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?

Review: Madison Half Marathon

Disclaimer: I’m promoting the Madison Half Marathon 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.

Back in April when I had the opportunity to register for the Madison Half Marathon, I was excited for the race prompting a birthday weekend away.  I was able to secure a reasonably priced flight from Detroit (DTW) to Madison (MSN) and brought my spouse along for the fun.

While out exploring on Saturday morning, I came upon a farmer's market along the Capitol Square that had a host of vendors offering vegetables, meat, cheese, muffins, cookies and more.  It was a really nice market, especially considering the temperature.  I learned that after this weekend, the farmer's market will move indoors to the convention center.  Old Fashioned offered an amazing lunch for me and brunch for the spouse. 

The race expo was small but had everything that a runner could need.  Fleet Feet Madison had a large set up for runners to purchase anything that they might have forgotten.  I forgot to grab my sunglasses so I snagged a pair of Goodr Flamingos on a Booze Cruise (aka pink) shades.  I have never tried Goodr sunglasses, but had read BibRave reviews and thought for $25 I might as well try them.  I located my name on the Welcome banner, took a picture and headed out for a pasta dinner.



Race morning came early and it was cold!  Honestly, I will probably think 25* is warm in a month, but I did not get much of a temperature transition, this year, so it seemed really cold.

I met up with fellow BibRavePros and we headed off to experience the Madison hills.  You would think that I would have read some race reviews to prepare for this new race, but I did not and learned about the hills the night before.  The race started at the State Capitol and took runners through the city, passed businesses, along Lake Mendota and through a beautiful neighborhood before returning to the city and back to the Capitol for the finish line.  Experiencing the hills was something else!  In fact, my Garmin showed that the total elevation was 274 feet!

The aid stations were well staffed, but not flagged, so runners could not tell they were coming up, until they were there.  PS the best way to drink Lemon-Lime Gatorade is with a thin layer of ice on top.

After the race, I took a quick shower and ventured to Dotty Dumpling's Dowry for the most amazing fried cheese curds and chicken sandwich, washed down by a very refreshing Pear Cider.

The day after the race, participants received an email with a link to free pictures that were taken along the course and at the finish.

For those that qualify for Boston, by running the Madison Marathon:  You are my hero!  To run a marathon is a huge accomplishment, but to run it with the last 13 miles being the half marathon that I ran:  Amazing!

What is my next race?  I honestly do not know.  I am planning on the Publix Savannah Women's Half Marathon in April, since I had such a great time, last year, but I must do more races before then! 

Stay tuned. 

Review: OOfos

Disclaimer: I received an OOfos 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 returned home from the Bellin Women's Half Marathon to find the Women's Ooriginal Sport Sandal - Cloud White waiting for me in my mail.

These sandals are not like any other sandal.  They are unbelievably comfortable and the footbed provides serious impact absorption and great arch support.  

When my new sandals first arrived, I wore them around the house to get used to them.  I could not believe how sturdy they felt.  I started wearing them at work, when I did not have to be in my high heels.  Then out and about and some friends at my local Pure Barre class also tried them and commented about how sturdy they were.  They too were surprised on the level of support these sandals offered.  

I wore the sandals during my behind the scenes tour of the Detroit International Half Marathon, in the rain, which probably wasn't the best idea, since I did develop a little blister on the top of my right foot.  

I wore the sandals nearly all day, yesterday, after the Madison Half Marathon and again, today, and they have offered nice support and shock absorption, while letting my toes be free, during recovery.  

I seriously need to purchase toe socks, so that I may continue wearing these amazing sandals in the winter.

Detroit Free Press International Half Marathon

Disclaimer: I’m promoting the Detroit International Half Marathon 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!

Detroit International Half Marathon:  Wake up early, run to Canada via the Ambassador Bridge and then back to the United States through the tunnel all in 13.1 miles.  

On Sunday, October 21st, I had the opportunity to run the Detroit International Half Marathon.  I had such a wonderful time, last year, that I knew that I had to run this race again this year.  So when registration was available, I registered immediately.  Little did I know, then, that I would become a BibRave Pro and have a discount code to offer others to save on the registration.  Regardless, the registration was worth every penny.

