My New Safety Sidekick - RoadID Sidekick

Disclaimer: I received an RoadID Sidkick ID to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews!

2nd Disclaimer - I've been a loyal RoadID fan/customer for almost 5 years now. As someone who does a lot of their runs alone and sometimes at dusk/dark, I am a big fan of anything that can help make me safer. When I first heard about RoadID I thought it was a great idea. Heaven forbid, anything did happen to me while I was out and about, it gave a way to contact my family. I bought myself a Slim ID the same week that I first heard of them. And then I bought several others for other friends and family members for holidays as well. Cause I'm that girl - the one who yells "CAR UP" and makes people run on the correct side of the road, and who makes sure you have your contact information handy. 

My Classic Wrist ID

Over the years I purchased a few other RoadID styles. The second ID I purchased was the more classic Wrist ID. This was because (and I am not proud of this) because I actually lost my Slim ID. See, I didn't wear it all the time, just when running so I had a bad habit of forgetting where I left it. I then purchased the Shoe ID thinking it would be better to just leave it attached to my shoe - which worked great, except that I rotate shoes and never seemed to rotate the Shoe ID. Back my tag went onto the Wrist ID, which I kept better track of, but still didn't always remember to grab.

Enter, the Sidekick ID. Y'all I feel like this was made just for me. The Sidekick just slides right onto your Garmin band and boom, it's always with you. At first, I was a bit worried that it would be bulky and I wouldn't always want to have it on, but I've worn it for a month now and never once take it off my watch band. And I wear my watch constantly (except when charging) even to bed - I use my Garmin as my alarm - and never once did I notice the ID on it. It ALWAYS has me covered!

There are a couple of other little things I wanted to mention about my RoadID that I love. One of which is that I just love the customer service that they offer. I know they are a big company, and in the grand scheme of things, I am just a single customer (though admittedly a loyal and repeat one), but they do not make you feel that way. When I placed my order, I received personalized update emails throughout the process of making and shipping out my RoadID. They were super cute and I really appreciate being kept in the loop like that. The ID came with a card telling me about the guy who actually made my ID, further personalizing the process and then a few weeks after, I got a follow up email asking how I liked my purchase. I also received a $10 off coupon to share, which I did with another local runner.

One of the adorable emails I received during the order process

I also love how you can customize your RoadID in a few different ways. I added 2 lines of inspiration on to my ID. The bottom two lines read - Keep Moving and Just Breathe. These phrases are ones that I try to keep focused on when things are tough, be it for a run or just life in general. I love having them always right there to remind me.

Another way I customized mine is by adding 2 cute little badges. RoadID has a ton to choose from, and I have a heart (to remind me I really do love this) and one that says "run" (because, well duh!).

My whole order - Sidekick, extra strap, and 2 badges.

So yeah, RoadID helps to keep you safe by providing vital information in case of an emergency, is super cute and now so convenient, what is not to love? But seriously, I recommend any runner to have one. And even non-runners, anyone can benefit from having a RoadID. Heck, they even make ones for you pets!! 

You can get one for your self and save 20% off your RoadiD purchase by going to the following link: https://road.id/BibRave

Setting the Bar High

Last year I had no goals, look how relaxed I was, lol

This week officially marks 12 weeks before Rock n Roll Savannah and my attempt at breaking a 2 hour Half Marathon time. I keep joking with people that I am planning to break 2, or die trying. Here, as my 12 week training plan looms in front of me, I am leaning more towards the will die trying version of the story. 

In order to prepare for my sub-2, and ultimately shave 4 minutes off of my time from last November, I've scoured the internet on the best ways to accomplish this. I settled on 2 training plans, 1 that was 16 weeks from Garmin and another that is 12 weeks from Runners World. I can only see a week at a time of the Garmin plan, but so far, it's been fairly doable with the exception of one track workout that I only hit 3/6 of the sprint times (2 of which I just missed). 

Missed a few pace goals, still almost died... 

Now the Runners World plan on the other hand - the one that I set as my primary training plan, well that is starting to look darn near impossible. It is just Week 1 and I am already pretty sure I am going to fail my target Fartlek tonight. Seriously, I cannot run 20 min at an 8 pace, which I personally think is a bit aggressive for Week 1. And I know this, and I know that missing it will not mean that I am going to fail overall, but still there's a part of me that feels that I am doomed from the start. Here's the plan for reference: The half-marathon training plan for runners looking to finish in sub-2-hours

This weekend the plan calls for a "Time Trial". A 10K race done at an overal 9:00 pace. This is another one that is going to be a bit of a stretch for me to hit. I can do it, I have done it, but not in the conditions that this weekend is offering. Basically, it is August in the South and going to be hot, humid, plus a really hilly course. I've recruited a crew to race with me and there is a Craft Beef Festival at the finish, so trying to focus on those things and not the 55:48 clock time I have to beat. But it's hard.

The bottom line is, I am starting to kick my freak out into high gear that this goal is going to be a big ol' failure for me. And in the best case scenarios, I feel a certain looming sense of imminent failure. 

Pretty fearless looking, eh? NOT

A coworker of mine said to me just today that she could never imagine me being stressed out about anything. To that, I laughed. Then I laughed harder (probably to the point that it was a bit uncomfortable, but hey, it was the funniest thing I've heard in a long time). I then explained to her that maybe she thinks that because she just sees me how I am right now, a CONSTANT ball of anxiety, ready to explode at any moment. Seriously, I am never not stressed out. Her logic is that I do so much stuff, races, riding motorcycles, ropes courses, Boot Camp, roller coasters and pretty much any adventure or challenge that I can get my hands on.

Sure, I do all that. But I am literally terrified about 99% of the time. Terrified of failure or terrified of consequences or just a general sense of random terror. I just don't let it stop me. There's a quote from Carrie Fisher that I love - "Stay afraid, but do it anyway." Every race I do, no matter the distance, I am terrified at the Start. Every new adventure I try, same. I've just learned to push past it and to make the most out of life anyway. I think more people do this than they admit. 

Cross training like a badass

Long story short, I may be heading back to the drawing table on this whole training plan thing. I keep telling myself that I've got a few other things going for me that the plan doesn't address. For example, there is no cross training in my training plans and I cross train like a beast with Burn Boot Camp at least 4 days per week in addition to my 5 running days (yes, I am very tired). I've also searched a few other plans and they seem more doable. I may need to switch. 

But no matter what I choose, you can for sure, I will be totally freaking out about it, right up to the finish line. 

What strategy do you recommend for hitting a specific race goal? Do you go with make your own plan like me? Do you go with a coach? Train with a group? I'd love to hear about what you do in the comments. 

And stay tuned for updates on my Rock n Roll Savannah. Heck, are you interested in joining me in Savannah? You can register with discount codes “19RNRBRP16” for $16 off half/marathon or “19RNRBRP6” for $6 off shorter distances. I will also be running the 5K on Sunday as well.