so many favorite things

Working from the head down, these are a few of my favorite things...

If you know me at all, you know that other then running (and maybe my children), I love nothing more then a good book. In fact, if I'm not running, there's a good chance I'm reading. Just recently, I read a sci-fi thriller, Sleeping Giants, by Sylvain Neuvel that I finished in one afternoon and when I turned the last page, I looked up and was desperate to tell everyone just how good it was. I'm terrible at reviewing books - I find it difficult to say more then yay or nay. Thankfully, NPR has a great review on their website, which you should read and then head over to Amazon to buy the book. Trust me, it's a good one.

Moving on...

I'm not sure how I found out about puravida bracelets. I think Facebook algorithmed me and decided that I needed a new obsession. Well, they've got my number because I am completely and totally hooked on these bracelets. They lured me in with a Flamingo clutch that I drooled over and passively aggressively posted to my Mother's Facebook wall until she finally said, "what is it with that bag you keep posting about?" She bought it for me for my birthday and I'm in love. Since then, I've bought another clutch, and got three free bracelets. Speaking of their bracelets - they are fabulous. My biggest issue with bracelets is that they never fit right. I have little wrists and can not stand it when a bracelet sits in that space above your wrist bone. These bracelets are easily adjustable so I can find that perfect spot. They have every color imaginable, braided, flat braided, charms, the options seem endless. It's really taking every ounce of self control I have not to buy EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. I'm already planning (scheming) on how I can get myself a membership to their monthly club so I can get new bracelets in the mail and pretend its Christmas twelve times a year. #lifegoals.

picture courtesy of puravida

 Last but not least...

I don't know about you but I'm a big fan of leggings. I like to sit cross legged without my thighs feeling like their going to explode out of my pants. I tend to stick to basic black because most patterned leggings are for juniors and not attractive on my ample bottom half. Then, I discovered LuLaRue. It was purely by accident. Brenda, a high school friend, became a rep and instead of flooding my newsfeed with buy this or buy that, she simply posted pictures of herself wearing the leggings and living life. She looked so cute and so stinking comfortable, I had to be in the loop. I joined her Facebook group, LuLaRue VIP Closet, and was surprised by the number of people in the group. So many women, so many women in love with LuLaRue. It wasn't until I won a pair in a giveaway that I truly understood. These leggings are soooo soft. and soooo comfortable. Mine are a pattern in a soft pink color. I can't wait for the weather in Northern GA to turn cooler so I can wear them out into the world.

If you like to see what all the fuss is about, head over to Brenda's Facebook Group, https://www.facebook.com/groups/LuLaRoeBrendaLavan/?__mref=message_bubble, and check it out. She often offers giveaways and is having a pop up party tomorrow, Wednesday, August 3rd. You can email her, Brendalavan@gmail.com, with any questions. 

how cute are these? photo courtesy of LuLaRue

previous post: Product Review: Nordic Track 1650

Product Review: Nordic Track 1650 Treadmill

So my husband bought me a treadmill.

A Nordic Track 1650c to be exact. 

I never thought I would say this but I'm kinda in love. It's pretty awesome having a machine in your basement that's always there. Just waiting for you to turn it on and pound out some miles. 

I don't have a magic formula to help you pick the best treadmill for you. My husband is a bit of a tech geek and loves to research things so we subscribe to Consumer Reports. I read and re-read their article on treadmills about 10 times before I decided this little gem was for me. 

The machine itself works like a charm. Smooth ride, easily accessible buttons. There is a tablet holder that my 1st generation iPad fits in perfectly. I use a portable speaker because I like everything, except my kids, to be as loud as possible. 

The console is equipped with iFit, which is this interactive, monthly fee thing that supposedly does really cool things. I do not have iFit but I do have Netflix on my iPad which completes my life.

My only complaint would be that I wish there was a cool down option. When you're finished running you can either slow the pace down to walking or just hit stop. You could also start another workout to cool down but that just seems like too much work after a bunch of treadmill miles.  

     

As a Mom of 3, this treadmill was a HUGE help during my 50k training. I was able to run at night when the kids were in bed or in the mid-morning when the babies were napping. There was no stress about getting my miles in while my husband was traveling. This particular treadmill suits my needs perfectly and I would highly recommend it.  

Product Review: Flip Belt

 I didn't know I needed this until I got one. 

photo courtesy of Flip Belt 

Say hello to your new best friend: the Flip Belt.

Seriously, if you run with stuff, you need this belt.

It holds giant smart phones, keys, money - anything you might need to take with you while on a run.

And in comes in so many colors! So many pretty colors. 

So, not only is it pretty but it's practical. 

