My RunForYourLives Outfit

So I am running high on endorphins right now – I am in love with running! Lets hope this love continues, since April was month two of running. And during April I had to deal with an “injury” of sorts. While playing with my youngest, I did something funky to my back that caused my sciatic nerve to be a pain to deal with – from my glute down my hamstring. I tried working through it, then I tried resting it, finally I just medicated it with Aleve and some topical peppermint ointment and that did the trick.

To recap the first month:

My first “run” was March 1, 2012:  4.1 Speed, 1.0 Incline, 15 Minutes, .94 mi.

My last “run” from that month was March 31, 2012:  7.0 Top Speed, 1.5 Incline, 2 mi in 19 min 45 sec. 2.5 mi in 25 minutes.

I increased my top speed, my miles run and my pace. I was pretty proud and kind of in disbelief I’d be able to make so much progress again. I was right in a way, progress was slower in April. But when I looked at the numbers I did see a vast improvement! As the month went on, I concentrated less on what my top speed could be, instead paying attention to my final run time. This helped me find a pace I could run at consistently, rather than tiring myself out too quickly at a quick sprint. After all, my goal is to run a 5K … with zombies.

Here is the progress for Running: Month 2

April 1, 2012:  7.2 Top Speed, 1.5 Incline, 2.5 mi in 25 minutes and 40 seconds

April 2, 2012:  7.3 Top Speed, 1.5 Incline, 2.0 mi in 19 minutes and 38 seconds  

April 4, 2012:  1.5 Incline, 2.0 mi in 19 minutes and 36 seconds – this is where I stopped taking note of Top Speed

April 6, 2012:  1.5 Incline, 2.0 mi in 19 minutes and 40 seconds

April 7, 2012:  1.5 Incline, 2.5 mi in 25 minutes

**BREAK – TOOK A WEEK OFF FOR MY SCIATIC NERVE**

April 14, 2012:  1.5 Incline, 2.5 mi in 25 minutes

April 15, 2012:  1.5 Incline, 2.5 mi in 24 minutes and 30 seconds

April 16, 2012:  1.5 Incline, 2.5 mi in 24 minutes and 55 seconds

April 18, 2012:  1.5 Incline, 2.5 mi in 24 minutes and 17 seconds

April 22, 2012:  1.5 Incline, 2.5 mi in 24 minutes and 35 seconds – around here is when I discovered my pace of 6.4 was comfortable

April 24, 2012:  1.5 Incline, 2.5 mi in 24 minutes and 45 seconds

April 26, 2012:  1.5 Incline, 2.5 mi in 23 minutes and 20 seconds

April 28, 2012:  1.5 Incline, 2.5 mi in 23 minutes and 40 seconds – realizing I am actually running into the bar on the front of the treadmill, 6.4 is such a “comfortable” pace.

April 29, 2012:  1.5 Incline, 2.5 mi in 23 minutes and 53 seconds

April 30, 2012:  1.5 Incline, 2.5 mi in 23 minutes and 33 seconds

So, what I gained by the end of April was that I now can run 20 minutes straight at a 6.4 + pace. That will get me 2 miles in under 20 minutes. And although progress isn’t seen with every one, as I track it I can see a great improvement from the beginning of the month to the end. For May my goal is to run 3 miles in under 30 minutes.

I am still loving my Brooks Running Shoes – Brooks PureConnect Womens. And I am still listening to my favorite running app, Zombies, Run. Couch to 5K has NOTHING on Zombies, Run when it comes to motivation!

As far as weight, I ended up having to google about weight gain with running. It seems that you can actually see an increase in weight due to:

1. Building Muscle

2. Water Weight as muscles rebuild

3. Eating too much – so it’s fat – because running makes you HUNGRY. So make sure you eat the right things when hungry!

4. Energy Stores – I read that your body will adapt to running and realize you will need “energy” stored up for these future runs. So you may see an increase in weight on certain days.

Right now I am seeing an extra pound on my frame. For a big guy, that might be nothing. For a 5’6″ small framed woman it is driving me NUTS. But seeing how it’s normal, I am just going to keep an eye on it and make sure my pants still fit next month.

MORE TO READ:

A Beginning Runner: Month One

This is solely the opinion of Erin T. as she trains for a Zombie 5k. Other people may have different experiences with the product. And don’t forget to enter my other hot contests so you can win and try buzzworthy products!

