Bondi Band Review & Giveaway

Alright everyone, get ready for something really exciting! I am finally doing my first ever giveaway, and I couldn't be more thrilled that it's for an accessory I seriously love.

My Ragnar Bondi Band!

Bondi Bands are slip-free headbands that keep your hair in place and keep sweat from getting in your eyes. I first tried Bondi Bands when I was running Ragnar, and I've been sold ever since. 

For one thing, I have a freakishly small head, so the fact that these headbands stay put without the help of any bobby pins is pretty amazing. For another, Bondi Bands run at about $10 a pop, which is really fairly priced, especially when you look at how expensive similar products can be.

I like that I can pull Bondi Bands over my ears if it's cold out. That's one multi-tasking headband, people!

Pros:

• One size fits all...for real. No need for bobby pins to tame those extra flyaways.
• Comfortable to wear.
•  Non-slip, won't pull hair or pinch your scalp.
• Inexpensive but not cheap.
• They come in a variety of colors and styles.

Cons:

• Certain styles of the bands can run a little wide. I fix this by folding the top and bottom under; no big deal! 

I folded the top and bottom under here, and was good to go!

So what do I have to give away? I have two Bondi Bands for one lucky winner! You can choose two from any of the three pictured below!

"Mirror Mirror", "Neon Pink", and "Marathon Girl"

But wait, there's more! If you're really excited to get your hands on a Bondi Band this month, you can use the code SWEATPINK at checkout to receive 10% off any non-sale and non-custom items.The coupon code is good through June 28.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck! And don't forget to follow and check back June 7...that's when I'll announce the winner!

ABK 

Vega Sport Pre-Workout Energizer

A few weeks ago, Vega Sport offered Sweat Pink ambassadors the opportunity to review a product of choice, and I jumped at the chance*. I was at a point in my training where I knew my approach to nutrition had to change, and trying a new product was a great way to do that. Plus, the #fuelyourbetter campaign is super eclectic and can offer something to just about any level of athlete, no matter their sport!

I chose the Pre-Workout Sugar Free Energizer for my product to review. For one thing, I'm trying to cut back on sugar in general (which is really hard for me, because I have a killer sweet-tooth), and for another, as the weather heats up, my energy pre-workout has been lagging. Not to mention that as the school year drew to a close, my energy preserves were totally sapped.

I chose to review Acai Berry, and was pleased when the product came in the mail. I was expecting just a few samples, and got quite a bit more!

I was surprised by the color, expecting it to be purple or blue based on the flavor. The Acai Berry tastes a bit like unsweetened white tea...Maybe this is because it's the sugar free version of the powder.

I definitely noticed a difference in my initial energy and stamina during my runs; the one time I skipped it (for experimental purposes!) during the trial, I definitely noticed a change in my energy level. That could have been a mental thing, or a combination of other factors.

Pros: 

•  Easy to transport and take with you.
• Fresh, light flavor.
• It works quickly.
• Easy/fast to drink - you mix it into just 8 oz of water.

It's hard to make a happy face while drinking from a straw, but I promise I was enjoying this!

• Clears the pipes. (This is a pro for me because I like to know I've emptied everything out before I run, and I definitely found that - like most other pre-workout drinks - Vega Sport's Pre-Workout Energizer did the trick.)

Cons:

• Mix consistency. Some of the packets mixed better than others, but for about 80% of them, they didn't really mix in all the way, and no matter how hard I stirred or for how long, I was left with powder residue floating on top.

This is my one real complaint about the product.

• Meant for "light intensity" workouts, such as a 30-minute run, so its effects may not last for a long run or for intense interval or speed training.

Overall, I really love this drink and I plan to keep using it. Also, after scoping out their website, I'm excited to try more of Vega Sport's products, especially their fuel for during workouts, and their protein bars.

Going along with how personalized Fuel Your Better is, I love this nifty feature on Vega's site, which allows you to put together your own plan based on your exercise routine:

Seriously awesome, especially if you're learning how to fuel for the first time.

*I was given Vega Sport Pre-Workout Sugar Free Energize for free to review. The opinions presented here are genuine, honest, and mine alone.

How do you fuel pre-workout?

What part of your workout is affected most when you don't fuel properly?

ABK

The Last LSD Before Race Day!

My long run this weekend was brutal...but that's exactly the reason I did it. After running 9 miles Monday and cross-training mid-week (I was so exhausted from being back at work that I didn't do any other runs), I knew getting in 13 miles would remind me that training is a priority. Especially because this is my last long, slow run before tapering begins.

