NuGo Nutrition Bars

Finding an awesome company that caters to the running crowd is always nice. It's even nicer when that company is also based in your hometown :) After checking out NuGo's new NuGo Slim bars, I definitely wanted to share them with you guys.


NuGo's website has a really convenient store locator option which you can use if you're not a fan of shopping online. However, right now you can order sample packs (3 bars each) for $6 - $7 and there's no shipping charge. That's a really fantastic way to try a couple different flavors and get a feel for the brand. If you want to order a sample pack, here is the link.
As always, I really take pride in the companies and products I promote through my blog, and it's always refreshing when I can find a company who makes a product I really, truly enjoy. Thanks so much to NuGo for doin whatcha do & thank you to you all for reading. Hoping I can help you maintain that healthy lifestyle of yours :)
Keep Running, Kelli

But Why Not?

My guest blogger Dave posted a video on his Facebook page the other day that I decided to watch. It was entitled "Never, Ever Give Up" & obviously that kind of caught my interest. Plus, Dave posts 99.9% running-related stuff, so I thought maybe it was a cool inspirational running story. I love that kind of stuff.

Here's the video. Please watch it before you continue reading this post. It's just under 5 minutes, so it's not going to consume your entire day:



As many videos like this do, it really got me thinking. I talk a lot about the laziness of my generation and that I don't understand what their fascination is with constant negativity, but this video really made me question things. I couldn't believe what Arthur did. I couldn't fathom his level of motivation and dedication. I will admit that when he ran at the end of that video I had to do everything I could possibly do to prevent crying like a freaking baby. I cannot imagine the pride he feels in himself.
But why? What drives someone like Arthur to be so incredibly determined while others go to the gym three times before they decide it's taking away too much of their TV time? They certainly don't have the motivation to get up at the crack of dawn to better themselves, but you better believe they'll be the first ones to complain about their body when the chance arises. How can you complain about something that you're not willing to work hard enough to change?
What's stopping you from getting up early? What's stopping you from changing your diet? What's stopping you from working out everyday? What's stopping you from being healthier? What's stopping you from finally losing weight? What's stopping you from having more energy? What's stopping you from being motivated? What's stopping you from signing up for a race?
Yourself. That is what's stopping you.
Change the way you think, and you'll be amazed at what it can do for you. One of my favorite lines is "you don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great". It doesn't matter if you were never athletically minded and you don't have any idea what you're doing. Do you think everyone was born an expert at using gym equipment? When we make friends and form relationships in this life, we expect others to prove themselves to us. We want them to show us that they're worth it and that they're not going to give up on us. So why don't we set those same standards for ourselves? We so easily allow our minds to make up excuses as to why we can't go running tonight or why we're not going to set our alarm for the gym in the morning. Why can't we exhibit the same dedication to ourselves as we expect others to exhibit towards us?
I hate excuses. With people like Arthur in the world, I just don't believe in them.
Just lighting a little bit of fire under your butt this Tuesday.
Keep Running, Kelli

Look Ma, No Hands

I spoke in my Frostbite 5k recap last weekend about how I used a new product called the FlipBelt during the run. I wanted to use it a couple more times before I posted a review on it for you guys, so I brought it along to the gym with me this week.

To give you just a quick rundown, the FlipBelt is essentially a big tubular pocket that you can wear around your hips or waist. It comes in different sizes (mine is a small if you need a reference) and different colors, and it's meant to provide you with an easy solution to hands-free storage when you're running, at the gym, hiking, etc... On one side, you'll find 4 slit-like openings (2 in the front and 2 in the back) that allow you to slide in items like your phone, your keys, money, a credit card, etc...

Here's one of the slits to give you an idea

You can see in the photo above where I highlighted my car key. I also had my I.D. and some cash in there, but you can't even see them. Once you slide your stuff into the belt, you simply flip it over to kind of "lock" everything in place. There are no slits on the other side, so you don't risk anything falling out that way. If you use it for your phone or iPod, you can easily snake your headphone cord into one of the slits against your body, though. No worries. I run with my phone in an armband, though, so I didn't need to do that.

When I ran with it during the Frostbite 5k, I had on Under Armour which is very slippery against the FlipBelt's fabric. It rode up from my hips to my waist about halfway through the run, but I wore it against more cotton-based fabrics at the gym this week and had no problems at all with it staying on my hips even during a 6 mile treadmill run. Some people prefer to wear them around their waist, though, and if this is you - I'd recommend opting for a smaller size to reduce bounce. There is no way to adjust the belt (no buckles, just one big stretchy band), so be sure to choose your size wisely. Their website has a really true-to-size chart that should help.

Either way, though - the fabric of the FlipBelt is sturdy enough that your items won't be bouncing around on your hips or your waist. I actually forgot I was wearing it at the gym this week, and I had stocked it with my car key, a pack of gel, and 2 of my credit cards just to put it to the test.

