Polar Product Day - M400

Product: M400
Designed for: Runners/Walkers and people who want to keep an eye on their fitness
Price: $199.95 w/o Heart Rate Sensor; $249.95 with Heart Rate Sensor
What Comes In The Box: M400 Unit, H7 Heart Rate Sensor, USB Cord, Getting Started Literature (No Heart Rate Sensor if purchased without it)

Say Hello to Polar's newest training computer, the M400. This little guy/girl is a truly all-in-one unit, especially if you are a runner or walker.

Since around September, I have been using a Polar Loop and the Polar RC3  in conjunction with each other. The Loop is an all-day activity tracker; it tracks your activity, sleep, calories burned & steps, and if used with the H7, can be used during workouts (see my previous blog post). The Polar RC3 is a GPS and heart rate monitor, that I used during workouts & races, including my half marathon.

But this little baby, it replaces both of those! How? Because the M400 is an all-day activity tracker & a GPS all rolled into one sleek, great looking watch. Now you might be saying "Man, this Polar ambassador is really laying it on thick", but I swear to you, I'm not making ANY of this up. I am seriously in LOVE with this watch. Since the day it was announced (which of course escapes me at the moment), I've been waiting to get my hands on it! And now that my hand is on it, I'm not taking it off!

So, lets get some nitty gritty details shall we? The M400 has built-in GPS, so you can track your distance, pace, and altitude. And if you are looking for new routes on your runs, the Back to Start feature is awesome! The M400 tracks your daily activity, including calories burned and steps taken. But what I love about the unit is it tells you how much more "activity" you need to reach your daily goal (the photo above is an example. The activity can be standing, walking, or running. It's not just steps, it's any activity, which I love. This unit is magic somehow (kind of like the Loop) and can judge your movement super accurately. I hear there are tons of little sensors in it, but it got kinda technical ;)

As with the Loop, the M400 syncs up to Polar Flow (web) and to the Flow mobile app (iOS users only right now. Polar expects Android service to be up and running soon, to which I am patiently waiting)

The M400 comes in Black and White and the compatible heart rate sensor, the H7, comes in a variety of fun colors!

As always, let me know if you have any questions!

Out of my Element

For the past 10 days, I have been dog-sitting at my boyfriend's parents house. And to say it threw off my game is a bit of an understatement...let me explain

Things related to their house that threw me off my game...

1) They live on a dirt road, that is not grated, so there are tons of holes and places for me to severely injure myself. This alone scared me out of running most days.
2) Their house is surrounded by main roads and factories, so the options for running were few and far between
3) There neighborhood is not the "nicest" so being out after dark wasn't an option for me

Things not related to their house that threw me off my game.....

1) Felt a cold coming on, the stuffy nose, the cough, the exhaustion, it was all there, just waiting to strike
2) Another type infection threatening, and I'll leave it at that
3) Lack of good sleep due to not being in my own bed

So, I'm here to admit, that with only 5 weeks left until my half, I ran a grand total of 1.5 miles last week...........ouch. I walked a 5k yesterday with a friend and we kept a good pace but actual running......1.5 miles.

But I'm not stressing. Because it's over, it's done with, and that off week certainly isn't going to make or break me. In fact, it may have even helped, allowing extra rest time and recovery of sore muscles. I'm here to tell you that "falling off" doesn't mean you failed. It means you lived, that shit happened. So are you going to sit around and beat yourself up over it for days? Or make a change. I personally plan to make a change.

Today, I am back at it. I usually run Tues/Thurs/Sun but this week I'll be running Mon/Wed/Sun, due to a hair appointment tomorrow (yup, I change my schedule for hair appointments!). 5 Monday, 5 Wednesday, 10 Sunday! Here we go!

Who's running with me in spirit this week?

Week 4 Is No More

I know - the lame titles will end soon, I promise (or do I??)

So I'm officially 4 weeks into my training program and I am feeling pretty good. This week was a little bit of an all over week, no lie, but I got the bulk of things done. This is also the week that I decided to switch a few things up to work better with my needs, so you might see a few changes in the upcoming weeks.

