EveryMove Review

Sometimes, bloggers get to try stuff out before it goes main stream. I got the opportunity to try out a new app, EveryMove thanks to FitApproach and my ambassador status with Sweat Pink!

EveryMove links with activity trackers and other apps to see how you're doing on a daily basis and reward you with points towards special offers and even a chance to donate toward a charity.

What's EveryMove Do?

• Enjoy Tracking Device Freedom
  An unparalleled integration infrastructure allows users to sync seamlessly with hundreds of tracking devices, fitness applications, and even gym equipment. Sweat with FitBit, Jawbone UP, Moves, Nike+ Running app, MyFitnessPal, LifeFitness treadmills, and many more!
   
• Sweat Better Together
   Users join a thriving online community where they can connect with friends, co-workers, and family to cheer each other on and compete on leaderboards – no matter how they workout or which devices and apps they use!
   
• Keep Doing What You Do
  EveryMove users can earn points for hundreds of activities, from yoga to yard work, making the platform engaging and accessible to a wide range of active lifestyles.
   
• Reap the Real Life Rewards 
  On EveryMove, sweat is rewarded with badges, levels, active day bonuses, offers from brands, and charitable donation opportunities.

My activity right now comes a lot from running, clearly, and it tracks my steps with my FitBit and runs with my RunKeeper app.

It was easy to set up, but not my favorite thing to use. I got A LOT of push notifications, and also had a lot of screen time that looked like this where it wasn't connecting with my linked accounts.

It's still got some bugs to work out, but like the FitBit and other platforms it brings the competitive factor in by trying to level up and earn more points than your friends by being active.

I don't think I would use my points on anything other than donating since the other rewards were largely things and companies I had never heard of, but I'm guessing as the app grows it'll attract new sponsors.

Look-38 active days in a single...month? 

All in all, a fun, qwerky app, and I love that I can donate to charities like Make A Wish just by being active. Go download EveryMove & let's be friends!

Columbus Marathon Training - Week 4.

Things are finally starting to come together this week.

My breathing, my pace, the weather… all were good to me this week. I literally ran in a lot of circles around my apartment complex, but that was okay too. I need to start not doing that for my longer runs, because I end up cutting myself a little short.  Last summer I was very much an "out and back" runner and that way I knew when I turned around I had to get home somehow.

Life was a little less in my way, and I did a lot of night runs which I'm loving these days.

Monday - I went to Zumba for the first time in FOREVER and it was so good to be back. 

Fancy Zumba pants.

I love Zumba.  I miss it when I'm gone. But I wasn't able to go with my schedule and lifting being more important than Zumba-ing or running for a few months got in my way.  So I went to 7pm class and then got home and ran 2.65 miles at an 11:22 pace.  Pretty good day, overall. Sticky, but good.

Tuesday and Wednesday I worked, and Wednesday I did a weird noon-11:30pm shift.  Definitely no running.

Thursday - a real tempo run.  Someone out walking their dog told me I "looked fast" so I kept the pace up.  My complex is about 0.65 miles to do a loop around it, so I did 4 loops to get 2.65 miles in 28:40 - average pace of 10:50.  Pretty darn good for this girl. I shaved 2:30 off my total time from Monday!  Pretty proud of how I pushed myself.

Saturday - I got up early after a long evening at a vendor event for my Chloe and Isabel business to get my long run done before our trip to Columbus for our wedding cake and food tasting! I knew I wanted to burn the extra calories before we indulged most of the day so I set the alarm for 6:30 and I got out of the house right before 7.  I did laps around the apartment then I planned to go back into the neighborhood to do two laps of that circle and get my 8 miles in - until I started in back there and my tummy started rumbling.  Uh oh. Headed home after only 4.19 miles (per my RunKeeper app, 4.29 per my Garmin watch) in 48:48 at 11:38 pace.  Felt really good til it hit me.

Sunday - The forecast predicted morning storms so I decided on more sleep and hanging out around the house for the morning.  I picked up a 3-7pm portion of a friend's shift at work so I headed in for that then straight home to run.  It had stormed while I was working and a light rain on the drive home left me with a gorgeous rainbow that made my heart happy.  I changed and laced up my running shoes and did 6.73 miles in 1:16:53 for an 11:26 pace.  My RunKeeper and my Garmin don't agree, especially the longer I run.  RunKeeper had me at 6.64 miles so clearly I'm going with the better numbers :)  No 8 miles, but I could have kept going had I wanted to but it was going on 9:30pm and we hadn't eaten dinner yet and I didn't want to keep Kyle waiting any longer.

Mama, you taste like sweat. -Penny

Week 4 in the books!  It's going SO fast, and I think between my jewelry business, wedding planning, and working extra that is bound to be the case considering last summer was all "gym, gym, gym" and nothing else to keep training moving along.

