February Fiction Friday

With tomorrow being the last day of February, I thought I would wrap up the books I’ve read this month. I haven’t read quite as many as I did in January, but I feel like I read more books with substance (no hard feelings, Joanne Fluke) so that might be why? I’ve also been a little busier and that is taking away from my reading time. This weekend, I am taking part in a Litsy reading challenge, so I may add a few more books to the total by tomorrow. Time will tell.
Another thing that is causing me to finish more books is my reading of the Stand, by Stephen King. It’s my Chunkster Challenge book. A chunkster is a book that has over 1000 pages. After I finish a book, I read the Stand for an hour. I’m about 60% done with it right now!

Ok, on to my February Reads, and in no particular order. In fact, the first picture to upload was a book o finished today.

Have you ever seen the Princess bride? If so, you need to read this book by Cary Elwes, who played Westley. It really was laugh out loud funny and I really enjoyed it. 

Doesn’t everyone reading  the Stand use a bookmark with the Shining on it?

In March, I’m doing a fun challenge on Litsy. You pick 20 books from your TBR pile and the host picks one at random for you to read. I wonder which one it will be?

I lucked out with this one. I reserved it the day it came out and I don’t think I waited a week for it! It was very good, and I devoured it! 

I thought that this would be more of a personal thing but it was actually geared towards business. It had a lot of great life lessons in it, though, and I’m glad I read it.

Ugh. Let’s move on.

Fun! Fluffy and a quick read, as usual, 

And another fluffy one, that I read in NOLA.

This was a great one, I barely figured it out. I read another one, Cherry Cheesecake Murder, which was not my fave, but still a 4 star read. 

I also read the Testaments, which was a harder read, and a little confusing for awhile. I really got into it in the end though!

The best book of February was the Woman  in the Window. 

It was a total mind blower and I kept changing my theories throughout. I was never actually correct. A psychological thriller that was suggested to me and now I’m suggesting it to you.

These are the books I chose for the weekend. I’ve finished one, and I’ll start another after I finish my hour of the Stand. 

What are you reading right now?

Living With Osteoarthritis ... Body Helix Edition

I received a Body Helix Full Knee Compression Sleeve as part of being a BibRave Pro (Ambassador). Check out BibRave.com to find and write race reviews. 

I haven't included the disclaimer below in awhile, but I feel like it needs to be said again:

All of my reviews are completely honest and accurate. I am under no obligation to give these products a positive review. 

If you've been following along, you know that back in November I tore my mensiscus. Luckily, it was a small tear, requiring one teeny tiny cortisone shot, some rest, and (thankfully) no surgery. I did all the resting, I drove my family crazy, and on New Year's Day, I ran a race. Okay, I mostly walked  a race. Semantics. My knee felt good until about an hour after the race, and then it was super tender.... not where I injured it, but on the inside of the knee.

Back to the doc again. He tells me that I have osteoarthritis. Wonderful. He offers another shot (I declined) and gave me some meds. I was to take three more weeks off from running and then ease back in slowly. Do strength training. Change my diet.

Y'all. I'm dying. For real.

I waited the three weeks and then ordered a clunky brace that someone recommended to me. It helped with the pain, but it was so awkward, it didn't allow my knee enough freedom, and after awhile it really started to hurt the back of my knee!

Body Helix to the rescue. When I found out that they were partnering with BibRave, I legit begged to try it out. 

It came while I was in NOLA, so as soon as I got back, I was ready to try it out. It slides on and off so easily. No more clunky Velcro straps. No more awkward bunching.

I'm wearing it in the pic below. Go ahead. Zoom in. You can hardly see it! It's so comfy, and I don't want to die as I drive home after a run. I had to take the old one off afterwards or it was so painful!

Learning to deal with my osteoarthritis has been a rough road, and I am so glad to have one part of this journey figured out! I plan to buy a couple more soon, so I can wash them more often in between runs. That's right, it's machine washable and dryable. 

The Body Helix has medical grade compression, so it's working extra hard to compress those trouble areas and reduce your pain.

This sleeve also stays where you put it. During RnR NOLA, I had to stop and pull up the brace pretty much every mile. I ran Hot Chocolate in my Body Helix and never pulled it up once. Not even for the hour I spent cheering on the 15K runners afterwards.

The Body Helix stretches up to 300% so it doesn't alter your mobility. I can actually stretch after a run without removing it. 

Okay, so you are ready to buy your Body Helix. They don't just have sleeves for your knee! They also have a sleeve for pretty much every problem area on your arms, back,  and your legs! Check out all of their products HERE. It is mind blowing how many products they have.

Let's circle back to my knee, though. The Full Knee Helix comes in 5 different colors. If you are a shorts or skirt wearing person who likes to coordinate, this will be super handy. I plan to get black and plum. Plum is going to match about 75% of my Skirt Sports Happy Girls! 

Remember to read about how to measure. I was skeptical when I read that I should measure my knee cap. It seemed crazy to me that  my chunky thigh was going to fit into my sleeve, but it is perfect! 

I had to include one more pic. I am in the middle and Lissa is on the far right. We are both wearing a knee sleeve. You can't see them, but they are there! 

Be sure to check that link above for all of their products, measure, and use the discount code above to buy your Body Helix. 

Don't just take my word for it! Here is what some of my friends had to say:

Michelle

Corey tested the elbow sleeve

Which one will you buy?

Check back for other products that are helping me with this new journey!

Medal Monday.... Hot Chocolate Legacy Edition

It’s Medal Monday, y’all, which means I get to show off the bling I earned on Saturday. Since my races will be few and far between this year, I need to celebrate whenever I can.
Now, like I said yesterday, I ran the Hot Chocolate race as a BibRave Pro, so be prepared for a bit of orange! Check out BibRave.com to find and write race reviews!
In no particular order, here is every pic I have of me and/or my medals from Saturday. And yes, I totally brought my Legacy Medal with me to the race for photos.

