Marathon Pump Up Party & Pop Chips Sweepstakes

Admits all the craziness of this week, there was never a doubt in my mind that I would take the time to have a Marathon Pump Up Party with my favorite running buddy.  Having now done so, I am so glad that I did!! Tonight, after work, I took the drive out to Robin's house for what I am now deciding is our 

Traditional Marathon Pump Up Party

Pump Up Parties can and absolutely should include fun outfits (P.S. I am wearing Robin's snowman shirt, too cute, which I again forgot to bring back to her tonight - fail) 

We were supposed to do one of these parties before Marine Corps Marathon f, but Robin wasn't feeling well, and I was being a marathon maniac germ-a-phob, so it did not happen. But tonight worked out perfectly, so Robin just letting you know that I am officially declaring this a tradition.

So, you ask what is a Marathon Pump Up Party?  It varies depending upon how we feel and what we want to do, but it is mainly a chance for us to get together pre-marathon and de-stress, plan, and get each other excited about the events to come.   Tonight was low key, but exactly what we both needed.  It involved dinner with Robin's family and lots of girl talk a.k.a. running talk.  I'm not sure how good of a running buddy I am because even though Robin is the one running and should be relaxing, I went to her house and she cooked and made a delicious meal.  I  did come bearing presents including Luna Bars, all different flavors of Nuun, and Chapstick, so we are even right?

Anyway, Robin made the best meal ever, I bet she is prepared for her marathon now after such a really y good dinner.   To top it off, she made homemade frozen yogurt that rivaled was better than Pinkberry.  She put Cabot Greek Yogurt in the ice-cream machine with sugar and vanilla.  When it was ready, we topped it with fresh strawberries, dark and white chocolate chips, and sprinkles. YUM!  I literally licked my plate clean.  That is appropriate table manners, right? It is ok because we were eating it on the couch.

Ultimately, what more do you need to get pumped up for a marathon besides yummy food, good friends,   and a lot of marathon talk! I know Robin is going to do awesome and represent our Running Buddy Team well.  Go wish her luck - this is her 16th marathon in 5 years!

Robin is going to do great just like the time I told her to run fast in a 5k and she PR'd like woah!

Ok, time to talk SWEEPSTAKES.  Remember I promised you two Sweepstakes this week in honor of Wellness Day? Well, it is time for Sweepstakes # 2, but have you entered Sweepstakes #1 yet?

Also before we do talk about the new sweepstakes, I have to announce the winner from the SUGOI Sweepstakes.  It is Erin.

Erin, you have one week to collect your prize.  Please send me an e-mail within the next week.  If I do not hear from you, I will have to choose someone else.

On to today's Sweepstakes - POPCHIPS.  I have never really given these things a chance, can you believe that?  I tried them once and kind of demised them, so I was excited to get the opportunity to give them a real chance.

I have to warn you, I may be a little biased - Pop chips already has my vote as they are contributing to my Wellness Day by putting samples in the Swag Bag and having samples at the event itself.  Nevertheless, I tried to be objective in my tasting.

Upon opening the package, I found what looked like   a deflated rice cake.  No matter, I did not waste any time and gobbled it right up.  At first, I was not a huge fan.  But after a few moments, I found myself wanting another and another.  In fact, I could really go for some right now.   Ultimately deciding that I did indeed like the taste.  They are unique, but in a good way.  I would recommend trying them out yourself.  I had the Original Ones, and I would love to give the other flavors a go.

After sampling, I investigated Pop Chips a little further.  The background story of how the company began really clicked with my experience of wanting to eat more and more of these little fun snacks.  Apparently, the founds of the company wanted to find a chip that was neither unhealthy like friend potato chips (although I would contend potato chips are not unhealthy, but that is another story) or just baked.   They loved to snack, but needed something besides fried chips or baked ones.  Thus in comes the Popped Chips. Yup, Pop Chips are actually popped!  And of course they did not stop at just Original Flavor, they have tons including BBQ, Sour Cream &  Onion, Sea Salt, and Salt & Vinegar.

The nutrition on these things are amazing.  They are all natural with 0 trans and saturated fats.  You can have 23 of them 120 calories - pretty good bang for your buck if you ask me.

My overall opinion - ultimately maybe not my favorite snack food ever but will I grab these again? Yes.  Do I want to try out the other flavors? You bet.  Do I love the ingredients and nutrition facts? Yes sir.

Now is your chance to win a sampling of Pop Chips.  A lucky winner will receive 12 sample bags of Pop Chips.   And like always just leave a comment to enter.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR POP CHIPS SWEEPSTAKES

Check out the full Terms and Conditions here

Basics:  To enter the sweepstakes for 12 Pop Chips sample bags please just leave a comment on this post, meaning the post that announced the sweepstake.  The comment does not have to be anything in particular.  It will be used so that your name can be entered into the sweepstakes as facilitated by Random.Org.   There is NO PURCHASE NECESSARY or any other type of consideration that must be given to enter this sweepstakes.     By entering a comment, you are entering in the sweepstakes and are thus agreeing to the full terms and conditions outlined here.

Eligibility Requirements:  To enter this sweepstake you must be over 18 years of age and a United States citizen.  Other restrictions apply.  You can enter by simply leaving a comment on this blog, NO PURCHASE or other consideration is neceessary.   You cannot enter by any other means.

Contact information:  When entering the sweepstakes, please provide a means for the writer of this blog to contact you when the sweepstakes has ended.  You may choose to leave your blog address, twitter handle, email address, or any other means that you are comfortable with and provides a reasonable way for the writer of this blog to contact you.  If you do not want, your contact information put in the comment field, you may e-mail the writer of this blog at 26.2runforfun@gmail.com.  Your contact information will be used so that the writer of this blog may contact you if you win or if the retailer sponsoring the sweepstakes needs to contact you if you win.

Eligibility Requirements:  To enter this sweepstake you must be over 18 years of age and a United States citizen.  Other restrictions apply.  You can enter by simply leaving a comment on this blog, NO PURCHASE or other consideration is neceessary.   You cannot enter by any other means. 

Duration and deadlines:  This sweepstakes starts on Wednesday January 4, 2012 at 10:00  p.m.  and will go to Wednesday January 11, 2012 at 9:00 p.m.  Winner will be announced by Thursday January 12, 2012 at 8 p.m. and will be announced through this blog - Runforfun-stephanie.blogspot.com.  A winner has one week from the announcement of the winner to claim the prize or else a new winner will be chosen (Friday January 20, 2012 after 8 p.m.) .  All prizes will be awarded.  Thus if the winner does not come forward, a new winner will be chosen.

Prize Description: There will be one winner and they will receive 12 sample Pop Chips bag $10.20