Keep It Clean

I have quite a few reviews coming up on various drink mixes, electrolyte powders, etc, etc, etc. Because of this, I'm quite literally washing my water bottle out every single day. Not only can leaving flavored water in the bottle leave a lingering flavor in the long-run, but it can also just be an invite for mold, grossness, etc.

For awhile, I was using this generic water bottle I actually picked up for free at the ZooZilla 5k I ran back in November. The opening at the top of it it was about the size of a quarter. Cleaning it out well was a problem. Sure you can swish some hot water around in there and hope for the best, but after taking a slug one day and being met with kiiiiiiiind of a gross flavor - I am totally OCD about cleaning my water bottle.

All I can say is: Clean Bottle - thank you for coming into my life.

The top not only screws off & has a nice wide opening, but the flexible rubber nozzle pops off, as well. This was a HUGE problem with my other bottles (if you've ever used an electrolyte powder, you know the weird crust/film that can form) & I feel so much better about putting my mouth on this thing.

BONUS!!!! The bottom screws off, too!!! And THIS is freaking ground zero when it comes to powder crust forming. Even whenever all of the liquid is gone, there's always leftover stuff. The fact that I can unscrew the bottom of my bottle & actually CLEAN it without just blindly shoving my fingers down into the bottle with a paper towel is great. It's totally prevented me from taking the first sip during my workout & thinking "please don't taste weird, please don't taste weird". There's also no leaking from the bottom at all. I've been testing it for about a week and a half now, and I've had no issues.

You can get the blue/yellow bottle (which is shown above) or you can go for the black/gray one that I have. I've gotta note that the clear plastic on the bottle is really easy to squeeze. This is important for myself & a lot of runners that use a water bottle WHILE they run (I constantly take drinks when I run on the treadmill). It's not that thick, resistant plastic that some water bottles are made of that require both hands and an iron vice to get a squirt out of.

And it might be weird, but my water bottles have gotta fit nicely into the cup holder in my car. I often fill them up before I leave the gym so I can keep hydrating on the ride home, and I had a bottle that was too little once and it would flop around all over the place in there. Clean Bottle fits perfectly.

It also fits nicely in my gym bag :)

If you're wanting to pick up a clean bottle, they're only $10. Seriously great deal for a quality water bottle that's incredibly practical. They also have whisk balls available (which is great for people like me who use a lot of powders/mixes) which are sold separately for $5 or with a bottle for $14. Here's a link to their web store if you want to check out the whole sha-bang.

Thanks to Clean Bottle for doin what you guys do. As I always say, finding a product that I love using every single time I run is really just a breath of fresh air. Understanding runners & athletes isn't easy, but I think you guys hit the nail on the head :)

Keep Running,

Kelli

Sweat, Baby, Sweat

Yeah - the title of this post is from a Bloodhound Gang song.

I am no stranger to sweat. I am covered in it 6 times a week. Like most runners, I'm kind of used to it by now.

But just because I'm "used" to it doesn't necessarily mean I like it. I do get annoyed whenever wiping my forehead with my hand does nothing but make sweat drip into my eyes, and I can't say that I'm a fan of whenever I can just feel that my neck is reaching swamp-level x.

I used to do the towel thing at the gym. It works, but it's not really practical to carry around a towel with you on your outdoor runs. My hair is also a big issue for me, so keeping it off of my face and neck is seriously crucial. I'm sure most girls can understand me there. Nobody likes those creepy sweat-soaked strands clinging to neck for your dear life. It's even more fun when they dry.

I'm sorry that this post is so gross so far.

I'm sure I'm not alone in my struggle, so I wanted to share a couple things that have helped me control the perspiration problem that happens in my cranial region every time I run. For me, it's all about convenience and I think that's why I'm so partial to these products. If you're not familiar with B.I.C. Bands, I posted on them back in November (here is the review). They're awesome no-slip headbands & I use them just about every time I run.

