Flashbrite Winner!

Happy Sunday everyone! No weekly roundup to go with this winner announcement post coz...well I haven't been really blogging. So busy preparing for my wedding.

Anyway, the winner of the Flashbrite products is....

new reader, Zoe from www.runzoerun.com

Congratulations!  Shoot me an email to claim your prize! =)

Thanks to everyone who participated and do watch out for my next giveaway this coming week =)

Gear Review and Giveaway: Flashbrite

On our way home one night from Whole Foods, Mike almost hit a woman in the parking lot.   Mike who has never been ticketed and is the safest driver in the planet.  Seriously!  The weird thing about it was that I didn't see her either.  It's a good thing Mike slowed down before the lady appeared out of nowhere.  She didn't even notice we almost hit her.

It was night time and the lady was wearing a dark brown top and black pants.  And I thought about those runners/walkers who I sometimes see wearing dark colored clothes.  Sometimes I would also see those wearing light or bright colored ones but sometimes, it's just not enough.

Enter Flashbrite Reflective Products!  I use these during my night runs, which is not too often but when I've had a really busy day, sometimes I would start late in the afternoon and finish when it's dark already.  The ones I'm wearing on my arms is actually a 36" inch strip that I cut into 4 pieces - 1 on each arm and ankle.  I wish someone would've taken a video of me running in the dark.  I'm sure it looked quite amusing.  And if the cars didn't see me glowing in the dark, bobbing up and down, then they must be blind!



I liked that it stayed securely in place, didn't cause any chafing even when I wore it on my bare arms one time, and it's easy to put on the velcro straps too!

Now you see me...

...And now, well...you still see me...

Flashbrite has a wide array of designs to choose from.  For runners, walkers, bikers, our kids...

and even for our fur babies!

"Reflect to Protect", the company says.

I agree!

Giveaway

Thanks to Jogn from Flashbrite, one lucky reader will win some products from Flashbrite!

Please remember to leave a SEPARATE comment for EACH of the things below.  1 comment = 1 entry.  I suggest you do everything specified below to increase your chances of winning.  If you do all 11, that's 11 entries!

I will announce the winner this coming Sunday, March 27.

Please remember to leave a SEPARATE comment for EACH of the things below.  1 comment = 1 entry.  I suggest you do everything specified below to increase your chances of winning.  If you do all 11, that's 11 entries!

Mandatory:

1.  Must be a FOLLOWER of my blog. I'm doing this because it's my way of thanking you for being one! =) Click the Follow button located at my right sidebar. And let me know that you are following already by posting a comment here like, "I am a follower" .  I am always happy to see new people following. = 1 entry

2.  Visit the Flashbrite Website. Let me know which of their products you like most. Post it on my comments again. = 1 entry

Extra Credit
3.  Follow me on Twitter (@HotlegsRunner) and leave a comment that you already do. = 1 entry

4.  Follow BuildASign on Twitter (@flashbrite) and leave a comment that you already do. = 1 entry
5.  Like the Hotlegs Runner on FACEBOOK and leave a hi or any greeting on my wall or comment on anything posted on my wall.  Come back here and leave a comment here that lets me know that you did = 1 entry
6.  Like Flashbrite on FACEBOOK, post on their wall saying Hotlegs Runner sent ya, and leave a comment here that lets me know that you did. = 1 entry
7.  Post the link to this giveaway on your blog, Twitter and/or Facebook linking back to here.  Let me know when you've spread the word. Leave a comment for EACH. = 3 entries
8.  Add me to your blog roll. = 1 entry 

9.  Answer this: What kind of reflective items would you like to see on their site?

Good luck!
Disclaimer:  I did not pay for these Flashbrite Products  They were sent to me and in exchange, I post an honest review of it.  I was not compensated nor was I encouraged by the manufacturer to post a positive review.  This review is based solely on my experience with this product.

Gear Review: CEP Compression Sports Socks

I have to admit. I'm not a fan of knee-high socks. It's not the socks, it's me! I don't really have long legs so wearing these kinds of socks make me, well, look shorter. When I was still in Manila, my friends often wore colored knee highs with funky designs during race events. They looked cute, but still not enough to convince me to actually wear one!

When I got the CEP socks in the mail to review, I was not hesitant to try them on. Socks with a purpose?  That I like!

But first, what are CEP Compression socks?...

Give yourself an edge with CEP Running Progressive Compression Sports Socks featuring 18-25mmHg compression. All the same great features as the original CEP Running O2 Sports Socks, but with a sleek new design. Used by professional triathletes around the world, CEP running socks are the first scientifically proven compression running socks to maximize power, boost energy, and speed recovery time. 

CEP Running O2 Sportsocks maximize muscle oxygenation and boost energy with CEP's unparalleled scientifically optimized ultimate compression technology for all-day benefits. You’ll run with less effort, increased speed, decreased recovery time, reduced fatigue and optimized performance.

The days of wearing socks “solely” to protect feet from blistering are over. CEP compression sportsocks are the first truly functional compression sport socks with a patented pressure flow technology that provide a scientifically proven increase in blood circulation and a consequent increase in performance. In addition to blister prevention, CEP socks provide more oxygen, more energy, an improved metabolization of lactic acid, and faster recovery so you can return to training quicker than ever.

