Inov8- Love or Hate?

Last Saturday I ran my third Battlefrog race. (www.battlefrogseries.com) I placed well, 6^th female, but my feet were killing me from wearing a minimus style shoe (New Balance WT10) for a 15k course. I knew better after Miami two weeks earlier where I finished 4^th overall female, and my feet were already “damaged” from that- blisters on my heel and forefoot, 2 black toenails, a missing toenail – I will spare you rest of the gory details.

 

Saturday I met with Matt the owner of Gritty Runner –awesome company name, right?!? - who provided our team with new Inov-8’s to demo. First, I would like to say that Matt is a very nice guy, if you see his tent at future Battlefrog events, be sure to stop by. We had a great time talking about Obstacle Course Racing! He was very knowledgeable about the shoes he sells and which style are best suited for which courses. Check out his site http://grittyrunner.com and until March 31^st use code ocrunited for $10off and free shipping.

 

Little did I know that once I got home Saturday night, that I would be called back to be on the “Pro-team” for the Battlefrog College Championship for ESPN. I was honored to be asked and knew this would be the perfect opportunity to debut the Inov-8 Roclite 295 for Women.

 

Color- Am I allowed to call them “cute” without losing OCR cred? Black with teal and pink? Colorful laces! It makes my inner child very happy!

Fit- True to size. I wear the same size as I do in other running/training shoes.

Stability- They have a more robust outsole than what I have been wearing. This may prevent stubbed toes and definitely will provide more protection to broken toes.

Grip- After wearing minimus shoes I was used to a very flat bottomed shoe (Vibram sole) These Inov-8’s have more of a trail/cleat to them. I was unsure how they would fare on solid surfaces, walls, balance beams, logs, etc. After trying them on the course, they felt great and had a nonslip grip on the different textured surfaces.

Comfort- The shoes fit well. My feet did not slip around inside of the shoe. They were supportive while maintaining a light weight feel.

Shoelaces- I have to bring this up because my WT10’s I was wearing would come untied multiple times per race. It got to the point that I had to double knot and then zip tie the laces so they would stay tied. After a day of activity, these did not come untied.

 

Additional testing-  

Water- The course I was on did not have water. I want to try my shoes in the pool to make sure they are light enough to swim in and to see how quickly they drain.
Mud- Most of my testing was in grass and sand. I would like to see how well the grip is maintained and if the bottoms “fill up” between the nubs.

Socks- I wore socks in the first test, but my feet were dry. I usually run obstacle course races without socks so I am curious to see what it is like to run with wet socks, and to test to see which socks work best.

* I am open to recommendations- I am new to this whole racing in socks thing!*

 

I went on http://grittyrunner.com to check out the selection. Every women’s pair on there is calling my name!!  I better start winning more races and collecting “big checks” to help accommodate my shoe addiction.

 

For race schedules and discounts be sure to check out my sponsor at http://www.ocrunited.com/

 

Until March 24^th the code BFSamples will get you 30% off the Tampa/St. Pete race.  http://battlefrogseries.com/tampa_stpete/ 

 

Battlefrog 2015- Location- Closest Airports- Discount Code

I made what could be the BEST Battlefrog schedule ever! I have taken their schedule and race locations and added a list of the closest airports to make the race scheduling process a little bit easier. If you would like the excel document that includes all of the registration links (event info) then message me on facebook or email me at ajsamples19@gmail.com and I will send it to you!  Happy racing!!

