Confessions of an Amateur Athlete

It's time to close out My Favorite Gear Holiday Giveaway with a bang! Some might even say I saved the best for last. For my finale, I'm giving away a pair of the awesome C3fit Performance Long Tights ( women's or men's ).  They're my absolute favorite and I'm super excited for this opportunity to share this piece of C3fit gear with someone.

I've been using minoTOR for some time now, especially with my OCR Training. I use it as a pre-workout or post-workout to both increase endurance and recover quicker from intense strength training workouts. Now's your chance to win a whole minoTOR prize package!

Stop chafing and dry skin with the newest installment of My Favorite Gear Holiday Giveaway! Enter to WIN a 4oz bottle of Crotch Guard!

My pantry is full of it. And I pick up more each time I'm at Whole Foods. I'm sharing the NuttZo love with an awesome next installment of My Favorite Gear Holiday Giveaway!

Didn't win the previous C3fit Holiday Giveaway? Don't sweat it.. here's another chance. This time I'm sharing why I love the C3fit Arch Support High Compression Socks and giving away a pair to one lucky winner!

I'm in love with Health Warrior Bars. I use them for everything from fuel on the run to post-run snacks... and everything in between. And so I'm excited to have partnered with Health Warrior to offer TWO people the chance to WIN a $25 store credit. That means if you win, you'll get to choose your favorite bars from their variety of options!

It's probably no surprise when I tell you I LOVE Nuun Hydration. I'm constantly popping open tubes, plopping tablets in my water bottles, and always boasting about them to friends. So it's only natural that they be included on My Favorite Gear Holiday Giveaway!

Drum roll please.... I'm excited to announce the next installment of My Favorite Gear Holiday Giveaway: C3fit! My C3fit compression gear has become my go-to for all my training and racing adventures. And for this one, I'm giving away a pair of C3fit Performance Sleeves and a pair of Arch Support Ankle Socks to one lucky winner!

Next up on My Favorite Gear Holiday Giveaway is the Orange Mud HydraQuiver Vest Pack 2 ! No doubt you've seen me sporting this hydration pack for the last few years, and it's still going strong. Now it's your chance to WIN one just like mine!

Let's kick off the My Favorite Gear Holiday Giveaway.. in STYLE ! Thanks to the amazing folks at XX2i optics, THREE people will have a chance to win a USA1 Pro kit.

For me, the holidays are all about giving. A chance to give back to my friends and family, thanking them for being there for me. I wish I had the funds to give EVERYONE in my life a gift this holiday. But it doesn't always pan out that way. What I CAN do is give back to YOU, my social followers, who inspire me on a daily basis and help motivate me when I need it most! I'm excited to announce My Favorite Gear Holiday Giveaway . 

We've all been there. Our training hits a plateau. No matter how much harder we run/lift, we seem to be in a training rut. Can't get any faster. Strength seems to be as good as it's going to get. I was definitley there. The only thing that was increasing were my injuries. Photo courtesy: Photographing Strength I felt that my nutrition really needed some work. But all the diets out there are so generic. No carbs. No meat. They go on and on. But which one was right for ME? I felt like I NEEDED carbs and meat...the only thing left to do was see where my personal nutrition was lacking and "take a selfie from the inside" as InsideTracker calls it.

The Sprint at Spartan Big Bear was no picnic. But I wouldn't have it any other way. It was a challenge that I took head on (after two back to back half-marathons). So I thought it would take every ounce of me to get through this race. Yet I ended up surprising myself!

The Y Race Phoenix  2017 was my second half marathon in just a week, and even though my legs paid for it, it was a fantastic event! This was my first time running the Y Race Phoenix Half Marathon, 5k, 10k & 1 mile fun run benefiting the YMCA. And I discovered this hidden gem has been around for 49 years.

Run for fun , stay for the beer !   Last year (2016) I ran the first  Road Runner Sports Craft Classic Half in Phoenix. (You can read my recap from that year HERE ). It was a blast and I was excited to return for 2017. The Craft Classic Half was just as great as this year, if not better!

Cyclists and runners alike deal with chafing. Most of the time we slather on some Vaseline, or deal with the painful consequences. But that's not ideal, especially if you want to maintain healthy skin conditions. Lately I've been training hard and riding a lot. And when I started using Crotch Guard Skin Care Oil , I realized just how much I was neglecting my....ummm... more sensitive areas of skin. Disclaimer: I received a free sample bottle of Crotch Guard Skin Care Oil in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and options are my own.