Because of my parking concerns, I spent the Saturday night before the race at the Motor City Casino.  The hotel is nice and approximate 1.5 miles away from the start.  The hotel has plenty of food options and easy self-parking.  A shuttle is offered to the start line and back to the hotel, after the race.   

As a BibRave Pro, I was given a behind the scenes tour with Barbara Bennage, Executive Race Director.  It was a crazy busy time for Barbara, but she was able to share information about the thousands of dollars that are spent on port-a-potties, security and to vendors to put the race on.  Also, the thousand of hours of work that is put into covering parking meters, setting up banners, packing finisher bags with snacks and planning the race.

The race was everything I expected it to be.

At approximately mile marker two, runners approach the Ambassador Bridge to cross into Canada.  After five miles, runners enter the tunnel to return to the United States.  After a run through Mexican Town and Corktown, runners cross the beautiful finish at Fort Street and Cass Avenue.

After completion, runners are given their medal a bottle of water and, my favorite, chocolate milk.  After moving further away from the finish, participants receive a bag full of fuel (including a banana, cookies and a cup of fruit).

Getting back to my hotel was a little more difficult, this year, as I was unable to locate the shuttle, which was supposed to pick up every fifteen minutes.  I ended up walking a little over a mile back to the Motor City Casino.  Took a quick shower, checked out and was on my way home, while relaxing my Oofos.

My next half marathon will be the Madison Half on November 11, 2018.  If you are interested in joining, use MMRAVE18 to save on registration.  I am looking forward to cool air and sunny skies in beautiful Wisconsin. 

Save Money on Race Registrations

BibRave Race Discount Codes

BibRave is a running community that connects runners with the best races. It's the place to research races you’re considering signing up for, and a place to leave feedback on races you’ve completed. BibRave is also a way for races and running brands to connect with socially savvy runners - through our popular weekly Twitter chat, #BibChat, and our large ambassador network - BibRave Pros. The list below captures all of the current active BibRave partner race discount codes. Use the codes below to receive discounts on registration for our partner races. Visit https://www.bibrave.com/ for more information and contact info@bibrave.com with any questions!

October 2018

✅10/27/2018- Tulsa Federal Credit Union Tulsa Run- Tulsa, OK

Use code “BIBRAVE18” to save $5!

✅10/28/2018 - Rock ‘n’ Roll Los Angeles - Los Angeles, CA
Use code “RNRBRP2018” to save $15 on the Half Marathon!

10/28/2018 - Onward Shay! Boise Marathon - Boise, ID

Use code “BIBRAVE15” for 15% off.

10/31/2018 - Scooby-Doo Run Series: Scoobtober Virtual Run 5K/10K

Use code “BIBRAVE” for 10% off.

November 2018

✅11/3/2018 - Rock ‘n’ Roll Savannah - Savannah, GA
Use code “RNRBRP2018” to save $15 on the Marathon or Half Marathon!

11/3/2018 - DAV 5K Kemah - Kemah, TX
Use code “BIBRAVE4DAV5K” for 20% off.

11/3/2018 - Mushroom Cap Half Marathon - Kennett Square, PA

Use code “runbibrave” for $10 off!

11/3-4/2018 - Golden Gate Half Marathon & 5K - San Francisco, CA

Use code “GGBR10” for 10% off!

✅11/4/2018 - Hot Chocolate Chicago - Chicago, IL

Use code “BRHCChicago” for a free phone armband!

11/4/2018 - DAV 5K Newport News - Newport News, VA
Use code “BIBRAVE4DAV5K” for 20% off.

11/4/2018 - DC Wonder Woman Run Series - Los Angeles, CA

Use code “WWBIBRAVE” for 10% off!

11/10/2018 - DAV 5K Atlanta - Atlanta, GA
Use code “BIBRAVE4DAV5K” for 20% off.

11/10/2018 - DAV 5K Cincinnati - Cincinnati, OH
Use code “BIBRAVE4DAV5K” for 20% off.

