That Run? ROCKED

Today was my run day and I woke to cold temps and an arctic blast of air that left the earth covered in a lacy pattern of frost overnight. I had contemplated getting out super early (like dark o'thirty) with my headlamp and cold gear but opted to wait just a bit...and I am glad I did. I gained several degrees and some light. It was a beautiful morning, watching an orange sun rising to blue skies - then the winds picked up the clouds stated to make their way, turning the skies into a steel cold grey.

I love cold weather running...as long as I am in the right gear. Here is what today's essentials were:

My Rev3 Buff and a pair of fuzzy pink gloves:

i ditched the usual visor and opted for some extra coverage today (plus, it covers my ears!) as well as some gloves to not only keep my hands warm but to also wipe my nose as I tend to leak like a faucet on cold weather runs
----> does anyone else have this issue??What's your favorite solution.

After I posted on Instragram about using the gloves to wipe my nose, a friend tweeted me a link to these gloves

Zap Run Glove by SUGOI

"These gloves are wind resistant and warm, but it's the smallest details that make the biggest impact. The reflective design provides added safety during low light hours. Touchscreen compatibility makes it easy to use your phone. But my favorite aspect of the glove is that the thumb is made with a terry cloth material so you can comfortably wipe your nose on cold runs. Genius!" 
~Women's Running Magazine 

Then another friend messaged me on FB and told me her Craft gloves have the same feature; a soft "nose wiping surface". Now...I consider myself pretty UP and ON IT with all the swim/bike/run gear so WHY had I not heard of this amazing invention.
(yet another idea falls from my grasp...)

The other ESSENTIAL for any run is

TRISLIDE 
 )

I slick down the areas that are "HCR" {high chafe risk}like the "undercarriage" and where my heart rate strap sits... and in the years that I have been using this easy spray lubricant, I NEVER have issues. This is the ONLY thing I use, even for long bike rides....AHHHmazing stuff. 



UA Sports Bra "Still Gotta Have It"   

I've worn SO MANY sports bras over the years and this one by far is my favorite. Compression style, fantastic colors and styles (hello, they have a WONDER WOMAN one...) and it LASTS> with a good price tag to match ($25-30) 








BROOKS Glycerin 16 is what I am currently running in...I just got these direct from the fine folks at Brooks Running. I am liking these so far. Lightweight. Support. Bright colors. NO BLISTERS> I've done 3 runs so far and I am diggin' it...

NOW...for today's ROCKING PLAYLIST. I recently went to see Alice Cooper and Motley Crue so I have been on a 80's hair band kick lately (but let's be real, I am ALWAYS on an 80's kick...) Did I mention I also got to see VAN HALEN 2nd row this summer too?? Yeah, it's been a blast!!

Here's a few rare gems for you...me NOT in training gear or a visor, on our way to the show (with MY favorite rockstar!!)

 

I seriously adore this pic...

 Patiently waiting for the show to start, I had to snap the obligitory Motley Crue selfie.

 

Nikki Sixx killin it on stage

We also got to meet one of the opening bands, The Cringe. The front man is none other than John Cusimano, married to the queen of food tv, Rachel Ray. Here is a shot of me with the lead guitarist,
James Rotondi (who reminds me of Johnny Depp a bit).

so, here's a sample of some of the tunes that rocked my run today!




JUKEBOX HERO-Foreigner (1981)

 POUR SOME SUGAR ON ME- Def Leppard (1987)

 SCORPIONS- No One Like You (1982)

WHITESNAKE-In the Still of the Night (1987)

MOTLEY CRUE- Kickstart My Heart (1989)

Musical Monday: Your Life Soundtrack

I have so many recaps to send your way...lots of fun stuff from Rev3 Maine with a great Rev3 Maine recap interview with local Pro Mike Caiazzo, to The Mainiac to Rev3 joining Challenge Family for 2015...

but today I'm gonna throw a little "Musical Monday" at you! While on a run the other day, I had a funny thought.

If your life was a movie, what would be your soundtrack?

