PowerICE Review

It's HOT here in Florida!  I often come back after a run just as wet as if I had been in the shower and sometimes slightly dizzy from the heat and lack of hydration.  This is where PowerIce steps up to the plate!

PowerICE is like a popsicle for runners!

It reminds me of those Otter Pops you would have as a kid.

Check out how PowerICE is an all natural frozen fuel for your body:

Frozen: PowerICE is the next generation in sports hydration.

Electrolytes: Electrolytes are vital to athletic performance, 20mg of Potassium working together with 25mg of sodium helps maintain the body's proper fluid balance.

Caffeine Free: PowerICE provides energy through natural sugar and does not contain the harmful effects of caffeine.

Less Calories: Realize the benefits of PowerIce without the guilt of high calories.  Only 30 calories per bar.

No High Fructose Corn Syrup: PowerICE is a unique frozen hydration bar that does not contain high fructose corn syrup.

100% Vitamin C: PowerICE has over 100% of the daily Vitamin C recommended for active lifestyles.

Gluten Free: Many athletes follow gluten-free diets to ease unappealing digestive symptoms during competition.  They are finding that a gluten free diet results in improved digestion and can lead to improved performance.

Kosher: The Orthodox Union has certified PowerIce as meeting its Kosher standards.

I love having a PowerIce bar after a long run.  It's the perfect treat to cool me down (and I use it for double duty--I hold it against my wrist as I'm eating it to cool me down even quicker!)

Check them out on Twitter and Facebook!

( Disclaimer:  PowerIce provided me with the product to review but I received no compensation for this post.  As always, the opinions here are my own.)

Weekly Recap- August 18-24, 2014

On Sunday I did an ab workout.  I briefly skimmed the top part of the post and just saw to do 25.  It was hard!  I later realized my mistake.  I went back and re-read it.  Apparently it was created to be similar to P90X's Ab Ripper and you are supposed to start out at 10 reps and work your way up to 25 over time.  Yeah.  Oops!  I was in pain on Monday but Tuesday was way worse.  I could barely walk.  My abs hurt, which I get, but my ribs hurt and my hip flexors were killing me!  It hurt to do certain movements like move my legs certain ways (although walking up stairs and lunges were fine).  I was trying out a PIYO class with friends that night.  But I could only do some of the moves.  I felt silly because for lots of them, I had to just stand there because I COULD NOT lift my legs!  Most of the leg pain is gone now, but there is a spot around my ribs/waist in the back that is still painful when I turn several ways.

I ran 9 miles today.  I was comparing this week's 9 miler vs my 8 miler two weeks ago. Miles 3, 5, and 6 were at the exact same pace both times. Mile 4 was only one second off. And with the exception of the first mile, the other 3 miles were only off by 5-7 seconds. I'm pretty consistent across my runs!


Monday-- Softball

Tuesday-- PIYO

Sunday--9 miles in 1:40:10 (Mile1: 9:50, Mile 2: 11:24, Mile 3: 11:25, Mile 4: 11:19, Mile 5: 11:20, Mile 6: 11:16, Mile 7: 11:28, Mile 8: 11:24, Mile 9: 10:44, Average Pace: 11:08)

Total miles this week: 9
Total miles in 2014: 143.19
Total miles: 1211.18

Stitch Fix #2

My second Stitch Fix box came today!  A few days early!  Woohoo!  It's always like Christmas morning!

I got a nice note from my stylist, who was different from the last one.

I could tell my stylist read my notes.  I had put a link to a certain type of top that I like and I wasn't sure what it was it called.  And I got a shirt and a dress with that type of top!

Unfortunately, as I lay out all of my items, I knew right away that there was going to be an overall issue.  And I was right.  I'll get there.

First up, 41Hawthorn McQue Solid Lace Sleeve Blouse $48

Super cute!

I LOVED the lace sleeves!  And the color!

BUT it was too big!  Hard to tell in this shot

See..too big...

If it was smaller like this, then it would have been perfect!

Verdict: Returning

Mystree Abigail Colorblock Lace Trim Top $58

Again..pretty!!

Love the color and detailing but while I was hanging it up, I noticed the back was sheer and I had asked for nothing to be sent that I had to wear a tank/cami under.  But it was cute so I willing to overlook it.

But again too big.  It's hard to tell in these shots.

