Andrea Heser

13 Trail Run Necessities

Disclaimer: I received a Gear Vest Pro by Orange Mud to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

I was so flippin’ excited about my trail race last Saturday that I made an annotated infographic on my favorite necessities to take on a trail run 🙌. I explain all 13 items just a bit lower in this post.

Last year, I signed up for the Cactus Flower Trail Series with Race Timers that consists of 6 trail races: 3 in the Spring and 3 in the Fall. Last Saturday, April 20th, was the 1st one of the season, called the Saguaro 7k in the beautiful White Tank Mountains. It’s been a little over 2 years since I raced — or even ran — in the White Tanks park. It’s was a beautiful day and I got to meet up with @sarahfaith327!! As promised, here are my trail running necessities and why:

7️⃣ @balega_international socks because they are the only socks that don’t give me blisters. Even on my 50k with @aravaiparunning, I did not get one blister while wearing these socks.

8️⃣ @altrarunning Olympus 3 are my new trail shoes. They are super supportive and the wide toe box give my toes lots of wiggle room. The color is modern and pretty too.

9️⃣ Sunblock always and I even carry it with me. I sweat a ton while I run and I need to reapply often. Getting sunburned while running isn’t good because the body will take blood from your muscles and send to the skin to help the healing process. I need my blood to stay in my leg muscles so I could run faster!

1️⃣0️⃣ @guenergylabs is easy for me to take on runs and the toasted marshmallow flavor is my favorite! I’ll eat this 15 minutes before I race.

1️⃣1️⃣ @aftershokz Trekz Air will be on my head during the race. Wearing headphones is a controversial subject while on a trail. I get it. You need to hear your surroundings. The cool thing is, #aftershokz lets you hear your surroundings because they apply bone conduction technology. The ear canal is never compromised, no speaker goes in there. I won’t have the volume all the way up as I listen to my running playlist just to be on the extra safe side.

1️⃣2️⃣ @buff_usa is something I keep tucked in my front pocket in case I get sweat in my eyes.

1️⃣3️⃣ A long sleeve! Yeah, I’ll wear a white long sleeve tech shirt today. It helps protect my skin from the sun. Light colors are best to deflect the sun rays too.

1️⃣ @athleta Racer Run 2 in 1 Shorts are great for me because they have extra coverage, yet fantastic ventilation. Also, the Black Olive color seems perfect for a desert surrounding.

2️⃣ @Garmin feñix 5s is the watch I bought over 2 years ago as a birthday/anniversary/Christmas gift LOL. It’s my everyday watch. Pretty enough for work and smart enough for workouts. It will keep my check by monitoring my HR so I don’t overdo it while on the trail.

3️⃣ @Orangemud Gear Vest Pro is a new product I’m testing with @BibRave. I opted in for the Coyote Brown color because it just fits in well with the desert and because it’s subtle and modern color. I love the mesh back to help keep me cool, the built-in whistle on the top chest strap and the abundance of pockets. The Gear Vest Pro makes it easy for me to carry all of my goodies. Also, the 35oz bladder is perfect for shorter distance trail runs. I’ll have enough water and won’t be weighed down by it. BibRave is offering a 15% off all Orange Mud gear with code BIBRAVEGVPRO. Apply it at checkout.

4️⃣ A cell phone is something I always carry with me while I run. Safety first.

5️⃣ @knockaround Fast Lane sunglasses are large enough to completely block the sun from my eyes and in my peripheral vision. I wear regular glasses and what I hate most about glasses is that I can see the frames in my peripherals. There isn’t that problem with the Fast Lanes because they are bigger all around.

6️⃣ Trucker hat because isn’t that what all the trail runner kids wear? Seriously though, I need the mesh back to keep me cool and the hat bill to keep the sun off of my forehead and face.

Who’s A Trail Racer?

What types of gear to you wear on trail? Are you trail racing this spring and summer? Tell me more! My next race is the Desert Marigold 6k on Saturday, May 11th in the Estrella mountains. I’ll be wearing the gear I have featured above and also thinking about testing out some trail shoe gaiters.

Which Knockarounds Work Best For You? Fast Lanes vs. Premiums

Disclaimer: I received a pairs of Knockarounds Fast Lane Sunglasses to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

Slate Tortoise Shell with Sky Blue lenses Fast Lane by Knockaround kinda day.

