Product Review: Noxgear Tracer360 visibility vest (Or how a little, light weight vest could light up my life!)

Product Review: Noxgear Tracer360 visibility vest (Or how a little, light weight vest could light up my life!)

If you haven't had a chance to check out the Tracer360 from Noxgear, check out this video:

• 360 degree illumination
• Full Color Spectrum
• 360 degree reflectivity with 3M Scotchlite reflective waistband and the edge of the light source on the back
• Unit will alert you when batteries need replaced.  When you power on and off, a green blinking light indicated the battery life is good.
• Vest is able to be worn in all seasons.  It is rain proof, snow proof and pretty much Oregon proof.  Everything I need.
• It is super lightweight an comfortable!  6.5 ounces and feels like it is hardly there.

The vest is tubing that illuminates and attached to a light source (to be worn on your back) and a stretchy waistband with the 3M reflective strip.  As you can see above, the flash on my camera picks up the reflectivity.

This vest is very comfortable and lightweight, extremely easy to navigate and adjust size with no chafing, bouncing or any other undesirable issues while wearing it.  

The possibilities are endless for this piece of "running gear".  Maybe you aren't a runner, but need to be visible while riding your bike in the twilight hours?  Ultimate glow frisbee at night?  Maybe you are participating in a night race or glow themed event...

I'll be sporting this at Hood To Coast relay along with my team mates.  

I can't express enough how much I love this.  My neighborhood is surrounded by 3/4 mile with no sidewalk.  The shoulder gets a little thin at times.  I want to be seen.  Most of the time I stay on areas with sidewalks and I've noticed cars slowing down and moving over... even with me on the sidewalk.  Bicyclists ask me where they can get one.  I can't wait to post more pictures from Hood To Coast with my team lighting up the race course!

To check out more of the features and size options, check out Noxgear's website HERE.
and when you are ready to pick one up, I have a 15% off discount code posted below... but hurry!  You want to get one before the code expires September 30th.

With cool summer runs in the evening, relays at night and the sun slipping away into shorter days with Pacific Northwest winters and rain, I am looking forward to using this vest year round.

Simple Hydration Bottle Review

As a distance runner and triathlete, I'm always looking for the easiest and most efficient way to hydrate.

Enter the Simple Hydration water bottle!

The fuel belt is not a terrible solution, but it does tend to move around, chafe, and generally get annoying on a long run. Hand held bottles seem to get in the way of an efficient stride. How about a bottle that does not need to be placed in a fuel belt or held continuously? This is the promise of the Simple Hydration bottle that was provided to my Moms Run This Town chapter to review.

Review by Mariah Jeffery:
The bottle works by tucking the lip into your waistband. I couldn't believe it would stay but for the most part, it did. I tried it on a "brick" workout day of a 12-mile bike ride and a 5K run. My bike does have a water-bottle holder, but occasionally on long rides I run out of water in the single bottle, and I wanted to try this out as a possible solution for carrying a second bottle. I made sure to wear drawstring shorts, per the instructions, and tied them tightly. I thought to myself as I got going "There's no way this is going to stay on." It actually made it through the entire bike ride except for two occasions. Once was going over a train track. When I hit the very large bump, it did fly out and I had to stop and retrieve it. The other time was after I removed it, and I had difficulty returning it to the proper position with one hand, so it came out because I didn't have it in there will. After I stopped and retrieved it and got it in the right spot, it stay put for the rest of the ride, the transition, and the entire 5K run. It was certainly easier than a fuel belt although not 100% foolproof. I'm not sure that I'd use this for a race because I'd be worried about losing it, but for a long run when it's no big deal to turn around and retrieve the bottle once in a rare while, I definitely would use it again.

Review by Angela Sellars:

For me , a newbie runner, sport water bottles were not an issue. I drank before I left the house and when I got home from runs . Most of these runs were shorter than an hour.  But now I have my sights on a half marathon and realize longer runs mean drinking water on the go. 

