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POWER SONG SATURDAY!

SONG TITLE: 22

SONG ARTIST: Taylor Swift

LYRICS: click here

MUSIC VIDEO: click here

WHY I LOVE THIS SONG: This song is super fun! It’s perfect for summertime! :)

(Source: Spotify)

My Favorite Running Things

As requested, I’ve compiled a post of my most favorite running related things.

Garmin 610 - I’m an avid Garmin user, and I absolutely love this watch. It’s expensive ($399.99), but completely worth the investment if you’re a dedicated runner. You can read my full review on the 610 by clicking here.

Garmin 10 - I briefly owned the Garmin 10, and then I decided that it wasn’t for me. I quickly realized that I needed more training data and technicality in my running watch. However, this is the watch that I always recommend for beginners and casual runners. It’s much less expensive at $129.99, reliable, and it’s very user friendly.

Left: unlocked position // Right: locked position

Yurbuds for Women - I used to avoid all ear bud headphone models because no matter what, the buds would either fall out or cause me a lot of ear pain. But then I decided to give Yurbuds a whirl after hearing nothing but good things. I ended up loving them, and I now refuse to wear anything else. You can read my full review on Yurbuds for Women by clicking here.

Brooks Ravenna 4 - Since being struck with a severe case of iliotibial band syndrome back in November, I’ve been on the prowl in figuring out what will best aid in my recovery. I decided that switching to a more supportive shoe would help with muscle stability and guidance, so I chose the Ravenna 4. These shoes don’t feel nearly as heavy as I had anticipated them to be, and there is obvious improvement in both my form and stride. And hey, they’re cool looking too!

Brooks PureFlow 2 - When it comes to racing, I’m immediately drawn to bright, speedy looking shoes because they give me a confidence boost. However, common sense says that I also need to make sure that they will suit my needs as a runner. I’m a huge fan of the entire Brooks PureProject collection. But my favorite model is the PureFlow because it’s the perfect balance between support and minimalism. The best of both worlds.

Zensah Compression Socks/Sleeves - People always ask me if compression socks/sleeves are worth the investment because they can be pricey. Ever since I’ve owned a pair, it’s very rare that you’ll see me without them on race day. I’m also known to sport them ever-so-discretely under my pants on a normal occasion to help speed up recovery.

SPIbelt with Water-Resistant Pocket - The runner’s fanny pack. I’ve tried hydration belts and other various running belts, but the SPIbelt is the only one that doesn’t drive me banana sandwich. It stays put and doesn’t bounce at all. I really love that the belt is discrete, but can still hold essentials like your phone, keys, and any form of identification. They also sell belts with loops along the band to stash your gels for longer runs. There’s a ton of options!

Road ID: The Wrist ID Slim - If I’m running alone, I never leave the house without my RoadID bracelet. It has my full name, emergency contact numbers, and medical alerts (for me, it’s asthma). RoadID does exactly what it says it does; “It speaks for you when you can’t speak for yourself.”

Chica Bands - Out of every single non-slip headband that I’ve tried in the past, Chica Bands are the only ones (for me at least) that completely stay in place. That includes freshly washed hair, dry hair, and the ever-so-attractive sweaty hair. Heck, I’m sure it’ll even stay put on hair covered in baby drool and Cheerios for you mamas out there! ;)

Below, I go from top to bottom.

Basic Foam Roller - This is a perfect recovery tool, especially if you’re on a tight budget. I strongly recommend that all runners use a foam roller on a weekly basis to prevent common muscle-related injuries and to aid in the recovery process following a tough workout. I found mine at Walmart for $14.77.

RumbleRoller - I use this crazy-looking device shown above for really stubborn muscle knots. It doesn’t exactly feel ‘good’ per say, but it’s highly effective. The massage from the RumbleRoller is deep enough to cause some bruising - just a little warning.

Tiger Tail - I love this tool because it allows you to have more control over the pressure along your muscles, especially in some hard to roll areas such as your calves. It’s also very portable, so it’s perfect for race day or for stashing inside of your gym bag!

R8 Roll Recovery - Out of all of my muscle massager tools, this one is my absolute favorite. It’s a huge time saver because it allows you to roll two sides simultaneously as it self-adjusts the pressure to your legs. You can read my full review on the R8 by clicking here.

Yoga - In the past, I wasn’t much of a fan of yoga. I recently jumped on the wagon, and I’ll be the first to admit that I’m really starting to love and appreciate my incorporation of yoga within my running regimen. I can’t believe that I didn’t make this discovery sooner! I have several DVDs, but my absolute favorite is P90X: Yoga X!