We are all a snob at something (particular running gear, the car we drive, brand of phone we have) but one thing is for sure, I am NOT a sunglasses snob! I can’t afford to be. It’s because I need my sunglasses for work, play, commute time and I’m short on cash (aka – tight budget!) There’s no time for me to baby a $300+ pair of sunnies!

So let me introduce you again to the Knockaround brand of sunglasses. I reviewed their Premium line about a year ago in a September 2018 blog post. The idea behind them is as simple as saying their name out loud: knock around. Sunglasses that you can literally knock around and they will still last. The original two pairs of from their Premium line are still with me with no scratches and holding up like a champ. Believe me, they get knocked around my duffle bag, dash of my car and side pocket of my purse daily. But, get this, they are reasonable. Their prices range from $15-$30 a pair and they even have $5 sales!

When the opportunity came along from BibRave to test out their Fast Lane line of sunglasses, I hopped on it faster than the Easter bunny. The Fast Lanes kinda look like the Premiums, just slightly different. I’m going to compare them to each other so you can see if the Fast Lanes are the Knockarounds for you.

Fast Lane vs. Premium

They kinda look alike, they kinda don’t. I don’t know which frames to choose! I’ll break down the differences and similarities of both so you could decide which pair of sunglasses pair better with your face.

Fast Lane

Rectangular Lenses
Made for Medium Face Shapes
Thinner Arms
Keyhole Frames
Lens Width: 53 mm
Lens Height: 44 mm
Nose Bridge: 17 mm
Arm Length: 142 mm
Unisex
FDA-approved,
Impact Resistant Lenses
UV400 Protection
Not as many color combos
$20-25

Premium

Rounder Lenses
Made for Small Face Shapes
Thicker Arms
Keyhole Frames
Lens Width: 51 mm
Lens Height: 44 mm
Nose Bridge: 18 mm
Arm Length: 143 mm
Unisex
FDA-approved,
Impact Resistant Lenses
UV400 Protection
More color combos
$15-20

Get ‘em Both

If you are still undecided, then get them both! Both styles of sunglasses offer no bounce while running. Each style I tested were polarized, so I didn’t experience any glare from the sun or shiny objects. Both are crazy affordable. I’m on a tight budget and can’t afford to deal with triple digit sunglasses so the Knockaround brand is meant for people like me. Here is a discount code to get you started: Apply code BIBRAVEKNOCKS1 for 20% your entire order. Good till 4/18 and one code per person. https://knockaround.com/ Happy Shopping!

Different POV?

Read what other BibRave Pro’s have to say about the Fast Lane by Knockaround:
https://funsizeathlete.com/2019/04/09/bibrave-product-review-knockaround-fast-lanes/
http://www.runandsmile.com/review/knockaround-sunglasses/
http://www.sherunsbyfaith.com/2019/04/knockaround-fastlanes.html
http://fitnewtonblog.com/review-knockaround-fast-lanes-sunglasses/
https://runbigfootrun.blogspot.com/2019/04/life-on-fast-lanes.html
http://joyfulmiles.com/knockaround-fast-lanes-review/
https://tmilesandrunning.wordpress.com/2019/04/12/join-me-in-the-fast-lane-knockaround-fast-lanes-product-review/
http://themarathonlady.com/index.php/2019/04/14/brp-review-knockaround-fast-lane-sunglasses/
https://runningformylife2015.wordpress.com/2019/04/14/review-knockaround-fast-lanes/

5 New Ways to Get Dirty at the 2019 PHX Rugged Maniac

I’m promoting the Rugged Maniac 5K Obstacle Run & Mud Run: Phoenix as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to find and write race reviews!

Rugged Maniac does not want to bore you. Last year you might have gotten muddy in one of the Fall Rugged Maniac races and you might be like, BTDT. Not so fast! The April, 6, 2019 Phoenix race brings 5 new obstacles to the Rugged Maniac series and I’m going to break ‘em down for you.

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1️⃣ 👹 Feed The Beast

Yep, you’re the food! Please tell me you didn’t think differently? Enter the belly through its mouth and you’ll be met with a series of inflatable challenges where you’ll have to climb and squeeze your way through to glory.

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2️⃣ 🤼‍♀️ Barzan

Are you the queen or king of the jungle? This is like the monkey bars on steroids. Channel your inner kid and kick it up a notch. To make it across the pipes, you’ll need shoulder strength, a strong grip, and hand-eye coordination.

