Disclaimer: I received an SPIbeams LED Visor to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming aBibRave Pro(ambassador), and check outBibRave.comto review find and write race reviews!
Words I can’t believe I’m saying: I miss the summer. I live in Phoenix, so I must be crazy to utter those words. It’s finally starting to cool off and shorts are being traded for long pants. Yet, I miss the summer. It’s because I miss those pre-5a.m. sunrises. More light means safer and happier running for me. As the fall season starts to progress, the days are getting shorter and morning runs feel like night runs with the sun rising later. I’m more of a daytime runner. When the opportunity came to test the SPIBelt Beams LED Visor, I had to jump on it. I had other tools to keep me safe on the run, but now I could have something to light my way, other than a headlamp. Here are my favorite features of this supercharged visor.
Morning runs now include the @SPIBELT Beams LED Visor. Light to brighten the sidewalk & the visor to protect my eyes during sunrise.
Dark to light, still shine bright
The interesting thing about headlamps is that they work well when you start and end your run in the dark. But what if you start your run in the dark and end it in the sun? What do you do with your headlamp? When this was my problem, I left it on my head and then suffered when the sun would rise because I had nothing to protect my eyes. Also, nothing to protect my forehead from sunburn. This is where the SPIbeams LED Visor is brilliant, both in idea and brightness. I can wear my visor at night with the lights turned on. There is a main on/off switch in the sweatband and a quick switch under the brim. As the sun starts to rise, I just turn off the front lights from under the brim. Then I can still keep my visor on to trap sweat and keep the sun out of my eyes. Totally brilliant.
Race day is a critical time in that you can’t be bogged down. I hesitate wearing anything extra because I don’t want the weight on me. I wore the SPIbeams LED Visor during two half marathons I paced. Each of them had a pre-dawn arrival time. I didn’t have the capacity to carry a flashlight or wear a headlamp because there wasn’t anywhere to put it when as the sun rose. SPIbeams saved the day again, with the front LED lights that could be easily turned on and off. That’s not the only plus on race day though. During both races, I didn’t notice the visor on my head and it’s because it’s super lightweight. It weighs approximately 2.6oz.
Check out the annotated graphic for my favorite features of the SPIbeams LED Visor. Cool features include: it’s super lightweight, 4 LEDs on the front that shine 128 lumes, 2 red LEDs on the back closure, on/off quick switch under brim, replaceable batteries inside sweatband.
If you’d ask me what my favorite feature is, I’d tell you the 2 blinky LED lights on the back. To me, that gets a drivers attention.
Interesting observations and conclusions
OMG. Is that…salt?
During two runs and one race, I wore my SPIbeams LED Visor. I took a risk and won. Nothing broke, but it could have. The components of the main on/off switch are not waterproof. Lot’s of water poured down on me and thank goodness nothing happened. The electrical wires could have been damaged. With that being said, I don’t recommend running with this visor in the rain unprotected. Maybe wear it with a waterproof hood covering the sweatband part.
During my last half marathon this past Sunday, I realized the sweatband was covered in my own salt! Yikes! SPIbelt does recommend handwashing with specific instructions on their website. I plan on doing that this weekend.
I’m pleased with my SPIbeams LED Visor and glad it’s keeping me safe on the run and race. SPIbelt is generous and offering a 20% discount on purchases through November 12. Apply code BIBRAVE at checkout. Also, all orders in the U.S. include free shipping.
Disclaimer: I received free entry to the Scooby-Doo Virtual Run Series as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming aBibRave Pro (ambassador), and check outBibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!
We did it, again! Wally and I both ran the Scooby-Doo Doo Good Virtual 5k for the second time this month. The gains we had when we first took on the challenge were so fantastic, we decided to do it again. Here is the top 3 gains from our Round 2 of the Doo Good Virtual 5k.
