Product Review: Altra, Brooks, Incrediwear, CEP, Vuori

Disclaimer: I received  products from Altra, Brooks, Incrediwear, CEP, and Vuori  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!

In this blog post I will discuss my reviews of the apparel that got from The Running Experience. 

Altra Escalante 1.5

From the first time I put these on I could feel the difference they had from other shoes I have worn in the past. If you look at most shoes they the vertex at the tip of a shoe is in the middle of the shoe about the middle toe. Altra shoes have that vertex at the point of the big toe, where a foot is the biggest. To put is simply, they are made for feet based off feet.

The zero drop feature, meaning that the toes and heel are on the same plane, felt so natural to run in. It you look at other shoes the heel tends to be more elevated than then toes. When my feet strike, it's usually half heel and half center of my foot. Having that zero drop made it feel like I was running in bare feet. They are shoes that are designed to complement your foot and have less resistance. Their lightweight design is also designed for speed. You could call them a minimalist shoe.

I loved them so much that I even bought the limited edition NYC Marathon Escalante 1.5. These road shoes make me feel like I'm running so much faster, I can't wait to run my next race in them!

They are also pretty sleek looking shoes too. I usually don't like to wear my running shoes as casual shoes so I don't put too many extra miles of them, so I can run in them more. However I can't help wearing them as casual shoes because of the comfort but also because they look amazing!

Brooks Ghost

When I got back from Austin winter was in full swing in NY. So I haven't had too many opportunities to run outside. Most of my running has been on the treadmill using the Zwift app (see my review of that here). I have been using my Brook's Ghost shoes for those treadmill runs.

I was excited to try them out and see if I could feel the difference that the plate makes on your step. It wasn't something I noticed right away. However after running for 45+ minutes on the treadmill, then going back to regular shoes I noticed the lack of spring. So I made it my focus during my next run. Again I felt like it was hard to notice on the treadmill, so I went to the indoor track at my gym and then I really noticed it. I really felt like each step was exploding as I ran and maintained my momentum. Reflecting now I noticed that it would have been hard to notice that on a treadmill since the speed is set. That's why it took free running to notice the extra kinetic energy in each step.

A few things that I really liked with these shoes was the sturdy ankle support. I had a bad experience years ago with a lightweight shoe that didn't have much ankle support and since then it's something I'm super cognizant of. The shoe is also true to size which is important as well. My foot doesn't have any extra space to slide around which can be the downfall of some shoes.

All in all it's a sturdy ride and I'm patiently waiting for warmer weather to take these babies out on the road.

Incrediwear

So I got several products from Incrediwear: compression pants, knee socks, angle sock, and no-show socks. The socks are active wear and the pants are for recovery.

What's unique about the socks is that they are lined with a carbonized charcoal that reacts to the warmth from your body to increase blood flow thus increasing performance. I love running in them because they are so light and thin while still being compressive that I wear them to work sometimes after a workout.

I've noticed during some of my longer runs, without wearing these socks that I need to keep rolling my shoulders and shaking my arms to keep the blood flowing. When I wear these socks, I haven't had that problem at all.

The recovery pants are a new favorite of mine! I like to wear them under my dress pants at work, first off because it's cold and they are an extra layer, but also after a morning run. I can feel the difference in the afternoon as opposed to when I don't. I have more energy and less fatigue in my legs after working all day.

Just from these products alone I have been sold on the fact that I want to try their other products as well. I even bough the open-toed ankle compression socks for my sisten-in-law since she is pregnant, and she love them too since it help reduce her swelling.

CEP

Much like Incrediwear I received an active pair of socks and a recovery pair of socks. The recovery socks have been so versatile that I wear them all the time. I first used them on the plane ride home from Austin to help with the several hours of sitting. I totally noticed the difference in my legs and how much better they felt than usual.

