Showing posts with label fitness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fitness. Show all posts

November 15, 2021

Lauren's Favorite Things: A Holiday Gift Guide for Athletes/Runners

Lauren’s Favorite Things

A Gift Guide for Runners & Athletes

I’ve put together some of my favorite items in general that also make great gifts (small and large!) for the athlete in your life this holiday season. I shared part of this list on the Lily Trotters blog, but have a few more items added in here. Lots of these items I am lucky enough to have discount codes for you to use-anytime. I own all of these items (or similar ones) and am happy to always answer any questions you have or further recommendations. Most of these items I have been using and recommending for years.  Comment or reach out to me on social media! Also be sure to check out my holiday post last year about small businesses and organizations to support this holiday seasons-it’s still relevant a year later.

ALSO check out my Instagram and keep an eye out for a fun giveaway today and every Monday until Christmas for a chance to win an item from one of the brands mentioned in my gift guide!


1.       1. Koala Clip (from $28.99): Koala Clip is the best way to carry your phone on the run. It can be worn clipped to your sports bra or waistband. It comes in different sizes to accommodate all types of phones. Koala Clips are available in fun colors and patterns along with the option for inspiring mantras on each one.

Any time of year you can save 10% off purchases at Koala Clip with my code LAURENS10 


2.      2. Nox Gear Tracer2 Visibility Vest (from $69.95): This waterproof vest is the ultimate in light up products for runners or cyclists to stay safe and visible in the dark.  It has 360 degrees of visibility for up to ¼ mile, a rechargeable 20-hour battery and 8 multi-color/single color modes. This was actually one of the big gifts on my wish list last year that I received!

Any time of year you can save 35% off purchases at Nox Gear with my code BREATHEDEEP

 

3.      3.  Run Fast. Eat Slow. book ($24.99): This first book of recipes, wisdom, and stories from Olympian and marathoner Shalane Flanagan and chef Elyse Kopecky is not only a New York Times bestseller but also a personal favorite. They just released their third book Rise and Run so either the latest or this original would make a great gift. I love that the recipes are flavorful, nourishing, and delicious-perfect for any athlete looking to fuel their training!


4.      4. Motivate Wrap from Momentum Jewelry (from $18.99): Carry some motivation on your sleeve, literally, with a Momentum Motivate Wrap. These wraps are lightweight, come in assortment of colors and include an inspiring, fun phrase on each one. You can even customize a wrap for your recipient with their own personal mantra or a special saying.

Any time of year you can save 10% off purchases at Momentum Jewelry or Skirt Sports with my code LAUREN15

 

5. A pair of Lily Trotters signature compression socks (from $39.99): These cute and comfortable socks provide moderate compression (15-20 mmHg) and are easy to get on and off. I wear them running, post-run, travelling, and when working on my feet all day in the hospital. They never get itchy or uncomfortable plus they’re made in the USA and from a female-founded company!

Any time of year you can save 15% off purchases ($24.99 or greater) at Lily Trotters with my code BREATHEDEEPLY

 

7.      6.  OOahh Slide Sandal from OOFOS (from $59.95): You may be skeptical of these foam sandals, but once your favorite athletes put them on post-workout, their feet will thank you! OOFOS shoes include their patented OOFOam which absorbs impact, are machine washable, and reduce stress on joints. The sandals come in many styles and colors too so you can pick something to match your gift recipient’s personality.   (pssst, OOFOS is having a seasonal sale through 11/30 so go get started on your shopping!)


8.       7. The Stick (from $23.95 ): Since 1988, The Stick tool has been used as a handheld massage tool or “ a toothbrush for muscles” as its tagline goes. It is one of the first massage tools and muscle recovery tools I came across as a new runner (back before we had all these fancy massage guns and other recovery contraptions). I have the “Little Stick” for travel and a “Fuchsia Sprinter Stick” that I love to use on my legs, particularly my calves. Basically, the product is a stick with a center rod with little spindle parts that roll over your muscles. It’s really easy to use and travels well. It is a simple looking product, but it’s effective and durable. You can find the Stick products in many local retailers and on Amazon in a pinch.