Gain 1: Brought Us Together
My dog Wally and I are pretty close. I adopted him when he was about 3-months old. He’ll be 9-years-old on October 1st. Before kids, my attention went to Wally and our other family dog Rusty. Then things changed when baby arrived. Walks & playing became scarce to non-existent. It’s sad to admit this reality, I was barely petting my dog on a daily basis. Still, I was unmotivated to do anything. A month ago I discovered that I could opt-in to the Scooby-Doo Virtual Race Series. This was my chance, our chance, to get closer again. Wally could never participate in a regular 5k race. He doesn’t have the body for it: flat face, short legs, small airway. But a virtual? Oh, yes! Wally could finally run his race, his way, and get the bling to prove it. This meant we had to start slowly. He can only last about 15-20 minutes on a fast walk. Every morning we went out for a walk, just a half a mile to help us get used to the motions. Remember, Wally is almost 9-years-old which means he’s about 56 in human years. Even with training, I realized he couldn’t do a full 5k all in one shot. So, I broke it up in 6-doggy-bite-sized chunks for him. Breaking up our 5k meant more time together. It was wonderful. Sometimes I allowed him to lead on his favorite half-mile route and other times I guided him down new streets to explore. Glad how the training and race process brought us closer together.
Gain 2: Snoring is Gone
Most brachycephalic dogs snore. It’s because of their short muzzles. Wally was a loud snorer. Once we started our training then completing the Doo Good Virtual 5k twice, his snores are pretty much gone. When he does snore, it’s quiet. I believe the Scooby-Doo Race Series is helping Wally get in shape. Excess weight can make breathing more difficult, worsening the snoring. I didn’t weigh him before and after our training and racing cycle during the month of September but he surely made gains in the health department.
Medals motivate me to run races. Would they motivate Wally too? I never seen bling for dogs until I saw what was offered with the Scooby-Doo Virtual Race Series. Doo Good Virtual 5k and Scoobtober Virtual 5k/10k add-ons gets your pup a bandana and collar medal for each race. Can’t wait for Wally’s Doo-Good bling to arrive so he could show them off to you.
Disclaimer: I received a Luvo Vegan Essentials Bundle 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 have no shame by telling you that 50% of the food my family and I consume comes from the frozen section. It’s the ease and minimal prep that appeals to me most. When BibRave put out the opportunity for their pros to test Luvo Foods, you know I was champing at bit to get on board. There are four huge reasons why I’m thrilled to taste the Luvo Vegan Essentials Bundle, and here they are:
1) A Good Pair:
My family loves how I prepare chicken. It’s quite simple, I bake chicken breast dusted with lemon pepper seasoning. Problem is, I’m never sure what to have as a side dish. Usually it’s the same ol’ thing; can of green beans. I decided to try the Luvo Vegan Essentials Bundle because it has the variety of flavors that I hope would pair perfectly with my mild flavored chicken.
2) Low on Sugar:
During the summer, I decided to cut back sugar from my diet. So far, doing so helped me loose 20 pounds and curb my sugar cravings dramatically! I’d like to help my family curb their sugar cravings too. I chose the Luvo Vegan Essentials Bundle because of the low sugar content per serving. Their Great Karma Coconut Curry and Chana Masala bowls only have 2-5g of sugar per serving.
3) Right Balance:
Finding food that is fast and nutritious is tricky. It makes my heart warm to know that Luvo has guiding principles when it comes to their products. They feel food should be nutritious while limiting sodium and added sugar. Also, they so no to artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners. Also, the meals I chose are gluten free and vegan.
4) Fast Foodie:
My time is simply limited. Swim team lessons for my son 3x a week, my running 3x a week, school, packing lunches, making dinner, husband & wife time, oh and me working full-time; it all adds up. Frozen food has been my go-to. I love how each of the bowls in the Luvo Vegan Essential Bundle take only 4-4 1/2 minutes in the microwave. And since I cook up a bunch of my famous chicken ahead of time, I can get dinner on the table in less than 10 minutes, with a veggies that actually taste fantastic.
“Ability to do what needs to be done, without influence from other people or situations. People with self motivation can find a reason and strength to complete a task, even when challenging, without giving up or needing another to encourage them.”
Other athletes inspire me but they don’t motivate me. I realized this early on in my running journey. Lately, I’ve been a lazy runner. Not sure why. I want to run. Even though I schedule my runs on my G cal, set out my clothes and charge my devices, still, I can’t get up in the morning.
In the past, I was a Strava Premium member. Didn’t have to pay for it because I got promo codes through My New Balance Rewards. That benefit is gone and Premium changed to Summit. I’m so frugal and that is the #1 reason I didn’t join Summit yet. Seriously scoured the internet for a promo code this morning for one hour! Found nothing!
