Raw Threads Review & Giveaway

Tweet

Back in January when I went to the Tinkerbell Half Marathon Expo in Disneyland I visited this awesome booth full of really soft athletic clothing, it was the Raw Threads booth. That was in the early stages of reviving my blog and I hadn't started doing any product reviews, so when I finally started approaching companies I was really hoping that Raw Threads would respond. I couldn't wait to put one of those soft t-shirts on, thankfully they responded and were so generous to send me TWO tshirts!

I've always had trouble finding comfortable technical wear, some I find to be too stiff or it makes me itchy because the moisture-wicking  fabric contains polyester. Well, these t-shirts are totally different than any other athletic t-shirt I've ever had, actually different than ANY t-shirt I've ever had. They are SO soft, the bamboo cotton is breathable and stretchy. I'll admit I've been wearing them other than just to run because I love them that much. They have some really cute designs, especially the Half Marathon/Marathon themed ones, I'll definitely be visiting them again for the Wine & Dine Half Marathon in November. You can check out all the designs on their website here.

Here are a few facts about Raw Threads clothing:
-Bamboo natural fibers
-Anti-odor
-UPF 50+ sun protection
-4-way stretch
-Moisture-wicking
-Regulates core temperature

I wore one of my Raw Threads shirts during my Virtual Jelly Bean Half Marathon on Saturday and it felt great. I wasn't too hot, I felt relatively dry and I think I looked pretty awesome out there LOL.

-please note that Raw Threads sent me only the product and is not paying me for this review, it is purely based on my own experience with the product-

Do you want to win an awesome Raw Threads t-shirt? Then you should enter the giveaway, this is the t-shirt up for grabs:

Don't forget it's mandatory to leave blog post comment! Once the giveaway has ended I will announce the winner and they will have 48 hours to contact me with their information and shirt size so I can have Raw Threads ship you a t-shirt. Good Luck!

Please Note: The winner will have the option to choose either the Marathon OR Half Marathon version of the shirt. If a male wins, this is the shirt they will receive: http://rawthreads.org/BEERRUN.aspx

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My #FitnessCloset

Tweet

So I just saw this awesome post over on Pavement Runner's blog and I decided to join the #FitnessCloset party! So here it goes:

SHOES
Right now I'm alternating between 3 pairs of Nike Pegasus thinking of maybe trying a different brand next time around...

TOPS
I love shirts, especially for running. My favorite is the Lululemon Cool Racerback, I have 14, yes 14. Don't judge me.

I have two race singlets, one from the NWM in San Francisco with Team in Training and my Half Fanatics one!

I have quite a few race t-shirts, these are only some of them. I don't wear them all, but they have memories.












BOTTOMS

A lot of bottoms or black since I usually wear a colorful top, my CWX 3/4 compression pants are my favorite right now! I also love my Lulu pace setter skirt even though it's a little too chilly to wear it right now.

This is my #teamsparkle collection! I've only worn the green skirt and argyle race legs so far, can't wait to try the others at an upcoming race!

ACCESSORIES

There are more accessories than pictured here like socks and of course my trusty Garmin but this is all I felt like gathering together after my 45min spin this afternoon. I just got the NYC Half Finisher toque and the inside has performance lining which is awesome. I also am going to grow my #sparklysoul headband collection as I've worn my first two nonstop since I got them!

What's in your fitness closet? I'd say I'm approaching about the 50/50 ratio of fitness clothes to regular clothes.

Sunday Runday!

Tweet

Oh what a run! It's as if today's gorgeous sunshine makes up for the torrential downpour we had for 3 days straight... maybe not. Seriously I do actually like the rain but the last few days were a bit much. Today was the perfect day to run, I love it when it's sunny and cool, my favorite temperature.

We ran just about 12km, so not a super long run but I certainly felt it after the 8km yesterday. There were definitely a few twinges in my right leg, I think because of all the trips to my chiropractor. I imagine it will take a few weeks for my right side to catch up in strength to the left. Until then, I'll just have to do the exercises and be okay with those little twinges and the extra soreness.

As I was running I began to think about everything coming up, I've got the Golden Ears Half Marathon next Sunday, and drum roll please.... two weeks from today I will be running through Times Square in New York City! I can't believe it's almost here, it was such a surprise to make it into the lottery to run that race back in the fall, I wasn't even sure I was going to be able to come. I also get to go with my Sister, I can't wait, we haven't been on a trip together since we were children, it's going to be so much fun!

