Keeping Hydrated During This Hot Colorado Summer

July 31, 2020 / racingthestates / Leave a comment

Disclaimer: I received SIS Hydro Tablets 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 don’t remember it being this hot last year! Here in Colorado, we have been blasted with a few close-to-100 days this summer already and we’re just now getting into the traditionally hottest time of the year.

Maybe I wasn’t outside as much last year, but I definitely wasn’t running this time last year. This time last year I was 8-9 months pregnant at the beginning of summer and home with a newborn at the end of the summer.

This year, I have been very aware of the summer heat, especially while running. We have been allowed to start practicing with our Cross Country team again (with regulations/restrictions in place due to COVID) and I had to get acclimated to the heat quickly. Right now we’re running in the morning, which is bearable, but soon, we’ll have to shift practices to the afternoon and I’ll need to be even more cognizant of my hydration.

When it comes to hydration for me, I try to be pretty good with drinking water all day long, especially on days BEFORE we have practice. When going out for a run, the water you drink right before is not what hydrates you during the run; it’s more about the day before’s water intake; ironically something we’re constantly trying to teach our cross country kiddos and has come up pretty recently!

running, summertime, science in sport hydro tablets

My go-to summer bag…sunscreen, water, sandals and now SiS Hydro Tablets

When it gets extra hot, my normal water intake is just not quick enough and I need a little extra oomph in the nutrient replenishment department. In the past, I’ve tried all sorts of hydration/electrolyte replacement beverages. I had not actually heard of Science In Sport (SiS) until now and I was very excited to try something new.

When it comes to hydration or electrolyte replacement drinks, there are two things the product for sure has to meet:

Has to taste good!
Does what it’s supposed to (re-hydrate me or keep my hydrated during a workout)

Yeah, I’m not high maintenance.

Sis Hydro tablets definitely meet my two qualifications.

I received a four-pack that included Pineapple/Mango, Lemon, and Cola flavors. The Cola tabs also have caffeine. The first one I tried was the pineapple/mango and I was pleasantly surprised! They were really good! I used them after a run on a specifically hot day and felt pretty refreshed! I then started making some and drinking half my water bottle per-run and saving the rest for after.

The Lemon is my favorite flavor. I don’t particularly like the taste of the Cola one but like that it contains caffeine which makes it perfect for before a long run. A lot of the other BibRace pros liked that they weren’t fizzy. When you first drop the tablets in, they fizz until they dissolve. I personally can go either way. I bet having fizz with the Cola one might make that one better!

If you’re looking for a new hydration/electrolyte sources, these are definitely worth a try! The taste good, do what they’re supposed to, and they are reasonably priced (a little bit cheaper compared to similar products).

I mean, they must be good, because Ben has used most of mine! 😉

Get Some For Yourself!

A pack of four (80 tablets) is $39.00 (or $11 for one tube of 20 tablets). Use coupon code BIBRAVE20 for 20% off the hydro tablets.

BibRave Pro Product Review – Handful Bra

March 9, 2020 / racingthestates / Leave a comment

Disclaimer: I received The Closer Bra from Handful 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 read my last post, I talk about things I didn’t know about running postpartum. The number one thing I did not know about was running with larger breasts. You may laugh, but this is serious! (It’s okay, you can laugh. I’m laughing).

I was GIFTED with smaller breasts. I’ve never had any issues with running and pain in that area. I’ve survived from the beginning of my running journey with super cheap, Walmart brand sports bras. This was great for my wallet but bad for these new jugs that I received from growing and feeding my baby.

I’m actually NOT complaining. I love my new size.

However, I didn’t know how to RUN with them. My first run postpartum, I mistakingly put on my old sports bra and went out the door. Boy was that a bad idea! I didn’t know that larger breasts bounced that much! Holy moly! Is this what other women have been dealing with their whole lives!?!

Take 2: My thought was to just double up the bras! And cue the chaffing….