Monday - Stretch and Strength - I didn't do any strength but I spent time stretching. This is one of my changes, my Monday will not be Roll and Rest days, foam rolling and resting. My body will thank me for it.
Tuesday - I skipped my run. That's right, just, skipped it. Why? Cause a friend I hadn't seen in a while could hang out, and I wanted too. And because...life, it happens.
Wednesday - Cross Training Day - Couldn't really decide what I wanted to do, so I broke out the good ol' Hip Hop Abs dvd and did one of the workouts. It wasn't much, but it was something
Thursday - I rested instead of ran, because, life happened again.
Friday - Instead of resting, I ran (see, it evens out!)
Saturday - Cross training day, but that didn't really happen. I could pretend I swam but really, I laid in the pool drinking an Angry Orchard.
Sunday - 5 Mile Run - Did all 5 miles, in the heat and humidity. Wishing this humidity would break!

So overall, it was an "easier" week for me, but that's okay. I'm not upset about it. I am doing what I can, doing what I want, and living life.

And for the first time in a long time, I have the confidence that I will succeed in my half marathon. I'm scared and nervous, but dammit I know I can do it, and that in of itself is pretty amazing.

Another Week Bites the Dust

I am officially three weeks down on my 1/2 marathon training schedule! Let's review shall we?

Monday - Stretch and Strength - I took Monday to relax a bit, I did a little stretching but over all, I'd call it a rest day.
Tuesday - 3.5 Mile Run - My legs felt like concrete but I was able to get through all 3.5 miles before it started to down pour!
Wednesday - 2 Mile Run or Cross Train - I was soo tired on Wednesday, achy, sore, exhausted. I planned to rest but the guilt hit me hard (you can read more about it here) and I went for a walk.
Thursday - 3.5 Mile Run - My body couldn't take it anymore, I needed a full on rest day. So I skipped my 3.5 miles, took a 40 minute epsom salt bath and rested instead. I regret nothing!
Friday - Rest Day - Yes, I took two in a row!
Saturday - 40 Minute Cross-Training - Woke up tired but decided to hit the pavement, with my bike! 40 minute cross-training - got in almost 6 miles.
Sunday - 5 mile run - It was slow and humid, but because of my rest, I didn't feel any pain in my knees. Success overall!

This week will be the same, program wise, but I hope to have more energy and less pain so I can complete my days.


PS - I have some super exciting things coming up, so please follow my blog! Think giveaways!

Buh-Bye Week 2!

Week two is over....here is how it went...

Monday - Stretch and Strength - Spent 20 minutes doing some stretching. My body was tired, so I allowed it rest. It felt good to get specified time JUST for stretching.
Tuesday - 3 Mile Run - It ended up being a 2.45 mile run, due to weather. Some thunder and lightening started, so I headed back. Overall a good run though, no shin pain and not to much fatigue.
Wednesday - 2 Mile Run or Cross - Cross training again, a 2 mile walk. I have no guilt about choosing walking as my cross training. It's a legitimate way to cross train and I think it's ignored by a lot of people.
Thursday - 3 Mile Run - One of the most comfortable runs I've had in a long while, I even had negative splits! Felt good to run and not feel too fatigued.
Friday - Rest Day - which actually turned into peeling wallpaper day, so I consider it another cross-training day
Saturday - 30 Minute Cross - Used this day as a wallpaper peeling day. With the up and down of getting on a step ladder, and the scrapping with a putty knife, I can feel it pretty good in my triceps. Cross training/home updating success!
Sunday - 4 Mile Run - By far one of the best runs I've had so far this training program. Went smoothly, no pain, times weren't bad and I enjoyed it. Listened to a podcast, which is my new jam. If you've never tried running to a podcast before, I'd suggest it just for a try. I never thought I'd like it but come to find out, it's almost better than music sometimes for me!

