eCoach by Jeff Galloway Raffle!!

That’s right!

You read correctly!  Jeff Galloway donated 6-month session of eCoach with him to benefit Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as part of fundraising that we are currently doing.   If there are at least 100 entry, there will be TWO eCoach Session as a raffle prize!!

Yes.  THAT Jeff Galloway!!

I took advantage of this program myself when I completed 2014 Marine Corps Marathon 2014 and Dopey Challenge and LOVED it!!

Here’s the detail of the eCoach by Jeff program (taken from his website)

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Getting you to the finish line injury-free!  E-Coaching by Jeff Galloway

This Individual “E-Coaching” Program gives you a training program designed by Jeff and direct, priority access to him when you have questions or clarifications. Whether you just want to run without pain, or qualify for the Boston Marathon, we will provide you with 6 months of coaching support, a training program to your goals, and many other items. This program is for all levels of runners, including beginners.

Jeff’s overall training philosophy is to provide you with a program toward your goals while “having a life”, family, career. At every level, Jeff recommends lower mileage, fewer days per week, walk breaks. Over the years, over 98% of his participants have success in finishing marathons, and similar success rates at other distances.

Here’s what you’ll receive:

  1. Jeff will work within your time available for training
  2. He will help you set up a realistic goal
  3. He will design a schedule to your goal
  4. Weekly e-conferences, with fine tuning of workouts
  5. Prioirity email access to Jeff
  6. Train for a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, or Full Marathon with Jeff’s help!
  7. Individual Training Program to the goal of your choice by Jeff Galloway
  8. A copy of one of Jeff’s books (Galloway Training Program, Galloway’s Book on Running–2nd Ed. or Year Round Plan)
  9. Direct email access to Jeff, for questions and clarifications, with priority
  10. Free Monthly E Newsletter
  11. Opportunity to ride on the Galloway Bus for the New York City Marathon start (if you are doing NY Marathon this year, this is HUGE DEAL!!)
  12. Discounts on Fitness Vacations at Lake Tahoe Meet and run with other Galloway Members at races around the world

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Here’s what you need to do to be part of this awesome raffle:

  1. Purchase a raffle ticket by donating to our Team Robel fundraising page at:  http://TeamRobel.us.
  2. Raffle is $25 for 1 entry, or $50 for 3 entries
  3. Please do not make your donation anonymous.   I need to know who you are so I can enter your name on the raffle
  4. Write eCoach with Jeff on the comment section.
  5. We will close the entry on April 12, 2015 at 6pm PST and will do the drawing immediately after
  6. Winner will be announce on this blog, as well as receive email from us.   We will also do our best try to tag you via Facebook!

TNT_JY

 

That’s it!   Pretty simple!!

Thank you for supporting yet another effort of me to raise money for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society!

GO TEAM!

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February Sparkle Skirts Giveaway – RESULT!

First of all, I want to thank you for everyone participation and support to the cause that so dear to my heart!  It warms my heart to know there are SO MANY compassionate and generous people around!!    I also want to thank for everyone patience while I’m entering these names to the random generator site.

Without further ado, here are the winners!

  1. Lauren Bothwell
  2. Laura Galler
  3. Cherie Schneider

Congratulations to all the winners!   You will receive an email from me within 24 hours  with an instruction how to get your new Sparkle Skirts!!

This drawing was conducted using Random Picker site and it was randomly sorted.   If you would like to check if your name is being entered to the raffle and the integrity of the drawing, you can check the protocol and result here.  Please enter your full name (the one you were using to purchased the raffle entry) to validate your entry as well as the number of your raffle tickets.

 

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Another raffle. More Sparkle Skirts!

They Sparkled!!

They Sparkled!!

Please check out the RESULT here!  Congratulations for all the winner!!

What do you know.  I love Sparkle Skirts.  I can’t remember when was the last time I ran without wearing one.    The skirt is not just pretty and flattering, but it super functional.

Disclaimer:  I am NOT employed by Sparkle Skirts or get any sort of compensation from them about the product.   I’m just their die-hard fan and really, really adores the products.

