FitFones for the WIN!

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FitFones in Glacier Grey.

      I am super excited to try out my new FitFones!!  This is a "smart headband" that is completely waterproof, blue tooth compatible and are very user friendly.  As of right now, this headband comes in two colors, Optic Yellow and Glacier Grey. I chose the grey because I felt like it would match more of my running clothes. However, since I have tried them out and logged a few miles wearing them, I'm realizing that I want the Optic Yellow as well!

     

 Each headband comes with a wireless charging pad and a USB cord.  At first, I tried to figure out how to charge the headband on the headband and then I realized just how simple it was! Lay it on the charging pad and go! FitFones are designed to be simple and to let the user connect and control the headphones from their Bluetooth device. I used my iPhone....

     On my first trial run, I adjusted my headband with the speakers directly over my ears. I covered my ears and ran for a bit that way. Then, I raised the headband above my ears and could still hear the music clearly!

From the FitFones website:

"One size fits all, fully adjustable headphones; simply slide over your ears and go. 

With over 12 hours of play time FitFones will keep you moving through your workout.

FitFones are completely wireless incorporating Bluetooth® 4.2 connectivity. Sync up to any Bluetooth enabled device including iPhone, Android, Samsung, Peloton, Apple Watch, and more.

FitFones inductive charging technology allows you to quickly and easily get charged up. Simply rest your FitFones on the included charge pad at the indicated area.

I tested out FitFones wearing my reading glasses on my treadmill in my garage. It gave me a good idea of what running with sunglasses and my headband would feel like!!

Our patented technology is completely waterproof. Sweat as much as you need and our wicking material will pull sweat away from your skin. 

Keep it fresh and wash your FitFones just like a regular headband. 


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Overall, I'm completely in love with my new FitFones! I think these are going to be a staple in my gym bag from now on! Stay tuned here and to my Instagram account for a giveaway coming soon! Grab yours at GetFitFones.com

Rain or shine, run with freedom! Thank you FitFones for allowing my review your headphones and making them a part of my daily running routine!

Happy Running and Happy FitFones!!

Road Runner Sports Brooks Adrenaline GTS 20 & R-Gear Review!

Over the years, I have tried out many many styles and brands of running shoes! Consistently, I return to Brooks. I'm a toss up between Adrenaline and Ghosts. I know, I know, most of you reading this are like...that's two completely different styles. One is neutral and is a stability option. My reasoning? BOTH feel great on my feet and keep my feet comfy when I'm changing up my shoes and running long runs. I do think mixing it up helps my feet stay balanced.

Today, I'm reviewing the brand new Brooks Adrenaline GTS 20's, the Women's R-Gear Recharge 2.0 Compression Tight and the Women's R-Gear Aero Fill Puff Full Zip Jacket.  But first, let me thank Road Runner Sports for providing me these awesome new kicks and apparel! I chose color option Red/Gold in shoes and Royal Night in the jacket and tights. I like something different and I thought all of these were such great fall colors!


First, the shoes! aaaaaaah!! They are just so beautiful! I love that I didn't even have to try the newer model on to know that they were going to fit. I ordered them online and they fit like a glove. I have a wide foot and the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 20's have a wider toe box and offer plenty of stability. I felt like the GTS 20 version varied just slightly in the fact that they were a touch bigger, but not enough to make me order a half/size smaller. Does that make sense??? After I ran a few times in them, my feet were totally adjusted and now I'm ready to run some major miles in these lovelies!

Read below for all of the official specs on the Women's Brooks Adrenaline GTS 20!

Women's BROOKS® ADRENALINE GTS 20 :: Celebrate 20 years of speedy support in the new Women's Brooks Adrenaline GTS 20 running shoe. Spring off and land soft with full-length BioMoGo DNA cushioning underfoot. Shed bulk with a new streamlined engineered mesh upper as the knee-friendly GuideRails® of your Adrenaline GTS 20 help keep you aligned.

• Engineered mesh upper with 3D Fit Print: Offers structure, comfort and a secure fit
• Full-length, responsive BioMoGo DNA cushioning combined with DNA LOFT in heel: Provides a touch of spring underfoot and ensures super soft landings
• GuideRails® Holistic Support System: Keeps you moving comfortably by keeping excess movement in check
• 1000033347
• Drop: 12 mm
• WEIGHT: 9.4 ounces

Moving on to the apparel! Oh my gosh was I ever so excited to try out Roadrunner Sports R-Gear! From the moment I saw these tights, I knew that I was going to LOVE them. Hello. They had me at compression!!

