Dani Dishes 5-13-13

In the latest Dani Dishes blog, we talk about Mother's Day and my Energybits Ambassadorship announcement (http://www.energybits.com/). Product of the Week: X-1 Audio Headphones - http://www.x-1.com/

I Need Sweet & Salty ... Popchips Giveaway WINNER ANNOUNCED

Annddddd the winner IS:

a Rafflecopter giveaway CONGRATS!!!!

Thank you to everyone that participated and big thanks to our Sponsor!!!

***

Ever get home from a run or a hard workout and just start tearing through the cabinets looking for snacks?

I call them the Hungry Horrors or Rungry Horrors ... depending on your activity of choice!

But either way, I get home from pushing my body and it wants to be fed.

And usually with something salty.

Mmmmm salt...

French Fries. Chips. Pretzels.

You can it - it wants it.

But, of course those are not the BEST options out there.

So we need to find alternatives.

I was reading Jillian Michaels' book Slim For Life.

So many of her philosophies were also taught to me through my journey on Weight Watchers!! I love when I read a book and agree with the overall message.

Now, part of that balanced lifestyle, is about finding a healthier option for certain cravings/temptations.

Which brings me to my desire for salt.

Please enter Popchips!

Yes, yes - we all know my love and admiration for popchips ... but they've now outdone themselves.

How you may ask?

They have combined SALTY and SWEET.

What? How could that be? Can they do magic? Are they GOD?

It may be all of the above and then some.

But seriously, they've released their latest flavor: Katy's Kettle Corn!

When I first tried these chips I thought I died and went to heaven.

Too dramatic?

Nope!

I actually don't really like Kettle Corn, but gave these bad boys a chance thanks to Popchips Boston...

... and now I'm hooked.

(Note: I am eating a bag of these as I write this post ... I wish I was joking!)

So now it is time to pass my addictions on to you because we all need to know how to healthily handle our "Sweet and Salty" fix, right?

Here's how to enter the giveaway:

I will be giving away a free copy of Jillian Michaels' book Slim For Life AND a case of Katy's Kettle Corn Popchips to one lucky winner!!

Giveaway is open from Monday May 6 (Monday) to 10am May 10 (Friday)!

The winner will be announced on Friday!

I'm now a proud ENERGYbits Ambassador!

I love finding new companies and products!! As you all know, I only work with companies and promote products I believe in wholeheartedly.

SO my new love?

ENERGYbits

... and they are based out of Boston - yes I love to promote a local company as well! :)

What are ENERGYbits you may ask?

Made from 100% organicallly grown spirulina algae and loaded with 40 nutrients, ENERGYbits® algae tabs have the highest concentration of protein in the world (64%) all for just one calorie per tab. Endorsed by the United Nations as the most nutritious food on earth, spirulina algae has been a favorite of Olympic gold medalists for decades and is a super food in every sense of the word, delivering instant and enduring energy to your brain and body.

Yes you read that correctly - algae. I was unsure about that at first as well. But when I announced my 3k Twitter Follower Giveaway on Twitter, ENERGYbits contacted me saying they were interested in being a part of my prize packs.

Well, before I would allow that to happen I had to test them out myself. They sent me a sample - a little tin with the ENERGYbits tabs inside.

They recommend taking 30-40 tabs 10-15 minutes before a workout for maximum results. Each tab is just 1 calorie.

I decided to test them out before my 21-miler on March 23. Now I was told you could chew the tabs or swallow them with water. I didn't have any water on the bus so I had to go with chewing.

I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS ... personally. :P

They got stuck in my teeth and it wasn't the taste -algae - that I wanted to stuck in my mouth for hours to come.

BUT, they paid off.

My legs felt strong throughout the 3-hour run. I didn't feel the normal fatigue that I would feel on such a long run.

So chewing the tabs were worth it.

Since that day, I have ALWAYS made sure to have water on hand so I could swallow the tabs and no taste. :)

I liked the sample so much that I made my first ENERGYbits purchase on March 29 and delivery arrived on April 2.

