Hands Free Running (SPIBelt Review)

When I first began running years ago it consisted of myself and my running shoes. It was such a simple concept to just throw on my shoes and run but over the years, with the growth of technology, it has become a bit more complicated. 

Now a days a run consists of myself, my running shoes, my Garmin, my iPhone, my keys, headphones, energy packs (for those long runs), my ID and a credit card just in case. I am guilty of having said "I can't run tonight because my Garmin is dead." Wow. What kind of world are we living in?

A hands on-technologically advanced-I must have the latest fitness app-world.

Now I'm not saying that we need to go back to running without music, fitness trackers, or running apps but what if there were a way to run with these things and not even know it?

Well, the masterminds behind SPIbelt have figured it out! Their goal is to create things that help keep things in your life simple and safe. And I'd have to say they do a pretty good job of it!

After going on several runs with my SPIbelt, I only have good things to say about it. It's so nice to go on a run and not have to worry about carrying your phone, where you are going to hide your key, and how you will ID yourself in case of an emergency.

The SPIbelt expands to hold all of your essentials and it doesn't bounce when you run. Don't believe me? You'll have to try it yourself. The band clips in the back, the belt is adjustable and everything in the pocket is held securely inside because of it's zipper closure.

The best part? SPIbelt isn't just for runners. They have products that are great for triathletes, travelers, individuals with medical devices/emergency medicines, walking your dog (they have a SPILeash!!!) and kids!

I currently own the Large Pocket SPIbelt in black (which holds everything you could possibly think of) and the High Visibility SPIbelt in turquoise (which is great for running in busy or low lit areas). Head on over to their website now and check out all of their amazing products! Be sure to follow me on Instagram to see where I take my SPIbelt next!

Question of the Day

What do you carry with you when you run? How would SPIbelt benefit you? 

Disclaimer: I received these products free of charge in exchange for a review. As always, all opinions are completely my own.

Stop Trouble Before It Starts®

Ever find yourself stopping earlier on a run than planned because chafing and blisters are making it unbearable? Do certain materials or hot weather make you chafe? Have you tried countless products and remedies to eliminate chafing and blisters but nothing works? Well I'm here to tell you that I have found a product that really does work - and it's BodyGlide.

I personally find chafing to be at it's worst when I am running inside (because of how hot it gets), when I am running in the summer, or when I wear certain pairs of running shorts. Now when I run in tights or in the cooler months I don't have a problem with chafing at all but it's not realistic to run in tights in the middle of June nor is the weather always going to be perfect for running.

When I contacted BodyGlide and told them about my chafing problems they quickly offered to send a sample of their product. I was sent the BodyGlide For Her Stick and BodyGlide For Her Pocket Size. Immediately I wanted to go on a run and test it out. Once I did I was extremely happy with the results.

I thought the Pocket Size ones were adorable! Perfect for throwing one in your gym bag and another in your purse.

Some info about BodyGlide For Her from BodyGlide:

Bodyglide® For Her provides comfort in sensitive areas such as with bras and on thighs, it’s resistant to perspiration and water, but it lets skin breathe even as it holds-up in heat and humidity.

Added Vitamin F Forte helps to hydrate and smooth skin, along with aloe and Vitamin E. 

The long-lasting formula is ideal to maintain skin comfort all day, in any weather, and under all conditions. 

Like the original technically advanced formula, it’s invisible, dry, fragrance free, and never oily or greasy.

It’s also ideal for feet, protecting against raw skin and blisters caused by footwear, from athletic shoes to everyday and formal wear, flats and strappies, boots and heels.

Seriously, this stuff is awesome! I 100% agree with everything above - from it being perfect in any condition to letting skin breathe even in humidity. If you have problems with chafing, bra straps becoming irritating, or blisters you need to try this stuff out! They have products for men, women, runners, swimmers, work, blisters.. the list goes on, so go check it out now!

Disclaimer: I was sent this product for free however all opinions are my own.

Question

Do you have problems with chafing? Have you ever tried BodyGlide?

You Can Never Have Too Many T-Shirts! (Plus A Giveaway)

The reason I started this blog a few months ago wasn't to talk about my everyday life or to share my meals with all of you - it was to track my training for a half-marathon I am running in honor of my aunt who is currently fighting ovarian cancer. If you would like to learn more about my aunt's battle please check out this post for more info about my aunt or this one for more info on donating.

I have also been raising money throughout my training with an initial goal of $1,300.00 and I have surpassed that. My new goal is to have raised $2,000.00 by race day which is on May 4th. I hope to surpass this goal as well and I hope the t-shirt sale helps me do just that.

I know that a large percent of my readers are fitness gurus and love working out just as I do which makes me assume that you all love t-shirts just as much! And aren't these ones super cute?!

The shirts are available in both short and long sleeve. You also have the option to choose between normal cotton t-shirt material or American Apparel material which is super soft and top of the line (American Apparel shirts are a few bucks extra). The shirts are also shipped directly to your door step!

All the proceeds from the t-shirts go directly to my aunt's fundraising fund! If you are interested in buying one please click on the following link https://myshirtsize.com/raisingawarenessonemileatatime/

Thank you so much for buying one of these shirts to help me with my cause!

Giveaway

If you end up buying a t-shirt you have a chance to be entered into a fun giveaway. Michelle Davies of Michelle Davies Photography has offered to give away a photo-shoot to one lucky reader!