I like to wear the recovery socks to bed since they cover the foot and calf. If you only wear a calf sleeve you run the risk of swelling in your feet since the ankle is so much tighter from the sleeves. Being a full foot and calf sock means that it helps keep the circulation up without any build ups. I can feel the difference in my sleepy pattern when I wear them to bed after a hard workout opposed to when I don't. I toss and turn less and get a more restful sleep.

The Merino Trail Socks are so comfortable. I fell in love with merino wool a few years ago in Hawaii since the wool is made for temperature regulation whether it's hot or cold outside. Since these are a compression sock they help keep my calves warm and protected from the cold, while also helping with circulation. All of this is especially important in the winter, so I'm looking forward to feeling the different in the warmer months.

Both socks have their uses and the only problem I have is that I only have one pair of each currently. I just need to buy more so I can have the benefits more often.

Vuori

I've only recently gotten into the lined running shorts, and I have been kicking myself for not getting into it sooner. I love how you only have to pack the one piece of clothing for your waist. The shorts are super soft and made of a water-repelling material. The inside lining is a softer tech material that wicks away moisture to prevent chafing. I especially love the deep pockets that they have. I can run with chap stick and not have to worry about them falling out.

While they are made for running I also like to use them for strength training too. Their stretchy material works great with squats, lunges, and even yoga poses like pigeon.

From a style viewpoint they are pretty much unmatched. The colors are trendy for casual events as well as athletics. I'm very tempted to buy some of their pants for the same reasons. They are stretchy, and still look sleek enough to wear to work where I do a lot of lifting. I've gone through three pair of pants in my one month at the new job from ripping the crotch. So I think it's time to invest is some quality pants from a company that I have had the opportunity to test their products from already.

Conclusion

I throughout the past month I have had the opportunity to test out several different apparel companies through their gear. All of the products I have loved for their reasons and they have made me a loyal customer in the future

Product Review: Montigo Training Plan

Disclaimer: I received an Aftershokz #262Squad Marathon Training Experience through Motigo 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!

Training for a marathon takes a lot of time, dedication, discipline, and planning. For most of us runners that is a lot to do while still living out our lives, working a job, or even raising kids. With the stresses of life getting more demanding sometimes keeping on our training plan is hard. Sometimes the only time we have to run is early in the morning or late in the evening.

The Motigo Training app offers you the freedom to run whenever you want, with training plans and runs right at your finger tips, with training plans from 5K's, 10K's, and half and full marathons. I was given access to the Full Marathon training.

The App

Within the app once you select your training plan it has all the runs planned out for you based on the weeks. It gives you a description of the run and then during the run it coaches you on when to push harder and when to recover for each workout. It's like having your coach right in your ears while you're running.


If you have a race upcoming you can add it to your event in the app. Then you can have friends record messages for you that will play at specific, preset times during the run to give you the right push when you need it.

Even when I'm running with my Aftershokz Trekz Air I still play my music pretty loud. It really helps me focus on the run. I had concerns that I would miss hearing the messages during my runs because of my music being to loud. (It lets you play music from a separate app during the runs). However I was happy to hear that the coaching and cheers came through over my music, so I didn't miss the repeats at all.

Most of the easy runs do not come with audio so that you can focus on maintaining the easy pace, however the speed training does have the audio messages.

Pricing

You do have to buy the individual training plans, which are SO much more affordable than paying for a coach. The coolest part is that once you buy one of the plans you are able to reuse the plan as many times as you want. That alone makes it worth it!

Conclusion

In today's busy world it's hard to fit in marathon training. Motigo has made it easier than every to train with coaching and guidance, on your time. The app is super easy to navigate and keeps you on track and motivated for your runs.

Still not convinced? See what the other Bibrave Pro's are saying:

Deanne Corey Mai

Product Review: Luvo Bundles

Disclaimer: I received a Luvo Vegan Essentials Bundle 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 there is one thing that everyone knows about a vegan/plant-based lifestyle it's that "convenience" is not a word used often enough. Meals and snacks usually take some preparation which takes time out of your day. Convenience foods are often processed and hence made unhealthy, another reason why we don't hear that word used in association with vegan.

