August 7, 2019 (Updated April 19, 2023)

Calling all Marathoners! (MCM Bib Giveaway)

by Anne Mauney, MPH, RD

54 comments

Every morning on weekdays, Riese and I have our little routine. We have breakfast, hang out around the house, and then get ready and take Freyja (the dog) for a walk before heading off to a playground or a baby gymnastics class or a playdate – or before our sitter arrives on Mondays and Wednesdays so I can crush some work.

Since we’ve been in our new house, I’ve discovered a nearby nice and flat stretch of road that has a bike lane and goes for about a mile or so, so I’ve started experimenting with stroller running vs. walking. 

So far it has been really fun, and a great way to get in some weekday running that doesn’t involve waking up at the crack of dawn. 

Freyja is happy too – she loves running and does well trotting along next to the stroller!

I’m going to aim to do a stroller run (about 2 miles usually) twice a week. That feels manageable and will nicely complement my one longer/stroller-free weekend run! I hit twice already this week – woo! – did a stroller run on Monday and again this morning. It will be even nicer when the weather cools off… maybe I’ll start going farther! We’ll see. 

Speaking of fall running, my next race on the calendar is the Marine Corps 10k in October, which Matt and I are running c/o my longtime sponsor The Watermelon Board.

We ran the race with them last year, too (pictured below), and we ran it on our own in 2014. And in 2016 I ran the full Marine Corps Marathon with them!

I’m happy to share that as in previous years, I have some bibs to give away to you guys as well!

A huge thank you to our friends at The Watermelon Board for providing these bibs for the contest… and for giving out free post-race watermelon, which is the most delicious thing ever after a sweaty run. 

I’m giving away not 1, not 2, but 3 FULL Marine Corps Marathon bibs (not the 10k – only the full marathon)!

I’ll select 3 winners to receive 1 free race entry each. If you’d like to enter the contest to win one of the bibs, please use the Rafflecopter widget below. Please only enter if you are available on race day (October 27) and able to pay for your own travel/lodging if you are coming to DC from out of town!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck! And now, on to the food.

After a restaurant-tastic weekend, we’ve been eating at home this week. On Monday night, we had a yummy Mediterranean chicken bowl (a Sun Basket meal, but it reminded me of my fave Sheet Pan Mediterranean Chicken Thighs). 

Farmers’ market cantaloupe (sooo good… I always forget how good cantaloupe is when it’s actually in season/ripe) for something sweet and juicy to end the meal. 

For breakfasts, I’ve been enjoying this farmers’ market spinach feta cheese bread… mmmm.

It’s really good with runny yolk fried eggs on top! Riese likes it too. 🙂

We had some leftover Mediterranean chicken since it made a ton so I enjoyed the last of it atop some arugula for lunch yesterday. I dressed the arugula with some lemon juice and a little olive oil. Delicious combo!

Last night’s dinner was another salad! Matt was working late so I had a friend over for a playdate and we had some cheese, crackers, and beer while we fed the kids dinner, and by the time Matt got home around 8 I wasn’t super hungry and he didn’t feel like cooking anything long winded so we settled on salads topped with leftover steak. Plus some shared farmers’ market focaccia. 🙂

