I was recently asked to tryout an outfit from Passion Fit. Considering I love all things camo, my choice for these black and white camo print leggings was a no brainer! Before I give you my feedback, let me give you some background on Passion Fit.

Passion Fit is a health, wellness and fitness lifestyle company focused on helping you be at your best! The mission of Passion Fit is to help women flourish from the inside out by focusing on their health, wellness and fitness and the vision is to create a local and online community where women can have fun, make friends, feel supported and be encouraged to achieve their dreams and goals!

I love their mission and I always want to support other women!

So, what did I think? I wore this outfit to do a strength workout at the gym. I immediately did the “squat test” which, to my relief, the leggings passed! I was a little worried the white would be sheer, but that wast the case. The high waist band didn’t pinch and the tights didn’t fall which I was jumping around and working out. I really liked the black tank I tried, too. It is a little longer in the back which is great when I was lifting overhead.

Overall, I give this outfit two thumbs up for function and being cute! You can check out their other designs (so super pretty prints) here!

There’s also a discount! Receive free shipping AND 10% off until 3/10 when you shop online at passionfit.com/shop and enter the promo code: PASSIONFITSWEATPINK.

It’s that time of year when I know you’re bombarded with advertisements and promotions everywhere you look. It’s important for me to let you know that I’m not getting paid to write this gift guide and any commission I earn off of products bought from the links provided, will be donated to charity. I simply wanted to share the products I use and love. This may be a great list to tag your spouse or family on if they need ideas for gifts to buy all you BAMRs out there! Or if you're like me, buy for yourself and then tell your husband what they bought you for Christmas.

First I’ll start with Stocking Stuffers!

1) CEP compression socks and sleeves. I always wear these calf sleeves when I run long or race. I love the compression and support they give me. Their recovery socks are awesome for post long runs also! The pair pictured are even on sale for $32!

2) The Koala Clip. When I’m not running with my stroller, I’m always at a loss for where to put my phone. Enter the Koala clip! This pouch hooks onto the back of your sports bra so you and store it and go!

3) Brooks Threshold Gloves. If you live in a chilly climate, quality running gloves are a must. I love these Brooks gloves because they aren’t bulky, but provide much appreciated warmth and wind protection. Plus, they are water proof, which is great for snowy runs. Brooks is also holding a 25% off all apparel sale, too!

​4) I just ordered this super fun Christmas Runner Pom Beanie from Gone for a Run and I LOVE IT! It will be perfect for all the fun Christmas themed runs I have planned. Plus, it matches my Ugly Sweater Levitate 2's. Gone for a Run is running a black Friday sale that gets you 15% off and free shipping with code: BF18

​5) This 32 ounce insulated stainless steel tumbler from Healthy Human has been my hydrating lifesaver lately! It truly keeps drinks ice cold or steaming hot for HOURS! I also am slightly obsessed with the pattern too. You can get 10% off with code: NMATTH10 when you order on Amazon.

​6) How amazing are these Swank Pink Confetti sunglasses from Tifosi Optics?! They are designed specifically for running and are no-slip, shatterproof (perfect for when little hands get ahold of them and toss them), and scratch-resistant.

Now for the under the tree gifts!!!

1) Of all the models of awesome Brooks shoes that are available, the Ghost 11’s are my favorite. I recommend them because they are a neutral running shoe and, well, they are just so darn pretty!

​2) If you've followed me for awhile, then you've probably heard me talk about the world’s most amazing headphones! These Bluetooth, wireless headphones from AfterShokz are truly a must have for all mother runners! They are hands down the safest way to jam out to your tunes on a run because they use bone conducting technology which allows you to still hear your surroundings. I won't wear any other headphones when I run (not that I would want to) because I feel safer with these. They also are super comfortable and don't pinch your head or move around. Click here for a $55 off bundle deal and other black Friday discounts.

​3) The Cadillac for all mother runners, a BOB stroller. I have used several others, and my favorite will always be a BOB. They truly are meant for running and they take safety into mind. Lightweight, smooth, and durable, a new BOB is going to last through all your babies! Check out their black Friday sale where you can snag $100 off select models!

