Last night we watched an inspiring interview with Nick Vujicic, the author of Unstoppable: The Incredible Power of Faith in Action. Vujicic was born without arms and legs, and travels all over the world to share the message that there is hope even in our darkest moments and thickest trials. He talked about getting depressed, especially when he was younger, about the things he couldn't do, but as he focused on the things he could do, he found happiness and fulfillment.
This is relevant in every life, but of course my mind immediately hones in on how this applies to whatever we're trying to accomplish with our running. I'll never be Meb (even though I'm going to meet him Monday in hopes that he rubs magic fairy marathon dust on me), but I can strive for the fastest my legs can carry me. And I can try to push my edges to discover where I can eek out a few more ounces of strength.
We make our own magic with our lives when we act on what we uniquely have to offer the world. Today, I'm thankful that we're all different and that we teach each other through our differences.
And remember that I promised a T-day giveaway? The creator of this product used a trial in her personal life to create something positive. Here's her story:
My name is Katie Niemeyer and twenty-six years ago, a
severe reaction to a medication sent me to the burn unit at Barnes
Hospital in St. Louis. I was diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson
Syndrome (SJS), an autoimmune reaction causing your skin to
blister to the point that you have 2nd and 3rd degree burns. Unlike
many with SJS, I survived and was not left blind or severely
scarred. I felt so blessed by this outcome.Yet, as I started running, I discovered that SJS did leave my
eyes very sensitive. If sweat drips into my eyes, it burns so badly
that I find it hard to focus on anything else. Wearing hats and
sweatbands help, but in the Texas heat, I found that the sweat still
dripped, causing extreme pain and an excuse to stop my workouts.
With my first marathon in sight, I needed a solution.That’s when I created Handana. It is a high performance
fashionable sweatband that wraps around your hand. You can use
both sides of your hand to wipe sweat from your neck or forehand,
while leaving your hand completely free. And if you’re like me,
you need those hands, either to keep your stride smooth or to open
GU packets and water bottles.Handana does more than protect my eyes: It has become a
powerful reminder to cross my finish lines, to persevere. And I
hope that is what others take away from my story and from this
product, that it becomes a symbol and an inspiration for all of us to
cross our finish lines, no matter what they are in our lives, and
empower others to do the same.
I used my Handana for the first time at the Oak Mountain 21K. It was not as hot outside as it has been, so instead of my normal buckets of sweat, I was producing buckets of snot. I sincerely hope you already ate your turkey for the day.
Also, when I was nursing my skinned and bruised knee at the end of that race, I realized that my hand was also bruised and might have been bleeding too if I hadn't worn the Handana. I love unexpected ways a product saves you.
Dirty from the falls, but no scrapes on my hand! |
I will definitely try this out in the summer too. I am a heavy sweater and usually wear some kind of bandana wrapped around my wrist for wiping sweat out of my eyes, but I really liked the material this is made of and that it never felt too wet even though I thoroughly soaked it again and again. My bandanas are always dripping wet in no time.
And it makes a great replacement for a bulky towel at the gym.
Handanas are $15 and come in a variety of colors and sizes.
Want to try one out? Handana sent me another blue size small to share.
To enter:
Tell me what you would use Handana to wipe. Get creative. I want to laugh today.
* Follow Handana on Twitter. Leave a comment telling me you do.
* Like (or already like) Yo Momma runs on Facebook. Leave a comment telling me you do.
* Follow (or already follow) Yo Momma Runs via Google Friend connect. Leave a comment telling me you do.
* Follow (or already follow) Yo Momma Runs via Google Friend connect. Leave a comment telling me you do.
* Share this giveaway via Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or your blog. Leave a separate comment for each share!
I'll pick a winner on Thursday, November 29th.
***Edit: Also this weekend, they are offering free shipping and 20% off any order with the code THANKFUL.
P.S. The twinners also wish you a very happy Thanksgiving.
Handana provided a free product for me to review and one to give away. I received no other compensation, and all thoughts, opinions, and snot rockets are my own.
Handana would be used to wipe my glasses, I dropped them into donut bag. Also I could very easily reached in the donut bag for the donut without eating glove fuzz with Handana.
ReplyDeleteMaking pudding so I'll enter the rest later. Great post.
In a pinch I'm sure a Handana could be used instead of a sock after an major emergency pit stop. Not sure if I'd want to re-use it after that...even after a good seven washes!
ReplyDeleteI follow you on twitter. :D
ReplyDeleteAnd I follow you on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteAnd I follow you on Google friend connect {thanks for following me too! :D }
ReplyDeleteOh, and Happy Thanksgiving!!