If it was pulled tighter, again, it would be a keeper.

Verdict: Returning

41Hawthorn Winselt Silk Scar Print Halter Top $88

This is one of the ones the stylist grabbed for me because I like how the strap area was.

I loved the scarf design.

But again, too big!

Verdict: Returning

Collective Concepts Jacqui Geo Print Maxi Dress $54

I love the top area!

And the detailing on the back was interesting too!

But too big. It made me look really wide and I can't pull off those dresses with the elastic waist areas.  I need to put that in my notes.

Verdict: Returning

Collective Concepts Ahlia Keyhole Colorblocked Dress $54

This one, I was not a fan of right off the bat.  The only one my stylist missed on, style wise.  And it is HORRIBLE on.  I debated even posting the picture, but figured I should in case anyone else is looking for the dress.  But ugh.  Soooo unflattering!

Verdict: Can't return quick enough!

So overall my total was $336.  If I had bought everything, with the $20 I had already paid and the "buy everything" discount, the total would have been $237.

Sadly, this Stitch Fix was a fail.  The overall theme was that almost everything was too big.  But I'm blaming myself.  Most of the shirts I buy myself are medium and that's what I put in my profile.  But I'm finding that I think I need a small in the shirts they're sending me so I changed my size to a Small.  Now I just hope they aren't too small!

But style wise, my stylist hit 4 out of 5 of them right on the head!  If I can just the sizing right, the next box should be a hit!

I told myself that if I got a box that was a complete fail, that I couldn't get another one for 6 weeks.  I debated keeping one of them, just so I wouldn't lose out on the $20 styling fee.  The one that I would have kept was the Mystree Abigail Colorblock Lace Trim Top but it would have still been another $38 and I just didn't like it enough for that.

If you'd like your own Stitch Fix, you can sign up here

http://www.stitchfix.com/referral/3868441

(it's my referral code and I do get credit)

Have you used Stitch Fix?  If so, how did it work out for you?  Or are you planning on trying one?  If so, let me know how it goes.  I love seeing all the outfits!!

Arizona Trip- Day 7

Friday was our last full day in Arizona.  We slept in some, then got up and headed to Horseshoe Bend.  This was a little bit more of a hike but not much.

Horeshoe Bend is GORGEOUS but SCARY!  You are literally right on the edge.  And the Bucks told us that several people have fallen off and died there.  Yikes!

I love Rob's photobomb!! 

We went back to the house and played some card games for a while then went to dinner at Bonkers.  Kory and I shared the Cheesy Waffle fries for an appetizer

For an entree I had a caesar salad

and Chicken Piccata with Alfredo Pasta.

  It was sooo good but I was sooo full!  If we had been staying longer, I so would have taken it home for leftovers.

When we got home, we went out on the back deck and talked.  The stars were absolutely breathtaking.  I have never in my life seen so many stars so clearly.  It was simply amazing.  I tried to take a picture but nothing came up.  It was the perfect end to the week!

Race #49- Celebration of Running 5k

I'd been looking forward to this race.  I love racing and except for the 4 miler on the 4th of July, it'd been awhile since I'd done one!

I wasn't feeling too hot the morning of the race and only got about 3 hours of sleep the night before.  But I met up with a bunch of friends who took my mind off of it, and once I started to run, I felt fine.

I met up with Meghan (Meghan on the Move), Pam, and Carla beforehand.

Meghan and I also met up with some fellow Fit2Run Ambassadors!

We lined up and got ready to run!  It amazes me that I still get butterflies at the start of 5ks! (although I do remember when I used to be nervous for days before!)

The Thursday before the race, I had run 16 mins before starting my run/walk intervals so I did 17 minutes during the race.  When I looked down at my Garmin, I realized my first mile was a 9:12 pace!  The fastest mile I think I've ever run in a race (except for the one miler I did).  I debated going for longer than 17 minutes but I wanted to finish strong.  I did 3:1 intervals until the end!

I wasn't sure how I'd feel since my training times haven't been great.  My 5k PR was 29:44 and I wasn't shooting for that.  I finished in 30:19.  And my pace was 9:45 so not too shabby!

I finished 727 out of 2360 runners, so top third.  For the women's group, I got 274 out of 1458 and for my women's age group, I finished 45 out of 208.  So top quarter for both!

