ENERGYbits - Product Review - Part II AND A GIVEAWAY!!!

 

Well this is a first.

I've never given any product TWO reviews before on here!

 

But ENERGYbits is a product that I felt like the information was too vast for me to put into one posting.

 

You can click that link to take you to the original review/post and read up there as well!  Its important for the whole picture.

Taste/Smell
When I first received a sample of ENERGYbits, I was a bit thrown off by the smell of them. Yes, their taste would probably be a bit strong (if you chewed them) but what can you expect when it is made of 100% Spirulina algea. I would recommend swallowing the bits whole with a glass of water.  I read that if I chewed the bits it would leave a greenish color in my mouth and I sure didn't want that!

Additionally there was absolutely no burping smells of the sea either, and believe me I tested it!  Can you say carbonated water?  That'll help those burps along!

Size
As I mentioned in the previous post, I was apprehensive about swallowing that many pills.  I mean I can swallow 4 Tylenol no problem and these are way smaller than those.  I actually swallowed 5-6 at a time with small sips of water since I didn't want that whole sloshy belly thing happening before a run of ANY distance, let alone 16 miles!

2nd trial run
So I had a few bits left from the sample tin that I had received (I kept some back on purpose to try again), and because I felt kinda ouchy in my right foot/heel, I decided to go ahead and take that rest day on my schedule and wait until Monday morning as planned.

So Monday morning about 20 min before I headed out, I took what was left of the sample tin of bits, I think maybe 18?  Cant remember.

It was extremely humid and honestly my legs felt a bit like lead and this time around the bits, while did make me a bit more 'clear' or awake, I struggled physically.  I figured it was that I obviously hadn't had enough of the recommended dosage among one thing or another.

I had already decided before this that I was going to order a bag of 1000 bits just off the one successful outing I had on the 16 miler and regardless of how a measly 4 miler went, I wasn't ready to just change my mind so quickly.

So I went to the ENERGYbits website, did more reading, read some more blog reviews then decided to click on the Contact Us button to inquire about whether there was a refund or money back guarantee policy.

Within 10 min I received a response back from the CEO and co-founder of the company telling me that due to FDA regulations they could not do any of that if a package was opened and could not be resold.

Made perfect sense in this case.

Additionally she offered up another option to where since I was not quite ready to pull the trigger on the investment that they have a sample buying program where you can buy individual servings (30 bits) for $3 plus a $2 shipping fee.  (I cannot say how AWESOME their customer service is!)

I ordered 2!  This should give me enough of a sampling on a couple more longer runs to confirm what I already suspect and that these things are the real deal!

Now I will stalk my mailbox until they arrive (hoping hoping hoping that they show up before Saturday!)  Even though its just 11 miles this week for a long run, would be nice to have a great experience (weather is supposed to be craptastic  :O(

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So do YOU want to have an opportunity to be #poweredbybits ???

ENERGYbits has graciously extended an offer to one reader to sample ENERGYbits or any of their other line:  RECOVERYbits, SKINNYbits, VITALITYbits

Make a choice and leave it in the comments section below!
An additional entry for a tweet out; just use "I want to be #poweredbybits like @glitterrunner with @energybits".
An additional entry also will be awarded if you LIKE EnergyBits on Facebook

So that's 3 chances to win!

If you Tweet or Facebook 'like' please put in an additional comment for each.

I will use random.org to choose the winner on Wednesday, August 7th at noon MST.

Good Luck!


Please Note: I am not sponsored by ENERGYbits and received no compensation for this post. I just like to share my experience with different products out there that can help runners. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

 

 



ENERGYbits - Product Review

 

 

 

Recently on Twitter I had been seeing lots and lots of tweets surrounding a product called ENERGYbits.

 

Let's face it, I follow and am followed by probably 98% of runners and/or some other type of athlete.

 

So a tweeter sees a LOT of product promotion.  A.  LOT.  :O)

 

However every once in a while a product hits a home run.

 

At least in my book.

 

Not always the case though.  Remember FrogFuel?

 

Poor FrogFuel!  Even with my disclaimer about not all products affect everyone the same, no one took the opportunity for a giveaway.

 

 

Then ENERGYbits happened!  Glorious glorious ENERGYbits!