ReplyDeleteWell, this is NOT something I share often, but my nose runs faster than I do! I am constantly carrying tissues around tucking them in awkward places. I know the intention of this band is to remove sweat, but if you did the nose wipe than I can too right?
ReplyDeleteI would totally use that for wiping snot when I run. My nose runs like crazy and this would be super useful. Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteI already follow you on Twitter!
ReplyDeleteNow following Handana on Twitter
ReplyDeleteI like you on Facebook
ReplyDeleteI follow you on Google Friend Connect.
ReplyDeleteTweeted here: https://twitter.com/mmhemsley/status/271841125441081344
ReplyDeleteI'm too far away to enter - but it's such a great idea!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I would probably use it to wipe the boob sweat I get. Trust me, sometimes feeling that trickling down my boobs creeps me out!
ReplyDeleteI followed Handana on Twitter.
ReplyDeleteI follow you on Twitter.
ReplyDeleteI like Yo Momma on FB!
ReplyDeleteI am following Handana on Twitter.
ReplyDeleteI already follow you on Twitter.
ReplyDeleteI happily follow Handana on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteI definitely follow Yo Momma on Facebook! :)
ReplyDeleteI follow Yo Momma via Google Friend Connect
ReplyDeleteI've shared the giveaway via my blog at www.barefootmarathonmomma.com
ReplyDeleteI've shared the giveaway via Twitter.
ReplyDeleteAnd last but not least, I've shared the giveaway via Pinterest.
ReplyDeleteI didn't even know this invention existed but I love the idea! I used to wear a sweat band, but the awkward positioning on my wrist discouraged and finally ended that. I would totally use it to wipe snot, forehead sweat, and the sweat off the electronics we end up carrying. Oh and my hair sweat. I don't know if it's just becuase I have short hair, but the sweat from my hair drips onto my neck and bugs me. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteI followed Handana on Twitter (I'm @realsarah.)
ReplyDeleteI followed you on Twitter, too!
ReplyDeleteI liked Handana on Facebook!
ReplyDeleteAnd I liked Yo Momma Runs on Facebook!
ReplyDeleteI would like a Handana to wipe the smirk off my face after I chick some poor dude. Hehe:)
ReplyDeleteNo but really I would probably just end up wiping snot on it this winter and I follow you on facebook.
ReplyDeleteAnd probably wipe the super burny sunscreen sweat off my forehead this summer before it runs into my eyes and I follow you on twitter.
ReplyDeleteHey you are on facebook and I also stalk you there.
ReplyDeleteI said facebook twice- one of those is actually for Handana. I stalk them as well. Google friend connect- heck yes:)
ReplyDeleteI'd like to try this product! I've been thinking of getting a wrist sweatband for a while, but every one I see in stores seems to be either basketball or golf themed. I follow you on twitter, btw :) @sarahsed
ReplyDeleteAww, look at those little turkeys :)Handana is very smart! I would probably use it to wipe my competitor's tears after the race...along with sweat in the eyes along the way. That's a pretty amazing story about Handana too!
ReplyDeleteI follow you on facebook!
ReplyDeleteI follow you on google connect!
ReplyDeleteI would wipe the endless sweat from my face during our humid hot summer long runs!
ReplyDeleteI follow you on twitter
ReplyDeleteI've seen reviews of this product before and I have been intrigued to try it. I would definitely use it to wipe my mouth when it gets... ummm... gross, especially in the hot summer months. I get salt, sweat and spit around it when I put in enough effort and it usually ends on my sleeve. Also, sweat keeps dripping in my eyes and it stings, so whatever comes first, I'll use it for.
ReplyDeleteI follow you on G+
ReplyDeleteI follow you on FB
ReplyDeleteI follow you on Twitter
ReplyDeleteI follow Handana on Twitter
ReplyDeleteI liked Handana on FB
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I'd use it to wipe my nose or my eyes in the winter. My nose gets runny and my eyes get watery in the winter and it's so annoying! Also means I have to wash my jacket a lot more than I'd like haha
ReplyDeleteI already follow Handana on twitter
ReplyDeleteI already follow you on twitter as well.
ReplyDeleteI already like Handana on FB!
ReplyDeleteI follow/like you on FB already as well :)
ReplyDeleteI like you on FB!
ReplyDeletei actually have one, it would be for my mom for christmas (just to give full disclosure :) )
ReplyDeletefollow handana on twitter
ReplyDeletefollow you on twittr
ReplyDeleteafter I pick my nose I can wipe it on that...just kidding :)
ReplyDelete