​4) A Garmin watch was one of the first bigger running purchases I made, or my hubby made as my first Garmin was a valentine's day present (that's love people!). Anyways, I have tried other watches, but nothing, in my opinion, compares to a Garmin. The accuracy, data provided, and ease of use, make them #1 in my book. The watch pictured is the model I use which is the Forerunner 235.

​5) FreSkin care has been a part of my routine for over a year now. The reason it made this list is because, it's specifically made for sweaty skin and athletes. Also, the company gives a lot back and is one I fully stand behind. They are offering a killer black Friday deal of 50% off all sets. This will be the biggest discount you'll find on these sets and will most likely sell out (so act fast!). Click here or use code: Noelle for the discount.

​6) Lastly, is the KGoal. You can check out my IG post about this product and why I use it and how it has helped me. It made the list because, I know a lot of mothers suffer from a bit of leakage after giving birth and this product has been a game changer for me! Use code BF2018 for 30% off.

​That's it! I hope this list gives you some ideas of gifts to ask for and let me know of any of your must haves as a mother runner! Happy Holidays mommas!

As the last of the fall leaves are changing and falling, I’m reminded that cold weather is right around the corner. This year I will be training over the winter months for a full marathon in February. As much as I’m appreciative for the option to run on the treadmill at the gym, I really do consider it as a last resort and will opt to run outside whenever possible. So, I wanted to share how I dress for cold weather as I’ve had people frequently tell me they aren’t sure what to wear.

For runs at 50 degrees or warmer, I wear shorts and a Tech T or a tank. Anything above 70, and I usually ditch my shirt and opt for the #sportsbrasquad. These Brooks Chaser Shorts are my favorite because they fit comfortably and the built in liner means they don’t ride up when I run.

Between 40 and 50 degrees, I start to say bye to my shorts and reach for a light weight tight or crop. The ones pictured are the Ghost High-Waist Mesh Crops and the mesh helps me to not get too warm when I’m on my run. My long sleeve top has a mock turtle neck and thumb holes. The the Brooks Notch Thermal Long Sleeve is a great warm layer because it wicks moisture away but also dries quickly. This is a great base layering piece that you can use as the temps drop.

30-40’s is when I start to really feel the cold. A warm hat, like this adorable Brooks Booster Pom Beanie, is a requirement along with gloves. Core warmth is the most important thing, so under my warm layer, the Brooks Fly-By 1/2 Zip, I always wear a tech tank that is moisture wicking. I trade in my crops for a lined tight. These Threshold Tights are lined and thanks to their DriLayer Thermal fabric, I stay super warm and dry. Plus, the two side pockets are an appreciated bonus and super handy to hold my phone and fuel. I also recommend smart wool socks to keep your feet warm.

Lastly, we have the 30 and below recommendations. Again, hat, gloves, and a tech tank are a must. A warm layer like my Notch Thermal Long Sleeve, is perfect to layer under a light weight jacket to protect you from the elements. This Cascadia Thermal Jacket is ideal because it’s lighweight but its polyfill insulation keeps me cozy without overheating. It also has wind and water resistant fabric to protect me from the rain, wind and snow! I also stick with the Threshold Tighs, but will layer compression sleeves or tall smart wool socks under them for an extra layer.

Don’t let the winter stop you from the things you love. I hope this helps keep you warm and toasty and running all winter long!

A month or two ago, I shared how I finally ditched my scale and how helpful it has been for me mentally and emotionally. That was a big step in how I've been managing balancing a healthy lifestyle with being a busy mom, wife and runner. I want to live an active life and eat well, but I also want to be able to have some bubbly on occasion or have that cupcake at the birthday party I'm attending. I strongly feel you can balance both! Here's a few more tips I feel are useful in balancing a #fitlife:

​1. Like I mentioned already, getting rid of the scale and any preconceived notion that a number of any kind determines whether you are healthy or not. When I was at my lowest weight in life, I was going through a rough time in my marriage (we’re all good now!). That number on the scale did not measure my happiness or mental health at all! Now I don't really know what I weigh, but I am so much happier not letting numbers dictate my emotions. Instead, I'm using things like how I physically feel and how my clothes fit, as benchmarks for my health.