But in the meantime, I brought the boys back to the pool for Spring Break to “warm up” their swimming skills. And luckily, my little one is still a fish. And it took my 5 year old a day to remember his strokes. And, to show off, here is my 4 year old diving for a toy in the pool. He loves to dive and is a powerful swimmer to reach the bottom.

Have you started swimming with your family yet?

This is solely the opinion of the Mom Buzz. Other people may have different experiences with the product. And don’t forget to enter my other hot contests so you can win and try buzzworthy products!

But then I found my motivation. I am always better when I have a “bigger” goal. I decided to run a Zombie 5k with obstacles called RunForYourLives (see image to right, courtesy of RunForYourLives). You actually have zombies chasing you through a wooded obstacle course. Crazy and definitely enough motivation (fear) to get me moving.

But I still had to get through the tedious practice running. That’s when I discovered an exhilirating zombie running app/game called Zombies, Run. In the app, you are Runner 5 during a Zombie Apocalypse. It is your job to run different missions and gather materials to build up the base camp. Every time you run you can start or continue a mission with someone speaking to you over your headset, intermingled with your own music. You speed up when they tell you to RUN and you can slow down as needed – as long as you aren’t being chased by zombies! With this app, I look forward to running to hear more and continue my game.

Next I learned that my shoes weren’t up to par for running. So I bought some super minimalist running shoes that allowed my foot to move in a natural motion, yet still provided the support and cushioning I needed. The shoes are PureConnect from Brooks Running. You can read my review on Pure Connect Running Shoes here: Pure Connect Running Shoes Review

Now that I had my goal, my motivation and my shoes – all I needed was to track to see how I progressed and to keep me on target with each run. And here is how far a beginner runner can go in a short amount of time.

March 1, 2012:  4.1 Speed, 1.0 Incline, 15 Minutes, .94 mi

March 2, 2012:  4.2 Top Speed, 1.0 Incline, 15 Minutes, .94 mi

March 4, 2012:  4.2 Top Speed, 1.0 Incline, 15 Minutes, .94 mi

March 6, 2012:  5.1 Top Speed, 1.0 Incline, 15 Minutes, 1+ mi

March 9, 2012:  5.1 Top Speed, 1.5 Incline, 15 Minutes, 1.1 mi

March 10, 2012:  5.3 Top Speed, 1.5 Incline, 20 Minutes, 1.55 mi

March 11, 2012:  5.5 Top Speed, 1.5 Incline, 20 Minutes, 1.67 mi

March 13, 2012:  5.7 Top Speed, 1.5 Incline, 20 Minutes, 1.76 mi

March 15, 2012:  5.9 Top Speed, 1.5 Incline, 20 Minutes, 1.77 mi

March 17, 2012:  6.0 Top Speed, 1.5 Incline, 20 Minutes, 1.83 mi

March 18, 2012:  6.3 Top Speed, 1.5 Incline, 20 Minutes, 1.91 mi (First Mile in 10 minutes, 30 seconds)

March 21, 2012:  6.3 Top Speed, 1.5 Incline, 20 Minutes, 1.94 mi (First Mile in 9 minutes, 58 seconds)

March 24, 2012:  6.6 Top Speed, 1.5 Incline, 21 Minutes, 2 mi (First Mile in 10 minutes)

March 25, 2012:  6.7 Top Speed, 1.5 Incline, 20 Minutes & 24 Seconds, 2 mi (First Mile in 9 minutes, 50 seconds)

March 26, 2012:  6.7 Top Speed, 1.5 Incline, 20 Minutes, 2 mi (First Mile in 9 minutes)

March 28, 2012:  6.9 Top Speed, 1.5 Incline, 20 Minutes, 2.06 mi

March 31, 2012:  7.0 Top Speed, 1.5 Incline, 2 mi in 19 min 45 sec. 2.5 mi in 25 minutes.

As you can see, within the first month I had small gains with each run to help lead me towards your goal. By the end of the month, the improvement seems huge! I may not be marathon-ready, but I still have 7.5 more months to train. My final goal is to run 3 miles in 30 minutes. And I am mixing in my usual strength training with this new running routine.

As an FYI, I did notice my weight seemed to fluctuate more than usual mid-month with this new routine. But in the end, it seems to have settled back down. But I think I actually gained some muscle mass in my legs (YES!) and lost some around the belly (Double Yes!). So running is an excellent partner in helping keep my heart pumping and calories burning in a short amount of time. While the strength training allows me to continue burning calories even at rest. See me to the right … not bad for 33, eh?

