Athlinks – Claim your results!

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I signed up for Athlinks a while back but recently they partnered with BibRave and asked their ambassadors to write a post about their experiences with it.

What is Athlinks?

Athlinks is a free service that allows you to view, save and share finish times through their website Athlinks.com and/or their iOS and Android apps. It also includes a social aspect where you can connect with friends, compete with rivals, discover new races.

My profile & timeline
Check out this awesome race stats page!

Why use Athlinks?

If you have ever wanted to compile a list of your past race results, this is the place to do it. It is super easy and has a clean, user-friendly interface. You can even link upcoming races to your profile, and find out what other runners will be at your events.

Once your account is set up, simply check back in occasionally for new race results. It will usually automatically detect them for you and have them waiting for your approval.

Friends that I'm following
Suggested rivals

How to get get started

  1. Go to Athlinks.com or download their iOS or Android app.
  2. Create an account.
  3. Add an awesome profile photo.
  4. Go through and claim your results.
  5. Sign up for any upcoming races you have on the schedule.
  6. Follow your friends (and me!)
  7. Check out your suggested rivals.
  8. View events near you.
  9. Follow Athlinks on Instagram and Twitter!

How do you keep track of your race results? Do you use Athlinks already?

My new running partner and our Chariot Cougar 1

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I have a lot of awesome running buddies but this one is definitely tops the charts (sorry friends)! Baby R has joined me for a few stroller runs now and so far she loves it. Or I assume so because she basically just sleeps the whole time.

It is important to note that its recommended to wait 6 or more months before running with a baby. However, I consulted our doctor, a chiropractor, and an athletic therapist about how to run safely with her at 3.5 months. I’m a very cautious person but I am comfortable with our setup. I’ve made sure her head and neck are stable, we stick to running on smooth surfaces at a leisurely pace, and I keep a close eye on her through our runs. Please do your own research this subject and consult your doctor if you plan to run with your baby.

Before purchasing a running stroller, I polled my Facebook friends and researched models online. There were two clear favourites, the BOB and the Chariot. Based on testimonials and Craigslist ads, both the BOB and the Chariot seem to have very long lifespans and good resale value.

The major pros to the BOB are people love it as a regular stroller and you can switch between fixed or non-fixed front wheel (on some models). The fixed wheel is great for running in straight-ish lines, but I think the non-fixed wheel would be more maneuverable on trails.

What appealed to me about the Chariot is that it sits lower to the ground and is easier to see in and over. It also has built-in mesh and rain covers as well as a sun visor flap. With the mesh cover zipped up, your child’s toys and snacks won’t fly out. Despite being mostly waterproof, it still has a mesh back and some mesh in the sides for air flow (phew!). You can also get bike and even ski attachments for it, however I didn’t want to base my decision on that because I’m not sure that I would use it for those purposes.

My husband and I checked out both strollers in stores, gave them a push around, and decided to go for the Chariot. We made the mistake of looking at new models of Chariots (now made by Thule) at the store. They were amazing but also more expensive than our first car (a lot of things are though – it was only $400 and lasted only slightly longer than you would expect).

I perused Craigslist for a while but when i saw this one posted, we snatched it up right away! It is an older model that was brand new with tags still on it. I felt a bit bad that the reason the previous owner was selling it was that she tore or ACL right after buying it a couple years ago – I also hoped it wasn’t jinxed!

So far I am loving it! The only downside is the attachments are fairly expensive. A friend had given us the bivvy that fits smaller babies and keeps them in a horizontal position. I’ve also already purchased the infant sling and baby support to use as she grows.

Do you have a running stroller? Which one?

How long did you wait before running with your baby?

Back on my feet

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I was itching to get out and about after Baby R was born. I had been on bed rest for most of the last trimester of my pregnancy and although I could start moving more once she was term, it’s not exactly easy at that point!

Despite recovering from a c-section, we went for our first walk at one week old. I’ve heard some activity is actually good for the healing process. It was short, just around the neighbourhood to test out our stroller (a used Uppababy Vista we bought from Craigslist) and get some fresh air.

Over the first few months we walked to the park, the store, and a couple doctors appointments. We even managed a couple short hikes.

In addition to the stroller, we tried out our Moby wrap and the Ergobaby 360. The wrap was nice when she was a tiny newborn but I much prefer the Ergobaby now. It’s easier to get on and off and adjust. It also has better head and neck support for the little one.

I absolutely love baby wearing. It’s so nice to have them snuggled close plus you don’t have to manoeuvre a big stroller around. The downside is you can’t carry as much. I wear the Skip Hop diaper backpack if I’ll be gone away and/or need to carry anything.

My friend Courtney and her baby as well as a few friends that have Fridays off started a Friday walking group. It was great to get out and socialize with running friends after being out of the running loop for so long.

Recovering from birth whether you had a c-section or not is very different for everyone. Moving felt good for my body and mind, however it was slow and exhausting. I can’t remember exactly when I felt fully recovered but it’s been a while now. I’m currently 4.5 months out and feeling great!