OOFOS!!! A review and GIVEAWAY!!!

Want to enter for a chance to win your own pair of OOFOS?  Read on and then enter the contest via the Rafflecopter below!

Running is something that is still new for me... I have only been at this for about 3 years.  Sometimes the things you really need aren't obvious at first.

When I first started on this Run / Walk journey... after a long run or race day I did notice fatigue and soreness sometimes in my lower legs and feet.  I wondered about just wearing my supportive running shoes after a run or race and thinking that might help.  There were times though that even though my running shoes are awesome... after a run I just want to let my tootsies breathe and be comfy!  Then one day I found out about Recovery Sandals.  I tried another brand first... actually one that I found out about on a fellow Bloggers review.  I thought the idea of recovery sandals sounded good so I ordered them.   They were comfortable but I felt like there must be a better pair out there. 

OOFOS Mission - Our mission is to make YOO FEEL BETTER.  We know when you wear our shoes you will understand.  

I had heard through various modes of social media about OOFOS.  (All good things!)  To be honest the price is what kept me away at first... after all they are "just" flip flops right? Then prior to my trip to Disneyland in 2015 to participate in the Tinker Bell Race Weekend my bestie running buddy told me she was thinking about ordering a pair of OOFOS.  So I considered it and I did too!  I thought they might be the perfect sandal to tour the park or at least wear around the hotel after our races and long hours touring the theme parks.   I ordered the OOFOS OOriginal in Black.  I would suggest ordering true to your size in the OOrignal.  I wear a size 10 running shoe but in OOFOS I ordered a size 9.  They were (and are) a perfect fit.  I have NEVER looked back!  They are my go to around the house and I kind of wish they would make a warmer slipper version.  I live in the Pacific Northwest and unfortunately it isn't always "sandal weather" here... even indoors.

To add on about our trip last year... I wore them all over Disneyland and NEVER once had that "I am so sorry I wore flip flops moment"!  I usually would go to a sturdy tennis shoe with good socks for touring the parks... but this time it took one time wearing the OOFOS and I wore them everyday of our trip!

  

OOFOS OOriginal

I love my OOFOS for lots of reasons... but the biggest is... they just feel good.  SO GOOD!    So naturally I wanted another pair to add for our Mother's Day trip to Disneyland again this year.  BUT... this year I am bringing along my 10 year old daughter so I needed to make sure she was going to be comfortable too!    She is a runner and a dancer.  She has had some soreness issues due to growth with her heels.  I knew getting her some of her own OOFOS was a no brainer.  She could definitely use them on our trip as well as after her dance classes.  We went with the OOFOS Original and actually have a pair of the OOFOS OOlala in "Tink" (seafoam) green for her.  She is in LOVE!   Last year at Disneyland I ran the 5k, 10K and the Half Marathon as well as toured the park for 5 days!  I know... that is a lot of running and Disney...  I can't get enough... did you see the name of this blog?  

This year... Mother's Day weekend my daughter and I will be participating in the Neverland 5K and and Tinker Bell 10K together and I will be doing the Tinker Bell Half Marathon on the actual Mother's Day morning.   Yes... we do have 5 day Park Hopper tickets too... So you can be sure our OOFOS will be getting a lot of mileage for recovery and comfort!

OOFOS OOlala in green

OOFOS Originals in Black

OOFOS OOlala Slides (pictured on my daughter's friend's feet)

OOFOS are just the BEST!  

Here are some features that are so obvious the minute you slip your feet into them...

- Absorbs more shock than traditional foams... 

Athletic shoe foams are designed to “rebound” and propel you forward. Revolutionary OOfoam does the opposite, absorbing 37% more shock with every step than traditional footwear foam.

- Reduces stress on sore feet, knees and back...

Your feet and joints take a pounding on hard surfaces. Slipping on OOFOS after a workout provides them with relief and a chance to recover.

- Cradles your arches...

Unlike flip-flops, the OOFOS patented footbed is designed with tremendous arch support to take the pressure off of ankles, knees and hips, as well as your lower back.