There are a few rules to enter though.
1. You must live in Fort Wayne, IN or the surrounding area.
2. You must e-mail a picture of yourself in the shirt to Michelle by Monday April 15th! Her e-mail is michelledavies@michelledaviesphotography.com.

Also, if you don't live in the Fort Wayne area you can still e-mail me your pictures and I will put them up on the blog!

8 Miles & A Giveaway

* This giveaway is closed * 

 

Today was the longest run I have ever been on. I was supposed to do the long run yesterday according to the schedule but I did it today instead as I had much more time. I ran 8 miles and was aiming for a pace closer to 9 minutes but hey, I'll take it!

On the run I took with me a GU Energy Gel and my phone, in which I carried in my SPIbelt.

When I first heard about running belts and fanny packs that held all of your gels, keys, and phone I was very skeptical. I figured that they would bounce and be uncomfortable to wear while running. I honestly never thought that I really needed one because I always just carried my phone in my hand on my runs and wasn't using gels on my runs that were less than 6 miles.

Today was actually my first time using an energy gel and my first time running with the SPIbelt. If I didn't have the SPIbelt I would be running with my phone in one hand and a GU pack in the other which would get annoying.

The SPIbelt that I wore was the Original style and it fit perfectly. I put my phone and a GU pack in the pouch and took off for my run. The belt did not bounce, slide up on my waist, or feel heavy at all. I honestly hardly even noticed it was there!

When my Garmin hit mile 5 I stopped and had the GU gel. I had never had anything like it before so I wasn't sure what to expect. The consistency was really thick and gooey. I think that I would have liked to have something with a thinner consistency but the taste wasn't bad so that's a plus. 

I was feeling good the last couple of miles but was sure glad to finish. Once I got home I iced my legs as they were a little sore and then got ready to go and celebrate my grandpa's 76th birthday!

Disclaimer: I received these products free of charge, however all opinions are my own.

Giveaway

SPIbelt has offered to give one lucky reader an Original SPIbelt! Please note that the color can not be guaranteed. To enter just do the following and leave a comment for each entry for 3 chances to win!

Mandatory: Either "Like" SPIbelt's Facebook page or follow them on Twitter (1 entry)
Optional: Like Truffles n' Treadmills on Facebook or follow me on Twitter (1 entry)
Optional: Tweet about this giveaway and leave a link to your tweet "I want to win a @SPIBELT from @trufflesntread http://bit.ly/WB9P9b" (1 entry)

A winner will be chosen on Wednesday!

Roommate Bonding

* This giveaway is now closed *

I feel like I hardly have any time to fit in blogging lately with this new job because before it I was always writing my posts at night. Now I am trying to do everything when I get off work at 9:30 so it feels pretty hectic. I think that if I do them earlier in the day I won't feel as rushed at night with studying and blogging so we will give it a run for it's money this week.


On Saturday Jancee and I went to the mall and then to AT&T so she could get a new sim card for her phone. At the mall we spotted a few great deals at GAP. Alex's sister told me they were going out of business and everything was 50% off! I couldn't let this deal slide by so we went in and checked it out.

I picked up a running jacket, sunglasses, and some socks for me and because I couldn't walk out of there without something for Alex, I got him a plaid long sleeve shirt. As soon as I got in the car I immediately put on the new sunglasses I bought.

After all of the shopping we did, we were pretty hungry. If you follow me on Twitter you probably already know what we ended up picking up... Pita Pit! This was my first time going to this amazing little restaurant. Jancee recently got a job there and has been talking about it a lot so I had to try it.

I got the Gyro, which is seasoned beef strips, and I added green peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, and their Tzatziki sauce. The sauce was good and this combo was delicious. I will definitely be going there often to try out more combinations. Since it was my first time I was afraid to go crazy with the combos but I am sure next time I will change it up!

It was definitely a fun day with Jancee! Even though we live in the same tiny little box of a room together, we hardly get to do anything together very much with our busy schedules so it was much needed.

I actually wore the jacket I bought at GAP on my run today and it was super comfortable. It didn't bounce around even with heavy things (ie. keys, ID) in my pockets, kept me warm, and it even has thumb holes! My run today was my first official run of my half-marathon training! I will post my full training schedule soon.

It was nice outside and in the high 40s so I took advantage of it and ran 3 miles outside. I'm pretty sure that it is supposed to drop down into the 20s by the end of the week. It felt good to be outside but it was super windy and I felt that no matter which direction that I ran in that I was running into the wind.

Giveaway

It seems like it's been awhile since I've had a giveaway on the blog so I think it's time for one! I still have some awesome stuff to giveaway as part as my New Years Resolutions Blog Giveaway!

This week's giveaway is from Chobani. One lucky reader will win a variety box of Chobani yogurt!

If you have never had Chobani Greek Yogurt then you are definitely missing out! They have several different delicious flavors, low-fat options, dessert flavors, and fun squeeze tubs that are perfect if you are on-the-go. Chobani yogurt can also replace sour cream, butter, oil, and a number of other ingredients in your cooking to make it healthier. Check out some of these awesome recipes by clicking here and see how you can make your cooking a bit healthier with Chobani.

How to enter

Mandatory: Check out Chobani's website and comment telling me which flavor you would like best.
Optional: Like my Facebook page and leave a comment saying you did.
Optional: Tweet about the giveaway and make sure to include @trufflesntread and @nothingbutgood in the tweet! Comment below saying that you did

I will choose a winner on Thursday! Good luck and have a great week :)