Motion Geek Running Analysis Review

Last month I was asked by Motion Geek  if I would like an analysis of my running form.  Correct running form is important to increase speed and also to prevent injuries.  I was excited to give this a try because I know I have some bad habits with my running and I know I do have issues with my knees and hips.

Their video gait analysis helps to identify certain areas of your body that require improvement, and in their report the Motion Geek specialists give you exercises and advice on how to help correct the problems.

When you register on their site, you fill out a medical information form.  You give them your weight, height, running pace, goals, and medical problems and any pain you are currently experiencing, etc.
Then you have to video yourself running from two different views and also videos of yourself performing different functional movements for their analysis.  Don't worry, they provide very detailed instructions of what you need to do.  

Once you register, fill out the medical form and upload your videos, they are sent off to their physical therapists for analysis and you will relieve your report withing 2 to 3 business days.

When I relieved my very detailed report, I was very impressed with what they could tell me from just a few videos!  Some of my issues I already knew (I am knock-kneed), but some I was totally surprised by.    I found out that I have midfoot pronation and they suggested that I wear medial supportive shoes.  I also have weak hip abductors, and I need to stretch my hips, plus some other weaknesses that I have to address if I want to run faster and prevent injury.

The great thing is that they give you exercises and stretches to do with how many reps and how often.
Here are a couple of the exercises/stretches that they recommended for me in my 14 page detailed report.

Half kneel hip flexor stretch

Piriformis stretch

I have implemented the suggested exercises and stretches into my workout routine and am already feeling a difference.  I didn't realize how tight some of my hip muscles were until I started stretching them.  It's been great and I do notice a big difference!  Thanks Motion Geek! 

If you are a runner, I would suggest getting an analysis done by Motion Geek. You won't be sorry you did, and they even have a guarantee that you'll see results (see website for details and restrictions).  

I recieved a free anaylsis in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are my own. 

I'm A Forest City Road Races Ambassador

I am so excited!  My absolute favourite race is the Forest City Road Race, and I've been chosen as an ambassador for the 2015 race!    It's my favourite race for many reasons (see the blog post links below for my posts after each of my #FCRR 5k races), but it is, in my opinion, one of the best organized and friendliest races to run.  It is for people of all abilities and everyone is cheered along the course by the volunteers and staff.  


Read my recap of my experience of the 2014 FCRR (and how we missed the start!)
http://fitandhealthyjourney.blogspot.ca/2014/05/forest-city-road-races-5k-race-recap.html


This is my recap of my first FCRR (2013) & the reasons why it is SO special to me.
http://fitandhealthyjourney.blogspot.ca/2013/05/my-first-5k-race.html

#FCRR 

Keep watching here for posts about my training for the 2015 race - I need to really get at it because I've been off for an injury!  

I'll also be posting about the running analysis I am having done (this should be interesting to find out what I am doing right and wrong).

You can also follow me on Twitter at  www.twitter.com/envigeurfitness

My daughter & I running the FCRR in 2014

My Heart Just Isn't Into It.....

I had such big plans for this spring and summer.....after such a long and depressing winter, I was going to attack my workouts in the nice weather.  Well, I don't know what has happened, but my heart just isn't into it and I don't even feel like going out for a run.  It's sad, I love being outside and running on the trails, but this year I have to force myself - IF I can force myself.   Ugh!   I have a 5k race this weekend, and I don't even feel like going which is sad, because I love races.

Maybe it's the added stress in my personal and work life, I'm not sure where my "funk" is coming from, but I'd love some motivation.  Does anyone have any ideas?  A swift kick in the butt for me?   I have put on 15lbs in the past few weeks, and I'm pretty sure it's mostly from the extra stress.

So, any virtual kick in the butts for me?

This is how I feel  :(

VegaSport Energy Gel Review #FuelYourBetter

I was lucky enough through Fit Approach & Sweat Pink and Vega Sport, to be selected to test and review the Vega Sport Endurance Gel as part of their #FuelYourBetter campaign.  I've not used any gels during my runs before because I didn't really consider myself a runner and didn't think I ran enough miles to make it worthwhile.  But when the opportunity came to test these, I thought sure, why not?  Maybe I can run longer. 

I used my first Vega Sport Endurance Gel for an elliptical workout and I usually go for 60 min, but by 30 min I am ready to call it quits.  With the gel, I was 45 min in to my workout before I realized how much time had passed, and when it got to the 60 min point, I wasn't ready to stop - I had LOTS of energy left! 

 Yep, I was impressed!!

Next, I tried a trail run and I had the same feeling, I had lots of energy at the end of my run.  It's great! 

I also use the gels to fuel my intense weight training workouts.

I even love it for my weights workouts.

These gels taste great; are plant-based and not full of things you can't pronounce and don't upset my stomach.  I must admit that I don't have experience with other gels, but the most common complaint I hear about them is that they upset some people's stomachs.  I would recommend those people give Vega Sport Endurance Gels a try because I think they'll be pleasantly surprised.