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3️⃣ 👿💦 Hell & High Water

Don’t. Fall. In. Your goal is to make it to the other side, without getting wet. You better hope you did your balancing workouts prior to this obstacle. You are going to need it. To successfully make it across, you’ll have to dodge swinging mats, balance on floating lily pads, and reach out to hanging ropes just to stay afloat!

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4️⃣ 🛠 Iron Curtain

Don’t rely on sloshing through this wet pit, because there are drop-offs hidden beneath the muddy water! Your view will be obstructed so take your time… or don’t!

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5️⃣ 📉 Slippery Slope

Grab your buddies or make a new one, you’re gonna need it. You scale a slippery 8 foot wall and then traverse down the other side. Teamwork is important here! You’ll need an arm — or two — to grab to pull yourself up.

Ready for the challenge?

Hands-Free Leash That The Entire Family Could Enjoy

Wally, living his best life with the Stunt Runner by Stunt Puppy.

“Disclaimer: I received a Stunt Runner by Stunt Puppy to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!”

Testing out the Stunt Runner leash by Stunt Puppy

In my family, I am the one that takes my dog Wally out for walks/runs. Wally and I get some one-on-one time that we enjoy. The weather is absolutely perfect this time of year in Phoenix! Many out-of-town visitors come to Arizona to play outside and soak up the sunshine vs shoveling snow.

Earlier last month as a BibRave Pro, I started testing the Stunt Runner hands-free leash by Stunt Puppy with Wally. I never tried a hands-free leash before and I was eager to test one out. Of course I opted-in for the bright Orange color. Team BibRave, duh!

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Paws-itive First Impressions

My first impressions of the leash were more than I hoped for. The Stunt Puppy packaging was simple and vivid. The orange ink popped off of the kraft paper envelope! I showed Wally and he gave me an “Aaaah, rooo!” in approval. Quickly, I opened up the envelope and immediately felt the heft of this leash. This was not a cheap-o leash. it’s made from tubular webbing that is strong and durable, yet soft to the touch. This is good because I knew it wouldn’t snag any of my workout clothes since the leash wraps around the pet-parent. Since it’s so smooth, it also won’t mat the hair or pinch the skin of your pup. The Stunt Runner wasn’t heavy and I realized it’s because the hardware is lightweight. Little details are something I always pay attention too. I noticed right away that the stitching was something I never seen before. Stunt Puppy stitches their leashes with bar tack stitching and it’s the same type of stitching that is on firefighters’ gear and climbing harnesses. The buckles are Duraflex brand which gives me the confidence that they won’t bust or break while I’m out with Wally.

Wally is ready to go on a new adventure with his Stunt Runner leash by Stunt Puppy.

My Lil’ Stunt Puppy

There was no transition period for either of us. Walking/running with Wally on the Stunt Runner was more natural than my hands-on leashes. I connected the Stunt Runner to Wally’s old chest harness and not his collar. Since he is a French Bulldog, he has a thick neck. I need to keep him safe with a harness because he doesn’t have the opportunity to slip out of it. The length of the leash is adjustable and I made it so there wasn’t much drag between Wally and me. He likes to be near me so this was perfect.

Consider the Stunt Runner if your kids are begging to walk the dog but need the confidence to do it.

Points I love about the Stunt Runner by Stunt Puppy

I could pick up doggie messes with no issues. My hands are free.
The super durable construction impressed me. This leash is well made.
The bungee is cool! The flex is great and there isn’t recoil when Wally moved ahead or behind me. It actually made him pull less.
Perfect for children wanting to help with taking their dog out. My son was nervous running and walking Wally. The hand-held leash we own would come out of his hands. It was just too hard to hold for a little hand. I put the Stunt Runner on him and the waist adjustment was quick to adjust, took me 30 seconds. I reminded my son that even though it’s a hands-free leash, we still have to monitor our dog. After our 30 minute outing, my son told me he loves the Stunt Runner! I know it gave him the confidence he needed to be out with Wally.
They are active and responsive on social media! That makes for a personal experience.

Our New Go-To Leash

My family finally found our go-to leash! I recommend the Stunt Runner by Stunt Puppy and I’m now considering purchasing their Go Dog Glo Harness. If you are interested in finding out more about this product, here is their website: https://www.stuntpuppy.com/

5 Tips For a Fantastic Giants Race

Checking out the Scottsdale Stadium before this Saturday’s Giant Race.

