Water Bottle Archives - Words To Run By

Racing with the FLEXR Sports Bottle

Hydration wasn’t always an issue for me while running, but lately I have discovered that I just can’t find the perfect bottle to carry with me on my runs. With shorter runs, I don’t need my belt hydration system and I don’t like carrying a water bottle without it at least connecting to my hand in some way. Hydration is critical to athletes, including myself, and especially since my blood clot last year. Dehydration is one of the risk factors associated with blood clots and anything I can do to decrease my risk, will not only keep my healthier, but bring me peace of mind as well. Unfortunately, over this summer, I didn’t stay as hydrated as I should, especially while running and walking. Carrying a bottle became cumbersome and annoying, not to mention I forget to carry a bottle when I don’t have one I love. This Thanksgiving, I was racing with the FLEXR Sports Bottle.

I was excited to try the FLEXR Sports Bottle. FLEXR is a new, revolutionary BPA-free sports bottle with a disposable and fully biodegradable liner. Yes, you heard that right and as far as I know, it is the first sports bottle of its kind, which immediately gained my attention. I was grateful to receive the FLEXR Sports Bottle (go see the pretty colors!), the FLEXR Sports Bottle Hand Carrier with Pouch (it’s pretty much weightless) and the FLEXR Sports Neo Running Pouch (how they knew my favorite color was purple for the zipper is amazing) to try out in the Flying Feather Four Miler on Thanksgiving Day.

I love the sleek design of all the accessories I received, everything fit and felt good for running on the morning of the race. The FLEXR bottle came pre-loaded with the biodegradable liner (and extras for me to change it or a plug if I decide not to use the liners).

Things I Love (about the FLEXR Sports Bottle)

It’s extremely light-weight and the ergonomic shape make it easy to carry over any distance, short or long
It’s completely flexible
The nozzle has a patented one way jet stream valve, for accurate and precise flow, and I don’t have to squeeze too much or tilt it go get water out
It fits perfectly in my hand
The nozzle is twist so I don’t have to bite down on it and pull with my teeth, which is annoying
The liner makes me feel a lot better about not ingesting the germs that may have been lurking in previous (non-lined) bottles
The liners are BPA free and leave no weird aftertaste like some plastics
Technically I wouldn’t have to clean this bottle, I can just change the liner
Affordable ($9.95 for the 16 0z)

Things I Don’t Love Quite As Much (about the FLEXR Sports Bottle)

My water still sloshes even it is drastically reduced with the liner inside, but that’s not important to me to begin with
While the liners are really inexpensive ($2.95 for 25) and easy to change, I probably wouldn’t take the time to change them on a regular basis (I’m more likely to plug the bottle and throw it in the dishwasher)
Changing the liner is not very convenient, I think because my habit is to wash my bottles, not change a liner (the bottle is great liner or not)

Things I Love (About the FLEXR Accessories)

The fabric is quality, sweat-proof neoprene and feels great on
The race bib holders are removable on the running pouch
The hand carrier is comfortable and not too bulky
Both accessories can hold everything I would need on a run or at a race (ID, cash, card or two, phone)
They are sleek and appealing to look at in design
Reasonably priced ($16.95 for the pouch and $8.95 for the hand carrier)

Things I Don’t Love Quite As Much (about the Accessories)

I love it all

FLEXR Sports Bottles are Made in the USA and are designed by athletes, for athletes, which shows in the superior craftsmanship, sleek design, light-weight accessories and functionality. This is definitely a bottle I would invest in (even if I don’t use the liners) and is a serious competitor for iFitness Belts and Fuel Belts.

It was totally awesome racing with the FLEXR Sports Bottle and I was thrilled to have Dad join my sister and I this year!

It was totally worth the Finisher’s Prize too (I wonder if super fruit Sangria works in the FLEXR…..)

Connect with FLEXR on Facebook and Twitter or visit their webpage.