 

After a question or two to fellow tweeters, I was contacted by their social media dude to see if I wanted to try them out!  SURE!  I mean they are pricey, and I am not one to shell out that kind of money based on other peoples reviews, no matter how many glowing reviews I had read.

 

Just google.  You'll see.  LOTS of reviews out there for this product!

 

So an email or two, and about 3 days later the ENERGYbits arrived in my mail.

 

Instead of trying out right away, I wanted to save for my 16 miler I had on my schedule.  There was only mild apprehension in another new product on a long training run after the FrogFuel and Gatorade PreFuel fiasco.  I mean the worst review I had read on the bits was just that 'they didn't work for me'.  It wasn't horror stories.  Just didn't work. 

 

I also had maybe just a bit of apprehension as to how I was going to swallow that many pills before a long run!  Or ever!  LOL!

 

 

You are instructed to take 30 of them 15-30 min before.  Now given that I had 16 miles to do and knew it was going to be like 3 hours, I asked the guy at ENERGYbits how to handle.  He told me what he did on longer runs so that was my plan.

 

So after my coffee, I took only 23 (I know such a weird number!).  I figured being small maybe I could go with that number.  I did NOT eat anything prior to leaving the house as I usually do.

 

Now it could have been the cooler weather to some degree, but that cooler weather DID NOT contribute to the clarity and just being more 'engaged' in not only my running but in my surroundings.  I didn't feel anxious about the distance, I felt calm.  Before I knew it I had completed 3 loops (almost 7 miles and I was like whhhhhhhhhhaaat just happened?)

 

So I took 15 more of them with my Nuun and began to run again.

 

I never once felt hungry (although I did have a gel after the 4th loop for the calories; the ENERGYbits don't have a lot of calories (1cal each tablet), nor does NUUN, and well you NEED calories when running a long distance run no matter what).

 

The sample I received had 50 tablets in it, so I had some left over which was my intent for a follow up run to have that 2nd go at them to be certain (more on that later).

 

What happened for hours later though was truly what had me sold.

Not only did I complete my mileage feeling better than I had in weeks after long runs, but I went home, took a shower, drank my chocolate milk, I went outside and began mowing the lawn. Then I came inside and did 2 loads of laundry, walking up and down stairs over and over.

CRAZY!  I felt like I had done maybe 5 miles or so.

And never felt hungry. Sometimes in a long run, thinking about what I'm going to eat is always at the top of my
'what can I think about so I am not thinking about running' list!  

Not even after I laid down for a couple of hours which generally ALWAYS happens.

Now I do not condone not feeding your body after a workout or run (hey I had my HUGE glass of chocolate milk!), but if I wasn't hungry, I wasn't hungry.

Spirulina (component of both ENERGYbits and SKINNYbits) is scientifically proven to aid in managing a healthy weight.  Well that I can definitely say was a side effect of the bits I had that day.  It wasn't until late afternoon/early evening before I ate.  And I didn't have that marathon training hunger, let me eat all the foods starving feeling I have been feeling for weeks and even now (because of course I don't have any bits!)

I have actually now done a TON of reasearch on spirulina since being introduced to the product first on Twitter and then first-hand.  So if you are interested, just use google.

I have provided enough links throughout this post to link you back to ENERGYbits site to get information on the product AND the company, which I have to also say is A+++++ in customer service as well!!!

I have reader giveaway to do, but since I left the paper at home with the details, I will do a separate post on that ALONG with the details of what happened on the 2nd short run (yesterday morning) when I had a few bits left from the sample...

If you already know about ENERGYbits or just want to order, you can type BLOG into the box on the online order form to receive 10% off.

Stay tuned for more review and a giveaway!

 

 

Please Note: I am not sponsored by ENERGYbits and received no compensation for this post. I just like to share my experience with different products out there that can help runners. All opinions expressed are my own.



Chicago Marathon Training Recap - Week 8

Monday

5 mile run on the treadmill

8 min abs and planks

5 rounds of:

100m run

5 air squats

5 burpees

5 pushups

The WOD was for 10 rounds and I will do that full WOD at some point, but not today.  Was tired and wanted the HIIT.  But I like these types of WOD's because they don't have a lot of rep's per movement but it's extreeeeemely effective!

Tuesday

Scheduled rest day (ran Sunday)

Wednesday

6 miles easy
abs/planks

Thursday
Gym day
30 min run on the treadmill
20 min on the elliptical
30 min weights

Friday

Rest for my 16 miler tomorrow!