 

9.8. Lightning Bead necklace from Erica Sara Designs ($48): I have multiple different pieces of jewelry from Erica Sara, but this specific necklace is actually on my wish list! This simple necklace with a lightning bead is a reminder to your favorite athlete that they are a powerful force. The bead is solid sterling silver and engraved to order personally by Erica herself. Erica Sara Designs makes so many great running and triathlon specific jewelry as well as other beautiful personalized pieces so there are lots of options to find a piece for a special person on your shopping list.

 

11  9. RUN sweatshirt from Sarah Marie Design Studios ($68): This cozy, soft crew neck sweatshirt with the simple message of RUN on the chest is the perfect addition to your favorite runner’s wardrobe for the winter months. I own a tie dye version of this sweatshirt, and the fleece is so soft and comfortable.

Any time of year you can save 10% off purchases at Sarah Marie Design Studio with my code BREATHEDEEPLY

 

1210. WhitePaws RunMitts (from $35): WhitePaws RunMitts are the warmest mittens I have found! These thumbless convertible mittens are super warm and allow for easy access to my fingers.  I also love scrunching them back up my hand if I start to warm up on a run (which helps avoid losing them!) There is a double velour version as well as a water and wind resistant version, both in various colors.



What is own your holiday wish list this year? What is a gift you are buying for someone that you are excited about? 



November 30, 2018

Holiday Gift Guide for Fit Friends {$30 or less!}

Disclosure: This gift guide is not sponsored. Any ambassadorships or complimentary products are mentioned. As always all thoughts and opinions are my own. 

I know, another gift guide. So original. However maybe like me, all the things you bought during the Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend were for yourself, and now you actually need to buy gifts for others. I actually have bought or want to buy most of the items in this gift guide! I've compiled some of my favorite gift ideas for your friends or family members with a health and fitness theme. That could be a runner/gym rat/yogi or maybe someone who has a fitness goal for 2019. Inspire someone! 

I've kept things under $30 because I usually am not spending much more on gifts, besides for my boyfriend. Based on some of these gift guides I've seen, people spend more on gifts or have some nice loved ones, right?! Cheers to the holiday season and keeping things fun, stress-free, and festive!


Holiday Gift Guide for Fit Friends {$30 or less!}

1. Oh Look Wine!-Travel Wine Tumbler, Sarah Marie Design Studio ($27.50)

I have been eyeing up buying this tumbler for myself!! This cute travel wine tumbler is the perfect gift for the runner or wine-lover in your life! It's stainless steel and double-walled so it provides perfect insulation. It also comes in three bright colors. It is definitely something that is perfect for all year round. 

These are also available in store at Charm City Run in Locust Point if you want to shop small AND shop local in Baltimore. 

2. Kudos Coaster Plus, Kudos ($20)

I received a complimentary Kudos Coaster Plus to review and liked it so much I'm including it as great gift! It's a customizable display coaster with six colored inserts that allows you to showcase race medals or any other favorite memory of the year such as artwork and photos. You pop open the coaster, add your treasure, add in enough inserts to make it flush with the top including the colored insert you want displayed on top, and then simply pop the top back on. Right now I'm displaying my favorite medal of the year which I get to see every time I have a drink. I like it because you could give it to a friend to display a race medal or just pop in a photo or inspirational quote to make it a personalized gift! 


3. Inspirational top, pictured is Boss Tank Top from Adidas ($25)  

For any friend, gift them a top with an inspirational saying or quote. For your favorite boss babe, I love this Boss Tank top from Adidas along with some other empowering female shirts on their website. I was asked to check out their website, which I had not been on since buying some Boston Marathon gear earlier this year. I think a top with a motivational quote is a great way to inspire a loved one for the new year as well as gift them some apparel to work towards their goals in. I'm a big fan of mantras and inspirational quotes all over including on my jewelry and written in my planner so why not on a shirt staring back at ya in the mirror? 