Whether you're just not really into the whole armband thing or you're looking for a way to store multiple items in a risk-free way while you run, I'd definitely recommend giving FlipBelt a try. At just $25, they're a really high quality product that I feel like plenty of runners would get a ton of use out of. Plus it's way better than shoving your car key into your sports bra. Trust me.

They also make beautiful neck scarves for Italian Greyhounds.

Keep Running,

Kelli

Pre & Post Run Fuel That Keeps It Real

When it comes to different kinds of fuel for runners, you really have to be careful. There are so many questionable ingredients that companies sneak right past us, and you end up ingesting something full of crap that you think is healthy for you. The best advice I can give you is to seek out all natural products that cut the junk. The shorter the ingredient list, the better. Nature is full of awesome stuff that can both power you through a workout and replenish your body afterwards. I've been really working on seeking out these whole food products recently, and I'm more than happy to share some of my favorite findings with yinz.

PocketFuel is whole food fuel that is designed to provide runners (or any other endurance athlete) with valuable nutrition that is beneficial both pre & post workout. I personally liked using it prior to my run, but to each their own. It has 8g of protein per pouch which contributes to increased energy levels & endurance, and it's a great source of carbs which are helpful during recovery.

I'm also really partial to stuff I can throw into my gym bag in the morning and not have to mess with. I go to the gym straight after work, and unfortunately - LA Fitness does not provide me with a fully equipped kitchen to prepare my pre and post run fuel. It'd be nice, but they seem to have a pretty strong opinion against it.

PocketFuel is essentially different kinds of nut butters. The product in all of my photos is the Chocolate Haze flavor, which is a hazelnut-based butter that tastes exactly like Nutella.

I REPEAT. IT TASTES EXACTLY LIKE NUTELLA.

The consistency is relatively thick, but if you "smoosh" the pouch around before you twist off the cap, it turns into a very easy-to-squeeze product & you'll have no problem finishing it in 5 seconds because it's so delicious. When you're done, you can twist the lid back on & continue on your way. There's no mess at all. If you run outdoors and drive to your venue, this stuff is great to keep in the car and eat on the drive home (at red lights, safety first) if you don't want to wait until you get home to mix something else together. If you're running a half or any other long distance, this is also great mid-run. Really convenient, and that's another reason I really like it.

I know that the fat content is a little bit higher than most gels and even energy bars, but you have to take into consideration the KIND of fat that is found in PocketFuel. Your body runs on fat, and when you are ingesting the RIGHT kind of fat - you're giving your body the tools it needs for vitamin absorption, proper nerve activity, and immune system strength. If you're running consistently or doing any other endurance sport on a regular basis - this is essential. You'll also notice how plain jane the ingredients list is. There's nothing you can't pronounce in there. That's a good thing.

While Chocolate Haze was definitely my favorite, the Coconut Cherry Almond Butter also came in a close second. They have a ton of awesome and unique flavors (including Vanilla Haze, Pineapple Coconut, & Chocolate Espresso, among others). I had the 1.8oz size, but you can also get a larger 3oz size and even a 20oz pouch meant for refueling smaller pouches. If you really love the stuff, that'd definitely be a good way to ensure your stock never runs low.

If you'd like to try PocketFuel for yourself, check out their website at http://www.pocketfuelnaturals.com. Small pouches like mine will only run ya $2.75 each :) When I find a product I really like, I feel like it's my duty to share it with you all. Be confident about what you're putting into your body - it's the only one you get!!

Keep Running,

Kelli

My Inspire Wear Sports Bras

Sorry, guys. This one's not for you.

I had the privilege of giving My Inspire Wear a whirl during my workouts this past weekend. Their brand really stood out to me just because I felt like our attitudes about working out, fitness & life in general were in line. As they put it, they understand how committed we are to a better and more beautiful world. Amen to that. 

All of their products feature inspirational words that are meant to spark that little bit of extra "oomph" in both you & everyone around you. I chose a black sports bra that has "STRENGTH" on it. Other choices include "inspire", "achieve", "breathe", "balance", & "believe".

And please believe me when I say that these are not your ordinary sports bras. I typically wear sports bras from Target or even Victoria's Secret, and it's not like they're super cheap or anything - but they are nowhere near as comfortable as My Inspire Wear. If you are a runner, a yoga enthusiast, a dancer, a power walker, etc... - you need at least one piece of My Inspire Wear in your wardrobe. It's unlike anything I've owned and I am not exaggerating!

Over 50% of the material in both their bras & tanks are made from a material that comes from bamboo. The rest is a blend of cotton and spandex, and it's pretty difficult to describe just how soft they are. It doesn't feel like cotton (it's much silkier) and it's not shiny like spandex. It's a perfect marriage of material that feels glorious on your skin (even if you're a sweaty mess) & it even has thermo-control qualities that help to keep you cool. I told you it wasn't your ordinary sports bra! They're a bit of a thicker consistency (but not padded), and there are no tags to bother your back :) They both look and feel very high quality.

