"Disclaimer: I received a pair of Aftershokz Sportz Titanium Headphones 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!"

Last year, I had the opportunity to try the wireless Trekz Titanium headphones from Aftershokz. They sit just outside your ear, not inside them, and conduct sound through your bones. You can read my review here. So when I had the opportunity to try their Sportz model, I wholeheartedly agreed!

The Sportz headphones are wired with a microphone. The main reason I wanted to try these so badly is because I work from home a few days a week and do a lot  of conference calls on my cell phone (no land line). The idea of having clearer sound than what comes from regular   earbuds was very appealing. My  box  arrived with a Aftershokz aluminum water bottle, carrying pouch and charger. 

I first tried them sitting on my front porch on a conference call.  There is ambient noise like cars,birds, etc. I could  hear my call very clearly and they could hear me!

Technology –
The totally unique aspect of these headphones is the use of bone conduction technology.  The sound is just as great as if they were sitting inside your ears, honestly.  But your ears are left open to hear approaching cars, etc.

• Bone conduction technology delivers music through your cheekbones, ensuring ears remain completely open to hear ambient sounds
  
• Titanium headband is lightweight and flexible for durability and portability
• OpenFit™ design ensures maximum situational awareness and comfort during long-term wear
• PremiumPitch+™ guarantees a premium audio experience, including wide dynamic range and rich bass
• Reflective headband provides visibility at night
• In-line controls for play, skip, and pause
• LeakSlayer™ technology significantly reduces natural sound leakage
• Repels sweat, dust and moisture, from workouts to wicked weather
• Enjoy twelve hours of continuous music + calls on a single charge
• Noise canceling microphone reduces surrounding noise, effectively enhancing speech

Hassle-free 2-year warranty

I wanted to try these on a run.  Honestly I am used to wireless so I wasn’t sure how I would feel about using these. I took them for a  5.5 mile run and it worked out great. The sound was  awesome.  I was running in a high traffic area so it was good to still be able to hear my surroundings.

I also took them for a walk to listen to a podcast. I received a few phone calls while I was listening to the podcast, and  it was easy to answer,hear and be heard.

Setting up was easy, I made sure to charge them  right away. The hardest part was trying to figure out how to open up the little  charging port.

I did want  to use the headphones  a few days later  for a conference call and they were dead. I guess its really important to hit the power button  when you’re done and  make  sure they are charged when you want to use them! 
 
When you purchase them at this special link, they will bundle it with an aftershokz aluminum waterbottle!
 

They retail for $59.99, and come in blue or black. Right now you can score a free water bottle when you purchase at http://bibrave.aftershokz.com!

"Disclaimer: I received a complimentary race entry for the Sedona Marathon 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!"

If the Sedona Marathon Event isn’t on your bucket  list,  it should  be.  I ran this race last year (see review)  and  loved it enough to come back for more fun this year!

There is a 5k, 10k, half and full marathon. I chose to stick with the 10k  again since I am still working my way back after knee surgery and the courses are tough!

Bonus: My husband was totally on board to make a weekend out of this again. So cool. It’s pretty rare that I get my family to join me at races these days.

Packet pickup was at the Elks Lodge this year, it’s a tiny expo, but I was able to buy myself a cute Sedona Marathon Event tank  top! The volunteers were SO friendly.

One of the best things about this race (other than the scenery) is the late start  time. My race started at 9:20. I could take my leisurely time. Although  the race offered free shuttle service, my hotel was close  enough for me  to walk. Yay!

The full marathon started at 9AM, with each race starting every 10 minutes after that.  I met my  fellow BibRave Pros for  a team  photo and wished everyone well. We were all running different distances. Look at all that beautiful Orange!!!

Once again, the start backdrop was  inspiring. There were record crowds this year, it  was noticeably busier in the start area,  especially as the half marathoners were getting ready to start.

The course has rolling hills,with the worst one for me  at the 10k turnaround. Because you have to turn around the way you came, you have  no momentum going into that  gigantic hill. It  takes the wind right out of your sails. 

They were offering a “free” race tracking app, Race Joy, and I decided to give it a try so that my  hubby could track  me easily. Downloading it and  setting it  up was fairly easy but I was getting concerned that  there would  be  a charge. Race morning I had to activate it 30 min  prior to start, and then hit start as I  cross the line.  Well I couldn’t get a signal  at the start (it just kept spinning).  So I fumbled around  with that for a few minutes, gave up, and definitely lost some  time there.  Frustrating. I also stopped twice to text  my husband to let him know I wasn’t able to use the app and how much longer I’d be. More time wasting. And it appears that I was charged for the app :(

I enjoy the  second half way more than the first. I was able to make  up a little of  my lost time and ended with a 1:04:12  time, 2 min faster than last year!

The medal is part of a series where each year is a piece of a 4 year pie.  I was disappointed to see that everyone still  gets the same exact medal and ribbon, no matter which distance they ran. This is one of my pet peeves and something I hope they will consider changing for future races. Even a customized ribbon would make it more unique and special to the runner. The 5k  runners actually get  something different  entirely, which is kind of strange.

The weather was warmer this year (low 40’s) at start, and it warmed up into the low 60’s by noon. 

We extended our stay and went hiking (amazing) and to a nearby winery for wine tasting.There really is a lot to do.  I highly recommend this for  a destination race getaway!

"Disclaimer: I received a pair of  Legend Compression 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 have become a fan of compression socks (and sleeves) over the past few years. I haven’t been loyal to one particular brand, but I heard about this new brand, Legend Compression, and wanted to give it a try.

The first thing I noticed was that they were larger than your average compression socks/sleeves.  At first I started to panic that I ordered the wrong size, but then as I started reading up on them, I learned that their motto is #rightnottight, meaning it should be gentle compression but not uncomfortable.

LEGEND's philosophy is that moderate compression is more  effective for  athletes. They are designed to provide calf support, shin splint relief and decreased fatigue.  LEGEND’s Graduated Compression Technology provides maximum blood flow for muscle performance and endurance.   They were a breeze to get on; no contortion necessary! I  did order  a SM/M,  just  like with  other brands.

My mileage has not been high lately, but I’m alternating between running and spinning.  I especially enjoy wearing socks or  sleeves after run.  I wore them during and after this 5.5 mile run.   Honestly, I don’t even know that I’m wearing them but they are incredibly soft and have more “give” than your typical compression gear.
 
 
Legend compression  is  designed to:

• Provide 20 mmHG of  graduated compression (vs. 20-30 mmHG)
  
• Maximize blood flow  for muscle performance
• Help relieve shin splints, calf cramps and  pulled muscles
• Promote recovery & healing
• Reduce lactic acid

The creators behind LEGEND have over 30 years of  medical experience and  have a strong understanding of how  compression works. You can read more  about the science behind compression here. 

Overall, I would say they are very comfortable, but maybe TOO comfortable for compression socks/sleeves? They are  definitely effective - but I’m used to them being tight. The tightness reminds me that they are working. But if you are someone who finds regular compression socks too tight or too hard to get on/off, this might be just the ticket for you!
 
BONUS! Right now, you can save 20% with code "rave20"!