week in review: november 10–16

Dopey Challenge Training: Week 20

Monday, November 10: rest day (Universal Studios & Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party)

Tuesday, November 11: rest day

Wednesday, November 12: rest day

Thursday, November 13: rest day

Friday, November 14: travel day 

Saturday, November 15: rest day

Sunday, November 16: Ironman Arizona - spectator/cheer squad

Weekly mileage: 0 running, though I racked up about 50+ miles walking
Total mileage for Dopey Challenge Training: 314.58 miles

At first glance, it appears that I had a lazy week, though it's not the case. I was finishing up vacation in Disney World until Friday, when I flew to Phoenix/Tempe for Ironman Arizona, in which my father-in-law was competing. I didn't get any running in (though I had planned on it), because every single day we were on the go the entire. day. long. We were on our feet walking through the parks and waiting in lines for rides most days, and so I still worked my legs to their extreme for a week. I surpassed my Fitbit step daily goal by a lot everyday except Friday. 

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.

I've always been pretty scared of roller coasters, but I somehow mustered up the courage to hit up all of the 'mountains' while I was in Disney. I know, there are 6 year-olds that ride these things... but again, I'm the nervous sort that doesn't exactly love thrill rides. I'm proud I made it through them all without too much mental scarring (let's say I didn't enjoy my first time on Space Mountain).

We also hit up Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party for the first time – we had a BLAST getting on rides with small rides (we went on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad three times without having to wait in any lines). It was great getting some hot chocolate and some cookies, too. Yum. We decided to skip the lines for character photos and opted to spend our time on rides instead. 

Universal Studios was a ton of fun too. We were able to get on the new Harry Potter ride – Escape from Gringotts. Super fuuuuun! Loved that ride. We went on it twice with pretty little wait. The second time the ride broke down for a minute, which kind of ruined the mojo, but oh well. I really enjoyed how they set up the London area and then Diagon Alley was hidden behind it as if it wasn't even there.

On Ironman race day, we were up at 5am and out walking by 6 until about 11:30 at night. We were able to sit a few times, but for the most part we were running around the course trying to spot our guy. Then we had to be up at 3 for our early flight home. Whoa. Saying I am exhausted is an understatement. My legs are beat, and I feel like I could sleep for days. I need a vacation from my vacation! Though extremely fun, it was not a relaxing week and a half, that's for sure haha. I'm wiped.

Ironman Arizona was an amazing experience – I loved getting to spectate and cheer on all of the inspirational athletes competing. I will do a separate post all about it, but I will say that I am in awe of everyone that was out there. My father-in-law finished and was able to smile when we met up with him at the finish line competitor area—which I found to be a good sign. We couldn't have been more proud of him. What a tough group of men and women. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to witness one in person.

Some of my travel essentials.
I was able to post my Flipbelt review - check it out!

So anyway, since I was on vacation, I wasn't on my phone/computer much to keep up with the blog, and I was pretty quiet on social media. I thought it was important to be in the moment and pay attention to the people I was spending my vacation with. Don't worry too much – I'll be back at it this week trying to catch up. Hope you didn't miss me too much ;) I apologize for my lack of communication and for my blog posts being a bit off as far as their usual scheduling.

How was your week/end? Did training go well? 

P.S. Make sure to review your race(s) on BibRave.com, and join us for #BibChat tonight at 8pm CT.

#bibchat november 11 – questions and answers

On Tuesday night's I participate in #BibChat Hosted by @BibRave. I missed my first one in quite some time this past week, and it made me very sad and anxious... especially when I saw the questions that were asked – a bit controversial for some, but I think they're pretty fun. So, I figured that I would give some answers longer than 140 characters via the blog. You can find the full list of questions here, and can search #bibchat to read more of the conversations.

Q1: Are 13.1, 26.2, or any race distance stickers legit or obnoxious? Why? #BibChat

Totally legit! I actually have a 13.1 magnet on my own car. It's not about bragging about running that distance, but I think it's a fun way to identify other runners. I get excited when I see other cars with distance stickers, or anything that says 'I'm a runner' – like Ragnar or Half Fanatic logos. I'm generally going to be nicer to that car merging than any car that doesn't have one ;) I imagine some people may be annoyed with the distance/runner stickers like others are about the family stick figure stickers, but it's your car, do with it what you will, I say (though I would say magnets are better than stickers, since they come off).