4. In-Stitches Holiday Lily Trotters compression socks, ($29.99, limited edition) 

I'm a big fan and ambassador for Lily Trotters compression socks, but they really are a great gift for the runners and fit friends in your life as well as anyone who spends most of the day on their feet such as healthcare professionals. They are even great for anyone travelling this holiday to keep the blood flowing during long flights or car rides. Lily Trotters compression socks provide support as well as keep your legs and toes warm all season. These limited edition holiday socks are green, white, and red making them oh so festive for the season. 

There are lots of other cute options starting at $39.99 on the website too and a mystery 3 pack for $60 all holiday season, but you can save 15% anytime with my code "BREATHEDEEPLY" 😄

5. Copper Motivate Wrap, Momentum Jewelry ($20.99)

I told you I loved mantras and inspirational quotes! I seem to always mention Momentum Jewelry as gift idea because it fits so many occasions, not just because I've been an ambassador for them for years. They are beautiful, unique, and customizable gifts perfect for that person that inspires you in your life. I love the look of the copper motivate wrap which looks stunning! You can choose from one of the options for an inspiring phrase or customize with your own special phrase. I've gifted one of the motivate wraps to a friend running her first marathon as well as my sister with a Disney-themed phrase on it so these truly are a gift that can be for so many different people! 


6. Women's Pom Pom Beanie, BOCO gear ($27.99)

BOCO gear makes my favorite hats, including their technical truckers for runner which I am obsessed with. I recently purchased a BOCO gear Pom Pom beanie from Charm City Run (they customize hats for brands & businesses) and besides getting so many compliments on it, it is SO warm and comfortable! This fair isle beanie is perfect for winter weather or this chunky knit beanie is a more chic-looking option. Either way the beanie is a quality hat for any outdoor activity making it a great holiday gift. 


7. Christmas Ornaments for Runners, Run Ink ($14.99)

Once I saw these in my email, I was smitten with these marathon Christmas ornaments from Run Ink. I have a Run Ink customized race map with my PR from the 2016 Chicago Marathon and just ordered myself a smaller Berlin Marathon print to hang up next to it. They are unique and beautiful reminders of races.These ornaments are the perfect gifts for the marathon runner in your life who has completed or is dreaming of the six World Marathon Majors or the Marine Corps Marathon. For $4 more there are versions of the ornaments that can be customized to include a race finisher's time which makes for a really special gift that can be hung on the recipient's tree each year. 

Be sure to note that the last day to order for Christmas delivery is 12/9!


 

8. Sugar Plum Thin Sparkle band, Sparkly Soul (starting at $15)

Sparkly Soul headbands are my favorite way to add a little sparkle to my workout outfit. And also distract from my tired eyes and sweaty face, ya know. They are elastic all the way around and do stay on my head. There are a ton of widths, designs, and colors to match the personality of your gift recipient. My favorite are the sparkly thin headbands including the pictured Sugar Plum Thin Sparkle band which is gold and fabulous. There's even fun collections of headbands including bridal, Star Wars, and unicorn headbands! 


What is your gift idea for a fit friend? Do you have or have you gifted any of these items?

July 17, 2017

Be Open with AfterShokz TrekzTitanium Wireless Headphones {Review}

Disclosure: Through my partnership as a SweatPink/FitApproach ambassador, I received a complimentary set of AfterShokz TrekzTitanium wireless headphones from AfterShokz in exchange for my review. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. 

I love me some tech-free, music-free runs. However especially as I've had some rough runs lately as I try to rebuild my base mileage or when I've needed to give myself a big pep talk to attempt 3-4 mile runs in this heat and humidity, I've been relying more on my Spotify playlists. I'm also highly annoyed by my headphones staying in my ears and dealing with headphone cords getting stuck to me. I'm a super sweaty person so even the "sweatproof" earbuds" I find myself adjusting and pushing back into my ear throughout a run. I seriously don't know what took me so long to try some wireless headphones. 