Okay. Take 3: I had this other, tighter sports bras in my drawer. It was still Walmart brand, but definitely the tightest sports bra I had owned. Let’s try that! Okay…it’s on. Now, how are you supposed to breathe!? Sure, they didn’t bounce anymore, but I could barely get the thing on and off, let alone take a full breath.

You don’t really need to breathe while you run, right?

Something has got to give!

Insert: Handful Bras, The Closer. Thank you, Handful. You’re the breast, I’m mean BEST!

(Sorry, I couldn’t help myself).

Handful is all about providing comfortable, cute, and functional gear for women. You know the whole made BY women, FOR women thing!

Found on their website.

They make a handful (see what I did there) of different types of sports bras from high impact, to everyday wear. All of them are chafe-free, quick-drying, and have pad & stash pockets (places to keep keys or add cups to the sports bra).

I specifically got The Closer to test drive. This one is for high impact activities (like running) and zips up the front, making it easy to get into but still providing the support I need.

I’ve taken the Closer on a few runs and absolutely love it!
-It is tight enough to add the perfect support for running impact.
-It zips up the font, making it super easy to get into (and out of once it’s all sweaty)!!
-But it’s rarely sweaty because it dries really quickly.
-It’s actually pretty cute and stylish!
-It comes with removable cups which can give you a little more oomph, if you’re looking for that, or cover up the “headlights.”
-I didn’t experience any chaffing with The Closer (Disclaimer: I do live in a dry climate, so it generally takes a lot of running and a high humidity day in Colorado for us to experience chafing out here.)
-I also really love the material! It is very breathable, which is great so you don’t feel overheated from wearing too many layers, especially during the winter!

Bonus: It works great for breastfeeding!

There’s only one, tiny little thing I don’t like. I like that it does zip up, but sometimes, under the right shirt, the actual zipper itself looks funny; it creates a bump under the shirt!! I know, that sounds silly and it only happens under really lightweight, flowy shirts, but sometimes it looks weird! HA!

Overall, if you’re looking for a high-quality sports bra that actually works, is easy to get on and off, doesn’t chafe, and goes with your stylish running clothes, look into Handful bras. You won’t regret it.

Check out Handful Bras here.

See The Closer here.

Save 15% on any Handful Bra with coupon code: BIBRAVE20

Here’s what the other BibRave Pros are saying:

New Product Alert! Testing Out Turtle Glove’s latest design!

December 17, 2019 / racingthestates / Leave a comment

Disclaimer: I received a pair of Turtle Gloves Lightweight Turtle-Flip Convertible Running Mittens 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!

Let me start off by saying this:

I was totally going to put Turtle Gloves on my Christmas list this year! I REALLY wanted a pair after seeing other Bib Rave Pros test them out. Then, I got the chance to test the latest model (and then I had to think of other things to add to my wish list which I always struggle with).

When I got the gloves in the mail, they were everything I had hoped for.

The Lowdown:
Turtle Gloves are convertible mittens. You can use them as mittens, flip them open to expose your fingertips OR slide them down to use as arm warmers. I really wanted them not only for running but for use at work. During the winter months of race directing, all us staff members know our hands are going to be cold. We use tablets and our phones a lot during the race and as everyone knows, touch gloves don’t quite work, so I’m constantly taking my gloves on and off on race day and getting really cold hands. I wanted a pair of Turtle Gloves so that I could work on the pads, with the gloves flipped open, while still keeping my hands warm.

The Specs:

CURIOUSLY ENGINEERED – TURTLe-FLIP^® Patented Functionality.
Wear on left or right hand – Low-bulk flip-over design – No buttons, magnets or hook & loop – No cumbersome mitten piece to get in the way – Thumb piece naturally folds into place in Fingerless Gloves mode – Simply curl fingers and flip elastic trim piece over all fingers and thumb together – Fold over or under to adjust length of finger exposure – From fingerless mode; tuck in thumb and slide to wrist, pull up full length for arm warmer or fold twice neatly into cuff or roll as desired – From Fingerless Gloves mode, use similar flipping method to turn back into mittens

This product is the lightweight version of their main glove design. They suggest they would be good for spring and fall. I tested them during a Colorado Winter and they were still warm enough. If I need extra warmth in the future, I could probably put a pair of lightweight gloves under them and be great – but that would only be for the extreme cold!

