Product Review: 2XU VECTR Socks and Performance Run Calf Sleeves

Disclaimer: I received 2XU VECTR Socks and Performance Run Calf Sleeves 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 ever find a brand you love then feel the need to own everything they make because you know it is going to be AMAZING every single time?  That's how I have felt about 2XU from the very first pair of their compression tights I tried out!  So naturally I was thrilled to have the opportunity to try out the 2XU VECTR Socks and Performance Run Calf Sleeve...and they did not disappoint!

The Socks
The VECTR socks are thin and lightweight with an awesome amount of compression and support around the arch of the foot as well as at the back of the ankle (right above the heel) that not only made my feet feel great, but also kept the sock from slipping while I ran.  I think we can all agree that there is pretty much nothing worse than socks that fall down when you run, or walk, or whatever. Socks that fall down period haha.
Another thing I really appreciated about the VECTR socks was the fit in the toe.  Too many socks are either so tight they cause blisters, or so loose they cause blisters.  Either way ends in pain...so I appreciate the fact that the fit in the toe of these socks is perfect.  Fun fact: I wore running shoes under my wedding dress, and these are the socks I wore with them!

The Calf Sleeve
I. Love. Calf Sleeves.
Ok now that we got that out of the way, I can share that these are perfect.  They are not the tightest compression of all the 2XU products I have tried, but they are a very comfortable level of compression that you can really feel the benefits of.  I like that I can wear them under my pants for work all day and get all the recovery benefits.  When I wear them I can tell a difference in my legs at the end of the day!  With the wedding and having company in town I have not been running as much lately, so I have really appreciated having these sleeves to help me prevent calf strain and shin splints!!

Better Together
Ok so since they are both great separately, they are even better together right? Right!
One of the biggest perks of using socks and calf sleeves rather than tall compression socks is that they are so much easier to put on! I am sure it sounds silly, but the struggle to get tall compression socks on can be really really real.  Plus if you are running in gross conditions, it is easier to swap out short socks and leave the sleeves on than it is to swap out the whole thing.  As I mentioned before I also love wearing the sleeves all day at work, then I can just slip on the socks after work and be ready to run! It is really nice to be able to use each part separately then see double the benefit when using them together.
Overall I HIGHLY recommend the VECTR Socks with Performance Run Calf Sleeves if you are looking for versatile, quality compression for both training and recovery.

If you have any questions please feel free to let me know!
If you want to pick up your own 2XU products, use code TRAIN15 for 15% off your order!

Merino Wool Buff Review...and my first post as a married person!

Disclaimer: I received a Merino Wool Buff 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!

Ok before we get started with this post, I just have to throw it out there that this is the first post I am writing after getting married yesterday!!!! I am so unbelievably excited and just had to throw it out there ;)

But now on to the real purpose of this post!

If you have been following along on this blog or any of my social media, you probably already know that I LOVE Buff products and I really don't like to be cold.  After my experience with the Buff Thermal Hoodie, trying out the merino wool Buff was a no brainer for me!

To start off, I love the color options and I am obsessed with the vivid blue color of the Buff I was sent.  

These wool Buffs are a bit longer than the traditional Buff so they take a little extra folding and arranging, but the layers keep your ears so toasty it is unbelievable! Over the years I have come to really appreciate wool (especially merino wool) for its ability to provide great temperature regulation without adding a lot of weight or bulk.

Like all the rest of the Buff products I have tried, I loved the fact that I could wear the merino wool Buff without it feeling too tight but also without it ever slipping! I hate things feeling too tight around my head, but I also hate things slipping off. The fact that Buff is always able to deliver both qualities and keep my poor little ears warm never fails to amaze me. Well there's no wiggle but my pictures are wobbly lol. 

Because the merino wool Buff is so comfortable I also spent a lot of time wearing it around the house.  It got a little chilly (at least by Florida standards) and I didn't want to turn on the heat, so it was a nice way to keep my head warm and my hair out of my face!

All in all, I would never hesitate to recommend a Buff product and the merino wool Buff is no exception.  I love this Buff and think it is the perfect accessory for runners (and ever non-runners) looking for a non-slip and light weight way to keep your head ears and neck warm!

