Review: ROAD iD Sidekick

Disclaimer: I received ROAD iD  Sidekick 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.

One of the first things I did, when I started running in 2012 was purchase a ROAD iD bracelet.  I have religiously worn that pink bracelet with my Garmin for every run and, most recently, bike rides.  

When I had the opportunity to test out the Sidekick, I signed right up.  The ordering process was quick and easy and before I knew it, I was receiving email updates that my order was in production and had been shipped.  

Unfortunately, I did not read closely and ordered a size too small.  No problem:  ROAD iD had me order a new (proper size) and I was receiving similar emails that the engraving was in production and on the way.  The online ordering was easy, shipment was quick and the quality is great.  

Now that I personally own two ROAD iD products, I prefer this Sidekick as I no longer have to search in my bag for my ROAD iD bracelet since it is securely attached to my Garmin wristband.  

I cannot recommend ROAD iD products enough as it is a good idea to have such information available to first responders.  

Check out some other BibRave Pro reviews of the ROAD iD Sidekick below:

Chloe

Patrick

Phil

Running on the Other Side of 40

Runirvana

Review: Knockaround Sport Collection Sunglasses

Disclaimer: I received Knockaround Sport Collection Sunglasses 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 love sunglasses.  It is a problem, I know.  I wear sunglasses year-round. I cannot tell you how many pairs of sunglasses I own.  I often wear them to match my outfits.  But when I am running, I wear them for comfort and practicality (keep sun, rain, snow, wind and debris out of my eyes).  

When given the opportunity to test Knockaround Sport Collection Sunglasses, I jumped in on the action, immediately.  

I first had the opportunity to test Knockaround Fastlane Sunglasses in 2019 and fell in love as I was surprised how they stayed put on my nose, even during the sweatiest of runs.  The Knockaround Sport Collection Sunglasses are no different and I enjoyed giving this pair a try. 

I selected the Spearmint/Sunset Knockarounds, thinking that although this is a color I like, chances are I would probably never order for myself.  Funny story:  The sunglasses matched many of my favorite running tops. 

Again, the glasses stayed put and offered enough room on the top of my ears for my AfterShokz, allowing me to not be blinded by the sun and listen to my audio book, simultaneously.  The quality of the sunglasses is also impressive as I sat on them, while getting into my car, last week, and they did not break.  I tend to be a little harsh on my sunglasses as although I kept this pair in the little bag they came in, they were often found at the bottom of my bag, under my labtop, wallet, keys, etc.  Still they managed to survive.  

Are you ready to try these sunglasses?  Use discount code BibRaveKnoncks5 for 20% OFF your entire order (one use per customer).  

Read what other BibRave Pros are saying about the Knockaround Sport Collection Sunglasses:

Katy 

Danielle

Coach Fischer

Meredith

Jeremy

Michelle

GearJunkie

Chloe

Confessions of a Lazy Runner

In 2018, I ran 598.7 miles.  This is significantly less than anticipated. 

I should have know that my annual mileage would be low, especially since consistency has always been a struggle, which is the primary reason I sign up for so many Half Marathons (usually one per month):  At least I’ll get 13.1 miles in each month.

New year running resolution if I write (type) it, I must accomplish it! 

This year, I am going to set a reachable goal of 750 miles and will be celebrating like a Boston Qualifier if I end up tracking 1,000 miles for the year.

750/52 = Approx 14.5 miles/week
1,000/52 = Approx 19.5 miles/week

750/12 = Approx 62.5 miles/month
1,000/12 = Approx 83.5 miles/month

How about you:  Do you have any mileage goals for 2019?  How do you stay motivated to keep going when the blankets are so warm, the pizza is so delicious and the work day is exhausting?

Do you need help staying motivated?  Would registering for races help?

I will run in (for the 7th time) the Gazelle Girl Half in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  This event started as a celebration of Title IX, the law that made discrimination between men's and women's educational programs illegal.  The event has really grown, over the years, and has raised funds for Girls on the Run of Kent and Muskegon Counties in addition to the Gazelle Sports Foundation, Grand Rapids Opportunity for Women and YWCA. 

Last year, I ran the Savannah Publix Women’s Half and had such a wonderful time!  The route starts and ends at Forsyth Park, down tree-lined streets, around 12 of the city's scenic squares in the historic district before a picture-perfect finish at Forsyth Park Fountain.  The post-race party was like something I had never experienced:  Mimosas in Forsyth Park!  I have already signed up for this Half.  If you would like to join me, use discount code BIBSAV20 to save 20% on your registration.