I decided to give the Simple Hydration water bottle a shot during a 15k run, knowing I would need water to wash down my mid run gel pack.  The first thing I noticed was how nicely it fit in my small hands.  I placed it in my spandex running tights at the small of my back. After an initial learning curve when the bottle seemed to slip and slide, I found a way to tilt it a bit and keep my pants up! The next 3 miles went well, save some odd bumping and jostling as I ran downhill. 45 minutes into my run, and I needed some water to drink with my gel pack. I was able to open it with my teeth without too much resistance.  I placed it back in my pants and it slipped out and fell on the ground, forcing me to stop to pick it up and wipe it off.  The bottle stayed in place for the remainder of the run and I was happy to have some water to sip as I walked home.  

In conclusion, I will use the Simple Hydration water bottle again, but not for races or fast-paced runs. It will be handy for easy jogs on hot days and for walks and hikes with the family.

Simple Hydration has a 50% off discount going on right now! Head on over to their Facebook page and check it out.  Discount good until June 8th.

Robin will be ordering hers to use on long runs training for Hood To Coast and read about how the bottle's design has versatility to be tucked in a sports bra (sorry guys!) or in a flip belt, spibelt or the like.

How do you carry your water?

VFuel Review

VFuel gave some of their product our our Moms Run This Town chapter to try out.

VFuel Review by Mariah Jeffery
         I have tried several fueling methods and I'm still trying to figure out what works for me. Gu seems to be hard on my sensitive stomach. I decided to give VFuel a try on my 13.1 mile "tune-up" race in preparation for my last half marathon. I tried Maple Bacon flavor, just because it sounded intriguing. It was actually not bad! The taste was a bit on the "savory" side but not overwhelming, and also a bit sweet at the same time. I noticed caffeine on the ingredient list, which is good because caffeine does seem to help my performance in endurance events.

VFuel did not cause any of the GI distress issues I have had in the past with other gels. It seems to be easy to tolerate. I did make sure to drink it with plenty of water, though, which seems to be key for me. I tried the Peach Cobbler flavor last week during my speed session (8.75 miles including a magic mile and 8x400's!). I took it at around the 5 mile mark and definitely felt a bit of  a pick-me-up right when I needed it. I would not hesitate to use VFuel again for my fueling needs. I have my first triathlon in just under 2 weeks and one of these packets will be stashed in my bike bag!

VFuel Review by Angela Sellers

I am fairly new to the fueling process, but training for a half marathon means learning to nourish and hydrate my body. So I gave VFuel a try. I started my 15K long run with one pack of Peach Cobbler and then had Citrus at the 45 minute mark, just as the packaging recommends. The Peach Cobbler flavor is mellow and sweet and viscous enough to swish down with water. I preferred the Cool Citrus however. It was milder and reminded me of Lemon Meringue pie.  The VFuel gel warmed up against my body as I ran and was easier to swallow than the room temperature packet. While I did not notice any GI distress during the run, I did experience some mild gas and cramping post run.

 I used these same flavors of VFuel before my speed workout and weight training as well. No GI distress occurred and I was able to complete and perform better compared to the same workouts done without VFuel.  I noticed a boost of energy about 25 minutes into the workouts and faster reaction times . Afterwards I felt less muscle soreness than usual.

Overall, I like the VFuel gels and will continue to use them to improve my performance and endurance.

Head on over to their website and see the great flavors they have available.  Have I mentioned they have "Maple Bacon"?  Because it's about time we had the option of something not too sweet.

Have you tried VFuel before?

Strut Your Stuff Sign Co Bib & Medal Display Review

How do you display your race bibs and medals? My race bibs are spread out across my office. Soon they will go across one wall completely. My office is 25’ long. If have about 3' remaining until I'd have to start a second row.

I was debating doing just that until my husband told me it was already borderline tacky. Ok, I see the point. My medal holder is also nearly full and I need another one. I was searching for ideas on how to improve my shrine to racing while displaying my bibs and medals in a more neat and concise way when Strut Your Stuff Sign Co. generously donated two medal displays to my Moms Run This Town group, to be raffled off at our Spring Social on May 24. Here are pictures of the two displays. 

Bib/medal holder one:

Check it out here on their Facebook page.

Bib/medal holder two is my personal favorite:

 Check it out here at their Etsy store.

These are incredibly high quality, gorgeous displays that can hold both your bibs and your medals all together. This Etsy store also offers the ability to customize any medal display by adding a plaque with an inscription, which could be your name, your PRs, or your favorite inspirational quote.

There are lots of other great displays in their store. If you love these displays, please Like their FB page and tell them Outrunning the Rain sent you. I’m hoping I’m one of the winners at my Moms Run This Town Social!