Pulled out my CC and now I’m on Summit on their Analysis pack only. Hoping that checking my Power Analysis, Workout Analysis, Relative Effort & Fitness & Freshness will give me the self motivation I need to start waking up early again so I can crush my training for my lofty MESA-PHX Half Marathon goal.
Disclaimer: I received free entry to the Scooby-Doo Virtual Run Series as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming aBibRave Pro (ambassador), and check outBibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!
Have you heard the notion that people tend to look or act like their dogs? My face might not be as squishy as my Wally’s but we both have short legs, both have breathing problems and both don’t go very fast. Still, both of us are determined and we both adore the outdoors! As a BibRave Pro, I’m always given opportunities to run new races and test out new products. Pretty much all of these opportunities benefit only myself. I knew I had to jump up and not sit on the opportunity to run the Scooby-Doo Virtual Race Series. These 2 runs would help my furry friend and I get outdoors, get in shape and bring us closer. It will also get us both (yes both!) some medals and swag to reward ourselves for the hard work we put in for these runs.
Jinkies! Scoob’s First Virtual Run!
The Scooby-Doo Virtual Run Series is a two-parter, the Doo Good Virtual 5k in September and the Scoobtober Virtual 5k or 10k in October. Both virtual runs could be done on your own time and your own speed. Thank goodness, remember, Wally and I have short legs! Another thing my pup and I have in common is we love challenges. The Scooby-Doo Run Series has a special commemorative challenge medal for signing up and completing both races! Yep, we are doing the challenge. But, it’s not all about the swag. Both runs help support the Scooby-Doo “Doo Good” campaign and a portion of the registration will be donated to the Best Friends Animal Society. Aw, good dog!
Doo So Good, Doo It Again!
In September, Wally and I both ran the Doo Good Virtual 5k. We broke it up in 6 parts, which equaled out to .5-.6 a mile each day. Wally loves to go on walks and runs, but because he’s a brachycephalic (aka smooshed faced) breed of dog, we had to take this run slow and in bite-sized chunks. As the days progressed I noticed his pace got faster! At home, his snoring wasn’t as bad. We both loved being out with each other so much that we are doing the Doo Good Virtual 5k again and will start this Saturday the 15th. Will you join us? You must register by September 20th to get in on the Doo Good Virtual 5k or to do the challenge! If you only want to the Scoobtober, then register by October 20th.
Throw Me a Bone!
You like treats right? Wally and I will throw you a bone: 10% off registration. Apply code BIBRAVE for 10% off which comes to about $10 off if you sign up for the challenge series with the dog add-on. Register here!
Disclaimer: I received a pair of AfterShokz Trekz Air in Canyon Red 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!
The idea of having a go-to pair of headphones always sounded so cool to me yet I couldn’t find the perfect pair. In the past, I’ve seen those people with their headphones/buds on planes, in their car, running at races and at work and just happy as can be. Maybe they have a specific pair to wear at work to chat on video calls, and a different pair to down out noises while on a plane and then another pair for when they work out. That’s annoying because that is what I was dealing. I had a pair of earbuds for running, over-ear-headphones for work and nothing for hands-free video or regular calls. This is exactly why I decided to opt-in to test the Trekz Air by AfterShokz, Could finally have it all with one product?
What’s in The Box?
UPS My Choice just alerted me that my package will be delivered. Next thing I know, there is a knock at the door and here are my Trekz Air! This was during one of my remote days and I was working from home, so opening up the box had to wait till after work.
You probably know that my background is in graphic design and my degree is in visual communication. All design intrigues me, especially package design. AfterShokz didn’t disappoint. At first inspection, the design is clean, modern and crisp. The words Trekz Air are foil stamped on the front in shiny silver. Same with some product points on the left side. What’s not clean and crisp? The real model photographed on the front. She looks like she just finished working hard with sweat droplets on her face and messy hair. She’s diverse. She looks like me (well sorta!) I want to be her. Or at least put in the work like she did. Hmm, things are looking pretty authentic, and I like it.
The package opens from the right by pulling on a small folded ribbon and separating the hidden magnet closure. BE OPEN is seen on the inner flap. Then I see another photo of a focused dude who actually looks like he’s working out. My eyes light up when I see the beautiful Canyon Red’s behind the plastic window on the right of the box. It was kinda tricky opening that window — I don’t like to ruin any product packaging. I’m with this with all packaging, even for food!