Q2: Running in place when stopped at a stop light. Do you do it? Do you judge others who do? #BibChat

No, I don't do it. I just use that 30 seconds to catch my breath, rest, change playlists, etc. I don't judge others for doing it... everyone has their own way of making things work for them, and if they think running in place at a stop light helps them, then go for it.

Q3: Should headphones be allowed during races? Why or why not? #BibChat
I think headphones are fine for races, especially if you aren't an elite or racing for prizes. I say yes to headphones because I use them... I would hate to have to race without my music! I should add that I think the music should be at a noise level that you can still be aware of your surroundings and any race announcements being made, or of cyclists coming your way.

Q4: Do you stretch before a run? Why or why not? #BibChat
I do some dynamic stretches to get my heart rate up, but nothing static until after I'm done running. I think that doing stretching before the run is more likely to leave you injured. I like to do about 3 minutes of walking before I run to get the blood flowing and start out running slow before I get up to speed.

Q5: “You run SO much, aren’t you worried about your knees?” (We’ve all heard this one) #BibChat
Ugh - so tired of hearing that! No, I'm not worried about my knees. I know I already messed those up from my years of dancing, along with my hips and ankles. I also hate hearing 'running marathons isn't healthy and it's bad for your heart'. I'm pretty sure it's healthier than sitting on my butt eating junk food in front of the tv, am I right? ;)

Q6: Waving at strangers while running - encouraged or creepy? Why? #BibChat

Encouraged! If we are talking about waving at other running strangers, that is. I've found the running community to be so friendly, that a quick wave, nod, or hello is almost always reciprocated. If not, no sweat off my back... I either think the runner is in the zone or didn't see/hear me.

Hope you enjoyed my longer version of #bibchat for this past week ;)

flipbelt review

12.09.14 Update: Flipbelt is sponsoring #BibChat on Tuesday, December 9 at 8pm Central Time. One lucky winner will win a Flipbelt, while everyone else can buy them at a 20% discount - use code BIBCHAT20. Offer only good for the week, so hurry up and purchase. It would make a great gift for a fellow runner :)

You all should know by now that I'm a BibRave Pro (I talk about it ALL the time :) ). With this great ambassadorship comes great (and awesome) responsibilities... like testing out products and reviewing them, for your benefit, of course. BibRave partnered with Flipbelt, who generously gave every BibRave Pro a special code to order a Flipbelt to test out and review. Free of charge. Thanks for being awesome, you guys! Did I mention how much I LOVE being a BibRave Pro?

We each received an individual code to use when purchasing our Flipbelt, which made the Flipbelt free, including shipping (yay!). It was tough deciding on a color – so many options! I was thinking about aqua, neon green, hot pink, and navy blue. I'm someone that prefers bright, so narrowed it down a bit, and then decided on Aqua. 

Color options.

I immediately received a purchase confirmation email (October 21). About 30 minutes after making my 'purchase', I received an email confirming shipment! Whoa - that was fast. The Flipbelt was then scheduled for delivery on the 25th. Low and behold, I received it a day early, on the 24th! What service. 

I loved the color when I opened it, and was happy with my choice. I was a little worried about what size to order, but ended up going with a size that worked perfectly. 

I tested the Flipbelt out first at the gym on the treadmill. I put my inhaler, Kleenex, and phone in there. I used my Jabra Sport Wireless+ earphones for music. The verdict for its first trial? Worked great! Since I knew I'd be going in to use Kleenex and possibly grab my phone for whatever reason, I just left the Flipbelt with the openings on the outside to easily access my items, rather than flip it. I noticed my inhaler had moved to an opening, but it didn't fall out at all. Another bonus was that it never bounced and I barely even noticed that it was on. It stayed in place, which is always a concern with running belts.

Gym essentials.

I tried it a few times on the treadmill and it was the same verdict - no bounce or movement. Awesome. Next it needed a try on the trails. I wore it on my 20 mile run (longest run to date), and again - no problems! I added some Clif Shot Bloks into the belt for the longer run, and they were easy to access and nothing ever fell out, even though I left the openings on the outside again. 