~Mariah

Runningluv Review and GIVEAWAY!

Product Review (and GIVEAWAY!) for Runningluv.

Runningluv has generously provided me with a free sample to use and review and will send one of my lucky readers one of their own.

A fellow sole sister first casually mentioned "Runningluv" to me while I unceremoniously rubbed my nose from my elbow to wrist.  I know.  Classy.  This is also the running partner who has had to provide me with a tissue mid run or post run on a couple of occasions.  

My nose is a leaky faucet made worse when I run.

Runningluv to the rescue!  Runningluv is a lycra band that fits around your hand and wrist with a bamboo/organic cotton terry blend towel-and-tissue attached.  

The lycra band is moisture wicking and a very light material.  It is very comfortable and easy to forget about while running.

The "towel-and-tissue" is soft and I love the bright colors offered.  My "running color" is yellow, so I LOVE the festive yellow one I used on my last race (a 10K last weekend).  It did take me a couple miles to get used to the towel wrapped around my hand, but I soon forgot about it and was glad to use it in these freezing January weather runs (which makes my nose even more snotty).

You can wrap it around your hand and tuck the tail under the lycra band or unfold the towel as pictured above for more surface area.  I need to work a bit on my tucking technique, but it is fairly simple.

This versatile piece of running gear has helped me get the sweat from my face before it runs into my eyes, blotted my drippy nose during my race and on a short run with Bugaboo and Squeakers, it has served as an emergency snot rag or a "napkin" when Squeakers over squeezed her pouch of baby food.

We've all had a reason or two to need something like this on a run...
Your nose drips or runs (like mine).
You sweat (or glisten, or sparkle... whatever you call it, you'd like to wipe it off your face).
Your eyes water (or you're crying in joy because you smashed an old PR).
Your sweet (and messy) kids are on the run with you and need a napkin-tissue-towel.
Your Garmin is fogged up (or covered in precipitation like mine from the lovely Oregon rain) and needs wiped clean.

What would you use yours for?

Head on over to their website (http://www.runningluv.com/) and see the colors and combinations available! And if you'd like a chance to win one from my blog, enter below:  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

  

Book Review (and giveaway!): "My Favorite Run" by Katherine Karagiannis Richards (from Fit Kids Publishing)

As always, the opinions expressed in my reviews are mine alone (or Mariah's should she be the one giving the review...).  I was not compensated in any way for this review or giveaway.  I hope it is insightful for you! 

In my house, you know it is a good book if you have to read it at least three times in a row before being able to sneak away...

...And that they still want to read it themselves, with or without your help.

Bugaboo loves to go out on a run with me, whether in the stroller or being able to go around the block running next to me.  I hope that someday, Squeakers will  want to go run with us... though she is a big fan of riding in the stroller too.

I have been looking over my library and local bookstores for kids' books about running without a whole lot of success.  Finally a friend shared a post from Fit Kids Publishing on facebook and I have been excitedly waiting to get my hands on this book ever since.

It was worth the wait.

The pictures are beautiful with vivid colors.  The people and scenery are done very well.  Bugaboo and Squeakers both have wondered off with the book to slowly look through the pictures.  On the first reading with Squeakers, we talked about the pictures and the things we saw.  "Can you find the bunny?"  "Are they running?  Where are the runners going?"

Squeaker's favorite page is when the mom and daughter stop on their run to take a moment and smell the roses. (Something every runner should do!)  And she squealed with delight on finding a ladybug on one of the flowers in the picture.

The story is not too complex so that a very young child can enjoy it but with subtle references to good running form, recovery, stretching, pacing your runs... lots of good nuggets of information that we all might need to be reminded of and something to share with our children so that they can learn some of these tips too.  I think a child of any age range could find something of interest in this story.

I walked away from the story being reminded how important my example is and that little eyes are watching and learning from me about the importance of an active lifestyle and the healthy choices I try to make.

Here's a bit more about the story (and the project that helped make it a real book) from the author:

  I requested my local library purchase a copy of the book for their collection (and they did!) and after reading it myself, I am excited to contact the author on her webpage (click here) and order my own copy to keep and reread to my girls over and over and over and....

I hope you get your hands on a copy of this book!  It is darling.