It's time to throw that mentality out the window as Luvo changes everything. Chances are that you have heard of Luvo at some point but if you haven't they are a company that makes frozen entrees that are actually healthy. Their Vegan Essentials Bundle is no exception. They are frozen vegan bowls that are packed with all the good things that you want as a vegan/ plant-based eater with the convenience of a microwave.

The Vegan Essentials Bundle consists of four different flavors, more on those in a bit, that you only have to microwave for 4.5 minutes. The ingredients are simple whole foods which are combined to make a complete meal. One thing that I hear the most from people is that vegan food isn't "real" and doesn't have a lot of flavor. Let me tell you that when you read the ingredients, and can understand them all, that's as real as it gets. To those that claim that vegan food doesn't have a lot of flavor, they clearly haven't has a meal with me. I'll go into each of the flavors in detail below.

So Cal Kale & Bean

This one was my favorite flavor. Yielding 10 grams of protein, only 360 mg of sodium, and 14 grams of sugar this bowl was bursting with so much to love. Beans, kale, and rice are a staple of the vegan diet so add to that crisp broccoli and raisins for a touch of sweetness you get a sweet and savory bowl of fiber and deliciousness.

Hawaiian Un-Fried Rice

Let's make this clear, I lived in Hawaii for five years and know how authentic the food is suppose to taste. This bowl has all the authenticity you should be looking for in Hawaiian fried rice without the greasy fried rice texture. The black forbidden rice is cooked to perfection which if you know anything about forbidden rice it can get gritty when overcooked. This is is starchy and the flavors blends nicely with the crunchy cashews.

Great Karma Coconut Curry

Coconut is the staple of any good curry especially when it's a vegan curry since the coconut flavor isn't trampled by the flavors of meat. I really enjoyed the addition of the butternut squash to this bowl because it added a level of creaminess when paired with the chick peas. The black lentils gave a great color contract for an appetizing eye-appeal.

Chana Masala

To be a broken record, the authenticity of this bowl is on point! The spice and herb blend is so good that you can't believe that his is a frozen entree. This tomato-based sauce is protein packed and carries just a touch of heat in each bit that keeps you coming back for more. Perfect for a cold night.

To recap I absolutely loved trying out the Luvo Vegan Essentials Bundle. It made meal time fast and easy with the confidence of a healthy balanced entree. For all my non-vegan friends out there, Luvo has 8 other bundles you could choose from. They even have a gluten-free bundle as well, so there is definitely a bundle out there for you!



You can follow Luvo on the following social sites:

T: @luvofoods
IG: luvofoods

Race Recap: Runner's World Half Marathon & Festival

Disclaimer: I received free entry to Runner's World Half & Festival Grand Slam race 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!

Post-race, I was able to jump on Athlinks.com and claim my race results. You can check out how I did it here, and while you’re at it, jump on and make an account too. Don’t forget to add me as a friend so we can go head-to-head in future races!

We had all heard or seen the trend about multi-race events where people run several races throughout a weekend. I have always been opposed to them because I couldn't figure out how you could possibly train for all those races and still perform well. I was given the opportunity to run the Runner's World Grand Slam through Bibrave and I didn't want to pass up this opportunity to try something new.

The Destination

The race was held in Bethlehem, PA which is a city rich with history and culture. The race was held at the old Bethlehem Steel complex. Right across the street the expo was held at ArtQuest. Packet pickup was easy and fast on the first floor with the vendors up on the third floor. All runner received a long sleeve tech shirt, Grand Slammers received a 3/4 zip sweater, 5 and Dime runners received Runner's World logo Balega socks, and Hat Trick runners received a trucker cap. The number of vendors at the expo was smaller than I imagined, less than 10 vendors. I expected a race of this popularity and size to be bigger.