Have a great day, my friends, and good luck to those entering the contest! 🙂

- anne

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54 comments
  • Ana
    Riese in those sunglasses! ?
    Reply
    • Anne
      I'm obsessed! She loves them too :)
      Reply
  • Mandy
    Watermelon definitely makes me think of summertime and right now it makes me think of messes. My eight month old loves watermelon and we're doing baby led weaning, so sometimes that means it ends up smeared in his hair. And I'd love to win a bib! I was able to start running again once my son was old enough for the jogging stroller and October is right when I'd be hitting six mile runs, It would be an awesome first race back!
    Reply
    • Anne
      Haha yeah Riese eating watermelon is soooo messy... but worth it. ;) Re: the race, the bib giveaway is just for the full marathon - not the 10k! Sorry :)
      Reply
  • Brianne
    Watermelon brings to mind to me "daughters", "Michigan", "succulent". As a mother of two young girls (5 and 2) who love watching mommy "race", I would love to have the opportunity to take them to such a special place (DC) and such a special race. My Grandfather is a Purple Heart Marine Veteran and my husband (who has never been to DC) and I have always talked about taking a tip to visit and what better reason to do so then to run a race in my Grandfather's honor! It would be such a joy to have them get to see the city, the history, the event and the reason behind the Marine Corps. Marathon!
    Reply
    • Anne
      Aw, I love this. <3
      Reply
  • Adrienna
    I have a couple of friends running the full at MCM, and it would be awesome to join them since I didn't get in.
    Reply
  • Betsy
    Thanks for an awesome giveaway! Would love MCM a fall marathon.
    Reply
  • Bethany Imondi
    I'm a local DMV runner who took the summer off from marathon training, but I wouldn't hate it if I had the opportunity to run my hometown race!
    Reply
  • Jenna
    Watermelon is summertime in a food. We all look forward to that juicy goodness! I've missed training for a race -- this would be a good excuse to get back at it.
    Reply
  • Tiffany
    I love this!! I too am trying to balance being a mom (he turns 1 tomorrow), working out, working, and eating healthy ( plus being a good wife)... it’s such a struggle some days. Thanks for the tips and encouragement!
    Reply
    • Anne
      Totally hear you... it's definitely a balancing act! Lots of balls in the air. In case no one has told you recently: you're doing great, mama :)
      Reply
  • Linda
    Watermelon means summer! That's when it's tastiest, sweetest, and stickiest. I think it would be fun to run MCM. I mean, as fun as a marathon can be...
    Reply
    • Anne
      Haha it's a special kind of fun. ;)
      Reply
  • Connie Captain
    Watermelon in 3 words: Summer! Juicy! Delicious! It would be awesome to run the MCM marathon! 1. I have never run that marathon! 2. By October 27th the MCM would be my 2nd marathon ever!! 3. I would get to meet you after following your blog for so many years. And 4. but not last - we could visit family that we have in the Virginia/DC area!! PS Riese in her sunglasses. So cute!!
    Reply
    • Anne
      Aw, so sweet re: #3! :)
      Reply
  • Anne
    I'd love the opportunity to run MCM so my parents could be there at the finish line! I'm from the East coast, but currently live in TX. As for watermelon, the words refreshing, juicy, and hydrating come to mind.
    Reply
  • Lia
    I would love to run MCM it’s been on my bucket list for a long time!
    Reply
  • Emma Rutter
    I love watermelon, and it always makes me think of the lake, summertime and sweet refreshment! And I would be so excited to win a bib because I’m hoping to qualify for Boston and am aiming for a mid-fall race. I’ve heard amazing things about MCM and would be so honored to get this opportunity to run it!
    Reply
  • K.Brady
    Watermelon is the best in the summer!
    Reply
  • Alaina
    I would love the opportunity to visit DC, run this race and honor all marines!
    Reply
  • Whitney
    Oh my gosh, running MCM would be a dream! We’re currently living in NY for two years for my husband’s job. It’s my first time living outside of Alaska and it’s been a great experience, yet super lonely. I would love to experience this east coast race and make running friends/mom friends for my daughters (16 months and 3 years) and I! Watermelon is what you crave after a humid run. There’s nothing more refreshing and my girls love them. My 3-year-old calls it “water-mo-no” and I hope we always refer to it as such!
    Reply
    • Anne
      I'm sorry to hear you're feeling lonely - being in a new place is hard <3 Running is definitely such a great way to make good friends - especially if doing super long runs together because you have SO much undivided time to talk! "Water-mo-no" - so cute. Riese loves it too. :)
      Reply
  • Christina
    Would love to make this my first marathon post babies!
    Reply
  • Stacy Lane
    Literally have my fingers crossed to win the MCM bib. I’ve been trying to run this race for 15 years!
    Reply
    • Liz
      What has stopped you?! Just curious :)
      Reply
  • Liz
    Watermelon is my fave and definitely makes me think of summer. I love salting it too for a sweet and salty treat!
    Reply
    • Liz
      Also, MCM was my first (& second!) marathon. I haven’t been back since an injury and pregnancy. Would love to run again!!
      Reply
    • Anne
      Mmmm good idea :)
      Reply
