Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Marathon Weight Loss Challenge

Heather and I before the 26.2 challenge!
Do you have 26.2 pounds to lose?  Join me this summer in making it happen!!  My friend Heather is running her first marathon this fall and is determined to be 26.2 pounds lighter on race day. In support of her goal (and because I need it too!), the Marathon Weight Loss Challenge has been born.

If you're anything like me, I succeed at weight loss when I have someone to report into and hold me accountable for my weekly actions.  Summer is not an easy time.  Cookouts, beer and lots of social activities typically result in me packing on the pounds.  This summer, I vow to do just the opposite... and I need YOU to keep me honest!

What is the Challenge?
The Marathon Weight Loss Challenge runs 13 weeks over the course of the summer. This time frame is simply MY goal, averaging 2 pounds a week in weight loss.  During this time frame, I will track participants' weight loss, offer tips, recipes, a weekly newsletter, mini challenges, success stories and prize giveaways!  You may have a goal larger or smaller than 26.2 pounds... and you may not even run. That's okay - you can still join for the motivation and prizes. The whole point of this challenge is to encourage one another and hold ourselves responsible in summer workouts and food choices.

START - Monday, June 18, 2012
FINISH - Monday, Sept. 17, 2012

Right click these buttons to copy/save and add it to your social mediums.
Let the world know that you're on a mission to LOSE A MARATHON!


Registration is now CLOSED. 
I'm sorry if you didn't get registered in time. For administrative purposes, I need to end sign-up, as the challenge has reached nearly 1000 participants!! Of course, I'll be sharing a lot of tips and recipes throughout the summer on runwithjess.com, so be sure to follow along and chart your own weekly progress.

Starting weight will be recorded at sign-up. The official weigh-in day is every MONDAY.  Why Mondays? I find it helps to keep me more accountable over the weekend knowing that I have to face the scale on Monday. Report back your weigh-in to me (via email) before midnight each Monday. Be sure to include your full name and weight. I will keep a spreadsheet of every participant's progress.  I will never share your weight with anyone, although I may share success stories like "Carly lost 3.5% this week!"  I also suggest posting comments and pictures on my FB page or the Group Discussion page to encourage one another - specifically me! Sorry, only active participants will be approved into the Group Discussion page.

How do I win Prizes?!
Throughout the challenge, I will be drawing randomly for prizes... some big, some small, but all targeted at helping you on your weight loss journey.  Each week that you report back your weigh-in, you will earn an entry into the prize pool. You can also score 1 entry per week by sharing a photo and healthy recipe. Only active challenge contestants are eligible for prizes.  If you miss 3 or more weigh-in dates, I will assume you are no longer participating, remove you from the list and you'll no longer be in the prize pool. There is absolutely no benefit to cheating your weigh-in as prizes are not awarded on results, but rather weekly consistency. The only one to cheat is yourself... At the end of the 13 week challenge, there will be a special recognition for anyone who achieves a loss of 26.2 or greater!  I dare you to LOSE a Marathon!

CHALLENGE NEWSLETTERS
Week 1 (June 18) here
Week 2 (June 25) here
Week 3 (July 2) here
Week 4 (July 9) here
Week 5 (July 16) here
Week 6 (July 23) here
Week 7 (July 30) here
Week 9 (Aug. 13) here
Week 10 (Aug. 20) here
If the newsletter is not hitting your email box, please open the newsletter by clicking the link above, click the "Subscribe" button in the top left corner to make sure your correct email address in on the list. (Sorry, there were a lot of addresses with typos and syntax errors from sign up)  You also may want to check your spam/junk box.


HEALTHY RECIPES
Edition 1 here
Edition 2 here (healthy drinks)
Each week challenge participants submit a healthy recipe to me, they'll earn 1 entry into prize pool. I'll pick a variety of my favorites and share on runwithjess.com for everyone to cook a new meal.



Like my FB page for Challenge Updates...


Tweet with #LoseAMarathon @RUNwJESS

GOOD LUCK!


