Andrea Heser

Knockaround Sunglasses: The Run Pair

Disclaimer: I received a pair of Knockaround 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.

If you’ve been following my blogs you’d notice that I’m a big fan of Knockaround sunglasses (see my previous blog posts below.) Their sunnies are the best. Why? They are made well, pretty much all frames cost under $30 and their styles are cute as all heck. When BibRave asked the pros a month ago who wants to opt-in to test a Run-pair and Fun-pair of Knockaround I jumped up and down for the opportunity. But before you get all confused about what is considered a Run-pair and what is a Fun-pair, I’ll let you in on a little secret. ALL of their sunglasses are suitable for Run or for Fun! Yeah, even their Mile High aviators. This is exactly why I wanted to test out their Mile High’s during my running activities. I wanted to really put their metal frames to the test when it comes to being active. And their Mile Highs did not let me down.

Featured

knockaround, BibRave, product review

Knockaround Sunglasses: The Fun Pair

knockaround, BibRave, product review

BibRave, Bibchat, knockaround, product review

Knockaround Sunglasses: The Run Pair

BibRave, Bibchat, knockaround, product review

product review, knockaround, BibRave, bibravepro, running

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

product review, knockaround, BibRave, bibravepro, running

promo code, bibrave, knockaround, review

Gear Review: Knockaround Sunglasses

promo code, bibrave, knockaround, review

Mile High Aviators are Tough and Stylish

When you think of aviator sunglasses do you think military? Top Gun? Badassness? Trendy? Maybe you don’t think running. I love the style of aviators because of their military background and I wanted to feel and look badass when running. Also, I like how typical aviator lenses are HUGE so that means major sun blockage. According to Wikipedia, aviators are characterised by dark, often reflective lenses having an area two or three times of area of the eyeball, and have very thin metal frames with a double or triple bridge. They say the design attempts to cover the entire range of the human eye to prevent as much light as possible from entering the eye from any angle. This is probably why pilots wear them. So why can’t a runner wear them? Knockaround’s version of the aviator is the Mile High or the Mount Evans. I opted in to test the Mile High in Rose Gold and Copper. Here are some Mile High specs:

Here are some key features:

Rose gold metal frame
Tortoise shell rubber detailing
Polarized copper lenses
Full UV400 protection
FDA approved impact resistant lenses
Lens Width: 58 mm
Lens Height: 54 mm
Nose Bridge: 21 mm
Arm Length: 132 mm
$30
Mile High’s come in 8 other colors too!

heser-andrea-strava-knockaround-mile-high

Durable, Cute & Willing to Go the Distance

The Knockaround website doesn’t exactly say the Mile Highs are ment for running. Still, I knew these would be my Run-pair to test. Typically, I never see any runners wear metal framed glasses while running and I wasn’t sure why. For the past month, I wore my Mile Highs during most training runs and during one 4th of July 4 mile race. During every run they stayed on my face, never bounced, completely blocked the sun, made me look 100% like a badass. And then, while wearing them during the 4th of July 4 miler race with Arizona Road Racers, I PR’ed the course! The last time I ran the course this fast was in 2015 and I was 4 years YOUNGER! This was a huge confidence boost for me. Was it the Mile High’s? I wouldn’t doubt it. I know those sunnies are magical.

Finish line face! This is when I knew I PR’ed my last time on this course 4 years ago!

Run? Fun? Both!

I’ll be honest. The campaign for Knockaround was to find a pair of their sunglasses suitable for Run and another for Fun but you can’t. ALL of their frames, even the metal ones, are a good choice for running or outdoor strength training. Check out my slideshow below of all the fun places I took the Mile High’s with me. If you are curious to try a pair out for yourself then go to Knockaround.com and apply code BIBRAVEKNOCKS2 for 20% OFF your entire order. Limited to one use per user and the coupon is valid until tomorrow on 7/15.

Speed Run Done

End of the day speed run done while the Mile Highs kept the setting sun off of my face.

Lakeside Chill

Mile High’s come in handy during lakeside family hikes.

Migh High Hill Training

Jumping for joy while halfway during a 10k hill training sesh.

Early Morning Training

The Mile High’s were great during early morning sunrise runs. They totally kept the sun out of my eyes.