Carefully, I removed the Trekz Air, placed them aside, and checked out the accessories that came with them. Included in the box are:
If you closed your eyes and touched the surface of the Trekz Airs, you’d notice how smooth their texture was. The construction of them is built well. Nothing sharp or awkward sticks out. There isn’t a place where stray hairs could get caught. They are beautifully designed. That super soft smooth texture extends to the silicone-like zip-up storage case. It’s lined with mesh and holds the headphones perfectly.
First, I made sure to charge up my Trek Airs completely. They had a little charge on them already, but the user guide specifically says to charge first. Once the LED light turned from red to blue (about 2 hours), I was ready to pair. Pairing was simple. I made sure the Bluetooth was turned on in my smartphone settings. While the headphones are powered off, I put them on. At that moment I realized how incredibly light they are. They only weigh 1.06 oz! I entered pairing mode by pressing and holding the volume+ button on the right bottom. The LED light flashed red and blue. Once I heard Audrey say ‘pairing’ I went to my smart phone’s Bluetooth menu again and selected Trekz Air by AfterShokz”. She said ‘connected’ and the LED flashed blue one time. I did this same sequence when pairing to my work laptop.
Most of the buttons are on the under part right side. Those include the power and volume control as well as the charging port and LED indicator. Those buttons control the volume up/down, power on/off, mute, EQ setting and battery status. The left outside houses the multifunction button. That button can play/pause music, skip to the next song, answer/end a phone call, answer call waiting and put the current caller on hold or hang up on the current caller, reject a call, prompt device assistant and redial the last number. The power/volume+ button has a nice embossed bump on it so it’s easy to find when your headphones are on.
The Tech Behind the Tech
Trekz Air is truly a remarkable technology product. It’s insane how we can listen to music with bone conduction technology. Although, Beethoven was using this tech in the 1800s. He found a way to hear music through his jawbone by biting a rod attached to his piano.
According to AfterShokz, Bone conduction is a natural part of the hearing process—sound travels through our eardrums and bones simultaneously. They took the concept to the next level through the development of a suite of proprietary audio technologies and design patents. The result: headphones that deliver unrivalled situational awareness and comfort. Transducers guide mini vibrations through the cheekbones to the inner ears, delivering sound without plugging or covering them. They also implement PremiumPitch. They say that it doesn’t seem sensible that audio travelling through your bones instead of your ears could be so finely tuned. It wouldn’t be possible without our PremiumPitch technology, which assures the finest in bone conduction audio, with a range that suits music and voice. Gosh, I love tech!
They became my favorite headphones after my first test. While sweating it out on the run with my 90s Dance Jams Spotify playlist, I was still able to hear the outside world. Heard my neighbor & his two dogs bark hello while ‘2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted’ blared. Heard a covey of quails call out while ‘I Like to Move It’ roared. Heard many of my neighbors start their engines for their morning commute while ‘Ain’t 2 Proud 2 Beg’ boomed on. I never, ever experienced this with over-ear headphones or earbuds. Also, no ear pain from stuffing earbuds into my ears.
During a work trip, I brought them with me to the hotel gym and did a treadmill workout with my FitBit Coach app. No cords got in my way, which freak me out around treadmills, and I could hear my coach and my new-to-me environment.
They didn’t even fall off my head during planks, downward facing dogs or jumping jacks when I wore them during a FitBit Coach strength session. In the past, I would do my FitBit Coach strength sessions at home and listen via the speaker on my phone. Then, I would worry if I was disrupting my family. Thankful for the Trekz Air lightness and stability during these sessions and how I don’t wake anyone up.
My job has me on calls and video chats at least 2x a day. What?! You thought all I do is run and review products huh? By day, I work full time as a sr. art director for Manifest. They are an agency that has locations around the nation. I really didn’t consider AfterShokz as a brand that could help me with my day job. Well, they can and they did. Trekz Air helped me so I could participate in calls AND take notes AND do design work all while my team hears me clearly, hands-free. I felt confident when my teammates told me they could hear me while I took a call through my headphones. Trekz Air is so beyond just listening to music!
