EnduroPacks - 30 Day Review

If you recall from my post about 30 days ago, I was selected to be a Brand Ambassador for EnduroPacks, which is a new sports nutrition company for endurance athletes....which focuses on recovery.

I have to say that as a previous 'non-believer' in any supplements other than my daily multi and Gu/Calories on my runs and rides, EnduroPacks made me a believer.

Haven gotten the first shipment in around 20 days out from my half marathon....which was horrible and a race that I would LOVE to forget....I started taking the supplements as directed.  After the first week of taking them, I had a long run of 9 miles and my family and I went to the State Fair of Texas for a day of walking.  I figured I walked around 4 miles that day.  The next morning, I had a slight case of "heavy legs" but I had no noticeable soreness.  None, zip, zilch.  Pre-EnduroPacks I know that I would have had some soreness related to a 13 mile day but had none.

Post "horrible race" (as we'll now refer to it, going forward) I was not sore either....and actually began looking for a redemption race the next day.  The morning after a bad race or a race where it didn't come together, you normally wake up sore, wallow in your pity, and never want to see your shoes again.  While I did throw a pity party, I did so without the lactic acid funny walk.  (haha).  No soreness, no tenderness, nothing.  I was amazed and had actually told my wife that I had planned on skipping a neighbors party...but decided to go because I was refreshed.

I continued taking the supplements and using the electrolyte spray in bottles of water....sometimes on my off days just trying to get "topped off" for the next days activities....and have gotten to the end of the pack and can't wait for the next shipment to arrive.

While I still haven't picked a redemption race yet.....due to external factors....I am glad to know that I have supplements to get me to the level that I need to be.


Goal for 2013 'redemption race'......Sub-2 hour 13.1

EnduroPacks - First Impressions

As some of you know, I was selected to be a one month trial participant for EnduroPacks, which is a start up nutrition company for endurance athletes, focused on recovery.  That's a challenge for a lot of us, especially me, so when I saw they were asking for Brand Ambassadors, I jumped at the chance.  They are still accepting applications, so if any of my followers....or followers of my followers want to apply, you can go to their website and check them out and apply.

ENDUROPACKS WEBSITE

 



When I arrived home on Friday, there was a nice little treat waiting for me.....my Enduropacks shipment.  I opened it immediately waiting to see the goodness that a little white box held for me.  This was perfect timing as I had my longest run since IMTX on the books for Saturday.  The box was packed perfectly and the only glass bottle in there was the liquidmulti but it was wrapped in bubble wrap securely.  The first thing I did was, obviously, pop all of the bubbles.  That's a hard and fast rule.....if there is bubble wrap, it must be popped.

Inside the box was a nice, soft cotton T-shirt, Liquidmulti, electrolyte spray, amino patch, glutamine caps, and an instruction card.

see...no bubble wrap

As I was excited to get started, I put on the t-shirt and ran around the house for about 30 seconds, under the watchful eye of a 7 year old and a cat.  Both were confused, but I didn't care.

I put all of the items on my vanity and waited, somewhat impatiently, for 4:30am so I could get started.

Fast forward to 4:30am.....it go time.

First thing that I took was the Liquidmulti.  The taste wasn't horrible, but it wasn't the best either.  It does have a chalky taste to it, reminiscent of the Flintstone chewable vitamins that we all took as kids.  The instruction card said to take with food, but the only thing I eat, pre-run, is a Gu.  I was worried that I would "taste it" via burps once the Liquidmulti made it's way down, but I did not experience any negative side effects from it.

I got my water bottle and pumped 5 "shots" of the electrolyte spray and set off.  Around mile 2, I took my first drink and was surprised, for two reasons.  One....I didn't think that there would be a taste to the spray and Two....that it wasn't bad at all.  It has a citrusy flavor to it, similar to Nuun or Gu Brew.  It's not overpowering and it's pleasant.

After the run, I was instructed to put an amino patch on.  This is were I had an issue....the instruction card does not specify where to put it.  As it's a transdermal patch, I figured anywhere was as good as any so I put it on my stomach, close to my belly button.  Then, I went on the website and it recommended that it be placed on the inner-arm or the wrist.  Well, poop.  So I took it off and placed it on my wrist.  This was the first lesson in "what not to do".  Once the patch is on, it doesn't want to go back on anywhere else.  I placed it on my wrist, but within a few minutes it was starting to peel off.  I got another patch and stuck it on my wrist and it stayed there for a good 8 hours.  We went to a festival around 4pm and I took it off because it was starting to fold/crease a bit.  It was still on, but I figured 8 hours was good enough.