I am so lucky to have a group of women to reach out to for runs like this. I was surprised so many said yes! Kristin, Tracey, and Sarah met me at 7am to begin our muggy, winding 13-miler. It was already in the 70s when we began, and by 4 miles it was nearing 80.

We stopped at mile 6 - McDonald's - to stuff ice down our bras. We paused at mile 9 - the park - to run cold water over our arms. I was so glad to have company and to be wearing my water belt! I don't think I fueled well enough and I started out too quickly; the run took us longer than we wanted, but there's no such thing as a bad run.

I already miss our cold snap. Here's hoping it returns for race day!

A tough run, yes, but not bad. This run conditioned us, reminded us that we're capable, and helped make us mentally stronger.

Matt and I saw The Secret Life of Walter Mitty that evening, and I highly recommend it. It was insightful and poignant and funny! It struck a personal chord with me that I'll need to keep tuned, because it would be a shame to forget the messages the movie instilled in me.

As you can see, people fell off their boards a lot today. It was super choppy!

Today, Matt had a SUP sprint race. He placed second, despite the choppy conditions. We finally fulfilled my cravings for Chipotle, and we stopped for cupcakes on the way home.

When discovering gluten free options, get both! (Butterfinger cupcake and mint chocolate cupcake, both GF.)

OMG it was filled with peanut butter!!! HEAVEN.

How much pressure do you put on yourself to keep a certain pace on a long run?
How do you make adjustments to your plan based on fatigue, weather, or other conditions?
Thoughts on wearing a water-belt on race day? If it's hot out, I want to wear it to avoid a repeat of the FMB half.
How was your weekend?

ABK 

PS: I got new shoes this week! Amazon had a code to save $15, plus a sale on my favorite shoe, plus I had a $25 gift card. I can't wait to take these babies for a spin!

Asics Kayano-19...my sole-mates.

First Workout of the Year

Running twice on NYE (and staying up until 2am because I apparently forgot that I'm too old for that) meant that I took quite a few "rest" days this week.

Friday, I did my first workout of the year. I wanted to make it something I could be excited about, so I opted for speed-work and testing out the Nike Training Club app.

So excited to wear my new shorts from Matt's mom for speed-work!

I was really excited because I knew the weather would be perfect for a run even if I overslept...which I did. After lunch, I went to the park, which is my go-to route for outdoor intervals. (I wish this loop was lit, because I can only run it when the sun is up.)

I love the "track" around this lake. It's perfect for speed-work.

Apparently it was a little chilly for everyone else; I was the only one out today. (The cold air didn't do any favors for my asthma, that's for sure; I had to pause once in the middle of the run to catch my breath and have some water. I also like that this route keeps me close to my car.)

Perfection.

I set my Nike+ app to give me updates every quarter mile, did half a mile warmup at an easy pace, then alternated sprinting and an easy recovery pace every 400m. I've obviously been skimping on speed-work, because my first few sets were ridiculously fast, but by the end I was really hurting (in a good way).

All smiles at the end! (FYI - FitBit review is coming soon!)

I finished with a 4-minute cool-down, drove home, and immediately opened up the NTC app.

I've decided to work on the "get strong" setting (you can also choose "get lean", "get toned", or "get focused") because I think strength will help my running the most.

The "beginner" level will fit in well with my running schedule.

At first I was going to do the entire 30 minute workout, but decided that I wanted to mix it up and just see what the app has to offer, so I skipped around and chose exercises that focused mostly on core work and squats.

Things I love about this app: There are a ton of workouts to choose from, the app provides photos and explanations for each exercise, and if you choose to do the entire workout, a coach talks you through it the whole time.

Drawbacks: You do need some equipment at home (mostly dumbbells and medicine balls) and a place to spread out.

Some of the exercises I did today.

I feel excellent, as I usually do after pushing it and stepping outside my comfort zone. I think I'll definitely be using NTC to help me stick to my resolutions. It's such an easy and convenient way to cross-train, and I know the different exercises will keep me from getting bored.

Plus, now I can familiarize myself with these moves so I can start doing HIIT without looking like a moron!

Have you used the Nike Training Club app?
What speed-work do you prefer: fartleks, intervals, or tempo runs?
What was your first workout of the year?

ABK

2014 Resolutions and Races

Last night, as we watched various "looking back at 2013" shows while waiting for the ball to drop, there was one segment wherein celebrities weighed in on making resolutions. The statistic thrown out there was that only 8% of people keep them, and therefore it's stupid to make them.

We spent the new year playing games and cooking over a bonfire.

I don't know; in the case of all those celebrities, I think admitting you're too flaky to commit to a goal for the year isn't something to be proud of. And I do think setting goals throughout the year and re-evaluating as necessary is really important, too.

