Training Tuesday: AfterShokz Trekz Air PRODUCT REVIEW & Must Listen.

"Disclaimer: I received an Trekz Air Titanium Wireless Headphones 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!"

Happy Tuesday! WOW. Am I TIRED. Ha. It’s finally starting to catch-up to me, so I’m upping my fluid-intact, sleep, stretching/foam rolling 2x a day, and eating super healthy. I’ve got some stressful weeks ahead of me before the marathon, so I’m trying to everything I can to minimize the stress. Come Wednesday, I’ll have all of my “long long" runs behind me so I’ll begin to taper, which I think should relieve some of that stress (but honestly the taper is sometimes a bit stressful to me too).

Before we get into my AfterShokz product review, I NEED to share with you a podcast episode that I listened to on my long run Saturday. THIS podcast episode was mind-blowing and honestly it gets me even more excited to read her book (I just picked it up from the library). Super informative and I think that I’d like to build my next training cycle around my hormones if I can somehow figure them out??

On a side note, you probably know by now that I’ve been testing out my AfterShokz Trekz Air headphones for a few weeks now- including on my 28 mile long run last week! Side note: I must have been slightly delirious by my last 7-mile segment because I definitely put my vest on the wrong way…Whoops.

I’m happy to report that they lasted the entire 4 and something hours I was out there. So that is definitely a bonus. But first, let’s back-track to the beautiful packaging they come in. Stella is also very interested.

So sleek and they come in this great case that my cat, Brady also equally loves (he actually picks it out of wherever I hide it and carry it about the house). I wish I had a photo to share, but he normally drops it by my feet before I can snag one!

I got the slate color and they came with also a charging cord and a 2-year warranty. I love that they have a 6-hour battery. They will get me through an entire marathon and a good majority of my 50 miler (which is perfect because I normally like to save music/podcasts as a ‘treat’ in the later miles of a race). I also really like that you can take calls from them (or ahem…ignore them…I’m looking at you telemarketers!) and they are sweat resistant.

Can ya tell I like to wear this visor a lot? Ha. I should probably wash it…

One of the biggest pet-peeves that I find with ANYTHING wired is how absolutely disgusting that wire feels when you get sweaty. You know what I’m talking about… it gets coated and slimy and ugh. it’s like those really humid days where even wearing a shirt is pointless because it just gets drenched two seconds into your run. I also wondered about the bone-conduction technology. I thought it was SO COOL, but also kinda weird? Like, would I feel it in my jaw (I’ve got TMJ)? Would it move all about and prevent me from catching up on my latest podcast?

I can 100% say for certain that it didn’t feel weird and they never moved on me ONCE! I never felt them and really love how mindful I am now on the run. I don’t tune everything out and come back from my run feeling more rejuvenated and at-ease with myself as opposed to tuning out the birds chirping, cars driving by, the quietness of a morning run. They are so much safer on the roads and I can’t wait to try them on the trails this summer. I know that I’ll be able to hear wildlife approaching, mountain bikers zooming down the trail, and fellow runners coming up behind me (all of my biggest fears when on the trails alone).

Aftershokz also has an amazing video about the headphones, which I’ll share below incase you’re interested! They are so light as well. Don’t forget to get yourself a discount code if you want to try a pair out for yourself.

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Ever done a training cycled that has followed your hormones?

Favorite part about running outside?

Last favorite podcast episode you listened to?

Training Tuesday: How I Mentally Conquer A Bad Patch In A Race

Sometimes during a race (especially the longer distances), you inevitably hit a tough patch. I remember my first marathon and my first ‘bad patch’ came REAL EARLY (i.e. mile 14 of 26.2!). I had no tools in my back pocket to use and continued to struggle with it for the remainder of the race. Over time, I’ve come to find a few things that have helped me focus my attention AWAY from my mind and back on the race. I would LOVE to hear some of your tricks too though because mine don’t always work every time.

Remind myself of my training. Those runs where I struggled and thought I wouldn’t be able to make it. Those snowy/rainy/humid/hot miles that felt never-ending. If I could make it through that, then I could make it through anything.

Focus on when the next aid station is. This really helps me in those later miles of a marathon when I just want to see that finish line. If I can get to the next aid station, then I can reset my mind and then focus on the next one.

Change my music/ put headphones on/ put my pump-up jams on. I’ve ran a few marathons now where I will run for most of the race without my music and then put it on in those last 5-6 miles of the race. This almost always helps get me through a bit of rough patch.

Remind myself why I’m doing this. Maybe it’s to hit a new milestone, maybe I set a goal to hit a certain time goal a long time ago and I’ve come this far to not give it my best effort, maybe it’s for those who can’t run, maybe it’s for a charity. Whatever it is- remember your WHY. In Vegas, it may sound silly, but my “why” those last few miles was getting done faster to get home and meet our new kitties. Whatever works!

Think ahead to my post-race meal/activities. I always make sure to have something exciting planned post-run. For Moab, I was so excited to have the opportunity to explore a National Park post-race that that kept me going those last few miles when the air was dusty and uphill.

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What helps get you through a “tough patch” in a race? Tips? Tricks?

Training Tuesday: Top FIVE Favorite PUMP UP Jams

Happy Tuesday! I thought it would be fun to share with you my current top 5 favorite songs that help get my butt running when I’d much rather cuddle with the kitties.

