Stepping up training – X2Performance

April 3, 2014 by 24 Comments

I’m always looking for a way to work smarter and maximize my workouts, so when I was contacted about being a brand ambassador for X2Performance® as part of a limited time program, I was very intrigued. I had first heard of X2Performance when Beth from Shut Up & Run made it a key part of her Ironman Florida training last year. Back then I was curious and wondered if this would be a product for me – I mean I wasn’t training for an Ironman – was it something I could benefit from? But, I never got around to learning more about it.

So I was really psyched when I was contacted about being part of the X2Performance spring program! Before signing on, I wanted to check out the ingredients. From their site I learned that the X2Performance’s patent-pending BIOIDS® Advanced Cellular Formula is comprised of glucose, bioenergy RIBOSE®, PEAK ATP® Disodium, Coenzyme Q10, natural caffeine, D-Pinitol, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. The goal of X2Performance is

to support ATP production – the body’s essential unit of energy – to naturally increase energy, enhance endurance and improve recovery. X2PERFORMANCE® works so athletes get the most out of every workout and maximize performance.”

Sounded good – I was ready to try it for myself and I joined #TeamX2!

(As a brand ambassador, I was provided product and am being compensated for participating in this program. As always all opinions expressed here are my own, and I am not obligated to share a positive review. The statements on the product have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.)

X2My first try was before my long run on Saturday – it would be my first time attempting 9 miles since last fall. Seemed like a good place to start. I was a little nervous about how my stomach would react, but I had no issues and the slightly citrus taste was better than I expected. I definitely felt a boost at the start – not at all jittery. It was a good solid run, and best of all was how I felt later in the day and the following morning.

The next test was my first pilates barre class followed by a 6-mile progression run. While that class kicked my butt (a post for another day!), I still felt strong throughout my run. Once again I was happy with the way my legs felt the rest of the day. And this morning, as I get ready to head out for hill work, my legs are feeling fairly fresh – I’ll be taking another X2Performance before this workout as well.

I’m happy with how things are going so far. I still have a few more bottles left so I will update you again next week.  As a brand ambassador, I’m happy to be able to offer you a chance to try it for yourself!

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You can get a free trial! For a limited time you can a 4-pack to try for yourself. When you click HERE you will need to select a subscription plan but you can cancel the subscription at any time and still get the free trial — even before your first shipment! (There is a $5.95 shipping charge) Everyone’s body chemistry is different, so I encourage you to click over to the site and check it out for yourself – I’m looking forward to seeing how the next few workouts go! I’ll keep you posted 🙂

 

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Filed Under: #TeamX2, training, X2 Performance

March Rewind

March 31, 2014 by 6 Comments

Ah another month coming to a close. And while I got off to a slow start, things definitely improved as the month went on.

Good things for March:
  • While I missed my goal of the #FFMarchMiles 100 mile challenge, my mileage is the highest it’s been since last fall!
  • Returning to hill work – yes I’m putting that in the “good” column 😉
  • Enjoyed some runs with my son!
Things I could do without: 
  • The weather…but we won’t dwell on that! (I’m ignoring the sleet that’s currently beating on my windows!)
What’s up for April:
  • A couple of fun races this month: First the BAA 5K with my son & J, and then returning to the Newport 10 Miler at the end of the month
  • Joining a weekly Pilates Barre class
  • Working with X2 Performance as a brand ambassador – More on this to come!

How about you – was March a good month? Any big plans for April?

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Filed Under: #TeamX2, BAA, month in review, Newport 10 Miler, X2 Performance

A Run in Numbers

March 29, 2014 by 3 Comments

9 — miles

42 — degrees

5 — hills

2 — ponds along the route pond shot

1 — train tracks crossed

6 — friends who beeped when they passed

1 — “Go mom!” yelled by my son as he and J drove by on the way to lacrosse practice

3 — very courteous drivers who actually held up traffic for me

multiple — signs of spring peaking through  sign of spring

1 — Happy Runner!