Anyway, I’m all about spreading the love and sparkles and I just happened to have an encounter with yet another generous donor who will donate THREE Sparkle Skirts of your choosing for the raffle.   HOW AWESOME is that??   I’ve done quite a few of these raffle and I’m always amazed with generosity of others to support a great cause that so dear to my heart.   This is your chance to get ANY skirt you want (with any embellishment if any), with such a minimal cost AND contribute for great cost (tax deductible!).  ALL PROCEEDS ARE FOR LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY.

So here’s how to get into this fun shenanigans.   Please read through it as it is slightly different than previous raffle I had.

  1. Raffle ticket is $25.  Everyone get one entry so it’s fair chance for everybody.   Of course, you are more than welcome to donate more than $25 but you only get one entry just like everyone else.
  2. Get your entry at http://pledge.yannirobel.com .   Please do NOT make your donation as anonymous as I will need to know who you are to enter your name on the raffle.    Please also put:  More Sparkle on the notes so I know this is an entry for the raffle.  You should get email from me within 24 hours to confirm your raffle.
  3. I will close the raffle on February 4, 2014 at 11pm PST and will announce the winner on February 5, 2014 at 12pm PST to ensure the winner will get their skirts on time for Princess Half Marathon!
  4. I will use random generator site (http://www.randompicker.com/) to select the name of the winner.  You will be able to check your entry to make sure your name is entered to the system (and if I messed up and skip your name, you are guaranteed to received a free skirt, just sayin’)

That’s it.  Pretty simple, peeps.
SPARKLE ON!

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2013 Seattle Marathon – Recap

Yes.  I just completed another marathon.   2013 Seattle Marathon was my FIFTH marathon since I started to run a little over 2 years ago.    What a journey and I am patting myself in the back as I’m writing this post for such an accomplishment.   No, I didn’t break my personal record or even have spectacular time, but this race, in particular, very special to me.

Another Medal!!

Another Medal!!

I spent a whole month of October trying to battle my health challenge.   Needless to stay, it was quite a month and it was a major set back in my fitness.    For those who knows me, this should not come as a surprise but the whole thing just lit a fire under me.   I consulted with my coaches and they came up with a quick plan to get me ready.   I already have the base training and endurance since I just did Portland Marathon in early October so I just need to keep it up.    Easy peasy, I said.

November arrived and I totally flunked the training.   Even on the “easy” plan that my coaches put together for me, I fell short.   I didn’t have enough energy to even follow it.    I did the best I could, with sweat, (no blood) and tears.   I was worry and nervous leading up to the race day and kept wondering if I had it in me this time to finish it.

Race Day

The alarm went off at 5:30am.   Groaned.  I hate this early morning race day routine.   The husband woke up before me, made sure my pre-run breakfast ready (he is awesome).   It took me another half hour before I actually rolled out the bed and got myself ready.   I supposed to be at the team meeting at 7:30am and I knew there was no way I could be there on time, so I left message on our team FB page to let the coaches know that I wasn’t going to be there.   We took the monorail to Seattle Center (yes, I didn’t want to walk 3/4 miles from Westin Seattle to Seattle Center) and I was by the Seattle Center House shortly before 8am.   I decided to use their bathroom (real bathroom!) instead of the porta potties by the start line and head out about 8:10am to the corral.   It was not as cold (about 45 degrees) but it was pretty windy.    I ditched my running jacket and gave it to my husband, but kept the light shell.

8:17am — I crossed the start line.

Running on the floating bridge!

Running on the floating bridge!

