Rockin Warrior Dash

Sippin on a little choclate lean protien milk pre race.

This past weekend thanks to Rockin' Refuel I took my team of six to the Kansas City Warrior Dash.  While technically I'm off running at the moment(it's been 2 weeks now) we were all signed up and this had to happen.  The Warrior Dash is only 3 miles and you're basically running on squishy mud so I reasnoned it was ok and wouldn't make my injury any worse.  It didn't but also didn't make it better.   

It was not quite an hour drive out to the race site.  Since we only signed up 2 weeks beforehand we had to go for one of the later start times.  I thought this might be alright since it would be warmer in the afternoon.  It was about 60˚ out but no sun and the 2nd obstacle involved jumping into a swimming across a pond of sorts.  After that you are completly wet and covered in mud the rest of the race.  Once you are wet it is cold, I really dislike being cold.  I feel like these type of races would be more fun if the temps were in the 90˚'s but it wasn't.  I did really like that while there was a ton of people there really wasn't any waiting to go through each obstacle.   

Coming out of sewer runoff pond.  It was a little smelly but part of the fun right.

Scariest thing about this obstacle is worring about being stabbed with a lost safty pin.

Soaked in mud and so cold post race.  After knocking back our Rockin' Refuel to help recover from the race we rinsed off in cold hose water showers, threw on dry clothes, grabbed our free beers and were out.  I think there was a tempature drop during the race, so much colder after but we are warriors after all.

Anyone tried Rockin' Refuel or other protien milk drink?  Thoughts?  

Enjoy Warrior Dashes or other obstacle course races?

Rockin’ Refuel is a milk protein beverage packed with high quality protein and made with real milk. Rockin’ Refuel is available in great tasting flavor varieties and is a healthy, natural source of protein. Rockin’ Refuel’s product portfolio offers a variety of protein beverages for any type of athlete with the Muscle Recovery (20 grams of high quality protein with 2:1 Carb to Protein ratio for optimal muscle recovery after intense training and exercise), Muscle Builder (30 grams of High Quality Protein with only 9 grams of net carbs and 190 calories to help build muscles) and more. Both the Muscle Recovery and Muscle Builder are also available in “Lean” varieties. To see the complete product portfolio and learn more, please visit: http://rockinrefuel.com/. Rockin’ Refuel is available at the following Kansas City retailers: Walmart, Price Chopper, Hen House, Ball Food, Dillons, Sprouts, Dollar General, Family Dollar, Target, CVS and HyVee.

Hating on the Elliptical

Things I Hate

1.  Not Running

2.  Elliptical Machines

Last week a ran a whopping 11 miles total before I decided to admit to myself that I needed to stop running till this pain in my feet goes away.  I last ran 6 days ago and the not running is getting annoying.  So now that the weather is getting nicer I'm spending more time inside the gym instead of outside running.  I've increased my weights routine, more weights, more days.  Said goodbye to carbs and hello to lean protein.  I think I can already see a little more definition in my muscles but I could just be hallucinating from lack of carbs.  I've been putting myself on the elliptical for 30 minutes a day which just seems ridiculous.  The cardio equipment at 24hr Fitness leaves a lot to be desired.  It's old, usually only fixed with band aids and apparently ignored by the cleaning crew.  Nearby gym options are kinda limited and I picked this one based on the weights area.  It's not fancy and can be too crowded but they have a lot of stuff.  I normally only use the treadmills when it's winter and the weather is horrible.  I never use the other cardio equipment until now. 

Part of why I love running is that it makes me feel like a badass.  The elliptical does not make me feel like a badass.  Even if I listen to Eminem the whole 30 minutes I just feel stupid and not worn out.  I know how to make an elliptical workout hard but it's boring and not the same at all.  I need to feel worn out.  Tomorrow I try swimming and then maybe biking again.  

While I have not been running, I have been a little crafty.  I made Gretchen this knit flower dress, she seems to like it.

What to do? What to do?

FreeState 100k is on Saturday and I am not particularly ready for it.  I've been having planter fasciitis issues since the 100 miler at the end of January.  It's definitely gotten a lot better but my feet are not 100%.  Then there is also the part about my mileage being really low while dealing with my foot issues.  Mostly in the low 30's just getting back up to 40 miles last week.  My long runs have all been in the 10-15 mile range with the one marathon 4 weeks ago.  I almost didn't even ask off work for the race but decided at the last minute to take the day off and see how I felt.  I already paid for it months ago.  My options are just not go, go but drop down to the marathon or half marathon distance, start the 100k and see what happens dropping out if I need to.  I think the smart option would be to drop to a shorter distance but my instinct is to start the 100 and see how it goes.  I'm fairly confident I could finish it well with in the allotted time, 16 hours I think, assuming I didn't need to drop out if my feet start bothering me at an unreasonable level.  But my milage has been pretty low so I might be stupid, hard to say.  