Warrior Dash World Championship 2014- Train Until Your Idols Become Your Rivals

Last year I set my sights on attending the Warrior Dash World Championship in California. To get to that goal, I set a number of smaller goals which I had to complete before I could allow myself to achieve my primary goal. First, I had to qualify at a local Warrior Dash by placing top 25.
February 1, 2014 was the Florida qualifier. I was injured, and hadn’t been able torun in months after a bad OCR injury which left me sidelined from November to February. While I thought I could still go out and finish top 25, that wasn’t good enough. I had to be top 3. I had challenged myself to exceed those expectations if I wanted to compete in California. Top 3 finishers received a free entry to the world championship. I sat out the Florida race and worked toward recovery.
July 26, I finally had the opportunity to compete at Warrior Dash for a chance at a top 3 spot. I rationalized that I was only good enough to be at the World Championship if I was among the best in the state- any state. I traveled to Michigan, my home state, to access my value as a competitor. I finished second, after being the leading woman for most of the race. I went off course with a group of guys, and by the time we made our way back, one girl had managed to work her way in front of me. I captured my top 3 finish, one of my biggest accomplishments. Not because it was a tough course, or because of the level of competition, but because at that moment, I knew I was going to California to compete with the best of the best.
I put in countless hours of hard work. I upped my running, knowing that at a Warrior Dash that speed and endurance were more valuable than strength and upper body. I psyched myself up, I wore myself down, and I nearly burned myself out. There were moments of pride, frustration, victory, defeat, but the only constant was my dedication. The most important thing for me was finding out how close I was to being among the ranks of women I have seen only in magazines and on TV. One of my favorite quotes is “Train until your idols become your rivals”, so that is what I set out to do.
The road to the Warrior Dash World Championship was long and covered in dust, and maybe hay, I am not sure what exactly that was. The course area sat within the valley of mountains. The scene I walked into was unlike anything I had ever seen or experienced. The air was so dry, the colors muted, and the competitors silent as we waited for the course instructions for the preview the night before the big race. As we were dismissed to explore the course, it became known to me that I was about to compete in one of the hardest races of my life.
  The morning of the race was cold and dark. We are bussed in from the parking area. Expectations are high and emotions held in check as we are dropped off at the location that will determine what we are made of as obstacle course racers. Shortly after daybreak the gun sounds for the men’s competitive race. In that moment my heart drops, and I know the next time I hear it will be for me. The women are corralled to the starting area. I look around and see only the fittest of women. Bodies I looked at and felt almost inadequate to be shirtless next to. There were familiar faces among them. Two women I recognize instantly, Rose Wetzel and Cassidy Watton as being top competitors. Two women from South Florida I had the pleasure of taking this journey with, Paola Reategui and Guadalupe Merlos. The magnitude of this race starts to sink in as the national anthem is played. The last words I hear is “on your marks”—and the gunshot sounds.
The first mile of the race was uphill. Just as you think you are completing the ascent, the course turned slightly and there is yet a longer treacherous climb ahead. I have never seen elite athletes walk especially in the first mile of a race, until now. There is a burning in my legs I can hardly describe, and beyond any kind of race discomfort I have ever encountered. After two quick back to back smaller plummets, the beast nestled within the course reveals itself. This mountain is twice as steep as the first, forcing athletes to use both hands and feet to navigate the rugged, torturous terrain. Each time I looked up thinking I had to be almost to the top, it appeared as though I hadn’t moved a bit.
When we hit the backside of that mountain I was ready to let it rip. I sailed down the mountainside without any control, waiting for gravity and inertia to face plant me into the barbed wire below. Would that have been painful, sure, but nothing in comparison to the hell the course had already put me through. Luckily, I slowed just in time to crawl through the first man made obstacle. Approaching the two mile there were more hills, and more obstacles. I don’t know if I have ever been happier to see an obstacle in my life, if only to give me temporary relief from the landscape.
The last mile was smooth in comparison to the rest but it was obstacle heavy not allowing much room to develop a steady pace. There was no pacing at any point in the race between the uphill crawls and the downhill sprints. I didn’t know where I was in the pack, my best guess was somewhere between 10 and 20, I was gaining places rapidly on the flatter ground. At the two mile mark I see Hunter McIntyre, arguably the best obstacle course racers in the world. He is running alongside me and sending words of encouragement and support to his girlfriend, Cassidy. That was the motivation I needed to dig deep. I never look back in a race, ever, but thanks to him, I knew who was behind me,I knew she was close,and I wasn't going to let her pass by me.
Just before the finish line there was a mud pit with the thickest mud I have ever been in. Each movement plunged me in a little deeper and weighed me down a little more. As I crawled my way out of the pit, I felt that my body was twice as heavy as when I started. The added weight of the mud combined with the muscle fatigue was a brutal combination, but I did it. I crossed the finish line knowing I left it all out there on the course. I had no idea where I finished, and at that point it didn’t really matter.

I received a Facebook message congratulating me on my 13th place finish. Yes, I found out on social media of all places even though I was there at the event in person. There is the proof of how quickly news travels. I would have loved to finish within the Top ten, like the ladies I spent the weekend with, Paola Reategui (10th) and Guadalupe Merlos (4th). They have motivated me to work harder, and next year, I will set higher goals and achieve more.
This journey would not have happened if not for the people in my life who got me to this moment. My family, my friends, teammates, and competitors, thank you for everything you have done for me. There were people who built me up and people who knocked me down. I needed both and I received it, and for that I am eternally thankful. Thank you to my gyms, Orangetheory Fitness (Clearwater and Westchase), Renaissance Park Health and Fitness center, and BeachBody programs like Insanity the Asylum- for preparing me for this event. This marks a high point in my life, and I couldn’t have done it without all of YOU.

Food For Thought

In the morning I have little to no time to spare. Every morning I pack my lunch while the waiting for my shakeology to blend and I am out the door. Although my workplace has a cafeteria, the food is overpriced. We have a salad buffet they weigh by the ounce and I am not kidding when I say that a $10 salad would leave me wanting more food in a matter of minutes. One thing I love about my job is that we have a fitness center right on campus, so oftentimes during my lunch hour I get to work out. The only downside to that is eating lunch at my desk.

