Friday, February 27, 2015

Resolutions...

Now that March is upon us, how many of your resolutions have you kept up with? Are you still working towards your goals? What changes have you made to live a happier healthier life? Here are a few things I'm working on, in no particular order:

 1. Be healthy. For me being healthy is all about my performance as an athlete and my mental health. I'm not dieting or just going to the gym, I'm fueling and training to keep my body strong. As my body continues to evolve I'm continuously in awe of how much progress I've made. I continue to push my limits because thats where gains are made. You won't find any change in the comfort zone.

2. Stay in touch. Now that my life is becoming more balanced and centered I've been making an effort to reach out to friends and family. Its so important to have a strong support system, but it can't be one sided. You need to put just as much into those relationships to foster them as you're getting in return. Show the ones you love that you care.

3. Save money. Part of growing up includes making adult decisions. I've definitely always been a free spirit who moves with the waves of the world but I'm focusing my attention towards progressing in my finances. This might mean fewer races or less trips but somewhere along the way I'll find a balance that works for me. Any suggestions are welcome :)

4. Cut your stress. This one is pretty obvious. Lately my works situation was a bit tumultuous and caused me to reevaluate how my job is contributing to my ultimate career goals. I was able to find ways to reduce the stress and remind myself that this is where I need to be. Sometimes you just need to take a deep breath and let things rolls off.

5. Volunteer. I can't remember a time when I didn't actively volunteer. Even as a kid, my parents made sure that I was aware of how powerful an impact I could have by donating my time and skills. Recently I added another organization to my repertoire, the Make A Wish Foundation. Becoming a wish granter has been beyond rewarding and I encourage everyone to find a cause they believe in to get involved with.

6. Go back to school. We are never done learning. There are always new skills or knowledge to acquire. I'm working towards bringing this particular element to the forefront of my life as I transition towards new goals. I try to learn as much as I can to make myself an invaluable asset. Knowledge is power.

7. Get more sleep. Seems sort of obvious right? Your body needs rest and sleep is essential to a healthy life. Turn the screens off, dim the lights and get some shut eye. Your body will thank you. Stick to a schedule to make sure you're getting the rest you need.

8. Travel. The world is out there, just waiting to be explored. Pick a city, pack a bag, have an adventure. I love visiting new places and meeting new people. Strangers are just friends you haven't met yet. Step outside of your comfort zone and experience something new. You just might enjoy it.

More than anything, don't be afraid to climb out on a limb...that's where all the fruit is.





Thursday, February 19, 2015

Audioflood review


A few months back I was lucky enough to win a contest for an Audioflood Waterproof iPod Bundle. Considering the open water swimming isn't exactly an option in Chicago during the winter months this would be a perfect way to help keep me motivated during my pool training swim sessions. I have to say I was a little skeptical considering I was given a pair of waterproof headphones for Christmas the year previous and they were terribly uncomfortable to wear and didn't seem to provide very good quality sound.

AHHH prizes are my favorite!!
After sending in my info to receive my prize I was surprised to see a package in the mail just a few days later. The package contained the iPod, headphones (with various ear piece sizes), a swim cap, super glue and a pouch to keep it all safe. I was really perplexed by the superglue but after reading the instructions I began to wonder why all headphones didn't come with it. Superglue is included in the package so that you can ensure your ear pieces don't fall off and get lost. This is such a seriously genius idea! I've lost countless ear pieces so this was truly an appreciated life hack. After testing out all the different sizes and settling on the most comfortable I glued them on and waited until they were dry.

My roommate was so curious about everything she made me test it all out in a bowl of water. She was too impatient to wait for me to test the iPod & headphones at the gym and report back. We dunked the whole combo into a bowl and smiled as we could still hear my music playing. I was so excited I couldn't to hit the pool and test it out for a longer stretch of time. This little gem performed just as perfectly through all my laps. I clipped it onto the swim camp and barely even noticed it was there as I jammed along to my favorite playlist up and down the lane. I can't say for certain, but I'm pretty sure I swam a little harder and maybe even just a touch faster that day.

Pre-swim...can you tell how excited I was?
Since then its become my go-to choice even for training runs. Since its so small and can clip onto anything its super convenient and I don't have to worry about any precipitation or perspiration damaging it. The memory is more than enough to house my workout playlist and the battery has lasted for any workout I've put it through. It's definitely replaced my ipod touch that is much bulkier and fragile.

Even if you're not a swimmer, this is a great choice for someone who works out in the elements and doesn't want to worry about getting a waterproof case. I'd strongly recommend it, plus I have a discount code to share! The generous folks over at Audioflood gave me the code B784B65 to save you $10 off a Waterproof Ipod Shuffle. Happy training!