Friday Trial Run

After we picked up our packets at the expo we took the shuttle to the Trail Race start. I loved the idea of the shuttle since I was in a new city and didn't want to get lost on my way to there.

Before the race started we got some trail tips from the Altra sponsored Pros which was helpful. The race itself was very fun and the perfect distance to get the weekend started. There was pizza and popcorn to snack on afterwards, which I thought was a neat idea, even though I'm vegan and don't eat cheese.

Click here for my trail run recap from Bibrave.com.

Saturday 5K and 10K

Today is when things got real, two races back-to-back. The 5K start was delayed by 10 minutes as they made sure the course was safe and blocked off from traffic. I was nervous when starting this race because I didn't want to push too hard and burnout before getting to my 10K so I tried to keep my pace moderate. Even though I ran faster than planned it was still far from my full effort. The course was pleasant and I took everything in because I knew that the 10K and half course were going to build onto this course. In the last mile there was a small climb up a hill followed by a quick downhill before the home stretch.

Click here for my 5K recap from Bibrave.com.

We had a quick break after the 5K to snack, hydrate, and use the bathroom before starting the 10K; which started promptly at 9:30 am. As expected the beginning of the course was just the same as the 5K. It wasn't until we crossed the bridge that the course differed. There was a nice scenic path that the course took by the creek before we got into some hills. I love me some hills but I was still trying to be conservative with my energy. There was a nice long stretch of downhill that felt great running a bit faster and knocking some time off. When I came up to the final hill, that I knew was coming, I climbed faster than the 5K because I conserved some energy.

Click here for my 10K recap from Bibrave.com.

I finished strong in both races and was happy with my time and pace. I wasn't anywhere near PR pace for either race but I wasn't trying for that. I figured that if I tried to PR then I would spend too much energy with one race and not do well in the others.

Sunday Half Marathon

My body was a little sore today but nothing terrible. The weather was frigid and windy in the low 40's but probably felt like 30's with the wind. Luckily I packed my warmer running gear and was prepared for the cold. I did a quick jog to warm up and the race got started right at 8:00 am. I really held back the first two miles to first let my body warm up, and secondly to see how my body felt before pushing harder. My right hip flexor and left calf were tight when the race started. After mile two they had warmed and loosened up and I pushed a bit harder.

I spent a lot of time checking out the course map for this race so I would have a better idea of what hills to expect. The course was pretty much all uphill until mile 9 where we went back down. I planned out exactly when to take in my gels and felt very prepared for the course. I kept telling myself that I just had to get to mile 9 and then I would be golden. Just as planned after mile 9 the end was in my sights. I had just enough energy to get up that last climb before the final stretch. Again I finished strong and within my goal time.

Click here for my Half Marathon Recap from Bibrave.com.

Final Reflections

After running this race I am very thankful for this opportunity. I tried something new and ran 26.2 miles in three days. It challenged me mentally and physically in a way that racing never has. But I knew what I was getting myself into and created a plan and stuck to it. I think that since I did so much research about the race and courses is what lead to my success. If I just showed up and ran then I definitely could have seen myself burning out too early and bonking, or worse getting injured.

So to the runners out there that are wondering if they should run a multi-distance race I say go for it! Plan a head and then crush your goals!

5 Reasons to Run the Reebok Boston 10K for Women

Disclaimer: I’m promoting Reebok Boston 10K for Women 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!

There's lots to be excited for about fall: pumpkin everything, cooler weather, flannel, and of course the best races of the year. If you don't have any races planned yet then here are my top 5 reasons to sign up for a fall race, and specifically the Reebok Women's 10K.

1.) Weather: October is the best month of the year to run a race for optimal weather. Summer has come to a close and the cooler weather of fall is happening. According to the Elite Daily website, the best temperature for women to run in is 51.8 degrees, and the average temperature in Boston is about 60 degrees. So while it might not be the exact ideal temperature it is definitely much better than 70's or even 80's of summer. That means you'll be able to perform better and have a better race.