This is solely the opinion of  Erin T. as she trains for a Zombie 5k. Other people may have different experiences with the product. And don’t forget to enter my other hot contests so you can win and try buzzworthy products!

Finally, as a lark, I picked up a pair of more expensive running shoes and told my husband that these must feel different if they cost so much. When I put them on, it was amazing. It was wrapped securely around my foot, like a second sock. And the cushioning and bounce it provided with each step was amazing. The brand was Brooks Running and they had three different women’s styles to choose from (Pure Flow, Pure Cadence and Pure Connect), but I decided on the first style I tried on – Pure Connect. It retailed for $90.

At the store they only had the aqua/white to choose from – which is powerfully reflective for night runs. But I see online they also have tangerine/gray and raspberry/gray as options. I’d probably have gone with a different color if they had more options in the store. But since I only use my Pure Connect for running on the treadmill (so far) they haven’t gotten too dirty.

I found out that the style I chose is actually a minimalist shoe. It is meant to really give you a feel of the road as you run. Doesn’t that sound awful? Because even though there isn’t a lot of bulk to the shoe, the cushioning is amazing. Plus, there is a “seam/split” between the toe and the rest of your foot that allows for so much flexibility, that the shoe isn’t forcing your foot into a certain position as you run. Instead, you can run in a way that your foot is meant to flex and run. I can see why they do compare it to barefoot running, in a way. But unlike barefoot running, it has a lot of cushioning so your knees aren’t getting too banged up as you run. And I haven’t gotten shin splints since I put them on!

It does have a mesh upper, which I swore I’d never buy after seeing my husband tear through two pairs of shoes with a mesh upper (Reebok Brand) within a few wears. But maybe I am just easier on my shoes, because mine are still perfect, no impending or beginning tears. And the mesh upper let’s my feet “breath” during my “easy” runs. (Ha! I am sweating like a wild horse after just 2 miles!)

The only other thing of note is that I have to emphasize these are running shoes. I can do a fast walk and jog in them. But the way they flex with my feet is too bouncy and odd for day-to-day wear. Plus, I don’t want to put too many miles on them, since you do need to change running shoes after a few hundred miles. The Pure styles have a lifespan of 250 – 300 miles.

I highly suggest reading the reviews of all the Pure styles at BrooksRunning. Serious runners have even more input and may be able to help you choose the right Pure style running shoe for you. I do think I’ll try Pure Cadence in the future and maybe even Pure Connect, just to get a feel of the different shoes and make sure I am choosing the right one for me. But as a beginner runner, I think PureConnect is making my runs easy and possible!

This is solely the opinion of Erin T. This is the story of how she chose her running shoes, which her husband was kind enough to purchase for her. Other people may have different experiences with the product. And don’t forget to enter my other hot contests so you can win and try buzzworthy products!

I stopped drinking cola, and since then my teeth have become so much whiter again. But that was all I could do on my own. So I made an appointment with a local orthodontist. He confirmed the obvious, that my teeth were moving. He also confirmed that this shifting could occur with pregnancy. And finally, he said that if we didn’t fix it my bite could cause future problems. I wanted Invisalign, which he does offer, but he suggested the Damon system of braces (which look like typical braces) and SureSmile (which uses a robot to shape the wire to make a more perfect smile in less time). The time frame we were looking at would be 12 – 15 months.

I agreed with his recommendation, since I wanted the best smile in the quickest time. The funny thing is, since getting braces I’ve met many adults who wish they had the courage to get it done and others who had it done as an adult and said it was the best thing they did for themselves. Yes, I have to deal with a “metal mouth” for a year. But already I was hiding my smile or trying to “work around it” for photos so that my teeth would look okay. Rather than doing that for the rest of my life, I can deal with 12 months of braces to make myself feel better about opening my mouth!

I am not saying it’s easy. The first week was HELL. Oh my goodness, it hurt so badly to bite down. Now it’s more bearable, but I can still feel the braces working. Although, after 1 month I am still not seeing much change. That’s a little disappointing knowing I have only have 11 more months to start making these teeth shift. I was hoping for more dramatic changes. And my next appointment is the end of April, so I can’t ask the orthodontist what I should be seeing -if anything – until then.