Disclaimer: I received free entry to Scottsdale Giant Race as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

Do you ever check out the course before the race? I had a little time this morning before work to do a little Scottsdale Stadium scope-out shuffling for this Saturday’s Giant Race. 🕵️ I was able to see where Gate E was for packet pick-up this Friday ✔️ What the stadium looked like in general ✔️ and BONUS see some players. It didn’t occur to me why there were a few police officers standing around and a handful of people with binders hovering near this one gate. Then I realized that the players were driving in to start their practice for today’s spring training game against the Reds.

I was curious on why there were a handful of people standing around this gate as fancy cars drove in. Then I realized the players were arriving for their practice!

⬇️ Here are some tips I thought to share if you are attending packet pick-up this Friday or racing this Saturday.

1️⃣ Gate E: Go to the west side of the stadium that faces Drinkwater Blvd, that is where you’ll find Gate E. You’ll need to go there to pick-up your packet and bib this Friday, March 1st from 1pm-7:30pm.

2️⃣ Parking: Don’t try to park at the stadium. That little parking lot off of Osborn Road is for players only! There are tons of free parking garages near the stadium or take a free ride on the Scottsdale Trolley.

3️⃣ Start line: The start line is at Scottsdale Stadium and starts on Drinkwater Blvd. The 10K starts at 7am. The 5k starts at 7:15am.

4️⃣ New Course Route: There has been recent construction in Scottsdale, and minor adjustments were made to both the 5K and 10K course. I’ll be running the 5k course. Click to see the new course map.

5️⃣ Save Money: There is time to run this race. Registration ends in a day. Sign-up here: https://raceroster.com/events/2019/19721/2019-scottsdale-giant-race-presented-by-alaska-airlines. Save $10 with code WERUNAZ19

The Powers of Super Food and the Ease of Getting Them With Food Groove Mission

heser-andrea-bibrave-food-groove-mission-superfood

Disclaimer: I received Super Food Bites by Food Groove Mission to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

It’s been a buzz word for a while: Super Foods. What are they? Should I be eating these daily? How do I get these foods in my diet? These are questions that I honestly asked myself. It’s difficult for me to meal plan/prep/cook. I’m more of a pre-packaged food type of gal for me and my family. It’s just what works. I want food quick that is also nutritious. I don’t think that is too much to ask for! Food Groove Mission helped me fill this void with their Super Food Bites. Quick to eat food that is packed with tons of nutrition and most of the ingredients inside are organic. Let me explain more about what super foods are, how Food Groove Mission packs their bites full of them and the ease of getting these foods in your diet.

Super Food Powers

What the heck is a super food? I didn’t really know that either. I researched a bit and I discovered what sets apart regular food to super food. Super foods are more rich in nutrients, minerals and antioxidants, they are basically nutritionally dense and better for a persons health. So which food is a superfood food then? The FDA doesn’t regulate the term super food. Anyone or any company could classify a food or their product to be super. So it was difficult to find hard facts on what makes a super food, well super. But then I used some of my own common sense: find products with nutritionally dense ingredients that don’t have ADDED sugar in the ingredient list. Food Groove Mission does this. Each of their Super Food Bite flavors doesn’t have added sugars or corn syrup as a first ingredient. They do add raw New Zealand honey as a sweetener and that ingredient is at the very bottom of the ingredient list.

The super foods that FGM includes in their products are:

Organic dates: This is the main ingredient in all of FGM’s bites. It’s filled with vitamin B6, magnesium and potassium.

Manuka honey: This honey is from New Zealand and is rich in amino acids and has 4x the nutritional content of regular honey.

Organic rooibos powder: It’s a herb that is normally in teas and is said to have anti-inflammatory properties, could boost the immune system and is high in calcium.

Organic golden berries: Are high in antioxidant content.

Organic goji berries: Help with energy levels and improve digestive health.

Organic Acai powder: Are high in antioxidant content.

Organic chia seeds: These tiny seeds are filled with omega-3, protein, fiber and calcium.

Organic cacao nibs: These are one of the most magnesium filled foods available and filled with antioxidants.

Organic pumpkin seeds: Rich in magnesium, zinc and omega-3.

Organic almonds: Have healthy monounsaturated fatty acids and a great source for protein, fiber and vitamin E.

Organic peanut butter: full of protein, healthy fats with a low glycemic index.

Organic dark chocolate: Soy and dairy free and made with unsweetened chocolate. It’s filled with magnesium electrolytes.

Food Groove Mission acknowledged the power of these super foods and wanted to find a way to put them all together in one delicious (and portable) bite. They understood that some people don’t want to eat an entire ‘bar’ and would rather just have ‘bites’ to nibble on when snacking on the go or snacking leisurely.