Tell me about you. Do you run and/or race with hydration? Do you have a hydration system you just can’t live without? Will you give FLEXR a try?

Until the next mile marker,

Spring Fitness Products 2013

It’s spring, but you wouldn’t know it in Central Ohio from the most recent snow storm that moved through over the weekend (really, it was Much Ado About Nothing), but there is a little snow on the grass and trees. Needless to say, I am ready for spring! I’m kicking off the start of the new season with these spring fitness products 2013.

My Blood Clot Awareness Band

Blood Clot Awareness Band

March, as I hope you know, is Blood Clot Awareness Month! You can read about it HERE. I wear the “Get A Clue, Clots Kill” awareness band from The Clot Must Be Fought. It is important to me to spread the awareness of the the signs, symptoms and causes of blood clots, because they can injure anyone at anytime. It doesn’t matter if you are fit, healthy, young, old, slim, overweight, male or female. We are all at risk! You can help spread the word by ordering your own wristband for $2.00/each.

Shubeez 13.1 Shoe Tag

Shubeez 13.1 Shoe Tag

Want to get motivated this Spring? Shubeez are for you! This inspirational shoe tag goes on any pair of laces and really stands out. Enter my current giveaway to win your own. Shubeez retail at $4.99 for one.

Blistex Moisture Melt Lip Balm

Love, love, love this lip balm! It is silky and subtly shiny, but not so much that it is sticky and overly glossy. It has a slight shimmer to it and smells almost minty. I wear it alone when I don’t have lip gloss or I don’t feel like wearing something with a lot of color. This balm feels so good on your lips and has sunscreen protection. It also lasts with very few reapplications (unless you love it as much as me and just have to put on more). Find it at your local grocer/pharmacy. I think it was around $3.

Ello Percy Glass Water Bottle Pink

Ello Bottle

The Ello Bottle is perfect. I just found it the other day. It is a glass water bottle with a stopper top and I like it much better than the plastic ones. The stopper is secure and the grip is pink, so I loved it from the start. I like the way it feels in my hand and I like that it is environmentally friendly. I have been considering switching to glass storage in my kitchen for some time so I thought I would give this a try. It is dishwasher safe and BPA free. It retails at about $9.99, which is pricy, but you can use it for an endless amount of time. I got mine on sale. Check out the website to see all of their products.

Cuties Juice

Cuties Juice is so good – the best juice I have had in a long time! (Who doesn’t love Cuties, right?!) While I have greatly cut down on juice in my diet, I have been enjoying a glass of this one or two times a week. Cuties juices are all natural, 100% fruit, with no sugar added. Only fruit goes into our bottles- orange, tangerine and mango. None of the flavors are manufactured in a lab. It is all natural, non-organic and non-GMO. You can find it at Walmart or Target.

Victoria’s Secret Pink Spring Break Backpack

Victoria’s Secret Pink Backpack

I wish I was going somewhere to take this fun (neon!) backpack with me because it is perfect for spring. Check out Victoria’s Secret for all the different colors and patterns options – they also have a mini version! This bag is roomy, but not so large that I couldn’t carry it on a daily basis. The straps are adjustable, slightly padded and comfortable. They didn’t dig into my shoulders when I was carrying a backpack and notebooks this past weekend. Perfect for a blogger or writer on the go or even to take to the gym! It has a buckle flap closure with interior drawstring and front zip pocket and side flap pocket. It costs about $50 with no sales, coupons or promotions.

Relic Wallet

This Relic wallet is one of my favorite things because it holds all of my stuff, but isn’t too bulky or cumbersome. The color is a textured brown/gray so it goes with just about anything. I like that is has a quick access pocket on the inside (so you don’t have to unzip the whole thing) to store essentials like a debit card, driver’s license and cash. I got it at Kohl’s and it was on clearance for about $12 or so.

What about you? Tell me what some of your favorite things are right now. Is there anything you can’t live without that I must know about? Have you teried any of these products?

Until the next mile marker,