September 17, 2013

*Sponsored* LockLaces Review and Giveaway

I was given two pairs of LockLaces in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own, not LockLaces. I was not otherwise compensated for this review.

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Ever wanted to learn an embarrassing fact about me? It took me forever to learn how to tie my own shoes, mostly because I’m left-handed and had a tough time learning from other people. It was therefore super frustrating when they come untied.

Nowadays, it’s still super frustrating when my shoelaces come untied while running or even when walking somewhere in the city (where it’s super annoying to have to stop in the middle of a crowd to tie your shoes). Mostly, when my shoes (or my running partners shoes) come untied, it greatly messes up the flow of my running.

LockLaces helped immensely with that problem. While it seemed a little weird to me at first to be using them, I never have a problem with them coming untied. Although I was at first puzzled about how to put them together, LockLaces has some great videos up about how to lace your shoes up and what to do if you need to unlace them without destroying the ties. They’ve become one of my new favorite running accessories!

 

Pink socks and pink shoes are a winning combination!

Pink socks and pink shoes are a winning combination!

You have a chance to win a pair, too, thanks to LockLaces. Just use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter. You have until Friday, September 20th at 11:59 pm EST to enter! Open to US entries only (International entries accepted if willing to pay shipping within 48 hours of being notified).

You have until Friday, September 20th at 11:59 pm EST to enter! Open to US entries only (International entries accepted if willing to pay shipping within 48 hours of being notified).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What types of things interrupt your running flow?

I was given two pairs of LockLaces in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own, not LockLaces. I was not otherwise compensated for this review.

 

Filed Under: Reviews, Running Tagged With: , , , , 3 Comments
May 29, 2013

June Challenges (#RWRunStreak Alternative)

Life always likes to get in the way of my monthly challenges. See: College graduations, job interviews, and a back muscle strain/pull. But, here I am again, trying to plan one for June. Unlike the other challenges I’ve planned, this one is just going to include my personal goals for developing my overall fitness.

I’m finding myself desperately wishing I could handle Runner World’s #RWRunStreak, where the goal is to run at least a mile a day between Memorial Day and Fourth of July. No matter how badly I want to do it, I know I shouldn’t attempt it because of how injury-prone I am. So instead, my #RWRunStreak alternative is:

  • Have a decent run at least three days a week (by setting a goal of at least 30 minutes a day, instead of a distance goal, so I don’t push myself too hard)
  • Complete 3 days worth of Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred a week
  • Attend at least 2 ballet classes a week (there are 3 offered at my studio)
  • Stretch everyday for at least 10 minutes (baby steps, since previous goals have just led me to give up).
  • Have a dedicated rest day.

I’ve planned my goals at like this so I can try to get in better general shape and fit in some sort of cross-training in now that I’m gym-less (not that I really ever did much at the gym either). I might try to squeeze in some swimming as well, since I (probably) still have access to the school’s pool.

What are your June goals? Are you attempting #RWRunStreak?

Filed Under: Ballet, Blog, Outside Class Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , 6 Comments
May 27, 2013

FlipBelt Review + Giveaway

FlipBelt provided by FlipBelt free of charge in exchange for a review. I was not paid for my review.  The opinions contained in this review are mine and based on my experience, and do not reflect the opinions of FlipBelt or anyone else.

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Last week when I arrived back to college, I got a cool little package in the mail, my FlipBelt! I was super excited to try it out–I can’t stand using the armband I got (my iPhone + Otterbox just feels so damn heavy).

Belt_Close_Up__11345.1349754553.1280.1280

But as you probably know, last week was a terrible week weather-wise. It rained most days in Philly and on the one nice day, I  had a job interview that involved a fair bit of travel, so I opted to lay around for the rest of the day.

Finally, Thursday I got a chance to try it out on the track at my university, but only for a mile or so because a huge group of people came on to the track for practice (I’m a slow runner and I felt like I was going to get trampled). Since I had ballet that evening (and it felt like it was starting to rain), I decided to call it quits. But, I LOVED using the FlipBelt. It didn’t slide, and with my phone slid to right in front of me (versus off to the side) it didn’t feel awkward and I could barely tell it was there. My headphones didn’t annoy me because there wasn’t too much slack like with my armband. My keys didn’t bother me either. My Otterbox makes it a bit heavy and tough to get into the FlipBelt, but once it’s in there it’s not moving.

I took to my neighborhood again to test it out for a bit of a longer run and it worked just as well. My only issue with it this time was because of the material the FlipBelt is made out of (an athletic one) and my athletic (and for some reason extra slippery) leggings, it slid a little in the beginning of my run. Once I got it to a good place on my hips (I ordered a medium so I could wear it on my hips versus my waist) it didn’t bother me at all–and stayed perfectly in place on my shorts on Sunday’s 5k run as well.

Want to try one out for yourself? Enter “ABP” at checkout until 6/27 for 10% off or enter to win one from FlipBelt here!

FlipBelt provided by FlipBelt free of charge in exchange for a review. I was not paid for my review.  The opinions contained in this review are mine and based on my experience, and do not reflect the opinions of FlipBelt or anyone else.

Filed Under: Etc., Outside Class, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , 14 Comments
March 27, 2013

Squat and Plank Challenge and April 30 Day Challenge

 

Through the Sweat Pink Ambassador network I found an awesome Squat and Plank challenge–which I figured would be super useful for helping to get my core muscles and my legs into better shape. It’s being run over at Live. Sweat. Sleep. Repeat. (you can find the chart on her blog!).

 

Plank on The Mat

Plank on The Mat (Photo credit: lululemon athletica)

 

It starts off fairly easy–but at the end of the 6 weeks it gets more intense (Hello 3 minute plank!). I’ll probably be adjusting to do more squats each day (say, like 3 sets of X) and cutting the plank time in half of what’s planned and doing two of them instead (I’m a wimp, okay? And planks are tough.)

 

There’s also a super awesome Facebook Support Group for it as well which I’m part of. Motivation for a workout challenge never hurts.

 

I’ll also be doing another 30 Day Challenge for ballet-related muscles (the idea sprouted from Thanks & Kittens). Like she recommended, I’d suggest working on whatever you feel you need to. Back Flexibility? Splits? Turns? Do it. I’ll be making a slight adjustment and making my goal to wake up every morning and do this runner’s yoga regime, since it will help with my hip flexibility as well as help prep me for running.

 

If you’re doing either of these challenges, let me know and if you have a blog, link me to your challenge posts! I love hearing about how everyone else is doing and we can motivate each other.

 

Filed Under: 30 Day Stretch Challenge, Blog, Etc., Info, Outside Class Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , 6 Comments