​2. Don't completely deprive yourself. If you're like me, as soon as I'm told I can't have something, I then immediately start craving it!! I try and give myself one day a week when I can eat whatever I want without any guilt or justification. If I'm REALLY craving something, I oftend tell myself, "Okay Noelle, if you still feel like you really want that candy bar tomorrow, then you can have one." 9 times out of 10, I'm not still craving it the next day and can wait until cheat day instead. I find that if I give myself permission to have something, I don't crave it as much. Scheduling your cheat day around activities and events that you know you'd like to indulge in helps too.

​3. When you do have a slip up, don't skip meals or try and "work it off" all at once. Okay, so you ate 3 donuts with your kids this morning when you were trying to eat clean. It's done! Don't beat yourself up, instead move on with the day and get back on track. Eat your clean lunch and dinner. One slip up isn't going to derail all your progress! Also, don't let that one slip up be a reason to eat junk the whole rest of the day.

​4. Try and not use treats as a mean for all rewards or celebrations. Maybe instead tell yourself, "If I eat a healthy dinner every day this week, I can get that super cute new Fit and Flirty tank." Or celebrating your kids progress report with an experience like a trip to the kids museum, instead of getting ice cream. I’m trying to model this for my kids since this has been a struggle of mine. I tend to always want to celebrate and reward myself with food, but there's so many other was to recognize achievements than with food.

​So, let's exercise physical and mental health and balancing a healthy lifestyle without having to completely deprive yourself! Also, if you'd love my Burpees and Bubbly tank as much as me, you can check out the whole line here and you can use discount code SWEATPINK4 for 15% off!

The first time I ever met my hubby in person, he showed up in a work polo, basketball shorts, white tube socks and the most ridiculous pair of running shoes I've ever seen. I won't name names, but I didn't even realize they made these for men! He had been working out at a boxing gym and they occasionally ran quarter mile sprints as part of their workouts. That was pretty much the extent of the running he had done, but when I asked if he wanted to join me for a run, he wasn't going to let that stop him, and he eagerly agreed.

​I had picked a two mile route from my apartment for us to run. The first mile was uphill and he fell behind. For awhile I was concerned people would think I was running away from him (he was wearing kaki work pants this time). I slowed down and stayed with him while we enjoyed the second mile back downhill. It may be needless to say, but he was in desperate need of some "real" running gear!

I took him to our local specialty running store and had him properly fitted for real running shoes. His first pair were, of course, Brooks. I also bought him some no-show socks and it was immediately a huge improvement.

​In the beginning of our marriage, I was training for my first half marathon. He hadn't run any long distance yet but, he still offered to come keep me company. He would ride my purple mountain bike along side me while I ran. He was there for me every step of the way (literally!). Shortly after that half marathon, we got pregnant with our first Bubba and running became non-existent for the both of us.

​After I had Micah, I started stroller running and Kevin was right there with me again. This time though, it was like we were both starting from square one. Over the next few years, we ran more and more adding in distance to our stroller routes. I got to watch him go from barely making it on a 2 mile run, to running a 1:45 half in less than 3 years time!

​It has been so inspiring to see him out there pushing our boys, running up hills, getting PR's and diving head first into a sport that he merely started to "get the girl". I'll even hear him encouraging non-runners to give running a try and it just makes me so proud.

He would push the stroller for me whenever we'd go run as family. Whenever I suggested we try a new running group, he was always willing, even when he was working 50+ hours a week and was exhausted.

He was there with Micah while I ran my first half marathon postpartum. He was there when I decided to take on my first marathon and met me at mile 19 with knee braces and told me not to quit. He was there when I wanted to join our local women's running team and pushed Micah in the stroller so that I could focus on getting my qualifying time to join the team. He was there when I wanted to drop from my second marathon and, again, encouraged me to keep going. He was there on all the weekend mornings to watch the boys so I could get long runs in. He was there to hear me go on and on about my newest Brooks shoes or the new running gadget I was obsessed with. He watched documentaries about running with me. He watched me try and fail to get my BQ 3 times, but never once doubted that I had it in me. He's been at so many finish lines, ran so many races with the stroller so I can run solo, and has really been the unsung hero in all of my running accomplishments. I can honestly say, that without Kevin, I couldn't have made it to Boston nor achieved any of the things I'm proud of in my "running career". Seeing him and the boys in the pouring down rain, freezing after I finished Boston is a memory I'll cherish forever.

