I’m a Popular Kid & Outside Yoga

Oh my goodness!! Where does the time go?! I feel like I haven’t seen you guys in forever!!!  What have you been up to?! 

I’ve been doing the same old thing… working and trying to workout a few nights a week!  I’m pretty tired today, so I’m kind of just lounging around… not really doing any cleaning or laundry today… I’ll save that for tomorrow! ;)  I did go get my haircut this morning and then met my mom at the grocery store to catch-up and she invited me over to have lunch with her and my dad.  We had fish, rice, baked beans, and asparagus… it was delicious!! I also had a donut.. a long john to be exact… it was absolutely amazing and I don’t regret anything!! ;) haha!  What did you have to eat today?

I few exciting things have happened since we’ve last hung out… (and I know I still haven’t told you all about my road trip during spring break… it’s coming! I promise!)

~1~

I’ve been getting outside more and more for my workouts… including a little park bench yoga! ;)

~2~

I reached (and exceeded) 500 followers on Instagram!! I feel like a popular kid…You guys rock!

~3~

Won a fun giveaway!  Now I just need to decide what I want from Athleta.. any recommendations?

~4~

Hit a yoga move I’ve never been able to do before!! (Proof that success does indeed come from failure! Story is on this video in IG)

 

~5~

Finally got a new laptop battery and charger and I don’t have to run from outlet to outlet like a Tasmanian Devil anymore! For real!

~BONUS~

Came across a few sales you guys might enjoy! :)

FuelBelt

Oiselle

PowerBar

Hope you all have a lovely weekend!!!

Holy Brooks Ravennas Batman! (and a Winner!)

OMG guys… the weather Friday was amazing!!! I told you I would get outside and if you follow me on Instagram, you know I stayed true to my word!! ;)  Tomorrow it’s supposed to be 65*!!  I’m super bummed though because I’m inside all day tomorrow working 14 hours! Ugh! Thursday, the day I can actually get outside again, is supposed to be 25*!!  How does that work?! for real!!  I LOVE being outside and just getting out Friday has improved my mental state and outlook on life after being stuck inside all winter long!!

Look guys… no gloves!! ;)

Look at this weather!!  It was absolutely glorious!! (Now this song is stuck in my head)

I was going to pull up some Garmin stats for you all, but somehow I misplaced my USB when we moved… hopefully I can find it!! You’ll just have to settle for pictures and taking my word for it! ;)

I RAN 2 MILES STRAIGHT… WITHOUT STOPPING!!!
Longest run post-injury with no pain to report!! I’m super pumped!!

Do you see that average pace?!! Holy Brooks Ravennas Batman!! Where did that come from?!
I’ve been running 11 something miles on the treadmill but Friday my pace per mile was:

Mile 1 – 9:54

Mile 2 – 10:37

I guess it just felt amazing to finally get outside again!!  Remember how I told you there are no hills where we moved??  Well Friday I even found a little hill to run up! ;)

Like I said… It’s tiny! ;)

After I got home, I stretched, foam rolled, and drank a green monster!  All the stretching, strengthening, yoga, and rolling I’ve been doing must be helping!!  There are some days when I feel a little ache in my knee, but nothing compared to how it used to be!! I’m so happy about the healing progress and pray that it continues to heal!! I’ve made a pact with myself that if at any point the pain comes back/gets worse I will immediately call the orthopedic doctor!! (hold me to it guys!!)

And now the moment I know you’ve been looking forward to… I know you skipped my post just to see if you were the winner!
Really guys??? Really?!!

It’s ok… I’ll forgive you! (this time)

Congrats Tessa B.!! You’ve won the Sprint Pack from Apera Bags!! Look for an email shortly!! :)

 

Are you recovering from an injury??

Do you prefer to run/workout inside or outside??

Do you stretch, foam roll, or stick after working out?

