I don’t even bring a camera when I travel anymore.
Disclosure: The following post is sponsored by Fitfluential LLC on behalf of Verizon Wireless.
When I got my first smart phone, it changed my world. I’ve never liked having to carry multiple devices or go to more than one source for tasks.
Verizon offered me the chance to upgrade from my iPhone 5 to a 5s and I pounced on the opportunity. From the solid, light-weight of the metal-casing to the fingerprint-reading lock, I am impressed. I also love the new iOS7 system. It offers iTunes Radio, which is like Pandora but better because you can tag songs as favorites to remember to purchase later. I’ve wished for this feature on the radio SO many times!
The light weight and the radio features allow me to travel light on a plane or the gym – just grab the phone and my in-flight entertainment or energy-inducing jams are there. I love being able shake up my music songs – my playlist was getting OLD after all this competition training.
Since I spent the weekend with Heather in Colorado for our competition, I joined her for a final workout. Radio up and headphones in, I killed the last back/tri workout I’ll do for 2 weeks (it’s REST time!). It was SO much fun to be able to do it with a friend, and to shamelessly ask gym employees to take iPhone pics for us.
Best of all is the super-fast Verizon 4G LTE service. I’m extremely impatient, so being able to over-share instantaneously via Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter is a must. I did just that alllll weekend long from Colorado!
I’m drafting this on a flight home and the internet is painfully slow, so the full recap will have to wait. In the meantime, here’s the iPhone-powered Cliff’s Notes:
Heather and I didn’t get top 5, but we had a blast. AND we got to cheer Lisa, who placed 4th in Bikini Class C.
We celebrated in style at one of Denver’s best restaurants, Fruition. Kait joined us too – it was so great to meet her for the first time. I ordered pasta carbonara with hand-made cavatalli, pork belly and a 6 minute egg (I ordered that solely for the #yolkporn) and duck confit pierogi with caramelized brussels, kumquat marmalade, and roasted apple pan jus.
The food was great, the service was perfect, and the company couldn’t have been better… but I’m still amazed I didn’t fall asleep in my (unpictured) dessert.
Sunday was a beautiful morning – not a cloud in the sky! Heather, Kirk (her husband) and I slept in and headed out for coffee and a hike.
We headed back to meet Lauren and Greg (her husband) for brunch. We sipped on a Kirk-and-Heather whiskey barrel-aged homebrew (out-of-this-world good!) and shoveled a cheese plate in our mouths while Kirk prepared the meal The smoked salmon eggs benedict was one of the best I’ve had!
I’m sad to leave, but made a ton of good memories… and rekindled my desire to MOVE to Denver! It was all pretty marvelous.
***
I am so grateful for Heather and Kirk putting up with me me up for the long weekend, and to everyone who commented/tweeted good luck messages. It all made the weekend that much more special. Thank you! <3
Are you an iPhone or Droid lover? What are your favorite apps? I’ve become addicted to LINE camera.
Do you like to hike? That’s one of the reasons I want to live in Denver!
Looks like so much fun!! You are awesome, lady!
I have the iphone 4S and can’t wait to upgrade to the 5S. Can’t wait to read your full recap. Congrats on a great competition.
BAHHHH I need a new phone like a baby bird needs a worm!!!! THAT BADLY!!! And I am chirping about it like a crazy baby bird too! LOL! I have an iPhone 4… And I have had it for 3 years and I have never updated the software, LOL! It freezes for a minute every time I send or receive a text message… A minute may not SEEM like a long time, but if I had to text my mother or sibling to tell them I was DYING, let’s just say, I WOULD DIE thanks to my slow ass phone! LOL! That being said, YOU MAY HAVE PUSHED ME OVER THE EDGE to get a NEWWWWW ONE!
And OOOOO EMMMM GEEE! I wish I were still in Denver, I would have TAKEN YOU OUUTTTT! HA HA! Well, to all the delicious restaurants that you could have eaten delicious “cut” food at! And then right after your competition I would have just taken you to my MECCA that is the Whole Foods Market in Cherry Creek! LOL!
Go over the EDGEEEEE! The 5 is a massive difference from the 4. I didn’t even realize how crappy my 4 was until I got this. 😉
Congrats on your competition and enjoy your rest! I’m still rocking an iPhone 3GS (no front camera on that thing) but have successfully dropped enough hints to my husband that there will be a new 5s waiting under the tree for me this year 🙂
The 3GS?! I will send you my old 4! My mom took the 5. 😉
Wow, girl, what am amazing weekend!! And your post comp food is SO well deserved!! I have an iPhone 4 and it’s hanging on for dear life. Thank God my boss ordered the iphone 5s in GOLD – can’t wait!!!
I need to check out LINE camera!