After my 20 mile training run - Flipbelt stayed in place!

One downside I noticed is that my phone often came out a little wet. I am a sweaty gal when I run, so I think the sweat was just getting through my pants and Flipbelt to get at my phone. Wah wah. They do have waterproof plastic bags for sale on their site, so if you're like me (a sweaty beast), I would suggest buying those or using a ziplock bag. 

Other than that, I loved the Flipbelt. It even came with me to Florida for Wine and Dine weekend. I wore it for the Jingle Jungle 5k. The half marathon was scheduled to be rained on (saying it rained the entire race is an understatement), so I used my Fitletic belt, which is a little more water resistant and would protect my phone and keep things drier a little longer (which ended up being not long at all... Haha). 

Mickey's Jingle Jungle 5k outfit ready to go.

Something else great about this belt is the clip inside to hold your keys. I didn't need to use it at all yet, but I think it'll come in handy in the spring time. 

For wear, you just step into the belt and pull it up around your waist. Easy peasy. It's all one piece, so no clipping around like most belts. The cost for each belt is $28.99, which I think is very reasonable. 

Some more information from their website:

Gone are the days of baggy sweat pants with bulky pockets. Active wear is sleeker and more stylish than ever before. The only problem is there’s nowhere to hold your phone, music and keys. That’s where FlipBelt comes in. Who would have thought a singular tubular waistband could solve one of the biggest nuisances that athletes face—where to tuck must-have items while exercising.

Every bit as flattering and contoured as the rest of today’s athletic wear, FlipBelt is designed to carry your on-the-go essentials without tying up your hands. Made of a moisture-wicking, spandex-lycra blend, FlipBelt slides right on and sits snug on your hip. No bulk. No bounce. FlipBelt is also machine washable and machine dryable.

To keep items secure, all you have to do is flip the belt inward. Now, everything you need while exercising fits right around your waist. Have a great workout!

Connect with Flipbelt: Website • Twitter • Instagram • Facebook

Read what the other Pros have to say:

Amy 
Angie

Jenn

Sarah

friday five: cold weather safety

Happy Friday, my friends! It's been a whirlwind of a week, and I'll get to it all on Monday in my Week in Review post. Sorry I've been a bit quiet this week on the blog and on Twitter/Instagram (if you've even noticed haha), but it'll be explained :)

Today I am linking up with the lovely ladies of DC: Courtney at Eat Pray Run DC, Cynthia at You Signed up for What?, and Mar at Mar on the Run, as I do every Friday. This week's theme is "Cold Weather Running Safety", which is another great topic. They've got some great ones for the month of November (as always, but they were nice enough to get together and plan out the whole month at once, for our benefit – thanks ladies!). 

1. Wear bright/reflective clothing and bring some lights with you if it's dark. I'm sure you've heard this a million times, but I can't emphasize it enough. I've seen way too many runners out there in the dawn/sundown/night wearing all black – what are they thinking? It can be so hard to see runners/walkers/cyclists at any time of day, but I think in the grey of winter it can be even more difficult. I'm always aware of them because I am one, but I've seen way too many near incidents because drivers can't see the runners. I also love to use Road ID flashing lights as well as Knuckle Lights for when it's hard to see the sidewalk at night.

2. Be aware of your surroundings. Again, a tip for all year round, but it's a good one. Be in the mindset that cars don't see you (most don't!). Watch out for ice patches. Keep your headphones low so you can still hear outside noises.

3. Wear a gaiter. It can be hard to breath the cold air in. Wear a gaiter to help make it more bearable. I got one last winter and it really made a world of difference.

4. Use shoes with good traction. Perhaps you have trail shoes that would work well in the snow and ice. I've heard others use something that clips onto the bottom of your shoes to help with the tractor. We want to make sure that we stay on our feet while we're out there ;)

5. Wear a Road ID. Safety should be a top priority, which is why I always wear my Road ID when I'm out running. It gives me piece of mind knowing that if I can't speak for myself, my Road ID gives the information needed for the medics to get to work and so they can call my family. I also like that you can buy different color bands, so if you like to color coordinate, or just like to mix it up once in a while, it's easy to do. Click here if you need to purchase one. They could also make a great Christmas gift!