I am not going to lie, I love any tight that offers a back zip, a snug waistband, side pockets, a super tight fit, reflective marking and BONUS!!...….fabulous color and ankle zipper!! These truly are a runner's dream! 

The tag described these tights as "Perfect Fit" and I couldn't agree more! They are perfect!!

I laid these out on the table so that you can see the total picture! And yes, that's hand-made crocheted doily from my Gramma.:)

Read below for the official specs from Women's Road Runner Sports Recharge 2.0 Compression Tights!

Women's Road Runner Sports Recharge 2.0 Compression Tight :: Get top-to-bottom leg muscle support and moisture-wicking comfort in these full-length compression tights. Go the distance with chafe-free seams while breezy behind-the-knee mesh ventilates. Stay spotted with reflective zips at back ankles and bonded tape at side thighs for max visibility.

Key Features & Benefits

• Flex Knit Fabric: Provides compressive fit for support in all the right places while aiding in recovery
• Breathable: Mesh behind knees provides airflow to keep you cool while Flex Knit fabric wicks away moisture to keep you dry and comfortable
• Storage: Two side hip pockets provide accessible and secure storage. Internal waistband pocket and back zippered pocket provide additional options for smaller stow & go items
• Reflectivity: Reflective details on seams at thigh allow for increased visibility
• Customizable Fit: Infinity draw cord inside waistband allows you to find your perfect fit
• Run worry free with flatlock seams that won't chafe
• 76% polyester/24% spandex
• Mesh: 88% polyester/12% spandex

Last but not least, let's talk about THIS JACKET!!! I literally have not taken it off of my body since I received it!! I am in love with the color. In these pictures (and maybe it's because of my terrible iPhone camera quality but it looks a little too blue. The jacket and tights are called "Royal Night" which is more of an eggplant/deep purple color. Both are available in black as well!) It is super figure flattering. It is light weight but extremely warm!!

After I run, I usually cool down and it's hard for me to warm back up. I have been putting on this jacket after my runs and my cool down/warm up process has been AMAZING. I love the zipper pockets in the front. The mock turtle neck is great if it's really cold outside and there are thumbholes!! Let's hear it for the thumbholes!!

Just because it's a "puffy" jacket, that doesn't mean that it makes me "puffy". This jacket is so stream-lined...I'm sure that I will be wearing it with jeans, to run errands in, for recovery, and when it's cold enough...I'll wear it while running so just basically, I'll wear it everywhere!

My very last favorite feature about this jacket is that there is an easy-to-get-to-back-zippered-pocket and well as two inside pockets. Also available in black and I'm putting that option on my Christmas Wishlist!!

Read below for all of the specs on the Women's Road Runner Sports Aero-Fill Puff Full Zip Jacket!

Women's Road Runner Sports Aero-Fill Puff Full Zip Jacket :: Zip through your workout and your day in sleek, fitted comfort with this full-zip quilted jacket. Move with ease in action-oriented knit sleeves and side panels while a mock neck delivers extra warmth and protects from wind. Slightly flared at the waist for a just-right dash of style.

Key Features & Benefits

• Lightweight Insulation: Keeps you warm without weighing you down
• Storage: Zippered pockets provide accessible and secure storage
• Side Panels: Elastic construction provide the perfect amount stretch for a comfortable fit without letting the elements in
• Reflectivity: Reflective zipper helps you to be seen visible
• Mock neck provides sleek, stylish look while providing extra coverage
• Body: 80% polyester/20% spandex
• Core: 100% polyester with DWR
• Fill: 100% polyester high count

I hope that you will give all of these products a try! And thank you again to Road Runner Sports and Brooks Running for sending me these amazing shoes and apparel! I am currently in training for Walt Disney World's Marathon Weekend and I will put all of these to good use!!

Please excuse the Christmas decoration mess as I take a pic of my new shoes and jacket! Happy Running and See you all on the roads REAL SOON! xoxo

Vulcan Run 10k

As much as I love running "destination runs" I love love love a good ole hometown run! Vulcan Run 10k  in downtown Birmingham Alabama is one of our greatest runs! Its like a Family Reunion for Birmingham runners. All of my peeps show up and we have a great time catching up with each other! The weather is usually fabulous and the course is exceptional!! I am a huge fan of running the city streets. Love the atmosphere, the city, the fans...everything! And hey, it's the BEST way to work in my training runs for the runDisney Walt Disney World Marathon in January of 2013!


Bib #1531...Ready to run! Official Finish Time was 59:52. Not too shabby after hurting my knee the weekend before in the Florence Half!
 