One of the 2018 Fall/Winter Pantone colors is 19-1536: Deliciously deep red, whose luscious depth entices. It resembles the Trekz Air Canyon Red color so well and believe me, they do entice. I love how deep muted tones are making a comeback. According to Pantone, the deep muted hues are a comforting classic. I even matched my lip color and nail color to the Canyon Red. It’s pretty cool how Canyon Red goes with my skin tone so well. It’s the Canyon Red color that makes me feel so comfortable to wear them out and about and to work. Nothing flashy, just a classic and signature look.
Final Thoughts
I found my unicorn of headphones, Trekz Air by AfterShokz. They really can do it all. For the past month, they’ve taken me from run-workout to strength-workout and to work. I’m honestly surprised that a headphone could do all that seamlessly. If you are curious and would like to try a pair for yourself, BibRave partnered with AfterShokz with $55 off of their Trekz Air Bundle. Apply code BRBUNDLE for a package that includes: your choice of Trekz Air color (Slate Grey, Forrest Green, Midnight Blue or Canyon Red), BibRave Trucker Hat, Shoe Bag, Sport Towel and Cell Phone Power Bank.
“Disclaimer: I received a PureRun Minimalist Hydration Vest by Amphipod to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming aBibRave Pro(ambassador), and check outBibRave.comto review find and write race reviews!”
Photo by Aravaipa Running
It’s crazy that a hydration pack actually makes me feel safer on the run. I’m like a pack-rat runner, I like to carry everything with me and find stuff while I’m out. There was a joke amongst my girl-run-squad that my running spirit animal is a hamster because I ran all night once. This is why I pounced on the opportunity to test out the PureRun Minimalist Hydration Vest by Amphipod. I had a 13k trail run coming up with Aravaipa Running and I knew this vest would be perfect for the race and for upcoming training. Also, ever since my ultra, I’ve just come to love to run with a hydration vest. My last vest was a no-name knock-off and I can tell you that I feel like a big girl now with my Amphipod.
Carrying It All
I love to take it all with me when I run: whistles, pepper spray, my phone, a knife, fuel, my iPod (yep, it’s 13 years-old!), water, mini-tripod (for action photos), sunblock and my keys. I get that running with all that stuff can slow you down, especially on interval speed days. But the PureRun Minimalist Hydration Vest never let dragged down. I can carry it all without discomfort, the vest is light as can be. When empty the PureRun weighs 7.7oz.
Photo by Andrea Heser
My heart did a happy dance when I saw all the storage pockets and space and then it did a flip when I realized the chest stash pockets expand! There is room for everything on this vest, you could even store a 2L hydration bladder in the back. The PureRun comes standard with two 12oz. bottles for hydration. Those are great, although I prefer drinking water from a hydration bladder. I did pack in a bladder from a previous purchase and it works great. Amphipod doesn’t tell bladders (yet), so I recommend finding one on eBay or Amazon.
Photo by Andrea Heser
Custom, For Me?
So, could a vest really be custom for everyone? PureRun most definitely is. The 360º CinchFit Stability straps helped me cinch the vest tightly around my waist to ensure no bouncing while I was running the 13k race at the Dam Good Run. The 3-Lateral Stabilization System straps are great but the 3rd strap was a bit awkward around my chest (lady-runner problems.) Thankfully the PureRun is so customizable that I was able to slip off the strap and run comfortably with only two. The vest comes in two sizes: Size 1 for a 24”-40” torso and Size 2 for a 36”-50” torso. I am a size 10-12 in women’s clothing with a 36 D bra size and I chose size 2 because of my bust.
Photo by Andrea Heser
All Gains, No Pains
Extra gear on your body means extra sore spots and chaffing, right? Nope. Not with the PureRun. The vest is LIGHT. My 13k trail run took me a little over 2 hours to complete. That’s 2 hours in the full desert sun and the temps were approaching 90 degrees at the finish line. I was covered in salt at the end. But the minimalist design, custom fit for no bounce and free-flow Air Mesh cooling construction of the PureRun left me chafe-free! I didn’t sunburn either. I was able to pack a full-size of sunblock in the front storage pocket and I applied it 4x during the race!
