Product Review: Nuun Rest

Disclaimer: I received tubes of Nuun Rest 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!

Do you run? Do you sleep? Then keep reading because this is going to be good! As some of you know, I am a Nuun Ambassador because I LOVE Nuun! Nuun has been making a huge impact in my health and running performance for years with their electrolyte tablets. They have released several different varieties of tablets over the years, with caffeine, with vitamins, with turmeric and other immunity boosting ingredients, and combinations of them all.

Nuun Rest is their newest formula which has tart cherry and magnesium to encourage relaxation and reduce exercise induced inflammation. They come in two flavors: Lemon Chamomile, and Blackberry Vanilla.

Unlike your typical Nuun tablet, you make Nuun Rest with less water, 4-6 ounces. Part of that is to not dilute the flavor, but also if you're drinking this before bed you really don't want to drink a lot of fluids or you'll have to get up and go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

My experiences

I can honestly say that I love this product in so many ways! The taste is great on both flavors, very different than other Nuun products. I like the lemon chamomile hot and the blackberry vanilla cold, just a personal preference. Something to keep in mind is that the magnesium doesn't always dissolve fully, so it leaves crunchies. This is very normal.

I like to drink Nuun Rest before bed time to help my body and mind get into a state of relaxation. In turn this helps me get a more restful sleep. I work in the service industry which can be very demanding. I work long hours and have work with some discerning guests which can take it's toll on my body and mind. After a shift it's hard for me to go right to sleep because my mind is still going. Drinking a Nuun Rest has helped me fall get to sleep faster which leads to more hours of sleep and a wake up feeling more rested.

I'm played around with my Garmin watch, which monitors my sleep, to see if it makes a difference. On the nights where I drink a Nuun Rest, I spend more time in deep sleep than I do on nights where I don't drink it. Deep sleep is imperative for helping your body to recover and repair any damaged muscles from workouts.

Conclusion

I'll reiterate, if you run and sleep then you need to try this! It's just not worth a bad night's sleep when you can drink this tasty beverage before bed and wake up feel refreshed. When you mind and body are at their best you make better choice in nutrition, perform better in workouts, and have a clearer mind.

From now until October 31st you can use code: "HYDRATEBIBPRO" for 20% off. This does not include bundles nor subscriptions. 


See what the other Bibrave Pro's are saying:

Barb     Kimberly     Lissa     Ken     

Product Review: Aftershokz Aeropex

Disclaimer: I received a pair of Aftershokz Aeropex 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!

Okay did you see the hype that Aftershokz did with the release of Aeropex?? They removed all their pictures from Instagram and teased about the launch of something new. Then they added the email campaign with a countdown for blast off. Finally Aeropex landed on earth in an online store near you.

How could you not get super crazy excited about this release? Well let me tell you, it was well worth the week of teasing.

Aeropex are like nothing that Aftershokz has released before. They are the lightest model ever made and pack a powerful punch. Their battery life is superior to all other models, lasting 8 hours on a full charge. That like four or five days worth of exercise!

They are also fully waterproof thanks to the new charging port, and can play a better quality sound with its enhanced hardware.

Now let's get to the good part, using the Aeropex on a run!

Think of the comfort that you have with all the other models and double or even triple that. The slimmer frame fits better on the ears and doesn't cause any discomfort with over 2 hours of use. You can quote me on that because I have worn them for over two hours getting ready for a run and actually running.

Like the other models they stay snug on your head even with the sweat and movement from running, with no bouncing.

Let's talk sound quality. The one thing that I have been bummed with in the past is when I listen to a song in my car, it never really sounds the same from headphones because they cannot provide the same base as my car's stereo. These have been the closest sounding headphones that I have used. You can really feel the base with each song. However, not to get you worried, we are talking about bone conducting headphones but they have found the perfect balance of sound without making it feel like the music is pounding throughout your head.

If I have to find a downside to them I would say that it is difficult to lay on a pillow with them because they way the back of the band sticks out. But that is true with ever model of Aftershokz, so not a big deal at all. But that means I cannot fall asleep with them, and that makes me sad haha.

So really, what are you waiting for, just go and get them because regret is not something that you will feel from buying them. You will feel it for missing out and so many pleasurable running experiences.

Here is what my other Bibrave Pro friends are saying:

Mark Vanessa Corey

Exuma Marathon Getaway

Disclaimer: I received free entry to The Bibrave Bahamas Getaway 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!



Okay it's time to get HYPED! Have you ever dreamed of going to the Bahamas? I know I have! Bibrave has partnered with The Grand Isle Resort and Exuma Marathon to bring you the move exclusive and luxurious marathon experience!