They developed Super Food Bites and each of the three flavors is unique but all of them carry the same nutritionally dense super foods as their core ingredients: Mother Earth, Holy Truffle Punch, The Nutty Adventurer. FGM incorporated foods they found to be super into their bites to help with energy, improve brain function and memory, reduce the risk of chronic diseases and maintain a healthy lifestyle/weight/lifespan.

All of their bites are gluten free, non-gmo, dairy free, soy free and grain fee!

Ease of Getting These Super Foods

It’s easy to understand the benefits of super foods, but how to we get them into our diets quickly, fast, like right now-I-don’t-want-to-cook-or-prepare? Remember my problem about it being difficult for me to meal plan/prep/cook? I don’t think I’m the only one in the world with this problem. Portability is the number one thing I like about Super Food Bites. My commute to work is long, I have a desk job, my life picks back up right after my workouts. It’s safe to say that I am extremely busy and I simply do not have time to keep food cold or prepare food.

The portability of Super Food Bites was a seller for me. I could easily slip them into the front pocket of my hydration vest to get my fuel immediately after running. The pouches could be stored in my car or my computer bag so I could snack during my 90 minute drive home. They have a shelf life of 9 months and the pouches are sealable. I love how I could eat 3 at at time if I want or the entire bag. It’s great that I could fuel my body with nutritious food while on the good. The sealable pouches are perfect and better than a bar wrapper. Many times I only have a bar but I can’t finish the entire thing. The wrapper doesn’t stay closed and now I have a half of a bar that’s all dried up. Glad that FGM solved the problem with a sealable pouch.

Overall, I’m very pleased with the taste, ease and nutrition of Super Food Bites by Food Groove Mission. They are partnering with BibRave and offering a discount if you’d like to try them. Apply code BIBRAVE15 for 15% off an entire order (one use per customer.) You can order here.

New Goals On The Horizon

On February 9th and March 2nd, I want to cross the finish line like this: Big Smile, Team Orange!

Disclaimer: I received free entry to Scottsdale Giant Race as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

The MESA-PHX Half Marathon is 6 days away and already I have my eye on a new goal: PR my 5k. For the past 16 weeks I’ve been in half marathon training to hit a 2:10 finish time on February 9. While on this training plan I was able to PR my 10k by 67 seconds on a hilly course at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona! Yes, I’m nervous about my half marathon, and also excited to see if my training will take me to PR 6 minutes from my last half marathon time. Once this half is over, my long run training season will be over. Summer will be here in no time and the heat in Phoenix is relentless. I decided to now focus on shorter distances, speed and I’m going to train to PR my 5k.

And My Next Training Focus Is…

The race I’m set on to PR is the Scottsdale Giants Race on March 2. About four years ago, a friend of mine raced it, loved it and I loved following her along from pre-race to actual race day: here, here, here and here! Then I didn’t think much of this race anymore. Not sure why, considering the start line is walking distance from where I work — hello free parking! Here are the top 3 reasons why I’m excited to attempt to PR my 5k at the Scottsdale Giant Race:

1: The Course is Fast

I’ve ran the streets around my work office. It is not hilly. Thank goodness! The people behind the Scottsdale Race did have the course maps online, but they didn’t show elevation. Quickly through Strava, I mapped out a route and discovered the elevation gain is only 18ft! This gives me all the confidence I need to PR this race.

The route of the Scottsdale Giant Race 5k I mapped out on Strava.

2: Go Team Orange

Orange is one of the San Francisco Giants main colors. Orange is the main color of BibRave. Orange is the new fast considering the Giants won 8 World Series and that BibRave is the #1 pace to find race reviews quickly. Do you see where I’m going here? So it’s pretty much inevitable that I’ll be running super speedy at this race because I’ll be rocking my BibRave Pro singlet.

3: Finishing on the Field

It’s been three years since I crossed the finish line on a major stadium field. It was at the 2016 Pat Tillman race at ASU main. The experience was exhilarating! All the screaming people, sports players, balloons, flags. Now I know another reason athletes want to go into pro sports: the field is like a stage! Pumped to get those goosebump feels again.

Thrilled for a balloon-filled-on-the-field-finish!

Race With Me

Come run fast with me at the Scottsdale Giant Race! BibRave is offering $10 off the 10k or 5k registration. Apply code WERUNAZ19 at checkout. I’ll be keeping everyone updated on how my 5k training plan is going. It will start the week of February 11, just 3 weeks prior to 5k race day.

