Confessions of an Amateur Athlete

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.

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!

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 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!

Disclaimer: I received a pack of Luvo Frozen 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! One of my largest issues holding me back from becoming a stronger athlete and reaching my fitness goals... is my diet! But leading a busy life and trying to do meal prep can be tough. Not to mention palate fatigue from the same old meals each day. So I was excited to see if Luvo meals could be the answer to my struggle. 

"Disclaimer: I received a free entry to Craft Classic Phoenix 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 Craft Classic-Phoenix half-marathon was my "comeback" race to the running scene. It was full of hops and high-fives. They even found a way to make hills... FUN!

Disclaimer: I received a Rudy Project Sterling Helmet-Limited Edition Fluo  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 working on running smarter, and stronger. So I have been cross-training to strengthen other muscles, and to change up my routine. Biking has been one of them. I wanted to stay safe on the trails, but looking sexy too doesn't hurt either . That's where my Rudy Project Sterling Helmet comes in! 

“Disclaimer: I received a sample of 2Toms Stink Free Sports Detergent and 2Toms Stink Free Spray  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!” -------------------------------------- Leading an active lifestyle means I go through an above average level of laundry. If I have more than one activity or run in one day, plus my work clothes--that's three "outfits" in one day! All of them wet, smelly, and downright nasty. And my running gear... even worse! So my stinky laundry was the perfect test subject for the 2Toms Sink Free Sports Detergent and Stink Free Spray. 

“Disclaimer: I received a free pair of AMPLAFly  shoes 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 been attempting to not just begin training again, but to train smarter. Better form, stronger running. So I put the ultimate training tool, a pair AMPLAFly shoes, to the test!

"Disclaimer: I received an Orange Mud Endurance Pack 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 working out in 108-118 degree weather... staying hydrated is extremely important and always top of mind. But when it comes to a hydration pack, we all want so many things. I put the Orange Mud Endurance Pack to the test and see if it has everything I am looking for! 

Disclaimer: I received a pair of On Cloudserfers  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 have always been super picky about shoes. I have become accustomed to wearing shoes I could simply "tolerate"... until now. Read on for why I have fallen in love with the innovative  On Cloudsurfers ! 

Disclaimer: I received 2xu Performance Run Calf Sleeves and 2xu Vectr Socks  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 to change some plans around, only to have others fall into place. I'll be sending my 20's out with a BANG all thanks to my new 2XU ! 

My Double Challenge Weekend Turned into a Triple Threat! First on the list, was the Sedona Half Marathon . Read on for why the Sedona Marathon is easily now my *favorite* half-marathon!

Disclaimer: I received two items from 2XU (the Hyoptik Jacket and Movement Engineered 1/4 Zip ) 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! All opinions are my own. This isn't your everyday review! I have some lofty goals this 2016, including my own "Double Challenge", and thanks to BibRave and 2XU I received an amazing gift of dependable gear to help me tackle what's ahead.