DISCLAIMER
The Marathon Weight Loss Challenge is intended only to assist participants in their personal weight loss efforts. You are urged to seek the advice of a physician before beginning any weight loss program. Runwithjess.com is intended for use only by healthy adult individuals. The site is not intended for use by minors, pregnant women, or individuals with any type of health condition. If you have pre-exiting medical condition(s) or are taking prescribed medications, you are responsible for consulting with a medical professional.  Such individuals are specifically warned to seek professional medical advice prior to initiating any form of weight loss program.  By joining this challenge, you agree to these terms and you take full responsibility for your health and choices you make during this challenge. All contents provided by Runwithjess.com in the Marathon Weight Loss Challenge (i.e. newsletters, posts, recipes, challenges, etc) are for informational purposes only.  The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment provided.  All events, materials, and publications are designed to provide general information or support and not intended for anything else. Any third party website, including services provided by team members are the sole responsibility of those individuals or websites.  Marathon Weight Loss Challenge accepts no liability for any claims, errors, or any omissions of injury to persons or property arising out of services provided by those parties. All participants hereby release Runwithjess.com and all participants from any claims for loss, damage, or injury sustained while participating in the Marathon Weight Loss Challenge.

109 comments:

  1. I am so in! I need this more then anything!

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  2. Does it matter our goal, big or small? I've gained about 8 lbs I cannot seem to shed!

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    1. I'm in too - just have to get a scale! I don't know if I'm running due to an injury for awhile, but this will be forcing me to do everythingelse!!!

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  3. Woooohhoooooooo! I'm so competitive. I love things like this! Count me in! I've got a marathon on Sept 22 (and my skinny mom coming to visit for my birthday in Aug - can you say "double whammy?"). Hugs to Jess for "Bringin' It"!

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  4. It is as though you READ MY MIND! Twin Cities watch out, here comes less of me!

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  5. This is such a great idea! This maybe just the thing I need to get those last 20 pounds off in time for my second half marathon on my birthday (October)!

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  6. I'm in - just to have some accountability. I did another challenge in 2012 for 3 months, and it really helped.

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  7. I signed up...but I really only have about 10lbs to loose because I just lost 20lbs. But I need help on the last 10!

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  8. I'm in! I was on some medication that made me gain weight. I want it GONE!

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  9. Im in too! What is the facebook link?

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  10. I'm in too!!! I'm running the marine Corp marathon on Oct 28th and need less of me to make it!!

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    1. I'm in Marine corps too!!! so we'll be able to help each other!

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  11. I have about 10-15 pounds I'd like to shed....Count me in!!!

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  12. Well, I guess I am so in! It has taken me about 7 months to lose about 30 so I need this kick in the butt to get over my plateau! Thanks Jess for the challange!

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  13. Cool idea! I like prizes! And sharing healthy recipes...but I don't want yo lose weight so I guess I cant play!! :( good luck to the rest of you!

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  14. Of course I am in but waiting till Monday to sign up and weigh in for my first weigh in. Thank you for taking my idea of loosing 26.2 by my first Marathon and turning this challenge into something. I am looking forward to doing this!

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  15. Fun!! Did I just say that about losing weight? Yep. I'm on my own weight loss journey. I am also running my first half marathon in November at Disney World. My 1st 5K is this weekend. Now....to lose weight. It will be so much easier to run without carrying all this dead weight around. Thanks for this. :o0

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  16. Public accountability- Yikes! Being lighter will certainly help getting faster and going longer! Thanks Jess!

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  17. Cool!!
    At first I thought this was about losing 26.2 pounds *while* training for a marathon. I was like, uhhhhh! lol :) Good luck!

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  18. I Just signed up, did a button steal and will add to my blog! I'm excited...I need some added motivation this summer with our super insanely hot temps!

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  19. i love this!! so creative and a great motivator! good luck to everyone!

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  20. I'm very excited for this! I definitely could use a loss of 26.2 and more, but hopefully this will be the catalyst to get me back in motion. Thanks Jess!

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  21. Signed up! So happy to add this to my training schedule, as a fun way to stay motivated!!

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  22. I'm signing up - BUT I've already lost 55 lbs, so 26.2 might be tough to swing. Do I get a bonus for starting early? HA! I also may miss two weigh-ins because I'll be climbing a mountain and may not have access to a scale!

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  23. crap, this means I probably should go buy a scale. I'm in!

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  24. This makes me super excited especially after being in a plateau for so long. Hopefully it'll be just the challenge I need. And I will be on vaca for part of it so here's hoping that won't throw me for a huge loop!

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  25. Oh this is just so great! I've been on WW for the past 6 months and have lost some weight, but I'm still trying to lose 13.1 lbs by my next half marathon ( sept. 22nd!) Do the half-marathon weight loss participates get to receive prizes as well? or is it just the 26.2 lbs weight loss participates?

