Race Discounts

Friday, May 28, 2021

Run to Escape: Pantheon Party Edition

 I received entry into the Run to Escape: Mission Mt. Olympus as a part of being a BibRave Pro. Check out BibRave.com to read and write race reviews.

I told you I would report back when I completed the entire Run to Escape: Mission Mt. Olympus running experience, so true to my word here I am. Missed the first part of this adventure, catch up here: https://runnerdgirl.blogspot.com/2021/04/a-new-kind-of-running-experience-run-to.html

But to catch you up to speed for now, here's a quick overview of just what Run to Escape is all about. First off, let me get the biggest misconception out of the way... This is NOT a virtual race. This is something entirely new!

Virtual Races are SO 2020

So then what is it? Run to Escape is the first of its kind, fun and challenging running experience that pairs fitness with escape room style puzzles to unlock 6 challenges progressing through an interesting and engaging storyline to help the goddess Atalanta join the Olympian Pantheon. So it's not something you just sign up for, do one run and are just done with, but instead it is 6 challenges, each different as far as distances and what kind of puzzle solving skills you need to progress through the story. 

Each challenge is presented to you live while you are running through audio messages which really help to make the miles fly by. But also, you don't have to worry about missing anything important while you run as you will have an email from Hermes for each challenge with the puzzle to solve and also links where you can replay the audio at your leisure. Get stumped? Now worries there either, Hermes also gives you some links to hints if you need them. Each hint gives a bit more info and the final one has the answer just in case you are really really stuck. 

Atalanta, the goddess you're helping
So here's basically how it goes (spoliler free version). You register and an email will arrive from Hermes inviting you on your first challenge. He'll give you the details of what you are trying to accomplish, you are tasked with helping the Greek goddess Atalanta, the goddess of running to become the 13th Olympian and take a seat on Mt. Olympus. The current 12 Olympians are making her complete challenges to prove her worth, and she has chosen a mortal (you) to help her complete 6 challenges from Olympians who would deny her bid. Each of these 6 Olympians, challenge you to run a certain distance (I am being vague because your first challenge is to discover your first run distance, but each run is between 5K and 10K). 


Aftershokz, yo
These runs are powered by the RunKeeper App and there is a link in your email to add the race to the app. To run your distance, simply open the app, choose the Explore option and choose the challenge. On the next screen that comes up, make sure you toggle the Race Mode Audio button so you download the audio for the run. To make sure you can clearly hear the audio during your run, I recommend using headphones. I further recommend Aftershokz Bone Conducting headphone so you can be safe by hearing both your audio cues and your surrounds. Then tap Track Race Now and head out. Within the first minute, you will hear the voice of the god or goddess that challenged you speaking to you. They will keep you entertained on your run, give you clues and explain their puzzle. Each run has 4 audio sections spread out over the run. 

When you finish your run, it's back to your email to solve the puzzle. Think basic logic puzzles, or the kind of things that you would encounter in an Escape Room. Gain, don't stress too hard as if you need some help there is help available. Also, you will be invited to a Slack discussion board where you can discuss the challenge with others who are participating as well. Each challenge has an In Progress board and a Completed board so you can avoid spoilers.

So yeah, that is basically the process. You can kind of go at your own pace, and do your runs whenever is most convenient for you. You will know the distance of your next run before you set out so you can plan your runs (super key for me). Want to finish all in one week, you can. Want to do one run per week, no problem. I finished the whole quest in just under 2 weeks cause I'm impatient. 


I mean, look at these prizes!! 
In addition to the fun, immersive storyline and experience, the mortals who embark on this quest will have lots of opportunities to win really cool prizes from Run to Escape partners like Aftershokz, Knockaround, BibRave, RunKeeper and others. Every week someone who is registered will win a pair of Afershokz, a pair f Knockaround sunglasses and a truly epic pair of gold and white Adidas sneakers. 

And once you complete all of the challenges you get invited by Zeus to attend an epic Pantheon Party where each of the 6 gods and goddesses who challenged you awards you with goodies such as music playlists, godly recipes and partner brand discounts. Plus, finishers are also eligible to win the same prizes as above! It's more like a Prize Party than a Pantheon Party! 

