Product Review: Under Armour Horizon RTT Trail Shoes

August 20, 2017 - Mel 3 Comments

Disclaimer: I received a pair of Under Armour Horizon RTT Trail Shoes 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!

Under Armour trail running shoes blog review — Unboxing!

First Impression: First things first, isn’t the Marlin Blue color beautiful?! They feel light; they look rugged. They look hella cute, too (let’s be honest).

My former trail shoes have felt really tight in the toebox, so I was ready to try out some new pairs. I feel like I have plenty more room in the UA Horizon — and I don’t need to lock down my heels. I feel like I even have a little room for the inevitable foot swell during my ultra running.

UA Horizon RTT trail shoes

About the UA Horizon RTT

Durable upper for breathability

Reinforced for increased durability

Mesh heel with dual protective welds

Molded collar for added comfort

Charged Cushioning® for responsive comfort

Lightweight midsole for optimal cushioning

High traction rubber lug outsole for dependable traction

Offset: 7mm

Weight: 9.2 oz

Total side note: Can I say how much I love the product pages Q&A on the UA website? There’s SO MUCH EXTRA INFO there, and I really value their honest answers and transparency about products that are a match — or suggesting products that might be better. A reviewer even recommended the Horizon as a great golf shoe!

Under Armour Horizon trail shoes

First Test Run: My first test run came with some elevation fun on Brown’s Woods dirt trails here in Des Moines (all things relative, of course; but depending on which way you take the loop, you have at least one mile of slow climb). My feet were already wrecked from my 10-mile road run the previous day and I was feeling some heel soreness on my left foot, but the cushion on these shoes really comforted my feet. Come to find out the Charged Cushioning puck in the heel helped me out!

They also feel really, REALLY good on my high arches. Within the first 10 minutes, I also was able to feel the strength of the shoe tip, as I kicked a stump and nearly took a tumble (it felt like the longest almost-fall ever).

Under Armour muddy trail shoes

Second Test Run: There was a little mud at the trailhead, first bit of the route at Grandview Park, but the Horizon PTT took that mud like a champ. It didn’t feel slippy at all — even on the grass — and the caked up bits easily came out when I stamped them on the ground. This dirt trail run had a few little hills, and I’m liking the control and grip on the ground.

Under Armour running des moines trails

Third Test Run: The ultimate test — Center Trails! Well, ultimate for the Des Moines-area trails, at least. Center always kicks my butt, and I really, REALLY like how these shoes respond on the hills. As I’m running, I’m really paying attention to how comfortable they are, particularly on the downhills. I don’t experience any heel slippage (and I don’t have the laces locked down as I do in my road shoes) or movement in the shoe; and the tongue doesn’t budge or bother me at all when I’m laced up. On this route, I had to do a bit of concrete trail between trail entry-points (and to round out my mileage at the end), and they didn’t feel at all slick or heavy. Wet conditions would probably be a different story.

Under Armour trail running iowa

Lasting impression: For all the things I’ve expressed to love, I’m a bit apprehensive about the shoe not having a rock plate — and how these will perform, and how they’ll make my feet feel, on longer distances. Will it matter? Won’t know until I get some double-digits runs out there on the trails in a few weeks. Maybe it won’t. Would love to know others’ experiences on longer distances. That said, these have become my “go to” pair when I’m out running trails.

Under Armour Horizon trail running shoes

Every time I’ve worn these, someone has “oooh’d” over them or asked me about the shoes — they really stand out! The Under Armour Horizon RTT come in 5 colors and retail for $109.99.

BONUS: Did you know that UA has its own Mountain Running Series?
Save the dates for Copper Mountain coming up on SEPT 9. Use code “BIBRAVE40” for 40% off registration.

Race Recap: The BTN Big 10K in Chicago

July 24, 2017 - Mel 1 Comment

Disclaimer: I received a free entry to the BTN Big 10K race 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!

Big10k Chicago BibRave review

Most of you know that I’m originally from the Buckeye State. I did not attend THE Ohio State University (I received my undergrad from another Columbus-based college), though I had many friends who did attend. Because of that, I visited OSU frequently in my early 20s and went to games (when I could get tickets) and tailgated nearly every home game. I became something of an OSU alum by proxy. The BTN Big10k event was ALL about school spirit… and many “Go Bucks!” and “O-H!” chants were shared. I was with my people.