If you have questions about the Merino Wool Buff feel free to let me know!!

Bulu Box Review: My first subscription box service

Disclaimer: I received a three month subscription to Bulu Box 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!

Are you a subscription box lover? I have always been a bit skeptical because I am not a huge fan of surprises.  I like to know what I am buying before it comes home with me.  However, I have always been interested in trying small samples of stuff before I commit to buying a full size package.  Bulu Box was the perfect way to test the subscription box waters!

When you sign up for Bulu Box they give you the option to choose between a more weight loss focused box or general box with their usual mix of healthy snacks and supplements.  I went with the regular box since running is usually all I need to stay at a good weight.

One of the first things I noticed about Bulu Box was that they had very good communication.  When you sign up for a box you get an email that lets you know when it will be mailed.  Once it is mailed they send another email with the tracking information.  

When I go the email that my first box was on the way I was so excited! Unfortunately due to weather further north it didn't make it on the originally projected date (obviously through no fault of Bulu Box) and I had to wait a couple more days for it to get here.  Having the tracking number was amazing though, because I could be sure that it hadn't just been delivered to the wrong address instead.

When the box got to me I was so excited to see the variety of samples and goodies it held!  What made it even better was that it had many products that I would not otherwise have tried because I would not want to commit to a full size purchase.  

The one concern I had about the first box was that perhaps my idea of healthy and the Bulu Box idea of healthy were not quite on the same page.  While the fruit sticks looked promising, I am not usually a fan of weight loss enhancing pills or energy patches.  That said, I was more than willing to hold out final judgement for the second and third boxes.  I will say that I was not impressed at all with the protein brownie (all protein taste, no brownie taste) but fell in LOVE with the fruit snacks.  Maybe I am just a kid at heart, but they made the perfect mid-run pick me up when I hit the trails and needed just a bit of sugar to keep me going.  They were also great in airports and the friends I shared them with also shared my enthusiasm!

The second box was much more up my ally. 

 It arrived on time this time around (thank you weather for cooperating!) and it had many more samples that I was very interested in from the start.  It included protein powder, some fizzy energy drink mix, hand lotion and a honey cough remedy.  Of course this is the one winter that I didn't get my crazy cough so I haven't had occasion to try the honey.  Not that I am complaining about not having a cough...but I am keeping the samples on hand for when it eventually comes!  Of the things I have tried from the box, the chocolate peanut butter protein powder is my favorite! I tried it in my oatmeal for a little boost of flavor and nutrition and loved it.

I am still anxiously awaiting my third box in the mail and can't wait to share the goodies with you!

Overall I am much more interested in Bulu Box in particular and subscription boxes in general after this experience.  I think it helped me when the first box didn't fit my interests all that well but the second one was much better.  The price for Bulu Box is only $10 a month ($5 is you use the code BIBRAVE5 ) and it is really fun to know that there are fun new things waiting in your mailbox at the end of a long workday.

Have you tried Bulu Box? Do you enjoy subscription boxes?

2XU Thermal Hyoptik Tights Review

Disclaimer: I received 2XU Thermal Hyoptik tights 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 you have been reading my blog for a while or follow me on social media, you already know I am a HUGE fan of any and all things 2Xu.  (P.S. if you don't follow me on social media you should probably go ahead and check out my Twitter and Instagram!)
I am so happy to tell you that the 2XU Thermal Hyoptik tights delivered to just as high a standard as all their other products I have tried.

To start with, there is the compression.  While I think it is a little less than in the 2XU Elite MCS Tights, it still provided a great amount of support for running and recovery!  I was also a big fan of the mid rise and the wider waist band which prevented the compression from squeezing everything "up and over." I think we can all agree that it is not a good look ;)

The next awesome thing about these pants is the reflectivity.  Hyoptik (pronounced High-Optic) products are made to keep you visible and the highly reflective marks on the pants do the trick.  Since winter means not only cold weather but also shorter daylight hours, this is a great safety feature for all the after dark runs.  Also: have you ever tried to take a picture of your own leg being reflective? Not. Easy. But I think you get the idea ;)