In November I will be heading to Exuma, Bahamas for a once in a lifetime weekend! I will arrive on Thursday November 7th to The Grand Isle Resort with a welcome cocktail reception. I'll get a VIP Registration on the property, which most likely means no line and wait (hell yeah!).

Friday and Saturday will be free days to explore the island and enjoy the beach, tropical cocktails, and spending the day with Bibrave Pros Mai and Maria who are also coming to the Bahamas with me! I'm thinking of a shakeout run along the coast followed by some pool time to stretch out and lots of fresh seafood for all my meals! Does it get any better than that? Oh it does because Bibrave HQ will also be joining us!

It will have been just about an entire year since I've met up with Jess and Tim. We were in Austin together last year for The Running Event and now they get to support us as we run this amazing race in the bahamas.

Saturday night we get a pre-race pasta dinner, hello carbs! On race morning we get a shuttle to and from the race so we don't have to worry about navigating a new area. Race entry is included in the package also, so the value just keeps adding up!

Then we get to join the post race celebration and toast to an amazing race and weekend!

Did I mention that breakfast is included every day and they will be giving us a resort credit too? That credit can be used for cocktails and food throughout the resort.

Then Monday morning I will head back home. I'll be on Exuma for a total of four nights which is the perfect amount of time during November to get some sun before being stuck in the New York winter for several months.

I would love if you could join me on this amazing weekend because the #1 best part about running is the community that we have! So the ability to share this with other like minded runner would be priceless!

Keep up on my social channels updates on my training and how I'm getting ready for this amazing racecation!

Race Recap: New Jersey State Triathlon

Disclaimer: I received free entry to New Jersey State Triathlon 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!



Since my trend this year has been tackling new challenges I couldn't pass up the opportunity to race my first triathlon. When Bibrave asked for Pro's to ace this weekend, I was all in! What made this opportunity even more sweeter was that I opted in for the Double Down Challenge, running the Triathlon Sprint on Saturday and Olympic Triathlon on Sunday. #ChallengeAccepted

After training for a Spartan race in April, transitioning to training for a triathlon would be different. I have to be honest that I didn't follow a strict training plan but I did my best with the time that I had. I made sure to get in a swim each week and paired my bike rides with my long runs.

About the Race

The New Jersey Triathlon is a super popular race, with its reputation I needed to tackle it. It's been voted as one of the top 5 triathlons in the nation and has sold out every year since they started.

The race took place at Mercer Park in West Windsor NJ. The park was spacious and offered a lot of shade. The course also offers a mainly flat course, which was nice to hear for a first timer.

Race Weekend

The park was very well maintained and had a great setup. The event area was staged around the expo tent. Not many vendors at the expo but good quality vendors. I had no issues with picking up my packets. I was excited to see that I had orange swim caps, Bibrave orange too. The swim caps designated what wave you were in. Nowhere could I find which order the waves were released nor what my cap color meant. This was explained by the MC at the beginning of the race. Apparently the waves are determined by age groups.

The transition area was initially intimidating for a first time triathlete but very easy to navigate. I didn't have any problems getting that setup.

A practice area swimming was setup on the other side of the pier from the race start. This was awesome not only to warm up but to get a feel for the water. We were graced with high 80 degree water.

The Race

Surprisingly I was able to catch 8 hours of sleep both night before the race. The weather was not agreeable, we had a severe heat wave with temperatures in the high 90's with over 100 feels like. I remember putting my bike on my bike rack at 4:30am and it was already 80 degrees out.

Getting to the park was very easy from my hotel and once on the park ground there were volunteers ushering you where to park. I know about the concept of comparative reality, not comparing yourself to other people because your lives are so different. But DAMN were there some sexy bikes that people had that you could only get jealous over.

On the way to the transition area they stopped you to write your bib number with marker on your arms and your age on you calf. I thought that was pretty cool. I know it is standard procedure for a triathlon but knowing someone's age was interesting. When you saw someone fly by you on a bike that was in their 50's or 60's it was pretty inspiring. Shows you what hard work can amount to.

Transition was organized into rows based on your bib number. Since I have nothing to base my setup with, I think I did an okay job.

The swim was the funnest segment and the most challenging for me. It was fun because it was an open water swim rather than a pool, where I usually train. The buoys were very big and marked the path well. I was a little taken back by how vicious the other swimmers were. They were pretty aggressive when trying to pass you, and I understand that there isn't much visibility. But plowing past you was fun, now when they mistakenly grabbed my legs. But all of this i believe is typical with the swim.