 

Patch size

 

 

 

Placement of Patch....

 

That night, I took the Glutamine caps about an hour and a half before bed, while I was finishing up the late football games.  I was worried, again, about the "tasting" of the caps so I took it early and if I was feeling it, then I'd be able to drink some milk and/or have a light snack.  The caps are just a little bigger than an Advil Gelcap and very easy to swallow.  I took both at the same time with a small glass of water.  I didn't feel any side effects from it.

The next morning....I woke up...and felt 100%....like I could have gone for another long run.  I had scheduled off on Sunday (and I'm a rule/plan follower) so I only took the Liquidmulti and I took the Glutamine caps at night. 

My first overall impression is a good one.  I'd give it a solid "B".  I would have given it an "A-" for first impressions had the instruction card been a little more clear on the patch placement.  After a week (next Monday), I'll give another review on how the first week with the product went and share my thoughts on that.

I'm super excited to get further into the trial and see this through an entire month (and hopefully more) while I wind down the 13.1 training and ramp up to 26.2 this winter.

Hey There....remember me?

Well....this is awkward.  You know...we have our little fun, say we'll talk and hang out, never really do and then run into each other at the store.....

I feel like there's a lot that's happened, but I can't really think of much.  I'm into 13.1 training now and should be around the 9 mile mark for my long runs, but just completed 7 this past weekend.  I was shooting for a PR of Sub-2 for the race on 10/12 (the Showdown Half) http://www.showdownhalf.com/  but it's looking more like a good jump start to marathon training. 

I volunteered for a sprint tri over the weekend.  Saw some people I know, saw some familiar faces, and got to give back to the sport that's treated me well.

I also found out that I'm a finalist for a Brand Ambassador gig with EnduroPacks.  http://www.enduropacks.com/  I was interviewed over the phone last week and got an e-mail over the weekend that they want to send me a one month trial and have me review it, etc....and if they like my 'social interaction' on the web, I could possibly be a 3-month Ambassador.  Go check them out.  It's a new company.....focused on the recovery aspect of training....which is my nemesis.

Also....JFord is about to embark on an amazing 140.6 journey.  He's doing Redman in OKC this weekend.  You can follow him on FB and via his blog (http://memphishassumthin2say.blogspot.com/)

We have a lot going on these next few weekends.....lots of family things.  This is where we, as amateur athletes, shine.  We have to get our training in and balance the family time too....which if it comes down to it, I pick the family.  But.....I can get my azz outta bed at 4:30a and get it done before anyone even knows I was gone.

I'll be posting more....I'll be looking for new followers.

Spread the word on my blog....and get me some followers people!!!!!

33 Days (and 3 is my lucky number)

33 Days....One month and 3 days (or one month and 2 days......or one month and 5 days if it was February....one month and 4 days if it was a leap year....or one.....nevermind...y'all get it)


This weekend was exciting.  I got up on Saturday and ran 9 miles, doing a 1 mile run, 30 sec walk.  I actually ran a little faster than I wanted to.  My pace, on race day, will be dictated by my body.  I just need to reign it in.  After that....J's first soccer game.  Now.....I'm not the 'sports dad' type of guy.  I want her to do good and I want her team to win....but really, I want her to have fun and enjoy what she's doing.  She had a blast and she did (surprisingly) well.  We took her to Chick-Fil-A for a celebration lunch.

Ssturday night was a fun filled "I'm hitting the sack at 8:45pm" night....got my set up for the trainer ride set with nutrition, hydration, and earbuds, then watched part of the Ranger game then the next thing I know, my alarm is going off......

 

After my 5 hour and 43 minute ride with a total of 96 miles.....it was time to stuff my face with mexican food....NOM-NOM-NOM......to the point of 'ah shit....I overate".

Got home and needed more recovery time....nap and beer....and let me tell ya....both were excellent.  I also wore compression pants the entire day and I iced my legs twice during the day.  I'm not as sore as I thought I would be.  Did I push hard enough?  Or was the recovery beer/ice/compression the magic formula?

 

 

Finally, the baby has hit the magical age of 6 months.  All the parents know that this is "baby food time".  This is absolutly hilarious.  They gag, they make faces, they get it all over......it's pure greatness!

Tonight is my recovery swim (wish it was more recovery naps and beer....but whatever) of 65 minutes. 

How was y'alls weekend?

