The 5 Mile Dachs Challenge | Fun Run Box Review

Disclaimer: I received this Fun Run Box to 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!

Fall is one of my favorite times of the year because the weather is absolutely perfect for running (cool but not freezing), everything is pumpkin spice-flavored and a year's worth of running/training is coming to its peak.

Last year was full of marathons but this Fall has been quite different with Baby #3 due in ±7 weeks. No marathons for me but I have had a new challenge to keep me up and running!

As a BibRave Pro, I received the Oktoberfest 5 Mile Dachs Theme Box, my first-ever online running challenge! Each participant is assigned to a "team", mine being #FRBTeamDoxie.

My challenge box arrived at the end of August and included the following goodies:

Headsweats "5 Mile Dachs" Technical Soft Trucker Hat
Themed FRB Technical Fabric Short Sleeve Running Shirt
Empower Travel Roller
Regrained Sustainable Supergrain Bar
Jelly Belly Draft Beans
Race Bib
Dachs Magnet
and the challenge details

If the shirt still fits, wear it! At least it fit at 29 weeks pregnant...

The 5 Mile Dachs Challenge is running from September 1st through 30th and features both Team and Individual portions. Participants compete in 6 different photo categories via social media and one photo from each category will be declared the winner on October 1st. Each individual winner will receive a $50 gift card to the Fun Run Box Shop!

Photo categories include sharing a selfie with your FRB 5 Mile Dachs Trucker Hat, posting a shot of your 5-mile run results and many others with corresponding hashtags.

My own mini Dachs when she was a pup! Representing #FRBTeamDoxie

The Challenge includes a 4-week challenge guide with specific goal running workouts (beginner, intermediate, or advanced), such as the Over/Under and Pace Cut, leading up to the big 5 Mile Dachs run. Participants also gain access to the support and motivation of the FRB Facebook Group and challenge app!

The challenge workouts are logged into the Fun Run Box Challenge Tracker where Team and Individual points are tracked.

Well, I did it! The 5 Mile Dachs is complete.

(Full disclosure: I actually ran the 5-miler at the beginning of the challenge instead of the end. Baby is getting bigger each day and I figured I should run long while I was still comfortable doing so...)

The 5 Mile Dachs Challenge has been a great way to stay motivated this month. The Headsweats Trucker Hat and technical FRB t-shirt were by far my favorite items from this box - very cute and comfortable.

Fun Run Box is only $45 for $70+ worth of gear plus the Challenge. Being my first-ever "online" running challenge, I thought it was fun! I think this is a great running box for those looking for an online support community and extra motivation to fit in a run.

Want to give Fun Run Box a try? Use the code BIBRAVE at checkout to save 15% on your subscription. For a chance to win a Fun Run Box for yourself, stop by #BibChat with Fun Run Box on October 17th at 8 pm CT!

B3 Pregnancy: Week 33 Wrap-Up

Our baby is the size of CELERY this week and things are starting to feel a bit squished. Like my rib cage and my bladder, at the same time!

Baby prep has been overall very successful and I'm thankful to have so much organizing/de-cluttering done at this point. My energy is decreasing little by little as the weeks go on.

Packing a "just in case" hospital bag, re-supplying the birthing kit and storing up some freezer meals are a few last things that need to happen in the next 4 to 7 weeks. Clearly I need to do these things in the morning, before my morning coffee wears off!

MONDAY:

2 early morning miles of running with some walking with our dog.

TUESDAY:

Ekhart Yoga's Runners Yoga video (25:28)

WEDNESDAY:

2 early morning miles of running and walking again with our dog. A big storm blew through last night and this morning was damp and quiet. Perfect for being out!

THURSDAY

Ekhart Yoga's Morning Bliss Yoga video (21:42)

FRIDAY:

2 mile run and walk with our pup.

SATURDAY:

Off

SUNDAY:

Off

What challenges do you have on your Fall calendar?

Linking up with Holly and Tricia's Weekly Wrap Up.

Perfect Any-Time Snacks Ideas

What's one thing that marathon training, pregnancy and breastfeeding all have in common?

Hunger.

During these high-calorie-burning seasons, it's important to allow snacking as necessary and to choose snacks that contain valuable nutrients. Finding a snack that my kids enjoy too is even better!

No matter the time of day, I try to keep a few snacking options on hand in our house or in the diaper bag. Here are a few of our favorites:

3 Perfect Any-Time Snack Ideas

Homemade energy bites are fun for the kids to help make and involve ingredients that are usually already in the cupboard.