Though I must say, if I am home and have the time, I love to make shoots with my lightbox and Canon – it’s a different world!!
in my eyes you are.a.winner.
Maria…. thank you!!! That made my day a little. 🙂
Soo proud of you guys, I almost shed some tears….well tears of frustration with my statistics textbook but still.
You guys rocked it and enjoy this time off…you deserve it buddy!
I’ve never used an android so I’d have to say iphone!
Thank you! Just don’t burn that book. 😉
My friend you rocked it all and a huge inspiration – congratulations on everything you achieved and will achieve 😀
Cheers
CCU
Congrats to you and Heather! You both look fantastic. Way to go!
I’ve got a iphone 4 and can’t wait to upgrade!
I hate to say it but I am DROID all the way especially with my Samsung Camera its the bees knees! I do love all of your photos and feel the iPhone delivers in that way and Verizon is the best I used to have it when I lived in the states! You look amazing in all of your photos and its so awesome to watch you, I Know I say this every comment but I do mean it! What an inspiration! Hope you enjoy some more feasts and a nice Thanksgiving <33 Lots of Love your way C
Court, you are the best. I appreciate each and every comment. I hope we get to meet in for “real” one day!
COME BACK HERE—to OAKLAND!
we shall hike 🙂
My little sis might be moving to Oakland!!!
let’s all move to denver! I’ll support your dreams, you support mine, etc. One big BALLER of a time. Congrats friend, you looked awesome and so proud of your hard work!!
We talked about doing just that the whole time I was there!!! If only… maybe one day!
Thank you for all your love and support, Brother. You’re the best Yoda.
Wooooo congrats babe!!!! Dont know what I’d do without my iphone…seriously though, I would have a complete meltdown if I lost it/it was stolen. And then I would worry what the new owner might think of my excessive food and workout pics and the strange things I google lol
you look FABULOUS!! and i totally want the 5s!
Congrats on a great competition. Now we can get Ethiopian food, right?!
Yes!!! Let’s do it soon! Gotta fuel the baby. 😉
Congrats this weekend, I bet you are happy it is over and super pleased with how well it went
You look amazing! I love my iPhone!!
Congrats, Laura – sounds like an amazing experience!
And as far as smartphones are concerned, I’ve only ever had a Blackberry and an iPhone. And the iPhone wins!
Congrats lady!! So happy that the competition went well. And that you had an awesome weekend! Smoked salmon eggs benedict? That sounds amazing.
Right now I have a Droid, but I’m thinking of switching to an iPhone with my next upgrade…might be a Christmas present to myself.
It WAS amazing! Kirk is an excellent chef. And beer-brewer. 🙂
I loved following it all on IG!!!! Just training & getting up on stage is a win – it is tough stuff!!! CONGRATS!!!!
Thank you, Jody! I know I have said it before, but you ave been a BIG support and inspiration. Thank you!
I lived in Denver for 7 years! Looks like you had beautiful weather and a fun weekend…What’s next on your agenda now woman? Are you going to take some time to relax or are you back at it? I’m actually thinking of switching to the Samsung Galaxy.
I actually just posted about that yesterday… taking a year to train and grow! 🙂
Congrats on getting out there again and giving it your all. glad you enjoyed the entire weekend!
you are both BIG INSPIRATION – looking great, ladies!
the rest of the weekend looks SO FUN too!
Thank you, Kristina! I’m going to attempt to stalk you in Portland. 😛
That does look marvelous! I’m so proud of Heather for going after this, and so cool you could compete alongside her!
you girls look AMAZING!!! So wish I could have been there!
As I feel like I’ve said 800 times on Instagram, you both look FANTASTIC and are so inspiring!!! Glad you have fun and get some REST. Yes on the iPhone – totally addicted. And yes on Denver! I WILL move to Colorado some day … my brother lives in Denver, my sister lives in Colorado Springs, and my family has a place in the middle of nowhere (which is awesome). Congrats again!
Thank you so much!!! I am so glad to have gotten to “know” you this year. 🙂
I want to move to CO too. I think we should all go and start a food commune.
YES, YES, YES! Can we move to Colorado and start a food commune? We’ll train for Olympic Grocery Shopping and do lots of hiking and generally hang out outdoors. My life would be truly complete :).
You ladies looked fantastic! Love that you did this together.
You all look fantastic! Also you should def move to Denver cause I am planning on moving to Boulder and being a sports dietitian to some famous triathletes! Ha! So we will be neighbours and it will be AWESOME! 🙂 Well done again! Enjoy your rest, love! Eat ALL the foods! 🙂
Are you really?! There are so many of us with similar ideas… we need to pull together and start on e epic training/eating business!
CONGRATS on rocking that show! You look AMAZING!
And yah, CO is pretty amazing. 2 of my sisters live there & I want to move to be near them! But UT is pretty gorgeous with the mountains too!