Here are a few easy snack ideas and tips on how to pack a delicious and nutritious lunch in under five minutes.

Snacks: First, I make sure I always have snacks on hand. If I have snacks, I won’t be tempted to buy chips and chocolate from the vending machine, or starve myself so I overeat at my next meal. For the salty cravings, I keep nuts, beef/turkey jerky, or popcorn (no, not Butter Lovers!) in my desk drawer. Look for 94 percent fat-free microwave popcorn, like Orville Redenbacher’s Smart Pop!—only 240 calories for a whole bag and when your coworkers smell it, there’s your opportunity to share. Work alone or want portion control? Look for 100-calorie minis. When I am craving something sweet I go to my stash of dried fruit or applesauce (no refrigeration necessary!). Lately I have been all about the dried cranberries, but be aware of the potential added sugar, check the label. The 10 healthiest dried fruit options are apple, apricot, mango, cherry, fig, papaya, blueberry, raisin and currants. My go-to applesauce, Mott's No-Sugar-Added Healthy Harvest Applesauce- Strawberry flavor, if they have it.  

Lunch: Let’s be honest. I hate to cook. Here are some lunch ideas that get me through the week. Salad- Being the queen of lazy when it comes to food prep, I buy the prepackaged salad mix. One bag lasts me three lunches. I don’t get sick of salad when I play with my food! Each day I try to throw in something different than the day before. Today I had a salad that was lettuce topped with feta cheese and hickory smoked tuna (yup, from a packet) with Asian dressing and it was wonderful. Salad toppings to try: Lettuce, Cheese, Tomato, Egg, Bacon, Spinach, Onion, Mushroom, Cucumber, Carrot, Chicken, peppers, Feta, Avocado, Nuts, Olives, seeds, cabbage, Ham, Turkey, Chickpeas, Corn, Broccoli, Apple, Dried Cranberries, beans, Sprouts, Strawberries, Steak Celery, Carrots, Pasta, Grape, Pepperoni, Avocado, Cilantro, Basil, Mandarin Oranges, Cauliflower, Peas, Shrimp, Tuna, Fruit salad: This can be a LOT of work, so choose your fruits wisely. When I make fruit salad for lunch, I usually use smaller fruits like grapes, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries. Why do I choose these? They are basically “wash and go” or remove the greenery/stem. There are no pits or seeds to sort out, making them even more convenient. Yogurt or yogurt parfait: Low fat yogurt is a convenient option. If you make the fruit salad listed above, add it to your yogurt and Voila!  

Dinner: This is where I fail… almost every single day. I would love some new dinner recipes! Do you have a go to source for healthy recipes? Let me know what your favorite healthy recipe is, so I can learn to cook!

Vitality: Heath, Fitness, and a Fitbit

The company I work for has partnered with Vitality to offer their employees the Live Well Program. This innovative wellness program is designed to help us to get educated, get healthy and get rewarded for taking care of ourselves. The program takes a personalized, interactive approach, and considers your current overall health, lifestyle and health risk factors. With a wide variety of enjoyable and healthy activities, the Live Well program will help us to establish and achieve your wellness goals, and rewards us with better medical rates and incentives.

Last week I had to undergo a biometric screening which included tests for HDL/LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, glucose, body mass index (BMI) and cotinine (nicotine) testing. The results will help determine if I am at risk for chronic, preventable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and hypertension and will also help to provide me with personalized and appropriate goals to improve my health. 

Why would I agree to be subjected to these tests? First, just for taking the tests, I received a FREE Fitbit Flex. Besides the opportunity to have lower health insurance rates, I call also earn Vitality Points. These points can be converted to Vitality Bucks, which can be used at an online shopping mall. The more Vitality Points I earn, the higher my Vitality Status will be, starting at Blue, moving up to Bronze, Silver, Gold, and ultimately Platinum. The higher my status, the greater my shopping discount on the Vitality Mall. We are only a month and a half into the program and I already have enough points for a $100 Amazon giftcard!

Based on the results of my biometric tests, I need to focus on my nutrition. I know this is an area of improvement for me. I start every day off on the right foot. I drink shakeology every morning for breakfast which is a superfood loaded with vitamins and nutrients. Then for lunch I eat healthy also, because I plan ahead the night before. Once it is time for dinner, food cravings get the best of me, and I am more likely to make bad choices. I have come so far in the past 6 months making daily changes and building better habits, but I still have a ways to go.

Do you think your company should offer this program or one like it? Would you pass the test? Would this encourage you to make a lifestyle change?