I'm super grateful I jumped at the chance to try out the AfterShokz TrekzTitanium bluetooth headphones.  

aftershokz-trektitanium-wireless-bluetooth-headphones-runner

On the website you can choose from 4 color combos with black, and pick what measurements you want. It offers a mini size in addition to the regular, based on the length of the space between your ears. It took me 5 minutes to set-up after charging my headphones with a USB cord, mostly involving connecting the Bluetooth on my phone to the AfterShokz. 

I took them on an inaugural sweaty & humid Baltimore summer run and was pleasantly surprised. 

AfterShokz advertises the TrekzTitanium headphones as IP55 sweat resistant. They also use PremiumPitch+™ technology which gives a great sound with nice bass levels. I haven't let them run out of charge yet, but these are advertised as lasting for 6 hours of continuous music and/or calls on a single charge. Any weird blips in your music are related to your Bluetooth connection, not the headphones. 

March 17, 2017

Baltimore Fitness Biathlon to Support ASA

If you haven't heard of Athletes Serving Athletes (ASA), you have probably seen them at races in Baltimore across the mid-Atlantic region. ASA is a non-profit organization which helps empower athletes of all ages with disabilities "to train and compete in over 60 running and triathlon events per year" with the help of donors, volunteers, and the awesome WingMen. I have a couple friends who are WingMen and partner with athletes in completing races and events as well as help push racing wheelchairs for some athletes with disabilities. I would love to become a part of the organization, but right now my busy schedule doesn't allow me to. 

athletes-serving-athletes-logo

ASA is having this awesome fundraising event called the Baltimore Fitness Biathlon in which 100% of the proceeds will go the organization from 2-4 PM on Saturday, March 25, 2017, just over a week away. It also happens to be right in my neighborhood-it's such a shame I'll be out of town! 

baltimore-fitness-biathlon-2017-graphic1

By purchasing a $25 ticket to the event you can choose which type of double-header fitness event you want to complete at local Baltimore gyms including Rev Cycle Studio, Knockout Fitness, Fort Ave Fitness, Reflex Functional Fitness, and a run with Charm City Run

March 3, 2017

Core Cycle Studios in Timonium Now Open

This past weekend I was lucky enough to be invited to a sneak peak of the new Core Cycle Studios premier fitness studio in Timonium, MD. As you know, I love supporting fabulous local businesses. I enjoyed my experience at the complimentary preview so I really want to help spread the word. 

The family-owned and operated studio is tucked away on the second level of a shopping center right on York Road in Timonium Crossing. Once you step inside the studio you realize you found a slice of fitness heaven in Baltimore County. 

core-cycle-studios-sign

Despite being a city gal, it's nice to have a new option that is not too hard to pop by after or before school right off I-83. The studio offers all the nice amenities you could want like complimentary towels, lockers, and private bathrooms and showers. The 2250-square foot studio has a beautiful spin room with awesome brand new spin bikes, lighting, and speaker system. 

core-cycle-studios-spin-bike1

After trying some juice samples from Pure Raw Juice, looking at the lovely Devon Maryn gear (resisting the urge to buy), and getting a little braid in my hair from Haute Blow Dry Bar, it was time to get a little sweaty. I took a 25 minute preview spin class when I was there and left super sweaty and energized.  It had been a while since I've spun so my bum was also a little bit sore!

January 30, 2017

What Will Make Me a Better, Faster Stronger Athlete in 2017

Hello! I'm still moving along on my return to running plan and am up to running TWO WHOLE MILES. Yes, sarcastically because I have had a couple runs this week where I just want to keep going, but then my mind is like BUT THE PLAN and then I think about how I don't want to be injured or in a boot again so I stop. Being able to run 2 miles is way better than 0 miles. I am still trying to work on changing my running form which is proving to be hard and might not happen, but at least there are things I think of like squeezing my booty to engage my glutes every so often and lean forward a bit to prevent over striding.  

I have been really wary of registering for races even though I have 2 half marathons on the books in the spring because coming back from the injury and getting my mileage up is a slow process. Therefore I am still thinking about 2017 goals (besides not getting injured) as well as what I want to accomplish outside of fitness. So that post will be later. 

There are things I have been doing that I want to continue with as my mileage slowly but surely increases to make me a [harder] better, faster, stronger athlete.  