I like that service. :)

So I have been taking ENERGYbits before runs, Spinning, weight lifting, etc. I even took some before a 45 minute walk with a friend.

Because ... ENERGYBits can be used for:

• Increasing Energy
• Increasing Endurance
• Increasing Mental Vitality
• High Protein Snack
• Curbing Hunger
• Balancing Blood Sugar
• Lowering Blood Pressure
• Reducing Fatigue

On April 29, I actually had the honor of visiting the ENERGYbits headquarters since they are just a train ride away from my house. The team behind ENERGYbits are a small, but dedicated group. They have been doing their research for years and are doing a great job of growing their brand through social media and visiting local races/running clubs. (Both things I love :O))

I even saw the guys before the Half of Quincy on Sunday and they came through in a pinch with some water so I could take my ENERGYbits. Thanks again guys!

But after trying the product, really reading up on the benefits of algae and meeting the team behind the product, I definitely wanted to get on board ... and thankfully they agreed.

And Dani as an ENERGYbits Ambassador was born.

(Who am I throwing in the third person there?)

So would you like to try ENERGYBits yourself?

Get 15% off your order by entering the code "WeightOffMyShoulders" at check out!!

Weekly Workout Wind Up (5/2-8/13)

I am feeling super lazy this week. But I am taking the weekend to write out my next training plan. I also feel LOST without a training plan to follow!!  

Thursday, May 2: 45 min walk with Abby and walking around 4 Weight Watchers Meetings

Friday, May 3: Rest Day

Saturday, May 4: Zoo trip meant walking from 10am-1pm

 

Sunday, May 5: Half of Quincy

 

Monday, May 6: 5k Run and 50 Min Spinning 

 

Tuesday, May 7: 3-mile afternoon walk with the pups

 

Wednesday, May 8: Rest Day

Half Of Quincy - 5/5/13 - PR 1:44:30 (7:59 min/mile)

Cancelled. Sad.

Rescheduled.

Happy.

The Half of Quincy was originally slated for March 10 - a perfect training run to prep for The Boston Marathon.

Then the snow hit and it was postponed.

The announced make-up date was May 5. About three weeks after the Marathon.

I could've deferred to next year ... but why bother!

I thought it would be a great way to test my legs after the Marathon.

So I decided to run it on May 5 as planned.

My wife and dad were going to come along once again to spectate. It would be the first race both would spectate since being a mere 20 feet from the explosion on Marathon Monday.

This race would be a big race for all of us!

The alarm went off at 6am on Sunday (Happy Cinco De Mayo!) and we went through the normal pre-race motions.

We were out the door by 6:45 - after I had to search around the house to locate my Team REFUEL singlet.

That is what I get for not prepping all race materials the night before!

As always I made us leave the house with plenty of time to spare since we had to find parking and pick up my bib before the 8am start.

After finding street parking, we headed into Quincy High gym to pick up my bib.

The woman handing out the bibs actually reads my blog!! (YAY)

(Note: I wish I had gotten her name so I could say thank you properly!)

It was also nice running into some Racemenu teammates as well as some Twitter friends/bloggers that I was finally able to meet in real life.

I stopped by the ENERGYBits table to say hi and pilfer some water so I could actually take my ENERGYBits before the run. Thanks again guys for coming through in a pinch. :)

Now that I was #PoweredByBits it was time to head to the Start Line.

I went into this race with ZERO expectations. Okay not zero - the only one was to finish in under 2 hours. I had no idea what the body was going to be capable of and I didn't know the course whatsoever. So we set the expectations low. :)

It was amazing to be surrounded by so much blue/yellow from The Boston Marathon. You could see how many people also had originally slated this as a training run for the Big Day.

Before I knew it it was time to start. I actually found another Racemenu team member, Nancy, just after we crossed the Start Line. It was nice to see her since I knew she ran the Marathon as well.