Strength Training Poolside

I even wore my Mile High’s while doing burpees poolside while my son was in swim team lessons.

ULTIMA REPLENISHER RECIPE: Raspberry Spinach Turmeric Smoothie

Ultima Replenisher isn’t just for water! You can add it to smoothies for a delicious new way to get in your electrolytes.

Disclaimer: I received Ultima Replenisher 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 about a month and Ultima Replenisher is one of the most versatile food products I’ve tested as BibRave Pro. It’s not just for water! Sure, adding to water is the easiest way to get your electrolytes replenished from Ultima Replenisher but DYK you can add it to smoothies? Here is my favorite summer smoothie recipe.

All the Nutrients & no sugar

The versatility of Ultima Replenisher is fantastic. See my recipe for a Raspberry Spinach Turmeric Smoothie and enjoy getting electrolytes in a new way.

I love that Ultima Replenisher gives you so many nutrients without the added sugar. It’s carb-free and sugar-free! Here are some of the vitamins & minerals that I enjoy getting from Ultima:
✨ 100mg – vit C
✨ 65mg – calcium
✨ 100mg – magnesium
✨ 1mg – zinc
✨ 78mg – chloride
✨ 250mg – potassium
✨ 0 – calories
✨ 0 – carbs & sugars

Raspberry Spinach Turmeric Smoothie Recipe

I read from the Ultima Replenisher website that it can be added to hot or cold water. But, what else could it be added to? Don’t get me wrong, I love the ease of gulping down Ultima mixed in cold water but what about if I wanted to try it in a new way? Decided to try Ultima in one of my go-to smoothie recipes. Thrilled I wasn’t afraid to experiment! The raspberry adds a wonderful tartness to my smoothie and sweetens it up a bit without adding any sugar or carbs!

✅1 scoop (1/2 tsp) @GoUltima Raspberry flavor
✅1c unsweetened almond milk
✅1c frozen spinach
✅1/2 tsp ground turmeric
✅1 scoop of your fav vanilla flavored protein powder

😍🥤Blend & enjoy electrolytes the benefits of electrolytes as a smoothie!

But I already blended my smoothie and forgot to add Ultima, now what?

Made your smoothie but forgot to add Ultima Replenisher? No worries. Just stir it in post blend. Ultima Replenisher dissolves quickly in cold or hot substances. The Lemonade flavor added a delicious tart punch to my spinach turmeric smoothie.

Oops, forgot to blend in Ultima Replenisher. No biggie. Just stir it in post blend! This is a perfect hack when ordering pre-made smoothies! Try it!

What will you add Ulitma Replenisher to?

If you are curious about adding more electrolytes to you day without extra sugar and calories, then apply ULBRAVE19 for 10% off when your order on Amazon: amazon.com/shops/ultimareplenisher.

Let me know what you think and if you have any recipe ideas you’d like to share!

Gear Vest Pro by Orange Mud and its 10 Storage Options

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 explain what all of those pockets are for on the Gear Vest Pro by Orange Mud. Photo by Andrea Heser 2019 ©

You did it. You bought your first Orange Mud product and it’s the Gear Vest Pro! Smart decision. This pack will take you anywhere your heart imagines. I’ve been running trail races and doing all of my training runs exclusively in the Gear Vest Pro. It’s my new favorite because it’s lightweight, breathable, doesn’t bounce, has tons of storage and just look at that Coyote Brown color! You are finally ready to take it out on a run or ride, but first, what the heck are all of those pockets for?

1️⃣ Rear Cargo

This open ended storage pocket is perfect for items you need to get to quickly. It’s perfect for fuel, extra clothing and gear. Since the top is open and doesn’t have a zipper, I wouldn’t store valuable things here, just items you need quick access to. Cinching the shock cord helps keep items in this part of the pack more secure.

2️⃣ Hydration Bladder

The Orange Mud hydration bladder is one of the best I’ve used and tested. It’s soft, easy to fill and easy to drink from. The Gear Vest Pro can fit the 1L/35oz sized bladder in the back and gives you hydration that is good for about 1 to 1.5 hours of activity.

3️⃣ Shock Cord

If you need to carry lightweight outerwear like a windbreaker or light jacket, then store it in the shock cord area. This is a perfect spot for extra clothing or even a blanket.