Finally, we get to the actual point of the pants: warmth.  Now I know living in central Florida I am the last person you would think about taking winter wear advice from....but believe me when I tell you I am a total wimp when it comes to cold.  If it is under 60 I am convinced the world is ending!  Today I went for a run and I think it was maybe 40 degrees out (dear FL, please get your act together asap!) and I didn't get cold! It was amazing!  Whatever these pants are made from is what I want my entire wardrobe to be made of.  Perhaps the best part is that they did not get hot either.  You know when it's cold outside and you workout so you sweat then get warm/hot then you stop and you are sweaty so you get cold?  That is what happened on the upper half of my body today in my long sleeve athletic shirt from another brand that will remain nameless.  By the powers of magic and science I never once flet like my lower half was getting cold or hot.  The 2XU Thermal Hyoptik pants are just phenomenal at regulating your body temperature!  Ok and they look fun and sassy in gym mirror selfies!

Overall I cannot recommend the 2XU Thermal Hyoptik tights enough! They are comfortable, warm, and make running in the cold bearable!
If you have questions about my experience with these pants please feel free to let me know!
Or give me a shout if you are a 2XU lover too!

XX2I USA1 Review

Disclaimer: I received XX2I USA1 sunglasses 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!

You would think that, living in Florida, I would have the sunny weather eyewear thing down to a science but I really truly don't.  Athletic sunglasses were new to me and there are so many options that I had no idea where to start.  Of course using nothing wasn't really working either because squinting into the sun just doesn't feel like a safe option...especially when you are running near a busy road.  When I got the opportunity to test out the XX2I sunglasses as a BibRave Pro I was so excited to finally take on the challenge of figuring out what worked for me in a pair of running sunglasses. I had no idea I would get lucky enough that my trial and error really didn't involve any error.

For me, the biggest adjustment in wearing these glasses was a result of the size.  I am used to oversize fashion type sunglasses so the fact that these were smaller (which obviously makes them far and away more suited to athletic type activities) meant that I could see the frames when I was wearing them.  This is obviously not a flaw of the glasses, but something that I had to get used to nonetheless.  A perk of the size difference was that they were (obviously) much lighter than what I am used to and sat much better on my face.

The nose-piece wings are adjustable on these glasses which made it easy for them to fit snugly on my nose without pinching.  I can be very picky about how things feel, so it is nice that I am able to make all the adjustments I need to get these to sit just right.  The arms fit snugly against my head but not are not so tight that I feel pressure or get a headache which is another frequent problem I experience with glasses.

So how do they perform while running?  I will say that my first test run did not go as planned because I was in the shade for the vast majority of it and had no need for sunglasses.  That said, I wore them on top of my head and they didn't budge which, to me, is actually a very important feature.  I constantly have my sunglasses on top of my head and I don't like when I have to worry that they are going to be bouncing around or flying off.  

When the sun finally came back and I was able to take the USA1s for a proper test run I had the same no-bounce experience.  I loved that they were so lightweight and moved so little that it was easy to forget I even had them on!

In addition to the fit and feel, I also LOVE the blue lenses.  I had never tried them before and just assumed they worked the same and it was a looks thing.  Now that I have worn them I love how the blue lenses work.  I find that colors are not distorted they way they are with typical black or brown lenses. They do a great job of blocking out the extra light without changing how you see what you are seeing.  

I have started using my XX2I glasses for just about everything because I like how they let me see so much more clearly.  This sometimes includes driving...or sitting in traffic which is more often the case!

So what is the takeaway? I am in LOVE.  I can't believe I went so long without proper running sunglasses.  They obviously block out the sun, but they are also great for running in the cold/wind because they keep your eyes from watering so badly! They fit well and stay comfortable while you run...unlike the growing pressure you sometimes get from glasses that don't fit as well.  If you are in the market for new running sunglasses I would highly recommend giving these a try!

Have questions about my review? Let me know!!

MinoTOR Review

Disclaimer: I received  MinoTOE samples 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 will be the first to admit that I am not an expert at science...but that usually doesn't matter so much with "sports drinks" because the science doesn't usually seem to be there.  When I go the opportunity to try out minoTOR I was intrigued because, from what I could understand, there was actual science backing the way the drink works rather than just a lot of fancy advertising.  That said, the package looks really cool too!