Both the tanks and the bras feature a racer back & the My Inspire Wear logo is right in the center. I also want to note that their sizing runs the same as your typical shirt size, and I did not experience any kind of tightness or digging with the bra during any of my workouts with it. It's hands down the most comfortable sports bra that I own, and it trumps anything I've ever purchased from more expensive brands like Victoria's Secret or Nike. You really have to feel this fabric to understand.

If you're looking to gear up for the Spring racing season, you can check out My Inspire Wear's full line by clicking here. Their bras run $29.99 and the tanks run $37.99. 

Thanks so much to this amazing, inspiring company for giving me the opportunity to get to know them & for doing what they do. This is such a great company run by great people, and I seriously encourage all of you to get inspired by them!

Keep Running,

Kelli

2nd Annual Frostbite 5k Race Recap

First off all - kudos to anyone and everyone that got out there in the elements this weekend and ran. If the weather where you are is anything like it is here in Pittsburgh, it is freaking cold outside. Strong Springs are earned in the Winter, so just repeat that to yourself when you're getting smacked in the eye with snowflakes.

Psssst.. That's me in the front!

Anyhoo, I ran the 2nd Annual Frostbite 5k on Saturday. It's held in North Park, which is about a half hour drive from where I'm located in Pittsburgh. I was kind of nervous about how the roads would be driving out there since we got smacked pretty hard with snow on Friday night, but I didn't have a hard time. Fortunately the race started at 10. Any earlier and it might have been a little sketchy.

Regardless of the late start time, the temp was still pretty balmy:

A toasty 24 degrees when I pulled into the lot.

And yes, I was listening to Bump N' Grind at 9am.

I have to give a serious, serious shout out to the DJ they had in the "barn" before the race started. He was awesome. According to the event's website, his name was DJ L-A. The dude was spinning some 90's jams and I was all about that.

I totally appreciated the fact that all of the race sponsors, registration tables, and food was INDOORS in a heated environment. They had food both before and after the event, as well, which is always a nice surprise. Kudos to everyone who helped put this race together. While it was relatively small compared to most of the races in Pittsburgh (I'd say there were about 250 people max), it was one of the more organized I've seen. 

The snow was coming down when the race first started, but it cleared up pretty nicely about halfway through. Wind wasn't too bad either, so that helped. There were some parts of the course that went across small "trails" I guess you could call them, and those portions were totally snow covered. There was also a pretty significant layer of slush on some of the roads. Since the course took an "uphill then turn around and go back down" route, the variance in road conditions was a little annoying when trying to maintain a steady pace and/or pick up speed. Do-able, but annoying.

My GPS app also plotted the course at 3.57 miles, not a 5k.

Intriguing.

Overall I had a pretty good run given the conditions. I came in around 26:50, and ended up finishing 9th in my age group, 68th overall (out of 250 people). Pretty good way to start the first timed race of 2013.. Excited to go nowhere but up from there.

Also, I had some people inquire as to what I wore in the crazy cold. My ensemble included:

- Black Under Armour Cold Weather Gear Turtleneck

- Lined "Swishy Pants" from WalMart (that's the best way I can describe them)

- Reebok Compression Tights Underneath the Swishy Pants

- Lightweight Reebok Running Jacket (not lined or anything, just an extra light layer)

- One More Mile Arm Warmers overtop of my Under Armour

- Ear Warmer Headband

- Gloves (Cheapo ones from Target with the touch screen fingertips)

I also want to seriously take a moment to shout out the rapper who performed at the after party right before they announced age category winners. They made everybody sit down and be quiet and then they brought out this dude to perform. It just was not a hip hop audience, and this kid was putting his all into this performance with not much of a response. I found him on Facebook. Please go like his page or something to compensate for what may have been the most awkward performance of his career. Either way, he did a good job & I did like his music!

I also wore my FlipBelt for the first time during the race. Look for a review on it sometime this week. I just want to test it out a few more times before doing a write up :)

Congratulations to everyone who ran in the Frostbite 5k or any other race this weekend. The first month of  2013 is almost behind us, and I hope that you're off to the start you were hoping for. 

Keep Running,

Kelli

RKR.com's Bloggers Revamp Your Playlist

Dave & myself run just about everyday. While he's in Virginia & I'm in Pittsburgh, we tend to stick to a similar regimen. When your "short days" consist of a 5k and the weekends bring long runs that exceed an hour, a playlist can get old pretty darn fast.

Some of the best running songs I've stumbled upon were suggestions or favorites from other people. Even if you've never heard of a song before, throwing it on your playlist can add an interesting and new element to your run. Instead of thinking about how you're struggling to break through mile six, you'll be focusing on the song, the beat, the lyrics. It's actually kind of fun. When I ran my Disney half, I texted all of my close friends and family members and asked them for song suggestions. Every time the song switched, a trail of thoughts and memories played through my head focusing on that one person.

So here are mine & Dave's top 30 (15 from each of us if you're having a hard time with the math). As you can see, we have relatively different styles - so there really is something in here for everyone. When they come on, just think of us :) Just click the jump below to see the list!