4️⃣ Zippered Pocket with Key Clip

ID, cash, keys and anything valuable should be stored in the secure zippered pocket. This is the only pocket on the Gear Vest Pro that has a zipper. You can store a ton here although it would have been a good idea to have a zippered pocket on the front for easier accessibility. Still, this pocket is easy to access by sliding the vest off of one shoulder.

5️⃣& 6️⃣ Shoulder Pockets

The Gear Vest Pro has two large front shoulder pockets. The openings are stretchy and they are secured by hook and loop closure. They are secure enough for fuel, lip balm, sunscreen, wet wipes and other non-valuable items that you need quick access too. Keep you valuables in the back zippered pocket.

7️⃣& 8️⃣ Front Pockets

These huge front pockets are perfect for extra Orange Mud hydration flasks. They can even fit a standard 16oz water bottle. They do have a drawstring closure so you could store fuel, phone, tripod and even your keys. Be careful though, I did have my keys slip out while bending over to tie my shoe because I didn’t cinch the drawstring properly.

9️⃣& 1️⃣0️⃣ Trash Pockets

These are handy little front pockets that are primarily used to store trash from fuel. I found you could easily store lip balm, tissues and even tuck in the valve of the hydration bladder here.

Ready to Run

Isn’t the Gear Vest Pro extremely versatile? If you already own one, good! If not, then apply promo code BIBRAVEGVPRO for 15% off ALL Orange Mud gear.

Ultima Replenisher Recipe: Hot Lemon Bar Drink

Disclaimer: I received Ultima Replenisher 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.

Ultima Replenisher comes in a variety of flavors including: Cherry Pomegranate, Grape, Lemonade, Orange, Raspberry, Pink Lemonade and Toddler Berry Punch.

Summer is coming. Preparation is a must! The weather is going to be sticking in the triple-digits soon and that doesn’t mean I bunker down in my A/C controlled house for the rest of the summer and wait it out. I’ll still be running, doing other outdoor activities and taking to my son to swim team practice 4x a week. Since I’ll be out in the sun so much and sweating buckets, I’ll need my electrolytes replenished. I’m thankful that I was chosen to test out Ultima Replenisher as a BibRave Pro.

All the Nutrients & no sugar

Does sugar give you a little boost? It does for me too but then I come crashing down. I hate when that happens when I consume sugary drinks. I love that Ultima Replenisher gives you all the nutrients that give you a boost, but doesn’t have any sugar that would cause a crash. I’m getting some extra electrolytes, Here are some of the vitamins & minerals that I enjoy getting from Ultima:
✨ 0 – calories
✨ 0 – carbs & sugars
✨ 100mg – vit C
✨ 65mg – calcium
✨ 100mg – magnesium
✨ 1mg – zinc
✨ 78mg – chloride
✨ 250mg – potassium

Super excited to share my Hot Lemon Bar drink recipe with you that uses Ultima Replenisher!

Hot Lemon Bar Recipe

I read from the Ultima Replenisher website that it can be added to hot or cold water. Usually, my mornings consist of hot coffee & cream. It’s the warmness that helps me wake up, not the caffeine. I also enjoy hot tea with cream. Decided to try Ultima this morning, hot with cream to see how’d I like it. Well, this might be my new routine because I’m getting some extra electrolytes, vitamins & minerals that I wouldn’t get with coffee:

✅1 scoop @GoUltima Lemonade flavor
✅12oz hot water
✅2 tbsp heavy cream or your fav dairy or non dairy creamer

😍🍋☕️Stir, sip & enjoy the benefits of electrolytes as a hot drink!

Try some and save some money

If you are curious about adding more electrolytes to you day without extra sugar and calories, then apply ULBRAVE19 for 10% off when your order on Amazon: amazon.com/shops/ultimareplenisher.

Let me know what you think and if you have any recipe ideas you’d like to share!

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.

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.

Screen Shot 2019-03-17 at 9.09.23 PM.png

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.

Screen Shot 2019-03-17 at 9.09.56 PM.png

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.

Screen Shot 2019-03-17 at 9.09.32 PM.png

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!

Screen Shot 2019-03-17 at 9.10.04 PM.png

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!

