keep rollin’ rollin’ rollin’ {M80 Roller Review}

Posted by hellyontherun in Product Review, Running and tagged with Foam Roller, M80 Roller, Recovery, Run Eat Tweet AZ, Running April 6, 2015

I recently got the insanely awesomest chance to try the M80 Roller because of my affiliation with Run Eat Tweet AZ and seriously, I am one lucky runner.

Foam rollin’ has always been part of my running life. As many of you know, foam rolling can really help with recovery. I’ve always had the regular ol’ rollers you can find at your nearby Target and like. Nothing wrong with those and they’ve always worked fine. I had no idea really that there were endless options of rollers.

Until I got to try this one.

I picked the M80 up from my buddy Jeremy @ConfessionsOfAnAmateurAthlete (and creator of RETAZ) at the Phoenix Marathon expo and I kid you not, after like 5 minutes of walking around holding that thing, I was approached by TWO people asking me if what I was holding was an M80 roller. No. Joke.

My husband and I immediately looked at each other after the second stranger approached and were like, “Um, apparently this is a big deal.”

We all know what happened that Phoenix Marathon day and I didn’t get to try the roller until my first run after my DNF. It was after a trail run. The perfect circumstances as my legs were all kinds of sore from hills.

And yeah. It’s a big deal.

The roller is firm and that has to be the biggest thing I like about it. I can feel it working my muscles and getting deep in there. I don’t have to forcefully press down like with an ordinary foam roller. In fact, I kinda have to let up a little because truth is, it hurts LOL. Good, awesome hurt, but hurt nonetheless jaja!!

There’s no slippage happening here either. My old roller would sometimes try and well, roll away from me when I’d use it, but this one stays put. It has these grooves that help prevent it from running away and those grooves are what also help get really deep into your muscles.

There are so many ridiculously awesome colors available and I know that’s not a huge deal to some but for others, it is (like you know, if you want to take pictures of you foam rollin’ and share on social media 😉 ) Mine’s pink (purple was taken) and if you take a look online, you’ll see that there are quite a few solid colors and a number of designs to choose from.

There are also different size options. There’s a travel size 6″, a regular 15″ (that’s the one I have), and a 30″.

I know at first glance the price might make you think about sticking with your oldie but goodie, but trust me (and you know you really can), this foam roller is super legit. When you try it, you’ll know why it’s become a reason to stop a random stranger and ask if that is THE M80 roller.

And guess what?

Run Eat Tweet AZ will be giving away ONE FREE M80 ROLLER every day this week!!!!!! Go (like now, seriously, go) to their Facebook page for details. You do not want to miss out on a chance to snag quite possibly the best freebie out there.

And if you don’t win? It’ll be worth every penny if you treat yourself to one. 🙂

–Do you foam roll? Like it?

–Have you heard of the M80 Roller?

I received my M80 roller via Run Eat Tweet AZ. All opinions expressed in this post are my own. Thank you Run Eat Tweet AZ and M80 Roller!!

Rock Your Inner Warrior {a giveaway!}

Posted by hellyontherun in Giveaway, Mud Run, Obstacle Course, Product Review, Race, Running and tagged with Chocolate Milk, Giveaway, Race, Recovery, Rockin Refuel, Rockin Warrior, Running, Warrior Dash April 1, 2015

Happy April Fool’s!!! Now, this ain’t no joke. A giveaway is happening. 😀

I was approached by the yummy Rockin’ Refuel to participate in Phoenix’s Warrior Dash on April 11th but if you look to your right,… a little lower…, there!

I already have a race 😦

But….someone else can do it for me! Two someone elses!! (local someone elses, that is)

The giveaway is happening on my Instagram so you’ll have to go there to enter (a bonus: you’ll get to see some random pictures of random things I see and pictures of my feet/shoes 😀 ) A winner will be chosen Friday, 12 p.m.

@hellyontherun

At first I was really bummed. Normally, I don’t do races like the Warrior Dash but because Rockin’ Refuel was a part of it, I was more inclined to do it.

I’m def a chocolate milk recovery drinker and I actually have used Rockin’ Refuel the past couple of years so I’m a huge fan. They have different flavors–chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry– but I always go for the chocolate 🙂

Here’s why:

Yes, please!

More reasons here —>Rockin’ Refuel

If you’re not local or somewhere in the vicinity of Phoenix, I still suggest you check out the Warrior Dash and absolutely, most definitely give Rockin’ Refuel a shot if you haven’t already done so.

Happy Wednesday!!

❤ , helly

P.S. I was given two free entries for this giveaway. All opinions expressed in the post are truly my own. Rockin’ Refuel legit is yummy.

P.P.S. And everytime I hear or say the word Warrior, I think of Scandal’s song.. “I am the warrrrior!!!” No? Anyone? Bueller?

–Do you drink chocolate milk for recovery?

–Have you ever done a Warrior Dash or an obstacle race? (I haven’t and this would’ve been my first–oh wells)

Linking up with SD Mom and Erica Finds on their weekly Wednesday Giveaway Special! Check out their pages for more awesome giveaways!!

Unexpected Rest Days

Posted by hellyontherun in Running and tagged with Healthy, Life, Race, Recovery, Resting, Running, Sickness, Unexpected Rest Day June 10, 2014

I had mentioned I was feeling under the weather and I truly felt that I was on the mend but….

I’m not. I still feel icky 😦

Today is day 5 of no running and I can’t remember taking this long of break.

And I’m getting a little antsy.

But I know that rest is necessary for recovery, not just from running injuries but from other illnesses too. My head hurts, my eyes burn, my nose is stuffed and runny, my throat aches, my body aches….it’s just not a good situation. And I have two kids I run around after all day lol.

I have my 27k trail race on Saturday and the likeliness of me running before then isn’t good. My husband often travels for work and when he does–like this week–I take my kids to the gym daycare where I usually cross train. If I have to, I will get on the ‘mill but most times I’m on the elliptical or bike. I think this is what I might do the next few days.

— How do you handle unexpected rest days? Days when you had running on the schedule and life threw you a curve ball?