Everlast Sample

 I belong to one of the best running groups out there-Moms Run This Town. There are chapters everywhere and they are some of the most friendly and welcoming runners you will every meet. I highly recommend you look them up. I am a mom and these ladies get revolving kid schedules, running at odd hours and the need for some adult conversation sometimes. Its is a free group and they run at all different paces. Let me tell you, it is really nice to walk up to a race start and run into someone you know so you don't have to start alone.

Recently I had the change to try a new Protein Powder through that group. Everlast Vegan Protein Vanilla. Normally, protein powder-YUCK! Its like drinking liquid chalk, its sticks to the darn cup and doesn't wash off in the dishwasher, not to mention, it you don't like chocolate like me, your options are usually limited as the other flavors are even worse if there are other flavors. I was cautious, but after finding that even a carnation instant breakfast after a long run helped, I was game to try. It couldn't be any worse then the others I had tried.

My sample came and I saw that it was vanilla...not chocolate. There was potential. I figured I had a long run coming up in a couple of weekends and I would give it a try after that run.

The day dawned hot and steamy. Virginia has recently decided to mimic a sauna, even at 6  in the morning. Even taking water with you, you are thirsty and hot and have sweated five pounds of water and nutrients out when you are done. I met my friend and off we went. We were so miserable that when we went by an apartment complex with the sprinklers on we walked...no, strolled, through the sprinklers. Thank you apartment complex. Same time next week.

Despite drinking my now warm sports drink on the run, I was starting to get a headache. For me, this is indicative of one of two things...not enough fluids or I have lost too many of the essential minerals (read salt) through sweat.  It was a great day to try the sample.

Once home and showered (I know, I know- eat first, shower later) I went down and mixed it up. Opening the packet I noticed the powder was finer then most protein drinks I had tried. I mixed it up and it mixed better too. I did only use a spoon so a shaker ball would probably be even better, but it didn't have all that drink froth on the top that you have to slog through before you get to drink the rest.

Down the hatch! It had a creamer texture and was a little thicker then what I had expected, but it tasted good! Not grainy, not chunky with bits that didn't mix. I drank the whole thing. Better yet, it wasn't chocolate. Better yet, it was vanilla! So, I checked the ingredients, the nutrition and the cost.

There are two things I don't like. It has carrageen, which supposedly isn't good for you. However, this depends on how much you ingest and what study you read. You do the research and you choose. The other thing is the sodium. While I agree, I need to put my sweaty, nasty salt back, I think I would rather do it naturally. As a society, we eat more sodium then we need just in our meals. Then we add table salt. Most people do need to add it synthetically too. I don't have a blood pressure issue, but that may be something to consider for those who do. As always, consult your doctor before starting a new diet/exercise program etc. and remember, this is only what I think and I am NOT a professional. (this is where I say, you are on your own, always be smart about what you do and try and I take no responsibility, etc.)

The leaves the big question of cost. Having found one I liked, I wondered what it would cost me. Most seem to average 35-45 bucks per container. Everlast has this one on its site on sale for about $40.00. Amazon sells it for twice that. A little expensive for my purse...but I liked it and it was on sale. I would like to try it mixed with ice and bananas or blueberries, but if I doesn't stay on sale, honestly, I probably won't buy it again. So that's what I did today. Not a race, but it could help with a race in the future.

Remember to rest

     Since the last post I have run the Heart Break Half at Camp Pendleton in California. California-check. Then The Petersburg Inaugural Half , The Elizabeth River Run 10k and then threw in Run for the Dream 5k and half for good measure. The first two were in May, a month after my 2 marathons in 7 days escapade, the others I ran in May. I don't like racing. Not at all. (Said with a healthy dose of sarcasm.)

     Heart Break half was rough. Its really called heart break hill for a reason. But, I checked of California and the neatest thing was to meet some girls from the west coast who are in another chapter of the Moms Run this Town Group I am a part of. Coast to coast MRTT, since I am from Virginia.

 ummmm...up hill both ways?

 It wasn't nearly as hot before the sun came up.

Can you find the civilian?

 

     It was one rough race. One that I am probably the most proud of. While there didn't seem to be many of us who weren't either retired, reserved or active duty, they were the friendliest along the course I have seen. They encourage everyone. Those running were throwing out encouragement. I wasn't last and I barely made it under the time limit, but it was worth it. My most awesome best friend even drove down hill to pick me up, so I wouldn't have to walk up the hill to car when I was done. You know you have a great friend when she does that AND gets up at the crack of dawn to drag your butt to a race she isn't even walking in.