2.) Scenery: Fall is one of the prettiest times of the year! Trees change colors and blend into the perfect sunsets, and pumpkins decorate everything. The Reebok Women's 10K course is one of the most scenic in Boston. Starting on Beacon Street lined with trees, then crossing the Charles River, and then following the river before crossing it again. It's a city race with all the fall feels.

3.) Race Beneficiaries: No race would be complete without a way to give back to the community. The Reebok Women's 10K has two different beneficiaries that are making a big difference in the Boston community. Boks is a program that encourages physical, mental, and social health of children through the power of movement. They host before and after school programs to help children move and exercise. The second beneficiary is Health Works Community Fitness, an amazing program that helps low income women and children get health and fitness opportunities. See the video to right to get inspired!

4.) Supporting Women: This whole race is about showing support for women, and to empower them to reach their health and fitness goals. Running has always had an amazing community for support and camaraderie but this race brings it to the next level because it's all about showing how strong the women of our nation are. Women are a force to be reckoned with so this is your opportunity to show off what you got. I've heard that crossing the Avenue Bridge is one of the best parts of the race. You get to see the elite runners on their way back as you cross it the first time then as you make your way back across you get to share that enthusiasm with the runners who are on the other side. Keep the positive vibes flowing!

5.) History: This race has a long history dating back to the late 1970's. It was one of the first of 12 races that was women only back then and now is one of the biggest women only races in the nation. In the early 2000's it held an award for the biggest women's only race for four consecutive years. Where the roots run deep with this race there is one thing that has been consistent since its conception: this is the race of choice for women of all ages. The proof is in the pudding, and you can see this from the remarkable support by the community.

There is so much to love about this race so don't waste another second, sign up for the Reebok Boston 10K for Women today!

Race Recap: Tough Mudder Western NY

My First Tough Mudder Experience

Since moving back home last year I reconnected with a friend who loves running. So we decided to plan a race together, and that race was a Tough Mudder. I was so excited to finally commit to a race and for it to be an obstacle course race (OCR). I had never run an OCR before so it was a new avenue of running to me.

Pre-Race

He had already run the Western NY race and enjoyed it enough to want to run the race again. The race was hosted in the quaint town of Andover, NY which was 2 hours from my house. We decided it would be best to find a place to stay in the area so that we wouldn't have to do that drive twice in one day.

The Tough Mudder website did have a list of suggested lodging however I was able to find a Bed & Breakfast less than 5 minutes from the race. The B&B owner had recommended several restaurants in the nearby town only 15 minutes away so everything was pretty convenient.

Race morning we got the event early since we still had to park and walk to the race start. There was plenty of parking, which we paid for in advance to save $10. However it was almost half a mile's walk to the race start from the parking area.

At the race start they had all the booths for merchandise and other things you would expect at an expo. We knew we would have time after the race to explore so we went right to our corral to get started. The MC for the race was very motivational and shared a great story which really got us excited for the run. Our corral started promptly at 10:30 am.

The Course

As an overall summary, the course was all trail with some parts being muddier than others due to rain the night before and added effect for the course. We were far from the first wave so the course was well traveled already. I luckily had on my On Running Cloudventure Trail Shoes which still gave me great traction even on the muddy ground.

At this location the full runners ran two lap on the course, with alternate routes on lap two with different obstacles. On lap 1 we had obstacles like Kiss of Mud, Mud Mile, Hero Walls, and Hero Carry to name a few. The one that stuck out the most was the quagmire. This obstacle was a trug through a very thick mud pool, think cake batter thickness. One girl slipped and fell and went all the way under and then couldn't open her eye due to the thick mud.

Lap two had many more memorable obstacles, that tested you more than the first lap. We started with electroshock therapy which was running through a mess of live electrical wires. Other fun obstacles were Funky Monkey and Kong which were both climbing challenges. The Arctic Enema was a very challenging obstacle, we had to swim under walls in a tank of ice water. I couldn't believe how quickly we froze to the bone.