You can also find it at Amazon for Kindle or Barnes and Noble for a hardcover copy or Nook version.   If you have an i-toy of some kind, you can also purchase a copy though iTunes.  Or, ask your favorite local book shop to carry it.  ;-)

You can also enter HERE to win a copy of your own!  (Starting Tues. Jan 14th)

Have you found any interesting picture books or stories for children about running or fitness?  Please share the titles so I can find them too!  :)  Or tell me about the example you show with people (or children) around you.  You probably are inspiring someone...

Feeling the Love!

I’m feeling incredibly blessed to have such amazing sponsors for our running group, Moms Run This Town! We recently merged with another chapter, and this past Saturday night we had a social so that the ladies from both groups could meet. Since there are an unusually high number of ladies in our group who are gluten free, vegan, or both, we have a very difficult time having food that works for everyone at our gatherings. I had the idea to reach out to a restaurant that offers both vegan and gluten free food. When I read some reviews online and saw that Mama Mia Trattoria was rated as one of the top Italian restaurants in Portland, and they had many vegan and gluten free menu choices, I decided to reach out to them. The owner immediately got back to me and offered to donate food for 25 for our event!! He made it clear that there would be no expectations of any marketing or any other strings attached to his gift – that it was simply a gift. 

The food was absolutely amazing. They provided two types of pasta – typical spaghetti noodles for the non-gluten free members of our group, and rice pasta for the gluten free members. Even though I’m not gluten free, I tried the gluten free noodles. They had nothing to hint that they were different from a "regular" pasta dish other than the label on the lid. The taste was not altered in any way and I had no idea that the noodles were made with rice. We also had salad with pecans, baguettes, garlic bread, and plenty of dipping sauces. Our favorite was the caprice! For dessert, we had a cheese cake that was to die for.  The amaretto in it was not so subtle that it left you wondering if it was there or not. The flavor was rich, creamy and the amaretto danced on our taste buds. It’s a good thing we are runners because we certainly consumed plenty of calories that evening!

The best part, in my opinion, was the meatballs. I couldn’t believe how moist they were, especially considering they were gluten free so no breadcrumbs were used. Luckily there were a few leftovers so I took some home for my husband to sample. His input: “So good, they made my tongue slap my brains out!” Well, at least he has an excuse. 

In summary, Mama Mia Trattoria’s is the perfect place for a great meal or to carbo load before a big race. Our group will be visiting them before our big races! Here is a photo of the food that was donated to us.

For more info on Mama Mia, check them out at http://mamamiatrattoria.com/

Another of our amazingly generous sponsors was Impact Signs in Hillsboro. They offered to print our club’s banner because “We’ve got to take care of the Moms!” Aw, how sweet. They took our logo and info we wanted on the sign and actually designed the sign for us to work with the 3’x5’ sign. When one of our members picked it up, they were incredibly nice. 3’x5’ doesn’t sound that large until you see it in person.

Check them out at http://www.impactsign.com/

Here's a photo of both the food and the banner:

We feel so loved!
~Mariah

Overcoming my fears and traveling to volunteer...

Last week, I had the privilege of volunteering at the Silver Falls Half and Full Marathon!  This truly is a privilege as the race sells out in about ten minutes for the half and within a day (if not sooner) for the full.  Volunteers are a limited number and many would like the opportunity to go and help out and cheer on these amazing runners!  (...Not to mention get an entry into a future event for free.)

As you might have gathered from some of my other recaps, I'm a bling chaser.  I love that feeling of celebration a race brings for all that training and hard work and the token of accomplishment at a "well done" a fun finisher's medal can give hanging from your tired, aching neck.  

On my way to the race to start my volunteer shift, it occurred to me that I had no idea what the finisher's medal looked like, if it was "worth it" or if it was only available to finishers of the full and not the half... as I have goals on participating in next year's half.

So what was it that is drawing me to this race?  After reading some of the recaps of the amazing but challenging course, I'm not so sure how I'll fair.  Hills, mud, very cold rain, flooded trails, etc.  And amazing Oregon scenery.  Running behind waterfalls!  Look at the race photos on the website, they are ahh-mazing. 

Let me tell you a little about myself, what running has done to me and why I'm going after this race....

