I’m a BibRave Pro!

That’s right! I’ve added another ambassadorship to my resume.

“What is BibRave?” I hear you asking…
BibRave is an online community where you can find and review your races.

FIND: If you’re like me, you don’t want to just run any race, willy-nilly. I care about the QUALITY of the race from the management and the course set to the swag and the expo. I like to spend my precious dollars on GOOD races rather than one I leave disappointed with after. With BibRave, you can find races and read real and honest reviews from those that have run them.

REVIEW: Once you’ve finished a race, write a review about your experience. You can also break down the race into categories like swag, race management, expo, etc and give star ratings on the quality.

What does it mean to be a BibRave Pro??
“BibRave Pros are active, enthusiastic, and socially-savvy run bloggers who help spread the word about BibRave and BibRave-partnered races and brands.”

So, I get to be part of a fun community, run races and find out about new running-related products. Score! Actually, I’ve only been part of the “team” for a few weeks now and have found such a supportive, fun, and creative group of runners. We all follow each other’s social media and communicate through a program called Slack. It’s a smaller group of ambassadors, so I feel kind of special, for lack of a better word (I have been part of large ambassador programs and no matter how much you communicate, it still feels like you get lost in the crowd).

What you can expect as a blog reader:
Soon, you’ll see a page at the top of this website called “discounts” where a lot of running-related products and race discounts will be listed as well as a lot more race and product review posts.

I’ve very excited to be a part of this community and share some fun new products and races with you all too!

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To learn more about being a BibRave Pro, click here.

Join a #BibChat – A running-related weekly Twitter chat on Tuesdays at 7pm MST. I use http://www.tchat.io to follow along.

Find & Review YOUR races! BibRave.com

Follow my adventures in real time on Instagram!

My First Time As A Race Director

If you would have told me five years ago that I would be a race director, I would have laughed in your face. Heck, even a year ago, I would have scoffed at you.

It’s not that I didn’t want to be a race director, I absolutely love running and races, it’s just that five years ago I didn’t have any idea how to get involved with a running company. I started my blog and was running all the races I could, never knowing that there was a possibility I could be in charge of those races.  Fast forward a few years and I became an ambassador for a local running company, 3W Races.  Another year after that, I was offered a job in marketing for the same running company and another year after that I was transitioning into the race production side of things.

I don’t know if I ever had “race directing” on my list of possible jobs, but now it seems like a perfect fit. I love running. I love races where people can socially share their love of running and, quite frankly, I love being in charge of that! During all the smaller race-production tasks, I have loved being a part of the background, doing things people don’t know go on to make a race successful.  Then hearing people compliment the race, I feel pride, knowing I had a big part in that success.

Checking on the water stations (I’m wearing the orange shirt)

Working Registration

Working the Broomfield Turkey Day Run (Pink Jacket is me…it was very cold that year!)

Working as a registration captain

While being on the marketing team, my transition to the production side of things started out as a volunteer coordinator, organizing the race day volunteers and making sure the course marshals and water stations were set up properly. Add in setting up the race, then mix in some website tasks, fold in packet pick up and swag ordering and you’ve got the recipe for race directing.

See me there in the background??? Think about all the races you have run and the people in background helping make it happen!

I was taught race director tasks little by little and my first solo race as race director was a couple of weekends ago, the Heart Throb Run 5k in Longmont. I have been an assistant race director, registration captain, and many other things, but without my mentor there, I was a little nervous to be THE Race Director. I wasn’t completely alone, the other 3W owner was there to set up the course, but it was me running the show – so to speak.

Sometimes race directors have weird tasks, like hold back the flag at the start so it doesn’t hit people in the face on a very windy day!

And….. It went well! Not a snag, complaint or conundrum to be had! (Knock on wood). The day after the race, I was constantly checking my email, worried someone was going to email in a complaint, but all I saw were words of gratitude and compliments! To top it off, my mom and my boyfriend came out to run as well! Ben even took first in his age group!

Mom running (the second lady)

Ben coming in fast! I was so happy to be able to announce him to the podium.

I was nervous at first to be in charge of a race because sometimes, no offense, runners can be needy, crazy, and hard to please, but now that I have one under my belt, I am super excited to do more!

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Check out 3W Races in Colorado! Run any race and chances are you find me there!

Re-Post – Gear Review: SLS3 Dual Pocket Running Belt (and giveaway!)