Gretchen showing off her foot taping technique for me.

What would you do?  You do, not what would Jesus do unless you have an opinion on what he would do in this situation.

Congrats On Your Big Accomplishment

Listening to the radio in my car today and heard a Little Debbie commercial(couldn't find an online link to it).  Went something like you got out of bed this morning you deserve a Honey Bun,  you got your kids on the school bus you deserve a brownie or whatever.  A Honey Bun has 486 calories, 26.8 grams of fat.  I'm making an informed guess that getting out of bed burns about 10 calories.  If you think you deserve a 486 calorie crappy tasting donut thing for getting out of bed it might be time to take a hard look at your life and maybe go see a therapist.
I enjoy a tasty pastry or desert now and then(I once even posted about enjoying Nutty Bars during a run.)  However I don't give myself factory made prepackaged ones as "rewards" for getting out of bed in the morning.  Shouldn't being able to get out of bed in the morning be its own reward.
Other big accomplishments?  Getting the kids on the school bus, remembering to use the turn signal, not getting a flat tire.  I'm sorry but no.  I think there are laws requiring kids going to school and turn signal usage.  If getting flat tires is a regular thing for you maybe buy some new tires.

If Honey Buns = getting out of bed in the morning what do the other products equal?

Took a shower = Oatmeal Cream Pie

Didn't yell at spouse = Little Debbie

Fed the dog = Star Crunch

Picked up dirty clothes off floor = Swiss Rolls

Replaced toliet paper roll = Someone is eating a bag of donunts 

Cleaned lint filter on dryer = Devil Squares

I Bought a Candle, Who Am I?

I have never been a candle person.  Never understood why people have them.  I mean you have to remember to blow them out and if your house stinks maybe just buy some bleach.  However tonight I was prusing store shelfs and thought I needed one.  I feel calmer already.  

I need a pair of America themed running shoes.

After a month and a half of low mileage, tons of stretching, foam rolling and foot exercises I think the feet are getting better.  My runs have felt fantastic this last week,  I feel like haveing a few days of running in tank top weather really helped my feet.  Most days have been too cool for tank tops but still shorts weather, so much more plesant than last month.   I was about to start thinking about skipping Free State 100k next month or at least dropping to a shorter distance but finally going to have a decent amount of milage this week so just see if my feet hold up I guess.

What's Up

Gretchen and I took a little trip.

Had some playground fun and visited some museums.

At the art musum Gretchen pointed out all the nakedness in the painting and sculptures.

She seemed to enjoy the Air and Space musum the best.

She thought we walked too much and prefered to ride on my sholders.

Gretchen at the race expo playing a running game.

And oh ya we visited my sister Courtney and ran the Rock and Roll DC marathon. 

It was her first marathon and she did fantastic!  It rained the whole race so was pretty chilly despite being 45ish out.  I was happy to get the 26 miles in since my mileage has been so low latly but it wasn't the most fun race.  I've been having plantar fasciitis issues and my feet kinda hurt after the first  6 miles so not great.  Finished in 3:58.  After the race I was so cold, getting back to Courtneys place for a hot shower and dry clothes felt like quite the treat.   

I am diganosing and treating myself.  I am stretching and foam rolling tons, doing fun foot exercises, icing my feet and wearing weird socks.  I have also been avoiding running on hard surfaces such as concrete and pavement( except of course for the 26.2 I ran on Saturday.)  I think it's working but hard to tell for sure.  My feet definiatly hurt less but it's not gone.  All very frustrating but hopfully it will go away soon.

New Protien Bars, Class Pass and I'm Cold

We tried a new protein bar recipe.  They taste like candy bars, have the calories of a candy bar but more nutritious ingredients and full of protein. The recipe calls for almond butter, we used peanut butter the first time and almond butter the second time, both good.

Tried out Class Pass.  It is a monthly pass giving you access to classes at different gyms in your city.  Just started up in the Kansas City area.  Last week I went to a yoga class at Zen Zone in Lee Summit and loved it. I took a class with Rebecca, she was great!  They offer child care as well, big plus!   My running legs are seriously needing to add more yoga and stretching to my life.  I spend every morning walking like my dad when I attempt to jump out of bed(no jumping involved).

The weather is not agreeing with me.  I apparently decided I'm done with the cold and been spending most of my time in the gym.  Did make it outside today since I got out of work early and It is apparently the nicest day of the week at a warm 41˚.  Felt good for my 7.5 miles.  I have the next 2 days off work and looking forward to trying out a variety of classes through Class Pass.  I'll let you know what I like.