     The one thing I noticed was I was tired after this race. Tired enough to take a nap. Say what?! A nap? Those are for sissies, right? I have never needed to do that after a race. My legs didn't hurt, but they were definitely not up to snuff either. Hmmm... Well, nap I did. I felt much better after, but my legs were still tired. We wrapped up California and sadly went home.

     Off to Petersburg a week later. I tried some short runs in between, but my legs were just heavy. Tired, heavy blocks of I don't know what. So I rested some more. When we got to Petersburg, I was excited but given the way my legs had been feeling planned on not running a fast (ish-for me) race from the beginning. I was also looking forward to the history of the place, but leery of it being and inaugural race.

     The first mile, my legs felt great, up hill no less. Then at about a mile and half they stopped working, at least the way I wanted them to. At about mile two, I gave up. I would have to run the pace my legs wanted to go. I would finish, but the lead bricks I had for legs said that pace wasn't going to be very fast at all. The marathons and lack of resting had caught up. Now I knew why people took a month off after a marathon. Lead legs is an awful feeling. I would finish the race and then was determined to take it easy.

 Downtown Petersburg, predawn

 Downtown Petersburg, dawn

 a meeting of the re-enactment minds

 Take back Virginia!

     I loved all the history. It was a great race. There were some things I would like to see done better...more water stops at the end, so you don't die in the heat, pizza without a bucket of salt added. Really, there are better ways for me to put that back...say some cold Gatorade, Powerade or something? Packet pick up was easy, the course was well manned and handled...hehe...manhandled. I would definitely run this again.

 

     I now had three weeks to rest my legs. Hahaha! Well, I kinda did. I found that if I didn't keep running the little voice in my head got louder...and cranky. I berated my poor legs for still being slow and tires and not moving fast enough, so I would take a day or two off and try to rest them, but when they were still slow I got frustrated. I didn't want to run. Realizing my old shoes were way beyond their life time, I got new shoes, but not the ones I normally get. BIG MISTAKE. While they weren't bad, and would be just fine for a 5k, anything beyond that made my feet hurt. I kept at it, sucking it up and ordered new shoes. I had hope new shoes would help refresh my legs, but with the wrong shoes, this didn't happen.

 

     The day before my next half, the Marine Corp Historic Half, the right shoes came in. YEAH! Lets just say Cinderella has nothing on good running shoes.

 

Hospital Hill, here I come, tired legs and all. It would be another slow race.

 13.1 Baby!

 Proud to be and American.

 Wish they were handing out water!

 Looking up Hospital Hill...at the half way.

Looking down...at the half way.

     It rained the night before, absolutely poured. We were excited to think it would cool things off...not so much. This was like running Virginia Beach Rock n Roll...hot, humid and miserable. I was so stinky and sweaty...ugh! Even Glide didn't completely help! The good news was, everyone had a slower race, and the even better news...my lefts felt better.

 

     Lets throw in a 10k for good measure...plus I love this run. Its fun, local and friendly. This year the course got cut short because we had an emergency helicopter landing at the hospital we usually run around, but I can't complain about that. They were saving lives. Besides, the race crew adjust the course in record time, let us know what was up and we STILL started on time, had awards and yummy food at the end.

 

     To round everything out, my daughter joined me for Run for the Dream. I love this race. Don't know why, but I do. This was my third time running it. Friday, I ran the 5k with my daughter. She hates running, but does it to spend time with me and make me happy. What and awesome kid! Again with the hot and humid. Welcome to summer in Hampton Roads.  This won't ease up until October...if I am lucky. So you give you body time to adjust and don't except and PR's other then for that particular race and course. If you are lucky, it rains and you run faster because the rain cools it down.

Williamsburg, VA

 Williamsburg, VA

Williamsburg, VA

So here is what I learned...

1) everyone needs some rest, even me

2) lead legs suck

3) the wrong shoes do NOT help recovery

4) and in light of that, but LOTS of the new "right" shoes- they are pretty and make your feet and legs happy

5) sometimes, its ok to slow down and just enjoy the race

 

     I know, everyone already knows that. But somehow, I can convince myself I am exempt, until it happens. I very much dislike resting, but when it gets to a point where I am not excited to run, its time to stop and rest. This is why people taper right before marathons and normally, don't cram in so many races their legs start a sit in to protest.

 

     I have not more races until August and I have been doing easy evening runs to rest the legs. They are finally starting to get back to the speed they were at before, but dang!, it took FOREVER! and they still aren't there completely! Hot or not, I am at least excited to run again. Maybe I can thrown in a one in NY in July? hmmmm...we shall see!