Photo by Aravaipa Running
Conclusion
Watch-out vest competitors, Amphipod did a terrific job with their PureRun Minimalist Hydration Vest and people are going to turn to them now for their vest needs. Amphipod is a leader when it comes to waist hydration-belts and visibility (I’ve owned and run with the Xinglet Pocket in Hi-Viz for over 4 years) so it’s a no-brainer that they would lead with a hydration vest. If you would like to learn more about the PureRun and purchase one yourself ($100), please check out the Amphipod website — http://www.amphipod.com/products/hydration/purerun-vests/purerun-minimalist-24.
Disclaimer: I received BibBoards 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!
These are adjectives that describe me on race day runs. Running didn’t come easy for me. I worked hard to get faster and go longer distances over the past four years and I’m proud of what I achieved. Expressing myself on race day is important because it reminds me to think positive during the tough times. This is why I was tickled pink to test out BibBoards as a BibRave Pro. Not only does BibBoards save your favorite race shirts from holes and rust, they actually look adorable and are another way to express your personality on the run.
You better believe it that I went with the Heart Eyes BibBoards. Look how cute they are! They would go perfect with my race day outfits. I officially tested them out during the Runner’s Den Pancake Run last weekend.
Straight bib after one hour of racing.
Quality: Overall the quality of Bibboards is great. The plastic is tough and rigid and the printing of the graphic looks crisp and bright. They felt good in my hands. Not too light but a bit heavier than a safety pin. They reminded me of a rivet or a snap fastener.
Application: Putting them on was much easier than I expected. I noticed that the back fastener part of the BibBoard has a flat side. 1️⃣ Grab the opposite side of the flat side, lift up and the backing will quickly pop off. Repeat for all 4 fasteners. 2️⃣ While your race shirt is on, position your bib to the exact spot you want it on your shirt. With one hand, push the front piece stud through the one of the top race bib holes. Snap the back piece onto the stud from the inside of your shirt fastening the shirt and bib between the two pieces. 3️⃣ Finish up by fastening the other three corners of your bib.
In Action: For the first time I raced with a flat bib. Not only do safety pins ruin shirts with rust and holes but I never was able to position my bibs correctly. They would be on my shirt crooked, flap, bunch, get crinkled and sometimes tear away. Also the sound of a floppy bib while racing is enough to make me pull my hair out. BibBoards solved those problems during my 10k.
My perfect set, 3 custom orders.
No race? That’s ok, wear them as buttons!
Expression: Remember how much I love to express myself on the run? BibBoards is another fun way to do that. I choose the Heart Eyes graphic because I love running and hearts look so darn cute. But did you know that BibBoards takes custom orders? This would be perfect for track clubs, run teams, Ragnar runners or anyone who wants to show off a little bit of who they are while they are running. Check out my dream set of BibBoards. Remember that this set would be one order of Heart Eyes and three custom orders because you have to order custom BibBoards in a pack of four. I thought this set would be perfect for my 50k run squad friends. No race? No problem. I discovered that BibBoards could be placed anywhere if the fabric is thin enough. I think of them as buttons on non-race days and apply them to my shirt in a creative display.
Do you like to express yourself on your runs and also like the idea of not ruining race shirts? Oh good! BibBoards is offering 20% off orders with code #BibChat. Please let me know what you think and send me a photo of you on race day or of your custom order.
Disclaimer: I received Brilliant Reflective 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.
Simple and monotone was the look of the Runner’s World Jan/Feb issue’s Run Outfit of the Day. Too bad that’s not my style, I’m afraid I’d blend into the streets and sidewalks. See, I want to be seen! My running wardrobe consists mostly of ultra-bright colors, neon accents and — when possible — reflective details. I need to be seen because my miles happen mostly during the pre-sunrise or post-sunrise. This is what we call working-married-mom-life. Family comes first and I need to run while they sleep or after dinner during down time.
Not all clothing or shoes for that matter have the reflection that I yearn for. Um, hello Brooks Levitate? Running shoe purchases are big purchases in my world. I didn’t bat an eyelash when I paid $150 for my silver Levitates back in October 2017. When I got home I noticed something that was different from the other Brooks I’ve owned in the past. Where was the reflection details? I knew they weren’t going to be as bright as my Altra Impulse Flash, but these didn’t give one bit of reflective detail! Still, I wore them during the dark hours and honestly I didn’t feel all that safe in them.
