It’s snowing in Chicago today, but I’m not giving up on summer yet.  It’s coming and I can’t wait!

What comes out for summer? Running shoes!  Are you taking your runs outdoors yet?  Here are three tips for taking care of your feet on those summer runs.

Summer Running Tip #1

Wear the right shoes.  If you injure your feet, you’ll be sidelined for who-knows-how-long.  Every week without a run puts you further and further behind in your training.  The proper shoes make all the difference.  According to Runner’s World, you should replace running shoes every 300-500 miles.  Do you keep a log?  If not, you might be surprised how fast those miles add up.

Summer Running Tip #2

Dress for 10-20 degrees warmer than the actual temperature.  It’s time to retire those long sleeve shirts and jackets.  Warmer temperatures make it even more important to have the right running apparel.  Technical, performance wear is best any time of year but especially in the summer.  Remember, no cotton!  Don’t forget your socks – socks designed for running will make a big difference.

Summer Running Tip #3

Stay hydrated.   According to Competitor.com, “By drinking throughout each training session you will keep your blood volume close to normal levels, which in turn keeps your sweat rate high. And since oxygen is delivered to the muscles through the blood, maintaining your blood volume through drinking also enables your heart to deliver more oxygen per contraction, so you perform better than you can if you allow your body to become too dehydrated.”  Your feet may swell or contract when you run in hot weather, it’s time to take another look at how you lace your shoes for a comfortable fit.

Oh, sweet summertime! I’m teaming up with The Invention Brothers to give you a chance to win a fabulous new beauty exfoliator called The SKOOTHER® Skin Smoother, as well as an iPad Mini! Have you heard of the SKOOTHER? It’s the most effective way to quickly and easily smooth rough skin and calluses on your feet, heels, elbows and hands, and it’s unique design makes it much more effective than pumice stones, emery pads, metal graters (ouch!), motorized sanders, and other skin-smoothing gimmicks.

• – It’s easy to hold

• – It conforms to your body, making it quick and easy to use

• – It doesn’t require batteries

• – The Micro-Abrasive Screen is rough enough to remove stubborn calluses on your heels, but gentle enough also lightly smooth the skin on more delicate areas like your hands and knees

• – It has been medically-tested by a team of doctors at the University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor

• – It’s easy to clean

By entering the Rafflecopter form below, you will have a chance to win one (1) of 20 SKOOTHERS to get your skin ready for summer! But wait – There’s More… We’re also giving away 4 Margarators® (1 Gallon Party Blender) and one (1) grand prize of an iPad Mini! What a great way to kick off the warm weather!

And if you don’t win but would still like to be one of the first to experience the SKOOTHER, simply sign up using THIS FORM between May 1, 2015 and June 14, 2015. The Invention Brothers are launching their SKOOTHER Kickstarter Campaign the first week of May. Kickstarter is a crowdfunding site that helps new entrepreneurs get new businesses started by attracting influential trendsetters like you. The Launch Day Special for a SKOOTHER is only $12 + Free Shipping. We will contact you through your email sign-up to give you more details!

SUMMER GIVEAWAY

25 Winners! Enter for your chance to win the grand prize of an iPad Mini (1 winner) RV $250, 4 Margarators (1 Gallon Party Blender: 4 winners) RV $100 or one (1) of 20 SKOOTHERS (RV $16). Open to U.S. residents. You must be 18 years old to enter to win. This giveaway ends at 11:59 PM EST on 5.4.15. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of SKOOTHER. Prize delivery is the sole responsibility of The Invention Brothers / Comstock Studios Inc. Twenty-five (25) winners will be drawn randomly and notified by email. The winners will have 48 hours to respond in order to claim their prize. If they do not respond within the 48 hours, they will forfeit the prize and an alternate winner will be chosen. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Void where prohibited by law. One person entering per household please. For full details please visit www.SKOOTHER.com.