Sonic Fuel In ear Headphones review and Giveaway

I was recently sent a pair of Audio-Technica's ATH-CKX5iS SonicFuel™ In-ear Headphones to review and they were kind enough to send an extra pair for me to give away to one of you!

Suggested retail for these is $49.95, I was not compensated for these in any other way all opinions are my own.

What I like about them they are very comfortable.  They come with 4 different size ear tips and three different c-tips so you can really customize the fit to your ear.   I have worn them while on my elliptical, cleaning house, and running (although I will insert here they are not the sport version) and they haven't fallen out.

The c-tips really help hold them in place.

They have an in line microphone so if someone calls my phone while I am running I can answer it without having to dig it out.

There is also a volume control on the mic.  The volume control doesn't turn it all the way down though, just lowers it.  I guess if I want to turn it all the way down I can always just turn it off which I can do on the mic button also.

Something I haven't seen before that these have is the eartips are able to rotate a full 360 degrees to really get aligned with your ear canal.  I think this helps make them super comfy,

For your chance to win a pair enter the giveaway below. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Three Things Thursday

1.  The Kardashians made news in Montana recently for going in the ditch in their big SUV.  Then another story surfaced about how they were here filming for their show and had wanted a musher to take out 5 teams of dogs (50 dogs) and give them a ride all the while being filmed.  They wanted him to do it in return for "the exposure".   This show makes millions and they wouldn't pay him his $3900 fee for the private excursion. 

He told them no.  They ended up in the ditch.  Karma.

I don't tend to follow anything with celebrities, especially people like the Kardashians... why are they even famous?   I hope my kids never think people like that are neat.

2.  Time change... ugh.  I freaking hate time changes.  It was just starting to be light in the morning on my drive to work too.  I am a morning person, I want light in the morning!  We need to stop this time change madness!  Arizona people have it figured out, the rest of us just have to suffer with the madness it plays on our internal clocks and darker mornings. 

I hate the person who thought this was such a great idea.

3. Kinda ranty so far so lets end on a happier note.. 17 days until my next half marathon!!  Whoop whoop!  Halfs are my favorite distance and I get to see some of my awesome Team Beef Montana running buddies!  Hopefully the weather is good, but it is Montana and it is March so I won't hold my breath on that one!

They also have a drawing for trips to Dublin, free beer at the finish line, and a mostly downhill course.  Bozeman know how to put on a half marathon. 

The first three miles being uphill is a little rough, but after that it is smooth sailing until mile 8.  I remember the hill there as pretty tough the last time I ran this half with my little sister two years ago, and again after that... wheeeee all the way to the finish line!

I had my butt kicked

Once I wrote a blog post about running in windy weather.  I wrote it because where I live it tends to be windy a lot and running in the wind is unavoidable. Yesterday was one of those very windy days and I had a long run to do.  Like windier than usual. I briefly considered putting it off for later in the week, but later in the week is all booked up.  There is no time for a long run later in the week.

Since I also had to watch Downton Abbey before I could go for a long run this limited my running routes as I now had no time to drive somewhere less windy and run.   To get to a less windy area I just have to drive about 2 miles and I am at a much lower elevation and less windy.    I could have run down the big hill, but the thought of running back up the big hill at the end of a 13 mile long run was somehow worse than running in 28 mph winds.

It still would have been windy down the hill, just not as bad.

So I made a critical error and I ran with the wind to start with.  Let me just say the last half of my run was about 2/3 into the wind and was incredibly mentally challenging. All because I wanted to run a loop type route instead of an out and back and out and back.

I kept thinking the run felt so hard and I felt so tired. I questioned how in shape I was.  I wondered it I was overtrained.  Then I turned and ran cross ways with the wind for a quarter mile and marveled at how good I felt! 

I think the day would have been rather perfect for running if not for the wind. It was sunny and in the 20s. 

That wind was a butt kicker, but I got it done.  Take that wind!

Now I wonder if maybe I should always run into the wind at the end, otherwise I wonder if I wouldn't turn around earlier if I had to run into it to start with on a long run.

What is worse than a long windy run to you?  Maybe if it were raining too.  I hate running in a cold rain.

Another week. another 31 miles

The week started out pretty good, but then kind of fizzeled out.. not sure if I was just feeling tired this week or just busy... or lazy.  P90X3 hasn't been happening too much.. I wish it had more ab work which is why I have been doing Zuzkalight's 6 pack abs once a week.