Holy Crap it's Cold....and windy

Friday night....I decided to skip my swim.  It would have been nice to get it in, but we watched two episodes of Grimm for FMN and by the time they were done, it was 9:30.  Since the gym closes at 10p on Friday, there was no way I could have made it there for a swim.  I didn't beat myself up over it and, since I'm not worried about the swim, it was decidely okay to miss.....but lets not make a habit of this, I told my self. 

That afternoon I had dropped by bike off at the shop for a tune up, a freehub converter, and new cassette and chain to be put on my race wheels...and installed.  About an hour after I dropped it off, they called and said it was ready.  So after school, I picked J up and we went to get it.  Of course, she found some things in the Tri-Shop that she wanted....including an aero helmet for her "princess bike" and a pink carbon water bottle holder.  Helmet priced at $170 and the cage was $49.  LOL....she's already got "triathlete tastes".

C'mon daddy....I really want it.

Saturday morning, was up at 5:30am and ran 6 miles.  We had a lot going on and scheduled for the day....especially in the morning, so I wanted to get my run in.  Now THAT, I can't miss.  Running has been lacking in my plan as I'm focused on the bike...and the 112 mile sufferfest awaiting me.  I've done a marathon before (albeit very slow) so I know what it takes to get thru that.

On saturday night, I got everything prepared for Sunday's 4am alarm and 4:30am start time on the trainer.  Nutrition laid out, cages filled, extra water, clothes laid out for bike and run, shoes, headphones plugged in, Amazon Prime pulled up on the comuter and ready to hit play.  Start off with no stress or "looking for stuff" and it eliminates excuses.

 

The  ride was uneventful really, but the new components were great.  Could feel a hug difference in shifting and ease of peddling.  I got thru 5 episodes of Jericho, which was another recommendation.  Missed it the first time around on TV.  I ended up doing 3:40 on the bike....what I projected around 65 miles).

Then the run.....was planning on doing 10 miles and really felt good during the run.  I ended up with 6 miles and had some good times on the runs (9:45, 10, 10:18)......but the weather was Out Of Control.  A brisk northly wind that was whipping around.....like to the point of no matter how I was running, it was hitting me.  The temp was in the upper 30's and the winds were in the 30mph range....and that was sustained.  It was gusting up to 35-40mph.  I truly could have done more on the run, but was so miserable, that I stopped.

All in all....great weekend!!!!!

Building a house....

....with BRICKS.

Saturday morning, the alarm goes off at 4:15am.  I did NOT want to get up.  Snooze.  4:24am.  Nope....snooze.  4:33am....Nope again.  Wife gives the little "accidental" shove to get me up.  Nope.  Snooze.  4:42am....okay, I'll get my ass up.

I had everything set up, ready to go.  Aerobottle filled, both cages filled, 5 hour energy to shoot before getting on bike, Gu's on computer desk, headphones plugged in, Amazon Prime webpage pulled up, clothes laid out, and even had the water, powerade, and sports beans ready for the run.

Got on the bike at 4:49.....and rode until 7:28.  Figured I did 47 miles in that time.....Very uneventful ride, got through more of FireFly and decided that my last bit on the bike would be spent watching Airheads.  Classic 90's flick.

After the bike, I pee'd, swapped out shoes, put on a shirt, then commenced the running.  I had mapped out several different one mile loops.  I wanted to have access to water/nutrition every mile like I would in a race.  I ran 5 loops then an extra out and back for a total of 5.45 miles.  I did that in 58 minutes....which included the "rest" time every mile which was basically this:  Grab water, walk around car and drink, grab powerade, walk around car and drink, grab 4 sport beans and take off running.  30-40 seconds at most.  I probably could have gone another few miles with this system, but I had family and fatherly duties starting at 9am.

Looking back on the time that I had and what I did....I would have PR'd an OLY distance.

I was sore most of the day on Satruday......a little more sore yesterday....but today I'm not as bad.  Tonight is a swim and that's it.  Great way to recover.  Maybe even a hot tub and sauna tonight too.  My right calf is getting me some issues.  It's very tender.


I will confess......I ate like a total pig this weekend.  After my post workout shake and 2 cups of coffee, it got to be lunch time on Saturday afternoon.  I had a Baconator burger, large fries, 4 nuggets, and 2 diet cokes.  Saturday night I had 3 bowls of cereal and 1/4 box of peanut butter girl scout cookies.  On Sunday, I finished off the rest of the 3/4 box of cookies.