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Ready.Set.Move Subscription Box Review

Ready.Set.Move Subscription Box Review

Disclaimer: I received two Ready.Set.Move Subscription Boxes 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! Ready, set, Move! Do you ever feel like there’s just so much stuff in the world you want to try, but don’t want to fully commit to a full size product, or nonetheless the…

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Strength Training & Running

Strength Training & Running

We’re officially into the second quarter of 2021 and I can say…so far…so good. Considering circumstances. Obviously we’re still in a pandemic and I think we’re at the point of yes we’re tired, but we’re finding better ways to cope. I know when the pandemic first hit I was worried about losing all my progress in the gym as I lost access to my newest friend, the barbell. I spent so much of my time…

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Bahamas Virtual Race Recap

Bahamas Virtual Race Recap

“Disclaimer: I received an entry the Bahamas Marathon Virtual Race 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!” Another day, another virtual race…but this one put me in a nice tropical mood. Through BibRave I got the amazing opportunity to virtual run the Bahamas Marathon… half…

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Texas Distance Challenge Recap/Review!

Texas Distance Challenge Recap/Review!

Disclaimer: I received a virtual entry 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! Okay, let’s be honest, this title should really be “How I absolutely did not come close to running across Texas and I’m okay with that” Because I am. But nonetheless, I am thankful for this…

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Science in Sport REGO Rapid Recovery Review

Science in Sport REGO Rapid Recovery Review

Disclaimer: I received Science in Sport REGO Rapid Recovery + Shaker 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!

Wow, it has been a minute huh?

Well, needless to say after my last blog post, life got busy AF. But thankfully, I’ve remained healthy through it all and had the…

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Body Helix Ultra Light Face Mask Review

Disclaimer: I received an Ultra Light Face Mask from Body Helix 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!

First of all, do people still blog about running anymore? I mean with COVID, it seems as if the social aspect of running took a bit halt… especially in regards to…

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Another Half, Another Virtual

Another Half, Another Virtual

Disclaimer: I received an entry to the Global 24hr Relay 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!

It’s just really how things are, the world of virtual racing. In the last post I wrote about my experience doing a different virtual 5 miler that was completely solo. Today, I…

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Staying Accountable w/ the Cinco de Miler Virtual!

Staying Accountable w/ the Cinco de Miler Virtual!

“Disclaimer: I received an entry to the Cinco de Miler Virtual Run 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!

It’s been hard.

For everyone, not just me, runners, non-runners, teachers, parents, CEOs, medical personnel… everyone. One way or another, we have been impacted by…

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Nabee Compression Socks Review

Nabee Compression Socks Review

“Disclaimer: I received a pair of Nabee Compression Socks 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!”

Compression socks…the essential sock for distance runners. There’s so many socks on the market it’s always hard to pick one, especially when so many competitors are always…

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Now Sports BCAA & Effer-Energy Tablets

Disclaimer: I received NOW Sports BCAA Blast Powder (Natural Raspberry) and NOW Sports Effer-Energy tablets (Tropical Punch) 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!

Don’t you just love how you look up one thing on the internet, and then suddenly you’re bombarded with ads…

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Disclaimer: I received an entry to the Hot Chocolate 15k/5k Dallas 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’re a runner, you’ve definitely heard of the Hot Chocolate 15k Race Series presented by Ram Racing. They have multiple locations across the country, and I’m super excited, and blessed, that there’s a local one here in Dallas.

The race that motivated me to start running many moons ago was the Hot Chocolate 5k, and I eventually did complete it. In my years running it after that, two other times to be exact, I have run the 15k and have enjoyed the extra challenge, and medal. This year I had planned to run the 15k, but my hip had very very different plans and I’m okay with that.

So with each registration every runner receive the signature Hot Chocolate jacket, and a nice colorful bib representing your distance and start coral. In addition you got access to the expo which included various vendors and lots of chocolate related goodies. The only downside to the expo is the location, downtown Dallas area and traffic was insane if you have to wait until you’re done working to go down there, and it’s $5 for parking. I absolutely hate paying for parking. You do have the option to have your packet mailed to you for $15, but I didn’t sign up in time for that. Also, if you have any changes you need to make (in my case it was still printing a corral related to the 15k so I needed that fixed), you need to do that at the expo.