Click here to find out more.

Vega Endurance Gel

The gels are now my go-to to fuel my better. 

 I recommend giving them a try so you too can #FuelYour Better. For more information on the gels and the other Vega Sport items, click here.

Preparing for my run

My 6k trail race fueled by #vegasport

Disclosure: I was provided with Vega Sport Energy Gel free of charge through a campaign through Fit Approach.  All opinions in this review are completely my own.

Not a Great Weekend and a WINNER!

Ugh!  I was sick with the flu this weekend, and of course it was the long weekend.  So I haven't been running, nor lifting, nor blogging....and now I am very behind on so much.  Plus I have a race this coming weekend, and I just don't feel as prepared as I should be.  Oh well, the race is for charity so I'll just go and have fun :)

And now for the winner of the Hydrapak Wooly Waterbottle......

Angie V.  is the winner!  I have sent you an email, and you have 48 hours to contact me or another winner may be drawn.

Thank you to every one for entering, and keep watching my blog, because I have more giveaways coming up!! :)

Wooly Water Bottle Review & Giveaway

The "Wooly" from Hydrapak

I was recently contacted by Hydrapak to do a review on their Wooly waterbottle.  I must admit I love waterbottles (I always have one with me) and I have quite a variety of types.

  The Wooly has a new type of insulation, Primaloft, that keeps drinks cooler longer.  What is also great about Primaloft, is that is it a post comsumer recycled and eco-friendly fibre.  Yay!    

As Hydrapak notes on their website: "The Wooly™ uses a layer of PrimaLoft® between a double walled Resilium™ bottle to create the most technologically advanced insulated sports bottle on the market."

I do find that the Wooly bottle keeps my water (or electrolytes, etc) much cooler than any of my other waterbottles.  I have gone for a run and left my Wooly in the car, where it got quite warm inside, and when I came back, my water was still cool and not that yucky "my water has been in the car in the hot sun"warm.  

  My Wooly is now my favourite bottle to take with me where ever I go, and it is great for on the go because it is so light.   It is also dishwasher (top rack) safe and freezer safe and has no BPA (something I look for in all of my water bottles).

Great for in the gym, out for a run/hike, or anywhere!

The Wooly had a "mammoth" valve which means that you can get a good drink, none of this small trickle of water - when I am working out, I want a good mouthful of water!! 

Want one of your own?  You can enter for a chance to win your own Wooly from Hydrapak!  With summer coming, you'll LOVE how this bottle keeps your drinks cooler longer!

The "Mammoth" flow valve.

Now for the GIVEAWAY!!  

Do the following for the chance to win a Wooly of your own!! Each will get you an entry into the draw.

1. Follow Hydrapak on Facebook  

2. Follow Hydrapak on Twitter

3. Follow me (My Journey to Getting Fit and Healthy) on Facebook

4. Follow me on Twitter (@envigeurfitness) 

Please comment below when you have done each of the above.

Contest starts May 8th and ends May 16th at midnight.  Good luck everyone!!

I was provided a free Wooly bottle for myself and one to give away in exchange for a review.  I was not monetarily compensated nor required to provide a positive feedback.  The opinions expressed in this post are completely my own.

Wordless Wednesday - It's Spring!

Forest City Road Races 5k Race Recap

The Forest City Road Race is my must-do race, the one I just can't miss.  I must admit that I have only ran two so far, but they won't be the only ones - I will run this one every year as long as I can.  

Part of the reason it is so special is because in 2012 it was the first race my daughter and I had ever run (we caught the racing bug because of it!), and also because it is so well organized and the volunteers are amazing!!  All along the course the volunteers are there clapping and cheering you on; they keep you motivated and have such energy, it just seems to give you more energy to run faster.  

My daughter and I were excited to run this year's 5k race again (next year I'm aiming for the 10k!!).  I had my hubby drive us and he was supposed to drop us off close to the starting area so I didn't have to worry about parking.  Unfortunately he took a wrong turn and we got stuck in traffic that had stopped for the half-marathon group to run through.  With only 10 min until the start of the 5k, my daughter and I knew we'd never make it in the car, so we got out and ran/speedwalked to the starting area.  We were still a couple blocks away when we heard the starting gun go off.  Talk about disappointed!!  We kept on going, and got to the starting line and saw that they were tearing it down.  Looking around, I found a race official and asked if we could still go.  He just said he needed to take a picture of our race bibs and then we could go.  So, five minutes after the starting gun went off, we crossed the imaginary start line.

Our view of the field of runners after our late start.

Needless to say, we were already tired from the run to the start line (I calculated it later and it was about 2km that we had to run to get there), and to top it off, we  couldn't see anyone else who was in the race.  