Saturday
16 miles 
BEST darn long run I have had in a long time!  Obviously this is a new PDR in the whole starting over process, but 2 weeks ago, the 15 was a disaster.  Last week the 10 was OK but I was out for the count the rest of the day...

I have to give some credit to the weather because it was beyond awesome.  51deg, a bit windy towards the end, and majorly overcast which made for humidity but I didn't feel any effects from it this time.  AND when I was done, I came home, mowed the lawn, did laundry and yes eventually took a nap, but then was ready to go out to dinner.  WAY different than previous weeks thats for sure.

When I finished 3+ hours later, it was still only 56deg!  As I mentioned it got windier but even when I was having to run into a headwind, I was holding my own!  Awesome!

I kept the route to just loops, nice and flat and stayed off of Deadwood Trail; plus with the wind, Deadwood Trail is HARD to run on as its just open amongst the bluffs and the wind is even worse!

So...back to how I was feeling the rest of the day...

Even at dinner I was thinking, well normally I don't run on Sunday after a higher mileage Saturday, but I was anticipating a short recovery run on Sunday (see below).  That's how great I felt the whole day.

I also have to give credit to a couple of new products I tried.

Nuun.
EnergyBits.

I will have product reviews on both coming up soon!  I want to finish out the EnergyBits sample I received from the company before I write it up. 

The Nuun is awesome as well and I've been drinking it all week, and definitely hydrated with it heavily on Friday day and night.

So next Saturday, a short 11 miler!!!

Sunday
As I mentioned above, I thought I was going to do a short recovery run (3-4 miles) this morning, but when I got up  not only were my legs just a bit sore in the quads, my right heel was ouchy and I decided to take the rest day that was on my schedule after all.  Too bad because yet again it was cool (cold by Texas standards!), in the low 50's, windy and overcast.  Even as I am typing this I am sitting in sweats, a long sleeve hoodie, and poofy warm knee socks!  Crazy weather for July!!!

So I'm being lazy, watching some TV, and food prepping for the week!

Remember Fail to Plan, Plan to Fail!!!
No excuses people!!

Chicago Marathon Training Recap - Week 7

Monday

Up at 4:45am and out the door by 5:20am.  Felt good but man the weather was awful.  It had rained overnight (yay!) but it was HUUUUUUUUUUMID (boooo!).  I had only 4 miles to do and because it was so humid, I am so glad I took my small handheld with me.  When its cooler and not humid, I don't bring anything, heck on 5-6 milers in cooler and not humid I don't take water.

But harder times calls for methods to keep me hydrated.  I was a sweaty sweaty mess by the end, and even though I was a slug yesterday, 3 miles in and my legs felt like dead weight.

Also, thanks to peri or full on menopause (not really sure where I'm at right now; probably full on), I had some heat issues last night and today I had a high HR all day.  Both are related to peri and menopause.  I didn't really know too much about the HR thing but after research I found out yep, it goes hand in hand with the heat flashes.  I'm lucky that I haven't had much in that area; just every once in a while and nothing like what you hear about from others.  I don't break out in a sweat or anything like that, I just get extremely warm and uncomfortable.

Since the HR thing lasted all day I decided against my gym/weight workout this evening, opting instead to relax at home, eat a big ass salad and hope for a better day tomorrow!  If I feel better tomorrow, I'll go to the gym after work tomorrow.

Tuesday

This morning's run was MUUUUCH better!  First off it was a lovely 55deg; back to normal!  It was still humid, not as much which was great also.  I know we need rain but dang was I glad it didn't rain last night!  I was still very sweaty, but again, 55 and a bit humid is WAY better than 70 and VERY humid any day of the week!  Its going to warm back up (lows in the low 60's), but as long as the humidity stays away, I'm OK with it.

I ran out on Deadwood to the end by the fairgrounds, then came back up by the high school and then back home.

I did 5:30/1's and just ran about 45sec slower than I normally do and that seemed to help.  Also when I got home instead of drinking my regular coffee, I opted for decaf.  See if that helps my HR today.

I've also decided to not do any weights this week except for possibly tomorrow.  I'm planning on running my 6 miles on the treadmill since I can't run tomorrow morning before work.  So maybe after that, I will do some weights work. 

We'll see.