When it comes to things foods/beverages that are supposed to supplement your performance, there are a few factors to consider.  At the top of my list are taste, performance, and science. So how did minoTOR stand up in these categories?

TASTE:
At first I will admit that I was not convinced.  minoTOR is very sweet and tastes similar to coconut water.  I am used to the drinks that are loaded with salt and the taste was very different from what I was anticipating.  That said, after that first sip and the resulting realization that it didnt taste like I expected, I actually started to really like it.  If you like coconut water you will like this drink.  While it was never a bad taste, it does get better and more enjoyable when you know what flavor you are expecting.  A big perk was that there was no weird aftertaste or really much of an aftertaste at all.  

PERFORMANCE
I felt like drinking the minoTOR did help me with my energy and also my recovery.  It also settled really well in my stomach. According to the directions it is best to drink minoTOR about half an hour before working out.  I occasionally have a very sensitive stomach when running so I tested this out for the first time before a very short run.  I never once had a problem.  I quickly started using it before longer and longer runs.  Yesterday I drank it before running my 50k (a large portion of which was in 85+ degree heat which can really mess with my tummy) and didn't have even the slightest problem! The caffeine is a big bonus because I pretty much live on the stuff, but too much coffee (aka the amount it takes to get me up and going) can be a really bad idea before a long run.  While I cannot attribute all of my muscle recovery to minoTOR since I also wear a lot of compression gear and use an Addaday roller religiously, I think it did a lot to keep my muscles feeling better from the inside and conttributed significantly to my overall speedy recovery!  Despite the very difficult course yesterday, I can walk today and never experienced the stiffness in my legs to the extent that I have before.  So that leads us to the science part...

SCIENCE

In very basic terminology (the kind I understand haha) MinoTOR works by providing amino acids and other nutrients that improve oxygen utilization which in turn better flushes out waste products like lactic acid.  If you are interested at all in exercise science, lactic acid is a very familiar thing. When your body works more effiecienlty you perform better, feel better, and recover better.  I like to think that my general lack of major soreness today can, in large part, be attributed to my body working more efficiently thanks to the scientific benefits of MinoTOR.  If you are interested in learning more about the science behind MinoTOR, be sure to check out their website which has a ton of information!  While many go-to sports and recovery drinks have a long history but not a lot of science to back the product, I am so impressed with the massive amounts of information available to explain how and why MinoTOR works.

OVERALL:
I would highly recommend MinoTOR to anyone who wants a drink that will allow them to train and recover smarter.  There are many things you can do to and for the outside of your body to help, but it is important to help yourself from the inside.  While the taste is pretty sweet, I appreciate the lack of after taste and the fact that it settled quickly and easily in my stomach.
Bonus points for the fact that the bottle fit in my OrangeMud vest and saved my tail yesterday when I forgot the bottle in my refrigerator yesterday!

Have questions about minoTOR or my experience with it? Let me know! I am always happy to help :)

Full Buff Product Review

Disclaimer: I received a Buff 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!

Hey all! If you saw my review of the UV Half Buff you could probably guess that I was super excited to try out the Full Buff as well!!  It is the same product as the Half Buff, but (you guessed it) double the length!

Hank wasn't entirely convinced that he needed to be the one to model the length, but I bribed him with cookies.

Just like the Half Buff, there is no slipping when you are on the on the go.  I have run in my Buff dozens of times for many any miles and have never needed to adjust it.  If you have ever run in a headband of any type you can probably appreciate how rare that is.  I am in love with the fact that it keeps my hair from falling in my face and doesn't move so I can spend more time running and less time trying to see where I am going.  And taking selfies.

I can't wait to try this out when I run the Urban Bourbon Half Marathon in Louisville because it is supposed to be good for keeping your neck/face/head warm.  Living in Central Florida I certainly haven't been able to test out that aspect yet, but I can say that it is not too hot or bulky to run in even when the weather is toasty.

It does a great job of absorbing sweat and keeping it out of your face.  I also clued in during the last BibChat with Buff that you can put them in the fridge for a little bit before you wear them.  Let me just tell you that the experience is nearly magical! Keeping your head cool for a while can make a huge difference in the overall enjoyablility of your run for sure!

