EveryMove Review

Another app, you’re probably saying…

But this one is different.

You just use what you normally use to track your miles – such as Fitbit, Garmin, any phone app. It automatically syncs with EveryMove.  You can also manually add other activities such as tennis and yoga.

You earn points which can convert to $ donated to a charity or to earn discounts on healthy products.

There are 4 Ways To Earn Points

1. Enter your activities.

2. Track your steps with a device like a pedometer or FitBit.

3. Use an app like Facebook or Foursquare to “check in” at healthy places like your gym or a 5k event.

4. Invite friends and family. You can be a great source of motivation for each other, so we reward you with points when they’re active — and vice-versa.

EveryMove‘s points system reflects both the intensity of an activity and the amount of time you spend doing it.

Besides Points, EveryMove offers you other incentives.

  • An “Active Day” bonus is a points-oriented pat on the back for really breaking a sweat. There are two ways you can earn an Active Day Bonus. The first is within the day. Second, if you have more than one Active Day a week, you get even more bonus points for staying consistent. For every Active Day that you earn, you get 15 bonus points that you can share with three friends.
  • Level is another way to measure how dedicated you are to a healthy fitness lifestyle. You start on Level 1 and you can progress from level to level all the way to Level 12.  Once you get 500 points on EveryMove you move to Level 2. Once you get to 1,000 points you move to Level 3. After Level 3, levels are based on consecutive days of activities’ points.
  • Badges are a fun way to reward activities that fall outside the every day world of points and rewards.

I have been using EveryMove for a few weeks.

I have to manually add my weekly tennis and yoga activity.

But that’s it.

My walks and runs are automatically synced when I use my Nike + app.

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I have already gotten Active Day bonus points several times.

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It even updated when I hung out on our boat.

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does eating, drinking and floating count as an activity?

I earned a badge for connecting from 3 apps.

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And quickly earned my first reward and am now on my way to a second.

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I chose socks for my 2nd reward

I just got around to adding in some fellow Sweat Pink Ambassadors as friends.  That will give me points as well.

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last week’s stats…like that quote

So EveryMove seems to be a simple and easy to use application that integrates well with Fitbit Flex, Garmin Connect, Nike Plus and other fitness apps. It promotes healthy activities and lifestyle by awarding real rewards earned through points generated from your everyday activities.

I like the fact that you can do as little or as much as you want.  You can be competitive with your friends and you can even follow and support their healthy activities (if you have the time.)

However, there’s Facebook, DailyMile, Instagram, Blogs….social networking can be very time consuming!

Happy Running! How do you track your activities? Do you use EveryMove?

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Would you rather…?

I have been seeing this survey a lot lately so I thought I’d give it a try.

Would you rather…

1. …run a 5k or a marathon?

A 5K.  I have never run a marathon and probably never will. 5Ks are very popular and not a lot  of training is needed.

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my last 5K

3. …get new running shoes or a new running outfit?

That’s a hard one. Probably running shoes.  They’re important and you can wear them with many outfits.

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my newest ones

4. … run a marathon without headphones or Garmin?

Without headphones.  I never wear them in a race.  I love to focus on the scenery and other runners. But I depend on my Garmin for pace and distance. I do wear headphone when I run alone.

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love my Garmin 205

5. … race because of the convenience (location, price, travel) or the swag?

Convenience. Location is important for long races. It is cheaper if I can drive and not stay over night.  If I have to, it’s nice to combine it with a visit to a friend or a vacation.  Of course, I do love swag.

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racing and visiting a friend in CA.

6. … PR but result in an injury or finish strong and missing a PR?

Finish strong and miss a PR.  Injuries suck! A PR is not worth it.

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not a PR here

7. … do 100 squats or 100 push ups? [Now take a break and go do them. ;)]

Neither!  I don’t do exercise.

8. …. run without socks or without sports bra?

Without sports bra.  I really don’t need one (unfortunately).  Blisters on my feet …NO. don’t want them.

9. … run on a treadmill for an hour or run around the same street block for an hour?

Run around the same street block for an hour.  I prefer to be outside. I hate the treadmill.

10. … run a Ragnar Relay or Marathon Relay team?

Marathon Relay team.  3 days with no sleep …too old for that. I like half marathons so a marathon really is appealing.

11. … do a naked run or naked yoga?

That’s a neither too. Too old…too self-conscious.

13. … give up running for a 3 years to get a BQ or never BQ but run as much as you want? 

Never BQ but run as much as you want. Since I don’t run marathons, this is not an issue.

Happy Running! Feel free to answer all or some of these questions in the comments, or go ahead and share your own on your blog. Make sure you link back to me so I can see your responses, too!

