It’s Cool to Be Seen While Running!
Every Tuesday morning, I get up very, very early (4:45) to run with my childhood friend Lisa. This is fun only because it’s with Lisa. It comes with all sorts of challenges throughout the year- cold, rain, snow, sleet, and darkness in the winter hours. This winter darkness is perhaps the worst part, but after discovering FlashBrite Stick-On Reflective Patches, I’m actually not dreading those dark winter mornings or early evening runs.
An example of one of the cool designs- Peace Out! 
FlashBrite patches are ALL ABOUT safety. In fact, they were founded by a Mom, to keep kids safe. They do the same for runners, bikers, motor cyclists, and any pedestrians out in the dark. They come in a variety of cool shapes, from peace signs to hearts to lightening bolts, and can be stuck or sewn on clothing.
The science behind the patch. FlashBrite ™ stick-on patches are made of genuine 3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Material. They increase your visibility at night by reflecting light directly back to it’s source so you can be seen. FlashBrite ™ is safety with style! Perfect for the whole family during evening strolls, a night run, dog walks and more!
Okay, how cool is this? There are even strips for your DOG!
But, to get a true feel for how well these patches, work, please click on the link below to see the video. You’ll be amazed to see how runners without the reflective patches were virtually invisible at 1000, 750, even 500 feet. In fact, it wasn’t until the runners were at 100 feet that they became crystal clear to the oncoming car. Now, who wants to take that kind of chance.
Go to flashbriteinc.com to order your patches today. All you have to do is STICK THEM ON YOUR running gear and you’re set! Plus, they’re priced right- buy multiple patches for multiple outfits! Buy them for your kids, your friends… anyone who is out at night or early morning. Be safe!
—————————————————————–
Don’t Lose that Zen Feelin’
Like many of you I’m sure, I plan my days very carefully. After all, there is just so much to do between work, writing, family commitments, and a daily run or Bikram class. This means that (quite) often, I don’t have time for a long shower (or a shower at all!) after I finish my workouts, and do one of many errands on my daily list. (i.e. carpooling, shopping, dinner, wine with friends… the list could go on and on!)
After appearing in public one too many times with that white salty film that sometimes covers my face after a long run, or leaving the Bikram yoga studio to discover soon after that “my shower didn’t take,” I decided to do some internet research on portable cleansers. I have sensitive skin, so I was looking for a product that wouldn’t kill my runner’s high or yoga zen with harmful chemicals or irritants.
My online quest led me to Yogini Cleanies. Not only do I love saying that name over and over (try it, it’s quite fun), I love the fact that these body wipes come in two scent-sational varieties- lavender and lemongrass. The lavender wipe transports you to a spa-like state of mind with its pleasing aroma, and the lemongrass will perk you up when you’re running on empty. Plus, the wipes are free of paraffins, have no petroleum based ingredients and are bleach free – which means my skin loved them! As an added bonus, these wipes work great for yoga mats too! Lavender and lemongrass make great backdrops for a relaxing savasana, don’t you think?
An interesting fact about these fabulous cleanies is the people behind them. The developers of Yogini Cleanies are a mother and daughter yoga duo devoted to creating products that are good for the consumer and the environment. The 100% sustainable bamboo wipes certainly fit this bill!
Visit YoginiMe.com today to find out how you can get your zen on anytime, anywhere!
———————————————————–
Rock Out in Style Without Missing a Beat!
Try Auria Earphones
If I had a dime for every time my iPhone earphones have slipped out of my ears during a run, I’d be writing this review from my own island. Now, on a three-mile run in the middle of summer, an earphone slip is annoying, but not that big of a deal. But when it’s 5 below, I’m running 8 miles, and my music is absolutely the only thing keeping me going… earphones falling out is a big problem. This dilemma forces me to take my gloves off, expose my fingers to frostbite or even amputation, and just plain put me in a bad mood. Not a good situation.
So, imagine my delight when I found Auria Earphones, designed “for the active lifestyle consumer” and used especially by runners and bikers. A visit to their website was like a visit to an audio candy shop. I quickly wanted in on the action after perusing their products.
Not only are the earphones colors customizable (I chose pink), they also come with “Personalizers” that allow you to deck your earphones out with team logos, sport references, or a variety of other cool symbols.
However, besides looking really cool, these earphones actually FIT. They use LOBE geometry and ECO (Ear Canal Opening) rings to make certain that each user has comfort and precision in their listening experience. Each earphone package comes with a variety of ECO rings, so that you are guaranteed to find one that fits your ear. (And effectively eliminate mid-run ear mishaps.)