 

Apera Bags Yoga Tote Review & Giveaway

Sponsored Post

I was on the internet a few weeks ago looking for a cute way to lug around not only my gym stuff, but my yoga mat as well.  Now let’s just get something straight here, when I say “gym stuff” I’m not just talking about a Garmin and a water bottle… I’m talking like a whole wardrobe change AND the kitchen sink!! I seriously WAY over pack to get my workout on!! You can’t be too prepared right?! Let’s face it… those little tiny Nike backpacks just don’t cut it!! I mean, I can fit a pair of shoes and a piece of gum in that thing and that’s about it!! If I’m carrying my yoga mat, water bottle, and everything else I might need for my workout, that little bag’s not doing me any favors!! That’s when I happened upon Apera Bags! They were gracious enough to send me their Yoga Tote for a review and I’m super excited to tell you all about it!! :)

One thing that really stood out to me was all the pockets! It has pockets full of sunshine everywhere!! It quite LITERALLY has pockets inside of pockets!! No Joke!! It has a place for everything and it’s plenty big enough to hold everything I need to take to the gym with room to spare! (Although it’s not quite big enough to fit the kitchen sink, but you win some you lose some I guess!)  To tell you just how big it is, let me tell you what all I fit into my Apera Bags Yoga Tote:

    

~ Pair of size 9 women’s shoes (the bag has a separate compartment inside to keep the stench of my shoes from spreading)
~ Yoga Blocks
~ Yoga Strap
~ Ipod Nano with arm strap and earbuds
~ Eyeglasses case and contact case
~ Fuel: Clif Bar and Orange
~ Hydration: Nuun & Waterbottle (the yoga tote has a special place on the side for water bottles so your stuff won’t get wet if there’s a leak)
~ Workout notebook and pen
~ Workout Outfit: Shorts, a tshirt, sports bra
~ Backup outfit: Capris and tank (I told you I overpack)
~ After workout clothes: towel, sweatshirt, and a clean pair of socks
~ And of course my YOGA MAT!!

You may be thinking “how in the world did you fit all of that AND your yoga mat inside your gym bag?!”  Well my friends, that’s easy! I didn’t have to put my yoga mat inside the bag because it has it’s own special place on top of the bag!! The strap on the bag has a special “Y” shape that you can easily fit your yoga mat through! (OR your foam roller and friendly massage stick)!

 

Some other things I LOVE about Apera Bag’s healthier bags are:

- It’s antimicrobial to help prevent the growth of bacteria and yucky odors
- It has vented compartments to help air the bag out (which it definitely needs after my shoes are in there!)
- Wipeable lining that makes it easy to keep clean
- A separate washable insert to keep your stinky gross clothes away from your clean ones!
- Padded pockets for electronics such as garmin, phone, and ipod
- Not too big and not too small!! It’s the perfect size!!

Apera donates one bag to a Special Olympics athlete for every three bags they sell!

They only thing I wish were different about the bag is that the pockets were different shapes on each side!  Both side’s outside pockets look the same (size and shape) and I tend to open the wrong side first when looking for something! Besides that tiny little thing, I love my Apera Yoga Tote!!

A couple of weeks ago Apera announced some awesome sales! Right now they are offering 40% OFF their entire Blue line of bags (any style) including the Yoga Tote (making it about $72 instead of $119)!  AND if one sale wasn’t enough, their Duffel Packs in any color, are 40% OFF as well! Go Go Go!! What are you waiting for? That’s a great deal!! Make sure you come back though because I have not 1, but 2 ways for you to win your very own Apera Bag!

First chance, Apera holds their own giveaway on their website for a different style bag each month! This month is the Yoga Tote!!  All you have to do to enter is head on over and provide your email address for updates!  Here’s more info for you!

UPDATE:  March's giveaway will be an Apera Sling Tote in the color of your choice.

Second, Apera is offering one of my readers the chance to win an Apera Sprint Pack of their very own AND 25% off their bag of choice!!  Just enter below!!

**Apera sent me a bag to review on my blog, but as always my opinions are my own!! I was not compensated in any other way! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tommie Copper: Compression Tights Review

Sponsored Post

 

I’ve been able to work with Tommie Copper in the past and have really come to love and appreciate this company!! Just in case you haven’t heard of Tommie Copper before, let me tell you a little about them!

Tommie Copper was founded in 2010 as a natural solution for reaching peak performance, speeding muscle and joint recovery and finding relief from aches and pains. If one can use Tommie Copper and achieve a more active life, Tommie Copper hopes this positive change will spread to others throughout the world. (From their website here)

So why add copper?  Well the benefits may surprise you!!  They include:

• Increases oxygen transport in compression products
• Neutralizes "free radicals"
• Improves muscle tone
• Emits ions
• Has been used in medicine for thousands of years
• Is one of the necessary micro-nutrients found naturally in the body

Well, a few weeks ago I was excited to receive yet another email from Tommie Copper letting me review another one of their great copper infused products!! Have I mentioned I LOVE Tommie Copper?! ;)  After spending hours upon hours of contemplating which product I really NEEDED in my life (all of them really), I decided on the Women’s Compression Tights in Grey! You all know that I’ve been having some knee pain and have been wearing the Tommie Copper Knee Sleeves for relief, but let me just tell you… the Tommie Copper Compression Tights are amazing!! Instead of just covering the knee, they cover the whole leg, buttock region, and hips!!! All of which I believe are factors in my knee issue!