Yoga

I was always on this blog talking about how I need to do more yoga and how yoga is so great for runners. Finally completing Yoga Sculpt teacher training at CorePower Yoga and then starting to teach at the Harbor Point studio has been a little blessing. It gave me a nice outlet when I was in the boot and couldn't run. Also teaching has made me do yoga more besides the obvious reason. It helps that as an instructor I get free classes at CorePower (which is AMAZING), but it is also easier to practice on my own before or after I teach as well as take other classes when I am already at the studio. Besides the physical benefits, the mental and spiritual benefits for me have been missed and are much needed when I am busy with school and work. It's always good to be reminded to slow down, breathe, and stay present.  I am finally getting back into yoga and am loving it. 

December 19, 2016

8 Last-Minute Gift Ideas for Fitness Fans

I seriously can't believe it's the week of Christmas. SERIOUSLY. Between moving, bouncing around between doctor's and physical therapy appointments, plus finals, this past month has moved crazy fast. Luckily I have done some online shopping plus braved the crowds at Target this weekend so I only have a couple gifts left to purchase.  

If you have been mostly shopping deals to buy presents for yourself and now need to finish all your shopping in T-7 days, here are some great last-minute gift ideas for you! 


holiday-shopping-myself


I shared lots of products that you can purchase on Amazon because I'm an Amazon Prime addict with that free 2-day shipping. You can't beat getting things in 2-days if you are short on time!  Check out some of my favorite items for runners, yogis, and any other fit fans in your life. 


8-last-minute-gift-ideas-fitness-fans

8 Last-Minute Gift Ideas for Fitness Fans

1.  Believe or Complete Training Journal and Believe Logbook

I have been using the Believe Training Journal for the past two years to record my weekly workouts, log my miles, and write down my goals and progress.  I love that it includes articles on different topics like goal-setting and nutrition. This year I was given the chance to review the Complete Training Journal and Believe Logbook

believe-training-journal-compete-logbook


The Complete Training Journal is a souped-up version of the Believe Training Journal and focuses more on competitions and tracking progress towards goals and races more in-depth. The Believe Logbook offers an open and customizable, minimalist workout logbook with an annual calendar. 

All three are also available on Amazon with Prime shipping: Believe, Compete, Believe Logbook

2. Namast'ay in Bed candle

The Brooklyn Artists and Fleas Market is open Saturdays and Sundays in Williamsburg, BK and carries this cheeky 100% natural soy wax candle from the 125 Collection. The candle is hand-poured in NY and features one of my favorite quotes-perfect for the yogi (or sleepyhead) in your life.  
namastay-in-bed-candle-brooklyn-flea

If you're not near Brooklyn, you can order the candle from the store's Etsy site

December 7, 2016

5 Winter Workout Items to Put On Your Wish List {and Athleta Giveaway from one of the best gyms in Pittsburgh}

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by XShadyside. The giveaway gift card is provided by and will be delivered by XShadyside for my readers.

 I'm currently still recovering from my injury, but I can't wait for the day soon that I get to start running again. I'm going to start adding in some workouts this week after not having gotten my sweat on in over a month. That means I'm definitely adding some fun winter running and workout clothes to my Christmas Wish List. Who am I kidding, I rock tights and running clothes as part of my regular wardrobe even if I'm not working out. Here are five items I have my eye on from my favorite brands. 


Also thanks to one of the best gyms in Pittsburgh, there's a giveaway below for a $25 Athleta gift card so you can treat yourself before the holidays! 


5-winter-workout-items-to-put-on-your-wish-list

5 Winter Workout Apparel Items to Put On Your Wish List 

1. Women's Distance Long Sleeve Running Shirt from Brooks Running ($44)
This is my favorite color and the shirt looks SO comfortable for working out or lounging around. 

2. Spandos Jane Bra from Oiselle ($64)
I LOVE all of the Spandos line which sells out fast. This bra offers nice coverage and is super cute. 