As a BibRave Pro I get the opportunity to test, try and review new products. When the team was asked to test Brilliant Reflective, I jumped on the opportunity. This was my time to make my Levitate’s shine! Application was easy, their instructions were straightforward, and the results are brilliant.
Here is my step-by-step process for applying Brilliant Reflective iron-on to my Brooks Levitates:
View fullsize
Step 1: Read instructions. Twice. Clear off your work space and gather your supplies. Heat up iron and face it away from you. One thin strip of black Brilliant Reflective cut in half was used or my Levitate’s. Gently clean the surface of your shoes.
Step 2: Place the strip on the area you want reflection. This was tricky for me because of my shoe’s convex shape at the heel. Be very careful when ironing on these rounded surfaces. Gently, I ironed the bottom of the strip first then the top for 30-60 seconds. Not seen is the paper towel I placed in between the strip and iron.
Step 3: Repeat on other shoe. After the strips cooled for a minute, remove the clear layer from them. Time to shine!
The Brilliant Reflective strips have been holding up well on my shoes. I’ve put about 30 miles on them so far and they have been sticking great. If lifting occurs, all I need to do is re-iron that area. It is a product for me because I need to be seen during my low-light runs and this is an easy way to achieve that. The other areas I applied the iron-on strips to were my Foxelli headlamp (see my application process on IG) and the stick-on to my face! If you too run in the dark, I recommend that you give Brilliant Reflective a try. Save a few dollars by applying code BRP25 to save 25% off of all Multi/Assortment Packs. Shine bright friends!
“Disclaimer: I received free entry to the Rock n Roll Arizona Half Marathon 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!”
My 2018 Rock n Roll half marathon recap in storyteller mode. This is totally out of my comfort zone so enjoy!
It was Sunday early morning when I turned off my 3:30 a.m. phone alarm. Thankfully I did a flat runner Instagram post the night before because all of my gear was set up and ready to go. I’m pretty good at knowing how my tummy reacts to race day so having a small cup of coffee didn’t bother me. I poured hot water on my steel cut oats and left them to cool. Next up was applying pjuractive 2skin and putting on my race clothes. I was proudly wearing my bright orange BibRave shirt and trucker hat. I had to represent team orange, I wouldn’t have ran this race without them. Tucked my ID and one credit card in the back zip-up pocket of my running tights, grabbed my oats, water bottle belt and car keys and I was out the door at 4:40 a.m.
The drive to Katey’s house was quiet besides the bumping music coming from my trucks stereo. I know I shouldn’t but I had to eat my oats while driving. Totally not safe but very efficient. I arrived at her doorstep a little after 5 a.m. I had some jitters but mostly I was pumped for running my second RnR with Katey. See, last year I helped her PR and this year I wanted her to PR again. She wanted me to PR too and that means we would have to get faster than 2:22. I wasn’t sure that was possible. I did the training but I was just getting over a cold and I had my doubts with myself. Still, I was committed to run the 10:30 pace and see where it would take us! We loaded up in her SUV with our friend Deborah and jumped on the I-17 to make the 45 mile trek from Anthem to Tempe.
In the past I never raced with friends, we would meet up at a race but then run our own paces. Gosh, it felt good knowing that I would be running with Katey. My pre-race jitters were getting more intense on the ride into Tempe. It was about time to find a parking spot and since we arrived so early we decided to try to park as close to the starting line as possible. Thank goodness ASU was offering structure parking for free! We got a spot that was steps from the start line. It was perfect. We waited for Katey’s husband Ray and our friend Fine to park. Once they arrived, we all squeezed in Katey’s SUV to keep warm and chat, laugh and get even more pumped for the race.
Our Garmin’s told us it was getting close to 7:30 a.m. so it was time for potty breaks and stretches and getting in our assigned corrals. It was a nice touch that the RnR crew had bananas and water for us runners at the start line. That was a huge help for me cause my 4:45 a.m. oats were pretty much digested and my body needed more fuel. I quickly ate one and we all headed to the dreaded bathroom lines. The lines were awkward. The potties were lined up parallel to each other, maybe 25 on each side. There wasn’t much space in between them so people were lined up facing east for the east potties and facing west for the west potties. Lines moved quickly but when it was my turn a man jumped in front of me and was about to snatch my potty. I looked up at him straight in the eye and said “Excuse me?” and he backed down. Bathrooms were stinky but clean and stocked. Did my business real quick and headed out to find Katey and the rest of my run crew.