This week I had 2 days off due to extreme cold thanks to the polar vortex or something like that (it was –18 without wind chill!! Yikes!!) So what did I do?  I lounged around like a slobradoodle (coined by the witty Monica at Run Eat Repeat) in my Tommie Copper Tights!! After I had enough of being lazy I decided to get caught up on some of my yoga challenges and tested out the flexibility of my TC Compression Tights. I’m kinda jealous because they are more flexible than me! ;) THEN after I had enough of trying to be productive on a snow day, I pulled on my pjs over my tights and hit the sack! Tough life I know! ;) 

After giving them a try here are some things I LOVE about my Tommie Copper Compression Tights:

• They are super soft, light, and silky to the touch!!
• They regulate body temperature! LOVED that I didn’t get super hot when I had them under my pjs!
• Keep my legs feeling rejuvenated and fresh without the compression being as constrictive as a boa constrictor
• I didn’t have to wiggle my way into these and suck my cottage cheese in to feel the compression benefits!
• I’m 5’9 and am basically nothing but leg (my torso really doesn’t even exist) and these tights fit perfectly!
• LOVE that these are super versatile! You can wear them to lounge around, to workout, to do yoga, to sleep in, you could even be cute and fashionable (something I’m not) and wear these with a sweater dress and boots!! 

 
                  Showing me in LOVE with Tommie Copper         Difference in thickness between their tights (left) and Capris (right)

There was only one thing I would like to warn you about with this… ok 2 things:

1. I don’t know what the black tights would be like, but the grey are pretty see through when worn by themselves. I would recommend wearing a cute athletic skirt or shorts over them if you wear them to the gym!

2. you WILL fall in love with all things Tommie Copper after trying ANY of their products!!

I LOVE my Tommie Copper apparel!! All their products are reasonably priced, come in an assortment of colors, and are comfortable enough to wear 24 hours a day! If you are experiencing pain of any sort (arthritis, running related, fibromyalgia, everyday aches and pains and more), please head over to Tommie Copper’s Website HERE and see how wonderfully their products work for yourself!! :) Now is the perfect time to go on a Tommie Copper shopping spree because they have a great deal going on!! You can get 15% off by adding a certain item to your cart and using the corresponding Coupon Code below!!

You can also check Tommie Copper out on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

*I was sent a pair of free tights for the review.  All opinions are my own and exactly that… OPINION and were not swayed in any way due to receiving a free product. 

Have you ever heard of or tried Tommie Copper?

If so, what’s your favorite Tommie Copper product?

What Compression Item/company can you not possibly live without?

Wordless Wednesday: Yoga Splits Progress Pictures!

I’m so excited to see the progress I’m making in my yoga journey!!  Especially when it comes to the splits!! The splits are something I never thought I’d be able to pull off, but now I know I’ll be able to do a full split! It’s not the question of will i? BUT a quesion of When?! :)  (#ProgressNotPerfection #PracticeMakesProgress) The top progress picture is a 2 month difference and the bottom is a 4 month difference! Slow and steady wins the race! ;)

Do you practice yoga?

What pose have you seen progress on?

Which pose would you like to make progress on this year?

Skinny Yoga Mat Straps

As you know, I am trying to raise money for my DREAM for 2014!  If you missed the post where I told the world my dream and made it legit you can read it here.

One of the ways I am trying to raise money is by selling these Skinny Yoga Mat Straps that I have crocheted myself!  They are full of love from Runner’s Luck! ;)

If you got a yoga mat for Christmas or are just looking for a fun and stylish way to carry your yoga mat to the gym or studio without it unraveling or taking up your precious hand space, these Skinny Yoga Mat Straps are the perfect thing for you!!  They are strong, durable, and washable and have just the right amount of stretch! 