Screen Shot 2019-03-17 at 9.09.49 PM.png

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?

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.

Ready to Get the Stink Out with WIN Detergent

Disclaimer: I received an WIN Detergent 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.

No one likes to talk about it but it happens to all of us. Stinky workout/tech clothes retain their stink even after washing. I smelled it before at many start lines. As clean tech clothes start to warm up the bacteria stored in them starts to wake up and then that stink smell starts to emit. No one is running yet, but the smell is there. WTF? It happens with my workout clothes too! This weird bacteria science experiment of smells doesn’t happen with cotton clothes but happens every time with technical or synthetic fabrics (I’ll explain later.) When BibRave gave us Pro’s the chance to test WIN Detergent, I opted in immediately!

Science_1_2da7e374-8a2a-43ed-b802-54ad92c9b4fe_1000x.png

How WIN Works

Your Running shorts stink.

Have you ever just put on clean workout clothes and after a few minutes of just wearing them you start to smell something funky? That smell is the bacteria waking up on your tech clothes and the gas they are releasing. YUCK! Those tech clothes you wear are made with synthetic fibers. They are great for wicking away water, keeping you dry and keeping you chafe-free. But tech clothes tend to trap oil that feed bacteria. Then those bacteria release gas and that’s that funk/sweat smell you catch a whiff of before you even start working out. Niceeeeeee? Not!

Science_3_2a8ea935-4b08-4a7e-a74a-a7a19d7bf6eb_800x.png

Cotton Doesn’t Have this Problem.

Did you know that cotton fabrics absorb water. This is why cotton is perfect for towels but not so perfect for workout wear. When you wear cotton and workout, the fabric will swell and that’s when chafing happens. Also, cotton naturally repels oils, so cotton usually doesn’t small as bad as synthetics.

Your Regular Detergent Won’t Help

Science_4_1dba712c-1010-4cf9-89d7-0941e5f58f6d_800x.png

Whatever regular brand you use to wash your running clothes won’t help to get the stink out. I use a free and clear by Costco and although it’s great at getting stains and regular dirt out, it does not get that bacteria skunk out of my clothes. Regular detergent is optimized for cotton and not synthetic tech gear and not for getting the funk smell out. Ugh, this is totally grossing me out.

WIN Gets the Job Done

Science_6_832721f7-eaef-44c7-b542-8b019cb4efdd_800x.png

The main difference between WIN Detergent and regular detergent is that WIN has the ingredients in its formula that separate the oils from the synthetic fibers. WIN will break that bond between oil and the synthetic fibers! WIN’s formula contains special detergent molecules called Surfactants. Pretty much all detergents have surfactants, but the type in WIN specifically work to get the oils out of synthetic fabrics. Want to geek out? Surfactants are two-sided molecules and one side is hydrophobic so it repels water and grabs onto the oil. The other side is hydrophilic so it grabs onto water. When the water goes down the drain after your wash cycle, so do the oils and the bacteria and that funk smell that NO ONE likes to talk about. Yay!

Since WIN removes that stink oil from your favorite workout wear, the wicking properties of your clothes are restored. So your tech clothes actually work better and smell better and now you don’t have to worry about if that gal next to you has a grimace on her face because she caught a whiff of your clothes or because she forgot her sunglasses. LOL!

WIN helped me

I tested out WIN because I will admit, my running clothes don’t smell pretty. To get the most out of WIN detergent, follow the directions and here are a few bonus tips.

Hot Chocolate 15k Scottsdale post-race stinky clothes and my son’s swim gear are not match to WIN Detergent!

Use the hottest water possible. That will help WIN remove the oil from your clothes faster. Think of it as if you are washing an oily pan in the sink you would use hot water and not cold. It’s the hot water that will help the surfactants even better to get that oil off.
Use 2oz. I always put in a double shot of WIN during my wash. This just got the stink out better than using 1oz. Also, my wash loads tend to be on the extra large side.
Double rinse. This is also important. Do a second rinse cycle. This ensures that all of the stinky oil goes away down the drain with the water.
Tumble Dry on Low. High drying temps could damage fabrics. Most synthetics, especially good wicking fabrics, dry quickly on a low.
Sensitive to fragrances? My entire family (including myself) is sensitive to extra fragrances in products. I was thrilled that I was able to test out the fragrance-free version of WIN Detergent. It works exactly the same as the regular WIN, but doesn’t have any added fragrance or dye!