The hardest part about lap 2 was that the trails had been destroyed at this point from all the runners on their first lap, and the runners ahead of us on their second lap. So it was slow moving since we were trying to keep our footing.

Reflections

I definitely loved this race, and plan to do more in the future, I was bit by the OCR bug.

Pros

The pros of this race would have to be the course itself. It was on ATV grounds so it was very spread out. Lots of distance between the obstacles gave us time to run off the sore muscles.

Since the race was two lap, the aid stations were in the same spot, so we knew when we would be approaching one for water and fuel.

Lastly the overall camaraderie among the runners was something that you don't normally see in a typical running race. Everyone was willing to lend a hand to help at obstacles which made it much more rewarding when you helped others back.

Cons

There were a few things that I would note about the race that I wasn't thrilled about. I didn't see that many photographers throughout the course. When searching through the pictures after the race, I saw that there were pictures from specific obstacles but when we had run those obstacles there wasn't anyone taking pictures. I feel like I really missed out on this because it would have been nice to have more memories captured. More consistent photo locations would have been nice.

I also wasn't a big fan of the parking situation. After running the full mudder we were pretty worn out, so for us to have to walk another half mile to the car was annoying to say the least.

Even though these two things weren't the coolest, that doesn't sway me from wanting to get another Tough Mudder under my belt. Apparently there is a special headband that you can get from running 3 Mudders in one year. I want that so bad for next year!

Have you run an OCR before? Do you have any favorites?

Marathon Training: Why Runner's World Grand Slam

Disclaimer: I received free entry to The Runner's World Half Marathon & Festival race 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 very excited about the opportunity to run my first race for Bibrave this October. Since moving back home I have definitely found it hard to commit to races while still trying to reestablish my life. Commitments to work have been the number one factor in deciding which races I can do. So when I saw the opportunity to run this race event I knew that I this was the race that I had been waiting for.

Why this race?

After taking a year off from running, I knew that I would need something different to reignite my passion for running. Once you lose a habit it takes a while and conscious effort to get back into it. This race weekend has an option for a Grand Slam, which is a combination of all four races throughout the weekend. I have seen a lot of runners through the years competing in the Disney Dopey challenge and though I never wanted to do that, I couldn't pass up the Grand Slam.

The Grand Slam is a unique distance because after you run all the races in the series you will have run 26.2 miles. So it's a marathon but spread out across three days. On Friday there is a 3.8 mile trail run, Saturday there is the 5K and the 10K, and Sunday is the Half Marathon. I found this to be the best way to get back into the running world without starting right away with a full marathon, in one day at least.

Does the Grand Slam sound too daunting? Not to worry there are other multi-race options for choose from:

• The Hat Trick: 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon
• The Five & Dime: 5K and 10K

If that isn't enough to get you excited, check out the schedule of event for the weekend:

Friday, October 19
12 p.m. – 7 p.m. Health & Fitness Expo & Packet Pick Up, ArtsQuest Musikfest Café
3:30 p.m. – Trail Run, South Mountain Park

Saturday, October 20
6:30 a.m. – 5K & 10K Number Pick Up, ArtsQuest
8 a.m. – 5K Start
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Health & Fitness Expo & Packet Pick Up, ArtsQuest Musikfest Café
9:30 a.m. – 10K Start
12 p.m. – Kids Races
2 p.m. –1-Mile Dog Run
5:30 p.m. – Dinner with the Editors

Sunday, October 21

6 a.m. – Race Day Packet Pick up

8 a.m. – Half Marathon Start

The race takes place in Bethlehem, PA which in October the weather should be beautiful, the trees starting to change colors, and fall should be in full swing. It's the perfect race to enjoy before winter gets here and starts to get things cold.

Join me and the other Bibrave Pro's at this race and use code "RWHALF18BIBRAVE" for 15% off any distance, even the multi-race options too!

Have you ever run a multi-race weekend before? Tell me what to expect down in my comments.