But for me...well, running-related resolutions have gotten me this far, and for me they've become an important tradition that keeps my training focused and moving forward.

Last year, my resolutions got a bit long-winded. This year, I'm going for simplicity in statement, but the resolutions themselves are going to be challenging.

My main goal this year is to strengthen my body in order to improve my over-all fitness for running. I am going to really focus on incorporating squats and lunges into my rest days. I've also been doing two planks a day, one as soon as I wake up, and one before bed; among other core-strengthening exercises, I plan to keep that up.

I'm going to achieve this goal by researching different exercises to avoid getting bored and going to the gym more consistently.

I need to be more conscious this year about how I treat my body daily, not only for running, but for my health in general. I'm going to be smarter about eating a balanced diet, drinking enough water, and getting to bed at a decent hour. I also need to continue to be smart about my training, taking breaks if necessary, and adjusting my training plans to what fits my needs.

This goal always serves me well. Like last year, and the year before, I plan to run a race a month. However, certain months don't offer nearby races to choose from, and I wanted to add some flexibility in case of injury. So I've edited this one to be a little less stringent but still meet its main purpose, which is to make sure I run 12 races a year.

This may be the most important resolution of all! I began 2013 in a slump and it took until the RW Summer Run Streak to really break out of it fully. I don't want to face that again. I'm starting this year motivated and excited to run, and I want to keep it that way!

Of course, the question of how exactly is a little tricky. Sometimes we get into ruts and it can be tough to get out. So I'm simply going to do my best to avoid getting into a rut in the first place; I have races lined up that I'm excited for, I'm not focusing too much on numbers and stats, and I'm just enjoying it.

Later this year, I'll probably start to work on improving my times again, but I think it's more important to have fun during training right now, especially with a half and Ragnar just around the corner!

Which brings me to races! Here's the line up for the year so far:

January: Suncoast Half Marathon
February: Ragnar and possibly the Paradise Coast Half Marathon
March: Komen 5k Race for a Cure, possibly the Marco Island Bridge Run Half Marathon, and the Fast and the Furriest 5k.
April: Shark's Tooth 10k

 I'm still working on piecing together May through December, but I'm hoping to run some of the races I did last year again, and I'm considering adding another half marathon in November or December.

Cori at Olive to Run posted the other day about choosing a single word to represent your goals for the year. After some thought, I've chosen "dedication" as my word. In order to fulfill my goals and resolutions, I know I will have to be dedicated to putting in time and effort, even on the days I'm not feeling it. Hell, especially on those days!

As it is, I'm actually really excited for this year. I have a good feeling about 2014!

Have you set a race calendar for 2014?
What are you most looking forward to this year?
What are you letting go and leaving behind in 2013?

ABK

Weekend Wrap-Up

This week I logged just over 18 miles, which is more than I've done in quite some time. I'm avoiding putting together my "year in review" post too early, but on my long run Sunday I just kept thinking about how much this year has changed me in so many ways.

I haven't seen numbers like this in way too long. It's nice to be training seriously again.

Those posts always take some real effort to put together, so I need to wait until after Christmas.

Anyway, Sunday I peeled myself out of bed thirty minutes later than planned and went out for my long run. Last week I had posed the question about how to work my race and long run into the same weekend, and I decided to heed the advice of a fellow runner that basically went something like this: run long after the race; it'll give you practice at running on tired legs.

My splits were incredibly even.

That was definitely accurate. My legs were tired from mile 1, but I ran the entire distance without walk breaks and enjoyed the whole thing. I was elated and so proud of my perseverance to push through the discomfort! I just knew I could be stronger than my legs wanted me to be, and I was!

This was my second long run during which I wore the fuelbelt (the first being last weekend's 7-miler). It really is super comfortable and I needed the water. Because I was late getting started, it ended up being really warm toward the end of the run.

I took a new route; it was gorgeous and perfect and I was a terrible blogger (but great runner) because I was too into the run to stop and take any pictures. When I run on Christmas morning, I'll be sure to get some...especially if the gator I saw Sunday is out again on Wednesday!

Ahh...perfect ice bath!

After the run, I was hoping to jump into my parents' pool. I peeled off my socks and dipped my feet in only to find out it was freezing. They don't heat the pool when it's not in use, and it doesn't get a ton of direct sunlight. It was the most convenient ice bath ever!

NEWS TEAM ASSEMBLE!

After the run, Matt and I drove to meet friends at Downtown Disney to see Anchorman 2, which was hilarious and random but really poked fun at "news" channels these days. The theater has real table service, so we enjoyed snacks and drinks while we watched. We stopped at Ghiradelli's for sundaes before coming home.

