#Runnerslove Meet-Up

Have you heard the news!?!?

I am currently in the planning stages for a meet-up event during Disney's Princess 1/2 Marathon Weekend with my very favorite RBFF (Running Best Friend Forever) @Warsawmermaid (AKA: http://www.runawayroyaltymeg.com)!!!

Meg and I met through Twitter and through following each other's blogs. Right away we had so much in common and this girl had so much positive energy it was contagious!! We both are running the Glass Slipper Challenge during PHM weekend in Disney World, and have been so excited about meeting each other in person, that we thought it appropriate to share our love with all of our social media followers, hence #Runnerslove was created!!

#Runnerslove is a casual runners meet-up and everyone is invited to attend our event being held on Friday, February 21st at the Poly Poolside Bar.

By attending #Runnerslove, you will not only meet a whole group of amazing runners, you will also be able to win prizes!! Meg and I have been collecting AMAZING prizes from OUTSTANDING running companies! We already have over 30 companies participating in #runnerlove!! Here are just a few!

KT TAPE
Armpocket
Island Boost
Energybits
BeeCause Charms
Sweaty Bands
A Princess Prerogative Disney Inspired Bows
PRO Compression
Skratch Labs
Nuun Hydration
The Runner's Guide to WDW
Sparkle Athletic
Women's Running Magazine
One More Mile Running Apparel
Bulu Box
Knuckle Lights
Sonic Endurance
Rock City Skirts
Headsweats
PocketFuel Naturals
Mudlove Pottery
Bondi Band
HB Tune
SkirtSports
Gladsoles
Moving Comfort
Greeper Laces USA
Barefooters
yurbuds™
Fitletic

Please RSVP here and look for updates to our meet-up! We are looking forward to meeting you!!

Please look forward to many product reviews coming up!!

FlipBelt Review and Giveaway!

I have an awesome product to share with you all today!! I know you are all going to love it just as much as I do!!

It is the FlipBelt! Have you heard of it?

I had not heard of this product before seeing it at the TC Marathon Expo. At the expo I got very excited about the possibilities of this product, and FlipBelt was nice enough to send me a belt to review for you all, as well as one to give away, AND a code for 10% off your FlipBelt order (use the code krstyruns)

I was so excited to receive this product! I have a need to carry stuff with me when I run, but I hate feeling like I am carrying stuff with me. Do you know the feeling?

I have tried many different types of packs, and have not found one that I like. They bounce, they chafe, they just don't fit what I want to carry!! Grrrrr! I just haven't had much luck carrying my "stuff"!

On a long run, I like to carry my iPhone (which I use for music), some fuel, my keys, and chapstick. That is a lot, as far as I am concerned. Because I hate the feeling of most fanny pack type gear (not to mention the look!!) I have been buying the new Lululemon running tights with the side-leg pockets. I have been stuffing my fuel, and chapstick in the side pockets, and then my phone in the back pocket, and I have been leaving my key on the wheel of my car (real safe, I know!!). This works, but is not ideal, as the back pocket for my phone is a very tight fit, and can get uncomfortable!

Enter the FlipBelt!!! This thing has made me a much happier runner!!

The FlipBelt is a tube of fabric that fits right over the waistband of any shorts or tights you may wear. It has 4 openings (two in the front and two in the back) in which you can stow your stuff. The FlipBelt is super stretchy and everything I wanted to bring with me fit perfectly in the belt! I even had extra room! They FlipBelt allows you to "flip" the belt inside out to secure your items against your body.

My main issue with most of the belts that I have tried, is that they move, they bounce and they feel bulky during the entire run! Not the case with the FlipBelt! It didn't move!!! It didn't bounce!!! I forgot I had it on and I did not have to adjust it even once!!

This, my friends, is heaven!!!

The belt did not feel like it was weighing me down, and it did not have that fanny pack look that I cannot stand!! It just looks like the waistband of your pants/shorts.

The FlipBelt is super comfy! It is made out of super soft material that does not have anything that could chafe or cause irritation. The material is washable, which is great for salty-sweaters like me!! I love that I can wash the belt after a really sweaty run!

The FlipBelt comes in lots of fun colors -- both neutral and bold to fit anyone's style! I chose the bright "Neon Punch" color, which as most of you know, goes against my normal purple color choice! I just wanted something different, but I am so happy with the product that I am going to buy a purple one too!!!

Don't forget to use the coupon code "krstyruns" for 10% your Flipbelt purchase! You can purchase your very own Flipbelt here!

Or you can enter my giveaway to win one!!




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Energy Bits Review and Giveaway!