July 18, 2016

Why Runners Should Try Yoga {with CorePower Yoga}

Disclosure: This discussion is sponsored by CorePower yoga. I did not receive monetary compensation for this post.  As always all thoughts and opinions are my own. 


On this blog I have mentioned multiple times how I'm always trying to stick to a regular yoga routine. I had done a really good job in the winter and early spring with attending a class at least once a week, whether that was a gentle vinyasa flow or a more intense Yoga Sculpt class at my local CorePower studio.  Of course, when the end of the semester got busy, it fell by the wayside. Now that marathon training season is underway, I'm making it a priority to incorporate yoga regularly into my weeks. Even if I don't make an actual class, I want to do some yoga poses on my own or squeeze in a 15-20 minute video. 

why-runners-should-try-yoga-corepower

I love yoga as a runner because it stretches my entire body out, especially my hips and back which get really tight. It is great to get everything loosened up, especially because after a  run I am usually spending the rest of the day sitting and standing at work or school.  


I also really enjoy yoga as a form of meditation and for the mental aspect. It's nice to be able to spend an hour focusing on an intention that you set.  It is a way to calm the mind or maybe work through an issue you were having.  Challenging yourself mentally or finding ways to calm down are important in running, especially in marathon training and long distance running which are very much mental challenges in addition to physical challenges.  

Sometimes I am having a tough day and really the only 5 minutes of true relaxation I get is the savasana.  

here-for-the-savasana-yoga


I was lucky enough to get some questions I had about yoga and running answered by Ciara, the studio manager of my local CorePower Yoga studio in Baltimore. You can check out and see if there is a CorePower Yoga studio near you.  I hope it opens your eyes to how beneficial yoga can be for your running! 

What are some of the benefits of yoga for runners? Yoga has many physical and mental benefits for runners. Physically, yoga releases tension in muscles and builds strength and flexibility. This can help reduce the risk of common running injuries, including: shin splints, tight hips, low back pain, etc. 

CorePower Yoga classes, specifically, are physically intense and focus on building core strength, which will help strengthen other areas of the body. Mentally, yoga can help runners reduce stress, increase focus on breath and introduce a full mind-body awareness. 

yoga-feetures-mat-runner
What is something I can do if I don't have a lot of time in my training plan? 

There are many things a runner can incorporate into their daily routine from yoga that take minimal time, yet are extremely beneficial. Something I highly recommend everyone add in to their routine is a full body stretch as soon as you wake up. Allowing your body a few moments to fully wake up and rejuvenate after being asleep goes a long way.  And, it feels really good! 

I also suggest everyone add a Sun Salutation to their morning routine. The focus of a Sun Salutation is to energize the front and back lines of the body. Additionally, it encourages your muscles to contract, including your core, in a controlled and fluid environment, which is a great warm-up for runners.

How can yoga strengthen me mentally?  One of the best things to hear from a student is that yoga has helped them off of their mat. We often start a yoga practice for the physical benefits and are truly surprised by the mental benefits its brings as well. The ability to find focus on your mat, while a million things are happening around you, is one of the most valuable mental benefits a runner can gain from practicing yoga. 

This mental strength translates to running by providing the ability to absolutely let go of all the outside thoughts happening while you run – like the doubt you feel as you approach mile five or the list of things you have to do for work – and just focus on your breath, moving and hearing the sound of that movement.  

I would also highly recommend meditation to runners. Start off small: devote five minutes of your day trying to find silence (inside and out) and then let it expand from there. Truly being present while you're on your mat is just like being present when you run, you can feel everything around you buzzing but you're in complete control of that energy?

yoga-just-breathe-mat
I love my Momentum wrap bracelet. 
What is one of your favorite yoga poses for runners? 
    Reclined Cow Face pose (or Supine Half pigeon if you have any knee pain!) is one of my favorite stretches for runners. Not only does it feel amazing but it improves range of motion in the hips and loosens tight glute muscles and hamstrings. Just be sure to keep your feet flexed in order to protect your knees and keep your tailbone down. This will ensure you get the full benefits of the pose!

    Do you practice yoga? Do you find yoga helps with other sports, routines, or overall fitness? 