- Enables more natural motion...

Biomechanically designed, OOFOS flex with both your foot and the ground. The soft, flexible OOfoam material enables your foot to articulate the way nature intended.

I will just add these other things stated on the OOFOS website because they are all true!

- Soft conforming toe post eliminates chafing

- Durable OOfoam holds the cushion its entire life 

- Moisture and bacteria resistant closed cell foam is shower ready and machine washable! (I have tossed mine in the washer many times... just set them out for a few minutes to dry)

- So light... they float!

 OOFOS OOriginal in Black

(...and my cute daughter ready for her Disneyland adventure in May!)

OOlala Slide in Seafoam Green

 OOFOS OOlala

 OOFOS OOlala

I turned one pair over so you could see what the tread on the bottom looks like!

OOFOS OOlala

As for sizing... I would stick pretty close to your normal size... I will say about the OOFOS OOlala Slides... the sandal seemed to fit fairly tight on my daughter's foot so we sized her up on those only to allow for that to be more comfortable for her.  I don't think she has particularly wide feet but that is what worked for her.

I would also add that personally I prefer the Original to the OOlala... mostly for the thickness of the over strap.. but the OOlala is not uncomfortable at all. Both styles of the OOlala come in lots of fun colors too and are slightly "shiny" on the upper which is fun.

More colors available on the OOFOS website.

So... are you convinced!  I think the minute you try OOFOS on you would be a BIG fan!!!  Find a store near you and go and try them... Click HERE to find a retailer near you.

Would you like to try and WIN a FREE pair??? The winners get to choose which pair (size and color too) they would like from the OOFOS website - either the OOFOS Original, OOFOS OOlala, OOFOS OOlala Slide, or the OOFOS OOahh Slide.

GOOD LUCK!!!

UPDATE!!!  

The 3 Winners have been randomly selected by Rafflecopter and are listed below.  
They have been notified via Email!

  Thank you to EVERYONE who entered!!!  

I hope you all will be feeling the OO!!!  

#feeltheOO #OOFOS

a Rafflecopter giveaway

We were provided OOFOS Sandals for this review from OOFOS but the thoughts and opinions here are all my own.

Giveaway Rules:
Prize: THREE winners will receive ONE pair each of OOFOS Recovery Sandals... winner's choice.  Contest entrants are only eligible to win ONCE per sweepstakes, - one pair OOFOS per household.
Contest starts on April 14, 2016, and ends on April 20, 2016, at 12:00 am PST. 

Enter through the Rafflecopter widget.  The winners will be chosen via Rafflecopter and notified via email provided to Rafflecopter.  The winners have two days to respond, or they forfeit and another winner will be selected.


Prize will be shipped directly to winner from OOFOS.   Winners are to notify Blog author via email of preference, size, and shipping information.  Choices LIMITED TO... OOFOS Original,  OOFOS OOlala Slide, OOFOS OOahh Slide,  and OOFOS OOlala.

Coming up... Half Marathon # 20 The Rain Run

Yes... that is correct... Half Marathon # 20!!!  How in the world did I get here?   It really seems unreal but then real all at the same time!   

Yep... I signed up for my 20th Half Marathon!  I am participating in The Rain Run in Redmond, WA on January 23rd, 2015.   I participated in this race in 2015 and had a terrific time.   When I started to think about my 2016 race schedule The Rain Run was definitely one that came to mind as one I wanted to repeat.  The course is fairly flat... scenic... and has a really awesome medal!  That is what drew me in the first time and participating a 2nd time is a no brainer!  I am not a fast runner... in fact I walk a lot... I do what is called intervals... run... then walk... then run again. I use what is called an interval timer.   Looks like a little pager... it beeps to tell me to walk or run and I can program it to what ever intervals I want.   

The official website of The Rain Run lists these benefits to participating... I wholeheartedly agree!  (especially about the bragging rights and the finish line food!)

- Chip Timed Half Marathon
- A huge and shiny finisher's medal!
- Rain Run Umbrella
- Finish line food - which include cupcakes with SPRINKLES!
- Random prize giveaways from race sponsors
- Bragging rights that you kicked butt in the rain!