Before all my races I spend some time considering what I'd like to wear. The NYC Half is taking place on St. Patrick's Day!  I couldn't help myself, I'm going to be in NYC so it will be a special race for me, I have to dress up right?

Here's my plan so far:

13in2013 Shirt, Lululemon Cool Racerback in Mint, Brisk Run Arm Warmers, Team Sparkle Skirt, Lululemon Pace Setter Skirt, Argyle Team Sparkle Race Legs, and St. Patty's headband and necklace!

I'm currently debating about my shirt. Although I love my 13in2013 shirt, I bought the non-tech shirt version so it's just regular cotton.  I think I might get pretty cold once I start sweating. I was thinking of getting a Lululemon swiftly top in the mint... hmm do I really need another lulu shirt? Probably not. I'm also going to bring my 'magic pants' with me in case it's too cold for the skirt.

I got the news that the product for the giveaway is on it's way and in the mail now! Are you excited? I am!

My Running Essentials: The Oscar Edition

Tweet

So today I decided to write about my favorite running essentials; the things I need to get through a long run or a race. Because it's the night of the Academy Awards I decided to do it Oscar's style.

And the award for:

1. Best Essential in a Supporting Role goes to:

Jelly Belly Sport Beans
$2.29 ea (I bought an entire box on Amazon, if you're going to buy a whole box I recommend the mixed flavor)
I love these! On long runs they truly make a difference for me, what could be better than candy with electrolytes?!

2. Best Essential in a Leading Role goes to:

Fuel Belt 2 Bottles (with straps over caps)
$43.00 from the Running Room
This is my 4th running belt, it took me that many to realize that I need to have one with the straps over top otherwise the bottles fall out as I run, though it must be where I wear my belt because I haven't met any other runners with this issue. My favorite thing to fill my bottles with is the lemon-lime Gatorade mix.












3. Best Costume goes to:

Nike Air Pegasus
The price varies between US/Canada $75 - $130 (go to an outlet)
Obviously footwear is the most important thing for a runner. I've tried other shoes and brands but these work the best. Also I've found that alternating between two pairs allows for each pair to last longer.
 







I have to say though these are a close second to my running shoes now:

CWX Compression Pro 3/4 Tights or "Magic Pants"
$89.95 (only available in the US right now)
I had mixed feelings about these at first but now I love them, I happened to not wear them for my run today and I totally missed them, I can't wait to get the full length tights for the cooler days.






4. Best Makeup & Hairstyling  goes to:

  

Lululemon Ear Warmer/Head Band & Body Glide 

For these cooler runs you truly can't go wrong with an ear warmer and some gloves, they're easy to remove as you get warmer and I am a much happier runner without frozen hands/ears.

I am not and will never be the type of runner who gets all dolled up for a run so the closest thing to makeup that is a running essential is Body Glide, it's the most common anti-chafing remedy out there. I put it on my feet, under the band of my sports bra, anywhere where you might be bothered during 21k of running.

5. Best Sound Mixing goes to:

YurBuds Inspire Duro
$49.99 at the Running Room
Despite their odd shape, these are AMAZING. I've had a lot of trouble with headphones falling out of my ears or getting wrecked from sweat/rain, these have solved both of those problems. So comfortable, a must-have.





6. Best Director goes to:

Garmin 610 w/HRM
$399.99
This is by far my most expensive item that I've bought for running but it's pretty cool! I hate to admit it but I've never actually used the Heart Rate Monitor part of it, I'll have to try that out. It catalogs and saves all my running data and automatically uploads it to my computer when I get within 3 meters of the syncing USB stick. I love coming home and seeing the graph and my progress. It also must have huge memory because I hadn't used the computer part for a long time and it saved over 30 runs.











 7. Best Picture goes to:

 (Left to Right: Nikki, Solana, Me, & Hilary)

Running Buddies
$PRICELESS
Best Picture, the one everyone waits for. By far the biggest running essential is running buddies. I have major difficulty doing any training runs over 10k by myself. Attending run club and all the races have lead me to meet some amazing runners and friends that are irreplaceable. The picture above is from the Vancouver First 1/2 Half Marathon. I also have many friends at the Running Room whom I don't have photos with like Tracey, Marijke, and Janette! Also, it's always nice to have someone to get a coffee with after a long chilly run!

I hope you've enjoyed my Oscar Edition of my running essentials. I'll be watching the Academy Awards tonight and eating leftover meatloaf for dinner, mmm!