Do you have any winter safety tips?

Thanks to Courtney, Cynthia, and Mar for hosting! Make sure to check out their "Friday Five" posts (direct links above in first paragraph) and link up if you are joining in on the fun. Don't forget to read/comment on some of the other link ups :) 

week in review: november 3–9

Dopey Challenge Training: Week 19

Monday, November 3: rest day

Tuesday, November 4: rest day

Wednesday, November 5: rest day

Thursday, November 6: travel day

Friday, November 7: rest day (lots of walking!)

Saturday, November 8: Mickey's Jingle Jungle 5k and Wine and Dine Half Marathon

Sunday, November 9: rest day (lots of walking)

Weekly mileage:  16.2
Total mileage for Dopey Challenge Training: 314.58 miles

I did a lot of rest days this week. After my 8.5 and 20 miles on Saturday/Sunday of the last weekend, my shins and feet were pretty sore. Since I knew travel to Florida was in my near future, along with packing, getting myself ready, plus a race on Saturday morning AND night, I decided to give myself a bit of a 'break' during the week. 

Traveling always wipes me out, plus I didn't know how running in the AM with a very early wake up call and then again at night, which would lead to a very late bed time, would affect me. I know that if my body feels too tired and worn down, I'm going to get sick, so I'd rather rest it up a little extra when needed, so I can keep up the long miles when the training plan requires it.

The weekend was fantastic, and I loved getting to meet so many new people, as well as those I've interacted with on blogs/twitter/instagram. I'll talk more about all of it in a Wine and Dine weekend recap (which will be sooner than some of my extremely late race recaps... ugh! I can't seem to catch up). It was a wonderful experience overall (minus the pouring rain for pretty much the ENTIRE race...).

How was your week/end? Did training go well? 

P.S. Make sure to review your race(s) on BibRave.com, and join us for #BibChat tomorrow night at 8pm CT.

friday five: staying on track during the holidays

Happy Friday, my friends! I've got an exciting few weeks (heck, the next two months are filled!) coming up, and look forward to sharing all the fun with you! Today I am linking up with the lovely ladies of DC: Courtney at Eat Pray Run DC, Cynthia at You Signed up for What?, and Mar at Mar on the Run, as I do every Friday. This week's theme is "Staying on Track During the Holidays", a very worthy and timely topic, as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years is just around the corner (Can you believe it? Me either!). Without further ado, my tips for you:

1. Track your food. I know this sounds boring and tedious, but if you aren't already tracking your foods with a journal or an app like My Fitness Pal, this could be key to helping you stay on track during these next few months. It will help you to stay accountable with what you're eating, and can help you pull in the reins when you start getting out of control eating cookies at that family party. Tracking helps you be mindful of what you're eating. You might be less likely to grab a second helping if you know it'll put your over your calories for the day.

2. Bring a healthy alternative. The holidays usually means a lot of get togethers and parties. Bring a veggie or fruit tray to the party (or something more creative, if you're the type haha), so there is a healthier option to choose from/fill up on, rather than that chili cheese dip.

3. Try some new recipes. If you're like me, you enjoy baking cookies during the winter holidays! Maybe instead of the fattening ones, we can try some new recipes that are healthier. Healthy doesn't have to mean yucky - there's a lot of low calorie options out there that taste great. Experiment a little and try something new.

4. Portion control. Making sure your portions are under control will be a big factor in keeping the pants buttoned, rather than popping off. Try using a smaller plate, or just be aware of how big the portion you're putting on your plate really is. Generally, I find most people to think their portion is less than it really is (thinking something is just a 1/2 cup when it's really 1 cup). 

5. Go ahead and have a cookie (or whatever your choice is). Don't deny yourself a special treat now and again, just make sure to be conscious of how much you are eating. Try and limit yourself to one cookie rather than three, and use moderation. It's not always a great idea to deny our cravings, as it can lead to a binge later on. So go ahead – enjoy it!

And a little bonus for ya: if you happen to slip up during the holidays, don't be too hard on yourself. Everyone has their off days, just remember tomorrow is a new day. It's a time of family, friends, and happy times — make sure to enjoy it and not fret too much. Also, try not to think 'well, I did horrible at lunch today, the rest of the day is shot'. Not true – you can still make good decisions for dinner! Keep your chin up :)

What are your tips for staying on track during the holidays? Any favorite healthy recipes you like during this time of year?