The Rain Run (so perfectly named for the Pacific Northwest) is about an hour of driving time (one way) from my home... about as far as I like to go for a local race.  The race begins at Marymoor Park in Redmond, WA very near Lake Sammamish.  The course begin at the Park and travels up the paved trail along the Sammamish River Trail between Redmond and Woodinville (just east of Seattle).  The out and back course is scenic and FLAT!  There will be aid stations at miles 3, 7, and 11.  The race is limited to 750 participants.

If you have read anything here before you might know that I haven't always been a "runner".  I used to laugh when people asked if I ran... and say "Me?  No Way!  The only place I run is to the shower when I am late!"  But in spite of that... one day in 2012 I just said... I want to do this!  I had seen a picture in a magazine ad for a Half Marathon at Disneyland.  I sat looking at the picture... thinking... "I want to do that!" but not knowing if I ever could or how I would ever get there.  The answer to... "How do you do that?"   It is making one big decision and then thousands of little decisions everyday after that.  You just keep making the decision to do it and then it happens.  I found some great advice and training tips through Jeff Galloway and set off on my training.  Then... Half Marathon #1 happened... in January of 2013 at DISNEYLAND... it was epic.  I never thought I would get there but I did!  Slowly... my mindset was changing!  It is possible and I can! 

Then I came home from that trip and I wondered... should I try again?  Maybe the miles at Disneyland weren't really real miles?  My husband encouraged me to sign up for another Half Marathon... one closer to home.  So I did.  I did that one...  I was so nervous at the start wondering If I could finish.  I did it and I didn't die. 

So I signed up for another one...

I finished that one too... and so on and so on... 

I have been back to Disneyland two more times to run the Tinker Bell Half Marathon and am going back for my 4th time this coming May!

This last picture is me at the finish of The Rain Run Half Marathon in January of 2015.  I try and think of actual races as a victory lap of all of the hard training I put in.  My victory lap!  I will toe the line at The Rain Run Half Marathon next Saturday the 23rd of January... wish me luck on my 20th Half Marathon!   I am sure I won't die but I might get a little wet... but have a lot of fun doing it!  I never thought this would be me... but it is!  


How many races have you participated in?

What is a challenge you never thought you could do but then surprised yourself and did it?

National Running Day! June 3rd! #GorunitJune3 with Asics!

June 3rd is National Running Day!

Did you know that?  To learn more about National Running Day click HERE! Asics America is sponsoring a fun promotion that is encouraging people to get out there (or on a treadmill) and participate!  (You can even win prizes!)

  

You can participate and be part of it all!  No matter what distance you choose! 

Be part of the movement:

Go Run It means something different for every runner. ASICS wants to know what it means to YOU! Here’s how to share it:

- Show ASICS how you will Go Run It on June 3 by snapping a picture of your favorite running trail, your winning race outfit, your post-run fuel-up stop, or best ‘shoefie’ using the hashtag #GoRunItJune3

- Post this on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook and tell us more about it in the caption

- By doing so, you will be joining thousands of runners across the country, who have committed to Go Run It on National Running Day to celebrate the joy of running!

- You also might see yourself featured on ASICS Facebook Page, Twitter or Instagram page on June 3!

National Running Day Shoe Giveaway Sweepstakes:
Runners share many things in common; one of them is a love for great shoes! On June 3^rd:

·   ASICS America will be giving away a free pair for shoes to a random winner* for every 100 tweets that use the #GoRunItJune3 hashtag on Twitter.

·   Strap on your favorite pair of shoes, get out your mobile phone, join in the #GoRunItJune3 conversation, and GO RUN IT!

I RAN IT June 3!
Once you run on June 3^rd, head back HERE and share on social media that you ran it with the world with one of the ASICS badges on National Running Day!

Looking forward to seeing photos from EVERYWHERE!!!

Look HERE for full contest rules and regulations from ASICS.




Will you be running on June 3rd???

Be creative and have fun!