Well I finally pulled the trigger and will be running the Black Canyon Ultras 60k in February! Running an ultra has been a goal of mine for a while. I've even signed up for one in the past and had to drop out because of injury. This time, I'm determined to train smart and complete the adventure! Photo Courtesy: Black Canyon Ultras FB Page

My Spartan Beast & Sprint Race Weekend both went better and not as well as I planned. Regardless, I had a blast and am still keeping my goal to complete a trifecta each year! As many of you may have already read, I've been training the last few months to complete my Spartan Trifecta  by racing both the Spartan Beast and Sprint in the Colorado Rockies .

My big Spartan Race Weekend is closing in! The training has been tough, to say the least. But I've noticed by combining OCR training and strength training into my routine, my performance has been slowly improving. Thanks in part to my C3fit compression! When I said I've been basically living in compression... it couldn't be more true! From long runs to Spartan Training workouts at FITNESS 5 Gym , I've been constantly relying on my C3fit compression calf sleeves for performance and recovery. And my C3fit socks for comfort.

Earlier this year I got my first taste of the Spartan/OCR world. (Read my Spartan AZ Race Report Here) It was tough, it was challenging, and I knew I wanted more. I ran the Super in AZ, and to complete my "Trifecta"--all three race distances in one year--I will have to do both the Beast (half-marathon distance) AND the Sprint (5k distance) back to back. So that's the game plan for Spartan Colorado in just a few weeks! It's going to be quite the challenge, and I've been training hard to prepare the best I can.

How's my summer training going? "Busy" would be an understatement! The Spartan Beast & Sprint in Colorado is just around the corner. This race is all is on ski slopes, so it's going to be a tough one for sure! I've been running multiple Valley summits on the weekends, in preparation for the big climbs ahead. This race is all is on ski slopes, so it's going to be a tough one for sure! Between the summits and the intense OCR workouts, I've practically lived in compression gear! A few of my go-to pieces these last few months have been my SKINS   DNAmic Men's Compression Half Tights and my Unisex Calf Tights.

I've been living the life of a weekend (and often weekday) warrior. I wrote about my Weekend Warrior Status  previously. I'm constantly running from one workout to the next. So I'm always reaching for what's most convenient. But I would prefer to not sacrifice healthy  in order to save time. Enter my new found favorite... Health Warrior Bars!

The Skiddaw Fell Race in Keswick, England was challenging. It was scary. It made me nervous. It was unlike any event I've ever done. And I wouldn't have wanted it any other way! Courtesy: James Carnegie Photography I've ran races that were tough physically. Races with stunning scenery. Those that have tested my mental toughness. Small races. Races with local history. The Skiddaw Fell Race was all the above. And once I was up in those mountains with the city down below and the Lake District views all around, I was loving every aching moment.

One week later I'm still in a daze from my amazing adventure with #TeamGetAGrip and inov-8 . My feet are itching to be back in the beautiful Lake District, climbing more mountains with the hypnotizing views all around. We had a full running itinerary each day, and there are so many fantastic stories to share. So I'll be breaking up the trip into different posts to save you from reading an entire novel. Courtesy:  @thehilaryann

I've been sitting on some big news for a little while... and now it's time to spill the beans. I won a competition/giveaway with inov-8 and will be joining 6 other runners from across the globe to form " Team Get a Grip ". We will be going on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to the Lake District in Keswick, England.

Disclaimer: I received a pair of XX2i Bahamas1  to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews! When we run, we look for high-quality and function. But what about when we're not running? We look for style, comfort, quality and all around fun! And it's great when we can rely on one company to have all the above... no matter what the occasion.

Disclaimer: I received a free entry into the North Olympic Discovery Half Marathon  to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews! I had an amazing race-cation traveling to Seattle then Port Angeles for the North Olympic Discovery Half Marathon . While I may not have had my best race, Jason sure did! But I'd still recommend this event! First, let me start with our running tour of Seattle. 

Now that my stomach issues are on the mend, my tendonitis at bay (for now), and a few big challenges looming closer...I've been doubling down on training!

Disclaimer: I received a free entry into the Rock n Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon  to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews! I'm signed up for the Rock n Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon  on November 12th!! This will be my third year returning for this race. But it's going to be an EPIC Adventure this year, that will blow all the other years out of the water.