Dailymile - I use this website to keep track of my progress, whether I’m in training mode, recovery mode, etc. Think of it as the ‘Facebook’ for runners and athletes alike. It’s also a great tool to keep yourself motivated, and it can be a means of seeking advice or helping others. Click here to add me!

Hal Higdon’s Training Plans - When people come to me for advice on training programs, I typically direct them to Hal Higdon’s website. He’s created plans that range anywhere from Novice 5K all the way to Multiple Marathons. I used his Intermediate 1 Marathon training program when I trained for the Wineglass Marathon.

A Strong Support Team - As a runner, you’re going to have triumphant moments and defeating moments; it comes with the territory of the sport. Joining my local running club is, without a doubt, a decision that I will never regret. The hundreds of members of the SCRR have become my extended family. I don’t have enough fingers or toes to count the number of people whom have touched my life in one simple way or another. They have been with me through the best of times, the worst of times, and everything in between. If you’re fortunate enough to have a local running club in your hometown, please consider joining! Or find a few running buddies at the very least! :) Okay, okay…I can’t forget Sean.

He always listens to me when I go off on a tangent about running-related things. And just look how happy it makes him! ;) He has also been putting up with my excessive whining and grumpiness ever since I got injured. He’s my rock and best friend. I’d be completely lost without him.

A Mantra or Two - I’ve come up with two personal mantras that keep my mind strong.

1.) Fear less. Do more.

2.) Chase fear. Transcend limits.

5 miler after work in Boston, PA. :)

Albion Fit Swimsuit Review & Giveaway!

A couple of weeks ago, I received an opportunity to review a product from Albion Fit. The choice was mine, so I decided to go with the ‘Show Stopper, Black and White’ swimsuit. I’m going on a memorial day weekend house boat trip with a large group of people, so I figured that a new swimsuit would be a great choice. I’m so excited about the trip, and I was even more excited about this review proposal. Perfect timing indeed. They were very prompt with shipping, and the swimsuit was sitting on my doorstep within a couple of days.

Flirty and fun, this striped suit makes a bold statement even as it flatters. There’s no hiding in this little number but no need to be shy either.  Featuring a sweetheart neckline and a bright sash to tie at the side, back, or front, feel longer and leaner and confident as you make your appearance. Contrasting wide straps, criss-cross at back to complete the look with an added pop. Fully lined, with a built in shelf bra (and removable cups), this suit is perfect for being active in the water or laying out and soaking in the rays. 90/10 nylon spandex, wash after use in cold water and lay flat to dry.

My first impression was, “Wow, this swimsuit is equally as beautiful in person as it is online!” As we all know, pictures can be deceiving online, but the red was just as vibrant. I love anything retro or vintage-esque, which explains why this swimsuit had caught my eye in the first place. It sort of put me in the mind of the first Barbie doll circa 1959.

But I’m also drawn to neutral colors paired with a special pop of color.

Clearly, I must have something for black, white, and red.

The material of the swimsuit definitely has that triple S threat; silky, soft, and smooth. It’s blatantly obvious that this company pays close attention to detail, so you can rest assured that you’ll get what you pay for.

I apologize for the lack of better pictures!

I’m absolutely in love with the way that this swimsuit fits and feels. It’s extremely comfortable, and I don’t feel the urge to constantly adjust myself as I have with many of my suits from the past. I have excess skin on my belly from my weight loss, and this swimsuit hides it very well. Plus, I also like the freedom of tying the red sash any which way you please! It’s my favorite aspect of the swimsuit! I think that this swimsuit would work well on so many different shapes and sizes. It’s classy, yet modern.

The crew over at Albion Fit are being generous enough to offer a giveaway for my readers! One lucky winner will receive a 100% free item from their online store! To enter this giveaway, follow the criteria provided by Albion Fit that is seen below. Good luck!

First, you must ‘like’ Albion Fit’s Facebook page located HERE.

Next, they want you to pin your favorite item from their store and share the direct link to the pin through a comment. Luckily, each item on their website features a pin button for your convenience. But since it’s difficult for non-Tumblr users to comment on my blog posts, I’ve decided that it’ll be easier to incorporate Twitter into the equation to be more fair.

So, compose the following tweet after following both @fear_chaser & @albionfit:

@fear_chaser @albionfit My favorite item: PIN LINK #chasefearAF

**Be sure to replace ‘PIN LINK’ with a direct link to the specific pin of your favorite Albion Fit item!**

CONTEST ENDS MAY 18, 2013!

And from now until May 17, 2013, you can get $15 off any purchase by using the code ‘chasefear15’ when checking out.

Happy Mother’s Day! Words alone cannot express how grateful I am for everything that you’ve given me over the years. I love you!