Keeping hair off of my forehead and neck is step one. Once you're all pulled back and secured and such - you're free to put this little wonder to work. It has quickly become one of my favorite products of all time:

The Handana: a fashionable sweatband that is designed to stay put around your hand throughout your entire workout. Really - this would be great if you were a dancer, did yoga, cycled, etc... It allows you to quickly remove sweat from your head/neck/arms while still keeping your hands free. And it does a darn good job at it, too. You don't have to juggle a towel around and you'll be free to open your water bottle/gel packs like business as usual.

It's a sewn together loop (doesn't come out of this formation), so you'll have to choose a size whenever you order. mine is an extra small and it fits perfect. It's not too tight or distracting, and it really is quite comfortable. You can also pick from a wide array of colors. 

If you're a chick - I would recommend going with a darker color for one reason: makeup. I didn't think of this when I chose the blue/white combo. When I run after work, I don't always have time to remove my foundation, so it gets a little grimy sometimes. However, it's machine washable and I just throw it in with my gym clothes. Cleans up perfectly.

Whether you're a palm wiper or a backhand wiper - Handana has you covered. If you're interested in picking one up - they're only $14.99 & can be purchased through the Handana website here. Great for winter-time treadmill running & I'm sure it will hate me in the summer when I'm running in the sweltering Pittsburgh heat :) Sorry in advance to my Handana.

Keep Running,

Kelli

The RSG1 Valentine's Day Race & A Giveaway!

There is something wildly appropriate about getting into your car on a 20-something degree morning to run a race & the first thing your hear is Britney Spears singing "CRAAYYYY-ZEE" on your radio.

I ran another winter 5k this weekend in North Park. Pittsburgh has had a few really beautiful 50 degree days this winter, but none of them have landed on a race day. Every time the freezing wind blew on Saturday, it was like mother nature cackling in my face sarcastically screaming "RUN, KELLI, RUN!"

The race I ran was the RSG1 Valentine's Day Race that benefited advancements in metabolic therapies. Since one of my big health anxiety concerns used to revolve around brain tumors, I really like to run races that benefit research towards fighting them.

Getting ready for winter races is all about the layers. Even though you definitely could not see the socks I was wearing underneath my compression leggings and my trusty "swishy pants", I took comfort in knowing they were down there. As you can see, they were a little bit of an ego-booster:

The "bad ass" print is on the back of the calf area. Seriously, they crack me up. I got them from Proud Runner (only $9.00) along with another pair that has a red lightening bolt on them (channeling my inner super hero). They're not exactly "compression" socks, but they're way more high-quality than your traditional knee sock. They stayed up really well during the entire race & they're pretty soft for a pair of socks :) I'm really going to love wearing them in the spring during theme races. 

I tried out a product called the Cool-Cat Pro during this race, as well. They're technically multi-function wraps that can act as headbands, neckies (keep cool in the heat, warm in the cold), full head covers, and gaiters. I kind of used it as a combo of both a neckie and gaiter and I was really happy with it. The material is extremely lightweight (lighter than a t-shirt) and there are three snaps in the back that allow you to adjust it. This ensured it was never too baggy and that it stayed put whenever I pulled it up over my nose/mouth.

Like so.

It's designed to wick sweat away, and it's honestly just a comfortable product. I was really questioning whether or not I would get annoyed with it, but I was thrilled with it from start to finish. It'll be great in the summer to keep my neck & head cool and dry, and I'll probably be using it during the rest of my outdoor winter runs this season just because it was a huge help in dealing with running head-on into the frigid Pittsburgh wind. They're also only $20 which is fantastic compared to the price of most gaiters alone. I also don't like how thick most gaiters are, so this is a great alternative if you're not into suffocation.

At the start of the race we were looking at about 26 degrees (another scorcher). The race itself was relatively small, but there were some nice goodies available for runners like complimentary hot hands, protein bars, a chinese auction, and food afterwards. While the chicken noodle soup from Eat n' Park was delicious, it was more like chicken noodle lava & my mouth is still paying for it today.