In fact, here are some additional discount codes:

January 2019

1/12/2019 - Irvine Half Marathon & 5K - Irvine, CA

Use code “BRSCVIP” for 10% off!
1/13/2019 - Hot Chocolate San Francisco - San Francisco, CA

Use code “BRHCSanFran” for a free phone armband!
1/19/2019 -  Hot Chocolate Charlotte - Charlotte, NC

Use code “BRHCCharlotte” for a free phone armband!
1/27/2019 - Fitbit Miami Marathon and Half Marathon - Miami, FL

Use code “BIBRAVE19” for $10 off the full & half (includes the combo options of full + 5K, half + 5K etc.) and $5 for the Tropical 5K alone.

February 2019

2/1-3/2019 - Surf City Marathon & Half Marathon - Huntington Beach, CA

Use code “SCMBR10” for 10% off!
2/3/2019 - Hot Chocolate Houston - Houston, TX

Use code “BRHCHouston” for a free phone armband!
2/3/2019 - San Jose 408K - Huntington Beach, CA

Use code “BIBRAVE” for $3 off!
2/9/2019 - Hot Chocolate Dallas - Dallas, TX

Use code “BRHCDallas” for a free phone armband!
2/9-10/2019 - Daytona Beach Half Marathon

Use code “DBHMRAVE19” for 10% off the half, half relay or challenges. This code is good until 1/31/2019.
2/16/2019 - Hot Chocolate Nashville - Nashville, TN

Use code “BRHCNashville” for a free phone armband!
2/17/2019 - Hot Chocolate Atlanta - Atlanta, GA

Use code “BRHCAtlanta” for a free phone armband!

March 2019

3/3/2019 - Livermore Valley Half Marathon & 5K - Livermore, CA

Use code “BRLIVVIP” for 10% off!
3/3/2019 - Napa Valley Marathon and Half Marathon - Napa, CA

Use code “19NVMRAVE10OFF” for $10 off.
3/3/2019 - Hot Chocolate Seattle - Seattle, WA

Use code “BRHCSeattle” for a free phone armband!
3/15-17/2019 - Portland Shamrock Run - Portland, OR

Use code “SHAMROCKBR10” for 10% off!
3/17/2019  - Tobacco Road Marathon & Half Marathon - Cary, NC

Use code “trmrave19” for $20 off!
3/24/2019 - Hot Chocolate San Diego - San Diego, CA

Use code “BRHCSanDiego” for a free phone armband!
3/30/2019 - Hot Chocolate Indianapolis - Indianapolis, IN

Use code “BRHCIndy” for a free phone armband!
3/31/2019 - Philadelphia Love Run Half Marathon - Philadelphia, PA

Use code “LOVEBR10” for 10% off!

April 2019

4/6/2019 - Hot Chocolate Philadelphia - Philadelphia, PA

Use code “BRHCPhilly” for a free phone armband!
4/6/2019 - Publix Savannah Women's Half & 5K - Savannah, GA

Use code “BIBSAV20” for 20% off!
4/7/2019 - Statesman Cap10K - Austin, TX

Use code “BibRave2019Cap10K” for $5 off!
4/13/2019 - Tar Heel 10 Miler & Fleet Feet Sports 4 Miler

Use code “TARHEELBR10” for 10% off!
4/14/2019 - Rutgers Unite Half Marathon & 8K

Use code “UNITEBR10” for 10% off.
4/25-27/2019 -  IL Marathon- Champaign-Urbana, IL

Use code “bibraveillinois2019” for $5 off!
4/28/2019 - New Jersey Marathon - Oceanport, NJ

Use code “NJMBIBRAVE19” for $5 off any distance (5K, Half Marathon, Marathon, Marathon Relay).
4/28/2019 - Silicon Valley Half Marathon - San Jose, CA

Use code “BIBRAVE” for 10% off!

May 2019

5/10-11/2019 - Santa Barbara Wine Country Half Marathon (Destination Races) - Solvang, CA

Use code “SBBR10” for 10% off.
5/25/2019 - Run Madtown presented by SSM Health - Madison, WI

Use code “RAVENSAVE” for 10% off (excludes kid's race).
5/26/2019 - Vermont City Marathon - Burlington, VT

Use code “BibRave10” for $10 off!

June 2019

6/1/19 - Starlight Run - Portland, OR

Use code “STARBR10” for 10 % off.