I love that this Buff is great for visibility as well.  I usually run in the morning or evening to beat the heat, so have a little something extra to help others see me is a huge perk. 


Overall: another AMAZING product! Two thumbs wayyyyy up!  If you are debating between a full or half Buff, I would recommend the full if you are a super heavy sweater or live somewhere that gets cold in the winter.  If you are a lighter swearer and live somewhere with mild weather, the half might be right for you. That said, once you have one you will just want more...so you should use the code BIBRAVE10 to get 10% off (until 9/30) then you can justify getting both!!  You can shop all their great products here.

Have questions about the Buff?! Let me know!

Everlast Vegan Protein Review

Disclaimer: I received Everlast Vegan Protein 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 am not a vegan, however I was excited for the opportunity to try Everlast Vegan Protein because I do have some lactose sensitivity. It's usually not a big deal, but sometimes the strangest things will upset my stomach. I am happy to report that I had no problems with this protein powder! Yay!

In addition to being vegan, it's also delicious. Like really really good. I think we've all tried a protein drink at some point and it tasted like eating sand right? Not this time. And I was far from a professional at preparing it the first time I tried it! I am actually without a kitchen and therefore without a blender at the moment. Usually my go to use for protein powder is putting it in my morning smoothie. Without a morning smoothie that was not exactly going to work. So I got the bright idea to get a pre made smoothie from Costco and pour my little packet of protein in there!

Obviously it was a little lumpy, but the lumps weren't gross. That makes it a big winner in my book.  

In the picture you will see that the sample I had was vanilla. Now we all know there are a million versions of vanilla flavor and, if you've been lured on by the smell and tasted vanilla extract, you will know that not all are yummy. This version of vanilla is like vanilla pudding. I loved it. 

Thanks to tasting it in the smoothie, I finally got up the courage to use a blender bottle for the very first time. To understand my apprehension, please refer to previous statements about gritty nasty protein drinks. The fear was there. 

Of course, now that I've tried it I don't know why I was ever nervous! I was very very happy with the results and didn't have to cringe my way through the drink reminding myself that it was good for me. I actually wanted more when it was gone!  I just used one packet of the powder and some vanilla almond milk and not only did it taste good, but it got me through the morning until lunch without any hangry moments. 

In the Florida heat I am not a big fan of real food, but I've also been told that the human body can't live on just watermelon for too long, so this is a great option for getting some nutrition without having to cook (and make more heat in the house) or eat something heavy that makes you feel gross all day. 

Overall I am a big fan of Everlast Vegan Protein. If you read the disclaimer at the top you know I got samples to try for free, but I pinkie promise I plan on ordering more!  If you want some of you r own, you can order it here: http://www.everlastnutrition.com/everlast-vp-pro-vegan-protein-mix

You can also use the discount code: BIBRAVE5% for 5% off!

Mobot Review

Disclaimer: I received a Mobot to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRavePro Ambassador, and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

I am so excited to share this product review with you! As soon as I heard about it I wished I had owned one ages ago!

Mobot combines a water bottle with a foam roller and manages to be very functional in both areas. This is a great product if you travel a lot while running or if you just need something to carry with you throughout the day to help with injuries or tight muscles.

Since the Mobot combines two different uses, I am reviewing each use separately before giving you my overall opinion.

As a water bottle

To start with, the Mobot I received holds 40 oz. of water. This is amazing! Orlando tap water does not taste delicious, so filling up my water bottle repeatedly throughout the day can be pretty challenging. I love that I can fill this up less often without feeling dehydrated. The only downside of this size is that it is not the type of water bottle you want to put in your purse and carry around all day. It is, however, great for in the car and I am looking forward to taking it with me for my next flight.

The Mobot has a straw, but it does not have one of those mouthpieces that you have to bite which I appreciated.  I have had several water bottles like that and the mouthpiece inevitably got funky. You could clean it all you wanted but it was never really clean. The Mobot mouthpiece is hard plastic and it is still clear after repeated use. The best news is that it actually came with another lid and mouthpiece in the box.