Early this summer, I first heard about Energy Bits from many other bloggers and Energy Bits' amazing social media presence. They do a great job of participating with all kinds of athletes on Twitter, and as the word spread, I was intrigued, and a little anxious. As many of you know, I suffer from some extreme stomach issues. They have been getting better, but still flare up when I eat the wrong things! (If you don't know what I am talking about, I was on a white diet for over 10 months!!) I did not really want to shell out the money for something that could cause me lots of distress! Lucky for me, one of their reps, Jonathan, agreed to send me a sample to try!

I tried the bits for the first time during a short training run. I didn't want to get to far away from home and have issues!! 

Well, not only did I not experience any of the issues common with gels,  I felt amazing the entire time! I had a really great run! 3.5 miles went by like nothing! I even felt great the rest of the day!

Yesterday, was my long run day and I decided to take Energy Bits out on another test run! I had 8 miles scheduled, the longest I have run in quite a long time, and I was NERVOUS about it! Even with all my evening-before-the-run preparations, I did not sleep well, only getting about 3 1/2 hours of sleep (due to many different issues!). I woke up very cranky and wondering if I should postpone my run. I'd had planned on heading out of the door at 6am, so I was up at 5am to fuel and get ready. I was so tired that I decided to just eat a bowl of cereal and go back to bed for an hour. I woke up at 6:30am and took my Energy Bits (30 bits) and water, and headed out the door. 

I was pretty sluggish my first mile, which is pretty normal for me, but this was really bad, I thought about turning around and just going back to bed. I kept running and in about 20 minutes I had quite of boost of energy. My body was feeling great and the miles, while not fast, were flying by. 

Mentally I was beating myself up for not running faster, for not getting enough sleep, for choosing such a hilly route, for not getting an earlier start, for the weather, for everything, but physically I was feeling AMAZING!! My physical energy was through the roof! Even though my mind never caught up, my body felt so energized and I ended up running 8.41 miles! It was great!

But what was even better, was the way I felt after my run! I wasn't dead-tired, I had more energy!! I felt awesome, and I can only equate it to the Energy Bits! Everything else was going wrong, and with the supreme lack of sleep, I am amazed at how I felt both during and after my run!! These little bits are truly one of a kind!

I’ve tried other energy supplements before, with mixed results! I have of course had many stomach issues but I’ve also never felt like I had a boost in my energy levels. Others who have reviewed Energy Bits have talked about the sustained energy they feel, opposed to just a short energy boost that many other products give.  This is due to the make up of the Energy Bit, they are 100% organicallly grown spirulina algae and loaded with 40 nutrients, Energy Bits algae tabs have the highest concentration of protein in the world (64%) and just one calorie per tab.  Worth a try, right?!

OMG! They are GREEN!

30 Energy Bits = 1 serving

YES! They are green!! and they taste like it!  The recommended "dose" of bits is 30-50, which seems crazy but they are only about the size of a small aspirin.  Energy Bits says you can chew, or swallow the bits.  Just by smelling the container, I knew I would want to swallow them, they are very strong. Much stronger than a green monster, or other green smoothie, but along the same lines. Others, who are brave enough to chew them, have claimed they get green teeth from chewing! I decided to swallow my bits, and it did not take very long, I was able to swallow them about 5 at a time.  

With my first use of Energy Bits, I was unsure if I should eat food with the bit or if I should just be powered-by-bits. I went with just the bits in my stomach, as it was going to be a short run, and I really wanted to test if my stomach will handle the little bits! 

After emailing Jonathan, I discovered that just eating the bits is perfect, and that is exactly what he does, and he is good for 6-7 miles! He suggested eating something with the bits, if you need more calories, for a longer run. Since the bits only have 1 calorie a piece, 30 bits are only providing 30 calories for your run! This seems crazy to me, but those 30 calories really do their job!! 

How do they Work?

Energy Bits are made from 100% spirulina algae.  Haven't heard of this superfood yet? I took this from Energy Bit's website, as I think they do a better job explaining their product than I could!!

     ENERGYbits® algae tabs are your answer for raw energy and health. All naturally too. With just one calorie     per tab, ENERGYbits® will stop your cravings, slay your hunger and give you a steady stream of energy all day or night. They may even make you want to leap over tall buildings in a single bound, but we think that’s best left to the guys in the red capes and blue tights.  Remarkably, our ENERGYbits® have just one ingredient, spirulina algae which is a super hero in the world of super foods. Spirulina’s nutritional pedigree is so impressive that The World Bank, NASA and Olympic athletes have all declared spirulina to be the most nutritious food in the entire world. Why? Well for starters, it effortlessly and naturally boosts your energy like an energy drink, energy bar or coffee  but without the downside of chemicals, caffeine, calories or sugar and gram per gram, there is no denser source of nutrition than spirulina algae. Research done by NASA showed that that 1 kg of spirulina had the nutritional  equivalent of 1000 kg of fruits and vegetables.  That's a  lot of groceries! But if an endorsement by NASA isn’t enough to convince you of the health benefits you’ll get from our ENERGYbits® and spirulina, consider that many International Health Organizations including the United Nations have hailed spirulina as one of the “Greatest Superfoods on Earth.” Don’t worry if you haven’t heard about this super food yet. You will. It may be virtually unknown in America but for the last 50 years, millions worldwide have taken it to improve their energy. Now it’s your turn. 