  • Amy
    Watermelon is refreshing, delicious, and makes me think of summertime! I'd love to win the bib for my husband actually. MCM was his first marathon several years ago, and then he ran it a couple years ago and was underprepared and it did not go well :) He's been talking about how he wants to redeem himself!
    Reply
    • Anne
      Haha always good to have a nice shot at redemption! :)
      Reply
  • Melissa
    When I think of watermelon I think of red, tasty, and sweet. I’d love to run the MCM. It’s definitely on my bucket list!
    Reply
  • Stephanie
    Watermelon makes me think of summertime, my kids (they love it), and BBQ's!
    Reply
  • Melissa
    You will not believe this, but I have never liked watermelon - sorry! So, I won't put in three words so I won't offend you. :) But if I won a MCM bib, I'd like to try to do a better job on it than I did in 2017 - that was a very hot race, and I just died at the end.
    Reply
    • Anne
      Oh man, not a watermelon fan?! I feel you on the MCM heat - it was super hot in 2016 when I ran it too!
      Reply
  • Becke
    3 things that come to mind...refreshing, fast and tasty!! I would be so excited to win the bib because I am helping a friend train for the marathon and if I won a bib it would mean that I could be there to support her!!
    Reply
  • Becky
    Watermelon makes me think of summer, refreshing and candy - I love those watermelon sour candies :) I’ve run a bunch of DC races but I’ve never done the MCM so it would be a great excuse to finally do it!!
    Reply
  • Kerry
    Watermelon makes me think of summer, picnics, and blow pops (favorite flavor)! Marine Corps was my first marathon in 2013 and I’d love the chance to run it again!
    Reply
  • Katie Shottes
    I’m running my first marathon in early October, why not add a second!? I’ve been wanting to do this race for a long time and it’s the perfect excuse to visit my favorite city. Watermelon post-summer runs has been so necessary (like... a half of one afterwards no joke!) love that they sponsor and will be at the finish!
    Reply
  • Mandy
    Watermelon=summer in my book! Just as much as fall=perfect running weather!
    Reply
  • Anna
    Watermelon makes me think of summer, parties and refreshing. I would love to run another marathon! It's been a few years since I've done a full marathon and need an excuse to do one.
    Reply
  • Elizabeth
    Watermelon is a delicious summer treat and I would love to run MCM!
    Reply
  • Brook
    Watermelon makes me think of the Fourth of July, summertime, and picnics. I'd like to win a bib for MCM because I love running, and I love everything MCM stands for. It would mean so much to have the opportunity to run it.
    Reply
  • Lisa of Lisa's Yarns
    Mmmm, watermelon! That's one of my favorite summer treats. I'm the only watermelon eater in our house (I keep trying to give it to our son but he is just not a fan of fruit - odd duck!). I can easily eat an entire watermelon in a week, though. I cube it the day I buy it so it's easy to eat all week. Mmmm. That's amazing that you have 3 entries to give away! So generous of your sponsor! I think my marathon days are over but if I was ever to do another one, MCM would be towards the top of the list of ones to run. Good job on getting some stroller runs in. I am trying to run more but it's tough to fit in during the summer months as we leave the house soooo early (6:50am). I think when the cooler fall weather hits I'll turn some of our post-work walks into runs. Right now it's just too hot/humid to run at that time of day!
    Reply
    • Anne
      My full marathon days are over for now, too - maybe I'll do another one someday but not anytime soon! I would like to do another half sometime, but not quite ready mentally for that training yet.
      Reply
  • Marlene Sykes
    Canadian here!! I would love to run MCM!! I'm running Philly in November with a big goal so I think MCM would be a great 'practice'/tune-up marathon. I've always wanted ti visit DC!
    Reply
  • Karin
    Watermelon makes me think of summer! Probably not the healthiest, but I add a dash of salt on top and it's AMAZING!! I would love to run the MCM! I'm doing a half-marathon at the end of September, so at least I'm somewhat already in training mode, haha. DC is a favorite city of mine and I love honoring our military. Thank you for sharing these extra entries!
    Reply
  • Braden K
    Watermelon is messy, sweet, and red. Love it lots and it's definitely meant to be as our son's first birthday is watermelon themed! I'd love to run a race in DC!
    Reply
  • Dani
    Awesome giveaway!! I just checked out the course map for the MCM and it looks like a great race, passing so many iconic D.C. sights. Would love to run it - and I'm training for Chicago right now (13 October), I figure I'll be ready for another marathon a couple of weeks later, right? ;-) As for watermelon: three words that come to mind are pizza (because watermelon pizza is amazing, have you ever made one?), sunscreen (because apparently it protects you from sunburn thanks to lycopene), and soft serve (because Dominique Ansel, an exquisite French bakery here in New York, sells an incredible watermelon soft serve ice cream during the summer months)
    Reply
    • Anne
      What's your favorite watermelon pizza creation? Sweet or savory?
      Reply
  • Marlene
    Have you announced the winners of this contest? Thanks!
    Reply
    • Anne
      Yes, I reached out to them already! Thank you for your interest!
      Reply