My Review

Aesthetically, it didn't make my legs looks "that" short and big.  Well, not as much as I had expected especially since it was white.  Loved that!  Yes, no matter how superficial this may sound, this is an important consideration for petite women like myself.  We do like to look good too while we run, you know.  Right ladies? =)

                                                                         

The first time I wore these socks was when I felt some stiffness on my calves and then later on when I felt some soreness on my Achilles tendon.  It didn't make the stiffness and soreness go away instantaneously, but it somehow lessened it.  I know it's because of the compression technology.  I've always been a fan of anything compression (tights, sportsbra, etc.).

The primary rationale behind wearing compression socks in a race is that they may improve oxygen delivery to the muscles, increase endurance, faster lactic acid removal, cramp prevention and minimized muscle fatigue.  If you watched Ironman KONA, you would've noticed a lot of triathletes wearing compression socks.  That was what got me curious about these compression socks.  Anything, that can help us on our runs, I am all for.  That said, the CEP socks does not disappoint.  

It's getting really warm here in CA so this is the best alternative to wearing tights. It may appear to be thick and tight, but once you wear them, the material is actually breathable and your legs don't feel like it's being suffocated.

My only problem was actually the time spent wearing the socks.  It wasn't easy.  However, I searched online and found this video from CEP on how to wear them in just seconds...



Easy peasy, ey?

What I also love about these socks are the padded soles.  My feet are thankful for the extra cushioning.  Normally, during my long runs, I would tape my right pinky toe coz I always get a blister there.  There was one run  though wherein I forgot to do so.  Good thing I was wearing my CEP socks and didn't get any blister!  So the claims are true!

After each run I also wore the socks for a few hours before taking them out to help enhance recovery.  I know of some people who doesn't like wearing compression socks or tights during a run but they definitely wear them after their workout.  You'll have a faster lactate recovery rate after your exercise.

I'm very satisfied with the CEP Compression Socks.  Clearly, there is enough evidence of the positive benefits of this product for me.  And if you own one, I have a feeling you'll agree with me.  If you have not tried them, well, here's a code for you bloggy buddies to use to get 15% off: BLOG15
You may get them at www.sportscompression.com



Disclaimer:  I did not pay for this iFitness Belt.  They were sent to me and in exchange, I post an honest review of it.  I was not compensated nor was I encouraged by the manufacturer to post a positive review.  This review is based solely on my experience with this product.

Race Review & Recap: Susan G. Komen 5K 2011

This review and recap will be short and sweet. Just like this race event! I don't have a lot of time to blog and blog hop these days since I have my hands full (read post before this one to know why =) ).

We arrived just 20 minutes before gun start and was trying my best to look for my team for a quick group photo but couldn't find them. =(

Anyway, the crowd was a bit overwhelming!  But in a good way.  It was very well attended and seeing so much PINK got me all fired up. Haha!

 You can never wear too much pink!

I was determined to do a sub-30 this time.  I think I exerted too much effort during the start of the race especially climbing that first hill just a few meters from the start.  But I'm happy and proud to say that I ran that hill.

Not sure though if that was a good idea coz I got really exhausted after.  The sun was also out.  Nice weather but my body heated up right away.  Had to take off my singlet half way coz I felt I was overheating.

I also felt like puking.  Weird.  Never happened to me before.

So did I do a sub-30 5k?

 Checked my garmin and saw that it was time to start kicking it.

Sprinting towards the finish line. Can see how much I wanted the sub-30?

Well, I thought I did.  My garmin recorder 29:39...but my results recorded...30:00.

Bummer!  Usually my garmin is always the one that records the longer time during my race events.  Not this time.  Ugh.  really sucks.  Yes, still a 4 minute PR.  But still... =/

I constantly have to remind myself that in spite of this big let down, I still had an awesome day!   No hassles.  Lots of parking, port-a-potties, 2 hydration stations, and lots of post race food and water.  So nice to see a lot of people get together for a great cause. And for that, my rating for this race event is 5 Hot Legs!

 

I read a comment online that he/she is upset coz there were no finisher's medal. *rolls eyes* 

Participating in this event made me realized how blessed I am -- I don't personally know anyone who has passed on because of breast cancer, but I do know a lot who have battled this awful disease and survived.  Yes!

Another highlight was my first bloggie meet-up!  Finally got to meet Caroline, her husband, her 2 cute kids and her friend, Rebecca.  See how tiny I am?  Just a few more years her boys will be as tall as me! Haha!

A Sunday well spent indeed!

Click HERE to view more photos.

Posts you might have missed this week:

A Very Special Announcement

A Special Announcement

Hi! Remember me?  I've been gone for almost two weeks, I think.  And so much has happened already I don't even know where to start.  Please continue reading until the end...I promise it's gonna be worth it. *winks*

1.  My 2 future sisters-in-law stayed with us for 4 days and we had so much fun!

2.  Experienced happy hour in America for the first time thanks to my future sis-in-law!
3.  Missed two of my training days! Boo!
4.  Blaming it on too much wine, prosecco, and mojito!
5.  Joined a bicycle club and was able to take Isis (my bike) on the main road last Saturday.
6.  Ran the Susan G. Komen Race for the cure yesterday (5K).
7.  And met Caroline from www.journeytoahalfmarathon.blogspot.com
8.  Found Mike's suit for the ___________ the other day.
9.  Found my dress for the ____________ yesterday.
10.  The suit and dress is for our wedding! 

We finally decided to get married this September 10, 2011 (9/10/11)! <-- isn't that a cute date?

I have 6 months to put this wedding together while training for my first traithlon!

*gulp*...  wish me luck =)