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Tuesdays on the Run: My first race

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life

This week’s topic is: My First Race

My first race was a 5K (Tim Moshier Memorial 5k ) on April 27, 2008.

I had joined No Boundaries (a weekly running group for beginning runners) and started running on April 1.  We were training for our first 5k which was to be on July 13 (The Boilermaker 5K.)

My longest run had been only 1.5 miles at the time but I decided to do this 5K race anyway. It was nearby and I could walk if I couldn’t run the whole thing.

Well, I did run the whole thing.  My time was 37:36 and I was thrilled.

After that race, I became hooked on racing and immediately signed up for more 5ks.

this photo is from my 3rd race a month later and 4 min. faster

Times have changed and I have gotten faster. Now I have a Garmin. I take photos. I wear running skirts, a race belt and compression socks. My friend MaryPat still races with me  from time to time and my friend Pat does not ( but moved to Florida.)

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6 years later and  more than 9 minutes faster

Happy Running! How did your first race go?

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Monday running update

20140625-122436-44676505Last Week:

  • Monday – DAY OFF – 4.5 miles, movie

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really liked this

  • Tuesday -walk at work, rest, tennis
AM walk

AM walk

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  • Wednesday – 3 mile run before work , walk at work, yoga

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AM walk

  • Thursday – 3 mile run before work, walk at work, dinner out & movie for a friend’s bday

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dinner at a thai restaurant

a little too dark for me

  • Friday –3 2.5 mile run before work during lunch, walk at work, rest, mah jongg
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AM walk – solo

  • Saturday- packet pick up, boating, rest, rest, rest

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  • Sunday –Saratoga Half Marathon!!!
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a tough one..but still won 2nd in my age group

This Week:

  • Monday – walk at work, rest, dinner out with former co-worker
  • Tuesday -walk at work, rest, tennis
  • Wednesday – 3 mile run before work , walk at work, yoga, mall walk with bff
  • Thursday – 3 mile run before work, walk at work, hair appt
  • Friday -walk at work, rest,  mah jongg
  • Saturday- 4 mile run, JIMMY BUFFET concert!!
  • Sunday -rest, tennis party on Schroon River

Happy Running! How is your running going?  Any races ?

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Saratoga Springs Half Marathon report

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This was my first impromptu half marathon. (well, may be 2nd.)

I wasn’t planning on running one in the summer.  It is too hot.

Then 3 weeks ago, I registered. Crazy!

I knew nothing about this inaugural race except for what the website said:

The Half Marathon course starts in with a lap around the Peerless Pool Parking Lot, turns right on East West Road, and then right onto Geyser Loop Road. The course then turns left to run a lap around the SPAC Parking Lot and returning to Geyser Loop Road. The course then turns left on East West Road, left on North South Road, and continues onto Roosevelt Drive. The course then turns onto the path on Avenue of the Pines, turning right on the path to head south beside Route 9. At Crescent Avenue the course moves out to the breakdown lane of Route 9 and continues south to East West Road. The course turns right on East West Road returning to the front entrance of the Peerless Pool Parking Lot. The course then continues for a 2nd full lap. After the 2nd lap the course turns right into the Peerless Pool Parking Lot finishing with a lap around the parking lot.

And I wasn’t happy about running a repeat lap. It also seemed that you were running around parking lots too much.  Not very appealing!

Anyway, I got my 10, 11 and 12 miles training runs in and but not the taper.  I just hoped that I would finish and it wouldn’t be too painful.

I also was a little nervous because my foot was bothering me this past week and prayed that this race wouldn’t make it feel worse.

As a result, I knew I would be taking it easy.

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bright orange shirt tech shirt

Yesterday after picking up my race packet, I decided to continue north to spend the day on our boat and hang out on the lake in hopes of taking my mind off the race.

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I had a good time and relaxed but I did think about the race… a lot.

Everyone hung out having dinner by the water, watching the full moon and FIREWORKS!! I, on the other hand, drove home.  Racing does cut into one’s social life.

This was the first race that I have ever run that I considered not going.  

I had been feeling under the weather for the past few days. (It’s virus like a cold sore that I get on my arm periodically & when I get it, you’ll have a fever & feel like you have the flu. So that’s what I had, Great timing, huh?)

So I felt lousy when I got up but I felt guilty about paying and not going so I went.

The race was to start at 7:30 am so I left around 6:00 am. I got there early enough and since it started in the park, there were real restrooms. (Always a plus.)

Rain was in the forecast for later in the day today. That meant that there would be a lot of humidity – Not my favorite weather for running.

But I hate rain worse so I was not complaining (yet.)

I bumped into Jen, a fellow local blogger, Christine, a professor when I work and another runner, Valerie, that I know who was running the 5K.  It’s always good to see a familiar face.

