Please go over to SPIBelt and check out their SPIBands. Tell me which one you would pick. (+2 entries)

Optional/Extra Entries:

1.    Follow me on Twitter.  Leave Twitter nickname in comments on this post’s comments section. (+2 entries)

2.   Become a fan of Slow is the New Fast’s Facebook page. Leave your Facebook name on this post’s comments section. (+2 entries)

3.   Spread the word about this giveaway via Twitter or Facebook.  Leave a comment on this post and let me know. (+3 entries for each one)

4.   Announce this giveaway on your own blog, and let me know. (Leave a link to your blog, please!) (+5 entries)

5.   Add me to your blogroll. Leave a comment and let me know. (+2 entries)

That’s it! Giveaway ends on Friday, March 9, 2012. I will announce a winner on Saturday, March 10. 

Please remember to leave a separate comment for each entry and please enter only in the ways listed above. I reserve the right to delete comments not adhering to the above entry guidelines.  You must be 18+ years old & live in the USA. The winner will be notified via email and/or announcement on this blog, Facebook or Twitter. They will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be chosen.

Good Luck!

If you would like to sponsor a giveaway on my blog (or you know someone that does) please contact me by sending me an email to gcmjjm03@gmail.com.  I will always disclose whether or not the giveaway is sponsored by someone else or if it is one of my very own.

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Filed under Giveaways, Reviews, Running, Uncategorized

Respecting the Marathon


When I began running, completing the distance of a 5k was a huge milestone for me. (Some days it still is!) Never in a million years did I think that I would be preparing to run my first marathon in a little over a week.

What’s funny is that when I would bump into my non-running friends some of them would say, “So I hear you’re running marathons now?”.  My instant thought was, “I am??”. Of course, I knew what they meant  – “I see you posting constantly on Facebook about running so obviously you are one of those maniacs that run like Forrest Gump.” –  but I was quick to correct them. “No, no, no. I don’t run marathons. That’s 26.2 miles…nope, not me.”

~Insert nervous laugh here.~

So… here I am, counting the days down until March 4.

I’m still without the 26.2 under my belt but I have gone as far as 20 and it.was.ugly. I think I didn’t take in enough sodium or something because I was cramping like I’ve never cramped before. In fact, if it had been race day, I couldn’t have gone one step more. My body closed down shop and was finished. Of course, that is haunting me now and I’m desperately trying to figure out how to make sure that it doesn’t happen next weekend. *Btw, if you have any suggestions, please let me know!*

I have tons of respect for the runners that have gone before me: the fast, the slow, the walkers, the ones dressed up in a full mascot costumes. If you’ve done it, I tip my cap to you. What people don’t understand, and I’m talking about non-runners and runners that haven’t experienced long distance running, there is so much more involved in running super-long distances than just throwing on your shoes and going for a run. On my long run days, I start preparing the day before. I eat and drink a certain way and start preparing myself mentally. The day of my long run, it’s on my mind constantly. I practice in my head how far I will go and even imagine myself at the turn around. (I’ve run that trail so many times that I know where most turn around spots are for each distance.)  I pack my SPIBelt like I’m going on a little trip and wear a headlamp on my head. I make sure the older kids (who are watching the little ones) understand that I will be gone “x” amount of hours and I’ll either have something ready for everyone to eat for dinner or I’ll pick up something on the way home. I bring treats with me (Chocolate Zico coconut water, a banana &/or a Clif Bar) for when I finish my run so I can eat right away. And even if it wasn’t a great run, I leave with a feeling of calmness and accomplishment. It all sounds crazy when I’m typing it out…. and maybe I am a little but I love it!

I’m nervous, excited, worried, hopeful, scared, curious and really, really in awe that some folks can actually run these things in the amount of time I can run a half, lol.

My goal is simple: Just finish.

If I can finish with a smile on my face and that medal around my neck, I will be pleased.

If you have any advice or helpful tips, I’m all ears!! 🙂 Don’t forget to check out my GU giveaway that’s going on right now!!

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Filed under Family, Giveaways, Racing, Reviews, Running, Uncategorized

SPIband Review and Giveaway!


Carry your cash, keys, ID, and credit cards.

You probably already know my love affair with SPIBelt. (Click here to read my review.) So, when Dawn at SPIBelt suggested I try their new SPIBand, I was more than excited to be able to! She even sent the black with bright pink colored one, which was icing on the cake!

