ZWIFT RUN - GO ZWIFT POD REVIEW

Disclaimer:  I received the ZWIFT RUNPOD to use and review as part of being a BibRave Pro. 

Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), 

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Minnesota winters can be brutally cold, so as an avid runner, it's imperative to have a treadmill when the weather gets chilly.  I do have amazing running gear to brave the cold, but rain and fresh snow and sub-zero temperatures just are not safe.  Consequently, my treadmill has been a life-saver!  However, it can be challenging to train on a treadmill effectively and it can get quite boring.  

Recently, I was given the to opportunity to try the ZWIFT RUN POD.  I first learned of ZWIFT because I was able to attend the TRE Running Event in Austin Texas.  As influencers, we were treated like royalty and were greeted when we arrived with a private ZWIFT party!   Here we all our as a group!  This is such a great photo I just had to share! THANK YOU ZWIFT! 

The private ZWIFT experience was such a unique opportunity because a few fellow bibrave pros were even able to run on the treadmill as we cheered them on.  It was very cool to watch them run a virtual course on the big screen!  The people of ZWIFT were so accommodating and made sure that our every question was answered!  

Cheering on fellow pros as they ran their virtual course! 

So what exactly does the ZWIFT RUN POD do?  The pod attaches securely to your shoe laces to instantly connect you with a virtual running community from all over the world!  Anyone who has a pod can sync up and run on the same course!   Just tap the pod and GO!  It will automatically turn off with inactivity. 

Here is the pod attached to my laces; it fits securely 

At first, right out of the box, I was a bit confused as to how to insert the battery.  But, with a quick youtube search I found that with a strong grip and a click to the right, the top came off and the battery slid right in!  When you tap on the pod, a green light will appear and you are ready to run!  The pod syncs with compatible devices with bluetooth to transmit directly to the app!  I was able to pair my Apple Watch AND my Under Armour HOVR shoes with ease.  Make sure you download the ZWIFT app!  In addition, the ZWIFT COMPANION app is very helpful too! 

Over the past month, I've had a great time following along with my avatar and watching her run the different courses provided!  You can even run the course in New York City!   One of the functions I really enjoyed was the virtual trainer.  During the run, you are prompted with speed increases and bursts of speed as well as how to properly recover or drop your speed during tempo runs, for example.  This function is great because it's not always easy to know if you're training hard/well enough.  This pod will take that guess work out for you!   Just look at how beautiful this virtual scenery is! 

Recently, many of us from Bibrave joined up in a virtual run!  We were able to schedule a group run during a time when many of us would be available to join.  VOILA!  At the start time, we were all synced up and running together!  *Remember to calibrate your running speed or the pod will not be as accurate, however.   It truly was so fun to see the names of my friends running alongside me; all virtually from all across the country! 

I have already used this RUN POD a lot!  I use it regularly as a supplement to my training as I have found it comes in handy!  Plus, it definitely makes my runs more fun!   And, at $29.99 it's an inexpensive investment that will surely liven up your same-old boring treadmill runs! 

5 Ways to LOVE the Treadmill

In Minnesota, winters are just plain hard.  

ICE, SNOW, WIND, SUB-ZERO TEMPS....

But, how do I get my runs in when it's freezing outside? 

You guessed it!  I turn to the treadmill!  Or, shall I say.... DREADMILL.

This year, it's not only the cold that's getting me down, it's the snowy and treacherous road conditions!  I would MUCH rather run outside but there are times when it's just not worth injury to brave the roads.  We have had a number of days with below zero temperatures and extremely icy roads.  I'll admit, I've skipped more than my share of runs because I just dread the treadmill.  

But, in order to help me with my winter running blues, I've come up with 5 ways to help you LOVE the treadmill and get those much needed work-outs in!  

First off, let  me start by making it clear that I think treadmill work-outs are HAAAARD!  Very hard.  Anybody else feel like one minute on the treadmill is like 20 on the road?  Or, your 9 minute pace feels like your fast sprint during training?  Ugh!  We've all been there... now lets talk about ways to help us get over the dread of the treadmill!  

 

WATCH YOUR FAVORITE GUILTY PLEASURE

You know what I'm talking about.  The show your husband yells at you for watching?!  For me, it's The Bachelor. There's nothing better than watching a good cat-fight during a run.  I call it mindless TV - or is it mindless girls on TV?  I don't know, but for whatever reason, when I'm watching something that doesn't require a lot of concentration, I can just run. 

DRESS IN GREAT WARM WEATHER GEAR

One reason I do love the treadmill is because I can wear my shorts and tank tops IN.THE.WINTER and I sweat like crazy! There really is something about a good sweat that puts me in a great mood.  Oh.. how I miss the days of teensy clothing in the winter.  It's a great pick-me-up to don my sports bra and shorts during a run on the treadmill.  If only for a second, I can forget what weather is lurking outside - unless of course I listen close to the 100 mph winds that are Minnesota Winters.  Okay - I may be exaggerating a bit. 

TURN OFF YOUR GARMIN

Yes, I said it.  Turn.It.OFF!  You don't need to worry about pace all the time on the treadmill.  Get your heart rate up to an aerobic rate and JUST.RUN.  No clocks,  no pace.  JUST.RUN.  Enjoy the cadence and don't feel like you have to be breaking records on the treadmill.   I often cover the digital read outs on my mill with a towel so I don't focus on the numbers so much.  You're getting a good work-out.  Your body is moving.  Calories are being burned.  Just run.  You'll thank me later. 

VARY YOUR WORKOUT

Ok, so I know that this goes against the tip I just talked about, but the treadmill is also a great place to work on your negative-splits.  Recently, I completed a 5 mile progression run on the treadmill where every mile I increased my speed by 20 seconds.  It was fantastic!  I got a challenging workout and my brain focused on 1 mile increments rather than the length of time I would be running.  This workout went so fast and the treadmill held me accountable for my splits which was great! 

  

FIND A NEED FOR SPEED

Speed training can be very effective on the treadmill because the treadmill forces you to keep a steady pace.   Start out with an easy-effort one mile warm-up.  Then sprint for 2 minutes.  Recover for 4 minutes at an easy conversational pace and repeat this 8 times.  I promise you won't be bored and you will feel like She-Ra when you're done!   

Do you struggle with the dreadmill?  Do you love winter running? 

For the first time I'm linking up with Fairytales and Fitness and Running on Happy for the Friday V 2.0.  I'm excited to meet you all!  Thanks for the link-up!