I have to say, I was extremely disappointed whenever I went to scope my race results on the website the next day. My name was nowhere to be found - what the HECK? I did email the woman who was in charge of the race, and she told me she would look into ASAP it for me. They used chips, and I heard a beep when I crossed over the finish line - so what gives? First experience I've ever had where that happened, and it's definitely a bummer. Looking at the times, too - I am pretty sure I'd have easily been top 5 in my age group. Sad face, sad face. I'm pouting.

Either way, it was a nice winter training run & I definitely enjoyed it. The terrain was mostly gentle slopes, and there were no insane hills in there. 

So to celebrate those of us who power through runs in both the winter and the warmer months - Cool-Cat Pro has decided to be awesome & give one of my readers a chance to win their awesome product. You can use it now to stay warm during your winter runs, and it'll be fantastic in the spring/summer when you need to keep cool.

All you have to do is "like" Cool-Cat Pro on Facebook (just click the link) & comment below with your email. I will make sure the winner is a fan of their page - so don't try and be sneaky, bro. Winner will be chosen on February 18th. Good Luck to you all!!

p.s. if you're having trouble locating the comment form - just click here!

Keep Running,

Kelli 

What I've Been Wearing To The Gym

Ahh the wonderful world of workout wear. After one too many crappy tank tops riding up on me, I've found that I am super particular about the stuff I wear when I train. I really hate whenever people are all "Whatever happened to running in old shorts and a dirty t-shirt?!"

When you're running 5 days a week for hours at a time, SUE ME for wanting to be comfortable while doing it.

Jerks.

I've been wearing some products made by Tasc Bamboo Performance Wear lately, and their stuff is super comfortable and girl-friendly. As always, when I find something I like - it's my duty to share it with you all.

Endurance Sports Bra - $30.00

Moisture wicking, bamboo fabric (super soft), jersey weight, & anti-odor

The band at the bottom is pretty heavy duty which is good for girls who have bigger ta-ta's than I ;)

Also available in quite a few different colors

(I've gotten a couple questions asking what exactly "Moisture Wicking" means. Essentially, it means that the shirt/bra/shorts/etc... will pull the sweat away from your body and transfer it to the exterior of the fabric. It's aim is to keep you cool and feeling dry while you're sweating profusely)

Racerback with the Tasc logo in the middle!

Overall, it's just a really comfortable sports bra. The edges don't dig or pull at all, which I've found to be a problem with a lot of the sports bras I've worn in the past. It's definitely a compression piece, but the 4-way stretch to the fabric ensures it stays comfortable.

Performance V Long Sleeve - $35.00

I am totally. obsessed. with. this. shirt.

Let me say that sometimes I just do not want to work out in tight clothes. Sometimes I'm cool with it, but in the winter - the thought of crawling out of bed at 8:30 am and slipping into a compression top just does not sound fun to me. This shirt is absolutely freaking PERFECT in terms of the fit (mine is a small for reference), and the moisture wicking in the fabric makes it comfortable even when you start sweating. The fabric is so lightweight & soft that you really just have to wear it to understand how comfortable it is. I don't own many running shirts that I'd also be cool with just hanging around the house in, but this is definitely one of them. 

And let's talk about how great it is when the sleeves on a long-sleeve shirt are just the right length.

I just looked on their site, and sizes run from XS up through XL. There are also sizing charts available if you're not sure about what size to buy. Aside from being comfortable to both wear and run in, Tasc just makes a high-quality product. You can tell by the feel of the material and the make of the products overall. I appreciate companies who put that extra effort in to ensure runners & athletes in general are comfortable while they're doing what they love.

If you're interested in purchasing either of these items or you'd like to learn more about Tasc, visit their website at http://www.tascperformance.com. They also carry a full men's line, as well! 

Keep Running (In Style),
Kelli

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