Wednesday

Mowed late Tuesday night, so this morning I stayed in bed.
Ran 6 miles on the treadmill after work.  No BFD.

Thursday

Was just exhausted today.  Took an unscheduled rest day.

Friday

Scheduled rest day

Saturday 

Up and out the door by 5:30.  It was a pleasant 58 degrees but high humidity.  Blech.  Parked at the park and took off for 3 of my normal flat loops which from the park are 2.25 miles each.  Then after the 3rd loop I decided to head out on Deadwood to finish up.  The sun was high and hot, but I just keep on truckin'.  Did 5/1's easy peasy, averaging 11:20-11:30 per mile so it was perfect.  Stuck with my water and 2 PB Gu's and all was right with the world yet again.  BTW I threw the Frog Fuel packets I still had, into the trash.  Sorry Frog Fuel.  :(

Oh it was 10 miles today thanks to a cut back week!

I do have a new product sampling on the way to me, so I will be trying that and reviewing it on the blog soon.  EnergyBits contacted me via Twitter and after a lot of research, this might end up being something great.  We'll have to see!

Sunday

Woke up to very windy, overcast and cool temps.  I had my coffee and some breakfast and around 7:30 I looked at my weather app and it said (feels like) of 52deg!  Yes the winds were brisk at 25mph steady but they were coming from the East and I knew I had to go out and run!  I had planned on an easy 3 today, but if it didn't happen I was going to be OK with that.  Well with temps feeling like that there was no way I was going to pass it up.  So I laced up and headed out.  3.5 miles in 33:22 and I was happy.  It was a bit humid (darn monsoon season), but I still felt great.  So we close out week 7 and on to another high mileage week is on the horizon.

The Woman, The Runner, The Athlete, AND Menopause - Insomnia/Sleep Issues

I am not certain if my sleep issues started because of pre-menopause OR because of the Synthroid I began taking back in 2004 (or was it 2005)..anyway, prior to starting on Synthroid, while in the midst of full on hypothyroidism, I was sleeping every chance I got.  Sleep as late as I could, usually making me late for work (not normal for me EVER EVER EVER), go home for lunch and sleep.  Come home from work.  Sleep.  Only being awake as little as I could get away with.  Obviously it was the hypo making me so so so tired and sleepy.

But then once on the Synthroid and things started 'working' again, the need for sleeping all the time stopped.

I would say that since then though, while I can go to sleep just fine, even take naps easily, around the same time I found myself unable to sleep through the night.

It gradually got worse and sometimes it would be worse than others, with not only waking up but not being able to go back to sleep easily.

Additionally my sensitivity to light started happening so that wasn't good for sleeping.  Especially in Houston with so much unnatural light at all hours through the night.

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Some 59 percent of women between the ages of 35 and 55 won’t get much sleep in the 4- to 8-year period prior to menopause that’s generally referred to as perimenopause. In fact, researchers say that this group of women is more likely to experience insomnia than any other.

Unfortunately, the closer women get to menopause itself, the less they sleep. According to a 2007 National Sleep Foundation poll, by the time women actually stop menstruating, somewhere between the ages of 45 and 51, a full 61 percent will report that they can’t get to sleep or stay asleep several nights each and every week.

A lot of tossing and turning.

Surveys indicate that roughly 57 percent of us can’t sleep because of hot flushes, anxiety, depression, and chronic insomnia, while another 43 percent have a sleep disorder such as obstructed breathing, narcolepsy, or restless legs syndrome. Hot flushes alone cause women approaching menopause to briefly rouse 100 times a night—around three times more than a woman who is not.
Yet as seemingly unrelated as these challenges are, new research shows that they appear to share one thing in common: They are all initiated or otherwise affected by imbalances in various hormones that are regulated by the body’s biological clock in the brain’s hypothalamus—the SNC.

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I will say that once I moved here to Sidney, and its PITCH BLACK, and its quietness, I sleep MUCH better.  I still wake up easily, but at least the sleep IS better.  I probably wake up at least once a night most nights, but fall right back to sleep.

I wouldnt say that I have had insomnia at all going through this stage thankfully!  When I am ready to go to bed, I am ready to go to bed and I would say that 99% of the time my ass is in bed by 9:30/10:00.  Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaybe on Saturdays I will be up past let's say 10:30, but that is so rare that I cannot remember the last time I was.  Probably when JT was on SNL or when someone I like a lot was on SNL.

