Handana Review

I heard about Handana from Twitter and Instagram. I'd seen other runners raving about them, so I checked out their website. Since I sweat so much while I run, this was something I needed. I realized they were going to be at the Disneyland Half Marathon Expo 2013. Figured I would go and try it on just to make sure I got the right size. I knew going to the booth I needed red. It matched both of my costumes!

What's a Handana you ask? It's a wristband that has been modified. It goes over your hand.

Description from their website:

Our reinvented sports wristbands are made of soft, durable, SupplexTM LycraTM fabric allowing you to wipe and wick away sweat and nasal drip that’s getting in the way of your activities. For men and women of all fitness level across a variety of sports, Handana handles the sweat so you can focus on your finish line. 

It is very soft and is very comfortable. I wore my red one for the first time during the Dumbo Double Dare 10k. Oh I was so thankful I purchased this. It was hot and humid that morning. When I got back to my hotel, one of first things I did was wash it out in the sink, so it was ready for the next day for the half marathon!

I wear it on every run, even the treadmill. It's easier to use this on a treadmill than a towel, and softer! I can't tell you how many times I would drop a towel and watch it zip by me. Frustrating to say the least. My hand doesn't get hot while wearing it either!

I really do wear this on the treadmill.

I loved it so much I bought one for my husband. He loves his as much as I love mine!

Mine is on the left and his is on the right.

As of now I have three Handanas and plan to get more. Of course my Handanas always match my running outfits!

Have you tried Handanas?

Disclaimer: I purchased all three of my Handanas and my husbands Handana. All thoughts and opinions are mine.

Monday Motivation 7/28/14

Week 6 Marathon Training

Photo Credit: runDisney

Week 6 is over! 166 days until race day!

This was an ok week as far as training goes. I had family staying with us this week and I only got one workout in during the stay.

I ran outside! I know it's Florida, it's summer, it's humid, I DON'T run outside during summer months. I figured it was easier to get my run in while my Uncle was here if he went with me. He rode a bike while I ran. It was slower than what I have been running on the treadmill, but it's hard to run fast and still talk. It was good to be out in the humidity. I have a race in just over a week and I know it will be hot. And I got a new Sparkle Athletic skirt! I think it's my new fave!

Friday I ran 4 miles on treadmill and then PiYo followed by 10 mins of yoga. 

Saturday I was planning on walking then PiYo. Well it didn't workout that way. I did walk a mile, then I decided to see if I could run one mile at 7.0. I did the mile at 7.0, then I thought wonder if I can go a mile and a half. The last half mile I just kept upping the speed. 1.25 miles in I was done, but somehow kept at it for the last .25. I didn't do PiYo cause after that I thought I was going to puke. I need to keep remembering that I'm stronger than I think.

Sunday I ran a 5k on the treadmill! Followed by PiYo and yoga.

This weeks Sparkle Athletic skirt is.....red! Not sure this one will make the short list.

How was your workout week?

Monday Motivation 7/21/14

Week 5 Marathon Training

Photo: runDisney

I say this every week, but boy this is flying by.

My week was a little light, but I got most of my runs in. Tuesday I ended up walking more than I ran. I just had one of those days that running just wasn't working.

I am still LOVING PiYo! I would recommend this to everyone. Wow it's amazing how much you can work in just 30 mins. I try to get core and upper body two days a week and sculpt once a week. I didn't have a chance to do the lower body workout, but I love doing that after I run.

Thursday I got my full run in and it was ahead of my half marathon time!!

Sunday was my long run day. 6 miles! I did the run/walk/run method and stayed ahead of my marathon pace and felt great!

I've been training with multiple pace bands. I really want to finish in 2:12:30 for the Space Coast Half, but I also wear the 2:15 just incase. 

 This weeks Sparkle Athletic skirt was purple!

How was your week?

Fruit and Veggie Delivery July 16

This is what we got this week in our Space Girl Organics delivery!

Lettuce, Potatoes, Champaign Grapes, Plums, Carrots, Celery, Nectarines, Baby Brocoli, Onions, Zucchini, Oranges and a Mango

I'm excited to try the grapes!

Week 4 Marathon Training

Photo from runDisney

Wow 4 weeks already!! It's really flying by.

