5K Thoughts, Shout Clean-Up....and A Giveaway!

By Meg Hodson

This is a sponsored post for Shout. While I received compensation for my post, all opinions, beliefs, and writing remain my own. 

It's been almost 2 weeks since myself and my team participated in The Color Run. With sponsor Shout® and their emphasis on having fun, I was able to overcome some fears about completing a 5K in a certain amount of time and focus on being healthy and having fun. In fact, with some blogging colleagues this morning, we were talking about The Color Run and how great it is that all walks of life and participants at all fitness levels attend and participate.

Part of my sweet swag from The Color Run and Shout® was my super fun bag full of great goodies, including much needed Shout® clean-up tools. I kid you not, I was COVERED (both inside my clothes and out) that day with every color of the rainbow. When I walked through the door, my husband dropped his jaw and directed me straight toward the laundry room (good idea!) I peeled off my #ShoutItOut t-shirt, my Color Run cuff, running capris, socks, and shoes. I put a few squirts of Shout® Trigger over all of the clothing and tossed together lightly. Then, I added my own detergent and the intriguing Shout® Color Catcher®, a simple little cloth-like napkin that you add to the wash to grab and catch all those colors that are being released. They worked great and my shirt came out perfectly white!

Maybe you aren't near a Color Run city....or maybe you aren't quite ready for a 5K, but still want to have FUN! Shout® hasn’t forgotten about those that weren’t able to attend The Color Run! For those that missed “The Happiest 5K on the Planet” Shout® has launched the Shout It Out Fun Finder to help American’s continue crossing things off experiences of their “must-do/wish lists”. Visitors to their website will get a list of fun activities served by nearby locations that is curated based on their IP address. 

But that’s not all! Shout® is also giving one lucky winner the chance to win a fun-filled, dream vacation to experience a Color Run in New Zealand. To enter, users simply post a photo on Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #ShoutItOut #enter. Hurry, contest ends September 30, 2014.

Shout® Prize Pack – To ensure that you have fun-filled experience regardless of what activity you take on, Shout® and I have partnered up to give away to one lucky winner a Shout® prize, so you can have fun, make a mess and not worry about the clean-up. They’ve got you covered – trust me (if you forgot, see above!) One lucky winner will receive the following:

·         Shout® Trigger is packed with stain-fighting ingredients and enzymes to quickly penetrate, break-up and remove tough stains. Safe for all colorfast washables and works in all water temperatures.

·         Shout® Color Catcher® sheets absorb and trap loose dyes in wash water, protecting clothes against color bleeds and helping preserve original colors. Sheets change color as they absorb loose dyes, and reduce the need for sorting laundry. Safe for all colorfast washables and works in all water temperatures.

·         Shout® Advanced Ultra Gel Brush combines powerful Shout® stain fighters in a thick gel formula with a convenient stain-lifting brush to penetrate and remove your toughest stain. The formula lets you treat stains now and wash up to a week later. Safe for all colorfast washables and works in all water temperatures.

·         Shout® Wipes (I keep these on hand in my purse!) can be used to remove stains on-the-go right when they happen and are easily disposable—just throw the used cloth away. They’re perfect for clothing, carpet and auto interiors, and are safe for all colorfast washables.

Enter below and good luck!

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If you like what you're reading, I invite you to follow my blog.  Cheers!

The Color Run = FUN!

By Meg Hodson

This is a sponsored post for Shout. While I received compensation for my post, all opinions, beliefs, and writing remain my own. 

This past weekend, I did something I have never done before. I have thought about participating in a 5K before, but I am not sure what has held me back. Fear of not finishing? Pressure to run fast the whole time? Well, I put those anxieties behind me when I hit The Color Run this past Saturday in Portland.  

If you aren't familiar with The Color Run, you can read more about it in my previous post. One of the main reasons I was drawn to The Color Run was because it was called a "run", not a "race". It wasn't a timed event. The emphasis was on being happy, being healthy, and having a good time. This vibe was obvious when my swag arrived from Shout®, who teamed up with The Color Run this year to not only emphasize the fun-factor, but to help with the obvious clean-up afterwards. This was perfect for me. A fun 5K where I get to wear some super cute accessories? Sign me up!

Obviously, one of the highlights was running through the 5 color stations, getting doused and becoming colorful.  Who knew having colored powder thrown on you could be so fun?

In my first walk/run on a 5K, I had a great time with the team I had assembled for Color Run sponsor Shout®.  I assembled a group of amazing women and we all did just that....had FUN together. I wasn't expecting to feel as inspired and motivated as I did when I made it to those finish line arches. But I did! I'm already thinking about the next 5K hurdle I can tackle. 

But the good times did not stop once I crossed the finish line. Waiting for the participants at the end was the lively and loud Color Run stage, with a DJ blasting loud music, hitting people with even more color, and inviting runners up on stage. My team and I got the unique opportunity to line the stage and help with the big launch of the #ShoutItOut orange color throw. SO fun! 

It's hard to see a fun day like this end! I chose to walk through the Shout® Clean Zone and dust off before heading to my car. I still had plenty of color on me, though!

Shout® wants to make sure the fun doesn't end. Check out the Shout It Out Fun Finder to find fun in your area and beyond. Let's keep the fun going!

If you like what you're reading, I invite you to follow my blog.  Cheers!

The Color Run Hits Portland!

By Meg Hodson

This is a sponsored post for Shout. While I received compensation for my post, all opinions, beliefs, and writing remain my own. 

My running and walking career (and what I also like to call my "walk/run" career) has certainly had it's ups and down. I've had stretches where all I can do is run. I've had stretches where I don't do that at all! And still other times where it's a mix of walking, running, or a little of both at the same time. Some of this has been an emotional decision. Some of it has been injury-induced (I wish plantar fasciitis on no one!). Even as I write this post, I am dealing with some heel problems. It's always something, right?

I've been trying to get motivated again, to get to one of those "do it all the time" stretches. It's important for me to carve out time for myself. I've never done any sort of organized race or run. So, when I had the opportunity to participate in The Color Run and create a Shout® team for the Portland, Oregon Color Run on September 6th, I got excited. I was going to be able to try something I had never done before and quite honestly, it makes me a little nervous. But it's a challenge.....and that's a good thing.

And how cool is is that Shout®  is the sponsor of this event?! Of course, you know Shout® as a trusted stain remover. But Shout® is also on a mission to get Americans to have FUN, even if it means making a mess. And that's exactly what will happen at The Color Run!

There are a few things that I love about The Color Run. First, it is not a timed race and there is no pressure to run. Participants can walk, skip....whatever strikes them! It is also not a timed race. The emphasis is on having fun and being healthy....and I think that is a really positive thing.

So, just how "colorful" will you get at The Color Run? In addition to the color blasts at each kilometer, Shout®will have an orange color throw, where you can toss orange packets of color into the air. Want all this crazy color to last a little longer? Stop by the Shout® tent for a misting station that will lock in your color. But don't worry, if you don't want to fuss with all that incredible color post-run, you have the option to hit the Shout® Clean Zone to have excess color blown off of you.

Feeling like you are ready to let go, have fun, and get some color in your life? If you are in the Portland area, you can enter my giveaway below to be part of my team on September 6th! Additionally, you can post a photo to Twitter or Instagram with the hashtags #ShoutItOut and #enter for a chance to win a dream vacation in New Zealand and a chance to run in The Color Run there. Hurry, contest ends September 30, 2014.

To learn more about Shout®, visit their website, Facebook page, Twitter page, and on Instagram.

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