It's funny that now the first question you ask a person that said they ran Boston this year is: "Did you get to Finish?" or "Where did you get stopped?" Thankfully Nancy was able to Finish before the explosions as well!

Neither of us knew the course, but a guy running by us let us know there would be  some hills on the course. This was a different course than in previous years, but there would still be hills involved.

Oh yay!

NOT.

Just like during the 26.2 Challenge, I started out fast. I was going sub 8-minute miles for the first 5 miles or so. I tried to reel my body back in. I had to remind myself that this was a 13.1 mile race not 5 or 6 miles. Sometimes I think my body forgets.

We actually looped back near the Start/Finish and at the Mile Four marker were my dad and wife. It was nice to see there smiling faces. It gave me the little push I needed.

But as I hit the halfway mark of the Half, I realized I was well ahead of pace for a PR.

Sweet.

All race long I knew I had to be sub 8:15 min/mile pace for a new shiny PR.

And I was well ahead of that.

I even felt like a real runner during the race. I was buckling down, pushing myself up the hills and only went about 10-15 seconds slower when going up the hill. And made the time up on the flat.

This is something many of my fast friends do so I really felt like maybe I am becoming a better and stronger runner. Instead of always feeling like a poser. :P

By the time we hit Mile 10, the heel pain that magically showed up in the Marathon around Mile 15 flared up again. But I knew this time I only had to push through a few more miles.

But, did I mention they were the hilliest few miles of the course? Yeah, exactly.

I want to give a quick shout out to the great spectators along the course - especially the little kids giving away twizzlers near Mile 10. It's like they knew how much we all needed that little sugar rush. :)

Once I hit Mile 11.1, I texted my wife to let her know where I was so that they would be in place at the Finish. Then I yelled out of profanities at the Hills and the foot pain. Oops! Thankfully no little kids were around.

The pain was there, but not unbearable. So I dug deep and ran all out to the Finish once I hit Mile 12.

The last 1/4 of a mile was actually around the Quincy High track, which was sort of frustrating because you could see the Finish, but it felt like it was miles away. At least for me.

I was trying to distract myself by doing math in my head to see if I could break the elusive 1:45 half time I had dreamed out.

My previous PR was 1:48:09 set at Disney in January.

I saw my wife & dad cheering just before I crossed the line, hit stop on my Garmin, grabbed my medal and chugged water as quickly as possible.

The Garmin read: 1:44:27.

SAY WWHHAAA??!?!?!?!

Was that real? Maybe I missed some time or it had a glitch.

Nope.

I officially finished the race in 1:44:30 - a 7:59 min/mile pace.

Again.

SAY WWHHHAAA?!?!?!

I had to triple check the results to make sure 1) they were legit and 2) they were actually MINE.

But, they were!

I finished 193rd out of 672 overall and 18th out of 127 in my division (F 30-39). CRAY CRAY!

I give big props to the Half of Quincy organizers who basically had to set up 2 races due to the postponement. The course was full of police and volunteers stopping traffic and giving encouragement along the way. It was one of the best organized races on the course itself that I've participated in. I didn't have any "nearly getting hit by a car" instances.

I didn't get to try any of the post-race fare because I had to jet home, but everyone was raving about the spread. No beer though - so a negative in my book. ;)

I ran into Liana from Run To Munch at the results board and was able to offer her a ride home and get to chat with her a little about her running career.

Once we got home I was finally able to enjoy #myafter of a big glass of chocolate milk.

But, you also know I needed a celebratory beer so I took care of it myself by enjoying a Slumbrew Naked Hopularity!

Also please excuse the really unflattering photo of me

Yummm...

Overall, this was one amazing race day. I still can't believe what my body is now capable and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for me.

Next up ... M.O.M.'s Run 5k on Mother's Day (May 12)!