But all in all, I know that this will work. I just have to be patient that changes will not appear overnight … or over 30 nights. And by February 2013 I’ll have a fabulous, straight smile again. I’ll keep you posted on any changes over the next year, for anyone else considering braces as an adult.

Pros of Adult Braces:

• Eat less! (Too painful and/or you don’t want to get food stuck in them in public!)
• They make you look younger. They chopped 15 years off my age.
• Gives you a sexy pout with the braces pushing out your lips.

Cons of Adult Braces:

• I keep swallowing the rubber bands. Seriously.
• I worry about keeping them clean when eating in public.
• They are painful the first week.

This is solely the opinion of the Mom Buzz. Other people may have different experiences with the product. And don’t forget to enter my other hot contests so you can win and try buzzworthy products! TheMomBuzz was not compensated for this buzz.

Now, I’ve already read reviews from people who saw the movie without reading the book and other book fans. I think some of the comments are ridiculous, of course. A movie is never going to be the same as the book. I don’t mind some modifications, as long as it’s for the better. And for non-book fans – they mostly seemed to want more gore. But I thought they did a great job of showing the damage, stress and fighting among the children without showing too much ghastly imagery. The point is taken with a slash of a sword, a scared look of a child, and blank unblinking eyes. There was enough to get the point across, without taking it to “Saw” graphics. The point of the story wasn’t the blood and guts, but what the children are going through and how society within the Capitol sees this as entertainment.

And without further ado, here are my thoughts on the movie in close up examination.From here on out, *there be spoilers ahead*:

Did they look hungry enough? One of my first thoughts when I saw the voluptuous, healthy looking Jennifer Lawrence cast as Katniss was that she was too “healthy”. Not overweight! But not hungry. But then I thought about it. In the book it states that Katniss is strong and healthy, because she eats better than most of District 12 and hunts in the woods. You can see it in her and Gale, that they are doing better lifestyle-wise and I think in the end she was a good pick “looks-wise” for Katniss. As for the rest of District 12, they chose a haggard bunch. The Coal Miners were hunched and dirty. The women looked tired and broken. The children looked disenchanted. Peeta, as part of the Merchant Class, had a more full look to him. Someone who is strong and well-fed. So yes, District 12 looked hungry enough. The merchant class looked better off. And Katniss and Gale looked healthy and it is all in line with the book.

Buttercup: Hilarious enough, no one has complained about Buttercup. They show him as a black and white cat in the beginning of the movie. In the book he is described as a squash colored (muddy yellow) cat with a mashed in nose. So I always pictured him as an orangish Persian. So, I do kind of wish they left him the way they described in the book, because being an orange-ish color would make more sense since Prim named him Buttercup because of his fur. So a small Boo on casting the wrong colored cat.

The MockingJay Pin: In the book, it is the daughter of the Mayor (Madge) who gives Katniss the MockingJay pin. I understand not introducing additional characters, due to time constraints and only having a limited amount of time to build up a character’s story. But when Madge gives her the pin, you can imagine it’s hidden meaning for Meg, which begins Katniss’ journey as the symbol of the revolution – already a pawn in a revolution. After all, Meg lost her aunt in the 50th games and technically lost her mom, as well, who has serious migraines after losing her twin sister in the games. But in the movie, Katniss finds the pin when making a trade. She is allowed to have it for free. She in turn gives it to her sister for luck. And after the reaping, Prim gives it back to Katniss. The meaning of the pin is almost lost there. It would have been preferable if anyone else gave her the pin, even just Cinna, since Cinna is grooming her for more than just the Hunger Games.

Haymitch: Woody Harrelson as Haymitch is genius. They add scenes in the movie that really show his perception of the games, as he watches Capitol children mimicking killing each other for fun, or his expressions as he sees Katniss injured in the games and how he works sponsors to get her medicine. He really cares and you understand why he drinks to dull his memories and pain.

Parachutes: Speaking of Haymitch and sponsors, Katniss does not get as many parachutes in the movie. She only get’s two. In the book she gets burn medicine, soup, bread (from District 11), sleep medicine and lamb stew. In the movie she only gets burn medicine and soup. Once again, we are limited on time. And rather than the parachutes being “approval” from Haymitch for her actions (pretending to be in love with Peeta), now the notes are actually in the parachute. Since we aren’t reading her mind in the movie, like we can in the book,  I understand that change. And my husband, who never read the books, liked the little notes -H- added. So yes, a change from the book – but not a deal breaker in my opinion.