(I was given a free Dual Pocket Running Belt in exchange for a blog post on my opinion and a gear review. All words and opinions are my own. Giveaway at the bottom.)

Lately I have been having a weird issue with low energy while in the middle of a run. I have started carrying peanut butter packs or a Bobo’s Oat Bar while running, just in case. The desire to carry my phone with me while training (so I can Instagram and tweet…oh yeah, and for safety), combined with the need for something to carry it all in (besides putting it all in my sports bra), left me looking for an accessory to fit my needs.

So when I got an email to try the Dual Pocket Running Belt by SLS3, I jumped at the opportunity!

I’ve taken the belt out on many runs already and have loved it! The SLS3 Dual Pocket Running Belt will definitely be a part of the majority of my runs and races from here on out.

It is exactly as it sounds: a running belt with two pockets. Bonus: there are also a bunch of other wonderful features such as it’s water proof, adjustable, and “expandable” (it stretches to fit whatever you need to carry with you). It’s very lightweight and weighs as much as whatever I put in it. I tested the SLS3 Dual Pocket Belt by putting as much stuff in it that I might need in the future (maybe for a long run or a race). It was stuffed with two energy bars, a phone, car keys, and credit cards/ID  (fits my android that’s bigger than an iPhone) and probably could have fit more!

The only other running belt I have, or even have tried, is a water carrier belt; I couldn’t even tell you what brand. When I run with that fully load with my belongings and water, it bounces around on my butt like crazy, and I can never get it adjusted just right to be comfortable. I end up with some sort of chaffing. This is not the case with this SLS3 belt. It didn’t bounce, ride up or down and stayed exactly where I put it on my waist.

The specifics:

• Two zippered pockets (making it so I’m not worried stuff will fall out).
• Fully adjustable waist band that’s easy to adjust (fits sizes 24″ to 32″).
• Small and compact (1.5″ wide without anything in it).
• Connects with a plastic buckle.
• Fully washable.
• Four colors to choose from: lime, purple, blue, and black. (Blue’s my favorite!)

Why I really liked it:

• Very comfortable!
• Didn’t bounce around while running.
• Water resistant – even the zipper! (That means you can wear it in the rain and snow AND your sweat also doesn’t leak through.)
• Lightweight – I barely noticed it was there and was only as heavy as the stuff I put in it.
• Fashionable! It looks good, not like some that stick out when you run and look goofy.
• Expandable (the pockets look small, but they fit a lot of things I want with me for a run).

Testing out the waterproof-ness in the muddy snow!

Cons:

• I can’t really think of any except the fact that it doesn’t have a place for water. Then again, if I needed a water belt, I would try SLS3’s Hydration Running Belt.

This running belt has been added to my running gear collection as a staple. I haven’t raced with it yet, but I look forward to having a secure, comfortable place to put my car key and phone for the next race I run!

Right now SLS3 is running a limited time introductory price. The belt retails at $29.90 but their Amazon store has it listed for $16.90 (43% Off). Click HERE to look at it and get one for yourself!

Also, save 40% off the SLS3 Website with coupon code: BLOG40

GIVEAWAY: Enter to win your own! Click HERE to enter the raffle!

Turkey Trek 10k and Turkey Toddle 2K Pre-Race Review (AND RACE GIVEAWAY!)

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED!

As you know, or maybe you don’t, I have been an ambassador for an amazing company called 3W Races for all of 2014. I get to carry that on into 2015 as well! With that I have been promoting the company and all our events around the community and at local run clubs. For our next race, the director allowed me to give out a free race entry on my blog!

What I really, actually, truly wanted to do was a pre-race review: VLOG sytle. Ya know, a video-blog. (Are those still even popular…I haven’t been on YouTube for a while). I planned on running (or biking) the course awhile ago to do a TRUE pre-race review, but one thing led to another, work got in the way, sleep got in the way…and I haven’t done it yet. So, yesterday, I fully intended on borrowing my roommate’s bike and riding the 6.2 miles, videoing it for you and doing my pre-race review that way.

But this is what happened:  I got up semi-early, but I just doddled too much in the morning to make it out before I had to work. When I got a text confirming that my afternoon movie plans were cancelled, I thought, “oh, I’ll just do it after work.” That was all before noon when it was a  bright and sunny 57 degrees in Colorado. But, as they say in Colorado: “If you don’t like the weather, just wait five minutes.”