I'm an anxious person.  I am.  A wall flower even.  Driving far from home (over 30 miles) in a new area on roads I've never traveled on... scares the crap out of me.  Maybe literally.  So here I was, sitting in the driver's seat of my empty car driving 2 hours away from home for a race I wasn't even running.  

I was scared, but reveling in the new sense of adventure and being so proud of myself for this achievement, I could only blame one thing.  Running.

I really really want to be apart of this elite race that sells out so quickly.  I want to be apart of the pack that can say "I finished it."  "I survived the cold rain, the flooded creek, the crazy hill at mile 10 and the freezing temps.  My legs carried me, my training got me through and my spirit was ablaze and I could do it.  I did it."

But can I?  I have 12 months for doubt to set in and be fought off with cross training and building up some miles.

Any advice on trail running gear for the cold cold rain?  

I snapped a quick photo of the finish as I picked up any litter from the after party/recovery tent.  I got to help serve hot chili to the finishers and then scrubbed the dishes and helped break down "camp".  While cleaning up, the youngest finisher crossed the finish line at 5:56:49 for the FULL marathon.  His FIRST marathon.  His first half was at this event last year.  He is 11 years old!  WOW!

Everything is getting put away, but the beer tent is still open!  

 I think that nine out of ten runners told me "thank you" or "thank you for being here." which just gave me all those great warm fuzzies.  All I was doing was scrubbing pots and pans, how could that be helpful to their race?  But they walked past my sink and said it anyway.  :)

I think my volunteer supervisor said thank you to me more than 50 times.  Then, after the raffle and prizes for the finishers, the announcer called up all the volunteers and remaining finishers under the tent all clapped for us.  My wall flower tendency was in overdrive, but part of me was eating it up too.

Afterwards, the volunteers all received a tech shirt from the race.  I absolutely love it, though I feel like I still need to "earn it" by running the race.

Here is the finisher's medal, that also doubles as a bottle opener.  I asked a group warming up by the fire if they'd use it as a bottle opener after working so hard for it on the trail.  Without hesitation all of them said in unison "YES!"  Then someone dug out a bottle of beer in a near by cooler and showed us all how it worked.  

The welcoming fire place under the picnic area where food was served.  I was a wee bit grateful to be near the hot propane camp stoves with boiling pots of chili and the near by fire.  Temps were a November cold and the rain was also freezing.

Next year a ultra will also be offered in the line up.  This is going to be amazing. 

I need some serious tips on running in such cold and wet weather.  I'm a slow runner and going to be out there awhile.  Any advice is welcome!!

Review: Map My Run App (for smart phone)

I know someone who has tracked her run distance by driving the route in her car later to determine how many miles it was.  I'm sure there are all sorts of computer programs with satellite maps to do this with too.  I'm a mom with two small kids and don't have a lot of time for all that mumbo jumbo.  I'm lucky to get out of the house some days to get my run in!  I don't want to calculate the route again later, and with today's fancy gizmos, you don't have to.  GPS, baby!

I've uploaded the app Map My Run because it was free.   It takes the pressure off trying to determine pace, miles covered and all the info is given to me with audio alerts.  I'm able to play my music app while it is running.  It quiets my music during the alert and then resumes at the volume I had it set to.

The voice of the announcer isn't the best that I've heard...  my friend Dayna has a super awesome "trainer" on her app.  I guess that's the difference between $0.99 and free.  My person on my app is very robotic and lets me know "Congratulations on your first mile!  Don't give up!  (Insert name of a big-box store) stands behind you!"  This made me laugh out loud the first time.  ...The humor wears off the next run, but it isn't that big of a deal.

There are some settings that I'd don't care to mess with.  I don't want my map published on Facebook for every stalker to see where I like to run.  I'm also already logging my food with weight watchers, so I don't need the food log.   However, that is probably really helpful to see what you are eating and why you might feel a bit "slow" or other issues that could be related to diet.  I already know I need to drink more water.

It would be nice if it offered a timer for intervals.  Maybe it does and I can't figure it out...  but it does have some good bells and whistles for being free.  It won't be the program I stick with in the long run (ha ha), but it works for now.  I really want what it already does but with an interval timer.  Maybe an option to plug in the goal distance of the day's run so that when you are getting close it could chime in and tell you?  I'll be checking out the other GPS apps and see which one is the most user friendly and what options are available.