To embark on this awesome new running experience, register here: https://www.runtoescapeseries.com/ I have a discount code to sweeten the deal. Use code BIBRAVE10 to save 10% off your entry. 

Still a bit unsure? I get it, new things can be scary. Well, since I've completed the challenges, feel free to AMA: ASK ME ANYTHING!! (Except spoilers, though I may be open to sending you ar few hints). Also, RtE has a very flexible refund policy if you try it and decide it’s not for you. So why not try something new for once?






Wednesday, May 5, 2021

Spring Ready.Set.MOVE Box Inside Look

"Disclaimer: I received the Winter Ready.Set.MOVE. Box to use and 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!"

So my 2nd Ready.Set.MOVE Subscription Box came and y'all this one was just as great as the first one I received (check out my review of the Winter Box here: https://runnerdgirl.blogspot.com/2021/04/an-inside-look-readysetmove-box.html


Spring Box Contents-
  • Bob’s Red Mill Almond Protein Powder
  • Bob’s Red Mill Bob’s Peanut Butter Banana & Oats Bar 
  • La Colombe Nitro Cold Brew with Lemon
  • Mueller Kold Towel
  • KT Performance+ Chafe Safe Anti-Chafing Wipes
  • SPIbeams LED Reactors
  • Earhoox
  • Brooks journal and pen
  • Floyd’s On The Go Chewable Gems
  • Floyd’s On the Go CBD SoftGels
  • Bracoo ankle sleeve
  • Discount Offers from Bracoo, Flyod's On the Go, KT Tape and the P3R Store

So YUMMY!!
I've not had a chance to try out everything in this box quite yet as I just received it last week, but I know just about everything in it will be useful. I can already say for sure that the Bob’s Red Mill Bob’s Peanut Butter Banana & Oats Bar was DELICIOUS (it did not stand a chance, I ate it like right away). I have also tried the Floyd’s On The Go Chewable Gems and again, I am newer to CBD so I am not 100% sure that I am noticing the full benefit, but they do taste good! I used my first KT Performance+ Chafe Safe Anti-Chafing Wipe (another awesome KT Tape item I didn't even know about before this box) on a very humid and rainy run and had no chafing issues at all. I liked that they were in wipe form and not as messy as slathering on lotions or oils can be. And I've also gotten a lot of use out of the Brooks Journal and Pen, always useful item! I look forward to trying the Bob’s Red Mill Almond Protein Powder in the next Protein Shake I make. 

I really liked that the items in the box appear to be themed to the season. While the Winter Box had items to keep you warm (Brooks Greenlight Headband) and visibility items for dark runs (SPIbeams LED Hat and Nathan Sports HyperBrite Strobe) the Spring Box included items for running when the season starts to warm up like the Mueller Kold Towel and KT Performance+ Chafe Safe Anti-Chafing Wipes). That's really appreciated! 

Overall, the two boxes I have received have been awesome. From my experience, it's a really useful subscription box for runners to learn about and try out new products, and to get products from brands they already know and trust like Nuun, Brooks and HoneyStinger. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, cats just love the empty boxes! Seriously I cannot keep my two away from the boxes! They fought over the first one when I just had one and the stalked the 2nd one until I finally emptied it and gave it to them. 
EMPTY THE BOX SO WE CAN HAVE IT!!!!

Interested in receiving quarterly goodies for yourself from Ready.Set.MOVE.? The boxes are $49.99 each and deliver quarter, January, April, July and October. You can save $20 (or $5 per box) by paying for an entire year upfront. Need just a bit of extra incentive? When you order a yearly subscription and use discount code BibRave10 for $10 off the first box for all first-time subscribers hooking yourself up with a full year of awesome boxes for just $169! Subscribe here: https://p3rstore.com/collections/subscription-box/products/subscription-box

Ready.Set.MOVE. Box is Chonky Cat Approved!


Tuesday, May 4, 2021

A Quick Update - On the Road Again!

 So.... I'M RUNNING AGAIN!! Yay!