This week wasn't the best. I took Monday off, but then Tuesday and Wednesday I didn't workout again. I have these days when my body just refuses to cooperate. Luckily it doesn't happen often, but when it does there's nothing I can do but lay in bed.

Thursday I was determined to make up for Tuesday and Wednesday. I ran 4 miles and did PiYo!

Friday I did double duty of PiYo! I did upper body and core. Wow what a combo.

Saturday I did 30 mins of Yoga. It was a much needed 30 mins of stretching. 

Sunday is long run day. On the schedule was 1 Magic Mile(try and run as fast as you can for one mile) and 2.5 miles. My Magic Mile was better than I thought. I finally ran a sub 9 min mile!!! 8:53 to be exact. After that awesome mile I ran the 2.5 miles faster than normal. I ran 6.6 mph for 3:52 min and walked 4.0 for 1:00 min with a 1% incline. Felt great! Then just for fun I decided to check out PiYo Sculpt! I will be adding Sculpt at least once a week to workout! After this workout I went floating in the pool and spent the rest of the evening in my Pro Compression socks.

And the Sparkle Athletic skirt of the week is Gunmetal. (I don't think this one will make the short list to go with this shirt for the marathon.)

I'm not a Beach Body Coach. I bought PiYo and love it! If you need a coach I can give you the name of my coach!

How was your week?

Monday Motivation 7/14/14

Week 3 of Marathon Training

Photo Source: runDisney

Week 3 is complete! I got all three of my scheduled runs done! My husbands birthday was this week and he was home, so my regular workouts were skipped.

I ran 3 miles on Tuesday. I ran 6.4 mph for 3 minutes and 50 seconds and walked 4.0 for :50 seconds. Right on target for a 2:12:30 half marathon!

Friday I ran the Firecracker 5k. I did pretty good considering it was 90% humidity. I ran the 5k in 31:32.

Sunday was my long run day. I got it done. It was a tough one. I know I said when they are tough I'll go the extra mile, but there was no extra mile this week.

Sparkle Athletic skirt of the week was the white one!

Monday starts a new a week and hopefully I'll be adding PiYo into the mix! Can't wait to try it.

How was your week?

Monday Motivation 7/7/14

Firecracker 5k Race Recap

For the last three years, every 4th of July morning, I get up early and go run the Firecracker 5k. It's the first race in the Running Zone Foundation Series. And every year it's a hot one, but what I do expect in July in Florida a cold snap?!

Flat Runner Megan

This year, just like every year, I didn't have a time goal, just wanted to finish. During the Summer, I move all of my training runs to the treadmill because of the heat, so when I do run in these summer races all I ever want is to cross the finish line.

Usually when I have early morning races, I get up have a cup of coffee and eat a banana and one or two hard boiled eggs. I decided to change my breakfast. I had the usual  banana and coffee, but right before I left I took 30 ENERGYbits and 30 RECOVERYbits. I also made myself a smoothie to go. It was just blueberries, pineapple and yogurt. Before the start of the race I took 30 more ENERGYbits. It was kind of nice not to have to force myself to eat eggs before a race. Sometimes I'm not hungry first thing and drinking the smoothie was easier.

I got to the start line and the National Anthem was sung and we were off. The one thing I've learned about running this course is we bottle neck just after the start of the race. Everyone starts out fast and then stops. This year wasn't as bad; I was able to stay to the right and keep moving. For the first mile I didn't want to go too fast and burn out. I kept a steady pace and the first mile I ran in 10:04.

The second mile time was 9:48. I felt really good after mile two and figured I would try and speed up just a little bit for the last mile. The third was 9:42. Considering I don't run outside in the humidity, I felt really good about my times! My finish time was 31:32.

I finished 35th in my age group. This is a very competitive series and I usually end up finishing in the middle of my age group. The next race in the series is August 9th!

Did you run a 4th of July race?

It Ain't Easy Being Megan Cooking Edition

Yesterday I launched the blog It Ain't Easy Being Megan Cooking Edition! I've been experimenting in the kitchen and wanted to share recipes in one blog. I have two recipes that I've almost got perfected, and I hope to share this week. I've been working on pancakes and flat bread. Of course they will be grain free, corn free, nut free etc. I'm adjusting to the latest food intolerance, now I'm ready to eat cookies and pancakes and bread again.

I really do enjoy cooking and really LOVE baking. Now I get to be creative and use all kinds of new ingredients.