Review: Athlinks

Disclaimer: I am promoting Athlinks as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review or find race reviews.

I have been a fan of Athlinks for years. It is a great website to find all the races you've run and collect the times, places, etc in one place. This is the electronic version of a race log! But now, they have an app! Yay! Makes it easier to find your results now along with seeing who is going to be running races that you've signed up. You can have rivals or friends to follow....I choose friends. 

The nice thing with Athlinks is you can sort your races. When someone asks how many 5ks have you run or 1/2 marathons? Now you can easily check. I've run 31 5ks and 11 half marathons. Boom. You can see your times improve over the years or slow down. If you have a coach, this is a great thing to share with them for seeing your whole running career in one spot. 

How do you claim your results?
It's easy:
Step 1: Sign up (it's free) online or the app

Step 2: Look up your name under the unclaimed results! You can limit it to State or age so your not looking at all the people with your name. (at the same time- kinda cool to see your name shared with other athletic peeps!)

Step 3: claim the result and you can ignore other results. For example, my friend raced under my registration for a local 5k...I ignored that result since it isn't really me. Same works for people with the same name as you. 

If you are a runner, then you need to get on Athlinks. Takes the work out of looking up your past race results! 

Product Review: Aftershokz Trekz Air

Disclaimer: I received the Aftershokz Trekz Air 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.

Last year I was first introduced to Aftershokz (see here) and I was really impressed by well they sounded and loved the fact they stayed put while running. The one thing I didn't like with the last pair was the cord and battery/power pack that was attached to it.  So when I had an option to test out the wireless Aftershokz Trekz Air I jumped at the chance. 

Here's what their website say about them:

• Bone conduction technology delivers music through your cheekbones, ensuring ears remain completely open to hear ambient sounds
• A 20% lighter build than its counterpart
• A new organic design delivers increased comfort
• Complete wraparound titanium design provides a flexible fit for unnoticeable all-day comfort and stability
• OpenFit™ design ensures maximum situational awareness and comfort during long-term wear
• PremiumPitch+™ guarantees a premium audio experience, including wide dynamic range and rich bass
• Bluetooth® v4.2 connectivity and convenient multipoint pairing
• LeakSlayer™ technology significantly reduces natural sound leakage
• IP55 certified to repel sweat, dust and moisture, from workouts to wicked weather
• Enjoy six hours of continuous music + calls on a single charge
• EQ presets boost bass and reduce vibration on the go
• Dual noise canceling microphones exclude surrounding noise, effectively enhancing speech
• Audrey Says™ voice prompts guide users through power, pair, play and talk
• Hassle-free 2-year warranty

super easy & comfy

When I got the Trekz Airs, it was super easy to set up. I paired my phone and headphones within a minute or two of getting them out of the box. Then it was off to the gym to test them out!

awkward cord on JayBirds

I've haven't been running (7 weeks now, not that I'm counting...) so I've had to become friends with the elliptical at my local rec center. Going wireless has been amazing and with the Trekz Air even more so. I got a pair of Jaybirds wireless for Christmas and they are in the ear with a wire attached and the power buttons on them. Anyways it's weird and the buttons always make that side heavier and lopsided. I was always adjusting them, which is hard when your on an elliptical! The Trekz Air just hang over your ear and since they are made of titanium they are super lightweight. I never need to adjust them or think about them. I will never go back to my Jaybirds.

looks weird but it worked

When I tried the Aftershokz with the wire, I didn't like that I couldn't wear a winter hat since the headphones made the hat stretch out over the ears and my ears got cold. This time I tried the headphones and put them over the hat and they worked great! I thought maybe the headphones had to be directly on skin, well apparently not!

Last weekend,  I spent almost the entire day wearing them, listening to music while I cleaned up the house. I was able to walk around almost the entire house with them on and had my phone charging. The bluetooth connection was fabulous. The only time I had a problem was upstairs and a few plaster walls between the headphones and my phone. They were so lightweight I almost forgot that I had them on.

I would highly recommend these. Is it worth the  $179 price tag? I think so. You can listen to your music yet be aware of your surroundings. You never will have to deal with earbuds falling out of your ear or missing the rubber covering on the earbud. They are so light weight you won't even feel them.

I can't wait to try these out on a run outside but I got to get my knee better first!

Product Review: Knuckle Light Colors

Disclaimer: I received Knuckle Light Colors as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador) and check out BibRave.com to review and write race reviews. 

Now that the it's that time of year, when the sun goes down right after work, I've found myself reaching for my nighttime running gear. I have some cool reflective stuff and the original knuckle lights. I jumped at the chance to try the new knuckle light colors and design change.  

Originals

The Knuckle Light Colors come with batteries (2 AA batteries) so you can start using them immediately.  This is a nice improvement from the originals that needed 2 AAA batteries for each unit.They weigh less than 3 oz with loops that go around your hand so you don't have to actively hold them. I didn't even notice wearing them. That was especially nice when I ran an early morning run but finished up in the daylight. I could reach for my water bottle and not have to fumble with my lights.

There are 3 modes for the lights: High, Low, and Blinking. I usually just used high but sometimes blinking on the busier roads to definitely get driver's attention. The name of Knuckle Lights Colors makes you think your lights might be able to change colors. They don't. It's just if you want a outside cover different than black. I still chose black since I'm not a fan of pink stuff and the blue was just not my color. I also thought by husband and sons would prefer black when they use them. I think if they had made the cases in bright colors like neon yellow or orange it might help to find them in the dark or help with visibility plus they'd be more gender neutral. 

Magnets keep them together.

The Knuckle Light Colors give out 120 lumins and it gave a nice wide view. I could see around me. My husband and I walked the dogs (we are puppy sitting) and he used his flashlight which just gave him a small circle but he not could see around him. I walked behind a bit and I could see the tree lawn and yards on both sides. No surprises for me! BTW, holding a leash and the knuckle lights was awesome. The light was in the perfect spot for the dog to see where she/I was going. 

Overall, I really liked the improved design of the Knuckle Light Colors. They are light weight, easy to use and easy to store. They are magnetic and click together so you don't have to worry about losing one. (Which my originals have separated which means I have one that I can use and one I'm still looking for!) 

If you run/walk at night or early morning or even just to walk the dog in the dark. These are awesome! You can use my discount for 15% off at knucklelights.com code: BIBRAVEPRO These make awesome stocking stuffers for the runner/walker in your life!