The Pros:
For my job, the gloves worked just as I imagined! I was able to work a freezing cold winter race, use my phone and the tablets, write stuff down AND my hands stayed warm!

For running, they were perfect. In mitten form, my hands stayed warm and toasty and then when I got warm, I flipped them open to allow for a little bit of cold air with windbreaker protection! I really like this over other gloves that I would take off while running and then have to hold them, worrying that I would lose them.

The Cons:
I have never tested any of their other products out, but with this specific model, since they were still trying it out, I noticed the sizing was a little weird. I got a size small, which fit my hands themselves but the wrists are super loose. I felt like they were going to fly off if I didn’t keep my hands in a fist while running. When I wasn’t running, I would tuck in the wrist part to my jacket and the sizing issue was not a problem.

The only other con I have is the color. Right now they only come in grey, which is just blah. When they start putting them into more of a rotation, I bet they will do other colors!

The Verdict:
Get a pair! Seriously. For running, it makes your gear/clothing choices minimal since this one product has multiple functions. You can keep your hands warms in the winter and easily convert them when you get hot. Plus, there are so many other uses for these gloves, like working outside as I do!

Other Bib Rave Pros:

Find them online; click here.

A Pair Of Shoes Can Help Fight Breast Cancer – Oofos Project Pink Sandal Review

October 2, 2019 / racingthestates / Leave a comment

Disclaimer: I received a pair of the OOFOS OOahh Sport Project Pink Recovery Sandals 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!

An Oofos Convert
This review is quick and to the point, because hands down Oofos are the best flip flops I’ve ever owned. I now have two pairs, these Ooahh Sport Project Pink Recover Sandals (slides) and a pair of the Ooriginal Sport Sandal (flip flops). In fact, I threw away all the other sandals I owned. I also have my eyes set on getting a pair of the Women’s Oomg Low Shoe so that I can have the Oofos goodness with closed toes and socks for the colder times of the year. I review the Ooriginal Sport Sandal HERE.

Real Quick, Specs On The Shoes
-They absorb 37% more impact than traditional footwear foam materials to reduce the stress on your feet and joints. (This aids in the recovery process and creates an incredibly comfortable.)
-The design reduces stress on sore feet, knees and the back.
-The design also enables a more natural foot motion.
-They are minimalist construction which makes them very lightweight.
-They are also machine washable and moisture/bacteria resistant! (Because feet are gross!)

Seriously, these shoes are comfortable. My feet seem to always ache and Oofos have helped. I’ll wear them after a long day on my feet (when I can’t wear open-toed shoes to work), I wear them out and about when I’m running errands, I wear them hanging out with family and friends, and I wear them around the house.

More Important, Project Pink
Besides the fact that these specific pairs of Oofos are part of the Oofos family and thus super comfortable, the most important part of this line is that they are from the Project Pink collection. After one of their own at Oofos HQ was diagnosed with breast cancer, they decided to make a big difference for others that may get diagnosed. They started donating 3% of EVERY Oofos order to the Dana-Farber Breast Cancer Research team to support new medical breakthroughs with the potential to help patients like their own team member. And it’s not just the Project Pink line of shoes, it’s EVERY pair of Oofos sold!

My Experience
I didn’t know about the donation to the Dana-Farber Breast Cancer Research team from Oofos until now and it hits home to me. I’ve watched many friends and family, including my Grandmother, go through a breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. I love that Oofos is making this difference and that make these shoes all the better!

Oofos feel good on your feet and make you feel better by making a difference.