They had us wear a tracker around our ankle which we had to make sure we ran over the designed timing pads to not only let race management know that I was in transition which stops your clock, but also to let them know what you are not still out in the water.

Running with bike in hand out to the road was something that I felt very clumsy at. I don't feel like anyone ever trains to run with their bike. Then we were off onto the bike segment. The course was pretty flat with minor gradient changes. There was one hill in the ladder part of the bike course that wasn't too steep but it felt like a long climb.

Back into the transition area with our bikes, I set it back in the stand and then was off to the run. The run felt much harder on Sunday for the olympic but that's to be expected. The run route was mostly covered in shade which was SO nice because it was hot at that point of the day. The one aid station on each day was during the run. It was stocked with water, Nuun (praise the lord), honey stinger gel, and cold wash cloths. Everything you needed for a strong finish.

The Finish Chute and After Party

Coming around that final corner was so incredible. On saturday it was because I completed my first triathlon, and on Sunday it was because I completed the double down challenge. Right after you got your medal there were cold shower which felt amazing, and afterwards Team Nuun was there handing out tablets for you water bottles.

At the food tent there was more water, Philly Pretzels (like OMG it's the best thing after finishing a race, salt and carbs), bagels, oranges, and bananas. They also had soda which felt weird to me. The beer garden had your choice of Land Shark or Michelob Ultra.

The announcer was pretty great calling out the finishers as they crossed the finish line and even made a point to say that I was running for Bibrave. I love a good shout out! A DJ was playing all the best tracks, so it was pretty enjoyable.

My overall thoughts of this race are extremely high! I would definitely do this race again and hope for cooler weather next year haha. Racing with my fellow Bibrave Pro's Brenda and Bill made the race even more fun too.

For more details about my thoughts on the race you can read my review here!

Product Review: Shady Rays X-Series Sunglasses

Disclaimer: I received a pair of Shady Rays X-Series Sunglassesto 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'm back at it again testing the latest sunglasses! This time I had the pleasure of testing the Z-Series sunglasses from Shady Rays. I tested a different series from Shady Rays earlier this year so having the chance to test them again was exciting!

The Specs

• Sport frame with strong grip made for high speeds. Great for running, hiking and climbing, water-sports, and other high impact activities.
• Durable gloss clear wrap-around frame
• Premium Polarized royal blue lenses with amber tint: 100% UV protection / shatter-resistant / salt water proof
• Includes Microfiber Cleansing Pouch + vinyl brand decal
• Lifetime Craftsmanship Warranty & Free Replacements if Lost or Broken - just pay S+H fee for lost/broken replacements.
• Every order provides 10 meals to fight hunger in the U.S. through Feeding America

The Run Test

With the weather getting warmer that means that there are more options for outdoor activities. That means more opportunity to really put a product to the test.

Running with these babies has been the most comfortable frames that I have run with. The frame arms are a little longer than normal but they don't really have the "behind the ear curve." This means they were more comfortable with my headphones and hat since they weren't competing for the same real estate on my ears. They didn't slide down my face even with the intense sweat that I can produce, and even stayed in place shaking my head.

The polarized lens are pretty self-explanatory. They make everything you see look better while also protecting your eyes from UV. Just an added bonus!

Biking with these sunglasses was also super comfortable. The lenses are one the smaller, sleeker side of the spectrum making them ideal for being worn with a helmet. That also means that they don't block as much airflow from you face, allowing your body to cool off faster. But at the same time they cover the delicate areas of your face which protect them from bugs and other things that could injure your eyes.

I liked that the arms of the frames are on the smaller side too because they didn't cause as much of a blind spot as other sunglasses have for me in the past.

Conclusion

Aside from the fact they the Shady Rays X-Series Sunglasses look AMAZING they are a top notch pair of sunglasses for any type of athlete. They are super comfortable, fit well on your ears with hats and headphones, and are the ideal sunglasses for biking. I can confidently say that Shady Rays makes some excellent sunglasses that are on the market. Especially since I have tested two different series of theirs. You should definitely try them out!

You can use code "rave" for 50% when you buy two or more pair of sunglasses! That's a crazy deal that you need to take advantage of!

Here's what the other Bibrave Pro's are saying about them:

Corey Brenda Katy Renee Janell Mike

Product Review: Shady Rays Signature Series

Disclaimer: I received a pair of Shady Rays Signature Series Sunglassesto 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!