PR On The Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona 10k Course!

Hands up if you know you’re going to PR at the 2019 Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona!

Disclaimer: I received a race entry to the 2019 Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews.

Sometimes things don’t go as planned but then something magical happens as a result. If you remember from my last post, I was planning on doing the Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Remix Challenge. In the end I discovered I could only choose one race distance. Honestly, I got a little bummed. Quickly, I turned those feelings around and decided this is my chance to still PR on my 10k time, so I picked that distance to race and represent BibRave. The ending of this story is a good one. I did PR my overall 10k time and buy 67 seconds! So proud of myself.

Here are three big takeaways I got from racing the Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona 10k:

Tons of energy at the 10k and half marathon start line of the 2019 Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona.

Excellent Organization: I ran this race through BibRave which means I didn’t have to pay for a race entry fee. I did have to pay for parking, gas, and food. On the first day of the expo, I picked up my bib. It was a Friday, a hard work day and week for me and I was fried. Luckily, I found a metered parking spot and put in 50 cents. I had 27 minutes to get my bib and get out of there. In my Oofos, I trotted along and made it to the solutions booth. My name was on a paper saying I was good for any distance I wanted (thanks BibRave!) I told her the 10k and she handed me a paper to fill out. Then I was moved to another woman and then a man. He told me that I could go to the 5k distance if I wanted to. ‘Ok,’ I told him. Got my bib from him and I was out of there back to my car with 7 minutes to spare. Fast forward to Saturday. I looked at my bib because I wanted to do a flat lay. 5k!? I am thinking he thought I said yes to the 5k instead of acknowledging him. Honestly, I panicked. The RnR website start line map did show a solutions booth there on race day. I had to take a chance. Sunday morning I made the 34 mile trek to Tempe to see if RnR could help me. Worst case, I just wouldn’t run the race and get over it because I should have checked my bib as soon as it was handed to me. There wasn’t a line at the booth even though the total event was packed. The woman at the booth didn’t bat an eye at me when I told her my situation. She took my 5k bib, and handed me a 10k one. Whew. I’m so thankful for RnR and the way they handled this for me.

Other key points of perfect organization on the RnR part was providing runners a safe course. There were cones, cops and volunteers everywhere along the course. I felt very safe. There was TONS of free parking and it was easy to find a spot when I arrived at 7:30am which I feel is late considering the race starts at 7:50am. Also, they got people in and out of the shoot so fast. Great organization on the RnR part, just not on mine!

See my Stava data for the course and those mean little hills.

10k Course: I love the many options RnR Arizona gives to their runners. There is a 1-mile, 5k, 10k, half marathon and full marathon over the course of 3 days to choose from. My initial plan was to do a 3-day Remix Challenge that consisted of the 1-mile on Friday, 5k on Saturday and 10k on Sunday. It didn’t work out in the end, but you know I didn’t let that get me down. My plan was to still PR my overall 10k time.

The energy throughout the entire race was strong! The 10k and half marathon racers started at the same time on the same start line and shared the course for about 2.5 miles. The 10kers then ran west on Curry Road while the 1/2 runners went north. Once on Curry, we were greeted with a slight downhill and the beautiful view of the Salt River. We ran along the waterfront for about 1 mile. The RnR website says the 10k course is a fast one. Maybe they forgot to mention the hill at mile 4.5 :D. I’ll be honest, seeing that hill concerned me. I kept trucking along and got up it slowly with hopes there would be a downhill for the last part of this race. I was in luck! The last 1.25 was pretty much all downhill and I took advantage of it! The scenery was pretty in this part of the course. We then crossed Tempe Town Lake on the Mill Avenue Bridge. It was awesome! At this point, I had a huge grin on my face and I’m excited to see my race photos. The emcee was calling us all in at the shoot. There were tons of spectators cheering us on. The fastest half marathoners were coming in too which made it even more exciting. The red carpet finish line made me feel like a star. I ran with a 67 second PR over my last 10k I ran last year! And my 10k PR from last year was on an all downhill course. So that tells you I was working it.

All smiles when crossing the finish line!