11/10-11/2018 - Monterey Bay Half Marathon - Monterey, CA
Use “BIBRAVE10” for $10 off at https://bsim.info/MBHMbibrave

✅11/10-11/2018 - Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas - Las Vegas, NV
Use code “RNRBRP2018” to save $15 on the Marathon or Half Marathon!

✅11/11/2018 - Madison Marathon - Madison, WI

Use “MMRAVE18” to save 10% through 11/7 (when online registration closes).

✅11/11/2018 - Honor Run Half Marathon - Florence, KY

Use code “bibrave15” to save $15 on your entry!

✅11/17-18/2018 - Williams Route 66 Marathon - Tulsa, OK

Use code “2018RT66BIBRAVE” for $10 off your entry at https://rt66.run/2018RT66Run

✅11/18/2018 - Hot Chocolate Columbus - Columbus, OH

Use code “BRHCColumbus” for a free phone armband!

11/18/2018 - DC Wonder Woman Run Series - San Diego, CA

Use code “WWBIBRAVE” for 10% off!

✅11/22/2018 - North Shore Turkey Trot - Chicago, IL
Use code “BRTurkeyTrot” to score some bonus RAM Racing sunglasses! Expires two days before race day.

11/22/2018 - Art Van Turkey Trot Chicago - Chicago, IL
Use code “BIBRAVE18” for $5 off!

11/22/2018 - Turkey Day 5K Minneapolis - Minneapolis, MN
Use code “BIBRAVE18” for $5 off!

11/22/2018 - Oakland Turkey Trot 5K
Use code “BROTTVIP” for 10% off!

December 2018

12/1/2018 - K9s United: 9Ks for K9s Apopka - Apopka, FL

Use code “BIBRAVE18” for 10% off!

12/1/2018 - Enmarket Savannah Bridge Run - Savannah, GA

Use code “BIBSAV20” to save 20% off!

✅12/1-2/2018 - Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio - San Antonio, TX
Use code “RNRBRP2018” to save $15 on the Marathon or Half Marathon!

12/2/2018 - Hot Chocolate Scottsdale - Scottsdale, AZ

Use code “BRHCScotts” for a free phone armband!

12/8-9/2018 - Holiday Half Marathon & 5K Ugly Sweater Run - Ponoma, CA

Use code “HHBR10” for 10% off!

12/9/2018 - BCS Marathon + Half Marathon - College Station, TX
Use code “BCSRAVE2018” for 15% off!

12/9/2018 - Honolulu Marathon - Honolulu, HI

Use code “HNLBR2018” for 10% off.

12/9/2018 - Hot Chocolate St. Louis - St. Louis, MO

Use code “BRHCSTL” for a free phone armband!

12/16/2018 - Hot Chocolate Tampa - Tampa, FL

Use code “BRHCTampa18” for a free phone armband!

✅12/16/2018 - Mount Dora Half Marathon - Mount Dora, FL
Use code “BIBRAVE10” to save 10% off on your race entry!

January 2019

1/12/2019 - Southern California 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 - San Jose, CA

Use code “BIBRAVE” for $3 off!

2/3/2019 - San Jose 408K - Huntington Beach, CA

Use code “SCMBR10” for 10% off!

2/9/2019 - Hot Chocolate Dallas - Dallas, TX

Use code “BRHCDallas” for a free phone armband!

2/9/2019 - Hot Chocolate Charlotte - Charlotte, NC

Use code “BRHCCharlotte” 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 - Hot Chocolate Seattle - Seattle, WA

Use code “BRHCSeattle” for a free phone armband!

3/3/2019 - Portland Shamrock Run - Portland, OR

Use code “SHAMROCKBR10” for 10% off!

3/15-17/2019  - Tobacco Road Marathon & Half Marathon - Cary, NC

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!

4/25-27/2019 -  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 - Oceanport, NJ

Use code “BIBRAVE” for 10% off!

May 2019

5/25/2019 - Run Madtown presented by SSM Health

Use code “RAVENSAVE” for 10% off (excludes kid's race).

5/26/2019 - Vermont City Marathon - Burlington, VT

Use code “BibRave10” for $10 off!

August 2019

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

Use code “BROAKVIP” for 10% off.