I seem to have a LOT of friends who complain about insomnia for one reason or another.  Me?  Nope.  If I am having a hard time falling asleep due to too much thinking, my favorite trick is just to start counting.  I am certain I've never made it past maybe 40 or 50.

I honestly think my eating lifestyle, little to no stress, and exercise habits contribute greatly to what appears to be minimal effects of menopause/hormones on my sleep patterns.

As with all things, I believe also that if you treat your insides and outsides like a temple, then you are going to have an easier time with this whole 'getting older' situation!!!

Here are some tips on what might help!

1. Think about short term HRT
2. Reinforce your sleep schedule
3. Work with a therapist
4. Drop the temperature in your room
5. Shut down on the electronics a few hours before bedtime; don't even take them in the bedroom!  Put them on silent and leave in another room.  I have mine set to be muted from 10pm to 6am every day.  Even if emails or tweets or my bank notifications...all of it still comes through but there are no sounds made.  The only time my phone or iPad will go off is if I set an alarm if I HAVE to be up at a certain time that is before my natural wake up time of 5 or 5:30
6. Give your bedroom a makeover; make it like a sanctuary!
7.  Don't eat late!  Your body will not rest well if its busy digesting food you ate an hour ago.
8. Eat foods that are meant to be digested by the human body!  Chemicals in processed food etc., are NOT naturally and easily digested.  You are just making it worse on yourself and sleep will be dicey.  You may sleep but rested will not be a product of sleep.

That's all I can think of right off the top of my head.

Again all I can say is start making changes early in your life so that when its time for your body to begin the changes of getting older and hormonal changes in particular, these will help with all symptoms.  Its been my experience and I truly believe its the most important thing you can do for yourself!



Frog Fuel - Product Review

I’ll try anything once…or twice. Unless it is completely awful and I had a bad experience with it the first time.

Frog Fuel is one of those products which my just fit into this category. This is my review of this product. (Frog Fuel had no input on this review. They provided me with a sample and the opportunity to pass it on to you, my readers.)

I had mentioned in a previous post that I took one about 20 min before heading to the gym but that I was going to try them out on my long run this past Saturday before I reviewed.  Which I did.

 

I tried one of them.  I thought the taste was 'bad' the first time around, but it was doable you know?  But going into this 2nd one on Saturday I knew ahead of time what it was going to taste like and I had to force it down.  It just does not taste good.  I thought it tasted a lot like a 5 Hour Energy. They both share the same berry flavor and a slight bitterness. It’s not bad, but it’s pretty strong, and not something I’d eat just for pleasure. 

 

I am used to Gu (Peanut Butter all the time!!!) and use to be a PowerBar Gel gal, but once Gu came out with PB, it was all over with for me.

 

The product touts 15g of protein. That is a punch! It contains zero carbs, however, which kind of defeats the purpose as a running booster. I could, however, see using the product throughout a P90X workout or after a tough, physical weight lifting session might be beneficial?  But honestly I'd rather just drink a tall glass of chocolate milk!!  It is made from collagen protein and it contains glutamine and taurine. Those are two amino acids that assist in muscle growth through fast repair. That being said, I see little gain from using this product during a long or modest run.

Not to suggest, however, it is worthless by any stretch of the imagination. And if you are one who might like the taste of a super concentrated Lime Gatorade, this might be your product! If not, just dilute it. And if muscle gain is your game, this is a valid contender!

 

I know that not every person responds to a product in the same way, whether its negatively or positively.  I use to tell every new runner that when they would come into Luke's Locker with questions on nutrition on long runs or in the actual marathon.  Its trial and error.  And don't give up on a product after one try (hey I did try it twice).  I took the gel after 5.5ish miles this past Saturday and ugh...but I soldiered on.  After that my tummy just never felt right.  Not in the GI sense that we runners are accustomed to when a product doesn't sit right with us, but rather it was more of a nauseous thing..Which if you read my post about the run in general you know I threw up during the run.  Now granted I cannot say with certainty that this product resulted in that, it could have been a combination of that and the high sugary Gatorade Pre-Fuel that I had...I don't know.  All I know is that I got sick and I don't like getting sick.  And I certainly don't like getting sick when it interferes with my long run!

So while it didn't do so well for me, maybe it will for you?  If you want to give it a try, then read below for more information on the product and how to enter.