First few miles went by really quick.  I took off my light jacket about mile 1 and put it on my waist.   We ran on 5th avenue towards the freeway and I was feeling great.  I maintained my 2:30-1 ratio and being really consistent about it.   Leigh Anne, a fellow teammate, who volunteer her time to be Team in Training sweeper (which means — she will run with the last TNT runner– ME–until the next hand off to another sweeper) kept me company.   We didn’t talk much as I never much of a talker when I run but she was there with me.      About mile 4.5 — I started to run at I-90 bridge.   I was a bit worry about the wind, but thankfully, it wasn’t bad at all.   In fact, the weather in overall was awesome.   Overcast and 55 degrees.      We did out and back on the bridge and turn around at Mercer Island.   I was still feeling great

There was sideways strong wind hit me while the photo taken. No joke

There was sideways strong wind hit me while the photo taken. No joke

Mile 9 — I started to feel fatigued.  Uh-oh, I said.   I had a long way to go for being fatigued this early.   This reminded me of Nike Half SF as I was feeling somewhat the same.     I started to breath heavy, since every step required more energy for me to take but I kept on going.   I caught up with the one of our teammate who walked the marathon (they had an hour head start), so Leigh Anne stayed back with her.   I kept going, and ran with a fellow runner who told me he was an TNT alumni (and I can’t remember his name!!).   He kept me company until we entered Seward Park and he had to take a quick stop at porta potties.   I kept going and out of nowhere, Jeff Barber and Kelly Brennan (another TNT alumni — Kelly was my winter season coach) showed up and they started to run with me.   I was so happy to see them and actually teared up a bit.. not sure why.   I am a cry-baby, after all.

Mile 11 to 15 flew by because both Jeff and Kelly kept me distracted.   The wind started to pick up and wowza, it hit me hard sideways!!  I maintained my ratio but I know my pace dropped a bit.   Coach Lisa joined us at mile 15 so I had THREE awesome people literally run around me.    We said good bye to Jeff and Kelly at mile 17 and I kept on going.

Mile 18 – I looked at my watch and it said 4:02.   I did a quick calculation in my head and told myself, okay, I had 2 hours to get 8 miles!  That’s doable and I will break my PR!

Mile 19 – Coach Glen joined us and I was so happy to see him.   I had asked him to ehm… pull me to finish.. so to speak .. haha.   We ran together, took some pictures and at mile 20, we said good bye to Coach Lisa as she need to run back to our other teammate who was behind me.

Told ya our coaches are awesome!

Coach Rod and Coach Glen. Love, LOVE them!

Mile 20 – I was still feeling decent.  No longer great, but it wasn’t as bad.   I was still maintaining the run-walk ratio until about mile 21.5 when we hit BIG hill.   When I said.. big hill… I really meant… BIG HILL.    It’s 120 feet elevation (based on my GPS) from mile 21.5 to mile 22.   That’s the first time I decided to just walk.    So we walked the hill and I can feel that my head spinning and I get dizzier by the minute (sorry I didn’t tell you, coach Glen).   I felt cold, like REALLY cold.    I kept on walking until the top of the hill and started to run again on the downhill, and walked again on the hill.   My pace started to drop tremendously even on the run part

Mile 22 – Coach Rod joined us and I continue to run/walk again as the street started to level up a bit.   Both of my coaches kept me entertained and distracted!  It was awesome.

Mile 23 – We entered the Arboretum and it was ehm.. a lot of hills.   That stretch is not foreign to me because that’s one of the coaches favorite for practice.   My right calves started to cramp badly that I had to stop and stretch (and hug a tree!).   I continued to walk and saw the mission mile about half way into the Arboretum.   Mission mile is a stretch of mile (or less in this case) on the course that filled with pictures of many that lost their life to blood cancers.   I started to cry when I saw Tyler Bledsoe photo in there, then Siona, a daughter of my fellow teammate, and Heather, a sister of my coach.   It was yet another reminder on why I run.   I run for them, because they can no longer run.     Jeff Peterson, our campaign manager,  was around the mission mile and he ran with us for a while

So happy to see him!!

So happy to see him!!

Mile 24 – Coach David joined us.   I knew we were close and my spirit was up.   I started to jog/walk again (see I said jog instead of run) and felt okay.   Then from a distance, I saw someone familiar.   IT WAS MY HUSBAND, JOHN.   There he was, standing on the side of the street around mile 24.5.   I sprinted (yes, I said SPRINTED) to him and leaped into his arm.   I was SO HAPPY to see him!!!!   He brought me banana, which I devoured within a second and he joined us.