Becoming a Hot Chocolate Legacy!

I ran the Hot Chocolate 5k as part of being a BibRave Pro. Check out BibRave.com to find and write race reviews.

Saturday morning was frigid, the perfect kind of weather for a Hot Chocolate Race! I parked at NASCAR, as always, because we were meeting up nearby post-race and I wanted a short walk when I was done. I am so bummed that it was so light out when I emerged from the parking garage because that building was so beautiful in the dark! The rainbow was so vibrant!

I walked the 3/4 mile to the race village and met up with my friends. I am so blessed that so many of them were at the village so early. My race started 30 minutes before theirs! I goty a pic with all of my fellow Pros as well as part of my running club. There was a second club pic after I started my race, with easily three times as many runners!

I had to get a pic of this sign! 

Did I mention it was frigid? Poor Lissa came over to see us off, and was not happy. She hates the cold and she was ready to run!

I used one of the many potties without having to wait and then went to look for my friends. I was not optimistic.

I managed to find 2 out of the 3 of them! I never found my friend Anna, but I found Cary and Nikki and we got the obligatory pre-race selfies, including one very fun photo bomber!

After about 9 minutes, our corral made it to the start and we were off! 

There were a lot of people doing the 5k, and it was crowded pretty much the whole time. Cary took off ahead of us and we didn't see her again until after the race. Nikki and I stuck together the whole time, passing each other on the hills because I would run up them and walk down, and she did the opposite. We are both recovering from injury and did what worked best for us

I was bummed to be turning, but so grateful to be running at all. I am a bundle of constantly conflicting emotions!

At the water stop we got some chocolate! I almost missed the table, but luckily the volunteers were calling out to us and I wasn't about to miss on course candy!

The scenery was beautiful. We ran through neighborhoods and through town, and the policer had traffic under control. I never once felt unsafe. 

My favorite part is when we circle back into the city. I love this view.

Once we got closer to the finish, they had these fun signs out for motivation. I always love reading them, it is a nice distraction! That race is hilly y'all, like all Charlotte races, and my legs were toast. 

Once I crossed the finish, I got my bottled water and my bling, but honestly I just wanted the chocolate. I found Nikki, and we headed over to the chocolate booth, where we also found Cary. We got our steaming Hot Cocoa and our melted chocolate with dippers. This year, the container was compostable, and they had volunteers manning the garbage area so that everything compostable went into one bin, and garbage and recycling went into other bins. It was fantastic!

Once we got our fill of goodies, it was time for post race photos. They had a few options but we went for the blow up candy bar before the girls had to dash off. I was staying to spectate the 15k finishers. 

I walked back to the finish and watched all of my fellow Pros and most of my running club finish the 15k. The announcer was hysterical and motivated all of the runners. He was a joy to listen to, and I was there fort an hour! I stayed until it was time to leave for our brunch meetup. 

Off to Amelie's we went. They have 6 locations, 5 are in the Charlotte area, and one of them is right near the convention center. Their pastries are delectable and they make delicious sandwiches as well. 

Definitely one of my favorite ways to end a race day! We had so much fun, and it was a great way to get warmed up!

I really enjoyed earning my 3 year Legacy, which didn't feel real until I finished the race! I look forward to returning next year, and I plan to be healthy and ready for the 15k course once more! 

Want to hear about the 15K? Check out my friend's review:

Christine at Fit Newton

You can also read about the expo and 15K, complete with multiple pics of me here:

Lissa, at RunNerdGirl, who is my running bestie

Have you ever run a Hot Chocolate Race? Which location? (I've run Philly, Atlanta, and Charlotte)

Expo Day at the Hot Chocolate 15k

I received entry into the Hot Chocolate 15K as part of bring a BibRave Pro (ambassador). Check out BibRave.com to find and wruite race reviews.

Okay, so I did register for the 15K, but I had to bump down to the 5k when I was diagnosed with Arthritis in my knee last month. I had to take off some crucial time from running and I just couldn't train properly for a 15K.

Lissa (RunNerdGirl) and I met up for brunch before our annual trip to the expo. This is our third year going together, and it's become a tradition! This year we got smart and carpooled! 

As always, I parked at NASCAR, since the rates are good and you can stay indoors to walk to the expo. The buildings are connected. Score!

Under the arch we went, and right to get our bibs. I've been singing their method's praises since I first ran their Philly race in 2014 or so. You walk up to any available volunteer at the pickup table and they scan your QR code. A printer will print out a label which goes on the next available bib. AND YOU'RE DONE!

Next stop is the Legacy table, if you're running your 3rd, 5th, or 10th consecutive year. We were both running our 3rd year so we went to the table, but my bib didn't say Legacy! GASP!

A quick trip, like lightening quick y'all, to the Solutions desk and In was fixed. When I bumped myself down, the computer dropped my Legacy Status, which was quickly fixed.

The light effect was cool until we took a pic! Next we picked up our jackets, which obviously requires selfies and another photo opp.

Okay. Time to get serious. Serious about treats!

Afterwards, we dropped our swag off at the car and walked a mile-ish around the area for our streak challenges. One of them requires outside miles, so we wanted to get that mile done!

I am looking forward to race day. We saw so many friends at the expo, and we will see even more tomorrow morning. I am looking forward to seeing everyone and running some miles with a few, followed by brunch with my fellow Pros. Be on the lookout for some serious orange photos tomorrow. 

Oh, and her is a close up of the legacy swag. The bonus bling even has a little stand attached to the back! This baby may just go on my desk!

Have you ever run a Hot Chocolate race?