Finally, if you worry about giving up some of the controls found on your iPhone earphones, fear not. Auria Earphones have finger touch slide controls for easy Volume adjustment. A textured Function button enables Music and Video control (Advance track, Restart track, and Go back one track), Pause and Answer/End call for the iPhone 4/3GS/3G and other iPods as applicable. An integrated Microphone can be used for hands-free calls and Voice control when connected to iPhone 4/3GS/3G and many other mobile phones.
Basically, these earphones have it all. Check them out today! Your ears will thank you!
————————————————————————————————————————–
“My Run”
Imagine running a marathon, going to bed, and then getting up the next day to do it all over again. Repeat so that you run the equivalent of 75 consecutive marathons in 75 days for a grand total of over 2000 miles. Battling physical, environmental, emotional, and other conditions, Terry Hitchcock did this, in the name of bringing awareness to the hardships faced by single parents and their children. He did it to show that one man can make a difference. After seeing Hitchcock’s story, you’ll leave thinking that you too can make a difference.
Go to myrunmovie.com for information on the movie or Terry Hitchcock’s book,
Breakfast of Champions
Some of you may have heard of the great iPhone alarm snafu that happened on January 1st and 2nd. On these two days, a glitch caused iPhone alarms to “malfunction.” Translation- they didn’t go off. Now, to most of the world, this wasn’t a problem, since it was hello, the holiday season. Most normal people were sleeping in. However for doctors, travlers, and… runners, this posed a problem. On January 2, I knew something was wrong when I heard my husband’s 6:55 a.m. alarm go off while I was still cozy under the covers.
It took a minute to register. 6:55??? 6-5-5?
NO!
My running partner was due at my house in just five minutes, and I was in BED, in pajamas, with no food in my system.
This was not good.
I bolted out of bed, running around like a maniac to find my winter running gear that was “strategically placed” in three different spots. With a minute to spare, I still had to put my contacts in, find a missing glove, AND figure out what I was going to eat to fuel myself for our 9 miler.
I’m not one of those runners who can run on empty.
Yet I’m also one of those runners who needs to strategically eat and then wait awhile before the run. I think most understand what I’m saying.
As the doorbell rang, I realized there was no time for all of that. I needed food, and I needed it fast. Luckily, a recent road trip to visit my in-laws prompted me to buy something I haven’t eaten since college…
Strawberry Poptarts
While I apologized to my friend for needing a few extra moments, I ran to our snack drawer to grab one of these wonders.
Mmmm was it good, and let me tell you it did the trick.
Now I know that Poptarts aren’t exactly a nutrition powerhouse. Yet sometimes you just have to do the best you can do and realize that pastry goodness before a run isn’t going to kill you.
Yes, I was a little hungry and my blood sugar did dip a bit towards the end of the run, but that Poptart delivered the right amount of carbs to fuel me up and not drag me down or upset my stomach.
That, was quite simply priceless.
So… when you don’t even have time to put peanut butter on a bagel much less eat it, this runnerchica recommends Kellogg’s Poptarts.
———————————————————
Simple Ways to Stay Warm on your Runs
When I was in high school, I walked a mile to school everyday. I would cut through the high school football field, which was full of snow pretty much the entire winter. I did this while wearing stupid, black 80′s leather flats and no socks. I also regularly left my gloves at home, and battled the winter days with bare hands. My parents would tell me every single day that I was “ruining my feet and hands.” At 16, of course I didn’t believe them.
They were right. Today, due to my past stupidity, my fingers and toes turn white when the temperature dips below 60. Needless to say, winter running takes a toll on my digits.
So, you can imagine how great it was to discover that hand, feet, and body warmers are just a click away.
These two websites offer warmers for almost every part of your body.
On the first frigid day of the season (it was 27, a temperature which I know will soon seem balmy as we delve into winter), I knew my hands would freeze after just a few steps. (I’m not kidding either, folks.)
So, I threw some HotHands inside my gloves, and kept my fingers toasty warm for my 7 mile run. It was fabulous. I intend to keep lots and lots of HotHands and ToastiToes available for my winter running season. I’d recommend them to anyone, even “smart” people who wore socks in the 80′s and didn’t damage their digits.
Stay warm, friends… it’s an arctic jungle out there!
Runnerchica 
1 Comment
Post a commentYour words make me smile inside and out.