Skullcandy Sound

Not only are the Skullcandy earbuds the best headphones for running, but they also sound really good. I use the Skullcandy In-Ear Buds even when I’m not running because I like the sound I get.

I tried the Skullcandy FIX headphones in both the bud style seen in the blue/black above and the in-ear bud style shown in the red above. My personal preference was the in-ear bud style because I have small ears and I could change the size of the piece that goes into my ear.

Headphones For Running

I always run with my iPhone because it has all my music, my running apps and for safety, I have a phone with me. It would be really hard to answer the phone or make a call if I didn’t use the microphone style headphones for running.

The Skullcandy FIX earbuds also have a microphone. Another reason these are the best headphones for running. You can also change the volume and skip to the next song with the Skullcandy FIX earbuds.

For safety reasons, when I run outside, I only use 1 earbud (or have the sound very low) so that I can still hear cars and other noises. If I am running on a track with other people around, I will run with both earbuds in my ears.

The Skullcandy FIX Buds retail for $39.99 and come in 6 different colors. The Skullcandy FIX In-Ear Buds retail for $69.99 and come in 6 colors.

Disclosure: I received a pair of the Skullcandy FIX Buds and In-Ear Buds in exchange for this review. All opinions are 100% my own.

Let’s Talk About Headphones for Running!

Have you found the perfect headphones for running? Do you listen to music when you run? What do you use for listening to music?

Be sure to follow Skullcandy on Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.

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Headphones For Running; Skullcandy FIX Earbuds originally posted at Scraps of My Geek Life.

Holiday Gift Guide for A Fun Fitness

Disclosure: I received some of the products in exchange for reviews, but it was my choice to include in my Fun Fitness Holiday Gift Guide. You will see #spon next to the items I received. All opinions are 100% my own.

Fun Fitness Gift Guide Affiliate Links

Following are Affiliate links to the scrapbooker products in the list above.

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New Balance Sports Earbuds

As you can see in the picture below. The New Balance Sports Earbuds have both the earbuds and earhooks. The earhooks pull off if you do not want to use them. The earbuds plug into the heart rate monitor and pedometer. The large button on the monitor is where you put your thumb to test your heart rate. The monitor then plugs into your iPod or MP3 player. The New Balance unit also comes with 2 other sizes of in-ear cushions. I didn’t find the earbuds very comfortable, so I was glad that I could swap the earbuds out for my own. (It has taken me 3 years to find a pair I like. It seems I have very small ears which is why most don’t work for me.)

Heart Rate Monitor

My favorite part is the heart rate monitor. I have never monitored my heart rate during a run. I had to stop and walk while testing my heart rate or it wouldn’t read anything. It is interesting to see the heart rate graph after I upload all my information to the Heart Pal software.

Audio Feedback Helpful

Another really helpful feature is the audio feedback. I was getting my calories burned, steps taken and heart rate announced via voice-over while I was running and listening to music.

The New Balance Sports Earbuds comes with the Heartpal Data Graphing software for Windows (download the Mac version.) It was easy to install and my information uploaded quickly and without any problems. Since I’ve only run 6 times in the last 2 weeks, there isn’t a lot of data there. I’m anxious to see patterns after using it for a few more months.

As you can see in the picture above, I clipped the heart rate monitor to my t-shirt on the opposite side of the wires for the earbuds. That kept the wires from getting tangled.

In the end, the information that I’m getting from the heart rate monitor outweighs any problems I had with the cords. I did find it very interesting to see how many steps I took while I was running and comparing it to previous runs. The more I use it, the more useful all the data will become.

The New Balance 2-in-1 sports earbuds/earhooks retail for $99.99 and are available at the New Balance Audio website.

Let’s Talk About the New Balance Sport Earbuds!

What information do you track when you are running? Do you upload somewhere to see the changes?

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Proof that I did indeed finish my first half marathon.

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I’ll be getting up at 4:30 am, putting on my running outfit, shoes and heading to my race. Jason is taking me and he will be at a few of the locations as I pass by and at the finish line. My kids will be following my race via text messages.

I have no goal except to finish.  If you check my Facebook page, you’ll see my update from Nike+ app, either “like” the update or leave a comment and I will hear cheering as I’m running.

Crossing finish line of my first 5k in October 2008.

Follow My Running Tweets

If you want to follow my tweets at ScrappinMichele with hashtag #momsrunning #rnrvb

I will tweet some pictures and updates along the way, but every mile an auto tweet will be sent out with an update of how I’m doing.