I wish I would have loved it, but I just didn't.

 



Why use FrogFuel?

1. It's hydrolyzed. Faster absorption means better performance and quicker recovery!
2. It's a Pure Collagen Protein - Improved skin, muscle mass and tone, increased joint flexibility, healthier bones, arteries, hair, nails and eyes.
3. Contains Taurine - Help rebuild muscles faster!
4. You can toss it in your go bag.

Unlike many other companies, the founders and owners of Frog Performance not only use their own products but also live and breathe the lifestyle they preach! You've got one body so treat it right and enjoy life. Performing like a lean, mean, green machine!

 

There are no banned substances, sugars, fats, carbs, gluten, cholesterol, lactose & excess ingredients.

Wanna get your hands on some FREE FrogFuel?  Here's what you gotta do. Watch the video below and take the Frog Performance quiz. I'm a free spirit! Tell me what your Fuel level is in the comments! (That will be your entry. Easy right?)

I will select a winner via random.org on....oh let's say a week from today?  July 24th?  Noon (Mountain Standard Time)

I'll post the winner on either Wednesday or Thursday.  Just make sure to come back to see if you've won in case I don't have your email. The winner will receive three FrogFuel 1oz Protein Shots.

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Feel free to check out the FrogFuel workouts and FrogFuel Fitspiration. And of course, follow them on the social media links below.

 

 

Chicago Marathon Training Recap - Week 6

Monday:  Woke up at my usual time:  4:45am.  Was a bit tired from the long weekend so it was actually 5 before I rolled out from under the covers, but I managed to get out of bed, dressed, 1 cup of coffee and the bathroom business and STILL was out the door by 5:30.

It was a cool 59deg, but the humidity was high, high, high for Nebraska.  A very humid 90%.

Here is a photo post run!

Haven't seen that much sweat in some time!   Living in Nebraska has its advantages i.e.  NO HUMIDITY!

 Gym (pm):  20 min elliptical, 10 min row
followed by 40 min of weights, abs, and planks 

Tuesday

 5 miles
Nothing special other than my legs hurt :)  

Wednesday

Just over 4 miles.  I didn't get out of bed to run this morning and it bit me in the ass.  Not only was it hot AND humid (unusual for NE), it was windy as hell (very normal for NE).  It was a struggle because no matter which direction I went it felt like I was running straight into the 20mph winds (gusting to 30).  I could have ran on the TM, but couldnt bear the thought of it, so I just did a few random loops to bring me by the house ever so often to get a drink of water.

While it wasn't the prescribed 5 miles, it was close enough given that I ALMOST just bagged running for the day.

 Thursday

Another morning...stayed in bed!  Ugh.  And when I got off work it was HOT!  And high winds (30mph) so around 6pm I headed to the gym and did 45min run on the treadmill.  I was feeling VERY tired, so about 20 min before I left I took one of the Frog Fuel's.  Not sure if I just felt better once I got there or if it was the Frog Fuel but it was a good run!  We'll know more after my long run on Saturday when I use up the rest of them during that!
Today was supposed to be a run in the morning and weights after work but once I was done with the run on the TM, I didn't feel like hanging around for weights.  Womp womp.  

Friday:  REST!!!

Saturday:

This was a bad run.  The first 9-10 miles were OK but then the wheels just fell off.  In mile 14 I was reduced to running a min, walk a min just to get back to the car.  Funny thing is when I set out for the last route, I felt OK, but shortly in I knew it was going to be bad.  When I got back to the car, I felt nauseous and then like I was going to throw up.  Then I did.

I do not know if it was the high humidity and warm temps (we had rain the night before which I was thankful for, but it made for a very warm muggy morning; even at 5:20 which is when I started).  Yes I have lost my Texas heat/humidity edge.  :)

I also changed up my routes for long runs as I just didn't feel like doing loopy dee loops over and over again where the whole town sees you and probably thinks you have lost your mind.  Only 2 miles of this run were done on that loop, the rest were done on variations of Deadwood Trail which means a LOT of hills.

I also tried 2 different new things and think that had a LOT to do with it:  the FrogFuel and too sugary of the Gatorade PreFuel.  Both of those things will not be in my bag from now on.  Back to water and Peanut Butter Gu ONLY.