All told, this was a great weekend! I'm trying to use every moment of winter break to its fullest. I'd say it's been successful so far.

How are you spending your days leading up to Christmas and New Years?
How was your weekend?
What's the next movie on your "to watch" list? We need to see The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug and American Hustle!

ABK

The Frosty 5k 2013

Today's race was one I was really looking forward to! It's the first in the 22.4 challenge and marked the beginning of winter break!

The race began at 8am at Twin Lakes Park. Based on my runs this week - fast legs on Monday, heavy legs on Wednesday - I was tentatively hoping for a PR. (Hope only gets you so far; I knew I'd have to push myself.) My goals were: A) break 27:40; B) actually race; C) push through the mental wall I always seem to hit 2/3 of the way into a race.

At the start line...can you find me? (Hint: I'm in the middle, grinning like a lunatic.)

There I am!

The race went well. There were all kinds of costumes to take in on the course (there was an award for best costume) and the majority of the race went through well-shaded neighborhoods. There were two patches of grass that weren't nearly as "firmly packed" as promised, and the final quarter mile was on packed shell around one of the lakes.

I don't envy this guy...he's got some great spirit, but he must have been dripping by the end!

RUNNING'S MY FAVORITE!!

It was a flat and beautiful run. I didn't PR, but I'm really happy with the effort I gave it. (My first mile was a way-too-fast 8:41, and I had positive splits for the rest of it, but I kept each mile safely in the mid-9s.) When I got to mile 2 and could feel that familiar mental barrier creeping up on me, I focused on my positive self-talk and kept on moving. I relished the discomfort because it meant I was actually running a race, not just "enjoying the atmosphere", which I'm often guilty of.

I'm shouting, "Oh thank the looooord I'm almost doooone!" or something like that.

I feel like a hypocrite because I've said in the past that a medal for any distance under a 10k is silly, but today's race awarded a pretty, festive snowflake medal that I can't help but love. Plus it's a bottle opener!

Because this race is part of the 22.4 challenge, I think giving a finisher's medal makes some sense, but I'm definitely eating my words!

So excited for the next race on my schedule!

Just another normal day in Florida.

Official results are: 10/36 AG; a time of 29:03; and 213 of 663 runners. I'm absolutely thrilled with those results!

This was a humbling experience that reminded me that to carve off even a little time from a race, you need to adjust your entire plan for each mile. For awhile I was setting new PRs every race, but I didn't get there by luck. I need to put the work in if I expect to see results.

After the race, we grabbed brunch at First Watch.

Avocado, bacon, and tomato hash with over-easy eggs. Just what the runner ordered!

I've been lounging around while Matt tears up the golf course with my brother. As far as winter break goes, I'd say this is a pretty great way to start, and a great race to cap off the year...2013 is a wrap.

ABK

This Week in Pictures

Ah, midterms. I seriously can't believe we're basically halfway through December...and halfway through the school year. I know you've all probably had enough of this, but I just can't wrap my head around it:

Double brag: temperature and MPG!

Actually, today was cooler again. I'd like to have the same kind of crisp, frosty run I had on Christmas last year, so hopefully it continues to cool down.

Earlier this week, I had a very sweaty run and my lifetime miles on Nike+ hit an interesting number. Talk about a great way to get back into training!

So drippy!

If only I had run one more mile...

Every year, Matt and I get a new ornament for our tree. This year, I cheated and got a special one just for myself:

This is my first official "only mine" ornament! I couldn't have picked a better one!

Archie was super excited when it came in the mail. Like the cat he thinks he is, he loves all things box-shaped and cardboard:

"Open up so I can be in you!"

Matt and I had Outback last night. I'm a tricky customer at Outback; a friend of mine who worked there in high school taught me how to order an actually healthy salad. You get the Caesar, but ask for the Tangy Tomato dressing. (I get mine sans croutons and with shrimp.)

Yum!

Outback always has the best coasters. Is that a weird thing to notice?

On a less upbeat note, Archie's been feeling sick today. Birds have evolved to hide illness, so when they're actually showing it, it's pretty serious. He's been sleepy, too weak to fly, hasn't been eating, and is throwing up. We're keeping him warm and set up a "hospital cage" for him.

Very few vets take care of birds, and the avian vets in our area are busy; we're hoping to get him checked out tomorrow. (We spent hours calling around tonight.)

Keeping warm on the heating pad.

Sleeping in his hospital cage.

I know it seems silly because he's not a traditional pet, but he's our little guy. We're as close to him as I've ever been to my dogs. Seeing him sick is terrible.

Are you a picky orderer at restaurants?
When is the last time you got a new ornament for your tree?
It's almost Friday! Any fun weekend plans?

ABK