So, wish me luck! I will update tomorrow with pictures and let you know how I did. Now I’m off to sleep if I can.

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5 MORE DAYS of my half marathon training! I am getting so anxious because I’m ready. I want to do it now. I go back and forth being be afraid I won’t finish to I’m ready to run a marathon.

When Hurricane Irene hit Virginia Beach, I was worried that the Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon would be cancelled. There goes my half marathon training was my first thought. There was a tiny part of my that was thinking, hmmmm…..that wouldn’t be bad because I can’t fail if I don’t try. I know…totally the wrong attitude to have. But the show will go on….

Half Marathon Training Update

This week I’m taking it very easy with my half marathon training. The last thing I need is an injury.  Today I am going to take a walk. I want to get outside because it is beautiful outside, but I don’t want to run.

Working hard during my half marathon training.

My half marathon training schedule this week looks like this:

• Monday – 4 miles
• Tuesday – Off Day – Birthday
• Wednesday – 2 mile walk
• Thursday – EA SPORTS Active on Xbox Kinect
• Friday – Walk 2 miles & Ubisoft YourShape on Xbox Kinect
• Saturday – Off, drive to Virginia Beach; Pick up my racing packet.
• Sunday – Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon Virginia Beach

Follow My Half Marathon Race

If you want to follow me live, I’ll be tweeting from @ScrappinMichele. I will also use the hashtag #momsrunning since that group of moms who run are so supportive.

I am using an iPhone app called PaceKeepr that will tweet out my progress automatically after every mile. I will tweet out pictures and a few personal updates along the way too.

Here is where you set up the auto tweets.

PaceKeepr will also help you keep your pace. I have no plans to keep up a pace for this race. My goal is to finish.

Pacekeepr will help you keep your pace too.

Let’s Talk About Half Marathon Training!

Were you nervous before your first half marathon? Is there anything you would have done different with your half marathon training?

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When I started my half marathon training, I was hopeful, but still unsure if I could accomplish this goal. It was important to set a goal and work towards it. My body hasn’t always been my friend and I needed to prove that I can do something if I put my mind (and body) to it. 13.1 miles seemed like a lot of running when I was struggling to do a 5k last spring.

Here I am 2 weeks out and I’m ready. I ran 11 miles last week and while it was tough….I did it. I know that if I can complete 11 miles in my half marathon training, I’m ready for 13.1. I’m so ready that I wish it was this weekend. I don’t want to overdo it so I’m running between 3 and 5 miles until the race, but I want to do more. (Did I just say that?)

I struggle every time I put my shoes on…I dread it..I put it off. But once I get out there and run about 1 mile….I’m hooked. I feel so good and I want to keep going. When I’m done, I feel awesome. It’s that feeling that keeps me running. It’s that feeling that motivates me when I don’t want to run. The half marathon training has taught me to find motivation within myself.

*****Break for Earthquake*****

Yes, just had an earthquake in Virginia suburbs of DC (5.9 if you are counting). I thought for sure it was a bomb or plane crash. Kids were freaking out. Everyone is ok, but phones are out.

Back to Half Marathon Training

So, in 2 weeks, I’ll find out if my half marathon training worked. I hope  you’ll all follow me. I plan to tweet during my race. I’ll be using my Nike+ GPS and you can “like” my Facebook status and I’ll hear the cheers.

Resting my feet that will accomplish so much.

As it gets closer, I’ll set up something here on my blog for you to follow me on my half marathon.

Let’s Talk About Half Marathon Training!

Give me your tips for race day!

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Yes, I hit a huge milestone in my half marathon training. I ran 10 miles last night. It wasn’t easy at all. I struggled throughout the whole 10 miles.

Positive Thinking

During the first mile, I almost turned around and quit my half marathon training completely. I thought, “What am I doing? Who am I kidding? I can’t run 10 miles I’ll never finish 13.1.” As I repeated that my side starting hurting and I felt like a lead weight. I remembered that if I think I can’t…then I can’t. I visualized finishing my half marathon training and running 13.1 miles.

Image from Microsoft Images.

Instead I repeated, “I can run 10 miles! I will run 10 miles.” I broke down the run into three 5k’s. I focused on running a 5k and after each 5k, if I felt like I couldn’t go any further…I would stop.

When I hit 8.35 miles, I stopped at home for ice-cold water and I was exhausted and hurt everywhere. I had already run further than I had ever run during my half marathon training (longest run was 8.15 miles) and I wanted so bad to finish the 10 miles. I focused on getting to 9 miles.

My view the last mile.