Sunday yoga 45 minutes
             run   8.1 miles
            
Monday Run 12 miles
              P90X3 Incinerator

Tuesday  yoga 30 minutes before work

Wednesday P90X3 yoga
                    Run 8 miles  tempo run that went way better than I expected.

Thursday yoga 30 minutes
               Zuzkalight 6 pack abs
               
Friday Zuzkalight 55 minutes power yoga

Saturday 3.45 miles with hill repeats.  This run didn't go as planned .. I wasn't feeling very good so I called it a run early and went and took a nap. I felt pretty puny most of the day.. bleh.  So not as many miles this week as I was hoping for, but still a good week!

week 31.55
month 103.4
year 217.74

Winter also came back this week.  Boo,  I was really liking the warmer weather.  It was quite a teaser for a couple weeks with some 60 degree days.  Yesterday  I got up and it was 7 degrees, without the windchill. 

19 days until my next half marathon!! 

How was your weekend?   How soon until your next race?
Did you watch the Oscars?  Oh hell no.  I have three words for it.. boring, eye rolling, boring.  I am not a person to follow celebrities though.

The best laid plans and a new running toy.

I had Monday off this week and thought I was scheduled to work the rest of the week so since I usually do my long run on Wednesday or Thursday, I did it Monday, which made it 2 days early.  Then if I have time later this week I can do the harder run I would have done Monday. 

Cola and I ran past a bunch of cows who were clearly bored and started to chase him.  I yelled at them and they backed off a bit.  They are all preggers and no doubt tired of being that way so we didn't hang around long with them.

Just passing through ladies!

The kids were out of school so I took them up to my Grandma's house which made the perfect start point for my run.  The first part was mostly uphillish and with the wind.  The way back was into the wind and mostly downhillish.  Not sure which was more work.  That wind was really whipping it up and a storm was blowing in.  I could see it coming from a long way off! Although you can't see it in this picture where there was still sunshine!

I also got a new toy in a recent Stridebox that I was sent as part of their second birthday celebration.  A Milestones pod.  It goes on your shoe and then keeps track of the mileage for the shoe as well as telling you all kinds of other things in numerical form.

That is just what I need.. more numbers to obsess over. 

That website helps explain what some of the numbers mean, which is helpful since I had no idea what stance was or Runficency meant. These two sets of numbers were actually from the same run, but I synced to see what was happening and it starts you over.

I also played with my foot strike and got it to be more midfoot, but I think I am just more of a heel striker.  I don't know that this is something I needed, but it is fun to play with.  The biggest upside being it tracks the mileage on my shoes.. something I never do.   It isn't spot on accurate, but you can adjust the distance run and help calibrate it. 

They retail for about $25 so getting it in a free Stridebox was pretty sweet!

Then I went to work Tuesday and discovered it is next week I work 4 in a row.   Hmmm, so I guess I will just keep my long run on Monday for another week! 

Anyone else use a Milestones Pod?  What did you think or if not is it something that appeals to you?

Tommie Copper.. feeling the love!

I was contacted last year about this time by Tommie Copper to review some of their line.  I picked out a few things and then never received anything.  I sent a follow up email and never heard anything back.  I soon forgot about it until about a month ago I was contacted by them again.  Apparently the gal I had been first dealing with had left the company.  They sent me a $50 credit to spend and then also sent me a tank and leggings.  NICE!

Talk about great people at Tommie Copper!  I used my credit to get a tank and a pair of shorts.  I ordered smalls in both and I think they fit true to size.

The bottom two pictures are me demonstrating the fold over waistband on the shorts. Down low or up high for lots of coverage and support.

The tanks are soft and I am in love with all the details. The yellow is a safety yellow and is so bright.  I can't be missed running down the road in it for sure!

I love all the fun details with the stitching and the copper colored dots.

I can't wait for it to be warm enough to wear this outside.

The shorts have a  foldover waistband that can be worn up to support the stomach or folded down.  Once again I love all the details with the stitching, the material has a thick quality feel about it.

I have used them for working out and for sleeping in when my back is bothering me.  I do notice a difference.

The leggings are luxurious! I think they are my new favorite leggings.   I wear them for running as well as with my boots to dress up. They are in constant rotation and I think I wash them at least twice a week.

I already have a pair of brown Tommie Copper tights and a pair of black capris that I wear quite a bit so these additions to my closet are pretty awesome.  I deal with some lower back issues and I feel like they help quite a bit. 