Mile 25 – Coach Glen and Coach David said good bye and I continued with Coach Rod and ran into Coach Ginny.   I continued to walked until I saw my friend, Kat, with her sparkle skirt and Santa hat.   I ran and hugged her, took the pretzel (which was awesome) and continue on.

Mile 26 – The stadium is around the corner and I started to run.  Coach Ginny and Coach Rod stayed back when I entered the stadium and I continued to run, lifted my hands, big cheesy smile and cross the finish line!   I did it!   My FIFTH marathons!!

OfficialFinishPhoto

I did it!!

No, I didn’t break my personal record but by far, this is the toughest race I ever done and with perseverance, determination, stubbornness and a lot of support from coaches, TNT volunteers and alumni, I managed to move my body with my own two-feet for 26.2 miles.   I hugged my husband after the finish line, cried on his shoulder as well as on Coach Rod and Coach Ginny’s shoulder.

I did it.

Friends, if you are reading this far, and you are questioning yourself about your ability to complete a long distance event (half marathon/marathon), know that if I can do it, please believe that you can do it too.    You can’t complete half marathon or marathon if you never cross the start line.

Dream big, reach for the sky and you will surprise yourself on how far you can go.

Until the next race.

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Medal Rack Giveaway: Result!!

First of all, I want to thank you for everyone participation and support to the cause that so dear to my heart!  It warms my heart to know there are SO MANY compassionate people all around!   I also want to apologize for the delay in drawing.   I was out running and completely messed up the time (I know, excuse, excuse!) and scrambled around when I got home to enter all the names.   I really need to be better on this!!

Without further ado, here are the winners!

  1. Erica Sanchez
  2. Elizabeth Westman

Congratulations to all the winners!   You will receive an email from me within 24 hours  with an instruction how to get your new Medal Rack!!

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Medal Rack Raffle Giveaway!

Awesome medal rack.  No, medals are NOT included

Awesome medal rack. No, medals are NOT included

11/10/2013 – 7:30pm — RESULT is posted at https://yannirobel.com/archive/2013/11/medal-rack-giveaway-result/

11/10/2013 – 6:30pm PST:  I’m working on the drawing.  I know, I know.. I’m about 90 minutes late.  Got carried away at the trail during my long run (excuse..excuse).  BUT – I’m working on it right now.  STAY TUNED

Yes, another raffle.  Another giveaway.

As you probably already aware, I have tremendous passion for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society due to personal connection that I have to the cause and I am very fortunate that I know so many generous people who want to be part of this amazing opportunity to end blood cancer.   I have been approached by a generous sponsor who is willing to give away TWO absolutely awesome medal rack from Allied Medal

You can pick and choose any design you want (even custom design), how many bar you need and let me do the rest!   I’ll order it for you and have it ship to your house! Easy peasy.

For the record, I am not employed by them or being paid/compensated by any means to write about their product.   I love their product and own one myself to hang my medals (see above) and they are sturdy and really have a good quality.

To purchase the raffle entry — please visit my fundraising site at http://pledge.yannirobel.com.   Raffle entry is $5 for one entry, or $20 for 5 entries.  To identify the raffle entries — please put MEDAL RACK  at the message so I know this is a raffle purchase and DO NOT mark your donation as ANONYMOUS as I need to know who you are to enter your name to the raffle.

ALL proceeds will go directly to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (I will not accept cash/check for raffle entries — please purchase directly via the fundraising site).   I will send you an email within one business day to confirm your entry.   Please note that I will not publish or share your information with ANY party (other than Leukemia & Lymphoma Society since you are donating directly to them and they need your information).

You can purchase the raffle tickets until SaturdayNovember 9, 2013 at 11pm PST and the drawing will be held on Sunday, November 10, 2013 at 5pm PST using Random Picker Generator

Thank you for your continuous support!!

 

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