The BTN Big10K race overall was an awesome time, and I enjoyed expressing my OSU Love and hanging with my fellow Pros. I didn’t have the best race — once again the sub-hour 10k alluded me. The humidity once again didn’t give me a dang chance and sapped up all my energy, so I had to walk quite a bit to get my heart rate down. Ah, well. Another race down.

Big10k Chicago BibRave review — Flat Mel ready to run with the Buckeyes!

Registration + Cost: My race entry was provided by BibRave. The 10K price starts at $50 for early bird registration, and has incremental price increases up to race day registration for $60 (if spots are available). The MC said that some 10,000 people were registered — approx 6,000 of those finished the 10k (there was also a 5k option, which I don’t cover in my review).

Big10k race shirt OSU
Expo + Packet Pick-up: One of my favorite features of Ram Racing events is the option to have your packet and bib mailed to you before race day. I will happily fork over extra dollars for this benefit (which was not included in my race comp).

Weather: UGH. Over it. But sincerely, I want to know why I cannot perform in the heat AT ALL.

Big10k start line chicago

Start Line + Parking: Chicago parking is insane, so I was happy for a hotel within walking distance of the start and finish lines — with valet parking… which I found out a day later cost me $70 for one night. OOOF. Anyways. The corrals opened way late, but the mascots were out mingling before the race.

Big10k race Brutus Ohio State run

Course + Elevation: This was my first time running in Chicago. The city is pretty flat; though in the heat, the inclines felt like I was climbing Everest. It was lovely to be on the lake again (no thanks for the added humidity) and seeing the tall buildings looming around us was pretty neat. I absolutely hated running in the underground tunnel spaces. That said, I cannot wait to run the marathon here in October!

Aid Stations: Not enough! If you send out warnings on social media about the heat and the addition of fluid stations, then you need to have more aid stations. I didn’t think there was enough, particularly for a larger race that seems to draw a LOT of participants who aren’t regular racers (there were more water stops in the small race that I did the previous weekend).

Personal preference I guess, but I’d rather have an extra water stop in the first two miles than having one within the last mile of a race. Also, despite fervently hating nuun, I used it during this race. At the first aid station — which wasn’t until 2 miles into the course — the volunteer told us that it was the only electrolyte stop on the course (it wasn’t… but wtf?!).

Big10k Ohio State blog race review

Finish Line + After Party: Special Olympics kids high-fiving at the finish line OMGGGGGG. ???

The usual bottled water (but also cupped water and nuun) and bananas were available in the finish line chute, but also ice cold towels (my line ran out, so thankfully there were more on the opposite side). The chute opens up to basically a block-long tailgate party in the street — each school had its own booth and tent, and there was food and drinks and live music. It was a lot of fun.

Big10k finish line selfie

I was SUPER pumped about eating some sausage at the finish line, especially because Sausages by Amylu are gluten-free. But the runners food box came with sausage wrapped in a bun — and there were no NON-bun options. The “hot dog” came alongside a bag of pretzels and wafer cookies (neither of those I could eat). Thankfully, Sausages by Amylu had its own tent with ALL THE SAMPLES of its product. Beer was provided by Revolution Brewing, which I gave to my husband because there were no non-beer alcoholic options (man, can a girl get a cider???).

After hanging for a bit eating sausage and taking selfies and posing with All Things School Spirit, it was time to pack up and grab my special order from Do-Rite Donuts (not affiliated with the race, but some of the best gluten-free doughnuts I’ve had ever) and drive the roads back to Des Moines.

Big10k sausage finish line food — SAUSAGE!

Fans + Entertainment: The Finish Line Tailgate party was legit awesome. Though I guess that I was expecting a little bit more in terms of course entertainment. Maybe a marching band or something? Cheerleaders throughout the course rather than all smooshed in at the start line?

I did go through the first water slide, though maybe THREE people before me stopped over to do the same (one person in front of me did the second slide). More than anything, I just wanted to cool down my body temperature. But I’m glad that I participated in some silliness. There should have been a photographer there!