Thanks to Courtney, Cynthia, and Mar for hosting! Make sure to check out their "Friday Five" posts (direct links above in first paragraph) and link up if you are joining in on the fun. Don't forget to read/comment on some of the other link ups :) 

Also, in case you missed it, here are my posts from the week:

Week in Review

Weekly Chase #31
Nuun Review

Have a great weekend, everyone!

nuun review

I received 4 tubes/flavors to try - thanks Nuun and BibRave!

If you follow me on twitter, or have been reading this blog at all, you know how much I LOVE Nuun. I heard the Mother Runners Sarah and Dimity talk about it at the Tinker Bell Half Marathon Expo, and it peaked my interest, since I have trouble staying hydrated. I bought my first tubes back in March and haven't looked back. I was ok drinking Gatorade during races, but I always found it to be too sweet, so I have to cut it with water. After runs, I would use G2 powder.

My gym essentials.

Nowadays for training runs, I always bring Nuun with me. After already being a lover of the product, I was blessed enough to be sent four tubes from Nuun thanks to being a part of the BibRave Pro program*. The flavors I received were: Lemon-Lime Energy, Grapefruit Orange All Day, Strawberry Lemonade Active, and Tri-Berry Active. 

Nuun keeps me company on my 17 miler.

I love the little bit of fizz and the light flavor of it. It's not harsh, and it doesn't leave a weird taste in my mouth. None of that super sugary taste because there's no sugar! There's also no carbs and is packed with electrolytes. It's easy to tote around, too. I tend to keep a tube in my purse for when I'm out and about, and there's always some in my work drawer. It keeps me hydrated not just when out running, but all the time. I really notice a difference in my hydration after running longer distances when I'm hydrating with Nuun during my run (and the days before). Hydration wins when Nuun is on the docket. I don't get the headaches I used to get when running with Gatorade, and don't feel a crash in energy. You can reuse the tubes when they're empty – I've used mine for keeping loose change in one place.

Nuun is always with me on my runs.

I have to admit I'm not a huge fan of the All Day. There's something just a bit off in the flavor department... I can't quite put my finger on it. I know they're good to drink, since they have some vitamins in there, but I just don't love it like I love the Active and Energy tabs (really enjoy the extra caffeine in the Energy tabs for those days that I'm dragging). I've tried most of the All Day flavors, and though I will drink what I have on hand, I don't think I'll buy any more. I have trouble drinking enough water, and was hoping the All Day would help me with that by adding some delightful flavor and vitamins to regular water, but it just doesn't do it for me. Instead, I just drink the regular stuff. I've also tried the U Natural Hydration, and again, not a big fan. I drink it if it's around, but if I have the Active around, I'd rather drink that. I know most people I've talked to have really liked it, so it's just me and my picky ways, I think.

Drinking Nuun Watermelon with my breakfast.

I take it with me to bars! Gotta stay hydrated while enjoying some brews.

But hey, just because I don't love it doesn't mean you shouldn't give it a try. I do my best to try everything at least a few times to give it a fair chance. And it's ok, because I drink plenty of the Active and Energy to make up for not enjoying the All Day or U Natural Hydration.

Nuun Active flavors

Nuun Energy flavors

Nuun All Day and U Natural flavors

Want some more information? Here's some helpful tidbits from their website:

WHICH NUUN PRODUCT IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

• NUUN ACTIVE HYDRATION is formulated specifically for higher intensity activities and/or higher electrolyte replenishment needs. 

• U NATURAL HYDRATION is all-natural and contains a lower electrolyte profile to Nuun. 

• NUUN ALL DAY HYDRATION helps you drink more water every day with crisp and refreshing flavors and is enhanced with an all-natural blend of vitamins and minerals making it perfect for your daily routine.

You Sweat - Nuun Active Hydration Replenishes

ELECTROLYTE ENHANCED DRINK TABS DESIGNED TO KEEP YOU OPTIMALLY HYDRATED WHEREVER YOUR ACTIVE LIFESTYLE TAKES YOU.

