"Disclaimer: I am promoting the Zooma Run Series 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 Zooma Race Series has intrigued me for awhile. They are always in cool destinations, they are women-focused events, and the bling is AWESOME!! My friend ran one last year and I was full of FOMO. When I got the opportunity to help promote the series, and possibly run one of the events, I jumped right in! THE EXPERIENCE "Imagine a powerful sea of women on the move – encouraging fellow runners, creating unforgettable moments, getting strong, and celebrating personal running triumphs in beautiful locations. Imagine a post-race party where you’ll celebrate your run with your crew, relax and be pampered with massages, yoga, and mimosas. This is ZOOMA. " - zoomarun.com
THE DESTINATIONS Zooma Great Lakes (WI) 9/14 near Lake Geneva Zooma Cape Cod (MA) 9/24 Zooma Amelia Island (FL) 10/19 THE BLING Ok, let’s talk about bling, shall we? Check out the great medals for upcoming races in the series! THE SAVINGS
Convinced yet? Here’s a discount code for you to save on your registration: Get 15% off @ZOOMArun race events! and get FREE race pics Use code ZOOMABR15
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"Disclaimer: I am promoting the Hapalua Half 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!" This race is on my wish list. I LOVE Hawaii. There is nothing else like it, and I have traveled a lot. I have also ran 3 full marathons there. If you’re not ready for a full, or want to relax more, the Hapalua is a great option. Hapalua literally means “half” in Hawaiian. The race starts at sunrise and runs through Waikiki, going up and around Diamondhead. It finishes in Kapiolani park with fresh malasadas (Portuguese donuts) and shaved ice! Yes, please! VIt’s not just the start location, another cool thing is that your finish is shown on a giant screen, and every finisher gets a copy of their finish line video.
I have already convinced a gal pal to join me for a racecation there next year, woo-hoo! Online registration has closed, but if you plan to be in Hawaii on April 14, you can still register at packet pickup at the convention center! Visit thehapalua.com for more info. Aloha, Emily "Disclaimer: I received a complimentary race entry to the DC Wonder Woman Run Series 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 first DC Wonder Woman Run of the year is in the books! The race was just as fun and empowering as I thought it would be! Race weekend got off to a bit of a rough start with packet pickup. Note: This is an inaugural event, and all first time events experience bumps along the way, which will only make them stronger next time. Packet pickup was advertised as 2-6pm on Saturday at Tempe Beach Park, same location as the race itself. Day of race packet pickup was for VIP pickup at an extra charge. Tempe Beach Park is not the most convenient spot. Parking can be a nightmare – but they were able to offer free garage parking nearby. When we arrived, it was over 80 degrees and the sun was beating down on us. There was a very long line coming from the inside of the park to well outside of the tents. There were no signs visible when you approached the back of the tents, and we weren’t exactly sure what line we were waiting in. After about 10 minutes we realized we were in the bag pickup line and not the bib pickup line. So I held our spot in the bag line while my friend went to pick up our bibs. Volunteers did start to go through the lines shortly thereafter and make some announcements to help clarify. There was a very popular merchandise tent full of wonder woman swag items, several photo op spots and big stage for a post race band. Our swag bags included a nice wonder woman tech tee, wristbands and a shopping bag. Race morning went MUCH more smoothly. Everyone was decked out in WW outfits. It was a sea of red. The 5k and 10k started together. Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas led the pre-race stretching at the start line. But my favorite part was having Wonder Woman herself, Lynda Carter, count us down on the big video screen, and then the theme song started playing while we crossed the start line. Within the first mile we climbed a hill and I ran into my fellow BibRave Pro Tim, who was running with his daughter. The start time was 9am and it was getting HOT! All the mile markers were cool Wonder Woman flags. And we had some arches to run though as well. I was very tempted to make the 5k turn, but I pressed on for the 10k. I made sure to grab water at every opportunity. When we finished, the 10k runners were finishing with the back of the pack 5k walkers. This was a bit frustrating for the 10k folks, as it got very congested. There should be separate finish chutes for the different distances. However, all runners got the same medal. There is no date or location on this medal. I would like to see them change that for next time, and maybe swap our the ribbon based on distance. It would also incentivize people to run more than one race in the series. All in all, I was ok with my time given the heat of the morning. 1:01 for the 10k. Good enough for 8/50 in my AG. The post race “party” had a live band, some oranges, chips, fruit snacks and sparkling water. Lines for photo opps were pretty long, but several places available to do it. I think more people would have stuck around if it wasn’t so hot. I think people really enjoyed themselves. There were free race photos and everyone really liked the WW merchandise and camaraderie. Hopefully they can iron out a few kinks and make an even more successful event in 2020! There are plenty more races in the series this year. Check out the full list here.