This review is coming at you just in time for some sunny weather! As a runner we have to make sure that we protect our assets when out running. For me one of the most overlooked things is your eyes. My insurance recently started covering my vision insurance for the first time in years so I have been to the eye doctor again. We talked about a lot of things since science has improved a lot since my last visit, which was like 10+ years ago.

Protecting your eyes from UV light is as important now as ever. Now when it comes to running and sunglasses I always look for a balance between function and fashion. The sunglasses I tested from Shady Rays are that perfect balance.

Here are the specs:

• The frame is made from a durable material
• The lenses are 100% UV protection
• The lenses are polarized
• The lenses are shatter-resistant
• They have a lifetime replacement warranty
• AND every order helps feed kids get access to food

The Run Test

Okay so the specs sold me but I was ready to put them through the run test to see how they handled. The frames fit my head so nicely and didn't need any adjusting. The arms are a little wider than the typical sunglasses that I wears yet they are still comfortable. After a few good head shakes they didn't slide at all. They also look awesome and go with the majority of my running apparel.

With all this in mind I knew they would be ideal for a long haul on the pavement or bouncing through some trails. So that is exactly what I did with them. I even wore them during a Spartan Race and they were a great choice even with all the slipping and sliding on the snow.

I always run with a hat of some kind and my Aftershokz headphones. With all three of these on and around my ears they all seemed to jive. I haven't experienced any pain from either, even after a good long run. Unlike some of my other glasses that begin to irritate my ears after a few minutes, Shady Rays maintained comfort.

The lenses are large enough that they give you great visibility. This means more protections as well. The only downside to this is that when I wear them in the car the frames create a blind spot right where my side mirrors are. This is just a coincidence with the size of them and my car. In regards to running they are great!

Conclusion

Sunglasses need to offer you the right amount of protection matched with comfort and function. Shady Rays hit all of these spots with the glasses in their signature series. They are light yet durable and don't slip when engaging in your fitness activity.

They are running a special right now using code "RAVE" at checkout for 50% off 2 or more pair of sunglasses!

Product Review: Stunt Puppy Stunt Runner Leash

Disclaimer: I received a Stunt Puppy Stunt Runner Leash 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 been eyeing up Stunt Puppy for over a year now since the initial campaign with Bibrave. When they did their first campaign I was still living in Hawaii and didn't have any pets. Now that I've moved back home and have three dogs and friends with dogs I was eager to try this product out!

The Product

The Stunt Runner is a hands-free leash that is made so you can conveniently that your dog with you on the go. The material is made from a durable webbing that is so smooth but strong enough for big dogs too. On the runner end there is an adjustable waist strap that buckles together, on the dog end is a strong clip, and in the middle is the stretchy leash.

The part of the leash that I appreciate the most is that on the dog end where the clip is, the material isn't stretchy so if you need to hold your dog for any reason you have something firm to hold on to.

The Run Test

I was a little disappointed in my dog Wickett when we first tried out the leash. Wickett isn't much of a runner dog since he is so small. However the leash was still a good fit for him. Since he is so small that makes him very fast. So when we go walking, if he sees another animal he usually likes to take off running for it. Knowing that he was securely attached to me was reassuring.

At the end of his walks we always race back to the door. So we did get in some run time with the leash. He is used to being let off his leash when we run back to the door but I liked using the Stunt Runner Leash because we could still run without letting him run wild.

I did have a fun opportunity to try out the Stunt Runner Leash with my best friend's dog Lily. She is a mid-sized pitbull mix. This girl has some power! Having the leash connected to my waist rather than my hand made a huge different when we took her for a hike. She definitely jerked me several times when running around but since the leash was buckled to me I was able to hold my own more than when using a hand leash.

During the hike we did a few short runs with the leash and one of the things that I noticed was that since my arms were free I kept a better pace than when I would hold a leash with her. I know she definitely enjoyed the runs just as much as I did.

The one thing I had to be careful with was at one point on the hike she found a smell that she had to get to which was down a bank. Since it was icy I didn't have a lot of traction and she started taking me down the bank too. Luckily Mike was there to hold me back so I didn't go down. It was something that we can laugh at that made the hike fun.

Conclusion

Regardless of the size of your dog the Stunt Puppy Stunt Runner Leash would change your life! Running with our pets is a lot of fun and when you can make it easier then why wouldn't you? Being able to use both of your hands at any point while walking, hiking, or running is better than only being able to use one. Your form will be better and you will have a stronger control since they would be attached to your whole body not just your hand.

See what the other BibravePros are saying:

Stephanie Virjinia Jessica Andrea Sam Matt