Wild Horses- Bishop Briggs

Glorious - Macklemore . still obsessed with this one!

Cheap Thrills - Sia

One Last Time - Ariana Grande

Born This Way - Lady Gaga

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My legs are still SORE from my 22 miler on Saturday! Ha. I’ve booked a massage for today and struggled through a bit over half of my marathon effort miles before calling it quits (definitely felt like I was running the tail-end of a marathon). Ha. Looking forward to a rest day tomorrow!

-What are YOUR favorite pump up jams!?!?

Training Tuesday: An ODE To Winter Running

"Disclaimer: I received an XYZ 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 Ode To Winter Running

Dear Winter Running,

In honor of the First Day of Spring tomorrow, I thought it would be good to give you a nice final farewell before you’re gone for another 9 months.

It’s been super fun to watch the snow fall on the ground. In the beginning, the snow was beautiful. It looked like furry white clouds forming around me. So light and easy to blow off of the roads.

As you progressed, you started to get real cold. Winter Running began to get real challenging. Some days I felt like I was a burglar with the amount of clothes I had to pile on just to survive for an hour outside.

It was not so fun to have my water bottles or gels freeze on me. The amount of time it took me to layer-up was also not very enjoyable. I also really disliked wearing cleats on almost every.single.run. While they gave my feet a bit of extra weight (thanks for the additional cross-training!) and prevented me from slipping on any surfaces, they also were one extra thing I had to put on.

When you snowed so hard that I had to wear sunglasses to protect my eyes from snow build-up was also less than enjoyable. Good thing I at least had something acting like a windshield to my poor, poor face.

Don’t let that smile fool you folks. Conditions this winter were pretty miserable.

You really tested me. You tried to make me sleep in with your very short days, but I was resilient. I had goals to capture and I wasn’t going to let something silly like “winter” get in my way. You pushed on for far far too long, but now it’s Spring and I want to see some GRASS and FLOWERS and be able to RUN OUTSIDE in the LIGHT at 5AM.

So, goodbye to you and your endless amounts of snow (something like 100”+ and still going). You’re free to move on any day now.

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What would you say to Winter Running if you had the chance?

Training Tuesday: 10 Reasons Why I LOVE The Treadmill

Ok so probably if you’ve followed me on any of my social media platforms, you know that a fair share of my training has been done on the treadmill. Thank you Mother Nature! Between the ice, below 0* temperatures, and insane amount of snow we’ve gotten this winter- I don’t think I’d be able to get in half of my morning runs unless I had the treadmill to run on! I LOVE to run outside, but when I have no other viable and safe option —> I go to the good ole ‘mill. I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite reasons why I LOVE this as a training option!

-It builds up your mental strength. There’s nothing like knowing that you can just hop off at any time, but you focus your brain to be able to withstand that temptation over time.

-You can really hit your paces. I know that if I want to hit ‘x’ pace during a mile repeat or marathon paced miles, I just put the treadmill at that speed and hang on.

-It builds up your leg strength with those incline options! There’s nothing else better (in my opinion) to get in an absolutely killer hill workout that won’t quit. I also love these treadmill hill workouts from RunFarGirl.

-It’s a safe option when you don’t have someone else to run with or know where you are. I LOVE to explore new cities on my own two feet, but sometimes it’s not always the safest option (especially if I’m traveling solo). I know that I will be able to get my workout in and be safe —> the most important part!

-It’s a nice change of pace, when you’re tired of your usual running routes. Sometimes I get in a rut of running the same ‘ol roads/trails. The treadmill helps me switch it up and I get the feeling like I’m taking a “break”.

-It saves you from running outside when the weather is just AWFUL. Snow? Sub-zero temperatures? Insane amounts of ice? Blizzard? Extreme heat? The treadmill is really a gift when the weather outside is not the best.

-It keeps your easy runs honest. While the time goes by slower, I like to utilize the treadmill to keep my easy runs truly easy. There’s no downhill segments to speed up your legs- I just pop it on a really slow pace and completely ‘zone out’ for those miles. Sometimes they’re my favorite runs of the week.

-Netflix and treadmill? It comes in waves of sheer-boredom with the ‘mill and gratitude, but I (most of the time) love to catch up on one of my new shows (that I save specifically to watch on the ‘mill) OR zone-out to a show that I’ve seen a thousand times. I also really love to watch the news on the treadmill. Total geek, yes I know. If it’s the Today Show —> even better!

-Simulate your upcoming race course. I live in a super hilly area (i.e. I don’t believe I’ve ever gained less than 400’ on a run no matter how ‘flat’ the road looks), so when my legs are absolutely trashed from running hills or long the day before - I honestly do not want to look at a hill ever again and driving to a flatter road isn’t in the question —> the treadmill at .5% incline feels incredible. I also know that training for Mt.Washington Road Race, I’ll need to really work on a pretty steep incline (12%-22%) - there is no hill around here that spans out for miles at that incline so the treadmill the BEST option.

-There is no traffic to worry about. Sometimes I get really frustrated with cars on the road not paying attention to me or plow-trucks coming straight at me. The treadmill is a really nice change of pace where I can feel SAFE and really zone out without having to worry about Mountain Lions mauling me, getting run over by a distracted driver, or being plowed up by a snow plow. <— one of my biggest fears right there!

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Tell ME some of your favorite reasons why you love the ‘mill!