The Skinny Yoga Mat Straps are $8 each which includes shipping and handling fees!! That’s a great price!! Lululemon wants anywhere from $16-$18 for their yoga mat straps!

SO… look no further because you’ve found the perfect Yoga Mat Strap for you, a friend, or a family member! These also make GREAT gifts!!  Valentine’s Day is coming up… *hint hint*

To view a video of how to use the Yoga Mat Strap Click HERE

Currently there are two colors available:

Sweat Black & Pink - $8 
***not associated in any way with Sweat Pink

                                                       

California Sunset - $8 

See a theme to the colors? They all have something to do with me getting to the IDEA World Fitness Blogfest with Sweat Pink this summer! ;)

 

If you’d like to order one of the two colors above simply hit the order now button and fill out and submit the order form!! Easy Peasy!! If you have questions, concerns, suggestions, or a color that you’d like me to make for you, leave a comment below or email me at runners.luck@hotmail.com!

First 10 orders will receive a pair of Sweat Pink Shoelaces with their purchase!

FAQs

Q: Is my yoga mat strap washable?
A: YES! It’s 100% Acrylic yarn and can easily be washed! Machine wash warm, tumble dry low; do not bleach; do not iron; dry cleanable

Q: If I don’t like any of the available colors but still want to order a mat strap, can I request a color?
A: You can definitely request a color!  On the order form under the color option question, select “other” and just type in what color you’d like!  I will then send you an email and depending on if I have that yarn in stock or not, I will be able to crochet your strap in the color you requested!

Q: I don’t really want to order a Yoga Mat Strap, but I’d still like to support you and help you get to California! Are there any other ways I can help you out?
A: You are too kind! Thanks for supporting me! It means the world to me!! Below are some other ways you can help me out!  If you’re interested you can email me at runners.luck@hotmail.com

~ I’m seeking Event Sponsorships (Full OR Partial) This comes with some really awesome promotion opportunities for your company or blog!
~ I’m selling Ad Space on my blog!
~ AND if you really really want to be my Fairy God Mother… I’m taking donations!  (email me at runners.luck@hotmail.com)

Q: How do I use my Yoga Mat Strap? Does it come with directions?
A: I am currently trying to come up with a PDF or some type of document to send out with orders, but for now I have this super handy dandy video! (don’t mind the nails… i’m lazy when it comes to taking of old polish!)

Q: Ok, I’ve never owned a Yoga Mat Strap before… How do I wear it?
A: There are 2 ways you can wear it… 1) over one shoulder, purse style OR 2) cross body

 

Hope this helped!! If you have any other questions, feel free to email me at runners.luck@hotmail.com

Friday Favorites – That Hill is 10.9 out of 5?!

Ok, so I’m trying to get back into the blogging world after the whole moving thing… I feel like I finally have the apartment in order!! (Don’t worry, I have the Moving Story Post Coming Soon!!)  I feel like I’m kind of a stranger in Blog Land now, so I’m trying to change that by making 30 minutes every day to get around to everyone’s blogs!! :)

Now… on to my Friday Favorites!!

I RAN!!!!

I went out exploring my new town, looking for parks and hills and such… you know… the things that runner’s tend to get so excited and worked up about… “OH! That hill is at least a 10.9% incline out of a possible 5%!! I think I’ll do hill repeats today!!”  haha… no?  You’ve never said or thought something like that? lol ;)  Anyways… I started out just thinking I’d walk, but I felt so energized and excited to be outside that I ended up running part of it!!  Total: 5 miles with 2 RUNNING MILES!!!  **no knee pain yet, knock on wood!**

Yeah, btw… there are basically NO hills where we moved!! It’s the complete opposite of where we lived before!! Flat as a Pancake!!

Banana Bread

I’ve been craving this stuff and finally made a loaf!! So good!

Recipe I used is here

Yoga!

I told you all that Me and Routine are buds… I get more accomplished when I am busy!!  So… I made my life more busy!! HA! I joined 4 FOUR Yoga Challenges on Instagram! I feel like joining these things every month is really helping me grow in my yoga practice! It keeps me motivated and inspired!!  Some of my favorite poses in January so far:

  

Clockwise starting at Top Left: Flying Grasshopper, Pincha Mayurasana
(Forearm Stand), Dancer Pose, Goddess (#batmanasana) lol ;)

Now it’s your turn!! Tell me what some of your Friday Favorites are?!! :)