Category: Reviews
I came, I saw, I conquered the US Half Marathon (first half marathon, second race, and longest run to date) and I am positively over the moon with the experience! (Not to skip the substance of this RR for the happy ending.)
Crunch the numbers from my Garmin and see the GPS map here.
Done with my longest training run yet! 11.53 miles at exactly an 11:00/mile pace. You can check out the details here.
In related news, I’m within fractions of a pound of being down a total of 10 pounds since working with the nutritionist! About 8 more pounds to go to ring in my 35th B-Day at 125lbs! Read on after the jump for reviews of products I tested out on this run.
I’m a sucker for a free sample, so, when I saw the ads on a few running websites about Secret Sport, I figured, “Why not?” Now, I know the whole “women in sports” angle has been used to market a number of things that don’t need a “sport” upgrade- Like, say, a tampon that has a sporty lime green applicator and toughskins grip, I would assume to help you insert it roadside on mile 64 of the Western States 100. But I’m not the only FitLifeSF contributor who can attest to the fact that tech fabrics + sweat + sunscreen = Not so fresh smelling clothes and bodies.
For all you P90X lovers out there, I have to tell you that Tony Horton out did himself. I received my 1st Tony Horton One on One video a few weeks back, and today I busted it out. HOLY CRAP! This video makes the Plyometrics video seem easy. And if you are doing P90X, you can let out that moan now. OUCH!
I really like the “non produced” feel of the video, and you know Tony was working his ass off when he made it. (He is suffering there with you) This video is exactly how I work without a video. (So, why use the video you ask? Well, it is good motivation. I like to do better than Tony, and 9 out of 10 times I do. [he is still a pull up god, and his balance moves are really hard to beat] And it is easy. I do like to put together my workouts, but with life getting in the way [hey, I have had a hard time blogging I am so busy lately] I am glad I found a ass kicking routine I can just focus on doing. Not having to worry if I overdid a muscle group, or should have picked a different move. Sometimes being instructed is OK, only when that instruction is not working or is just stupid from the get go we need to find an alternative. [See this years election]
Well. I am a fan of Tony Horton, that goes without saying. Because of his videos and my drive to get better I am 36 going on 28. The only complaint I have now that I have done this new video…it hurts. And that isn’t a complaint with the video, it is with me. I need to master it, get better, stronger and take it to yet a new level. Woo Hoo, another hill to climb!
Yeah, yeah, so… I broke my foot. Technically, I have a “stress fracture of the second metatarsal.” Which I’m thrilled to report is also called the “Beckham Bone” after one David Beckham who broke his in a slide tackle trying to win the World Cup. I just broke mine being a dumbfuck.
Here’s the thing… everything you read says, “Don’t increase running by more than 10% of total mileage per week.” “Yes, but I am doing so WELL! Certainly such rules don’t apply to ME!” I think I might have even read something that said, “Even if you are doing well and don’t think this rule applies to you, IT DOES!” It’s not like I intentionally packed on mileage, but I did exceed the recommended rate of increase, and now I’m paying for it.
So, let me put it this way… I have magical powers and can tell that YOU, yes YOU dear reader, should not increase your mileage by more than 10% per week, no matter how great you feel. Trust me. Jesus passed me a note in study hall with your name on it.
There are a lot of great articles about diets on the web, and the hardest part is trying to separate fact from fiction. The other day my brother called me up asking about the validity of something called “Isagenix”, another fad diet his wife has decided to give a go. (I love her, but she jumps on a fad diet faster than a fat kid does cake) Though I will be referencing other fad diets, I do want to focus in on “Isagenix”. (For Now)
Contrary to popular belief, I hardly supplement my diet with engineered foods or supplements. (And no, there are no steroids, metabolic stimulants or other crap) The products I do use I have written about in the past. (P90X Recovery Drink, Endurox R4, Cliff Shot Blox, and Jelly Belly Sports Beans) The one other sports drink you will find in my house is Gatorade. Specifically, Gatorade Frost. This has been my standby workout drink whether I am playing soccer, training in SAMBO or working out.
When I know I am going to have an intense work out, I make sure 2-3 bottles are in my bag, or within arms reach. It does what it claims, it will help you keep going and you should keep it handy. I find it a great workout thirst quencher when I know I need more than just water.
What you should not do is drink it when you are not working out. This stuff is not meant to be used through out the day, unless you have a very physically strenuous job. Drink your water instead. Put down that soda, stop with the crapichinos, and ignor the hype! Water, Tea, heck, even coffee is better than soda or Gatorade as your number one drink choice.
Garotade is great for what it is, and I happen to like the Frost Flavors the best. (Or the Original Fruit Punch, so good!)
(Heck, even Gatorade came out with Propel for people who want to have that flavored drink all the time)
After seeing the ads featuring a smiling Lance Armstrong, full of piss and vinegar, joggin’ it up all over my running websites, I decided to pony up for the FRS Healthy Energy Free Trial. After all, who couldn’t us a little energy, right? The concept is that this stuff is chock full ‘o antioxidants like quercetin and a pantload of other healthy stuff like B vitamins and what have you. There is very little caffeine, less than what is in a half a cup of coffee.
With the free sample pack (I paid $6 or so for shipping), I got 30 chews, 1 pre-made drink, 14 drink mixes and a drink concentrate (5 servings.) Not bad considering this stuff is really pricey (about 20 bucks each for the chews, drink mixes, etc.)
Taste-wise, it’s OK. It’s like slimy Tang. I didn’t notice any increase in energy at all after using the suggested 2-3 servings per day consistently for about a week, including before workouts as suggested. What I did notice was shooting stomach pains and a severely rumbly tummy every afternoon that almost made me fearful to go for a run at all. Thankfully, I was tracking my food intake pretty closely in this time, so I was able to really isolate that the only thing unique to each day with the afternoon stomach situation was the FRS. Needless to say, I have cancelled my membership in “the healthy energy club,” and deem this one…
Folks who have been following my somewhat recent infatuation with running will remember that it was PodFitness that made me realize I could run, enjoy it, post some nice times and burn some serious calories. If you need a refresher, read my mixed review of PodFitness here.
For those who want the Cliff’s Notes version: I thought it was a solid program with some major bugs and in no way worth what they were charging, especially for someone who just wants to mix a few interval running workouts per week, not intensive hand-holding or a “class-per-day” workout download.
Enter Nike+, which I’ve had for officially a week now. I am pretty much in love with this thing.