All of my items are from the performance line which include great things like

• anti odor technology
• Moisture wicking fabric dries 6x faster than cotton
• 100% copper and zinc encapsulated fabric (inhibits growth of odor causing microbes and the zinc offer UPF 50+ sun protection)
• ergonomic seaming for mobility and support
• Invisible profile Flatlock anti-chafe seaming
• 4D stretch compression

They are more expensive than going to Target and buying a pair of tights, but these are great quality and not see through either,  plus there is the copper.

Anyway I am a fan and I just wanted to share how great they are.  I was sent the blue tank and black leggings to review and was not required to give a good review. All opinions are my own, I purchased the yellow tank and used the $50 credit to buy the shorts.  I was not compensated in any other way for this review.

Training Talk, Race Goals, How things are Going

As of right now when I am writing this there is only 26 days and 3 hours until my next half marathon!  I am getting excited and feeling all the pre race doubts.  I know from past experience I can run it with a sub 8 pace based on my training, it just always seems so crazy to me.  I think my strategy for this race will be a lot like the first half I ran last year.  Basically just going off how it feels.  Not much of a strategy I know, but I really don't have a time goal in mind other than to finish it and be under 1:45.  

Maybe as the race gets closer I will get more specific with my goals, but for now I am happy with that.  Running is going good.  I don't have any problem areas and am doing good with getting in my speed work. Intervals once a week and some form of tempo run or fartleks once a week.

I usually only run 4 days a week, try to do yoga  days a week and fit in some strength training at least three times a week.  I wouldn't mind running 5 days a week, but it just makes a lot on the days I work and 4 days a week seems to work pretty good for me.

Overall it was a great week for miles and yoga and pretty slacker in the P90X3 category.  Not too sure what happened there except yoga just sounded better most mornings.   I finally got in a great long run on Wednesday and ran nearly 40 miles this week.  That is a high for me lately. 

Sunday run 7.5 easy miles
                   yoga 45 minutes

Monday  6 mile progressive run. 
               45 minutes yoga in the morning

Tuesday  30 minutes yoga before work
               P90X3 Upper body eccentric

Wednesday 25 minutes yoga in the morning
               14.1 mile long run

Thursday P90X3 Pilates

                Run 3.3 miles

Friday  Zuzka Light 6 pack abs workout 1

Saturday Run 7.7 miles with quarter mile intervals x10
                yoga 65 minutes

Miles so far this:
Week 38.6
Month 71.85
Year  186.19


 Seriously the weather has been amazing.  The only sad thing about it is... it still February and there is no way we aren't going to head back into winter weather soon.   I was way overdressed for my run yesterday, but it was cooler when I started and then the sun came out.  I should have been in capris!

Cola is loving this weather too!

It's been so warm all my bulb plants are sending up greens.  They are going to be sorely disappointed when they find out it is still winter.  I am going to be sorely disappointed if they get killed off and don't come back this year at all.

Hello daffodils! 

How many days a week do you run?

Do you always go into a race with a specific goal in mind or do you like to just run it?

Friday Five

or maybe Friday four, or more.  I'm not counting.

Wow what a messed up week this has been!  It didn't really start that way, but after Tuesday it all fell off what I had lined up in my head.  I got the day off Wednesday since we weren't too busy and took my daughter to a dentist apt so my husband could work.  I took her to school afterwards and was hemming and hawing about doing my long run Wednesday or Thursday  (my regular day off) when I was asked if I could work Thursday. 

That pretty much made the decision for me.. a long run Wednesday it was.  and a glorious one.  I have to admit running is going really well right now.  The day was really overcast, but it couldn't take away from the beauty of hitting this view at 7 miles in.

I paused here and Cola pawsed (sorry bad pun) to get in my Prana and FitApproach yoga move for #bringingyogaback and was rewarded with a cramp in my left quad.  I did get a better picture, and used that one on Instagram for the challenge.

see.. I just apparently didn't edit this one.. eh, can't win em all.

Happily it wasn't as muddy as I feared it may be along the way. The last time I ran on this route, I ran into a bear.  I heard the bears were waking up early due to the warm weather we were having this last week, so I had my bear spray on.  Happily I didn't have to use it.  See... no bears.

So I worked a half a day yesterday, but had to leave early to get recertified in CPR (rest assured I passed in flying colors.  I am a test taking whiz, not only did I finish first, but I got all the questions correct)(yes I am a little competitive)

Then I was up most of the night last night taking care of a sick little girl who threw up on every blanket in the house (minor exaggeration, but it felt like it) I went in to work this morning knowing I has a short room.  I did my two cases and came home so my husband could go to work.  I feel like I was at work a lot, but I hardly worked.