Packed with electrolytes, light flavor, no sugars or carbs, and portable, Nuun Active Hydration is the perfect sports drink.

The electrolytes found in Nuun will help alleviate cramps, help muscles function, communicate and burn energy efficiently.

NUUN ACTIVE HYDRATION comes in 12 flavors: Orange, Lemon Lime, Strawberry Lemonade, Fruit Punch, Kona Cola, Lemon Tea, Tri-Berry, Grape, Tropical, Citrus Fruit, Watermelon, and Lemonade.

Side note - I've had the Lemon Lime, Strawberry Lemonade, Fruit Punch, Kola Cola, Tri-Berry, Grape, Tropical, Watermelon, Lemon Tea, and Lemonade. The only one I wasn't a big fan of was Lemonade, but my husband really liked it. So yeah... big fan over here of Nuun in general.

Nutritional info for Nuun Active.

Stay Balanced & Refreshed With U Natural Hydration

ELECTROLYTE & VITAMIN-ENHANCED DRINK TABS WITH HALF THE SODIUM AS NUUN. BECAUSE YOU CAN’T SWEAT YOUR TAIL OFF ALL THE TIME.

U Natural Hydration makes it easier for people to stay optimally hydrated during less intense activities.

U is all natural, sweetened with stevia, and is only 7 calories per tab.

U NATURAL HYDRATION comes in 4 flavors: Cucumber Mint, Goji Berry Green Tea, Tangerine Ginger, and Lemon Chai.

Nutritional info for Nuun U Natural Hydration.

Add More Water to Your Daily Routine with Nuun All Day

RETHINK YOUR DRINK WITH NUUN ALL DAY, YOUR FAMILY’S PERFECT SUBSTITUTE FOR SODA, JUICE AND CAFFEINE BEVERAGES.

Hydration plays an elemental role in staying healthy, energized and focused. Did you know dehydration is the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue?

Sugary and caffeinated drinks take you on a roller coaster ride during the day, but with zero sugar, under 8 calories per tab, and an all-natural blend of 17 vitamins and minerals, Nuun All Day keeps you going.

NUUN ALL DAY comes in 4 flavors: Grapefruit Orange, Tangerine Lime, Blueberry Pomegranate, and Grape Raspberry.

Nutritional info for Nuun All Day

I've even got my husband on the Nuun love train. I talked about it all the time and how much I love it, and he gave it a try a few months back. Suddenly, my tubes were coming up empty faster than normal. The culprit? My husband had started drinking it daily as well. Now we just order more each month so we both can enjoy it. It's saying something that he really likes it – he can be picky when it comes to the flavor, taste, texture, and calories of this kind of stuff. He likes that it isn't chalky and that it doesn't leave any weird tastes or feelings in the mouth afterwards. 

A favorite day time snack - Nuun and Picky Bars.

I've also taken to preparing a bottle prior to heading out on my shorter runs so that it's ready to go when I get back... I'm too impatient to wait those 2 minutes for it to finish dissolving. It is so refreshing to drink when I'm done and I hate having to wait for it to dissolve haha. It's a great companion for my longer runs, too.

So, in closing, I drink Nuun ALL THE TIME! I love it. I get so bored with plain water, and getting to lightly flavor it up while also getting electrolytes is fantastic. I have trouble drinking enough water, and adding Nuun to my day helps me reach my goals. I drink it at work, on the treadmill, at the trails, while pounding pavement (it never bothers my stomach or leaves me with that sloshy water feeling, even if I drink a lot of it), at breweries... and the list can go on and on. 

The free trucker hat I received with my first order
in March - I wear it all the time, including
at Lollapalooza :)

Connect with Nuun:

Nuun Website

Shop Nuun

Nuun on Facebook

Nuun on Instagram

Nuun on Twitter

*Disclaimer: I was sent Nuun to test out as part of the BibRave Pro program. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated in any other form. I was a big fan of Nuun prior to receiving the free tubes as a BibRave Pro, as you can probably tell ;)

Here's what the other BibRave Pros have to say about it:

Angie Runs

Confessions of an Amateur Athlete

The Cupcake Runner

Marathon Mom

No Bitching Out

Oh, She Runs

Run Ginger Run

Run the Jungle