Finish line festivities: It was a good little walk from the time you hit stop on your Garmin to the time you got your first glimpse of the band on stage. Along the way, tons of volunteers were handing out chocolate milk, Gatorade Endurance, chips, granola bars, bananas and water bottles. Then a few volunteers at the end passed out RnR drawstring bags to load your loot into. Since I ran the 10k and ran it kinda fast, I noticed there wasn’t a line at the massage tent. This was my chance! I never got a post-race massage before. I quickly signed up and in one minute I was on a table and in another world. The massage therapist asked me exactly what I wanted and I opted for a stretch and quad massage. I was in heaven. The massage was 100% free and it lasted 15 minutes. I recommend the post-race massage to everyone. Once done, I chilled out on the lawn for a bit, updating my Strava, IG and Twitter feeds and giving tons of love to people I follow on social. After I was relaxed a bit, I headed back to my car which was about a 3/4 of a mile walk. It was needed to get my legs moving after that hard 10k.

Post-race at home, I was able to jump on Athlinks.com and claim my race results. You can check out how I did, and while you’re at it, jump on and make an account too. Don’t forget to add me as a friend so we can go head-to-head in future races!

I’m thankful I was able to turn my mindset around in the end and focus on nabbing that PR. My next goal is a PR on my half marathon time at the MESA-PHX Marathon happening on 2/9/18. For a gigantic race with tens of thousands of runners, this is one of the best races to start the year with and I fully recommend racing it.

Rock the Remix Challenge

Disclaimer: I received an entry to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews

Can’t wait to earn this Remix Challenge Medal at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Next Week!

Gosh, I love a good challenge. I live for challenges. Every year I make running goals and I achieve them. This year I decided one of my goals will be a running challenge. A series of races over the course of 3 days, something I never done before.

Running the Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Half Marathon in 2018.

Love for Rock n Roll

This will be my third year in a row of rocking out at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona but this year will be slightly different. Friday, the 18th, I’ll run my heart out in their 1-mile race. Saturday, the 19th will be an easy yet scenic run during for the 5k race. Come, Sunday, I’ll put it in 4th gear again and run the 10k. Participating in races on two or more consecutive earns you a special Remix Medal and it’s super cool. Scroll on down to see the Arizona themed race medals, the scenic course maps and tech shirts that I’ll be earning next week, including the Remix Medal.

Jam Sesh, Then Chill, Then Jam Out Again

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1 Miler – Jam
A strategic plan had to be developed for my 3 days of race rock out. My plan is to not go all out for each race. I need to save my strength for next month’s MESA-PHX Half Marathon that I’m in training to PR at. Friday night is the 1-miler. I’ll be working that day, so that means I’ll be drained and I’ll need to stop at the expo first to get my bibs. But I’m not letting that hold me back! Race starts at 6 p.m. and my plan is to run my fastest mile yet. It would be great to PR my mile time. The time I have to beat is 8:54.

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5k – Chill
Saturday morning is the 5k. This will be my opportunity to do an easy, green heart run. My plan is to take in the scenery, enjoy the music and just chill! I need this time for my body to recover.

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10k – Jam
Sunday is my jam out day — again! My plan is to PR this 10k. It will be tough. The time I have to beat is 1:02:15. That means I need to run this 10k in the high 9’s. Oof. That’s a huge deal for me. I’ve been training and I know I can do it. But is the course hilly?

Rock With Me!

This is my opportunity to put my half marathon training to the test. My goal is to PR my 10k and 1-mile time and those times will set the tone on me PR’ing my MESA-PHX Half Marathon time. Can’t wait to rock out next week and earn 4 medals!

There is still time to sign up to run the Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona! Registration ends on January 13th. Apply code RNRBRAZ19 for $10 off the half or full distance. See you there!

I’m a Zwifter!

Disclaimer: I received an Zwift RunPod to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews.

Do you dream of running in far away places but simply can’t? I do. My husband, son and job are my number one priority and unfortunately, I can’t run or race in dreamy distant places. Not in real-life that is. BibRave recently introduced me to Zwift, a virtual platform to run and bike in with others from around the world in distant places around the world all from the comfort of my own home or gym. Now, this I can do!

Cool to run virtually & you see a real map on Strava!