This sick kid routine is getting old!  My poor little munchkins, the last two weeks were fevers and coughs and this time around it looks like a GI thing.  Different at least, but sick all the same.  Crossing my fingers I don't get this round of fun either and it is limited to one kid.. maybe that is asking too much, but at least I got in a glorious 14 mile long run.

How was your week?

I nearly forgot to tell you!

Just a couple of things,

I had a guest post published on the Armpocket blog last week about cramping while running.  You can check it out HERE .

Also, my Great Great Grandfather was inducted into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame over the weekend. I never knew him though I grew up hearing about him and reading his stories.

I run by his old cabin quite often and love having such a character in my family history. My kids are  very impressed we have a relative in the hall of fame.

Here is an excerpt from his bio:
 

Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame & Western Heritage Center

LEGACY INDUCTEE
Bill Huntington was born ...on June 27, 1876, near North Platte, Nebraska. Bill began to learn his cowboy skills by the age of 10, wrangling horses for the C Bar Ranch. Bill had a gift with horses and enjoyed working with them in many different ways: freighting, breaking, training, and cowboying. Bill found his way to Billings, Montana with a ranch job. Bill and his wife, Ella, homesteaded on Blue Creek, and in addition to his horse-related activities, Bill ran a sheep shearing plant, managed Sturm & Drake’s sale barn in Billings, and bought and sold horses. Bill and his friend George Williams formed a Wild West Show. Bill and George, both their wives, and Bill’s older daughter all participated in exhibitions of the Western skills of riding, roping, and/or shooting. Ella was a sharpshooter a la Annie Oakley, and it was said she never missed. Bill’s daughter Daisy was a trick rider and roper. George’s wife Paris was a trick rider and bronc rider, and of course, Bill and George could ride about anything with hair! Their show started small and locally, but grew into a nationally traveling outfit, going from Minneapolis to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The traveling got old in a few years, and the troupe found themselves back in the Billings area giving local shows by 1920. In 1924, Bill and Ella bought and moved to a place on Indian Creek, east of Billings, where they settled near their daughter Georgia. The family lives there still. . Bill continued to write until his death in 1969 at 93 years of age. Visit www.montanacowboyfame.org for more information about Bill and our other inductees.

I have been participating in Prana #bringingyogaback challenge on Instagram and apparently Cola wants in on the action too.

 Funny dog!
How is your week going?  Mine is pretty good so far, although I almost skipped a run because of Downton Abbey on Monday! 

2015 week in Review week 5, all about the long run and #bringingyogaback

Another week is in the books.  The weather this week ended on a sweet note with 60 degrees on Friday. That is pretty hard to complain about this time of year!
Sunday Run 7.5 miles
             P90X3 Upper Body Eccentric
            24 minute HIIT with my kettlebell (I have been missing my kb since I started P90X3)
Monday Home with a sick kid... means no running... 65 minutes on the elliptical
                P90X3  yoga
Tuesday Still home with a sick kid.. but I did get in 7 miles on my husbands lunch break, this was supposed to be long run day.. so I am a little frustrated my long run was messed up two weeks in a row, but kids come first! 38 days until the half marathon, I will be fine.
                25 minutes yoga
Wednesday P90X3 Triometics
                20 minutes yoga
                  9 mile unexpected run after work, i got off work really early, was actually hoping to get in ten miles before the school bus came, but my guts had something to say about it, which was a bummer because this run felt amazing great!
Thursday  25 minutes yoga in the morning before work.

             P90X3 Incinerator this was a big arms workout, I loved it
Friday  P90X3 MMX (basically a lot like kickboxing) (and oddly it has made my gluteus sore)
            4 mile run with the kids(60 degrees outside, how could we resist?)

Saturday Yoga 45 minutes
             6.75 mile run, 800 intervals x10
These girls were my captive audience for my intervals.  They thought I was crazy running back and forth so much, but it was a really great spot for intervals.

Miles week 34.25
          Month 34.25
          Year 147.59

This was really a great week, it started out rough with a sick kid and not thinking I was going to get in my miles, I am happy with where it ended, but am super determined to get in a good long run this coming week.

I am doing the #taketheleap challenge on Instagram with FitApproach and Prana.  They are going to host a sub contest within the contest for the next 12 days.