There were about 500 racers so not a big one. The race started on the grass and then proceeded to wind around the park.

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It was advertised as “fast and flat.”  It was not.  There were several hills and they repeated.  At first I ran up the hill but that didn’t last.

Unfortunately, I didn’t feel well the whole race.  By the first 1/2 mile, I was walking and that continued the whole race.

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I drank water at all 6 water stops.  Unfortunately, the water had a weird after taste which made me VERY nauseous.  I also ate a GU at miles 4, 8 and 12…that made me feel worse.

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for some reason, this photographer took about 20 photos of me. too bad it wasn’t a good race!

 

The course was pretty nice…the park is pretty and shaded for most of it.  It wasn’t even as bad I thought having to repeat the loop.

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photo from Jen’s instgram

The biggest problem was the humidity and even though the race started at 7:30 am, it was already over 70 degrees.

Yes, I though of quitting many many times but I just took it one step at a time.  But when you are not running with the faster runners, you see a lot of them walking which was not motivating me to run.

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this is deceiving…I actually look better than the other (younger) runners.

As if things couldn’t get any worse, I developed a blister around mile 5…ouch!

I finished the first half of race at 1:06:00 which wasn’t too bad considering how I felt.

If I could finish strong, I could PR.

Well, that didn’t happen.

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this was a fake smile!

The whole second half of the race, I was running near a tall athletic looking guy who was doing the Galloway run/walk thing.  And in the end, I did beat him.  Also I was running near a very enthusiastic young lady who tried to motivate me to run saying we could finish together.  We did not.  She just beat me.

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heading to the finish line and chicking 2 guys!

So I dragged myself across the finish line at 2:26:00.

Christine & Valerie were there cheering me on.

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relieved to be done!

It’s not my worst half marathon finish time but it is slower than my last 2 halfs and I am not injured!!

After I was done, I hung around for awhile because I started to feel dizzy…like I could pass out.

I was beginning to think that I was going to get sick.  But I didn’t and eventually I felt well enough to drive home.

Believe it or not, I won 2nd in my age group.  ( I am not proud to admit that there were only 2 of us!)

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So running a half marathon in the summer may not have been the smartest idea for me.

I think next year, I’ll do the 5k.  They got the same medal and beer glass!!!

Race Splits:

mile 1- 9:50
mile 2 – 9 :39
mile 3 – 10:25
mile 4 – 11:04
mile 5 –  10:57
mile 6 – 11:03
mile 7 – 11:43
mile 8 – 11:06
mile 9 – 12:22
mile 10 -11:57
mile 11 -12:00
mile 12 -12:04
mile 13 -11:25
.10 – 7:22

You can see the downward spiral.

Goals:

  • Finish uninjured. YES! My foot felt fine 🙂
  • Not finish last. YES!
  • Have fun.  Well, that’s debatable.
  • Finish under 2:30:00 – YES!
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half marathon #9

Happy Running! Are you running a half  this summer?  

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Friday Five: Fitness Snapshots

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Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mary at Mar On the Run, Cynthia at You Signed Up For What?! and Courtney from Eat Pray Run, DC to host the Friday Five linkup.  Anyone can join with their own Friday Five post (yes, it must be a Friday Five!!)  They encourage you to visit other blogs on the linkup, comment, share and engage!

This week, the theme is Fitness Snapshots:

Here are my five snapshots of being active this week:

1. Running on a trail – On Monday, I ran 4.5 miles on several trails at the Five Rivers environmental center.

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2. Walking – I walked one mile every morning with a co-worker.

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3. Running on the road – I ran 3 miles before work Wednesday and today Friday.

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4. Tennis – I played tennis on Tuesday – 2 hours of doubles after work.

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5. Yoga – I went an 75 minute yoga class on Wednesday after work.

Wed Yoga with Lisa

Happy Running! How were you active this week?

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DBelt Review

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DBELT was created by Danielle Etienne, a fashion insider with over two decades of experience in the industry and the practical knowledge of a mother of three, and Michael Rabinowitz, founder of the luxury lingerie line Le Mystère.
The DBELT is made of a cotton/spandex blend and is machine washable/dry-able. It comes in black and in sizes from P/S for 24-27 inch waists through L/XL for 36-40 inch waists.

The DBelt is four inches wide and closes with Velcro.  It has two zippered pockets – one pocket has a cord port and is big enough for most mobile phones. The other pocket can store ID and cards or some extra cash and coins. You can also wear the DBelt either way – with pockets to the front or the back.

Recently I was given the opportunity to test DBelt. I ordered a medium and it fit snugly around my waist. I wore it during a short run last week. I used the small pocket for my car key and the larger pocket for my phone.

my iphone is not in it since I used it to take this photo.