​So, when Brooks offered to have me pick the person who inspires and encourages me the most, it was a no brainer! I was so happy to get to outfit my hubby with some new gear from the brand we both love.

​While it's still in the 90's here, Kevin was smart to pick some cool weather pieces because summer is short in the PNW and we'll be needing these items before we know it. So, here's what he picked:​

For his top he picked the NotchThermal Hoodie. He likes it because it's quick drying and light, but also great for warmth. Kevin's been in need of a great cold weather running pant and these Threshold Pants are going to be perfect for the fall and winter (and sadly probably most of spring too). Lastly, Kevin went with the Glycerin 16 for his shoes. He loves the softness they give him. He was a huge fan of the 15's and was a little worried that the 16's may be difference, but he says he loves them even more than the 15's!

Just in case anyone is curious about my outfit selection, too, here is what I selected. My top is the Fly By 1/2 Zip in Iris. It will be there perfect top for cooler weather this fall and be a great base layer in the winter. Plus, how pretty is that color?! I'm a tad obsessed! I also picked the High Waist Ghost Crop because I love the mesh detail. I'm typically not a huge fan of crops, but these are more like 7/8 length which are my favorite! My sports bra is the Uprise Crossback and is super comfy and supportive. Lastly, I loved the first pair of Ghost 11's I got, so I just had to get another! These will be my shoe of choice when I start marathon training again this fall.

Thank you Kevin for inspiring me to be the best mother runner I can be and thank you Brooks for outfitting us both and keeping us going as a running family! We are forever proud to be a Brooks family!

Last Friday I left to travel to Seattle, WA for the weekend to enjoy some time with the Run Happy Ambassador Crew.  I may have gotten to the airport a tad early and enjoyed some uninterrupted coffee in one sitting. This was the first cup I've had that I haven't had to reheat in who knows how long! I hopped on my flight and an hour latter landed in Seattle. 

When I arrived in Seattle, I met up with these lovely ladies and we headed over to the Brooks Headquarters where we enjoyed getting to meet all the other Run Happy Ambassadors that were joining us for the weekend. After a delicious lunch, we headed down to the Maker Lab to learn about how Brooks shoes are created and tested. The amount of detail and science they put behind each model is amazing. Testing things like durability, cushion, flexibility, softness, and many other factors, before a shoe is released really opened my eyes to the type of quality Brooks strives to achieve with each and every one of their products. That is something I appreciate so much. 

We were able to see how they cut shoes in half to examine every inch of the shoe. Then we saw how shoes are wear tested. The biggest take away from this was the fact that they test the shoes to see how it affects each individual’s run pattern. They don't want to view someone as "broken" if their form doesn't "fit the mold" but instead strive to conform to each individual’s unique running form and style.

After touring the lab, we got a sneak peek at some of the products that were actually launching in a couple days (these are now live and available online as of 7/1). Some of my favorites were the Array Long and Short Sleeve tops. Below is a peek. The material is lightweight and they both have super cute backs. The short sleeve pink I would wear to run or go out in! Another piece that I'll be ordering soon, is the Fly By Half Zip. This warmer long sleeve pull over looks absolutely perfect for our fall weather in the PNW and will be a great base layer for the winter, too.

After getting to drool over all the new apparel and shoes that will be released this fall, we headed out to the Westward restaurant for dinner. Overlooking Lake Union, we were treated to fresh seafood and absolutely the best company. I tried my first oyster and while I'm glad I gave it a shot, one is all I had. 

When we arrived back at our hotel, we were surprised with sleeping masks and sent straight to bed as we had a busy morning planned the next day. Seriously, Brooks thought of everything for us this weekend!

The next day, in true runner's fashion, several of us got up early to run before our larger group run. We did a quick 3 miler around the eastside of Lake Union. This was a great warm up before we headed over to Magnuson Park to meet up with a couple of the Brooks Beasts athletes to run another 5 miles. 