Per their website: 

How is FlipBelt Different?

WEAR IT HOW YOU WANT IT.

You can turn it so that the pockets are facing outwards for easy access or turn it inwards to safeguard your items. There’s no right or wrong way to wear a FlipBelt (well, we wouldn’t recommend it for headgear), so you can customize it to your liking.

IT WON'T BUDGE.

Many of our customers have agreed with us when we say that the FlipBelt stays where you want it. That’s important when you’re moving fast. So go ahead—do some jumping jacks. Climb a mountain. Bike down a mountain trail. Your stuff will stay put no matter what you’re doing with a FlipBelt.

BE LIGHT ON YOUR FEET.

Other belts and pouches have their own heft. Some people complain that armbands, which are fairly heavy, makes activities a little bit lopsided. The FlipBelt, made of micro-poly and lycra, is a featherweight in comparison.

STRETCH IT TO FIT.

The material used for our belt is super stretchy, so you can comfortably fit a gigantic iPhone 6+ inside, along with all your other necessities!

All of it is true. every. single. word.

I have used it twice so far and am quite satisfied with this nifty little thing. The first time I used it, I had to adjust it a few times to find a comfortable spot but once I did - it was golden. Being able to run with my phone, something I never do, made me feel safer while running on a somewhat secluded trail. Being able to carry money with me to make a pit stop at the supermarket while out on a run was great. I love knowing that my car key was safe and sound and not at the mercy of a flimsy pocket.  

It's not just for running. It would be perfect for the gym or for running errands. 

It really is kind of perfect.

So, what are you waiting for? Go get one! 

You won't regret it.

previous post: 50k training: weeks 2 & 3

Product Review: JWalking Designs Running Skirts

When I first started running, I was baffled by running skirts.

Why would you want to run in a skirt?

It took me an embarrassingly long time to realize that there are shorts under those skirts.

Now, that that dilemma was solved, I had another pressing concern...

how long are those shorts?

One year, while on vacation, I forgot my running shorts. I tried to run in a pair of cotton shorts that I used to walk to and from the beach.

BIG mistake.

The thigh chafing was epic.

Ever since then, when I see a pair of shorts shorter then 5", I cringe. literally. I literally cringe from the memory of that awful experience.

Most running skirts don't have shorts that are longer then 3". In fact, most don't even tell you the length of the short which isn't helpful for a girl suffering from PTTCS (post traumatic thigh chafing disorder).

Last week, during #runchat on Twitter, Alison from JWalking Designs reached out to me to let me know about her fabulous running skirts with a 5" short!

photo courtesy of JWalking Designs

These fabulous little skirts are made in the USA and constructed from eco-friendly recycled material. They are lightweight, breathable, and comfortable to wear in both hot and cold temperatures. 

Alison kindly agreed to give me a discount on a skirt and although I am completely in LOVE with the plaid skirts, I chickened out and ordered the little black active skirt. I wasn't wholly convinced I would wear the plaid skirt unless I had a perfectly matching shirt. It's an issue I've had since childhood. 

Within a few days of ordering, I had my skirt and took it for a 3 mile run on a nature trail near my in-law's house.

I ordered a medium and it fits like a dream. The wide waistband holds in the smush left over from my babies. There are 3 pockets, one on the back and one on each side. The longer length of the skirt keeps me covered but still feels flattering.

While running, I noticed that the shorts do tend to ride up. Now, given my thigh chafing history, I may be overly aware of such things. Honestly, I think adding a strip of elastic to the bottom of the short to help keep it in place would cement this skirt's place as the greatest running skirt EVER. 

It really is a fabulous little skirt that you can wear ANYWHERE to do ANYTHING. The gym. The playground with the kids. The supermarket. The school drop off line. The options are pretty much limitless and if that wasn't enough....

I HAVE A DISCOUNT CODE!!! (is there anything better then finding something awesome and being able to save a little money at the same time? I think not.)

Take your little fingers, head over to jwalkingdesigns.com, and use the code RUNNINGMOMS to receive a 10% discount! 

A BIG thank you to Alison for sharing her great product with the RSWK family!

If you purchase a skirt, please reach out to Alison via Twitter @JWalkingDesigns and let her know what you think!

*Disclaimer: while I received a discount towards the purchase of a skirt, all opinions & views expressed are my own.*

previous post: the life of a mother runner

Product Review: Jawbone UP MOVE

There's been a little drama. Strictly, a #firstworldproblem but aggravating nonetheless.

My Jawbone UP 24 is dead.

That's the second one in less then a year. 