Was She in Love? Some book fans complained that there wasn’t enough passion between her and Peeta. Remember, she WASN’T in love with Peeta. At this point, she feels indebted to him for the bread when she was 11. She always kept her eye on the boy with the bread. But she never thought of love – for Peeta or Gayle. She only thought of keeping her family alive. So when Peeta throws that angle on her during the pre-game interviews, she is pissed that he made her look “weak”. Although Haymitch approves that it made her desirable. And then it also gave him the chance to possibly bring two tributes home alive.

But Katniss tried not to really befriend Peeta, knowing that eventually one of them must die. UNTIL the gamemaker says both tributes in the same district can live. She let he guard down a little, enough to play into the “lover” role, but it was still an act for her. In the book, it is always Peeta who is making the romance real during the games (you assume), while she looked like she barely cared before they teamed up. And she also knew that allowing Peeta to die when they could both go home would make her seem heartless in her district. She is really playing the game to survive for Prim, while Peeta just has his heart on his sleeve. So the movie played it perfect, in my opinion.

Is Peeta too short? I can’t believe the crazy stuff I read in reviews. “Josh Hutcherson as Peeta is too short”. Pthb. He measures 5’7″  in real life. He is described in the book as medium height, stocky build and ashy blond hair. I think he gained almost 20 pounds for the movie of muscle! So yes, when I look at him, he is medium height, stocky build and has ashy blond hair. I can’t help it if fans made him into something taller, bigger and blonder. He’s a boy, for crying out loud. His casting was perfect.

The Boy with the Bread: In the book, she flashes back during the reaping when they call out Peeta’s name. Not him – she thinks. She owes her survival to him, when he tossed her burned bread when they were 11. But in the movie, you don’t get that story until she is stung by Tracker Jackers. And then, they show it with the characters being older than 11. So then people complain. Here is what I have to say. If they suddenly showed younger kids doing that role, people who DIDN’T read the books would be saing “Who the heck are those kids?” Plus, it’s a hallucination! So it could have happened years before, but she is seeing herself and Peeta as they look in present day. Hallucinations aren’t known for their accuracy. So I thought the way they fit the back story of Peeta being the boy who gave her bread, as well as the death of her father, in during her hallucination as a good way to give people more of the story.

Seneca Crane and President Snow: They add in a few extra scenes of President Snow and Seneca Crane that are not in the book. I thought the scenes added more to the story, showing the government’s control of the games, while the gamemaker still has some “freedoms” to make the games compelling. But in this instance, President Snow already is prejudiced against Katniss. While Seneca sees her as a fascinating game piece, President Snow sees her as inspiration for an uprising. A District 12 girl who will put her life on line for her sister. A girl who would dare shoot an arrow at the judges during training. Too much gumption for him!

Now, fans of the book know what happens to Seneca Crane. His final scene, in which he realizes how displeased President Snow is with him, is just sad, but well-done. A good play on how President Snow really felt about that Night Lock play between Katniss and Peeta at the end.

The Capitol Dress-Code: We know the Capitol is over-the-top when it comes to style and cosmetic alterations. You get a great view of different make-up, skin colors, hair colors and eccentric clothing. Some people claim the costumes weren’t futuristic enough. Did we want space-suits? I think it was perfect, they look real – but uncomfortable. Plausible, but hopefully something we won’t really be seeing in the near future other than fashion shows! And it also shows what people in the Capitol due, since they aren’t out working in the districts or hunting (or hungering) for food. People in the Capitol used that time to make entertainment and fashion their number one priority. I loved the costume designs for the Capitol.

Fox Face: Fox Face is a clever one. She was able to steal food from the Careers without them knowing. I loved how she did it in the movie, even with one Career on guard she managed to get by without him really noticing. When the Careers food stash was blown up, she took to following Katniss and Peeta. Peeta unknowingly picked Night Lock, which resemble edible berries but are poisonous. Fox Face would assume that whatever Peeta picked would be safe to eat, so she stole a few berries and … died. All of that is completely in line with the book. So people, please stop saying she committed suicide. (Yes, they are saying that!) If she wanted to commit suicide with Night Lock, she could have picked her own damn berries, rather than steal them.