With the 3 morning miles, I was at 8 after our large group run. This is the most I've done for awhile and I was happy with my paces being in the low 8's.

​Let me take a second to give you my running #OOTD details because I love all these items A LOT! My top is the Stealth Tank in black. I have not seen this tank on one person and not thought it looked super flattering, plus it's really lightweight and moves well with you. Okay, now for my shorts. As you may or may not know, I'm obsessed with running shorts. I honestly haven't been the biggest fan of Brooks shorts until I tried these a couple months ago. These are the Chaser 3" Short (this color is even on sale right now!). The waist band is wide and doesn't give me the dreaded muffin top. The built in liner makes sure there's no riding up and overall, they are just a great, comfortable running short. I have the black as well and know I'll be adding a couple more to my collection soon. Lastly, my shoes are the Ghost 10 Special Olympics edition. Ghost are a smooth, plush shoe and my all time favorite style of Brooks.
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After our group run, we headed inside the gym and we were split up into smaller groups and assigned a Beast to lead us in a strength workout. I was stoked to be in Jess' group and here she was showing me a great arm exercise to benefit runners. 

Later, for dinner, we headed out for a cruise around Lake Union and Lake Washington. The views were gorgeous and I really enjoyed getting to sight see some areas of Seattle I hadn't seen from this view point before. It was also a great time to get to know some of my fellow Run Happy Ambassadors a bit better. This group is so diverse, yet so similar in that we all are just so positive, fun and fully embrace what it is to Run Happy. I'm so honored to be a part of this awesome crew!

Sunday morning, we gathered early and headed out to the University of Washington campus for my favorite part of the entire weekend. We were volunteering on the cheer line for the opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics. We got to cheer and high 5 every athlete that was participating in the event. Seeing the pride on everyone's face as we cheered on their state, was priceless. These athletes are such an inspiration and I admire them so much. I wish I would have been able to stick around to cheer them on this week, but I've been following along on Brooks social media channels to see the different events and virtually keep cheering everyone on. 

It truly was such a blessing and honor to get to participate in this amazing weekend. The memories made, the knowledge learned, the inspiration I was given, is all something that will stick with me for a very long time. A huge thank you to Brooks for all you do not only for me, but for the entire running community. From the elite athletes, to the Special Olympics athletes, or the everyday athletes (me) Brooks is a company that honestly wants to cater to every single one of us and is why it has been and will always be, the only brand of running shoes to ever go on my feet. Thanks again! 

I'll be the first to admit, I had never heard of Aventura Clothing before, but I am so glad that it found me! I was asked if I would like to sample a couple products from their new Adira line and their new Spring 2018 line. After looking at the lines, I immediately said, "Yes!" Let me tell you, just picking two items to sample was tough! There are so many cute things! Below is the Spring 2018 Line.

The second item I picked was from the Adira athleisure collection.  This collection features poly/ spandex jersey blends, organic cotton/poly blends and plus-sized options that celebrate the strength of all women. The Adira line also embraces all aspects of athleisure.  From crushing it at the gym to reading a book in the hammock, these styles are designed to transition seamlessly from active to casual, and beyond.

 Thank you Aventura for letting me try out these pieces of your Spring 2018 and Adira lines! I'm in love with them and will be ordering some other pieces very soon! If you'd like to check them out also, click the button below. 

Training requires so much more work than simply going out for a run. You have to make sure to stretch, foam roll, take ice baths, refuel properly, carb load, hydrate and more. That’s not to mention that as a mother runner, you have to do all those things on top of all the duties of keeping your kiddos alive! 

I wanted to share some of my tips and tricks for balancing life as a mother runner:

1. You may have heard this before, but I highly recommend scheduling your workouts. I work one week at a time. I look at the up coming week and figure out how and when to get in my workouts. Having flexibility is key when it comes to balancing all aspects of your life. One day you may need to get in some early solo miles before everyone gets up. The next day it might have to be a stroller run. Looking ahead helps you ensure you’re able to get your workout in and avoid any scheduling surprises.​

2. We all know how important it is to stretch after a run, but if you’re like me, it’s probably one of the last things you want to do when you finish running. I try and do any standing stretches while I’m making the kids lunch or a snack after we get home from a run. Then when they are eating, I’ll do any floor stretches. This is the only way I can do them without the boys jumping all over me (food is a great distraction). I also make it a rule to stretch when I watch tv at night after the kids go to bed. Once I’ve gotten through all my stretches, I can then have the rest of the night off.