To enter:

 

1) Follow @prAna on Instagram

2) Post a pic of yourself doing the pose of the day - you don’t have to post every day to enter

3) Use #bringingyogaback #taketheleap and tag both @prAna and @fitapproach     

4) Get your friends & family in on the fun

 

That’s it! The posing starts Monday, February 9th... oh yeah and the prize is a doozy! As further motivation, one lucky participant will receive $1,000 in new prAna gear from the new Spring Collection AND the opportunity to gift another $1000 in gear to a person of their choice (because isn't giving as fun as receiving?).  Talk about a dream shopping spree! 

Three Things Thursday

1. For some reason I can never remember my password to Wordpress.  I only need it to comment on blogs that use Wordpress.  I have changed my password nearly every time I have to enter it in the last year.  It won't let me use any of my commonly used ones because apparently I have already used them.  So I have to think up a new one that I think I will remember and I NEVER do.  So annoying.  I say this because I just had to change it again. and I know I won't remember it because it wouldn't let me put in anything I would remember.    I had to change it so I could comment on THIS post from Rural Running Redhead.  It's worth the read.

2. My daughter turned 7 this week.

3. These last couple of weeks have not gone as planned as far as getting in my long runs... so I decided to go with Carla Birnberg's #WYCWYC (what you can when you can) and I ended up getting in an unexpected 9 mile long run after work yesterday.  I got off work about an hour early. I was shooting for 10+ miles, but the guts had something to say about that.  I had to run back to the house a mile in and then had to abort the run early for the same reason.  Ugh.  Not a normal problem.  and then the school bus was there with my darlings. 

The run felt amazing great and at least I got in 9 miles.

Super Bowl Confessions

I confess... I didn't watch very much of the Super Bowl.  I watched some of the pre game stuff, the half time show (rock on Katy Perry, wonder who that guy was and Missy Who?) Katy was great, I am not big on the rappy hip hoppy stuff and my husband and I debated if that was Mary J Blige or not, until I noticed she had Missy on her and her dancers... so Missy Elliot?  Whatever.. not my thing.

I did a HIIT workout with my kettlebell and took a shower during the first part of the game and saw Seattle tie it up at half time. 

I was a little thumbs down on how many Super Bowl commercials were viewable before the Super Bowl..lame.   BUT... I did see and love the Like a Girl commercial by Always.  That one made the little cowgirl and I turn to each other and do fist bumps while shouting out "girl power"!

I pray she always runs confidently and full of pride #likeagirl

I didn't really care which team won.  I rooted for the Patriots though because everyone else in my house was rooting for the Seahawks.  My son was so heart broke about the Seahawks losing I found myself wishing they had won.

Although I didn't see the ending either as I was curled up in bed with my daughter reading a book and having a glass of wine. 

What are your Super Bowl confessions?

Madlibs with Prana and Sweatpink

When I think about yoga, the first thought that comes to mind is__ahh feels so good___. Yoga __pushes_ (verb) me and makes me feel ___relaxed___ (noun).   That’s why I am SO __excited___ (adjective) to participate in prAna’s Take The Leap 30 days of Yoga Challenge with Sweat Pink. I plan to __warrior 2_ (yoga pose) my way to a more _magnificent__ (adjective) and __stronger___ (adjective) 2015! For me, the biggest challenge when it comes to yoga is ___making the time_. Taking the Leap with prAna and Sweat Pink is a great way for me to face/ conquer / achieve / find __the time___ (same challenge / or be creative!). My favorite place to yoga is__outside__ (noun) because it is so __invigorating_ (adj). Here’s a photo of me in my very best [insertphoto] (yoga pose or other creative pose). I tag anyone who wants to participate ]   I want these fabulous bloggers to share their very best yoga pose photos, this fun madlib and of course, I challenge them to join me on this fun 30 day yoga journey Come on y’all, Take the Leap with me!   Join prAna’s & Sweat Pink’s Take the Leap 30 Days of Yoga Challenge and be eligible to win $500 worth of prAna gear and / or be the lucky winner who gets to gift $500 worth of prAna gear to one lucky winner. They just launched their new spring collection so you best get on it! If I win I would gift the $500 to __Montana Running Ranchers/Team Beef Girls___ [insert name and blog URL (if applicable) because they _are fun, and deserve fun new running gear for our relay in July___. Join the Take the Leap with prAna and Sweat Pink Facebook group / event which we’ll use for updates, sharing,and inspiration: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1525412337742204/  and event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/423377431152799 And join the challenge on Instagram, Twitter, and your blog using the hashtags:   #TakeTheLeap #prana #sweatpink And of course, tag @prana @FitApproach   YOGA ON!     Want to play? Just copy/paste the above and fill in the blanks where I have bolded & italicized and make it your own. Or use this link for the template!

CLICK TO TWEET!