When I hit 9 miles, I couldn’t stop. I was so close to my half marathon training goal, so I kept going. The sunset was gorgeous and I focused on that rather than my pain. Every step hurt and felt good at the same time. If I started to walk, I hurt more, but if I kept running, I was ok.

Image from Microsoft Images

When my Nike+ reached 10.00 miles, I was so happy. My entire body hurt and each step felt like I was walking on spikes. But it also felt really good. I did it! My half marathon training is progressing…

Half Marathon Training Update

I have 4 weeks until my half marathon. Next week I will run 11 miles and then I will begin to pull back the miles. It’s a goal I never thought I could do, but now seems within my reach. I have spent the summer working hard on my half marathon training.

It’s a reminder that if you set your mind to something, you can do it. Think positive. Envision your goal.

Running Socks

BTW….the running socks I bought last week were awesome. My toes do not hurt like they have in the past and I didn’t get any painful blisters.

Let’s Talk About Half Marathon Training!

I’m getting nervous about the half marathon. Any advice for my race day? Any advice for the last 4 week of my half marathon training?

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My half marathon training has been moving along. Running in the summer time is not a lot of fun. I am often torn because I prefer to run outside, but it’s so friggin’ hot. I try to run earlier in the day, but I also like to sleep. LOL!

Half Marathon Training Beach Style

This past Sunday, we were in Virginia Beach, where my half marathon will be. I got up on Sunday morning and I ran 8 miles as part of my half marathon training. YES!!! 8 MILES!!! I have never ran that far in my life…I never even imagined I could run that far and enjoy it.

Virginia Beach, Where my half marathon will be.

So, any of you nay-sayers out there who tell me you can’t run even a mile…YOU CAN! I used to get out of running the mile in school because I had asthma and now I’m running 8 miles AND doing half marathon training. I don’t want to hear any more excuses. If you want to run, YOU CAN!

Half Marathon Training Pains

Half  marathon training does come with its own issues. Now my big problem is blisters. I got 2 blisters on my right foot and my toes hurt. My right foot must rub on my shoes somehow and the impact seems to be greater on my right foot. I asked on Google+ for advice to keep the blisters away and everyone said to buy really good (expensive) running shocks.

I headed to Dick’s Sporting Goods and bought a pair of Thorlo Women’s 84N Low Cut Running Socks.

They only had the black with pink left so that’s what I got. According to the package, this pair is

clinically confirmed to reduce blisters, pressure and pain.

I will let you know after I try running 10 miles in them whether they worked. Hoping they make my half marathon training a little less painful.

During the week, my half marathon training consists of running between 2 and 4 miles and working on my pace. This is my view most days when I run…

Half Marathon Race Day Support

In September when I run my  Rock ‘n Roll half marathon, I am going to need support from you. I need you to cheer me on. I will be tweeting and you will be able to follow me (I’ll let you know how in a few weeks.) When you see that I’m running on Facebook or Twitter, RT, Like and leave comments. I hear those while I’m running and it really does help. When I hear those cheers, I run faster…it’s my reminder that I can do it!! Knowing I’m not alone in my half marathon training helps me tremendously.

Let’s Talk About Half Marathon Training!

How is your half marathon training going? Are you running at all? Any advice for race day?

P.S. I just found out that the Rock ‘n Roll brand has taken over the SunTrust Half Marathon in Washington D.C. I will be running the SunTrust Rock ‘n’ Roll USA Nation’s Capital Half Marathon on March 17. Anyone want to run it with me and we can do our half marathon training together.

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I kept it at a slow pace of about 14 minutes per mile. I’m trying to work towards a 12 minute mile for my race in September. I usually start out at 12:30 miles, but on my long runs, I really slow down the last couple of miles of my half marathon training.

I’m good for about 4 miles, then my speed gets really slow. But ultimately, my goal for September is to finish and I’m not going to worry about what my time is while I’m running the half marathon. I’m just going to enjoy the ride!! I also enjoying the half marathon training.

Running 7 miles for half marathon training.

Half Marathon Training Preview

Today I’ll be running 3 – 5 miles depending on whether I run outside or on the treadmill. When I run outside, I never get bored, but when I run on the treadmill, each mile is torture. I get so bored. I’ve tried many things to make it more fun, but it isn’t. But when it’s storming outside, I don’t have a choice.

On Friday I will run 1 mile and do it closer to my half marathon pace. Then Sunday will be my long run and I’ll be going for 7.5 – 8 miles.

Let’s Talk About Half Marathon Training!

How is your running going?  Are you training for a half marathon or maybe a marathon?

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