Dani Dishes 5-7-13

In the latest Dani Dishes blog, we talk to the old 230 lb me and celebrate a new PR in the Half of Quincy. Product of the Week: Katy's Kettle Corn Popchips - www.popchips.com

My First Relay Experience: 26.2 Challenge Team Relay

And I am a race pushover. What does that mean? Well, it seems when a friend brings up a race and I have the time/funds - I sign up.

Plain and simple.

It happened ... again!

Last Wednesday (April 24) while at The Dubliner in Cambridge with friends for the launch of the latest Slumbrew brew, I asked my friend George what he had coming up for races over the weekend.

George and some members of his running club - The Most Informal Running Club Ever or TMIRCE - was taking part in the 26.2 Challenge Team Relay on the Saturday (April 27) in Plymouth.

And they were looking for a 6th member for their team.

**Interest Peaked**

Over the next 24 hours, we got confirmation that they did indeed need a 6th runner ... and BAM! All of a sudden I am signed up for my first relay race.

The 26.2 Challenge Team Relay is set up a little different from other relays I've heard about.

The 26.2 Challenge is a team relay race for you and five of your friends. It's an out-and-back style course, one member is running their butt off while the other teammates party, dance and enjoy the entertainment provided at our transition area.

Each member of your team will run an equal portion of the 26.2 distance. As one runner heads out the next relay member waits for the exchange. The whole event is one big party; live DJ spinning tunes as the runners take off and come in. Vendors line the exchange area offering samples, goods for sale and sage advice.

I picked up two of my running mates for the day - George & Jen - at 7am and we were off to Plymouth. The website told us to be there at least an hour before the race started (which was 9am) so we cruised into the parking lot just before 8am. Perfect.

We claimed a part of the parking lot - like the other teams were doing - and waited for our teammates.

Everyone else on the team was a member of TMIRCE so I was the only newbie. But, it is always nice to meet new runners!

As the members of the group talked about the paces they hoped to attain that day, I just kept hoping I wouldn't be the person that would slow down their overall time. They were hoping to place and I didn't want to ruin the chances. I was 12 days out from the Boston Marathon so I wasn't sure what my legs would produce.

After getting acquainted, picking up bibs and having some pre-race snacks, it was time for our first runner Jen to hit the Starting Line. It was so odd to have the race begin and not be at the Start Line. I was slated to run the 4th out of our 6 legs on the morning.

Thankfully our teammate Erin had a stop watch so she kept it running throughout the race so that we could all be prepared in enough time for our legs of the run.

We were each set to run 1/6 of a marathon or 4.36 miles.

Jen (34:04), Christina (31:27) and George (33:38) all OWNED the course.

As I saw George turning the corner, I was in place at the Start Line - ready to FINALLY kick off my leg of the race. :)

Photo Courtesy of RaceMenu

Quick hug from Alain at Racemenu and I was off.

I didn't know anything about the course except some quick snippets from the teammates that had already run.

I think my legs were just a TAD happy to be out running because I ran the first 3/4 of a mile at a 6:45 min/mile pace.

YEAH - those isn't my normal pace in the least so I immediately told my brain and my legs to sllloowww it on down!

This wasn't a 5k - this was 4+ miles so I couldn't get burnt out too quickly.

Oh I also almost went the wrong way about 1/4 of a mile into the race - yeah, I missed a sign, but thankfully righted my ship quickly.

We had to go around the first water stop twice - once at the beginning of the run and once at the end. There were plenty of volunteers out on the course, which made the odd transition a little easier.

So thank you volunteers!! :) :)

Once through the first mile of the race, it was a clear out and back along the water in Plymouth. The sun was shining and the water looked beautiful.

Shade?

None.

The sun was beaming down on us, but I tried to stay committed and focused on the goal of keeping a sub 8 min/mile pace. That was my only goal of the run.

I could feel my body starting to get tired around the 5k mark so I buckled down. And as my Tedy's Team Running Coach, John, would say "Just Run!"

So that's what I did.

I pushed through the final mile and can say taking my ENERGYBits before the run helped.

