Reviewing the Fun Run Box: Welcome Training Kit

Facebook ads are just really spooky sometimes. Somehow they honed in on the fact that I like subscription boxes and I like to run… so they started stalking me with ads for the Fun Run Box. I ignored them for a while, but then I finally clicked through to see what it was all about… and that’s how they got me.

The Fun Run Box is a running challenge box that is shipped on a monthly basis. For a monthly fee of $35, subscribers will receive a fun box of running challenges and running products. After six months of challenges, you are considered a “finisher” and will receive a long sleeve finisher shirt and a medal. It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or a seasoned veteran, you can use the month’s challenge cards to push yourself a little further each month.

Pretty cool spin on the whole surprise subscription box, right?

I like running stuff and frankly could always use some motivation, so I decided to sign up. The first box is a welcome training kit, but then each box after has a different theme with a unique challenge magnet and 4 – 6 running products.

fun-run-box

Here’s what I received in my Welcome Kit box:

fun-run-box-gallary

Official Fun Run Box tech training shirt
I hate a tight-fitting running shirt, so I sized up on my subscription and I’m really glad I did. This cute blue running shirt will be great for outdoor runs, or working out on my elliptical.

FuelBelt hand held water bottle
I was really excited for the handheld water bottle, because I’ve never run with one of these before and wanted to try one out.

Fun Run Box cinch sack
Out of the whole box, this is the one item that I really dislike. I knew it was coming though, so at least I expected it. I just don’t really like cinch sacks and don’t use them. This one will go in the donation pile.

Hydration powder and bar
Since I typically keep my runs between 3 – 6 miles, I haven’t previously used any sort of hydration powers or protein-type bars. Two packs of Sqwincher Zero electrolyte replenishment powers and one Bonk Breaker bite protein bar was included in my box. I haven’t tried the powder, but the protein bar tasted awful.

A Magnet
Each month I will receive a different magnet. This month’s magnet says “Train. Challenge. Repeat.” And has Fun Run Box on it.

First Challenge
Ok, here’s the reason for the box. This month’s goal is to make running a habit, so the weeks are broken up into manageable activities to help you do so. According to the schedule, the most important thing about this month’s challenge is to try not to miss any days and if you can’t do the specified workout to try and do at least some of it.

fun-run-box-1

My Thoughts
My first Run Fun Box was just okay, but that’s kind of what I expected. Before you get into the fun themed boxes you have to start with this one. Sure, it’s kind of basic and boring… but the shirt is nice and so is the water bottle and challenge. Unfortunate, I don’t really feel like I got a $35 value out of the box. So, I’ll try it a couple more months before making up my mind on whether this subscription is a winner or a loser.

 

Disclosure: This post is not sponsored by Fun Run Box, I paid for the $35 subscription fee with my own hard-earned money.

A (Not So) Crabby 5k

You guys, I had so much fun over the weekend! My brother, Jason, and I ran the Charm City Crab 5k in Baltimore on Saturday and it was a blast.

Well, the race actually kind of sucked. The course is through the Inner Harbor, so you have to run over random cobblestones and dodge tourists, which is not so great. However, once you FINISH the course is when the fun starts… the Chesapeake Crab and Beer Festival!

All runners get free entry into the festival for the first session, from 11:00 – 3:00 pm. So, basically you run your 3 miles and then you just eat and drink the rest of the morning. Sounds like fun, right?! There is also a full-on crab feast for those who want to sit and pick for hours. Instead, we decided to just go for a (super delicious) crab cake sandwich and drink ALL the beers!

We snapped this picture before the race, while we were still relatively cool and my face wasn’t bright red from the run:

Crabby 5k 1

This rum was SO GOOD. I especially recommend the coffee rum and the coconut rum. However I don’t necessary recommend doing shots of every flavor before 11:00 am…

Crabby 5k 2

I WON the costume contest! That’s right, they paid me $100 to wear what I was totally going to wear anyways!

Crabby 5k 3

When you are a Marylander, it is law that if you see the Natty Boh guy you chase him down and take a photo!

Crabby 5k with Boh

Crabby 5k with Boh - Joules

So yeah, it was an incredibly fun morning with the Crab 5k and all the yummy food and drink. The afternoon though… not so fun. Apparently I can’t drink like I used to ‘back in the day’ and I totally needed an afternoon nap to get back to feeling halfway normal. Also, I got some hardcore sunburn on my shoulders and arms but not my tattoo, because I SPFed that up the wazoo. Too bad I didn’t SPF the rest of my body…

Did you do anything fun over the weekend?

Running Bra PSA

Okay friends, I wasn’t going to write this post… but then after this weekend, I realized that I really have to. It’s actually a requirement at this point. It’s a public service announcement. It is absolutely mandatory for me to share my secrets with the world.

I mean, there are only so many times I can drive down the road and look over to see some well-endowed lady running and almost getting knocked out by her flying tatas.

It’s painful.
And not just for her.

I get it. Really, I do.
It’s hard to run when you are blessed in the chest.

And for years, I doubled-up with my running bras… trying to squish those babies down to as flat as can be. Inevitably I’d end up with a weird looking uniboob situation, with the added issue of the shape of the bra smushed into my shoulders so hard that it would take a full afternoon for me to go back to normal. Sure, I’d be able to squish them down… but how are you supposed to run a 5k if you pass out from the compression?

I’ve talked about it before, but it obviously needs to be said again… GET THIS SPORTS BRA!

sports bra
Source: Amazon.com

 

It is called the Panache Woman’s Underwire Sports Bra and it is the magical unicorn of sports bras!

I bought two of them in May 2013 and they are both still going strong. The bra comes in 12 different colors on Amazon (unfortunately all of them aren’t available in every single size) and is priced around $70. YES, that is more expensive than going to Target and buying a thin exercise bra that doesn’t work and then sits in the back of your drawer for three years until you finally donate it to Goodwill.

Do yourself a favor, BUY IT.

For larger chested ladies, I highly recommend hooking the little clip at the back of the bra to make it a racer back. It offers the prefect amount of support without making you feel like you might die from suffocation. Also, it’s CUTE. Like, really cute.

There you go, your ‘The More You Know…” PSA for the day. Share this with your ‘blessed in the chest’ besties and they will thank you!

 

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. I just feel very strongly about how much I love my Panache sports bras and want to share it with the world. Pocketful of Joules is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.