This 5k was fun to run!  There was quite a bit of shade.  Plus there's a medal! (which you don't always get for a 5k)

And you get a free beer and Krispy Kreme was there handing out donuts!

I had fun and look forward to doing it next year!

Busy Days!

I've had a busy few days.

Last Thursday I had Meet the Teacher.  I was moved from Kindergarten to First Grade and so 12 of my kids are staying with me.  I think this was the easiest Meet the Teacher ever since I already had such a great connection with most of the kids and parents.

On Friday, I had a luncheon and faculty meeting at school.  Then later that night I met some friends at Oblivion Taproom.

I have to be honest...from the outside the place looked scary.  It didn't seem to be in the best part of town (although I'm not familiar with that part so I'm not sure.).  Walking in was interesting too.

But the food was delicious!  I started off with a cider that was strawberry-lime flavored...yum!

Then Pam and I each ordered a burger and split it.  She got the Pretzel which had house made beer mustard, lettuce and tomato, all on a pretzel bun with a side of their beer cheese sauce.  This burger was okay.  The beer cheese (sadly) wasn't my favorite.  I got The Elvis.  It had Banana-Peanut Butter spread, bacon and a hunk of burnin' love.  Until I just re-read this, I didn't remember the banana part because it didn't have a banana-y flavor.  But the peanut butter part...oh my goodness.  I wasn't sure how it would be on a burger but it was absolutely delicious!  It was the perfect combo.  I'd so get it again!

And then the tator tots. I'm not a huge tator tot person, but the waitress recommended these over the fries.  They were perfectly crispy! And they have all these seasonings you could choose from.  I got the Parmesan Garlic.  I have been craving these tator tots again!  (although they have several other flavors I want to try too!  chive & onion, salt & vinegar, and I'm interested to know what the Hawaiian Raw Garlic one is).

Then for dessert they had DEEP FRIED OREOS!!  I love deep fried oreos but can never find them.

Yes, I really can't wait to go back to Oblivion Taproom!

On Saturday, I got up and ran the Celebration of Running 5k with Meghan (Meghan on the Move), Pamela, and Carla.  I'll have a whole recap on the race but it was so much fun to be racing again.

After the race, we went to Se7en Bites.  I'd been wanting to go here for a while.  Little did I know that I passed by it every time I went to the popcorn store!

I had the Se7en Benedict.  It had a fried green tomato and this peppercorn hollandaise sauce that was soooo good! After the run I was craving a coke but unfortunately they only had healthy-ish drinks.  Nothing that was really sounding the great.  The lady suggested the Agua Fresca but I HATE water.  She told me to just try a sample and it was perfectly refreshing!  It tasted like lemonade!  Yum!

I had to get a homemade Oatmeal Cookie Pie to go.  These suckers were HUGE!  And sooo good!  I ate it over that day and the next day!

We then headed up to Fleet Feet to get fitted for new running shoes.  With all the problems I've been having, I didn't give them a clue as to what I'm currently running in.  After watching my gait, they put me in the same few shoes I have.  So I don't think it's the shoes.

I headed home for a shower and a nap.  Then later that night Kory and I met up with the Ruhles and Goldsteins for a mystery dinner show.  It was at the Champions World Resort.  Holy cow this place was sketchy.  It was a motel, not a resort, and we were all convinced drug deals went down there.  The dining room where the show was, was very low maintenance.  So low that the lighting wasn't properly wired and kept flickering.  Badly.  To the point that we were worried Cori was going to have a seizure.  We asked them to fix it and I think they tried but it never really got better.

We saw the show Blood Stains the Red Carpet.

The food was actually okay.  But the show wasn't worth the Groupon that we paid for it.  There were only two actors.  Then they made people at each table be the other actors.  Michael was the unwilling actor from our table.  (But he did such a great job!)

Really, if you see this on Groupon...DON'T DO IT!

Sunday I was supposed to go to a Yelp event but I figured I should be responsible and do school stuff instead.  So I cancelled.

Then today was the big day!  The first day of First Grade---both for me and my kids!  It was a pretty easy first day since most of them know me and my routines and how my class works.  Here's hoping for a great year!

Then tonight, we started our softball season off with bang, run-ruling the other team by 20 runs!

So that was my busy few days.  What have you been up to?