I crossed the finish line in 31:18 - HELL YEAH.

I will gladly take the results.

I grabbed a water and rejoined my team to wait out our final two runners.

Our last two runners - Erin (29:57) and Nathan (24:31) - DOMINATED the course. Nathan ended up being the fastest person of the day. YES, his slip said 1/473 - hot DAMN.

So as a group we finished the 26.2 mile course in 3:04:57...

... and headed inside to grab a beer while we waited for the official results to post.

With the $25 entry fee, you had entry to the race, a 26.2 Challenge beer mug and one free Mayflower Brewing Company.

Me, Alain (RaceMenu), Steven (26.2 Challenge Organizer)

I drank my beer, ate a yummy chicken caesar salad and had a great lunch with team as we celebrated...

... our 3rd place finish in our division (running club).

In the end we were the fifth team overall out of 79 teams. Not. Too. Shabby!

I had a GREAT time participating in this relay. It was a change of pace from normal races.

And I will definitely look to do something like this again!

***

Have you participated in a relay race before? If so, what time? Did you love it?

Why I love Cambridge 5k Race Series & Giveaway

Annddddd the winner IS:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

CONGRATS!!

*Keep an eye out as I will be giving away an entry to the next Cambridge 5k race - the VERT Sasquatch Trail Race (July 14)!

---

What makes a good road race?

Since I've run a wide array of races in my short running career, people tend to ask me this all the time.

As well as...

*How do you pick your races?

*What does a race need to have you coming back?

*Do you only run races with beer or race medals at the end?

Wow! It looks like I have a reputation. :P

There are so many variables that go into which races I choose to run and which races I run and decide to never run again. (And there are quite a few of those)

But one of the best race series in the Boston area that I came across in 2012 was the Cambridge 5k series.

Race Director, Eddie O'Connor, is one of the nicest guys I have met.

Over the past year, I'm honored to now call Eddie one of my friends. :)

The Cambridge 5k has grown from a 3-race series in 2012 to a 5-race series in 2013. Woo!

On their website they state that:

We organize unique, handcrafted road races that are super-fun!

And that is the truth.

These races - which include both 5ks and trail races - are well-organized, geared towards runners/walkers of ALL levels, offer great routes and are paired with special local craft beer breweries that sponsor the post-race party!

BEER!

Yup, I knew that is where I would catch your attention. ;)

The Cambridge 5k works with some of my favorite local breweries and you know that means Slumbrew baby!

I Captain all of the Slumbrew teams that take part in the Cambridge 5k races.

Lucky me!!

In 2012, I was lucky enough to run the:

VERT - Sasquatch Trail Run

*You can read my race recap here.

and

Yulefest 5k

*You can read my race recap here.

In January 2013, Eddie asked me to pose with an American Flag to help promote a new race he was putting together to add to the Cambridge 5k series.

How could I say no?

Plus I really wanted to hear what he had up his sleeve. ;)

So I met him at the City Sports in Downtown Crossing and he snapped these shots.

What were they for?

The inaugural Freedom Run 5k, which will be taking place on May 26 in Cambridge, MA.

Kick off the summer at East Cambridge Business Association's hyperpatriotic 5K that honors the men & women who fight to protect us!

Get in the spirit! Run in your most patriotic gear and you could win a great prize at our post-race Freedom Party (13+ to run, 21+ (with ID) for beer).

Registration includes a great shirt & admission to the post-race party in Canal Park featuring craft beer, music & fun awards!

How could you pass this race up?

Well now you don't have to!

Eddie has graciously offered up a FREE race entry to one of my blog readers. YAY!

So if you want to try a 5k, if you want to run with me, if you just like great local beer or if you just want to break out some red/white/blue gear then this is for you.

Here's how to enter:

Giveaway is open from April 29 (Monday) to 10am May 3 (Friday)!

The winner will be announced on Friday!

Can you see your #Proof? Viewsport REVIEW

Euphoria. Heavy Breathing.