    June 10, 2016

    ZOOMA Annapolis 2016 Half Marathon Race Recap

    Disclosure: I am a 2016 ZOOMA Women's Race Series ambassador and received complimentary registration for this event.  As always, all thoughts & opinions are my own. 


    In my 2015 ZOOMA Annapolis race recap I described my race experience as hot, humid, and hilly. Those rang true again this year!  Although I said I would not be running the half marathon again and would do the 10K, I found myself running the half marathon again, whoops. Despite the conditions this time of year, ZOOMA always puts on a nice race weekend for women in Annapolis. This year in addition to a half marathon and 10K, a 5K race was added.  


    zooma-annapolis-half-marathon-race-2016-medal

    Pre-Race

    Friday evening after sitting in terrible traffic from Baltimore to Annapolis after work, I finally made it down to the ZOOMA Annapolis race expo at the beautiful Loews Hotel in downtown Annapolis. The expo is really small, but there was some nice women's running vendors and packet pickup looked easy (I grabbed my bib the night before in Baltimore). 

    zooma-annapolis-race-ambassadors-2016

    I grabbed dinner and a drink with many of the ZOOMA ambassadors, most of whom I've met before or were ZOOMA ambassadors with me last year.  It was fun to see everyone and especially those people whom I've never met in person or those who I interact more with online through social media. Those running the 10K and 5K got to have a few more drinks and a little bit more fun, which also made me regret signing up for the half! 


    zooma-annapolis-2016-race-map-expo

    I finally had the chance to meet Cori (She's Going the Distance) who was nice enough to let me share her hotel room after realizing a couple weeks prior that I had not booked anything and didn't feel like driving down 2 days in a row or the morning of. I think we're similar so we vibe together pretty well, and I was happy to meet her after lots of social media interactions. 

    March 4, 2016

    Get MOTOvated with the Moto 360 Sport

    Fitness trackers and wearables are all the rage and are only getting more advanced and integrative as we move into 2016. Through my partnership with Fitfluential I was given the chance to try the new watch on the block from Motorola, the Moto 360 Sport. My boyfriend was super jealous because he had been reading about it for a while so I was excited to try it out. 

    Now this isn't just a GPS watch, it's a watch for an entire active lifestyle. It has what I need for my everyday life including fitness, run-tracking, music, social media, weather updates, and calls or texts. Now all I need is for it to make me dinner and do my homework for me.


    Get MOTOvated with the Moto 360 Sport

    Sleek, easy-to use

    The Moto 360 Sport works with both IOS and Android platforms, but integrates more of the functionality through Google if you have an Android Device. It connects via Wifi and Bluetooth to your device, and you can download Android Wear™ like I did so everything from my Android phone automatically synced up to the watch. When I first unboxed it, I immediately noticed how sleek the design was. I loved how it looked like a regular watch with the not too larger round LCD screen and silicone band. The watch comes in 3 colors-Black, White, and Flame Orange.

    The standard screen is the sport watch face which shows daily steps, number of calories burned, a stopwatch, and how close you are towards a daily goal of 30 minutes of elevated heart activity. However you can change the watch face or download a bunch of other really pretty faces for your watch which completely makes it look more stylish and less like a fitness device.


    Get MOTOvated with the Moto 360 Sport

    The Moto 360 Sport features Anylight hybrid display which means it looks like an LCD screen indoors but if I'm outside and it's sunny it will use the natural sunlight to illuminate the screen so it isn't all washed out.

    Run free

    Of course you want to know just like I did how the Moto 360 Sport works as a running watch. It's really easy to just swipe over and open the Moto Running app on the watch. You just choose if you are indoors or outdoors and then can hit quick start or choose a workout goal based on time, distance, or calorie burn and GO! It synced to the GPS easily and allowed me to easily swipe or tap to see my heart rate, and lap details or pause/end the run. The main screen had exactly what I wanted to see displayed during my run-clock time, activity time, miles, and pace. You can also download music onto the watch to listen with Bluetooth headphones or even sync up the app Spotify like I did.