Perhaps the most important fact about the Mobot is that it doesn’t leak when you are using it as a foam roller. This also means that it doesn’t leak in your car when you slam on your brakes too hard, or on your floor when the cat knocks it off the table to see how loud a noise it will make.

As a foam roller

I am currently living in a really small space, so the Mobot is an ideal foam roller for me. It does not take up much space when you aren’t using it, and it does not require a large area of open floor when you roll on it. When every inch of space counts, this is a major factor. It is another reason that I wish I had owned a Mobot when I traveled regularly for work. It is less cumbersome than carrying around a full sized foam roller but still packs the same punch.

When I started to test out the Mobot as a foam roller I was scared that I wasn’t going to like it because I wasn’t feeling the familiar foam rolling sensation in the calf I was working on. Then I switched calves. It had been a while since I had last foam rolled and I will confess that I said a few bad words and yelped more than once. AKA, as a foam roller it works very very well.  If you use your foam roller for anything that requires a really wide surface this might not work, but for my usual work on my legs and back it was absolutely perfect!

Overall

I highly recommend the Mobot! It is especially good if you are looking for a large bottle, a compact foam roller, or a way to take both a foam roller and water bottle with you without carrying two things! I loved that it wasn’t something that I used for 10-20 minutes a day then left sitting around.  As far as functionality, it can’t be beat!

Have a question for me about the Mobot? Let me know!

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Zensah Ultra Compression Sleeves Review

Disclaimer: I received Zensah Compression Sleeves 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!

Two bits of info to set the stage: 

• My calves are awful. They will cramp up for no reason at all. I wake up with Charlie Horses more often than I would like and the pain tends to last the entire day.

• This is my first ever experience with compression socks/sleeves/etc.

Having shared those two things, I imagine it is pretty obvious that I was super excited when I was told that we were going to be trying out Zensah Ultra Compression Sleeves!

To start with, ordering was a breeze. This chart is available on the website and I was able to quickly measure my calf and get it all sorted out.

With my luck I was, of course, on the dividing line between medium and large. I decided I would prefer a little extra squeeze and went with the mediums. When I got the sleeves in the mail I immediately knew I made the right choice. They are like a bear hug for my legs without being so tight I lose feeling below my knees. The most difficult part of ordering these sleeves was actually picking a color! I love anything neon and these are available in a great variety. I finally chose neon pink…because you can always use more pink!
Patience is not one of my stronger virtues – so as soon as I saw the Zensah box on my doorstep I ripped it open and put the sleeves on immediately. This is probably one of the moments I should be glad I live alone since they were over my black tights and paired with a lovely floral print pencil skirt. Not one of my better fashion moments, but my legs were immediately grateful.

A common mistake I made while training for the Space Coast Marathon last fall was believing that I was doing enough to recover just because I was taking a day off of running. What I often fail to account for is the amount of time I spend on my feet stressing the same muscles. Last year that resulted in a calf strain that derailed my training for a while, so now I am looking for recovery options that do not involve staying off my feet. Like many people I have a job that does not stop just because I ran a lot the past weekend and what is best for your body is often not a viable option. As much as I love my foam roller I have realized that I need to do more. This weekend was a fantastic opportunity to try out these sleeves on my overworked and exhausted calves.
Saturday I was on my feet for most of the twelve hours I spent volunteering for a conference at our barn (while wearing Toms because I do not plan ahead lol). Sunday was spent sitting in a car, standing behind a college fair table, and then sitting in the car again. All for a grand total of eleven hours. I won’t lie, my legs wanted to fall off on Saturday night already. By the time I got home Sunday I was done in. I pulled on the compression sleeves while I reheated some dinner and felt so much better immediately. It’s almost like the muscles breathe a sigh of relief because the sleeves are holding them in and doing some of the work for them.

Monday I went for a 2.25 mile run then went to a 75 minute warm flow class. I slept in the sleeves again that night and felt amazing the next morning. Tuesday night was a 5 mile trail run and the first time I tested out my sleeves while running. It felt so good. My legs didn’t get tired (despite having not run that far since November and tackling some crazy trails!). The only downside was that they got covered in mud so I couldn’t sleep in them!