What Does It Mean to Zwift

Zwift is an app that connects to indoor training gear (a bike or foot pod) that allows you to run or bike on hundreds of miles in 5 worlds with other athletes from around the world. Think if it as playing Halo on your Xbox with other people but instead of your thumbs getting a workout, your entire body is getting a workout. You can just start running on your own with Zwift or you can train with one of their structured workouts. They have training plans for 5ks, half marathons and even triathlon events. Do you prefer to run with groups? This is where Zwift is awesome. They host hundreds of events — fun group runs like the BibRave 5k I participated in lat month to intense races with real prizes to be won. On Strava? Zwift connects with third party apps like Strava and Garmin Connect so you can share your virtual runs from Zwift to those platforms and your friends can actually see the virtual map you ran! All of this got me super excited. Back in my teenager days, I was a gamer. Gosh, I wish Zwift was invented back then, I would have been getting fit instead of gaining weight because Zwift reminds me so much of playing a video game. It made running on a treadmill fun for me.

Becoming a Zwifter

I tested out Zwift using their RunPod. It’s the RunPod that allows you to connect to the app while you are on your home treadmill or on a gym treadmill. The RunPod pairs with Zwift via Bluetooth and attaches to the laces on your running shoes. It will measure your speed, cadence and distance through the Zwift app and thankfully it only weighs less than a half an ounce, so you don’t notice it’s on. It takes a standard CR2032 battery that is easy to replace. Zwift recommends removing the battery after each use to extend the life.

Attaching the RunPod onto your laces — as well as removing the battery — is simple: hold the bottom and top of the RunPod in each hand, twist counter clockwise to remove base from pod. Now you can see the bottom of the pod and grab a coin or flathead screwdriver to remove the bottom to insert the battery. Match plus side of battery to the plus side of the foam backing on the bottom of the pod. Use a coin or flathead screwdriver to reattach the bottom while the battery is inserted. Now, grab a pair of your running shoes. Tip: It’s easier to attach the pod onto shoes that you haven’t put on your feet yet. Slide the base of the pod under two of your laces. I attached mine on the 4th and 5th row of laces. That worked best for me. Now, place the top of the pod on the base and turn clockwise until you hear an audible click. Make sure it’s attached properly because you don’t want to lose your RunPod. Tap your RunPod a few times and you’ll notice a green light glows. That means your pod is on and ready to link up to the app.

Ima Zwifter

Now that your RunPod is attached to you, it’s time to sync up to your app. Like I said earlier, there are a few ways to sync to the Zwift app. I decided to connect through a MacBook. It was easy to download the app. Once it was launched, make sure the Bluetooth on your device — laptop or phone — is turned on. You’ll see the RunPod syncing up. I took the extra time to customize my avatar. Although, I wish it had more facial and body customizations. Like, my body isn’t skinny like my avatar. I’d like her to be a size medium versus a size extra small LOL! Also, I’d rather my person have brown eyes than the blue default. Maybe I need to run more to get more options. I did notice that there were special clothing, shoes and accessories that could only be applied if they were unlocked.

Now that all of my settings were updated, I was ready to run! You could either sign up for a group for a scheduled group run. There is a calendar on the right to see what runs are available, or you can check your Zwift Companion App for events that will start soon. Or, if you just want to run right now, you can. Click on the orange run button and start running. Once you are in the Zwift environment, you can see other runners. Sometimes you’ll see a cyclist. I notice some people chat with each other, I’m sure I’d trip on the treadmill if I tried to chat and run at the same time! The interface shows your speed, targets you’d like to make, other Zwifters, you can even change the view of your runs. One of the difficult things I found was selecting the turns. I like to do the bare minimum while running and deciding which way to turn is cumbersome. When I participated in the BibRave Group Run 5k, I realized I was going in a different direction than the group. It wasn’t until later that I noticed I could have gone their same direction if I chose that route during the prompts.

Zwifting is Cool

I don’t own a treadmill, but after testing out Zwift, I’m thinking I should have asked Santa for one! Phoenix weather is dreamy right now and outdoor running is where it’s at. But come summer time, treadmill running will have to be done because no one wants to run in 115 degree full sun temps. It’s great how Zwift could keep you motivated during terrible weather either it be snow or full sun. Also, I like how I can be part of a group run even though I don’t have to be in their physical presence. I’m not the only one who thinks Zwift is cool. According to this Forbes article posted last week, Zwift raised $120 million (yeah, million) to expand its platform to running competitions as well as eSports tournaments.

Do You Wanna Be a Zwifter?

Ok, I know you do. It’s reasonable to join to Zwifting community. An account for runners is free (cyclists pay about $15 a month) and runners only need to purchase a RunPod. BibRave and Zwift partnered to offer 15% the cost of a RunPod with discount code BibRave15. That makes it $25.49 with free shipping in the U.S. Come Zwift with me and tell me what you think!