Kat in a Tree: At one point the Careers (Cato, Glimmer, Peeta – when he was part of the Career Group, Clove and … 1 more) tree Katniss. In the reviews I read, one person wants to know why the other archer missed. The answer – there wasn’t another archer. Even in training, no one else was good with the boys. Glimmer would miss the target, just as she missed Katniss in the tree. And no one else can climb the tree as well as Katniss. Cato is too heavy. Honestly, the other girls were supposed to be Amazonian compared to Katniss, although they didn’t look it in the movie. In the book it makes it more believable that they can’t scale a tree like Katniss. And in the book she is 80 feet higher than them, while it barely looks like that in the movie, which is why Clove can’t get her with the knife. So while the book does a good job explaining the whole tree scene, in the movie you clearly think at least Clove should be able to get Katniss. So a bit of a “boo” on that scene.

Muttations: As fans know, Muttations are experimental creatures from the Capitol which can be very frightening and usually deadly. The Jabber Jay is one muttation mentioned, which mated with Mocking Birds in the wild to create Mocking Jays. Tracker Jackers were wasps that had a killer sting that could cause death and or powerful hallucinations. In the book, the final muttation in Hunger Games are wolves that have been “mixed” with the tributes attributes. So a Glimmer Wolf had human blue eyes and blond hair. The Rue Wolf was small, brown with big brown eyes. Not only were they scary in themselves, chasing down Cato, Peeta and Katniss. But seeing their inner anger and resentment, having died in the games, was also frightening and played mind games on Katniss as she ran from their powerful, long claws. In the book they ended up chewing on Cato all night long until Katniss took pity on him and was able to get a clean shot to kill him. I think the scene in the book was frightening, but without seeing that the muttations were a mix of tributes and wolves, it took away some of the powerful, craziness that Capitol could achieve in their monsters during the games. I wish they kept these final muttations closer to they were described in the book.

Peeta’s Weaknesses and Leg: Well, we know that Peeta’s main weakness is his love for Katniss. Even when he joined up with the Careers, it was actually a ploy to keep her safe from them. In the book he gets very ill from the sword wound he gets from Cato, to the brink of death. Katniss has to put him to sleep with medication so she can sneak off to get the medicine in her pack, during the scene that Clove attacks her. And when she comes back, it’s not with a salve but an injection that heals that illness. But he is still weak and limping, and she almost loses him when the muttations chase them in the book. When she is dragging Peeta up the Cornucopia, a muttation grabs onto his weak leg, causing further injury that could cause him to bleed to death, so she puts a tourniquet on it. And finally, after he games, the injury ends up being so severe that he loses his leg.

In the movie, I wish they emphasized the illness and fever, but I am very glad he kept his leg. I think it will also make it easier to film sequels, because really his leg barely slows him down in the next few books.

FINAL SAY: Overall, I was happy with most of the modifications they made in the movie. From keeping Peeta’s leg to the additional scenes they added for President Snow, Haymitch and Seneca Crane. My biggest disappointments were the change to the muttations, not really showing off Katniss’ climbing skills when being chased by the Careers and not bringing across how ill Peeta actually was. I think they did a great job with casting and I thought Katniss did a great job “playing the game” for the viewers and sponsors. I can’t wait to see how they pull together the next movie!

HAVE YOU SEEN THE MOVIE? WHAT DID YOU THINK?

ANOTHER BOOK TO MOVIE REVIEW: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

This is solely the opinion of the Mom Buzz. Other people may have different experiences with the product. And don’t forget to enter my other hot contests so you can win and try buzzworthy products!

I mean, seriously, I was never into running. The whole Mom Buff thing is about strength training and building a shapely physique with weights. Running was BORING. But then I started thinking something with obstacles would be fun. But the thought of RUNNING between obstacles was killing me, I am not a runner. But heck, if you need motivation – not being eaten by zombies is a great one!

You can actually sign up as a runner, spectator or zombie. Zombies are either stumblers or chasers. If you sign up to be a zombie you will be given a zombie make-over that is sure to scare the runners into RUNNING FASTER. You do have to pay a fee to be a zombie, but it is less than being a runner. And zombie slots fill up faster, because there are less of them to go around.

Currently there are still 11 running locations for 2012. More might appear, but don’t hold your breath. Spots fill up fast and no other locations are guaranteed. Be prepared to road-trip it!