So, I'm two weeks down. Somehow, even though I've been busy busy, I'm feeling pretty good. I've been sleeping great, eating when I need too, and making sure I take down time for myself. Looking forward to what this week brings!

Week One Done

Week 1 of 12 is over. Here is how it went...

Monday - Stretch and Strength - Took it slow, did a short (15 minute) arm workout and some crunches. Nothing to crazy or drastic
Tuesday - 3 Mile Run - Pace was slow, but I got it done. Having not run much in the past few months, I was happy to have no pain and minimal soreness after
Wednesday - 2 Mile Run or Cross - Took a 2 mile walk with my friend as my cross training. Was lovely to have a walking buddy.
Thursday - 3 Mile Run - Pace wasn't much better than Tuesday, but I got it done.
Friday - Rest Day. Oh glorious rest day!
Saturday - 30 Minute Cross-Training - Used my cross training day to my advantage and removed wallpaper from my future kitchen. Lots of squatting, stretching, reaching, and sweating. I'd call it a successful cross day!
Sunday - 4 Mile Run - So tired, hard run. Walked a lot, but didn't quit. 4 miles in just over an hour, which is just a little more than my average pace.

Overall, success. Now, onto week 2!

Review Time - FlipBelt

preface - This is a product I purchased myself months ago. I haven't been contacted by the company, nor have they asked me to do a review. These thoughts are all completely my own.

Product: FlipBelt - XL in Carbon
Price (what I paid): $28.99 + tax & shipping
Would I recommend it - Yes, with certain disclaimers

When I first started running, it seemed like there was an endless supply of products you could purchase for to enhance running experience; water bottles, shoes, compression sleeves, the list really goes on and on.

One thing I knew I had to have was a vessel to put my phone in, because if I couldn't listen to music, I wasn't running and I didn't want to risk holding my phone and dropping it. I started off with an arm band, but it wasn't really comfortable, so I started to look for other options.

That's when I found the FlipBelt.

What is a FlipBelt? According to their website, it's a "singular tubular waistband" that is "Every bit as flattering and contoured as the rest of today’s athletic wear, FlipBelt is designed to carry your on-the-go essentials without tying up your hands. Made of a moisture-wicking, spandex-lycra blend, FlipBelt slides right on and sits snug on your hip. No bulk. No bounce. FlipBelt is also machine washable and machine dryable." So what makes it different than other belts or arm bands? From their website - "You flip the belt inside out and everything gets locked in place. Because there are no clasps or buttons, you simply pull the belt on like a pair of pants and wear it wherever it feels most comfortable. It doesn't move, jiggle, bounce or chafe and you could easily forget it’s even there."

I figured I'd test it out but wasn't sure about if it would move, if it would fit, and if it would be comfortable. Although I am always on the look out for a bright colored piece of running wear, I went with the XL Carbon, though they come in lots of bright and fun colors. The color is a deep grey and it's a nice neutral color.  I've had my FlipBelt for about 8 months now, I've worn it through several 5ks, 2 10ks and lots of training runs and I have to say, it really does stay put pretty well. Once in awhile, it'll move up, but once I readjust, it stays where it needs to be. I can fit my Samsung Galaxy S3 in it (with a case) plus some GUs, my ID, chapstick, and a key. Additionally, I don't even flip it inwards, as stated above, to lock it in. Even without the flipping, my items stay in and don't jiggle or move around.

Would I recommend it to someone - Yes, but I would let them know that yes, it does move a little and the sizing isn't as generous as I would hope. I am a 16/18 and the XL just fits. If I was much larger, I probably wouldn't have one.

Here are a few photos of me with it on... 

I'm wearing it over my clothes at this race

You can see it slightly under my top

I purchased mine from the FlipBelt website, however, I have now seen them in running stores and on Amazon. I purchased mine for $28.99 and they will send you a free water resistant bag for your phone if you wish. I got one but have never used it. 

If you have any questions, feel free to ask, but I do suggest visit their website for more details.

Have you tried the FlipBelt? What do you think?