But overall, quick, and easy experience in the expo.

Race morning traffic was just as I expected from previous years, maybe even a little better this year. However, for the first time in my four times running this race, they had an additional lot that was technically across the street that they had us feed into. Positive side, we were the first line in so it was open parking and I got a good spot close to the entrance of the lot. Downside… it’s really far. It’s always a hike to get there anyways, but it was basically like being in the back since you walked past all of the other lots the normally use. Every year I tell myself to record the walk to the start because it’s so long, and it came in at quite the distance of over a mile each way.

So if you were doing the 15k, might as well run two more miles and have a half done for the day.

Anyways, the Hot Chocolate team knows how to run a race. There were plenty of pre-race activities, photo ops, and very large signage to make everything easy to find. The only thing I don’t understand is why the 15k starts way after the 5k… Like an hour and fifteen minutes later. I would think the longer distance would go first. But whatever, it’s not my race. It benefited me because I got to get in out faster.

Now… hear me out. There’s nothing spectacular in regards to the scenery about this course. Absolutely nothing. In fact you run under two overpasses that had two recently homeless sites removed. Very pretty… but you know it is what it is… just motivation to run faster. There was one water stop that also included Nuun, and of course chocolate.

Once you get to the end of the race you’re greeted with water, and new this year, and nice 5k finishers medal. After that, you could take more photos, including one that would display your time (I didn’t want to wait in line because my hip was not happy), and of course the line to the signature bowl of snacks.

After that, it was time for the extended mile walk back to the car. Again, traffic was easy and very well controlled, and it was the end of what I would call a very successful first race of 2020. The best part, I already had my race pictures before I got back to the car, and a few more arrived throughout the day.

I will always recommend this race to those who are just looking to go out and have a great time, and/or to run with family or friends.

2020 Hot Chocolate Dallas 5k Review! Disclaimer: I received an entry to the Hot Chocolate 15k/5k Dallas to review as part of being a BibRave Pro.

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Travel Guides- Best of the Bay

Travel Guides- Best of the Bay

Disclaimer: I am promoting the Best of the Bay City Guide 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!

Howdy!

If you know anything about me, I love traveling, and I love to gather as much information as I can about my temporary city as I can before visiting. However, that can often be a…

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2020!

It’s a new decade y’all, and this is the blog with no pictures.

This that time of year where we all buckle down and make resolutions for how we’re going to improve ourselves, and break habits that may not be the best for us.

If you know me, you know I don’t do New Year’s resolutions. Instead I just continually try to be the best possible person I can be, and improve on all areas of my life as I…

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Why I Didn't Show Up

Why I Didn’t Show Up

I opted to not run my last race of the year and 100% okay with that.

The end.

So I wish I could say this was my first DNS, but it’s not. But it is the one I was the most conflicted about. Simply put, I felt like I should run it because it was the last year of the race and I paid for it. But the reality was that my heart just wasn’t into it.

Any runner will tell you that running is mostly mental.…

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Splash! Aftershokz XTrainerz Review

Splash! Aftershokz XTrainerz Review

Disclaimer: I received a pair of Aftershokz XTrainerz 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!

Music. 

It’s the one thing that can change in an instant to adapt to my current mood/vibe. Feeling big and bad… throw on some hardcore rap, want to mellow out, get pumped up, be a…

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Disclaimer: I received an FBOMB Nut Butter Variety pack (16 Count) 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!

Aww nuts.

Sorry, I had to. If you’re a regular reader, follower, whatever, you know that I like snacks, and I always jump at the opportunity to test a new snack product.…

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Hello September!

I’mma channel my inner VSCO girl and place a cool hello September graphic below.

  Now let’s continue. I’m going to drop a major truth bomb that I do at this time every year. I’ve fallen out of love with running. But not fully, just for the summer. I finished off that last 5k that I basically bombed in my eyes and it ruined the last bit of mental strength I had left this summer. Summer running is…