Thank you!!! I stillt hink we should start a Blend community there. I love UT… but there’s something about Boulder.
OMG that carbonara sounds amazing! You look fabulous and I can’t wait to hear the full recap 🙂
Denver is so beautiful! Looks like an awesome weekend!
Oh I’ve been waiting for this post, Laura! You look amazing- the hard work paid off for sure and the rest is well deserved! PS: I agree. I don’t know how I functioned in life before my iPhone. Communication, camera, email, music… Hell I even pay bills on here!
Thank you so much! I’m excited to improve for the next round. 🙂
I’m so glad you were able to come compete with me in my first competition. I am a little in shock that it’s already over and I’m excited to start putting together a plan for next year that includes running, duathlon, & bikini. I blame you for one more crazy hobby on my list – but I’m so glad that it’s on the list. 🙂 Can’t wait to see how much progress I can make in the meantime. 🙂
Heather, I am SO glad I got to be there for your debut. I can’t wait to see where you go from here. Your ability to stick to a plan and conquer anything and everything is inspiring. I’m proud to call you my friend… and to be blamed for yet another crazy hobby. 😉
Shoveled a cheese plate, huh? 😉 So…. are you next to moving to CO? I’d love to but my daughter is putting up a fight.
I want to!!! We should all go. I think we have enough to start a small village!
I’m a huge iPhone fan! The smoked salmon eggs benedict sound so good too.
Job well done. Two figure comps in two weeks. You can check that off the list, and then give yourself a big old happy smack on the ass because you deserve it. Seriously, you did awesome and now you get to play a little. I’m guessing asparagus is officially off the menu. Send it my way instead. Better yet, bring it to me. I’ll swap you for a bok choy pizza.
I totally smacked that ass.
I have an iPhone 4 that’s on its last leg…. I keep meaning to buy a new one, but I’ve just been busy!
Great job on your competition. You rocked it, as per usual!!
First congrats!
Second you looked amazing.
Third love my iphone 😉 hope to get a new one soon
You ladies all looked fab and I loved following your journey on Instagram! I think it’s wonderful that you supported one another through the competition. That says a lot about friendships made via the internet, don’t ya think!? I love it!!
They were great to have throughout the process! It’s funny – I met Lisa at my gym in ATL and she had just moved from Denver, and I met Heather in ATL and she moved TO Denver.
It looks and sounds like you had a fantastic weekend!! Congrats to you and Heather. You both look amazing!
I loved following y’alls competition weekend through Instagram! You look fabulous and I’m really glad you and Heather got to compete together – so fun!
Thank you! We need to get together again soon!
God I miss Colorado…best hiking memories I have are from Blend! I’m so jealous that you got to see it again AND spend time with two of my favorite ladies! That Egg’s Ben…YUM! Did Kirk make a vegan hollandaise? I swear I’d visit Heather and Kirk JUST to get in on some of their delicious creations…they are one fine foodie match!
So glad to hear you girls had fun…both inside and OUTSIDE of the competition! Love you both!
And you may have just convinced me to finally download the latest iPhone update…yeah, totally behind the times! Haha!
PS, duck confit peirogis…omg, I DIE!
We should take a trip! I’m always game. Heather’s doing another competition there in July… and it’s my b-day… I’m just sayin’.
It was “real” hollandaise. And it was amazing. Made with pasture-raised happy chicken eggs, of course. 😉
Yay I love your updates!! You look gorgeous as usual!
Thank you!!! I just made that beer bread… well, a version of it. 😀
So happy to hear how much fun you all had! Congrats to all of you!
Post-comp celebrations looks like a blast 🙂
I have an iPhone. I’ve never had a droid.
I do really enjoy hiking. I had a great time hiking up Mount Marcy during the summer time 🙂
You need to come to Blend next year! We always go hiking. 🙂
You’re top one in my heart.
And you in mine. xo
Loved following this on Instagram over the weekend, you all look incredible! I love my iPhone, I can’t even tell you the last time I took my big camera somewhere.
Thank you so much! We had a blast. 🙂
You both looked so amazing (per usual), and ending the weekend with coffee and a hike had to just be the icing on the cake (where is the post-comp cake?? Perhaps one of your mug cake midnight snacks is in order ;-)).
Thank you! We did order 3 desserts… but ate them too fast for pics. 🙂
I have the Samsung Galaxy III and it takes great pictures. It tends to be heavy though because I have the Otter Box on it. Ralph has the iPhone and loves it. I’m thinking of switching when my contract is up but can’t decide. We could do Facetime if we both had iPhones so I’m thinking…Great job at the competition. You look wonderful and I’m very proud of you!
Thank you so much, Fran! My mom had an Otter and said the same thing about how bulky it was. She ended up switching. The Speck bases are really good!