For the sake of comparison, I ran my 10k on the 14^th without the sleeves and, despite the less intense hills and footing, I noticed my legs being more tight and sore than they had been for my run on Tuesday.
Overall: I am sold on compression sleeves and in love with Zensah! I am planning on ordering more of these sleeves in many many more colors! I would highly recommend trying the Zensah Ultra Compression Sleeves if you want a good tight squeeze to help with shin splints or calf pain!

Check out other BibRavePro reviews:
Angie @ Angie Runs
Danielle @ Live, Run, Grow

For more information about Zensah, check out their website and social media- Zensah.comTwitter @Zensah Instagram @Zensah Facebook – Zensah

ALSO: use BIBCHAT20 for 20% off your order until March 31st!

I'm a BibRave Pro! and other weekend happenings

If you follow me on Twitter then this is way old news, but I found out on Friday that I was invited to become a BibRave Pro. Obviously I accepted the invitation and I still can’t stop smiling about it.  I tried to share the good news with my mom, but the whole internet thing still baffles her occasionally (sorry if you are reading this mom) and the idea of running for fun will always baffle her.  So she was nonplussed.  Nevertheless I am stoked!

Just in case you haven’t heard of BibRave, you should go check it out! It is pretty much the Yelp/UrbanSpoon/Google reviews of the running race world.  I am pretty much addicted to it and I feel like it is a useful tool to help you avoid any potentially awful races…or to double check if someone has told you a race is bad but you want another opinion!  There is also a Twitter chat every Tuesday night at 9pm (East Coast Time).  That means tomorrow night! Use #bibchat, check it out and join in because it is a blast!  There isn’t exactly a running community where I live and the bibchat community has been invaluable to me in my running journey.

I guess this also means I need to brave the cold and run more!

After starting off on that high note, this weekend continued to be busy and so fun!

Saturday I spent a majority of the day out at our school barn watching the horse show and hanging out with friends. (Confession, I miss riding so much it’s making me crazy!) When I finally couldn’t feel my toes anymore I went home to play with the dog for a while then celebrated Valentine’s Day with a friend.  We made lasagna and garlic knots and drank pink moscato.  It was a fantastic evening!

Sunday morning I started out by baking a King Cake with a coworker.  Mardi Gras has become a big deal at school and we somehow got conned into entering a king Cake baking competition. I have a KithenAid mixer and she has an oven (I don’t) so we teamed up and were actually quite successful!  I then rushed home and met my friend so we could go to yoga. More specifically: Beyonce Booty Yoga.  We left a little early and went to TJ Maxx (where I got a great Brooks running tank for $17! Score!) and Dick’s Sporting Goods where I made the mistake of trying on the Brooks Pureflow 4s.  I really meant to stock up on the Pureflow 3s now that they are being phased out by the newer model.  But the 4s won me over.  I put one on and fell in love immediately.  I will probably still hunt around for a deal on the 3s and pick up another pair, but the 4s are now in my future.  Beyonce Booty did not disappoint, although it was more like total body exhaustion! It was a fun combo of barre, yoga, and dancing which I can totally get into.  I am so sore today, it is unreal.  The instructor had us doing a few variations of calf raises that will be making a routine appearance in my life from now on. Hopefully they will help keep my calves strong enough to avoid ouches in the future.  On a side note, if you have never done wall sits to Beyonce blasting you have never fully experienced life!  I realized I can dance and wall sit simultaneously…mad skill yall. Post yoga I annihilated a Moe’s burrito…I thought I was going to die of hunger!  Fun fact: the grocery store in my town doesn’t sell purple sprinkles apparently.  Since they are pretty much a necessity for King Cake we also made a pit stop at Michaels for those, then hit up Purple Penguin for frozen yogurt.  It was a new place to me and I am not totally sold, but it was still pretty good.  After a pit stop for dog food and another to apply sprinkles to the King Cake, I finally made it home to take a fantastic shower.  Showers after a long day and after getting sweaty are just five million times better than regular showers. It’s a fact.

Today it is back to the office life…with lots of Beyonce on Spotify because I am not over it yet!  Tonight I am headed back to yoga (just the regular kind this time) and hopefully tomorrow I can get a run in! We are under a winter weather advisory though, so we will see what happens!

Did you have an awesome weekend? I hope so!