It felt pretty bleak, and our motivation was low, but soon we saw a few of the walkers in the race up ahead.  My daughter would pick out a person, and that was our goal to pass that person.  We were NOT going to finish last!!  

Getting close to the end, we had already passed a few runners
Photo credit: www.zoomphoto.ca

So after passing each person, we'd set another person as a goal and try to pass them.  It worked, it gave us small goals to move forward and we slowly kept passing people.  I had planned to set a PR this race, but I don't think I did.  For one, all we had for a time was the gun time (our chip on our bib wasn't activated because we were so late) so I don't know how we did, and we had already tired ourselves out running the 2km before the race and stressing out about not getting there fast enough.  

Almost at the finish line.
Photo credit: www.zoomphoto.ca

Setting a PR doesn't matter, just being able to get to the starting line and running the race AND finishing it is what matters. Plus, my daughter and I did it together, motivating each other and sticking together.  Well, we stayed together until the home stretch where she made her dash like she always does.

Love this pic
Photo credit: www.zoomphoto.ca

We got our medals and felt great!  Tired, but great.  

We almost did 10k, I think we can do that next year.  That's the goal!

After the race and with our finishers' medals - we did it!

My shoes, bling and bib. 

Wordless Wednesday

PRO Compression Socks Review & Giveaway!!

Since I started running, I've heard lots of other runners talk about how using compression socks during runs and especially after runs aids in recovery.  When PRO Compression offered to send me a pair for review, I was eager to give them a try and see if all of the talk was true. 

I wore the PRO Compression socks on a few trail runs and I loved how they fit and felt.  For one, they went all the way up to my knees which a lot of socks don't (I have long legs).  I love that about them.  

I am used to running on trails, so when I run in races, I find running on the concrete/asphalt can really be hard on my legs.  To put these socks to the test, I wore them during my first two races of this year, plus I wore them after the race to help with recovery.  This is when I really noticed the difference.  Wearing the compression socks, my legs felt great during my race AND after.  Other times when I have raced without wearing compression socks, my legs would hurt during the run and really hurt after.  There was a real difference when wearing the socks.  These socks are AMAZING!!

According to their webpage, " PRO Compression works against gravity by helping your vascular system increase blood flow which relieves discomfort and assists in recovery.  The minute you put them on, you'll understand why PRO Compression socks are the World's Best Athletic Performance Socks." 

I agree, PRO Compression socks are the best athletic performance socks.  My legs agree too!!  

Would you like a chance to win your own pair?  PRO Compression has been generous enough to offer a pair for me to give away to one of my readers.  

Love the colour!!

Aren't they cute?

Trying out the socks on a training treadmill run.

Now for the GIVEAWAY!!  

Enter to win a pair of compression socks from PRO Compression.  You can get up to 4 entries by doing any or all of the following:

1. "Like" PRO Compression on Facebook

2. "Like" My Journey to Getting Fit & Healthy on Facebook

3. "Follow" PRO Compression on Twitter

4. Check out the Marathon Socks on Pro Compression's page and comment below

which one you'd pick if you won. 

The giveaway starts April 29th, 2014  and will end May 7, 2014 at midnight. One winner will be chosen at random, and the winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. 

PRO Compression will be responsible for providing the winner with their choice of prize.

Just waiting to be able to leave for my run!!

Check out all of their amazing products at http://www.procompression.com/products/  If you see something that you want (and I am sure you will!), use the code BLG14 to get 40% off  (good for purchase of Marathon Socks & Sleeves), plus freee shipping (US address only).

Also be sure to join their Sock of the Month email list for great deals and new product announcements; sign up is located at the bottom of the home page.  Click here.


I was provided a free pair of compression socks in exchange for a review.  I was not monetarily compensated nor required to provide a positive feedback.  The opinions expressed in this post are completely my own.

First Race of the Year

This past Sunday was my first race of this year.  It was a last-minute entry (and right after I signed up, I fell down the stairs at home - click here to read about that), but it was a date that worked for all 3 of us running.  The weather called for rain all day and warm temps, but luckily it didn't rain at all during the race.  It was quite warm at 21C, which we haven't been accustomed to (and yesterday and today it snowed and is below freezing - crazy spring weather this year). 

I was unable to run the whole thing because of my still-sprained toes, but I was able to run/walk the whole course. My best friend ran her first race with us that day, and I made sure that she wasn't stuck behind with me and urged her to go ahead an enjoy her race :)  She did and finished with a good time and a sense of accomplishment.  I think I have passed the running bug onto someone else now :)  

My youngest daughter and I post-race

My toes and leg are healing, and I am training for my next run in two weeks time.  It will just be my daughter and I running that one, but that one is a special one to us.  It is the same race that was our first race last year - so I guess it will be our one year "race-versary"???  Sounds like a reason to celebrate!

Myself, my best friend, and my daughter

Wordless Wednesday