"Disclaimer: I received a pairs of Shady Rays polarized sunglasses 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 am pretty tough on sunglasses, I tend to break them easily, or lose them. That is why I try not buy expensive sunglasses. I really like the current trend of colorful, inexpensive sunglasses that has been embraced by the running community. I had seen some friends try out Shady Rays last year and thought they looked really cool. I was more than excited to try a pair of my own! I chose the purple sunset, aren’t they cool? The true test, of course, is how they fit, feel, and function. I tried these out during the Scottsdale Giant 10k last month and they fit perfectly. No slippage, no fogginess. They are super light but also durable. These glasses are truly for people like me who are on the move and want sunglasses that can keep up with them. In fact, their motto is “Live Hard. We’ve Got You”. I love that. I also love that they have a mission to help others. They are able to secure 10 meals through Feeding America WITH EVERY ORDER PLACED! Now that is what I call a win-win! Their “Live Hard” motto is more than a motto, they have a lifetime warranty and a more than generous replacement program for those times you may lose or break your favorite pair. There are currently 54 styles and colors to choose from! Prices start at $45.00. Shop their styles here. Now is the perfect time to get new glasses ready for summer! You can get 50% off on 2 pairs with code “Rave”! Now go and get summer ready!
"Disclaimer: I received a complimentary race entry to the DC Wonder Woman Run Series 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!" Who doesn’t love Wonder Woman? I grew up watching her on Saturday morning cartoons and always thought she was pretty cool. So much so, that I bought a wonder woman Halloween costume a few years back and have wore it in several races! NEW RACE SERIES! This series came out last fall, but did not come to my area. I participated in the virtual run. I was so excited that the race is coming to my town! Tempe, Arizona March 24, 2019 Choose from 5k or 10K The race is coming to 7 cities across the country, view the full list here and check out this map below. Look at all this swag! Right now you can save 10% with code “WWBIBRAVE”, even on the virtual option! See you there!
"Disclaimer: I received a complimentary entry to the Scottsdale Giant Race 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!" Yesterday, I ran in the Scottsdale Giant Race 10k. What a nice event that was! I had taken some time off from running due to some knee issues and was hopeful that I could run this race without pain. I’m so glad I did! Packet pickup was a breeze. The only challenge was parking. You had to be a bit resourceful – but it only took 5 minutes. Plus, there was a race gear store full of really nice shirts, hats and more, that was super tempting. Folks were strongly encouraged to pick up the day prior, but honestly it was available on race morning, and it would have been easy to just do it then. On race morning, I was again worried about parking, but I ended up parking about a ½ mile away for free. There is a local “singing cowboy” who entertained folks near the check in and strolled around and chatted with us. He even let me pet his horse. We lucked out and had perfect weather for the race. There was both a 5k and a 10 but I went with the 10k. We started first. They had native American hoop dancers performing at the start, and then the singing cowboy sang the national anthem. Everyone was dressed in San Francisco Giant fan gear! The course was primarily on the Scottsdale Greenbelt – a paved path that goes along the golf course, ponds, and apartments. Not a bad start to the day! The 5k started 30 minutes after the 10k, and we didn’t have much overlap. I was hoping to finish in under an hour, and I did! And, with no pain! We finished on the field, which was fun. I waited a few minutes because I knew my fellow BibRavePro Andrea was going to finish any minute in the 5k. I caught a snap of her crossing the finish line. After receiving our medal – all finishers get the same medal, which is unfortunately one of my pet peeves – I made my way past the stands to the post-race goodies. I heard the announcer mention cold beer. I don’t recall seeing that advertised, ,but hey, who am I to turn that down at 8am? There was yogurt, granola bars, frut cups, water, sports drinks, and yes – cold local beer! They had Four Peaks Kilt Lifter. Some of the racers were probably coming back for the spring training game in a few hours. The really fun thing about this race to me is the location. I only live 15-20 min away, but I never come to Old Town Scottsdale. Parking can be a hassle, but it is full of character and it feels like another world. You step back into an old west town, that is full of art galleries, souvenir shops, jewelry shops and tons of restaurants. The area was BUSTLING by 10am. I was very tempted to stay and play longer. I met my friend for brunch and just walked there from the stadium. Fun! Next time, I will plan on staying in the area just a bit longer and shopping. The weather was gorgeous and it’s the best of both worlds. Run, stay, play! I highly recommend this race for it’s charm, location and laid-back nature!