Learning to Cook

It wasn't too long ago I learned how to make hard boiled eggs. After much online research, I successfully completed that task, however peeling them is a whole new challenge . I am slowly learning to cook. I have been looking for simple healthy recipes. Here is one I found and made for dinner last night. To my amazement, it was very easy, dare I say fool proof, and it turned out to be DELICIOUS! I will be making this one again.

BAKED STUFFED AVOCADOS

Preparation Time: 10 – 20 minutes depending on the amount

Cooking Time: 18 – 20 minutes depending on the amount

Cooking Temperature: 350°F

 Instructions:

•  Sauté the mushrooms in the oil until just softened and lightly browned. Remove and drain on a paper towel, then mix with the cottage cheese, chives and soy sauce.

•  Halve the avocados and remove the pit, pour a little lemon juice onto a flat plate and moisten the cut surfaces by placing avocado halves, face down, into the juice.
•  Fill the avocados with the mushroom mixture, smoothing over the entire surface, not just the hollows.

•  Sprinkle with parmesan and dust with paprika.
•  Arrange the avocados slightly apart in a baking dish. Add 3/4 inch cold water to the dish and bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 18-20 minutes, or until just heated through.

•  Place each half on a warmed serving plate and serve immediately.

Tips to Reduce Preparation& Cooking Time:

 Buy already chopped mushrooms to decrease preparation time.

 Use bottled lemon juice instead of squeezing fresh lemons to decease preparation time.

 Buy already grated parmesan.

  

Shaking It Up!

Most of you reading this probably follow me on social media. That means you know that I live an active lifestyle. I work out daily, sometimes multiple times a day. I also run obstacle course races nearly every Saturday and have played on the same coed Sunday soccer team for 7 years. Due to this active lifestyle, I never counted calories or put much thought into what I ate. Then one day I realized that no matter how hard I worked, I never saw my body change. I have heard it 1,000 times, “Abs are made in the kitchen, not in the gym”. I thought if anyone could prove otherwise, it would be me…and I was wrong.

 

I was celebrating my 29^th birthday. Each year I get myself a gift. I couldn’t think of something I just had to have. At 29 I had gotten to the age where I realized “Why not me?” I decided I wanted to be in the best shape of my life and that I was ready to change my lifestyle and build the best version of myself. I had been approached previously about becoming a beachbody coach, but I wasn’t really sure if it was for me. After researching the products, talking with people who had done the programs and tried shakeology, I was ready to find out for myself. Not only that, but I was excited to share my love, motivation, and passion for health and happiness with others. I emailed my coach and said “You have yourself a coach!”

 

When I signed on as a coach, I was still skeptical, but I had to find out for myself what the hype was about. I ordered Insanity the Asylum as part of a challenge pack that included shakeology. I set up a home gym in my living room which included moving the couch and duct taping a workout mat to the floor (shhhh don’t tell my landlord). The first thing I had to do was a fitness assessment, which I felt failed horribly. After I finished the warmup of my first workout, I was near death- or so I thought, but of course I was being dramatic. I never thought I would survive an entire workout, of the toughest program, with Shawn T, but I did. Insanity the Asylum has a way of humbling even an elite athlete. Even after my completion of the program, each time I “suffered” during a race etc. I would think, if I can survive the Asylum, I can survive this. The awesome thing about the Beachbody programs is that there is something for all skill levels. If you are interested in a fitness assessment let me know, and I can match you up with program you will enjoy and that can get you results!
 

 

 

An important change I made during this time was including shakology into my daily routine. For the first time ever, I was eating breakfast. Some people consider shakeology a meal replacement, but for me, it was a meal addition. Within a month of doing Insanity and drinking shakeology, I had seen more changes to my body than I had in an entire year.  I realized that before shakeology, I was not getting the protein or other nutrients my body needed to build muscle. You know the lower belly pooch that never goes away? That was gone, and I noticed I didn’t have to suck in anymore when I was in a bathing suit or sports bra. Shakeology is what helped me get past the training standstill and took my progress to the next level.

 

This is me when my monthly shipment arrives!

 

Shakeology can help you:

·         Lose weight – especially if you replace a meal with Shakeology every day.

·         Reduce junk food cravings – drink it in the morning to enjoy this benefit throughout the day

·         Increase your energy and feel healthier.

·         Improve your digestion and regularity

There are many flavors available:

•  Vanilla
• Chocolate
• Strawberry
• Greenberry
• Vegan Chocolate

I recommend the vanilla shakeology because there are so many ways to shake it up!

My favorite recipe:

·          1 scoop of vanilla shakeology

·          4  ice cubes

·          Dark chocolate almond milk

·          A banana

·          1 Tsp of peanut butter

Put it all together, blend, and Enjoy!  That’s my kind of “cooking”.

 

For more info, go to: http://www.shakeology.com/asamples

               

30-Day-Supply Bag

Shakeology Convenience Pack