And if you are like me and never run a 5K before, I’ll be posting tips and my own progress on prepping for a Zombie 5k here at theMomBuzz.com.

Learn more about the Zombie 5K here: RunForYourLives.com

This is solely the opinion of the Mom Buzz. Other people may have different experiences with the product. And don’t forget to enter my other hot contests so you can win and try buzzworthy products!

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5. CAbi: CAbi is short for Carol Anderson by Invitation, which allows consultants to hold fashion shows for friends and family in their own home. Every season brings new fashion-forward options – and a new reason to hold a party! Tops and bottoms mix easily and there are great accessories available too, like belts, coats, shawls and pins.

WEBSITE: CAbiOnline.com, START-UP COST: Contact a consultant

6. VINTAGE COUTURE: Vintage Couture is an exclusive line of boutique-style apparel that is offered through Independent Fashion Stylists who sell online and at in-home Trunk Shows. Fashions are available in sizes from babies to 14 in girls and size 16 in boys. Plus, they even have complementing styles for moms.

WEB-SITE: MyVintageBaby.com, START-UP COST: $100 enrollment + $299 for the Trunk Collection, includes personal website, catalogs, postcards, brochures, order form and training guide.

7. MARY KAY: Mary Kay offers women skin care, color cosmetics and fragrances in a supportive environment. As a consultant, you would be providing your customers with one-on-one beauty advice, skin care instructions and application techniques. Not only can clients try products before they purchase, but all products are backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee, something your clients will love.

WEB-SITE: MaryKay.com, START-UP COST: $100, includes Starter Kit and educational materials.

8. PASSION PARTIES: If you are looking for something different, check out Passion Parties. As a consultant, you and your clients will be blushing your way to sales, as you show off sensual products designed to promote intimacy between couples. Not all of the products are over-the-top naughty, so there is even something for more conservative guests, like body butter and bath creme. But for more adventuresome shoppers, there are lubricants, passion toys and an extensive X-rated library.

WEB-SITE: PassionParties.com, START-UP COST: $100, for the basic Starter Kit

9. INITIALS, INC: Initials, Inc specializes in totes, purses, lunch bags, wallets and more. If you carry it and can zip or snap it close, they probably have it. They best part is their selection of patterns and bold designs and the ability to personalize it all with a variety of fonts, colors, initials and more.

WEBSITE: www.InitialsInc.com., START-UP COST: $100, includes 11 items, catalogs, order forms, fabric ring, postcard invitations and personal website.

10. The Traveling Vineyard: Moms everywhere are looking for a way to relax. A bottle of wine at the end of a busy day, after the kids are in bed, is a treat. Now imagine getting paid to drink wine! The Traveling Vineyard lets you demystify wine tasting and buying for guests in the comfort of their home. Boutique wines are priced affordably, between $12.99 – $19.99. And after a few sips of wine and a lot of relaxing, you are sure to have buyers at your parties! This is a fun, flexible and financially rewarding direct sales opportunity.

WEBSITE: www.TravelingVineyard.com, START-UP COST: $149, includes two (2) 5-bottle tasting sets.

11. Body by Vi: This is yet another unique direct sales opportunity.Get paid to help people lose weight. This one gives you a wider range of clients since it is marketed to both men and women. The product line includes a variety of great tasting shakes and energy-boosting, waist-slimming supplements. There are multiple ways to earn, through direct sales and you also receive residual income as long as people continue to use the products. Plus, you can earn cool bonuses, like a BMW, tropical vacations and more.

WEBSITE: www.changein90days.myvi.net, START-UP COST: $49

This list is in no particular order. And just imagine, this is a small portion of the fun direct sales opportunities that are available to you. But whatever you choose, make sure you believe in the product whole-heartedly and sell what you love!

This is solely the opinion of the Mom Buzz. Other people may have different experiences with the product. And don’t forget to enter my other hot contests so you can win and try buzzworthy products! The Mom Buzz was not compensated for this buzz.

A big thank you to Lucas for helping his Titi out. And a big thank you to Seth McMahill for keeping us in the loop on what we can expect in the world of Pokemon gaming.

(Me with my boys!)

Give hugs and kisses to family and friends!

And Happy Valentine’s Day from me to all of you!

In celebration of Valentine’s, feel free to take an extra entry into any (and every) contest on theMomBuzz today only. Just write “Happy Valentine’s Day” as your comment!