Lame: My Big 10 school had no swag at its booth. I thought that at the very least I would get a pair of Buckeyes sunglasses or a pom-pom or sticker or something (like the other schools’ booths). I don’t know if there were that many Ohio State fans running and they ran out of stuff… but by the time I arrived, they were only selling a t-shirt. SUPER LAME!

Big10k race Ohio State alumni

Swag + Medals: Keeping with the Team Spirit theme of the race, participants get to select a technical jersey in their school colors during registration. Likewise, at the end of the race, you visit your school’s booth to get a coin that fastens to the front of the medal by magnet. It was a lot of fun to cheer with (and snarl at) all the different schools. Because of my partnership with BibRave for this race, I sadly couldn’t wear my OSU shirt; I added in a few scarlet and gray pieces and school-branded temporary tattoos.

Awesome: Within hours of the race finish, I had an email with my race results and photos. Like this one…

Hey, it was free!

BONUS: Picture with the championship trophy – HOLLA!

Big10k race championship trophy

OVERALL
The Great: I loved being able to personalize my race shirt and hang with other Buckeye fans.
The Good: SAUSAGE! This after party was legit the best.
The Bad: Not enough hydration stations.
The Ugly: Why do I keep signing up for races in the summer??????? [enter weather expletive here]

OFFICIAL RESULTS:
1:08:28
3,547th out of 5,945
66th in 40-44 age group

Big10k BibRave Pros race — Orange is the new fast!

Product Review: Orange Mud Phone.Flask.Vest.

July 18, 2017 - Mel 1 Comment

Disclaimer: I received a Phone.Flask.Vest from Orange Mud 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!

Heck. Yes. I have wanted to test an Orange Mud vest since I became a BibRave Pro, and I was positively geeked to get the invite to review their newest product: the Phone.Flask.Vest.

Orange Mud bibravepro vest review blogger

First impression: I love how small and light the P.F.V. is — and it’s awesome for when you only want to carry the essentials along with your hydration. Though it’s smallness comes with one awkward issue: I legit couldn’t get the vest over my head on my first try.

I unclipped the single latch and loosened the straps a bit and still struggled. I reached out to my fellow Pros for a little help with the “how to.” There’s still a bit of a struggle, though loosening the straps completely is really the only way to “get in.” I don’t know… maybe I have a big head?

First run: The P.F.V feels super light compared to another hydration vest that I wear. Though, I’m not used to running with something tight against my chest as how the P.F.V. fits, and I felt like maybe it was going to suffocate me (bear with me, I’m a little dramatic). I eventually got used to it; however, loosening it up only made it bounce, so I opted to wear it a little tighter. I tested the vest on a moderately hilly trail run, the provided 450ml soft flask was enough hydration for an hour (I’d probably look at upgrading to a larger size soft flask for longer distances). I was nervous the entire run that my phone would bounce out; as the water flask emptied, the phone wasn’t quite holding place in its pocket. ~~I wish there was a little pull cinch on that front pocket~~. Just kidding! I realized on my second training run that it DOES have a cinch cord on the phone pocket, which helped SO MUCH to prevent any “Oops! I lost my phone in the woods!” moments.

Orange Mud phone flask vest review bibchat

Fun features: the P.F.V. has a velcro pocket that contains a key hook (which I didn’t even realize the first time that I used it — thanks to another Pro for that tip as well). Unfortunately, my car key is usually what I run with, and it while it sits in the pocket, I can’t secure it inside with the velcro closure. I also love the easy access shoulder pocket, which is perfect to fit two fig newtons or a couple of gels.

Ooooh, my new @orangemud vest has the perfect pocket for my fig newtons. ???#bibchat #orangemud #phoneflaskvest

A post shared by Mel! (@melliesmel) on Jun 25, 2017 at 8:04am PDT

During my initial test run, I started to get warm and had to take off my long-sleeved shirt. Removing the vest is not a quick task. I had to take off my hat, loosen the straps and struggle to remove it STILL over my head (and knocked off my sunglasses in the process). Getting the vest on does get easier as you get used to how it fits. The back pocket is not large enough to hold a long-sleeved tee, but the bungie straps kept it in place, so I didn’t have to tie my shirt around my waist.