​3. ​If you’re like us, the weekends are busy and are precious family time. If I run a long run of 16 miles or more, I’m pretty much useless the rest of the day (hello tired and HANGRY all day!). So, the whole running before the family gets up really doesn’t do much good in my case. If this is you too, try scheduling your long run on a weekday. It makes a huge difference and that way you get to fully enjoy your entire weekend without the “long run loom” as I call it.

If you’ve been following me for awhile, you’ll know that I’ve been using collagen daily for the last three months. I recently switched to Marine Collagen Peptides from Healthy Living Proteins. What is Marine Collagen? Marine Collagen is produced from 100% fish skin and scales that would otherwise be discarded. I like that fact since I feel like this product isn’t causing any additional waste, but helping to eliminate some instead! What makes Healthy Living Protein collagen stand out? It’s not only gluten free and wild caught, but it’s naturally sourced which is important to me. 

I had been using a bovine collagen originally and was a little worried about a “fishy” taste with switching to the marine. When I opened the container it does have a slight fish smell, but honestly, it did not taste fishy in my coffee or smoothies! Whew! There really wasn't much flavor at all and the slight flavor it does have wasn't unpleasant or noticeable after the first few tries.

So, we all know how great collagen is for our hair, skin and nails. I have seen the benefits of my skin being super clear and my hair and nails growing like crazy, but I wanted to focus on the benefits I’ve experienced in my marathon training while incorporating Marine Collagen Peptides. 

1. PROTEIN! It’s so important to replenish both carbs and protein within an hour after you workout. Doing so, prevents your body from using its own muscle tissue for energy and helps encourage muscle synthesis. You don’t want that hard work wasted right?! I use collagen in my training as a great source of natural protein. Each serving has 11 grams of protein and is quick and convenient to add to a post workout meal or smoothie. The benefit of being able to easily replenish my protein is a win for me!

3. JOINT AND MUSCLE PAIN! I turned 35 in December and I joked to my husband that I’m now old and falling apart. In all seriousness, I really did start feeling more aches and pains seemingly out of nowhere! That was scary to me as I was about to start my Boston Marathon training cycle. Adding collagen to my nutrition and daily routine, I have noticed less joint and muscle pain. This has been such a big benefit not only to my training, but to my recovery, as I’m not having to spend as much time taking days off due to sore joints and muscles. Last year I was taking Ibuprofen all throughout the day during my training to manage joint and muscle pain. That has NOT been the case this year! 

I’m so grateful I have found collagen this year and really have loved the benefits I’ve experienced by using it daily. Honestly, if it wasn’t as easy as adding a scoop to my coffee, I may not have started using it, let along stick with it. I’m definitely hooked! You can learn more about all the benefits of collagen along with marine collagen by clicking below.

Have you tried adding collagen yet? Have you seen these kinds of benefits or others I didn’t list? I’d love to hear your experience, too!   

I heard about collagen for the first time a few years back and for some reason it kinda freaked me out a little. I had just started on my journey of eating healthier and cutting out processed foods. I just imagined that it would taste weird or have a funny texture. Anyone else sabotage themselves into not liking something before you even try it?

A little while later, I had completed a whole30 and saw that others eating this way, were incorporating collagen into their daily routines and I was intrigued!

Before I tell you about my experience with Great Lakes collagen, let me tell you about some of the many benefits of adding collagen to your diet:

•Improves health of hair and skin
•Helps improve joint pain and degeneration
•Great for the gut! It “seals and heals”
•Provides a boost of energize
•Increases metabolism
•Strengthens nails, hair and teeth

The list goes on and on! (For Real it does! Check out http://greatlakesgelatin.com/storefront/ for all the benefits and how collagen works to produce those benefits)