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    1. Everyone that reports in gets entered into the prize pool... doesn't matter how much you lose.

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    2. Yay I'm in!! Great idea!!! seriously.

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  26. I am excited for this. I am 13 lbs away from my weight goal, so I am in it for the 13.1 challenge!!

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  27. I'm in! :) 13.1 pounds puts my weight right where I want to be. I've lost 121 pounds and I've recently started running. Good timing and motivation for this challenge! Thanks!

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  28. I'm in, too....after this winter's half marathon training session....I've gained 20 lbs....I really need to take off 40, but I'll be happy with 20!

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  29. Awesome idea!! I am so in...26.2 is a great goal and the extra support is great!

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  30. I am so excited! Let's do this ladies!

    Roya
    www.royaghorbani.wordpress.com

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  31. I'm in! Now I have 3 places were I have to be accountable!!

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  32. Very excited to participate. Just the kick in the butt I need.

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  33. I love being a part of something supportive and encouraging.... i am in!

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  34. I signed up but I only have a 1/2 marathon to lose!

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  35. I'm in. I need some motivation to get back on track. Thanks for the challenge!

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  36. I think this just what I need. Doing my first marathon in Philly in November and need to get the extra weight off before then thanks for this challenge.

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    1. My first marathon is going to be Philly too!!!! Good luck with your training!!!

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  37. I'm in! I've just started getting back into running and my "short term" weight loss goal is to lose 10lbs (long term is 20lbs). I was really out of shape when I started, so I haven't been pushing myself with running because I didn't want to get shin splints, etc. I feel like I'm ready to start pushing my pace to burn off more calories(and get faster!) and lose some of these extra pounds I've accumulated.

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  38. I am in ... let an 11 pound gain creep up on me, starting while I was training for my half in May. Yikes!

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  40. This motivation is fantastic! I'm getting married next year and have to lose fifty pounds before November so I can start trying on dresses. This is wonderful!

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  41. This will be awesome motivation! I'm in! Thank you!

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  42. maybe this is the kick in the arse I need to get going again.. :-) Thanks Jess.. You always make things so much fun!

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  43. I would love 13.1 by my half October 28th

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  44. I SO need to do this. I need to lose MORE than a marathon but this is a good start. Not sure why but I do MUCH better in an accountable/competitive situation like this so I'm excited! THANKS!

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  45. Thus sounds great!! Im in !! Im very excited!! Love your motivation!! Thanks for doing it!!

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  46. Totally in - it's going to be tough but it will be worth it!

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  47. Count me in...ran the zooma half in january and nearly died having to carry my extra butt up those austin hills. I need to drop 2 stones and 13 weeks in enough time to do it in. not an FB user but if I can access your page privately I am going to get on it. Good luck to all of you out there.... anna

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  48. Race photos don't lie! I need to lose a half marathon....maybe more! It will help me get ready to go Goofy in January!

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  49. I'm in! I have let the idea of summer get in the way of my idea of healthy as far as food goes. So...I've got a few more to lose than I had when the summer started.

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  50. I signed up! I love the lose a marathon idea. I signed up for the half lol.

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  51. Count me in!!! The first few weeks will be tricky, since we're moving this weekend (EXCITED!!!) BUT, this ought to motivate me to break in my new neighborhood. :)

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  52. Great idea! I want to lean out a little. I'm just starting to train for my second full marathon - Rock & Roll - St. Louis in October! So excited about it!

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  53. I'm in. Never done something like this before, but I'm hoping this keeps me accountable. My goal is 10 lbs!

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  54. Totally In... this is great!!Just beginning couch to 5k...so I'm far away from the eventual goal.. but a challenge is the BEST thing for me to stay accountable! thanks for this!

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  55. Sounds great!! I'm in for the half marathon!

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  56. Thanks so much for this! I think it is exactly what I need. I have been stuck and have about 10 more pounds to lose before I hit my first goal weight... once I get there I will reevaluate and see if I want/ need to lose anymore. I am so excited to join you to lose my half marathon! And, it is totally appropriate because I run my first half marathon in October!

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  57. Signed up - I want to lose about 5-10 lbs :)

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  58. Love this!!! It is more fun to do a marathon with a team, so as a team we will make this happen, too!!! I'm in!!!