Like the SPIBelt, the SPIBand is much roomier than it appears to be. It can hold your cash, keys and your ID/credit card. I even stuffed a bag of Chomps down in there, just to see if it would fit. I found it to be comfy, roomier than it looks, didn’t bounce and didn’t feel weird. It’s definitely the answer to what to do with your keys when you’re going for just a short run or going to the gym. A perfect spot to stick the bare minimals. They are sized in small, medium or large. (Larger ones can fit on your ankle!) The colors come in black, black/pink, black/turquoise, and reflective.


Here’s what SPIBelt says about their new product:

SPIband creates a more compact way to keep track of the tiniest belongings without interrupting a productive workout. With SPIband’s compact, yet roomy design, users can keep the smallest personal items around their ankle or wrist. With the safe and secure fit, users can work out without the worry of keeping up with their smallest, yet valuable belongings such as car keys, house keys, gym membership cards, cash and even wedding bands. (MSRP $9.95)

Once again, SPIBelt has lived up to their reputation of making great products! I love mine and can’t wait for one of my lucky readers to have one too!

Click here to enter!

As required by the FTC: I received a product sample in order to write my review.  I received no monetary compensation.  All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

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The SPIbelt Giveaway Winner Is…..


Thank you so, so much to everyone that participated in my SPIbelt giveaway!! It was truly overwhelming when I saw the responses! Because there were so many participants, I used RandomPicker to choose the winner.


So, for the moment you’ve been waiting for….

The person that has won the SPIbelt of their choice is: Elizabeth Shaw!! Elizabeth has a blog called See Lizzie Tri.


Congratulations Elizabeth!!! Now, head on over to SPIbelt.com and pick out the SPIbelt of your choice. Next, email me (gcmjjm03@gmail.com) with your mailing address and belt choice, I’ll send it over to Debbie at SPIbelt and she’ll make sure it gets out to you. When you do receive it, I’d love for you to post a picture to SPIbelt and Slow is the New Fast‘s Facebook pages! 

I’m going to be doing more giveaways soon so stay tuned to my blog, Facebook and Twitter pages!!

Congrats again, Elizabeth!!!!

Thank you again to everyone that took the time to enter. I have more giveaways coming in the future!! 🙂

Have a happy and safe 4th of July!

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Filed under Blogging, Giveaways, Reviews

First Time As a Guest Blogger!


Hi everyone!

I was invited to be a guest blogger for July for a good friend of mine, Courtenay.

I really hope that you’ll head over to her blog and not only see what I have to say but more importantly read her blog posts too. She blogs lots more than me (which is a good thing) and has made huge strides with her running despite injuries! She has worked really hard and is truly an inspiration. 

I was so excited to be able to do this and can’t wait until I can “have her over” to guest blog for me!

Click here to check out what I had to say and explore her blog!! Also, you can find her on here on Twitter and here on Facebook.

I hope you have had a great week!! Things have been super busy around here, but that’s just business as usual.

Have a happy and safe Fourth of July holiday!!




**Oh and don’t forget that my SPIbelt giveaway ends tonight at midnight!! If you haven’t already registered for it, click here to do it now!**

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Filed under Blogging, Giveaways, Guest Blogging

SPIbelt Giveaway!


Here’s the fun part! 🙂

The lucky winner will receive a SPIbelt of their choice!! (Thanks to Debbie at SPIbelt for making this possible!)

I hope you’ve already read my review about SPIbelt but if you haven’t, click here to read it now. 

Here’s how to enter:

1.   Become a follower of my blog and leave a comment to let me know.  Already a follower?  Check in with a comment on this post. (+1 entry)

2.   Become SPIbelt’s fan on Facebook. Leave your Facebook name on this post’s comments section. (+2 entries)

3.   Follow SPIbelt on Twitter. (Please let them know I sent you.) Leave your Twitter nickname on this post’s comments section. (+2 entries)

Optional/Extra Entries:

1.    Follow me on Twitter.  Leave Twitter nickname in comments on this post’s comments section. (+2 entries)

2.   Become a fan of Slow is the New Fast’s Facebook page. Leave your Facebook name on this post’s comments section. (+2 entries)

3.   Spread the word about this giveaway via Twitter or Facebook.  Leave a comment on this post and let me know. (+3 entries for each one)

4.   Announce this giveaway on your own blog, and let me know. (Leave a link to your blog, please!) (+5 entries)

5.   Add me to your blogroll. Leave a comment and let me know. (+2 entries)

6.   Tell me how a SPIbelt might be useful for you. (+1 entry)

7.   Go to SPIbelt and pick which belt you’d choose and what activity you’d be using it for. (+1 entry)

Giveaway ends on Friday, July 1, 2011. A winner will be picked on Saturday, July 2. Remember to please leave a separate comment for each entry and please enter only in the ways listed above. I reserve the right to delete comments not adhering to the above entry guidelines.  You must be 18+ years old & live in the USA or Canada. The winner will be notified via email, they will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be chosen.

