They had a poster with several questions- age, weight, height, recent travel restrictions- so not everyone can donate. To donate blood you must be: healthy, be at least 17 years old (in most states), and weight 110 (more restrictions if 18 or under).

The first time I went, I got asked a bunch of questions. They registered me and I got a card in the mail with my blood type on it.

This time, after answering a few questions, they took my blood pressure, temperature, and heart rate. Then they pricked my finger to get my iron levels (hemoglobin/hematocrit). Unfortunately, my iron level was just below the range to be able to donate. They gave me a sheet of paper that told me things to should eat to get my iron back up to be able to donate next time. I waited for my co-worker while he went through the eligibility and donating process while at the “snack table”. I talked to the volunteer there and I was reminded once again that I should be taking a daily multi-vitamin. She and I had a long conversion about that and also her background as a volunteer and that she was trying to get back into nursing after being away for a long time.

If I were able to donate blood, the process goes like this and only takes about 10 minutes. They take you back and lie down on a table. They clean off an area on your arm and insert a needle. It does feel like a pinch and stings a little bit. You hold and squeeze a ball until about a pint of blood has been collected. They bandage you up and you lay upright. I always sit still for a minute before trying to walk. They then direct you to the “snack table”.

They offer you a drink and cookies. After about 10 minutes or so (when you feel fine to get up and move around), you are free to leave. Once, I got light headed after donating so I stayed about half an hour and just kept drinking juice.

They suggest that you drink a little extra water, get plenty rest, and eat a healthy meal before donating. Afterwards, they suggest an easy afternoon/evening with no heavy lifting.

Since last week, I have remembered to take my multivitamin about half the time (which is better than zero before) so hopefully I can get my iron back up to donate in 8 weeks- which is how often you can donate!

Here is a link for first time donors.

Please consider donating blood. I realize that not everyone can handle needles, but it is a good cause. There are blood drives every day in my area and there are also offices where you can schedule appointments.

http://www.redcrossblood.org/

This past weekend was my longest run ever- the training schedule said 11-13 miles. The guys at Fleet Feet put together a route that was almost 13. I thought yikes!! Lynn was out of town, so I wasn’t sure how it was going to go.

This was also the last long run before the mini marathon. Again, I got up at 5am! I wanted to eat breakfast and have time to digest it. I also had a bottled water and a Gu energy pack before leaving. On the way to Fleet Feet, we dropped off water at 3 places in Cherokee Park.

The group left about 8:10. For the first few miles, I ran slightly behind the 10 min mile group (which normally runs a little faster than me). And I also had a group behind me a little bit. At around mile 6, I stopped at my first water break and got a gu energy packet and so the group pulled ahead of me. I was still feeling good, although the next 2 miles I didn’t run with anyone, but the route was busy.

I got to Seneca Park and it was packed, but I made 2 laps around. When I left the park, a girl that looked familiar from the group passed me. I followed her the whole way back. She could hear me behind her, so I think I kept her motivated and she definitely kept me motivated- although we didn’t say a word to each other until the end. It was her longest run ever too! My new Nike Plus tracker said it was 12.7 miles!

I felt really good afterwards. Less than half a mile more and it would have been the mini. I actually wished it was the mini, because I felt so good and had a great time- oh well! Only 11 more days till the mini!

Shoes!

I did several 5K races over the Fall (Susan Komen, Bernheim Forest, Pioneer Run, Highland Cup) and then signed up for the Polar Bear Grand Prix which was 3 races: Reindeer Romp 4k December 2009, Frostbite 5k January 2010, and Snowman Shuffle 4 Mile February. This race series is what kept me going through the winter (and also where I originally “met” Lynn).

I accomplished a MAJOR goal this weekend- I did the Triple Crown of Running! These three races are: 5K, 10K, and 10 Miles! Back in January, my goal was to do the first 2 races, but after I ran 5 miles with the Fleet Feet group in February, I decided to go ahead and sign up for all 3 races! And 2 weeks ago, when I ran the Rodes 10K (appro. 6.2 miles), I decided to sign up for the miniMarathon (which is a half marathon or 13.1 miles). Sounds crazy, right? It’s kind of addictive! I’ll try to post a Triple Crown recap shortly!

Crocs has sponsered a $50 gift certificate. All you need to do is:

1) Visit Crocs.com and check out the all of the cute designs. Then come back to the blog and share which one model and in which color you would get if you won this giveaway.

2)For up to three additional entries, share the giveaway with others on your blog, Facebook or Twitter.

Enter now

I got it out of the package and followed the instructions to charge it. It comes with a slot Music card pre-loaded with 1,000 songs! I had the slot Radio mix (Billboard chart toppers from Country, Contempory, R&B/Hip Hop, Alternative, Rock, and Workout).  I had a little trouble figuring out which way the little card goes, but once it’s in, I don’t think you need to take it out, so it’s fine.

It has a screen that shows the category and song. It scrolls to show the next song too. You can move between category playlists or stay in the same and move through that list. One of my favorite parts is that you can listen to the FM radio!!! This is something that I have really really wanted. Having my iPod is great, but sometimes I want to listen to the radio. I probably listen to the radio on here just as much as I listen to the songs.

It has a clip that stays on pretty good and I even wore it on the elliptical at the gym today. I just realized that there is a gel sleeve that you can put around it. It says a battery life of 13 hours. I don’t use it for hours at a time, but it has lasted a long time on one charge.

This would be really good for someone who:

• Wants to listen to music or the radio, on the go
• Doesn’t want to worry about hooking it up the computer to load music
• Doesn’t want to buy songs or have a subscription.

I have seen 2 ads for this (Walmart and RadioShack, I think) recently for Father’s Day. For dads that aren’t into Apple iPods/iPhones,  I think this would be a good idea. Or for someone else who doesn’t want to bother with iTunes. You just charge it, slide to either Play or Radio.

Thanks again Blissfully Domestic.

I got an email from Jenny right before I went on vacation and when I got back, I had 5 packages waiting for me! I have only had a chance to play with 2 of them so far (SlotRadio and the Discovery Bluetooth headset) and I still have 2 more items to arrive.

Here was the giveaway post.

Today, I came across a really good one at Blissfullydomestic.com. I’ll be entering in this as many times as I can (and this post counts too).  Included is a bluetooth headset, 1GB flashdrive, SlotRadio, iPopperz air buds, media case, sunglasses with blue tooth, and a laptop bag! Oh Mi!!

I hope I win. You can go ahead and enter too!

Here’s the Popcrunch Link.