Our quick-and-easy recipe includes: 1 cup quick oats, 1/2 cup choco chips, 1/2 cup PB, 1/2 cup coconut flakes and 1/4 cup honey. Roll together and refrigerate extras. That's it! These are on the sweeter side and are best to be consumed in moderation because of that.

Hardboiled eggs are a classic snack and another favorite because we usually have an overabundance of eggs in our house. Personally, I prefer to add a dash of salt to mine.

Mister four-year-old loves hardboiled eggs which makes mom happy because they contain 6 grams of protein per egg!

Perfect Bars are a new favorite snack that I was recently introduced to! These calorie dense bars are packed with up to 17g (5g in minis) of whole food protein (no whey or soy) that keeps me satistfied throughout the day (and night).

Waking up hungry in the middle of the night while pregnant is no joke! The almond butter or peanut butter minis are a nice 100 calorie snack before heading to bed.

While the full-sized bars contain a higher amount of calories, 200-300 depending on the flavor, the quality of the calories is what counts. Because they contains 20+ nutrient-dense superfoods (like kale, apple and spinach), those calories are also providing a convenient source of vitamins and minerals.

Whether I'm snacking on a bar or my kids have snuck one from the diaper bag, the Perfect Bar is the perfect any-time snack! Of course the kids' favorite is the Dark Chocolate Chip & PB flavor and mine is the Almond Butter Mini. Really all of the flavors are delicious!

Perfect Bars are are priced at $1.30 for a Mini and $2.99 for a Full Bar and they are available in more than 12,000 fridges nationwide (though Minis are only available online at PerfectBar.com or in select retailers). To find a store near you, visit: perfectbar.com/where-to-buy.

I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com) to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

Reflective Gear for Four-Legged Runners | Stunt Puppy Collar Review

Disclaimer: I received Stunt Puppy Go Dog Glo Collar to 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!

Finding a faithful, consistent and uplifting running partner is no easy task. I know I'm thankful to have mine.

He doesn't say much, is raring to go first thing in the morning, takes about 1 minute to get ready and happens to live in my backyard. It doesn't get much better than that!

Long story short, Saul lost his sight in one eye (see below) after an eye injury and staff infection last summer. Though he is an older dog – 10 years, to be exact – Saul has adapted very well to using only one eye.

He doesn't run into things (often) but I still take extra caution to keeping him safe especially when he joins me on the road.

Because we run together often in the dark pre-sunrise hours, I have been on the hunt for dog-friendly reflective gear for quite a while now. Dogs deserve to run safe too, right?

As a BibRave Pro, Saul received his very own reflective, water-proof and stink-proof Go Dog Glo Collar from Stunt Puppy, a Minnesota brand that produces high quality gear for active dogs.

This collar is made with innovative 3M Reflective Edgeguard® trim which is visible for more than 100 yards, making this the perfect reflective gear for my four-legged running partner.

The reflective properties aren't the only reason I love this Stunt Puppy Collar. Saul loves to run AND swim, so he needs a collar that can keep up.

His regular collars smell nasty after a few months, like soggy, wet dog and river water. Thankfully, along with being reflective, the Go Dog Glo collar is made with BIOTHANE® waterproofing that resists moisture and the "stink" that his regular collars held onto.

It's easy to snap on the leash for each run because of the "Double D-ring" design that allows one ring for your dog's tags and one ring for the leash to attach. The leash D-ring sits on top of the dog's neck and tags hang below, making it more comfortable for my dog and the "jingling" of his tags is more subtle as well.

I am a big fan of the Stunt Puppy Go Dog Glo Collar and Saul clearly approves, too. It pairs perfectly with his Stunt Puppy Hands-Free leash. Stunt Puppy totally "gets" active dogs and their owners!

The Go Dog Glo Collar is available for $26.00 and six reflective color options. Use the code BIBRAVE917 for 20% off your purchase at https://www.stuntpuppy.com/!

Join us for #BibChat with Stunt Puppy on September 19th at 8 pm CT for a chance to WIN a collar for your favorite pup!

B3 Pregnancy: Week 30 Wrap-Up

Baby is the size of ZUCCHINI this week. Fitting, because our kind neighbor brought over chocolate zucchini cupcakes on Tuesday. They were delicious! Besides being extra tired in the afternoon/evening, I'm still feeling great.

This baby seems to be hanging low compared to my last pregnancy, but I'm fine with that as long as he or she stays put until the "full term" mark. My bladder is punched regularly but at least I can breathe!