I’m coming at you this week with some amazing new fuel, the perfect place to put your phone on a run (finally!) and lighting a fire under your ass with one of the most motivating women I have ever met. Spoiler: she was run over by a truck, spent five weeks in a coma, had 29 surgeries and has done more races than you. Now turn that frown upside-down and let’s get started.

PHONE | KOALA CLIP

If you have not yet heard about Koala Clip let me happily introduce you to your new running partner. I have never run with my phone, unless it was in a FlipBelt which was rare, until I discovered Koala Clip. I have had the plus size iPhone for years now and there was just no way for me to bring that thing with me on a run. I was deprived of picture taking, music and…oh yeah, this little thing called safety!

The genius behind Koala Clip is a woman named Kristina, mom of two, who was just fed up with the options available for carrying her phone on the run.  “I am not a professional seamstress, just a passionate runner looking for a better option to carry my phone while on the go.” Well you did it and I thank you!

Obviously this is a photo of me.

Koala clip ($22-$26) has a simple design and comes in several sizes, there is a zipper top so you simply drop your phone in and the magnetic clip ensures no movement on the run. Like none. Nothing. Nada.

If you’re worried about sweat shutting down your phone mid-run, I can tell you I sweat like a farm animal even on the coldest New England day and my phone was just fine thanks to the microfiber fabric Koala Clip is made from.

Order one and see for yourself!…or read the testimonial from Nat at NatRunsFar. The pictures alone are worth it because Nat lives on the California coast.

FUEL | PICKY OATS OATMEAL

I have a confession to make. I am not a fan of Picky Bars. I have had my share of them in the past but it’s safe to say I have not eaten one in the last year and probably won’t have one in 2018…or ever again. However, when I saw they were making oatmeal I ordered the variety pack immediately. Of course I then got a free sample in my StrideBox because that is the way my life goes.

Burned out on steel cut oats because I ate them every single day for the entirety of last winter, I was ready to jump back in with Picky. I know and trust their ingredients and the science behind it since the founders — Lauren Fleshman and her husband Jesse — are pro athletes (in running and triathlon respectively) and know how to fuel properly for the training workload of an endurance regimen.

I was not disappointed! Not only is the oatmeal easy to make (just add hot water and wait 3 minutes) it’s the perfect combo of sweet and savory. I didn’t even have to add blueberries…but I did.

The three flavors currently available are Can’t Beet Chocolate, Game Set Matcha and How ‘Bout Them Apples ($8.95 for all 3). I liked the tase of the apple one best but the other two were definitely very good and I would order all three again. #treatyoself.

FIRE | GRATITUDE IN MOTION BY COLLEEN ALEXANDER

Last week I received a text from a good friend saying something like “my running sucks, I hate my body and just ugh!” You know, the usual for women on a weekly basis. Luckily for her I had just read the insanely amazing story of Colleen Kelly Alexander.

I told her to stop what she was doing and read it immediately. She did. She stopped complaining and instead was grateful for her sucky runs and slightly overweight body.

Why?

Alexander has nothing but gratitude for this body.

Riding her bike home from work one beautiful day in Connecticut, Colleen was run over and ripped apart by a truck, the driver of which failed to stop at a stop sign.

After being in a coma for five weeks, enduring 29 excruciating surgeries, countless bandage changes, trauma, PTSD and horrors most of us could not fathom, she returned to triathlon and running. She has since finished 50 races and completed 40 triathlons.

I cannot convey the impact her story has had on me. I was lucky enough to interview her for Women’s Running and I’m currently reading her book Gratitude In Motion. I hope to meet up with her at a local race or book signing so I can give her a hug.

Colleen was also recently interviewed by Megan Kelly:

I hope this post has left you feeling empowered and ready to tackle your weekend! Fuel up, take your phone as if you’re a mama koala and be grateful for every run!

[Tweet “Road Tested Reviews has new fuel from @pickybars the best place to put your #phone on the #run and firery inspiration! #GratitudeInMotion #KoalaClip”]

Have you tried any of these? Heard of Colleen Alexander?

When was the last time you were grateful for your body?