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Filed Under: by the numbers, long runs

Training check in – Persistance

March 24, 2014 by 6 Comments

Ever have one of those weeks where despite your best intentions things just don’t go as you’d hoped? Yeah well that was this past week for me from a workout perspective. And, while I did beat myself up ever so briefly yesterday, there’s no value on dwelling on the “should haves” – it’s a new week!

Persistance

So the plan for this week? 29 miles running, cross-training, daily core work and rolling. Time to get after it!

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Filed Under: Monday Motivation, training

Friday Five – Running with Kids

March 21, 2014 by 15 Comments

 

As I’ve been running with my son to get ready for the BAA 5K, I wanted to share some tips on running with your kids.

Feet

The idea running must be their idea not yours! I’ve gotten some emails asking “How did you get your son to run with you?” The key is I didn’t “get” him to do anything. As with all of his other interests, starting to run was his choice – and he asked to sign up for a 5K. Trust me you’re better off if you let them come to you with the idea!

Let them set the pace. Yes this can result in sprints followed by walk breaks but eventually they will settle in.

Let them know it’s ok to walk. When we first started running together, my son thought that he must run every step or he wasn’t a “runner.” Clearly he hadn’t seen any of my long runs 🙂

Build slowly. Just because kids have boundless energy and can keep going and going doesn’t mean they should. Build distance as you would with any new runner to avoid injury.

Keep it fun! Above all else this is most important! Our runs have led to some great mid-run giggles and post-run conversations.

Do you run with your kids?

Once again I’m linking up with the lovely ladies of the DC Trifecta. Be sure to stop by and show them some love! DC_linkup

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Filed Under: family running, Friday Five

Spring Madness

March 20, 2014 by 8 Comments

first-day-spring-400x400

I really don’t care what the thermometer says – today is the first day of spring and winter needs to stop being the guest who has stayed too long at the party!

I’ve been chomping at the bit waiting for spring’s arrival – with it comes the hope of consistent runs outside, less layers, and a better attitude towards my runs (this winter more than any other has just wreaked havoc with my running mood!).

Spring will also bring its dose of insanity too – I must admit I just finished updating our family calendar for the next couple of months and had to remind myself to breathe! The calendar is overflowing with lacrosse games and tournaments (J and both my boys play), baseball games, road races (and not just for me!), and multiple school performances; in addition to trying to get a couple of house projects done and reviving my garden. Yep that’s spring madness in my house and I’m ready to embrace every minute of it!

Does it feel like Spring where you are? What are you most looking forward to?

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Filed Under: Spring fever

Training Check-in – Week 2

March 17, 2014 by 17 Comments

check in

So with my oldest son being off this past week for spring break, I probably should have guessed there was going to be some shuffling to get all my workouts in. Coach Bennett also change things up by swapping in some hill work.

All-in-all it was a bit of a mixed bag. (Actual in blue)

Monday: 40 mins cross training — 20 mins

Tuesday: 5 miles — 1.2 miles with my son – Best run of the week!

Wednesday: Strength exercises —  Ran 3.5 miles & a sports massage!

Thursday: Hill repeats — Done

Friday: Strength exercises — Rest day; Hanging out with my son

Saturday: 7 mile LSD — 7.8 miles

Daily: core work & rolling — Missed a couple days

By the end of the week, I was really feeling the fact that I’d missed a couple of days of rolling – so sore! This week will be my son’s second week of break, so I’m sure there will be more shuffling of the workouts. And he won’t be skiing this week, so we’re planning to get some more miles together!

How was your week?

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Filed Under: training

Benefits of Yamuna Body Rolling

March 13, 2014 by 18 Comments

As I’ve been working on getting and keeping my legs happy I have been very diligent about two things – my strengthening exercises and Yamuna Body Rolling. I did a post about Yamuna back when my mom was probably my only reader (Thanks Mom!) – so I thought I’d re-visit some of the reasons why Yamuna Body Rolling is my go-to choice these days for working out the kinks.