My first "aggressive walk"
I completed the Run to Escape 
Challenge #1 for Dionysus
Okay, if I am being completely honest, I started running (or as I was calling it - Aggressively Walking - a few days earlier than I was technically allowed, but I did wait until I was at the 12 week mark past my knee surgery. Mostly I wanted to test out the knee because it was feeling strong and ready to go. And It was! I can feel a bit of pull in the knee, but not what I would call pain and not in the actual joint, but in the quad muscle around the VMO area, which is totally normal and expected. But I did intervals, 1 minute run and 1 minute walk, so as not to start out too hard and too fast. And you know what, my times were pretty good for the running portion! I was averaging below 12 minute miles with even the walk breaks. I couldn't do that the last time around!


On April 28 (last Wednesday) I had a follow up appointment with the doctor that did my knee surgery. This was 13 weeks and 6 days since my surgery (but who's counting) and long story short, he said that my progress was "beyond expectations" and I was released for activity as I saw fit. YAY!! I was so super excited.

This is the face of a girl who was just told she could run again!

That afternoon I went to PT and shared the good news. And they FINALLY let me on the treadmill. I ran a mile that was pretty slow TBH, but I ran a mile. Then after, I went home to run another road mile! But I am trying my best to not overdo it, because, well, I want to keep being able to run. Once I was officially allowed to run, I switched to 2:1 intervals. This week, I switched to 5:1 intervals. So far I am holding strong, even though of course I am frustrated to not be faster already.

So that begs the question - Now that I can run again, what races am I signed up for. TBH, probably too many and considering more. Here's my upcoming calendar of races I am already registered for (I may pick up a few more along the way)

My 2021 Race Calendar (so far)

  • May 15th - Detective Mike Doty Memorial 5K
  • June 2nd - Sundown Series 5K Race #1
  • June 27th - Charlotte Racefest Half Marathon (discount code RUNCLTRUN2021)
  • July 4th - American 4 Miler
  • July 7th - Sundown Series 5K Race #2
  • Aug 4th - Sundown Series 5K Race #3
  • Aug 28th - Greekfest 5K
  • Sept 5th - Around the Crown 10K
  • Sept 11th - Hit the Brixx 10K
  • Sept 26th - Novant 15K
  • Oct 10th - Craft Beer 5 Miler
  • Oct 16th - Rocktoberfest Half Marathon
  • Nov 6th - RnR Savannah Half Marathon
  • Nov 7th - RnR Savannah 5K and 1 Miler (both)
  • Nov 13th - Charlotte Half Marathon (discount code LISSAHN2021)
So yeah, a few races... But I am super excited to get back out there and racing in person on 2 properly balanced knees with fresh new cartilage. 

This is me, unable to move after a
Caroline Jordan Ab workout
In other fitness news, I also have been doing quite a bit to keep up on cross training which I fully credit for my quick improvement. I found the Caroline Jordan Fitness YouTube channel and have been doing a lot of her workouts. They are fantastic and most are geared to people with range of movement issues. That's how I found her originally in fact, looking for Chair Cardio workouts before I was able to properly walk. I've since become a Paetron so I can have access to her Monthly Fitness Calendar, which I faithfully followed in April. When I was released for high impact on the 28th, I also rejoined Burn Boot Camp and will primarily do their workouts again, but I do plan to incorporate some of Caroline's shorter specialized videos on a daily basis (like 5 Minute Abs - trust me, it is TOUGH) and some of the stretching videos. Check her channel out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkadh1ZnrCDOF8awC9NbAbA She's super motivating, and I am NOT a perky fitness girl, but somehow don't mind her constant cheerfulness. It's super endearing in fact. These workouts have helped loads in returning to regular activity by helping keep my endurance up and working the muscle groups that I could like my core, glutes and just overall helping me to keep a bit sane when I couldn't run. Moral of the story, you no matter your mobility situation, you can keep moving no matter what. I've been tracking my workouts all this year and I've only gone 1 day in 2021 without some kind of workout, the day after my surgery. That's it. Every other day I have found some way or another to move. 

So what's going on in your life? Tell me about your future plans, your wins and your challenges in the comments below.