 Some of the scenery seen on my way back to the Finish line!

Established in 1975 by a Birmingham Track Club (BTC) runner, Versal Spalding, the Bicentennial Run emerged as part of Birmingham’s 100- year birthday celebration. The entry fee was a meager $2.00 in 1975. So successful was the race that it continued the following year, and in 1976 was re-named the Vulcan Run

Vulcan is an appropriate title for this Birmingham-based race. From Roman mythology, Vulcan was the god of fire and craftsmanship. Because Birmingham is located on land comprised of the materials needed to make iron and steel, the local steel industry experienced rapid growth during the industrial revolution. Thus, Vulcan became a symbol of the city.

By the late 1980s, the Vulcan Run had grown to include upwards of five-thousand participants. It attracted top runners, including Marcos Brotto, who set a race record of 28:18. In 1990, Christine Pfitzinger set the women’s record of 32:33. Following this record, Pfitzinger won the race four consecutive times before she was invited to compete in the NYC marathon for the Olympic Trials.
The race became so popular that a Vulcan Marathon was established. In time, the Vulcan Marathon was incorporated into Birmingham’s Mercedes Marathon, which is held each February. The original Vulcan Run, however, remains unchanged in terms of distance, course, and name.

To date, the Vulcan Run remains an extremely popular race and in 2012 The Vulcan Run is the ALABAMA RRCA 10K STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. Each year the race generates approximately $2 million in revenue for the city. Through the years, the race has been made possible by sponsors including SONAT (Southern Natural Gas), The Birmingham News, Subway, Viva Health, Buffalo Rock, Pepsi, and the Bryant Jordan Foundation.

 My pals Walker Wonder Dog and Ronnie (who always wear the MOST clever shirts fromOne More Mile Running...check them out!)!

Does this look like a FABULOUS AFTER PARTY or what???? Free Yogurt Mountain with all of the fixins, grilled hotdogs and Free Beer! Big Shout out to the The Trak Shak for always putting on the best post race parties.



Vulcan 10k sponsored by Yogurt Mountain and Coca-Cola!



 It was a BEAUTIFUL Fall day in the Ham, but man were we hot and sweaty in the end!! 

CAUTION: Talladega Half Recap Ahead! #ItsDegaBaby

      It's no secret that I love running the Talladega Half Marathon in Talladega, Al. I just completed my 5th event (there have been 6). Sponsored by the The Trak Shak, Birmingham Coca Cola Bottling Company, Red Diamond Coffee and Tea, Talladega Super Speedway, Jim N' Nick's BBQ,The Urology Centers of Alabama (Birmingham) and The Birmingham Track Club, the main goal of this race to raise awareness for Prostate Cancer via Urology Health Foundation .

     Growing up about 15 minutes from this NASCAR track, this is a super fun venue for me. I see lots of friends and family and get to run on the track where I used to "hang out" on as a teenager.

     I got to the track before sunrise. With a 7:30am start time, the race officials ask that everyone arrive no later than 6:30. I was pulling in to the infield to park before daylight. How fun is that?! The sun coming up over the track is so pretty!

     First stop: FIND MY PRINCESSES! My Mom, My sister and one of my bff's Leigh, all gathered up and are ready for lots of fun photo opps. I mean, what else do ya do an hour before race time? :) 

And then, here comes my Dad! He knows not to EVER expect a serious pic! 

     One thing that I really like is that because this race is on a Sunday morning, lots of people will miss church. This race offers a Non-Denominational worship service before the race begins on the infield near the Kids Zone by the pit garage. Now that's the way to get your praise and worship on! 

     Ribbons line the fence in honor of those battling Prostate Cancer. Very cool tribute to those battling.

     Selfie with "the Flash"!

     Selfie time with the sis! 

     Here we go boys! Let's do this! 

     The race announcer announced over the speedway..."This is more than a race!! THIS. IS. TALLADEGA. 

....And we're off!!!! 

     The race starts on the track and we are off! Headed for Turn one and the runners already start to spread out. This track is BIG. As we approach the turn, we have to merge closer to the left side. The bank is steep. Not gonna lie, this is killer on the ankles if you are too far to the right. 

     We make a full loop around the track and jump off and head towards the parking lot. As you can see here, we are already up a good but higher than where we started. There are not huge hills, just a gradual incline. In the pic above, I'm looking through the fence over the track. 

     As I was leaving the track, I look over on the bank (just above where the start line was) and I catch our fearless race director (Val McClean) cheering on the runners. I love that about that her. She supports the runners and is on-hand during the entire race. She also coordinates the Mercedes-Benz Marathon Weekend so this lady is the expert of putting on a good race! 