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  59. I'm in!!!! How do I request access to the FB page ...am I automatically added when I register????I already registered.

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  60. I am in LOVE with this idea. Count me IN.

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  61. I'm in and super excited about it!

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  62. I'm in. I just went bathing suit shopping and the results were not pretty. Time for a summer tune up. thanks Jess for keeping us motivated while the beer and bbq are calling!

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  63. Good luck with this. I wish I could participate. I recently lost twenty pounds by counting carbs. It works. I had a hysterectomy on June 7th, so I won't be doing much in the way of exercise; however, another two has slipped away post surgery. Hopefully I'll be right there with you on the marathon weight loss and even go for an extension. God bless y'all. Keep up the good work!

    http://joycelansky.blogspot.com

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  64. Also, even though I'm 22 pounds lighter than I used to be, I can't imagine publishing my weight on a website. I don't even share this info with my husband. I am, however, not over weight. I am under height. A six footer at my weight would be a fashion model!

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  65. I'm definitely in! I may not lose a "marathon" but even something is better than nothing. Would be happy with 10 pounds. I do need to lose a marathon though! lol.

    Great thing too, because I weighed myself this morning to "recommit" to losing the weight I've gained back the last 2 years!

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  66. I like this. I'm on board for losing a half-marathon. That'll get me very close to my ultimate goal. :)

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  67. I'm in too! I also linked back to you from my blog to spread the word!!

    http://amadfatwoman.blogspot.com/2012/06/lose-marathon-weight-loss-challenge.html

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  68. I'm in for the half marathon! Thanks for the challenge and push I needed!

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  69. For what its worth.. IM in..what have I got to lose???

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  70. ABSOLUTELY love this challenge. I'm in!!! 13.1 before my vacation :)

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  71. Glad I made it here in time! So excited to be a part. Thanks for organizing!

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  72. I signed up. Thanks for doing this! :)

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  73. Thanks for this challenge! I just did run my first marathon (and, predictably, gained around 5 lbs over the course of training). I need some accountability as I get back onto the "normal" routine of training for duathlons (one is 10 weeks away, the other is 13 weeks away), 10K to 13.1 mile races (in Sept and October), and losing some of the last 25-30 lbs I want to lose. I would have had an easier time in my 1st marathon if I hadn't been carrying this weight, so it's time to do something about it. I'm counting calories and logging fitness minutes at SparkPeople (username kellybeeeee), logging workouts at DailyMile (username KellyB9) and following along on Twitter (@kellybeeeee), and I'm looking forward to seeing what I can do in the next 13 weeks with everyone's encouragement!

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  74. I've signed up, even though I'm currently on a post-op "do not exercise" order. I'm still counting my carbs and interested in losing a marathon. I've already lost 22 pounds just through a well balanced, portion controlled diet for life. Two pounds a week would be wonderful, but without the exercise, it's slow. Give me two more weeks and I'll be right there working out with you. Thanks for the challenge!

    http://joycelansky.blogspot.com

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  75. Can I please join in the shrinking challenge? So excited to do this with my bloggy buddies. Extra incentive is great.

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  76. My sister and I were just talking about needing accountability for weight loss. I participate in Weight Watchers, which is great, but need some extra motivation to reach my goal. Excited for this challenge! :)

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  77. Getting ready to do a blog so Happy that Marksville is joining you in this. Hoping my husband will give it a whirl too.

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  78. I'm so glad I stumbled upon this challenge. This is exactly what I needed to inspire me. My next half marathon is on Sept 30 and I need to shed the 20 lbs I gained over the last 18 months. Thanks for the inspiration and motivation!

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  79. I totally just stumbled in on this...and although I'm at a super healthy weight, I'd love to tone up a little more and lose those vanity pounds.

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  80. So glad I saw this before the deadline!! Count me in!!! I need the support!

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  81. Ran 8 miles this morning with my Dole Sista Rosa in Riverside. Besutiful scenery and a few awesome hills Had a protein bistro box and a chai tea latte w:soy. Took a shower and then spotted this bad boy

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  82. I've procrastinated about losing weight long enough. I'm in!!!

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  83. Where is the link to record our weight?

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    Replies
    1. All direct link are in the newsletters - listed above.

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  92. Love this idea...any plans to do it again this year? I'm running my first half in October and would love to be down 13.1 lbs!

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