Smell you later?

Sorry, I don’t mean to joke but if you own tech clothes then know that they smell if you use regular detergent. That’s just the stinky reality! BibRave and WIN is sweet enough to offer a discount code of 20% orders. Apply code RAVE4WIN to get 20% off any WIN purchase (individual bottle, 2-pack, or 4-pack.) This is good for orders on Amazon. Offer good through 1/15/2019. Limit one use per household.

Let me know what you think! Do your tech clothes smell better?

Check out some other reviews of WIN from other BibRave Pro’s:
The Marathon Lady
Run Katy Run

Running Safe and Smart With Sabre

Disclaimer: I received Sabre Runner Pepper Gel with Adjustable Hand Strap 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.

Protecting myself by being smart and while carrying Sabre.

I play the scenario out in my head. Being attacked while running. Would I fight back? Yes. Would I scream? Hope so. Would I run away? I’ll try if my fighting back isn’t working. This is a reality that all outdoor runners — male or female — have to deal with. Society has been talking about it more because more people, women in particular, have been attacked or killed while doing something they are passionate about, running. I am careful while I am running and do particular things that I will elaborate more on but I didn’t run with protection. It was a surprise to me that BibRave was offering a unique testing opportunity. An opportunity that I couldn’t pass up. Test pepper spray by Sabre. The interesting thing is, this isn’t ordinary pepper spray, it’s actually a pepper gel and Sabre is the most trusted brand by police. Here are ways that I keep safe while running and how I now incorporate Sabre in my running routine.

Be Aware of Surroundings

I’ll only run in the dark in areas I know, like my own neighborhood. I’m constantly looking and seeing and listening. Yes, I look behind my shoulder a lot. I’m not paranoid, I’m being observant. If you are running somewhere new, think about what could be there before you hit that run. Will there be commuters, animals (domesticated or not), train tracks, alley ways, no street lights, etc. If we are aware about surroundings, then it’s less likely we will be caught off guard by a sudden surprise.

Be Visible To Those Around You

My running clothes are bright or have reflective elements ironed on them (hello, Brilliant Reflective!) You’ll also find blinky lights on my head and hydro vest. I’ll put one red blinky light on the back and side that faces the street on my hydro vest. I look everyone in the eye and wave. That could be others walking or running and even people in their cars driving. Tired morning commuters see me better when I acknowledge them. I always remember that a person driving is NOT looking for people on bicycles, runners or walkers. They are looking for other cars, so acknowledging them goes a long way. A coyote will always be greeted with a stomp of my feet, loud clapping hands and a yell of “GO!” They run off when I do that. I even greeted two dogs off their leash that way! Thankfully they ran off.

Hand held protection by Sabre. The Runner Pepper Gel w/ adjustable hand strap.

Be Willing To Carry & Use Protection

I don’t ever want it to come to this, but I will protect myself any way possible against harm. Lately, I’ve been running with the Sabre Runner Pepper Gel with Adjustable Hand Strap. It’s a gel, so there isn’t blowback like from a spray. It has UV dye aids. I never thought about a pepper spray or gel having this technology. The UV marking dye aids in suspect identification. It’s the #1 brand trusted by police and consumers worldwide which included county sheriff & U.S. marshals from New York, Chicago PD and Los Angeles. The spray range is huge at 12 feet and Sabra mentions that is 20% greater range than other products. I get that running with extra running gear is cumbersome. During my multiple runs with the Sabre Runner Pepper Gel, I didn’t notice it on my hand. It also stayed on my hand securely because of the adjustable velcro hand strap. So I took it to my food scale and discovered It weighs only 1.4 ounces, even with the velcro hand strap and holder! It can also be used-multiple times, there is enough protection in the bottle for 35 bursts. This surprised me because I assumed that a pepper spray or gel is a one time use only.

Walking your dog while carrying the Sabre Runner Pepper Gel is easy.