Good luck!

If you would like to sponsor a giveaway on my blog (or you know someone that does) please contact me by sending me an email to gcmjjm03@gmail.com.  I will always disclose whether or not the giveaway is sponsored by someone else or if it is one of my very own.

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Filed under Giveaways, Reviews, Running

SPIbelt Review and Giveaway!!


SPIbelt Review

SPIbelt (Small Personal Item Belt) has given me the opportunity to do a review and giveaway for their awesome utility belts! 

Here’s what their website says, “Sleek, expandable, secure and does not bounce. Can hold an iPod™, Blackberry™, cell, keys, up to five GU™ packs, and other small personal items. The SPIbelt does not bounce, ride or shift while running or doing other activities.”

At one point or another  as runners, walkers or even as tourists, we’ve had our hands full and with either no pocket or not enough pocketsWell, SPIbelt has a solution for that!!

I’ve been on way too many runs that have consisted of me running with not only my iPod in my hands but with my keys and Sport Beans! I purchased another utility belt that, while roomy and water-resistant, was really heavy and never fit me just right. In fact, it would bounce and move around my body and even would have to be pulled up to keep it from falling off completely. That’s not what I want to deal with when I’m out training for a half marathon or even out running 5 miles! We first purchased a SPIbelt at the Crescent City Classic Expo in April of this year. My husband actually tried it on race day and loved it. I had  After trying the SPIbelt out on a run one day, I was ready to switch. What a difference in the two!! I actually forgot that I was wearing it!

When you first look at the belt, it seems as though you’ll barely be able to fit your keys in there, much less a phone, Sport Beans or wallet. I was able to stuff my keys, my Samsung Galaxy phone (which may be smart but it isn’t small), $20 and 2 GU gels on the outside elastic loops, although it can fit up to 6 on the outside of the belt. 

This is what I ran with the first time. (Minus the money which was only to check out the water resistance.)

Here's my phone, keys and gels

All zipped up and ready to run!

The SPIbelt is super lightweight, doesn’t bounce – not even when it’s loaded down! It fit securely around my waist but didn’t feel uncomfortable. Its stretchy fabric expands impressively to hold pretty much everything you might need to bring with you when you’re out for a run. 

SPIbelt makes numerous versions: the basic belt, the inner pocket belt, a waterproof belt, a water resistant belt, the energy belt, a belt for diabetics that has room for an insulin pump and even belts for kids!  It is one size fits all so all you have to do is adjust the band to fit your body whether you want it around your hips or waist Although the SPIbelt we own is black, it isn’t the only color. They have a variety of colors to choose from, as seen in the picture.

You can find them all by clicking here

Here’s what my husband has to say about his SPIbelt:

“Recently at the Crescent City Classic expo in New Orleans, I picked up a water-resistant SPIbelt. I was hoping to have a means to bring a little money and my pocket camera with me so that I could catch a few pics of the amazing crowd (22,000+ participants) and post race party. The SPIbelt was super slim and under $25.The belt that I purchased has several elastic loops for energy gels and has loops for attaching your racing number. The SPIbelt that I was looking at looked so small that I questioned whether it would be able to hold all that I needed it to. The company rep was confident and was able to pop my large Samsung Galaxy cell inside with ease. I was sold and so was another SPIbelt. I know it’s never a good idea to try something new on race day; but, I really wanted to bring my camera!!! I packed it, the room key, and some money inside of the super stretchy pouch with no trouble. The pouch conformed to the shape of its contents, keeping the size to a minimum. I was able to strap it around my waist, and with my shirt pulled over it, it was not really noticeable. The run that day was a nightmare with the heat and humidity, so I was definitely sweaty! After running through a few sprinklers and dumping a couple of cups of water on my head, my SPI-belt was definitely tested. It was comfortable to wear and I really had forgotten that I had it on while I was running. After crossing the finish line, I was able to remove my dry camera and had a few dollars to spend! Test passed! I have since used it on several runs with my cell phone in it, and remain very satisfied with my purchase.”

SPIbelts retail from $19.95-$29.95 and as you read, it can double as a belt for your racing number.

You can find SPIbelt by clicking the following links:

SPIbelt’s Official Website

SPIbelt’s Facebook Page

SPIbelt on Twitter

Win one here!!

As required by the FTC: I already owned this particular product. I received no monetary compensation. 
All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

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Filed under Giveaways, Reviews, Running