As soon as I was done coaching my bootcamp at the rec center, I walked outside to 30 degrees and a mild blizzard! But I was determined. I bundled up and told myself I was just going to do it and get it over with.

So, I drove to the course site, sat in my car for a bit to video myself (Vlogging is strange) and got the bike out of my car. I tried hopping on, but the seat was too high (my roommate must have looooonnnggg legs) and I looked like I never had ridden a bike before. I couldn’t reach the pedals properly, almost ran into a rock and pretty much fell off. If only someone had videoed that! Fully intending on still going with my “epic fail” vlog, I got home and realized I have no idea how to edit videos. Wah-Wah.

So, in a long story short: You just get my lovely writing styles like usual:

Coming up in less than two weeks is really fun race, and I, Racing the States, get to give away one free race entry!!!

WHAT: 10K Turkey Trek and 2K Turkey Toddle by 3W Races

WHEN: November 22nd (the Saturday before Thanksgiving). The 10K starts at 8:30am, the 2K at 8:45am

WHERE: It’s in Arvada at the Long Lake Regional Park

WHY: Alright, here’s where we get to have a little fun…. Let me list the reasons you should do this race:

1. First off, it’s a race, need I say more? And I know all you bloggers are addicted to racing. But seriously, 3W always puts on great races. They are fun, organized and the always run on by great, friendly directors and volunteers.

2. They have partnered with the Arvada Community Food Bank. Perfect for the holiday season. If you bring five items to donate to the ACFB, you will get entered into a raffle for some really sweet prizes! For more information on the ACFB or info on what to donate click here.

3. There will be awards for the top three overall male and females as well as age group awards for the 10k. The 2k is not timed, but the top three men and women receive a medal!

4. I saved the best for last…The main reason you should do this race is for the Egg Nog Chug Challenge!!! (Or the Fill Your Pie Hole Challenge for the 2kers). At mile 3 (after a huge hill, mind you), if you successfully chug a 5 oz glass of egg nog, you will be entered to win a free pair of shoes! In the 2k, with half the run left, you get entered into a raffle if you successfully eat a piece of pumpkin pie! Mmmmmmm…..

My only complaint is WHY CAN’T I DO BOTH!?! Luckily for me, I am one of those people with a stomach of steel and I can eat what ever I want while I run. And also lucky for me that since I’m a 3W ambassador, I bet I get a piece of pie if there’s any leftover at the end!

HOW: So now that you are dead set on running this race with me, (yes, I will be there, and yes, I will be doing the Egg Nog Chug challenge), here’s how you register: Click this link. (if you don’t win the free-race entry). With registration, in addition to the wonderful event, you do get a tech t-shirt. I think it’s pretty cute. More information, if I left anything out, is HERE.

Extra Info:

1. The Race will go on whether there’s snow or sunshine, so plan accordingly!

2. Water: 3W is a cup-free finish area, so bring your own water bottle to fill! It’s good for the environment! There’s two water stations along the 10k and one water station at the turn around of the 2k.

3. Dogs and strollers ARE allowed, so bring them if you need to. I guess you could even bring your child in the stroller if you want as well. To each their own.

Oh yeah..the GIVEAWAY!!! Obviously a lot of you are not Colorado Locals, however, if you know someone in this wonderful state and want to try and win the race entry for them, then go right ahead. Rules:

1. One entry if you comment on this post. Tell me your favorite Thanksgiving food. I love food.

2. One entry PER Facebook, twitter, or other social media share. (Limit to one per each – I mean share all you want, but the max entries into my giveaway is one for this). Please tell me you did so in the comments, because I’m not that computer savvy and wont be able to track it all. However, each post share MUST mention Racing the States, AND 3W races. It could be something like this: “I want to do the EGG NOG CHUG! I entered to win a free race entry from @racingthestates for @3wraces Turkey Trek 10K and 2k Turkey Toddle!” for twitter.

3. One entry if you follow me on TWITTER, FACEBOOK or INSTRAGRAM (please tell me you did so in the comments)

4. One entry if you follow 3w Races on Twitter or Facebook (likewise, please tell me you do so in the comments)

This will be good for the 10k or the 2k!! I will do the drawing SUNDAY morning, so you have until midnight this Saturday (11/15)