Disclosure & Giveaway

I don’t work for Energy Bits, but I was provided with a free sample. The opinions I have written are my own and I do not benefit from giving Energy Bits a positive review. I just wanted to share my experience with these, I was curious about them and I know you were probably too!  

I completely encourage you to try Energy Bits out!  And to do so, Energy Bits is giving me a sample to give to you! So, go ahead and sign up to win some Energy Bits!

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Runningluv Review and Giveaway

Tears and Sweat, even in the winter!

You know what I am talking about, we have all been there: you are running and your nose starts to drip, or eyes start to water or sweat starts running in your eyes, and you have to either wipe it on your arm, or hand, or your shirt (yuck!).

I seem to have these problems during all of my runs, especially in the summer! I suffer from allergies, and just in general have very watery eyes. Many of my running mates think I cry during all of my runs --> I don't! I just have very watery eyes, and they don't seem to stop! The cold makes them water, the flowers/trees make them water, and just the breeze from running makes them water!! Anybody out there have the same problem!?!

In the Winter and colder months, while the watering eyes are a problem, I usually just wipe my face with my long-sleeve and move on! But in the summer, when I am wearing tanks, it is a little harder, and let's face it, wiping my face on my shirt is just not a cute move!! Also, this summer has been HOT!! I am a "super sweater" and on top of always having my eyes water, I sweat like crazy! So my face it one BIG mess for all of my runs!!  Yuck!!

In comes, the Runningluv to save the day! The Runningluv is a sweat towel and tissue in one!  Pretty much it is a super absorbent mini-towel attached to a fingerless glove. They come in many cute colors and patterns, and are very comfortable and lightweight to wear. I don't even realize that it is there! 
  
I have had my Runningluv for about 3 weeks now, and I have really enjoyed using it! It has solved my drippy problems and my shirts say clean (or at least free of face sweat and tears!!). The Runningluv washes nice, and retains its shape!


The Runningluv is versatile and can be used for lots of different activities -- biking, running, rollerblading, etc.  I have used it biking, with the same success! There are many different ways in which you can wear the Runningluv, but I like to simply wear it around my wrist and wrap the towel around it.

The people at Runninggluv have been nice enough to provide a free Runninggluv for a giveaway! So, if you have some of the same issues I do, or are looking for a new product to try, please sign up to win your very own Runningluv!


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An Awesome Day!! And my first Giveaway!!

This week has been going really well, as far as my workout schedule is concerned! I logged over 8 miles yesterday -- 4 of which were my run. I rode my bike to yoga, lifted biceps and back and went on a long walk with Ryan and his dog. The weather was perfect and I was feeling great!

Clearly not watermelon!

Have you tried Nuun?! Yum!

The day however didn't start so great. I got my much anticipated shipment Nuun and was disappointed to find it was not the flavor I ordered. Bummer. But through the power of Twitter, and the awesome Nuun company, they had my problem fixed! They are letting me keep the Cherry Limeade Nuun, and sending out the watermelon AND a pint glass! This company rocks!! That was the first of many happy social media surprises of the day!!



So.... That leads me to my very first Blog giveaway!! Woot!! I have 3 tubes of Cherry Limeade Nuun that I will be giving away on July 1st! All I ask you to do is:

1. Become a follower of my blog
2. Like and share this post on Facebook or Tweet about my giveaway @kristyrunskato #nuungiveaway

A winner will be drawn on July 1st!! Good Luck!


What could possibly make my day better?!

Well aside from some free Nuun and an excellent workout day..... I was named a new Girls Gone Sporty Ambassador!! I feel so honored! I was placed on Team Fantastic and am so excited to get to know all of the strong women on my team!

And.... to top the day off!!! I was also named a Sweat Pink Ambassador!! By the time I got this email, I was on cloud nine!! I was beyond excited to be named part of this group of powerful women!!

Wow! It was an amazing day! I was up until late in the night, following new people on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram! It was a social media frenzy yesterday!! It was great!! :)

Today I am going to really work my legs! I have a 20 mile bike ride to get in, power yoga and today is a legs day in the gym!!

Please remember to enter my giveaway!! I would love for you to try Nuun if you haven't or just get some free Nuun if you love it!!