The corrals were getting jam packed at this point. We had to get in there now! We found an open spot and that’s when I was getting super pumped! The emcee was fantastic, they were playing music too. The garbage bag I was wearing to keep warm was just overheating me so I took it off. Next came off my long sleeve tech tee. I was sad to see it go but RnR donates the tossed clothes, it will be recycled. Holly and her husband Antonio arrived and we started our selfie ritual. It was obvious I was happy cause in every photo I have my mouth wide open like a goofball.
The count down was on. GPS signals were found and start buttons ready to be pushed. Katey staring happily at me, we were ready to RUN! We were off and past the start line. Our goal was 2:20 and we each had our pace bands on. Gosh we were feeling so good. The first two miles flew by, like seriously flew by. Then mile 4 hit and that’s when we started to feel the slight uphill. This is the deceitfulness of this course. It’s a hard race. There is approximately 226 feet of elevation gain. That doesn’t seem like much but it is when you are trying to PR. Even though the slight uphill was eating away at us. The roars from the spectators helped tremendously. At every turn of the road, the crowds were there with their bells, signs and screams. It felt good to hear them.
Our pace was slowing down a bit. We knew what was ahead of us. Were we in denial of the big hill? No, we trained for it. It was going to kick our butts and we were ready.
Katey told me her goal was a 12 minute per mile pace up and we started trucking up. Where were the drummers? I was counting on their beats to get me up and I didn’t have any music on me so I was wondering if they weren’t there this year. Boom, boom, boooooom, boom. Finally, they were there and it was just what I needed. We bounded up, did the u-turn and started heading down. I wanted to fly but I knew to save my legs so the pace was only dropped down a bit. This is where the rest of the course gets deceiving. You think you are done with hills but another baby one appears. I was getting grumpy. Where is the huge blow-up Brooks man? That vision got me motivated to keep pushing along. Katey told me she wanted to make up some lost time earlier. We actually picked up the pace on mile 10 and mile 11. We were pushing our bodies so hard. The sun was shining brightly and I could tell my arms were turning from being sun tanned to sun burned. And the salt on our faces! That was proof this race was kicking our butts. At mile 12.2 we started to slow down and we started to walk. I didn’t mind. We were still going to get Katey a PR. I could tell something was bothering her. I had a feeling it was because she wanted us to both PR at the same time. I understood that. I told her this was her race! And it’s all about her PR’ing. It was obvious that this point that she would get close to a 30 minute PR which is huge IMO over the course of year.
Let’s start running again. Our Garmin’s told us we were at mile 12.7, getting close to the bridge that goes over Tempe Town Lake and the finish chute. Our legs were heavy, the crowds around us screaming. It was now or never. We turned the corner and there was the glorious chute and that finish line. We gave it all we got and ran it in. It was magic. Running is magic. We finished at 2:30:54. That was a 28 minute PR for Katey and I am so proud of her. Running is hard. I used to think it’s for everyone but it really isn’t. It’s for the dedicated and focused and is something Katey is. We proudly took selfies and scarfed down snacks. I was craving chocolate milk since the expo. Chugging it quickly is not a good idea after running 13.1 miles, ugh, I had a tummy ache.
Where was the family reunion area? My brain was foggy, I didn’t know where I was. A volunteer shouting in a mega phone near my ear was yelling at us finishers to get out of the finish area and keep on moving. I plugged my ears and followed Katey. She was able to get some information from a helpful volunteer at the info tent and found our letter A and dry patch of dead grass. Sitting never felt so good. I was on cloud nine.
Ray and Deborah met up with us and we chatted a bit before deciding to make the trek back to the parking garage. Where exactly was the parking garage? It was actually a long walk. My phone told us 30 minutes. Seriously? No. Yep! The lactic acid in our legs thanked us. Katey got a call from Fine, she was lost. We ended up meeting with her at the parking garage at last. This was the perfect moment for us to sit in Cupz Coffee for tea and carbs.
Our ride home consisted mostly of girl talk and race memories and talk of what’s next on the race docket. One thing I know for sure is that racing with Katey is the best. I never knew racing and running with someone could be so wonderful. I’m thankful for her. And thankful for BibRave to give me the opportunity to represent them.
Andrea Heser 