This time, instead of waiting 6-8 weeks for a 24 that would probably die within a few months, I opted for the Jawbone UP MOVE.

Initially, I was skeptical about the clip but I have found that it stays put and is very convenient to wear during a run. I wear a GPS watch while running, so I had to put my bracelet in a pocket and I was always worried that I was going to lose it.

The MOVE has a few less features then the 24. There's no idle alert, smart alarm, or power nap feature. It does, however, have an LED display that lets you know how close you are to your step goal as well as the time of day. The battery life is reported to be about 6 months and then you replace it with a new battery purchased at any big box store.  

You can also wear the MOVE as a bracelet, which is cool unless you have one hand like I do, which then makes the bracelet pretty useless. I almost started crying to the poor Jawbone customer service lady (it had been a long day) who handled it very gracefully. Thankfully, I have a wonderful husband who puts it on for me when I ask.    

Overall, I'm pretty satisfied with the MOVE. It does everything that I need it do and I am still enamored with the Jawbone App. Though, I will admit that I miss the power nap feature and had actually initiated the idle alert the day the bracelet died, so that's a bummer.

I was debating whether or not to upgrade to the UP2 or UP3 but will probably just stick to the MOVE until it meets its demise. 

previous post: Product Review: Injinji toesocks

Product Review: Injinji Toesocks

Happy National Running Day!

I hope you take the time today to get out there and enjoy a run. Ditch the watch, forgo the music, and just enjoy the sound of your feet hitting the pavement or trail. You won't regret it!

On this day celebrating the wonderfulness that is running, I have a product review for you!

Injinji Toesocks!

To be fair, I didn't actually test these out myself. I bought these for my husband as an early Father's Day present because A. he is awesome and B. his feet are funky.

I tried to get him to try these socks out when he first started running but that was before he learned the golden rule of running: COTTON KILLS and was too cheap to invest in quality running accouterments.

Needless to say, when I saw a coupon in my virtual goody bag from the Pittsburgh Marathon, I knew the time had come.

Since I do the laundry around here I know that he's been wearing them, so I asked him to sum up the socks in a few words...

These socks serve well as compression socks: they fit well and snuggly and don’t slip.  So far, they have have done a great job of wicking away moisture.  I haven’t run in the rain with them yet, but they have kept my feet sweat-free in this humid, Georgia summer.

Perhaps the greatest thing about these socks, however, is their blister control. Recently, I have begun to get blisters between several of my toes.  By separating my toes into separate compartments, wicking away moisture, and preventing my toes from rubbing against each other, these socks have eliminated my toe blisters.  I have wore these socks on four runs of 10-miles or more and haven’t had a single blister.

The only negative thing I can say regarding these socks so far is that they do not provide much padding or cushioning. My feet have been sore after each of my runs with these socks.  To be fair, the pair I have are the “lightweight” version – it is entirely possible that other types provide more in this area.  Also, I have begun to use these socks on my longer runs (10+ miles), so it is only natural that my feet would be sore afterwards.

He's so cute.

Personally, I'm all about socks the keep him blister free so I don't have to cringe when he asks me to rub his feet. 

So, not only will these socks make your significant other WANT to rub your feet but because you took the time to read this review you can get them at a discount too!

Visit Injinji's website and use the code : runningslowly15 for 15% off a pair of your very own Injinji toesocks! 

Let me know what you think!

previous post: on Dean Potter and living life

I ran a marathon and then spent a lot of money

Over the years, I have discovered that the days following a marathon can be dangerous. You feel invincible. Triumphant. You look around and try to figure out how to act like a normal human being but you can't because you just ran FREAKING 26.2 miles! 

You do crazy things. Wear your medal to bed. Wear flip flops to your daughter's soccer game because your feet still hurt but you're really just looking for a way to tell someone why your feet hurt in the first place. Sign up for another race before you can even walk down the stairs like a normal person. Or if you already have too many races to run, you go shopping! Smart phones are really wonderful little things. Not only do they keep you connected to the world but they allow you to buy running gear from the comfort of your car during an 11 hour drive home. It would probably be a lot cheaper if I just stopped running.  

In a haze of post marathon madness, I bought this..

    

and these...

and then these...

In my defense, the vest was an early birthday present from my Dad (Thanks Dad!), the socks are an early Father's Day gift for my husband, and the sandals are my Mother's Day gift. I CAN NOT wait for UPS to show its face!

I am ridiculously excited to review these goodies for you! It's going to be a fun couple of weeks around here and then training for Outrageous October* begins! 

*Outrageous October is going to be my attempt at running 2 marathons 2 weeks apart.

previous post: Race Report: Pittsburgh Marathon