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Yamuna Body Rolling (YBR) utilizes several different-sized balls for different parts of your body. The idea is that the compression of these balls into bones, tendons, muscles, and fascia releases restrictions.  So how does it differ from foam rolling? Each ball is designed with a specific density and size and meant to be used for specific areas. As such, Yamuna balls can be used on more areas of the body, offering more flexibility and, therefore, more advantages than foam rollers.

YBR essentially uses the muscles as a roadmap to the body. YBR routines follow specific sequences that match the body’s own logic and order. Starting where each muscle begins, at its origin, you roll toward where it attaches to the point called its insertion. According to the YBR website, by following specific muscles from their beginning to end, you can maximize their length and restore space in your body. This direct approach affects your stuck, adhered tissue, helping to improve its health, balance and circulation while restoring length in a way that stretching alone just can’t.

I was first introduced to YBR by a Pilates teacher (who also happens to be a kick-ass marathoner), and I took classes to learn the various rolling routines. If you want to try YBR I’d highly recommend either learning from a trained Yamuna practitioner or getting one of the DVDs usually sold with the balls so you can learn the best ways to use the balls.

Have you ever tried YBR? What’s your go to method for working out the kinks?

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Filed Under: Recovery, Yamuna Body Rolling

Training Check-in

March 10, 2014 by 4 Comments

Happy Monday!

As I mentioned last week, I’m returning to training updates to help hold myself more accountable. The plan for last week was to “step back” to a week earlier in my training plan to see how my left knee responded.

So how’d it go? (Actual in blue)

Monday: 40 mins cross training — Yoga

Tuesday: 5 miles with negative split on back half — 5.5 miles but no neg. split

Wednesday: Strength exercises — Done

Thursday: 3 mi. tempo plus 1 mile w/u & c/d — Done

Friday: Strength exercises — Done

Saturday: 7 mile LSD — 7.25 miles

Daily: core work & rolling — Done

Every run felt like a serious effort but I got them done. And, while sore, there was no knee pain while running! So the week was a huge win in my book! To make sure I’m on the right track I’ll basically be repeating the same plan this week with just a slightly longer run on Thursday. Also looking forward to running with my oldest son this week while he’s home on spring break 🙂

What are you looking forward to this week? 

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Filed Under: training

Sleep is a Recovery Tool

March 6, 2014 by 10 Comments

Snoopy Cartoon

Like rest days, sleep is often an overlooked, but critical component of your training cycle.

While you sleep, your body does some much needed repair work. Did you know that it’s during sleep that the human growth hormone (yep the infamous HGH) is released to help aid muscle repair? Without enough HGH in your system, your recovery is slowed. Did you also know, that when HGH levels are down due to lack of sleep, that cortisol levels are on the rise? Too much cortisol in your system can also disrupt your body’s ability to recover properly.

There’s also the emotional impact of cutting your ZZZs short. Lack of proper sleep can really impact your ability to focus, think clearly and your mood — clearly not a good thing for anything you’ve got going on in your life including your running. I know personally that when I get overtired I become too dependent on my beloved coffee and some times don’t make the best food choices throughout the day. Being overtired also starts to drag on my motivation — hard to get up for that speed workout when your body’s craving sleep!

So how much sleep is enough?

While I’ve read time and again that “experts” recommend anywhere from 7 to 9 hours – most will also say, as with so many other things,  that it depends on the person. For me, I’ve found that I’m at my best with 7 hours – that’s when I can wake up sans alarm clock and don’t feel the need to cling to my pillow. I think the lack-of-alarm-clock test is a good one to help you find your “ideal” amount of sleep.

After going into sleep-deprivation last month during the Olympics, I’ve been trying to reel in my late night ways. A couple of things I’ve found that help:

  • Stepping away from my laptop at a reasonable hour
  • No caffeine after 3 in the afternoon
  • No late night snacking
  • Stretching and rolling to help wind down
  • Consistent bed time

How do you make sure your getting enough sleep?

 

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Filed Under: need more sleep, Recovery