Results.

Sense of Accomplishment.

Satisfaction.

Hunger.

These are all emotional or mental proof of a good workout or run, but sometimes you need physical proof ... like sweat!

But, there is a company out there taking sweat to a new level.

ViewSPORT

So who are they? There website says:

ViewSPORT® International Inc. is an innovative fitness apparel line focused on the motivated athlete, sports teams, the military, and others looking to get the most from their fitness and training efforts. When an athlete exercises, the patent-pending ViewSPORT sweat-activated technology reveals a design that is only apparent once perspiration comes in contact with the fabric. The harder the wearer works, the more apparent the image.

After reading this I was intrigued so I contacted ViewSPORT and was mailed a shirt to try. Sweet!

The company offers both men's and women's styles, as well as, both cotton and tech shirts.

Since losing weight, I still don't know how to properly size a shirt when I can't try it on. So to be on the safe side I asked for the Fitfluential Men's Cotton Tee ($26 value).

I am a Fitfluential Ambassador so I figured it was the perfect choice. PLUS, it came in blue/yellow - which are the Boston Marathon colors. It seemed like it was made just for me. ;)

So how does this whole thing work?

When athletes and other fitness-conscious people exercise and begin to sweat, motivational words or images appear on their ViewSPORT athletic-performance attire. The company’s patent-pending “sweat-activated technology” reveals an increasingly clear image the more someone sweats during training. After a workout, when the shirt dries out, the special graphics become invisible again.

Okay, that seems freakin' cool.

On Wednesday, I had a 5-mile run on tap with my best friend and it was going to be high 60s out in Boston so it seemed like the perfect chance to try out the shirt.

Here is how it looked before the run.

I don't normally run in cotton t-shirts, but I made the sacrifice so I could see the cool message revealed. ;)

After tucking the sleeves up under my sports bra, I was ready to rock and roll.

BOY was it hot during our run. I could feel the sweat running down my back so I was really hoping the message would reveal itself loud and clear.

I had my friend Sarah so into this as well that she routinely checked me throughout the run to see the progress. :) When she wasn't happy with how much was revealed, she bumped our speed up. Ummm thanks ViewSPORT for our speedy run. :P

Once we finished stretching, I was ready to see the secret message.

We headed upstairs to find out what my shirt said...

#PROOF

Here is the after:

And the miles I put in, the sweat that showed on my shirt and the pride I felt were all #PROOF of a good workout.

So thanks ViewSPORT for letting me show others the #PROOF I felt inside.

Here is the back before vs. after the run:

Once I cooled down and dried off, the secret message disappeared and the shirt went completely back to the before.

How cool is all that?

Hey, sometimes we need a funky shirt like this to motivate us to get out and move. I say whatever it takes to get us moving.

Now, I think as women we tend to sweat MORE in the lower part of our back - or maybe that is just me - so I think my saying would've appeared sooner or darker if I had worn a women's style ViewSPORT tee since the secret message is located farther down on that style.

I have nothing to back up that theory, but it is a thought I had while running. Maybe some day I will try the women's tee and test my theory, but for now I am pleased with the shirt and the #PROOF I have now.

Time to figure out when I will rock it again...

***

Have you tried out a ViewSPORT t-shirt yet? Would a sweat-induced secret message motivate YOU to move more?

Weekly Workout Wind Up (4/25-5/1/13)

While I am in between training plans - Boston Marathon and my first triathlon - I am winging the workouts. ;) I can't wait to be back on a new training plan soon...  

Thursday, April 25: Rest Day

Friday, April 26: 45 min Walk

Saturday, April 27: 26.2 Marathon Relay Challenge ... my leg was 4.36 miles

Sunday, April 28: 60 Min Spinning

Monday, April 29: 3.1 Mile Run and 45 Min Spinning

Tuesday, April 30: 2.13 Mile Run with Laney

 

Wednesday, May 1: 5-Mile Run