     Of course, I have to stop and tweet to Val what a great job that she is doing by cheering us on! As I'm just about to start running again, a friend from Twitter/Instagram, Jodi (aka @jlthore) spotted me! We were hoping to meetup in Nashville but didn't make it happen so I was really excited to finally meet her in person. We ran a few miles together just chatting and chatting. I really love meeting new friends on the course...each race experience is a totally new experience, even if it's the same 'ole course. :) 

      After I left Jodi and her boyfriend, we were headed back into the entrance of the Talladega SuperSpeedway. This was approximately mile 7-8, something like that.

Selfie at the Infield Tunnel Entrance. 

      Up a pretty big hill and then it's time to run the Grandstands! This is a really nice change of scenery. You actually run through the breezeways of the grandstands and there are REAL RESTROOMS there if you need it. I don't stop but I saw lots of other runners taking advantage of them. 

     At some point between mile 8-9, my friend Rachel (aka @runinhighheels), caught up with me. We ended up running the rest of the race together which was totally fun and unexpected. We chatted the whole time about different races, training, brands that we are working with (or want to work with) and just girl stuff in general. And of course, we posed for the camera. ;)

      At mile 11.5ish you shall find the Beer:30:00 tent set up. Not kidding. This is an "official" stop on the course. Come on, it's Dega Baby! 

     Another thing that I loved was seeing all of the quotes from the movie Talladega Nights. Any reference to Ricky Bobby or Shake and Bake and I'm in! I loved this quote.....#Merica. 

     One more loop around this track and we are DONE! It seems like it goes forever too because one lap around it over 2 miles....WOWZA!! 

     Caution: The Finish Line complete with Checkered flags is straight ahead....I spy the Bling!!!!

     Rachel and I had really had a blast running together...we sprinted to the finish line like we were total ROCKSTARS for a strong finish and decided that we will definitely run more races together! Too much fun! Can you say hammin' it up for the camera?!!

     Stopped for a quick pic with Val. She's really a doll and I wish every race had a race director as great as she is!

     It's a Pit Row Finish! My time was not the greatest but I don't really care about that. I train hard at home for speed so that I can relax at the race and know that I will have the "time" to goof off and get a good run in too. Backwards logic when compared to most runners..but I'm not like everyone else. I run for experiences.  I had a great time, got a good workout in and another long training run for Chicago Marathon, Rock 'n' Roll Vegas Marathon and Walt Disney World Marathon is in the books! Yeahhhhhhhh

     Seriously. I'm hanging out on pit row with my bling! #NascarQueen 

     Just as I was leaving the track, I was stopped by another Instagram friend of mine...it's @WDW13point1. How fun is it to connect with your online buddies in real life?? Super cool in my opinion! Again, I could have chatted with him for hours....So much to talk about! Running, Disney, Social Media. What's not to love?!?

     So I finally left the track and was headed to the pit garages for the after party....but first, let me take another picture with my medal! The official race photographers were set up on Victory Lane for pics. I had to stop there too. Can you really have too many?!?! 

     And then there's THIS GIRL. I have have no words for the amount of fun that I have with my Leigh Marsh! Get me to the Pit Garage!!! I'm starving!!

Next stop. It hit the Pit Garage packed full of Live Music, Lots of Jim N' Nicks BBQ, and of course beer. I didn't drink the beer, instead I opted for a hot cup of Red Diamond Coffee. I know, I know. I might just be the only runner in America that wants coffee after a race but I seriously freeze to death after I cool down. Thanks Red Diamond...You are the #BombDotCom!

     I will DEFINITELY run this race again. It's already on my calendar for next year. As always, there was not a shortage of porta-potties, water/Power Ade/GU stations.  My event shirt was a short sleeve, women's cut dri-fit shirt with the Talladega 21000 Half Marathon logo on it and there was plenty of BBQ! Score!

 I left the Speedway and headed home but had to make a quick stop by my Mom's house. I grabbed another cup of coffee and took one last medal pic. Super fun day, great race, fun times with my peeps and coffee for the road. I love being a runner. :)

**For more information on the Talladega 21000 Half Marathon, 5K Lap around the Track and One mile Fun Run/Walk please visit TalladegaHalf.com

Happy Running and See You at the Track!

*Disclaimer: I was graciously provided a complimentary entry for this race in exchange for my social media coverage. However, I love this race and would pay to run it any day. #ShakeAndBake