Speaking of gym…I'm keeping my membership but I have broken up with my trainer, Darin.  He is one of the most fabulous, caring individuals on the planet but I'm working overtime already and could really use that money I was paying him for training when right now that was all going on the back burner for running.  I had a few good weeks, but mostly it was me making excuses and not eating the things I was supposed to be eating, so I had stalled in my results and progress and really it was a "one step forward, two steps back" with me every week.  I had excuse after excuse, my busy life got in my way, and I was making poor decisions especially while on night shift stretches and not eating what I brought with me and instead heading to the cafeteria for pizza and cookies which is most definitely a no-no.  I even drank a full bottle of Cherry Coke and I haven't had a pop since January 1st, 2013. I'm admitting it, but still not going back to that habit.  Senseless, empty calories. Instead I am focused on the next 138 days (who's counting?) until the wedding.  Being on good behavior and planning indulgences instead of seeking them at every opportunity.  When I work night shift there are less people around, less eyes on me to judge me for what I'm eating, and old habits creep back up and I feel like I'm begin good at hiding the things I know I shouldn't be doing and eating.  But clearly I haven't lost any weight and am right where I was at the beginning of this year.  I'm happy to have not gained weight back, but I'm also not at my lowest I was just about a month ago.  I pick up my wedding dress this week and we sized it to fit me now, so the stress of it not zipping is there, I just hope I look like I want to look and feel like I want to feel in it.  We will see!

This week…. my first 10 mile run of training.  Double digit long runs from here on out til October!

Columbus Marathon - Training Week 3

Week 3. Well, week 3 was insane and I'll start by saying I only ran twice. The good news is I got a long run in and the weather was FABULOUS for running and I fully enjoyed each of my runs.

Monday - 3.38 miles in 40:43. 12:04 average pace. I had worked the previous 3 nights in a row and after I slept the day away I got some easy sunset miles in. 

I'm finding I really, really enjoy evening runs, however, it makes dinner weird. Do I eat after? Do I eat before? Is what I'm eating going to mess with my stomach? Better stay close to home in case it doesn't. I've ran a lot if laps around my apartment complex lately. It also makes it very easy to quit before I'm supposed to so I have to push myself along. I enjoy the cooler temperatures without it being super early in the morning.

Tuesday was a "get my life together"day of laundry, cleaning, running errands. The day was over before I knew it.

Wednesday I got my long run in and loved every second. 6.37 miles at an 11:36 pace. I did lots of laps and a spin around the neighborhood behind my complex as well. A few older men were on their balcony cheering me on as I ran the loop over and over. They promised me beer when I finished (I hate beer) and told me how awesome I was doing. I need these guys out there every run! What great cheerleaders. I even saw a hot air balloon while I was out there.

Thursday I took my dreaded certification test again, and failed, and worked 3-7 after. I had a crazy 4 hours and was OVER this day. Had dinner when I got home at 8:15 and called it a night. 

I again worked Friday-Sunday and was exhausted. I tried to get up Saturday morning to get a run in but my alarm quickly got reset when it went off at 3:30AM.

This week I will get all my runs in. I will avoid the cookies in the cafeteria (going strong the last 9 days!). I will begin to learn again how to function without a coach telling me what to do and supporting me week by week. To save some money I needed to cut that cost and I'm pretty sad about it, but I can do this.

Here's to all the miles this week.

Columbus Marathon - week 2 training recap!

Training week 2!

Its Friday! And the start of my work weekend come 7pm tonight.

Wait, it's before noon on Friday and the weekly training recap is up? Yep, because due to my work weekend training runs have been done for the week!

Overall it was a good week after I had a little pep talk with myself about pace & expectations. Life off the treadmill is very different and I don't live in the flattest of places. I ran 3 of my 4 times this week outside and the 10:50ish pace indoors is not happening outdoors where there are hills, heat, and cars to consider. 

Monday I got in 2 miles at a 10:57 pace indoors. I got a foot pod for my Garmin this week and am excited to use it on future treadmill runs to see if the distance is accurate. (I tried to use it on my run today but it wouldn't link and I just wanted to get going!)

Tuesday I went for a sunset run after it had cooled down outside. I got 1.15 miles in at a 10:40 pace and I was pooped. I was mad! I was doing that inside and I should be able to keep that pace! There was no way I could have kept that up the rest of my planned 3 miles. I took a walk break, got over myself, and started again at MY pace. I let my legs carry me home and I was extremely happy with how I felt after this run. This is what it's SUPPOSED to be like. I finished with another 2.03 miles at an 11:39 pace.

Wednesday I had concert tickets and some things to do so I followed my sunset run with a sunrise run and it was fabulous. 2.7 miles at 11:34.

Wednesday evening just before the concert I got a call from my step mom about my Dad. He likely had pneumonia and had low oxygen saturations, a fever, and chills. As a family it has been difficult but the decision was made to no longer treat him as new issues arise but to just keep him comfortable and respect his wishes. I spent the day with him yesterday and the doctor came to see him while I was there and we discussed Dad's wishes and bringing hospice in. He was just laying there, dozing on and off, smiling when he saw me and realized I was there. I fed & cleaned him and most importantly loved him. I wish I were in the position to care for him myself but unfortunately student loans don't pay themselves and none of our homes are equipped with the things he would need to bring him back after his 6 years in the nursing home. 