Orange Mud blog product review bibrave

On a second test run (on single track trails), I couldn’t get the fit right. The left side was completely tightened, but the top of the vest wasn’t fitting flush on my shoulder, which made it bounce. I tried loosening both straps and balancing the tightness between the two sides, but the left shoulder was just too big — and the side was all the way tightened. Did it stretch out over one sweaty use? Or did my boobs grow?

On my third trail run, I got it to fit perfectly on both shoulders. But as I drank from the flask, the fit shifted again. I can’t tighten it any further. On one side of the vest, there is a dust cover for the bite valve of the flask — it’s brilliant… when it works. Maybe as result of my fit issues, or when the bottle contents empty, but the bite valve doesn’t stay put. ~~Also something I noticed with the flask deflating, is that the drink valve stops fitting into the dust cover (which is one of my favorite features of the PFV)~~. I wore this thing THREE TIMES before realizing this elastic strap existed to hold down the flask tube.

Orange Mud flask phone vest blog review

For ladies wondering about sizing: I’m an A-cup, and measure 33″ around my chest.

I like the weight and “essentials-only” purpose of the Phone.Flask.Vest., but it’s not the best fit for me and running trails. Never fail — I did find the PERFECT use: trail skating. Since I can’t do a handheld over my wrist guards — and on my far-away-from-home trail skates, I need to carry my skate tools and parts with me — the P.F.V. is great for that. I usually carry a pair of flip-flops with me too (which I can secure in the back with the bungie cord), in case I’m out and my skate completely breaks or a destination won’t let me enter while I’m wearing rollerskates.

Orange Mud vest roller skating product review

Last thoughts: I feel like a second clip (so there’s one on each side) would be an easy design fix, making it so much easier to get in and out of. It was also difficult to tighten and loosen the straps when the vest is on because tightening the straps all the way to fit my small chest makes the release clips situated in the back. I hate to say make the straps longer because there’s already a LOT of excess strap to fold under when it’s tightened (there are those little plastic pieces to fasten away the fly-aways, though I found it impossible to do while on the run).

That said, every piece of gear I own has a purpose — I think this Orange Mud vest is perfectly suited for skating and biking, and I imagine it would be pretty great for my kayaking adventures, too.

orange mud vest logo

Orange Mud is sponsoring BibChat on Tuesday, July 25 — follow along with hashtag #bibchat on Twitter at 8pm CST for your chance to win your own Phone.Flask.Vest. Save 10% on all Orange Mud purchases with discount code “BRPPFV.”

10 B1G Reasons to Run the BTN Big 10K

June 27, 2017 - Mel

The BTN Big 10K and 5k is back in Chicago in Grant Park on a new date in 2017 — Sunday, July 23. This is THE race to express your serious fandom (Go Bucks!) and dress in your school colors and compete for your B1G Ten team. Since my training for my Ultra basically starts the following day, this race will be one heckuva kick-off to college football season and a fun way to kind of “end” my base building. Also, it features the ultimate post-race Fan Fest & Tailgate party!

Here are 10 B1G Reasons to Run:

1. While it’s not Ohio (O-H!), this course highlights many of Chicago’s landmarks.
2. Share your Team Pr1de on the course with fellow Buckeye fans
3. Scarlet & Gray school-specific performance race shirts…
5. AND OSU-specific finishers medals!
6. Your packet can be mailed out to you (for a small fee), so you can skip the Packet Pick-up lines
7. BTN on-air talent and former Big Ten player appearances
8. Photo opportunity with the Big Ten Championship trophy
9. Post-race tailgate with free food item and beer (21+) for runners
10. BRUTUS! (and those other mascots)

Bonus: BTN is looking for the most die-hard Big Ten fans at the BTN Big 10K! Post your most spirited photos on race day using the #BTNBig10K hashtag for your chance to win tickets to the 2018 Big Ten Football Championship game or the Men’s Basketball Tournament.

The BTN Big 10K takes place in Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois, on Sunday, July 23, 2017. For a bonus RAM Racing water bottle, use promo code BibRaveBTN17 at registration.

I-O!