I will still do a review of the product overall (FrogFuel) and host the giveaway, because not everyone has the same body and innards :) , and we all know what doesn't work for one person, MAY in fact work for another person.

After getting sick and my stomach settling a bit, I just grabbed a bottle of water and started walking.  I wanted to get in every step of the 15 miles I could.  

One of the great things is that I've made it to cut back week.  Additionally from here on out its a long run, then a cut back (Saturdays).  I always loved when this occurs because on the really long runs, you always can, in your mind, know that just make it through this, and the next Saturday you get a break!

Oh and one other thing I did (that was awesome) was that I put 2 wet cloths in the ice chest to use after each of my distance intervals.  THAT was awesome and really helped to cool me down.  Definitely will do that AGAIN!

This coming Saturday is a short 10 miles and I plan to make it flat, flat, flat, flat.  I will hopefully feel strong enough to push the pace again which should help my confidence.

I was pretty beat down all day yesterday, both mentally and physically.  It wasnt until early evening before I started feeling OK again and was able to eat substantial food.

Sunday:
Definitely taking a rest day.  Thought I might do 3 miles to offset yesterdays horribleness, but nope.  Gonna take the day off.  Maybe I will walk later.  But if I don't it's OK!

FrogFuel - New Product!

 

 

I was recently contacted by the folks at FrogFuel to try out their new product.

 

I just received it over this past weekend AFTER my long run so I didn't have the opportunity to try it out.

 

I plan on giving it a go this Saturday on my 15 miler, so a product review will be forthcoming.  I like the no carbs, no sugar, all protein bit already!!

 

In the interim though, here is a little bit about the product!

I will also be hosting a giveaway pack after my review so stay tuned!

FrogFuel is an advanced formulation protein that WILL take your workouts to the next level and get you seeing results quicker!

Why use FrogFuel?

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Chicago Marathon Training Recap - Week 5

Monday:

Got up at 4:45am to get ready to run and it was raining.

RAINING?!?!?  I was thankful for it, but it was raining pretty good and there was lightning.  I waited a bit to see if it was passing but it wasn't so I left and drove the 1 mile to the gym for a treadmill run.

4 miles - Was not feeling it on the TM...plus I didn't eat dinner last night (nor did I eat a lot the entire day) and I felt REALLY sluggish.  Go figure.

PM Workout - Basic weights training at the gym.  No CrossFit style this week for the most part; burpees, sit ups, planks push ups...things like that sure, but not much.  Its going to be a rough week run-wise and I want to be ready for it!

Tuesday:
5 miles
4:45 am wake up....while I didn't have an issue getting out of bed to run this morning, I did have an issue with actual running.  I don't know; maybe the 2-a-day yesterday was too much?  My legs did NOT want to go, so I ran most of it, but added in walking whenever I just felt like it.  Mostly the felt like its happened when I would cross a street.  Run the block, walk the street, repeat a couple of times until I felt like running all of my time again.  I even zoned out a few times, like I lost track of time somehow and then my watch would beep at me to walk, and I was like 'already?'.  Just a weird morning all the way around.

I even thought about cutting it short, but figured you know what?  I got up at the ass crack of the day to get this done, so I'm going to get the miles in one way or another.  And thats what I did and felt great about the accomplishment even if the journey wasn't stellar.

Happens that way sometimes.

Then when surfing the interwebz, I just so happened upon this article on Runners World.

Well there ya go.  I need to just scale back if I don't achieve the right balance and continue to experience difficulties during my running sessions.

Wednesday:
4 miles

Thursday:

Rest - Drive to Denver to get JM!!!

Friday:

14 miles
What can I say?  Jaime was here to run with me.  The weather was about 60 and no wind (warm to me, perfection for Jaime coming from NC this time of year) and we got lucky with cloud cover for the entire time!  We did some loops, and we threw in some out and backs along Deadwood Trail to mix it up.  Was just awesome.  I wish I had her here all the time!!!!

Saturday:
1 hour walk; Jaime had 6 miles on her schedule but with the blisters she is having to doctor, it just wasn't to be for her today.  So we just set out for a nice hour long walk.  Was great and I could have run surprisingly my legs didn't feel sore.

Sunday:

Rest - Drive to Denver - JM leaves

Womp womp

Week 6 has another mile added to the long run (15), and then I get a cut back week!!

Sooooooooooooo looking forward to that!