I had a hard time fitting my phone, which is an iPhone, into the larger pocket.  But I squeezed it in and then threaded the headphone wire through the hole. (You would have an even harder time if you use a Samsung phone which is even larger.)  I always carry my phone & use it to listen to music instead of my iPod.  The problem with a snug fit is that I like to take my phone in and out to take photos.  This was difficult.

Otherwise the the DBelt was comfortable.  It doesn’t move around and is very light weight and stretchy so you can wear it under your shirt or over.

The DBelt gives you the ease and access to take along your iPod, keys and extra money with you without having to worry of losing them. It would be a perfect alternative to carrying a small purse.

Dbelt gives you a hands free option  if you need to carry your iPod or keys while doing your  run or a gym workout.

You can purchase the Dbelt from their website @ Dbelt.com and also check them out at the following social media:

facebook.com/TheDBelt
twitter.com/TheDBelt

I will definitely use my DBelt for carrying my keys, phone & credit card when I don’t need to carry a purse.  I my continue to use my belt while racing since it can attach my bib & also carry gels.

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Happy Running!  What do you use to carry stuff while running?

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*I was sent this product free of charge. I have not been compensated for my review, my opinions are my own.

Another day off and a new trail

Monday, I had the day off from work. (Originally it was planned so I could do my long run.)

Anxious to test out my foot, I decided that an easy run was the order for the day.

I was going to stay nearby but then again, I had the day off. Why not drive somewhere new?

I had heard about Five Rivers and that it was a great place to hike.

I got a late start and it was humid but otherwise, it was a great day to run or run/walk as in my case.

I wish I had downloaded the trail maps here to be better prepared but I just winged it. There are supposed 10 miles of trails so I just started with one and continued until I got to 4 miles or it started to rain.

I started with the Woodlot trail which was pretty short.

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Then I did the Wild Turkey trail but did not see any wild turkey…just lots of butterflies and birds.

 

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At times, I got off course and I am not sure I actually did the whole trail.

Next was the North Loop trail.

 

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I ran when it was safe to do so like on dirt and grass, I walked when it was too dangerous and a big chance of tripping and falling.

The Old Field trail was next.

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This one was an easy loop to follow.

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The last one I did was Vlomankill trail.

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I enjoyed this one – a lot variety – bridges, stairs, water …

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It looked like it may rain so I quit at this point – 4.5 miles covered.

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rain clouds?? nope. only felt a few drops and then the sun came out

Now that I look at the map, there are a few more trails that I missed.

I am definitely going back.

As for my foot. It didn’t really hurt.  It felt a little sore.

When I got home, it did hurt a little but then that went away and I was pain free for the rest of the day. I played tennis on Tuesday and was okay.

Fingers still crossed!

Happy Running!  Do you mix up the surfaces that you on?

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Tuesdays on the Run: Summer Clothing

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life

This week’s topic is: Summer Clothing

  • Shirts (or tanks) made of breathable fabric – no cotton.

Lululemon – one of my favs  (gift)

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Target – another favorite

  • Skirts. I find them cooler than shorts and less chafing

from runningskirts.com

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from Target

  • Cap to keep the sun out of my face. It also keeps my (unruly) hair off my neck.

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  • Sunglasses. My eyes are very sensitive to the sun and I wear contacts so this helps if it is breezy, as well.

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  • Don’t forget that if you chafe, in the summer when you sweat, you chafe even more.

 

Happy Running! Any additions that you add to your summer running wardrobe?

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Monday running update

20140625-122436-44676505Last Week:

  • Monday – 3 mile run before work, walk at work
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early morning run

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AM walk

  • Tuesday –4 mile run before work, walk at worktennis
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so glad I did it in the am…a sweaty one!

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AM walk

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PM walk

  • Wednesday – 3 mile run before work, after work (RAIN – should have done it before work), walk at work, yoga
AM walk

AM walk

  • Thursday – rest, 4 mile run before work, walk at work

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  • Friday – DAY OFF – 3 miles, on the river, hanging with friends, mah jongg
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in Williamstown, MA

  • Saturday- 12 miles, dinner with former college roommates
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on the Nisky Bike Path & the Crossings

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restaurant on the Hudson

  • Sunday -rest, boating
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my friends first ride on the lake

 

This Week:

  • Monday – DAY OFF – 4 mile run
  • Tuesday -walk at work, rest, tennis
  • Wednesday – 3 mile run before work, walk at work, yoga
  • Thursday – 3 mile run before work, walk at work, dinner out for a friend’s bday
  • Friday -walk at work, rest, mah jongg
  • Saturday- rest
  • Sunday –Saratoga Half Marathon!!!

Happy Running! How is your running going?  Any races ?

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