I do love to listen to music while I run and there are SO many songs out there that motivate me in so many ways. Some are snippets of lyrics that are meaningful to me, at times it is just the song itself, or some crazy beat that makes me jump out of my skin (Turn Down for What?)

What would MY soundtrack look like?

THE EARLY YEARS:

We Got Together, Grease Soundtrack
I remember vividly when my Dad bought me this album. I played it 100x a day until I was a pre-teen. I attribute my affinity for spandex to the early years of life when all I wanted was a pair of skin tight pants like Olivia Newton John at the end of Grease. OBSESSED. I'd be lying if I said I can sit still when I hear this song...Im actually dancing while I type this singing it in my head.

MY TEENS:

Poison, Nothin' But a Good Time

Big hair. Tight pants. Loud music. Party time. Are we starting to see a theme here? I definitely loved Motley Crue, Poison and the hair bands of the 80's. Nothing but a good time...

MY TWENTIES:

Stardust, Music Sounds Better with You

Independent City Girl. Still wearing tight pants but the hair got smoother. Loved to spend my time with the European artsy/progressive types. Cafes. Snobbery. Boston, New York, Miami. Shopping on Newbury St., 5th Ave, Lincoln Road. Designer this and that. Work hard all day...dance the night away. House music was a staple. Robert Miles. Massive Attack.  Lived on very little sleep and fueled my days with coffee, cigarettes and diet coke. 

MY THIRTIES:

Blue October, Hate Me

(early 30's) This is when I came back to Maine, and things all started to change for me. I started to gain weight and life wasn't sunshine & roses. There was a lot of angry, dark music during those days. Lots of angry Eminem and Blue October...

Evanescence-Bring Me to Life
(mid 30's "the change") when the FIT hit the SHAN, and I embraced change, I used to listen to this song and just imagine the changes I could make. It is still such a powerful song to me that stirs up emotions of how I felt in those early days. The change was starting and I was driving down a path that would forever change my life in so many ways. In good ways. I woke up...and saved myself from the "nothing" I had become.

NOW:

There are so many songs that keep me moving, smiling, working and striving for better every day. Here are a few that keep those wheels spinning...Eminem's Till I Collapse & Afraid are tops there! Right now these are two songs that I am loving for motivation to keep striving for better!! 

The Script-Hall of Fame

You can throw your hands up

You can beat the clock (yeah)

You can move a mountain

You can break rocks

You can be a master

Don't wait for luck

Dedicate yourself and you gon' find yourself

One Republic-Love Runs Out

I got my mind made up and I can't let go.

I'm killing every second 'til it saves my soul.

I'll be running, I'll be running,

'til the love runs out, 'til the love runs out.

And we'll start a fire, and we'll shut it down,

'til the love runs out, 'til the love runs out.

__________________________________________________

Let's hear YOUR soundtrack!! 

It's GIVEAWAY TIME!!

Last week I "ran" into a bit of luck and won a pair of YURBUDS from Holly's blog, Rust Belt Runner. I was pretty excited about this since I just got a new iPod nano and I don't like the earbuds that come with it. They are too big for my ears and they fall out constantly. I usually purchase Skull Candy or Sony earbuds that fit inside of the ear canal but these too have their drawbacks (specifically, the cords tend to wear out easily and then you have only one earpod that works or NO music at all). Needless to say, I was ready to try something new!

If you have not heard of YURBUDS yet, let me introduce you:

• Yurbuds - Ergonomically Brilliant Yurbuds Earbud Enhancers provide an unparalleled level of comfort and fidelity with a fit that ensures the earbuds stay in your ears, even during the most strenuous physical activity.
• Ultra-Soft Comfort Extreme Fit Guarantee Light and Intense style Yurbuds Earbud Enhancers guarantee a perfect fit. Made from ultra-soft medical grade silicone for extreme comfort during extended listening periods.
• Richer Acoustics Yurbuds Earbud Enhancers are clinically proven to improve sound quality and deliver deeper, richer acoustics. Enjoy music and the world around you like never before.
• Bluetooth® Devices Yurbuds Earbud Enhancers are compatible with Jawbone® ICON & Jawbone® Prime headsets and are clinically proven to enhance the sound during your calls.
• Universal Compatibility Yurbuds Ironman Series headphones work with mp3 devices including Apple® iPod®, iPhone® supporting an industry standard 3.5mm (1/8") gold plated stereo mini-plug for wide-ranging compatibility.
• Designed by a Triathlete Avid triathlete Seth Burgett, CEO of Yurbuds came up with the award-winning idea for custom fit earbud enhancers while participating in an Ironman competition. Yurbuds Earbud Enhancers were created for the human ear by athletes, audiologists, and engineers to stay in place, avoid pressure points, and provide a pain-free listening experience.
• Sweat Proof Yurbuds Earbud Enhancers protect headphones from perspiration, even during the most intense workout sessions. The protective silicone of the earbuds ensures that rain or extreme humidity will stay out of the headphones.

I placed my order online and I had order confirmation the same day. Next thing I knew they were at my doorstep. Talk about quick turnaround time-I was very pleased with how simple and quick it was to order from Yurbuds online. You can also purchase Yurbuds from the retail stores Best Buy, select New Balance stores and Fleet Feet Sports.

Of course I ordered the HOT PINK ones! Not only are they my absolute favorite color but $10.00 from each purchase goes to the Susan G. Komen fund

The Yurbuds came in a small, zippered blue nylon case with directions. The website said the Pink buds came with a WHITE case but...whatever. They fit just right and they were easy to figure out. Even a 2 year old could do it (which she did). The buds are made from medical-grade silicone and Yurbuds offers a fit guarantee as well as a 90-day parts and labor warranty.

Test #1 was some crazy dancing around with my daughter. When I say CRAZY, I mean crazy headbanging, rump-shaking moves! And they did not fall out. The sound quality was good too. They did feel quite a bit different than what I am used to wearing (the round buds that fit INSIDE your ear canal) as these fit in the exterior of your ear but they were comfortable and stayed put. The Yurbuds came attached to a typical pair of earbuds

Test #2 was some circuit training in the gym-now when I circuit train, I add in a lot of plyo based exercises like burpees, box jumps etc. Again, the Yurbuds stayed put and I did not have to adjust them ONCE. (this is usually a problem with my current earbuds).

Test #3 was a very sweaty hill interval ride on the stat bike. No issues here either and I was able to enjoy the entire ride listening to The Age Grouper podcast without interruption.

Test #4 was a 5 mile run in the wind. Now, the Yurbuds are NOT noise cancelling or sound isolating so I could hear all that was going on around me (ie approaching cars) which I liked. However, this also allowed some wind into the mix. The Yubuds stayed put but I could hear the wind ripping right through them. Not a deal breaker for me but definitely a drawback vs. my other earbuds.

My overall impression is very good--I am happy with them and I will continue to wear them even running outdoors on windy days. I want to give a big THANK YOU to Holly at Rust Belt Runner for this awesome giveaway!!

I was so pleased with them that I am going to offer YOU the opportunity to win your very own pair!!

Here's how to enter. Please leave a separate comment for each entry!!

1) MANDATORY: Visit YURBUDS and tell me something you like or something you learned from their website.

2) MANDATORY: Be a current follower of my blog or become one.

Additional Entries (optional):

3) Like YURBUDS on Facebook.

4) Follow YURBUDS on Twitter.

5) Share the love & spread the word about this giveaway on your blog, on FB, Twitter, email etc. One entry for each way you are sharing the love! *again, please separate comment for each way you are spreading the word!

6) Add Miles Muscles & Mommyhood to your blogroll.

7) Tell me what songs are rocking your playlist right now.

8) Tell me what podcast you LOVE and why.

Entries accepted until Thursday, November 11th at 6am. Then I will pick a winner via Random.org and announce the winner very soon after that!!