"Disclaimer: I received a complimentary entry to the Scottsdale Giant Race 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!" There’s nothing like Spring Training in Arizona. If you’re a runner, and a baseball fan, why not combine the two? Take on the Scottsdale Giant Race on Saturday, March 2, and then watch the Giants take on the Texas Rangers. There is both a 5k and 10k option through downtown Scottsdale. I’m currently registered for the 10k, but my knee has been cranky so I may be switching to the 5k. Either way, it should be a sunny Scottsdale day. You can’t beat that!
Your race entry includes a custom shirt and medal. And here’s the best part - - everyone finishes on the field, how cool is that? Join me and save $10 with WERUNAZ19. See you on the field! "Disclaimer: I received a variety pack of Food Groove Mission Superfood Bites 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!" Snacking is my middle name. Well, it’s actually not, but it should be. I love bite size snacks, and I especially like protein bites, truffles, etc. I immediately opted in to try these superfood truffle bites. I received a variety pack of the following flavors:
Some of the most prevalent superfoods that Food Groove uses are:
As I was unpacking the box, my son immediately stole a packet of Mother Earth bites. He was immediately impressed and said he wanted to bring them to school for a snack. Who am I to say no to my kid bringing superfood snacks to school??!! Mother Earth ingredients: Ingredients: Organic Medjool Dates, Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Organic Goji Berries, Organic Cacao Nibs, Organic Golden Berries, Organic Unsweetened Coconut Chips (Organic Coconut), Organic Almonds, Organic Flaxseed Meal (Organic Ground Flaxseeds), Organic Almond Flour (Organic Almonds), Organic Açaí Powder, Protein Blend (Grass-fed Lean Beef Protein Powder, Egg Protein Powder, Vanilla Extract, Monk Fruit Extract, Sunflower Lecithin), Organic Chia Seeds, Organic Rooibos Powder, Raw New Zealand Manuka Honey Perks: · Gluten Free · · Non-GMO · · Dairy Free · · Soy Free · · Grain Free · · Paleo Friendly · No Added Sugar 190 cal, 8g fat, 27 g carbs, 5g protein Nutty Adventurer Ingredients: Organic Medjool Dates, Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Organic Goji Berries, Organic Cacao Nibs, Organic Golden Berries, Organic Unsweetened Coconut Chips (Organic Coconut), Organic Almonds, Organic Flaxseed Meal (Organic Ground Flaxseeds), Organic Peanut Butter (Organic Peanuts), Organic Almond Flour (Organic Almonds), Organic Açaí Powder, Protein Blend (Grass-fed Lean Beef Protein Powder, Egg Protein Powder, Vanilla Extract, Monk Fruit Extract, Sunflower Lecithin), Organic Chia Seeds, Organic Rooibos Powder, Raw New Zealand Manuka Honey Umf 16+ Perks: · Gluten Free · · Non-GMO · · Dairy Free · · Soy Free · · Grain Free · No Added Sugar 200 cal, 8 g fat, 19 g carbs, 14 g protein I had this one after my body pump class. Definitely chewy but a good peanut butter flavor too. This was the first flavor I tried. The texture definitely takes a little time to get used to. Chewier than some bars. Holy Truffle Punch Ingredients: Organic Medjool Dates, Organic Dark Chocolate (Organic Cocoa Mass, Organic Coconut Palm Sugar, Organic Cocoa Butter), Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Organic Goji Berries, Organic Cacao Nibs, Organic Golden Berries, Organic Unsweetened Coconut Chips (Organic Coconut), Organic Almonds, Organic Flaxseed Meal (Organic Ground Flaxseeds), Organic Almond Flour (Organic Almonds), Organic Açai Powder, Protein Blend (Grass-fed Lean Beef Protein Powder, Egg Protein Powder, Vanilla Extract, Monk Fruit Extract, Sunflower Lecithin), Organic Chia Seeds, Organic Rooibos Powder, Raw New Zealand Manuka Honey Umf 16+ Perks: · Gluten Free · · Non-GMO · · Dairy Free · · Soy Free · · Grain Free · · Paleo Friendly · No Added Sugar 190 cal , 8 g fat, 22 g carbs, 13 g protein These bites were designed in part on the idea that sometimes you just want a few bites of something. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve eaten half a protein bar, then set it aside, thinking I’ll “eventually” finish the other half. But it somehow always gets thrown out and wasted. Food Groove Mission bites come in resealable bags, so you can take out just a few and then keep the rest fresh for next time. Smart. My thoughts: I had some high expectations for these superfood bites – I enjoy so many of these flavors and ingredients on their own. They are all sweetened with monkfruit. While I appreciate that they are trying to use as natural ingredients as possible, I feel like it made these bites too fruity-sweet for my taste. If I want a chocolate treat or a nutty treat, I’d rather have those ingredients be the star of the show. So, I did like them, but wish they had less of a fruity taste. My son loves fruity so of course he was all in on these bites!! Bite Club If you love these bites you can become a bite club member and customize your own order, and have them come on a regular subscription basis. Easy, right? check out their website for more info. Ready to try them for yourself? Use code BIBRAVE15 for 15% off your online order. With the option of a sample multi-pack, you can find your favorite flavor before you purchase a whole box! Where can you buy them?
*Food Groove Retail Locations:* 1. Royal Blue Grocery in downtown Dallas 2. Ann's Health Food Center & Market - (all locations - Dallas & Waxahachie, TX) 3. Roots Juices - Dallas 4. Available on Amazon 5. https://foodgroovemission.com/ "Disclaimer: I am promoting the Hapalua Half 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!" An ideal spring racecation destination - - - Hawaii. Exotic, Unique, Paradise, and Full of the aloha spirit. If you close your eyes, you can imagine the sound of the ocean, feel the warm breezes, and hear that iconic ukulele playing. There’s nothing else like it. If you are looking for a Hawaiian “racecation”, but aren’t ready for a full marathon, look no further than the Hapalua. Hapalua literally means “half” in Hawaiian. The race starts at sunrise and runs through Honolulu, going up and around Diamondhead. It finished in Kapiolani park with fresh malasadas (Portuguese donuts) and shaved ice! Yes, please! One other cool thing is that your finish is shown on a giant screen, and every finisher gets a copy of their finish line video. Cool, right?
Start booking that plane ticket, you’re not going to want to miss this! Plus, if you register now, you can Save 10% on registration with code BR-HAPALUA!!! "Disclaimer: I received a complimentary entry to the Santa Barbara Wine Country Half 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!" I just finished my first half marathon of the year, now what? In keeping with last year's theme of doing ALL THE THINGS, I've got some fun things planned for 2019! I’m slowly building my race calendar, and I just added a fun new race to the list! It’s the Santa Barbara Wine Half Marathon! Sounds fun right? The race takes place on Mother’s Day weekend in the Santa Barbara wine region. It starts in Santa Ynez and ends in the adorable Dutch village of Solvang. Once I read that, I was sold! I have been wanting to visit Solvang, so now is my chanceI You can do the half marathon, or create a team and do it relay-style! Either way, it’s the perfect excuse for a race-cation. Your race entry includes a commemorative wine glass and entry to the finisher wine festival! Sounds like a great party to me, cheers!
Join me and save 10% with SBBR10!! |
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Hi, I'm Emily! I'm an avid runner in Arizona with a passion for travel and racing around the country! FOLLOW ME!
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