Today I woke up with a heavy heart and I put on my shoes and took off. I had 6 miles scheduled and ended up with 4.8 at an 11:50 pace. I gave it everything I had.  

Next week I'm going to get all my distance in, regardless of pace. When it comes down to the marathon it's really just about getting your butt across that finish line. I am a lot of things, but I'm not a quitter.

Weekly Miles: 15.4

Average Pace: 11:25

Do you have plans Saturday?

I do!  I do!  I'm working.  Boo.

There's a pretty cool event going on in Columbus Saturday from 1-4pm that's the kick off of Marathon season - Run Fest!

Now, while I love my job there are some things in life that are pretty hard to turn down, like race bling. In fact, I have a whole wall dedicated to my ever growing collection, and I'm itching to see what this years Columbus Marathon medal will look like!  Hoping for some sneak peaks from my friend Jenna who will be live tweeting the event!  Score!  This year's race shirts will also be seen for the first time and I'd be lying if I said I didn't wear my 2013 Columbus Marathon "It's Kind of a Big Deal" shirt weekly.  Still.  Almost a year later. (Because IT IS a big deal!)

(It's going to start expanding over the next several weeks. Marathon bib, medal, and sweet birthday button front & center!)

More than the bling, 2014 Boston Marathon winner, Meb Keflezighi (MEB!) will be there and I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to get a selfie with him (unlike the creepy selfie I got with Ryan Hall…from about 30 feet away…without him knowing).  It would be the ultimate fan-girl moment for the slowest marathoner in Columbus (me!) to the fastest in the country.

(Olympic marathon runner, Ryan Hall, taking a selfie with me at the Flying Pig expo. I'm such a creep!)

The real reason to go is to meet the 2014 Nationwide Children's Hospital Patient Champions.  These precious kiddos and their families will line the streets at every mile of the marathon and it is one of the absolute best parts of the race is seeing them with their decked out mile markers celebrating their lives.  It's inspirational through each mile to see their smiling faces and give high fives with their giant patient champion foam hands as we run by.  Nationwide Children's Hospital blessed me with my first job out of nursing school and the work they do is incredible and these children are living testimonies of that.

(Image by Nationwide Children's Hospital)

If all that wasn't enough, there will be free food and drinks, marathon and half marathon training advice from experts, music and entertainment AND a raffle!

So gather family and friends and head down to The Aladdin Shrine Center at Easton (3850 Stelzer Road, Columbus OH 43219) for this FREE event this Saturday from 1-4pm.

Make sure they know you're going by RSVP'ing to the event here.

And please, SOMEONE get a selfie with Meb for me.  And the medal.

Columbus Marathon Training - Week 1 recap

Week 1 of 16 in the books!  Now I am starting to think I must be crazy to only train for 16 weeks!  My endurance is slowly making its way back to me and I'll make it through.  I only got outside for just one of my runs this week because of working night shift and the heat.  I was outside for my 5 mile long run of the week and I overheated after only 2.3 miles.  I was at the metro park and walked back to my car and finished the miles today to round out the week.

Weekly runs -

Monday - 3.1 miles on the treadmill to start training! 11:32 min/mile average pace.  I ate that 5K for breakfast.

First training run excitement!

Tuesday - 4 treadmill miles at 11:08 pace.

Friday - 3.1 miles before night shift. 10:40 pace.  Felt good!

Saturday - 2.3 miles for my first outdoor run of training.  Supposed to have been 5 but I listened to my body. 11:17 average pace and a walk back to the car.

A mix of feelings this week.

Sunday - 2.7 treadmill miles to finish the weekly mileage total.  11:06 pace - crazy because July 6th last year I ran 5 miles at 12:00 pace!

My sweaty back-o-lantern after my run.

On to week 2!

Wedding Wednesday - July Edition!

Another month down! Didn't I just write one of these?!

June was awesome as far as wedding plans went!  Save the dates and invitations were ordered from the fabulous All That Glitters Invitations and I should be getting the Save The Dates out in the next few weeks. My hand is already cramping up thinking of all the addressing!  Luckily I opted to have her professionally address the actual invitations so they look presentable and not silly on a gorgeous, formal envelope.

I also ordered prints from our engagement session and received them!  I'm excited to also get the ones from my photographer, Erica, and get them hung around the apartment.  Some of Kyle's beloved Ohio State canvases mayyyyyy be making their way into the garage for a little while. We'll see :)

My bridesmaids and I got together and chose their dresses! I've been in 11 weddings and have worn my share of various bridesmaid dresses.  Some I loved, some I didn't love, and I don't think any one of them would choose a dress that didn't look good!  I let them choose both the style and between 4 colors and of course they all chose the exact same dress in the same color!  Everyone unanimously loved it and all of them looked FAB - the most important part!

The girls' gifts are complete and I'm super excited to give them - too bad I have to wait! I'm a really bad gift giver in the fact that I'm one of those people that can't ever wait if I buy Christmas or birthday gifts too early and I end up giving them way before I should so I'm going to try to not do that!  The girls are already starting to make plans for my shower and bachelorette parties in November and I'm so thankful and excited for all the fun things to come!