Not just for running

For the most part, I run alone and that’s a good reason to carry the Runner Pepper Gel. But I also frequently walk my dog, Wally. He’s 30 pounds, so not totally a small dog but he could appear to be an easy target for a coyote or bobcat. I have both species living in the desert preserve behind my home. Sabre doesn’t recommend spraying the Runner Pepper Gel at dogs, they make a specific dog spray for that, a product that won’t permanently hurt the dog, just disable their attack in a humane way. If a coyote or other non-domesticated animals comes between me and Wally, I will spray it with the Runner Pepper Gel. I noticed that the Runner Pepper Gel is perfect for when you are walking a dog. The velcro strap makes it simple to keep the pepper gel on your hand while picking up doggy doo-doo. All I did was flip the strap and case around to the top of my hand, then proceeded to clean up. Once I was done, I just flipped it back. No need to put anything in my pocket. My protection was always there. Since protection is always near, Sabre built in a reinforced trigger with a twist lock. It can be turned on and off with the flip of your thumb. I’m right-handed and I found the pepper gel was easy to engage and disengage the twist lock with either my left or right hand.

Final takeaways

I had no idea that something so small could make me feel so confident. Each mornings run now includes me running with the Sabre Runner Pepper Gel. My brain is already in an euphoric state during most of my runs so it feels good that I could let my mind wander just a bit because I know I’m carrying strong protection.

If you are interested in the Sabre Runner Pepper Gel, it can be purchased from their website or from their Amazon store.

Do you want to feel it on your hand before you buy? I’ll be at the Scottsdale Half Marathon & 5k this Sunday, December 9th pacing the 2:50 half marathon group. I’m bringing the Sabre Runner Pepper Gel to show one of my Instagram runner friends. You are welcome to come check it out! Find me holding my pacer sign or comment here!

Curious what other BibRave Pro’s have to say? Here’s a compiled list of other blog reviews:
She Runs By Faith
Runner Antics
Back to Basics
Crazy Hamster
Preston Ramsey
Elbow Glitter
The Marathon Lady
BluegrassBAMR
She Runs By The Seashore
Running Around the Boyz
Marathang
Another Half Please
Living Loving Runner

All My Favorite Brands Brands Brands Brands

Disclaimer: I received free entry to Virtual Oakland Turkey Trot 5k 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!”

andrea-heser-oakland-turkey-trot-flatlay

My first official turkey trot is just 3 days! I’m totally pumped for race day and why not celebrate with a flat lay. What the what is a flat lay you say? It’s basically any photograph you take from directly above while the objects are on a flat surface. Usually the objects are arranged neatly or in a creative way. If you follow my IG or Pinterest feed, you know I LOVE doing flat lays of my run gear aka flat runner!

Here’s a rundown on my favorite brands included in this flat lay:

Oakland Turkey Trot: This race is pretty unique. All proceeds go back to the Oakland community. Part of my heart belongs to the Bay Area (I lived there for a number a years while growing up.) Both of those are reasons why I signed up to have this race as my very first Turkey Trot!
Knockaround: These sunglasses are my go-to shades. They are reasonable, stay on your face and look good on.
Buff: Lightweight, comfortable and keeps you warm. Buffs are the best!
Altra Running: I was favoring an ‘other’ brand for a while and my right hip as been killing me. Decided to bust out my Altra Impulse Flash and I wish I did that sooner. My hip pain is going away and I’m running fast. Wow. Love Altra.
Aftershokz Trekz Air: Hear the world around you and your music. I feel safe while wearing my Trekz Air during runs. Also, no cords to deal with and the Canyon Red color looks fab against my skin tone.
Garmin feñix 5s Rose Gold: Oh, momma! Talk about beauty meets tech. This watch is my favorite watch of all time. It does NOT leave my wrist unless I need to charge it. My favorite features is all day HR monitoring and how accurate it tracks my pace during runs.
BibBoards: I first noticed rust on my shirt last year. WTH? It was from the safety pins! BibBoards protects your favorite tech shirts from rust and holes and they are customizable!
Sparkle Athletic: #TeamSparkle 4eva! Be bold, be bright. Running is FUN, so have fun doing it. I like to shine during races and I am absolutely wearing a Sparkle Athletic skirt while doing this virtual 5k Turkey Trot.

Join me in getting your #feastmode on and sign up for the Oakland Turkey Trot. Apply code BROTTVIP for 10% off registration.