July 2019

7/20-21/19 - New Jersey State Triathlon - West Windsor, NJ

Use code “NJSTBR10” for 10% off.
7/20-21/19 - Napa to Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon (Destination Races) - Sonoma, CA 

Use code “N2SBR10” for 10% off.

August 2019

8/11/2019 - Oaktown Half Marathon - Oakland, CA

Use code “BROAKVIP” for 10% off.

September 2019

9/14-15/2019 - Nautica Malibu Triathlon -  Malibu, CA 

Use code “MALIBUBR10” for 10% off.
9/21-22/2019 - Surf City 10 - Huntington Beach, CA

Use code “SC10BR10” for 10% off.

October 2019

10/11-13/19 -  jetBlue Long Beach Marathon & Half Marathon - Long Beach, CA

Use code “LBMBR10” for 10% off.
10/20/19 - Bull City Race Fest and Food Truck Rodeo - Durham, NC

Use code “BCRFBR10” for 10% off.

Also, if you are interested in any races in the Ann Arbor, Michigan area (Go Green), use discount code RFNY19 for $5 off on any open 2019 Event Registration.

Have a great run!

Review: Buff DryFly Neckwarmer and Hat

Disclaimer: I received a Buff DryFly Neckwarmer and Hat 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 used Buff products before, in fact I have at least one clean original in my running bag at all times. Usually, I use an original Buff for the purpose of pulling my hair back, covering my face on windy beach days, keeping my face/ears warm on those crazy winter days and even as a bracelet to wipe sweat off my face.

But when the opportunity to test the Buff DryFly Neckwarmer and Hat presented itself, I had to join in on the fun. The weather has recently started to get cool (30*) so I have finally had the opportunity to wear my new Buff DryFly Neckwarmer and Hat. Truth be told, now that I have been wearing them, I now know that I did not need to wait for it to get cold. Both the hat and neckwarmer are very light weight but provide sufficient warmth without overheating. 

Once nice surprise is the reflective design, which is great for dusk to dawn activity. The DryFly fabric is breathable and quick-drying (I hung it up wet, after a five mile run, and it was dry by the time I got out of the shower).

At the beginning of my runs, I am usually cold, but three miles in, I end up getting warm. The hat kept my head warm and the neckwarmer was perfect to pull down and away from my face/ears. I am looking forward to more early morning, cold runs with Buff!

Once concern I do have: I think my oldest has been eyeing the hat and I might find it under his snowboard helmet, by the end of the week. 

What about you? Have you tried any of the Buff DryFly products? What are your thoughts?

 

 

Turkey Trot

Disclaimer: I am promoting the North Shore Turkey Trot 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.

My favorite race of the year is the Lansing Turkey Trot.  Something about the cold air and runners in holiday costumes that just really kicks off the holiday season for me.  Of course, the burned calories before I consume mass amounts of food helps. 

This year, I am unable to participate because of family obligations but I do want to encourage participation in a local turkey trots as they are crazy fun. 

If you are in the Lansing, Michigan area, you need to check out the Lansing Turkey Trot.

If you are in the Detroit, Michigan area, you should check out the Detroit Turkey Trot.  I have never done this race, but it looks very fun.

If you are in the Highland Park, Illinois area, you should check out the North Shore Turkey Trot.  This race has an option of a 5k or 10k to burn those calories.  Use the code BRTurkeyTrot for a free pair of sunglasses, at registration.

What is your favorite Turkey Trot race?  Will you be out burning calories, this Thanksgiving?

Amphipod PureRun Minimalist Hydration Vest for the WIN

Disclaimer: I received an Amphipod PureRun™ Minimalist Hydration Vest 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.

One of my biggest frustrations with my old hydropack was that even when I wore it, I still had to wear something else to hold my keys, phone and magic beans.  With the Amphipod PureRun Minimalist Hydration Vest, that is not the case.  The front storage is more than adequate to hold my phone on one side and keys, beans, card, cash and pepper spray on the other.  Plus, the back storage goes on for days with the 2L Bladder compatible storage pack and stash-bag zip compartment. 

 

There is also no need to stress about properly cleaning the liquid containers like one does with a typical bladder hydropack, as the two 12oz bottles are so easy to clean.  The bottles (flasks) also stand up straight in the refrigerator.  Please note:  If the bottles are left unattended, small humans may end up packing them in their school in lunchboxes without permission.

The vest is very light and breathable with a mesh fabric and a Lateral stabilization system, which provides bounce-free stability.  The bottles are very easy to use, while running, so long as both hands are free (must open the jet-squeeze cap).  

I am a huge fan, so expect to see more selfies with me in this vest!