I've auditioned to be an instructor at my local CycleBar studio and drumroll please... I got the gig! I will be training soon to be a CycleStar at the CycleBar Raintree Ranch location in Chandler. I'm so excited!  So why did I want to be a CycleBar instructor and why this studio?

Disclaimer: I received a free entry into the North Olympic Discovery Marathon to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews! I'm not throwing in the towel, but I am making some changes to my goals for the upcoming North Olympic Discovery Marathon on June 4th.

Disclaimer: I received a free entry into the La Jolla Half Marathon  to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews! I spent my birthday weekend running the La Jolla Half Marathon in San Diego, California. There are many reasons why I LOVED this race and why I recommend you add it to your bucket list.

Disclaimer: I received a free entry into the  La Jolla Half Marathon  to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a  BibRave Pro  (ambassador), and check out  BibRave.com  to review find and write race reviews! Next weekend I'll be embarking on an awesome race-cation with friends to the La Jolla Half Marathon ! I'm super excited for this trip (you can read more about the upcoming adventure HERE ), but lately I've hit a serious training snag.

The Arizona Distance Classic Half Marathon, Quarter Marathon, and 5k is a true hidden gem in Oro Valley, Arizona! This was my first time running the event, and I had an absolute blast. Read on to find out why as I share the details about my awesome race weekend. credit: Oro Valley Photography

Disclaimer: I received a few Luvo Meals  to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews! The hardest part of training, for me, is always my diet! Breakfast becomes my biggest meal, but is usually whatever I can grab that's convenient so I can quickly get my workout in and jet off to work. You may remember my previous review of the Luvo Meals HERE . This time around I was excited to give their breakfast meals a try! 

Disclaimer: I received a pair of Men's Original Project Pink Sandal  to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews! For me, recovery is just as important during training as the training itself! The harder I train, the more mindful I am to get some quality recovery in between. And for the past two years, I've had a pair of OOFOS Sandals on standby for those recovery periods.

I'm ramping up my training for my next race-cation at the La Jolla Half Marathon in San Diego. I'm super excited for it and sharing all about my training for this race, and why the race has been on my bucket list!

The Arizona Spartan Race-Super was my first ever Spartan Race . I chose the Super distance because... go big or go home, right? Whether your thinking of doing your own first Spartan Race, or just considering participating in the Arizona Spartan to complete your trifecta--here's my full Race Recap! 

I. AM. A. SPARTAN!  It's what we yell at the Spartan Race start line before heading out on a course full of obstacles to test your endurance and strength. But I put a lot of work into my Spartan Training. I'm by no means an OCR expert athlete, but from one amateur to another, I'm sharing my OCR Training Story to help make your Spartan Adventure more fun.

Disclaimer: I received a hands-free dog leash from Stunt Puppy  to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews! Running with your dog can be a pain if you don't have the patience.. and the right gear! I was excited to give the Stunt Puppy hands-free "stunt runner" leash, as was my four-legged running partner Janie! 

Disclaimer: I received a free entry into the Sedona Marathon  to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews! The Sedona Full Marathon. One of the most scenic road races I've ever done. Also one of the toughest road races I've ever done. Read on for the full Sedona Marathon 26.2 Race Review and why I call it the " Beautiful Beast "!

Disclaimer: I received a pair of LEGEND Compression Leg Sleeves to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews! I'm determined to make 2017 not only my come-back year, but a year of training harder and stronger than ever before. My goal: to live LEGEND-... wait for it... -DARY! So it seems only fitting that I'd check out the compression sleeves from LEGEND compression . 

Disclaimer: I received a pair of rechargeable Knuckle Lights  to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews! Morning and nighttime runs in the winter, means a lot of running at night. Toss in early workouts with November Project Phoenix and I'm working out in the dark more than daylight these days! So I was excited to give the Knuckle Lights a try.

Disclaimer: I received a canister of Epsoak SPORT Epsom Salts   to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews! I've always been a believer of Epsom Salts when it comes to recovering from running aches and pains. The longer my miles, the more I want a good soak. So I was excited to try the epsom salts from Epsoak SPORT . I've been increasing my miles in preparation for the Sedona Marathon , so I've put these salts to the full marathon-training test!