Blizzard Blast Race Review

So Sunday, January 25th, I ran an awesome race called blizzard blast. It is by the same guy that runs panic in the dark. It turned out to be a magical day, the race got pushed back a day about a month before the race, from Saturday to Sunday. This was a blessing in disguise. Racers were offered a refund if desired or an entry into a future race, which was awesome! I would not miss the chance to run a race in the snow. Especially since i just got a pair of icebugs! (Review coming after i get some more runs in on them. The weather was perfect! Just between 2 snowstorms, the amount of fresh snow to run over was great. This races mantra is "there is no off season" and with races like this one, i agree! The race was about 5.7 miles long, and i loved every second of it (could you tell?) I will probably not remember every obstacle, but there were fun ones you won't see elsewhere. This race is known for the keg swings, it is what it sounds like you swing holding onto the keg handles, similar to ring swings like in gymnastics, there were 4, then a truss to go across like monkey bars, followed up by 3 more kegs to swing on. This was pretty hard, good thing the penalty is 10 snow angels, i just went till i got it, on the third try. They also had a peg board on a tree, it was pretty hard but with good grip on the tree with your legs it was doable (i think this is where the icebugs studs really helped). There were 2 sections where we got to hop on sleds, a giant see saw, walls to climb, duck and traverse. And finally a Christmas tree carry just before the finish line, it was long and hard, but fun. (Photo thanks to my fellow Spahten Vince Rhee)

Several places on course that you were running over giant sheets of ice covered by a few inches of snow. The good thing though was, through was that the few of the bad spots there were volunteers placed in front, and warning people, it was an awesome touch! The venue was great, pretty cool country club, good food options that were free for racers, we also got a blizzard blast buff, and the medal is a bottle opener.

This race also marked the beginning of #racelocal, if you don't know whats that is check here for the FAQ page. But basically it is a group of races, that have proven to be quality, locally owned ocrs. I ran a few of them last year, and only heard good things about some of the other races, but you earn cool swag the more you race. But back to the race, if you want to do a fun ocr, check out both blizzard blast, and panic in the dark.

Plant fusion product review

In case any of you were wondering, my protein shake of choice is the Plant Fusion. I am  big fan of the taste. I am lactose intolerant, and when i was doing whey it did not agree with me (constant gas). I drink these shakes everyday, I even started making cookies and bars with this powder (recipes, and reviews are next on the list). I tried some others, the only one I remember was garden of life raw. I really did not like the way it tasted, I think it was chalky, and did not mix as well as the plant fusion. this powder is fine, and mixes really well. I use almond milk, I have read way too many things about soy, and its negative affects on the body. I like that this is made from quinoa and amaranth, and gmo free. I have only had the chocolate flavor, i have discovered in a protein shake chocolate flavors are the best, it hides any bed flavors easily. It has bcaa from peas and a bunch of other goodies from plant sources.


So if you are looking for a protein source, and want it to be vegan, and allergy free, this is a great choice

Darn tough socks review

Wool socks have been gaining in popularity in running, and darn tough socks have been at the top, showing up in magazines and cites all over the internet explaining that they are great for ocrs. This could not be more true, they have a lifetime guarantee, i have yet to need it, but i have spoken with friends and i have been told that they are quick to solve problems, so that is a plus.  I bought them for running ocrs, wool is great, and cotton is not good when running through water and mud. Cotton retains water for way to long. Wool also helps reducing chances of blisters when running. I have several pairs of the hiking ones, and a few of the road running socks. (Hiking and Running). They have done great when trail running or racing, I have done 18 miles over rolling hills, and highly technical trail, and no trail toes, and no new blisters or anything (sore arches but socks can not stop that). The socks are also great at regulating body temperature. Unless you are wearing long socks you will not notice them in the summer, i actually switched over to darn tough socks for all of my socks. They help keep me warm in the colder weather and cool in the hotter weather. I have talked with a few friends who thought that wool in the summer can make you sweat early and be uncomfortable, but they are great! Socks are one of the things that can be easily overlooked when it cones to running and/or racing gear, but they make a difference in comfort.

Bottom line they are not cheap (no wool socks that last are cheap) but they are worth every penny!

New balance 411 all terrain product review

This year almost every single race i ran, i ran 2 laps at every ocr, (11 races, mostly spartans, mostly 5 mile max per lap) these shoes are awesome! They started at F.I.T. Challenge in april, all the way through panic in the dark in October. These shoes (with darn tough wool socks) have been incredibly comfortable all year! The grip on these are good, i had no issue with grip on any of the trails, rocks, ropes, walls or anything in between. You can also see that there is still plenty of tread on the bottom, the shoes are still in good order just dirty from racing. These shoes are great quality, no tearing or any issues, they are regular trail runners so drainage is not great, but the material is breathable so you can still run an ocr in the with no real worry. You can find them for around 50 bucks and they are great, they have enough cushioning in there that all the jumping around on the trails does not kill your feet, and trust me (the random guy you may have not met) i put some damage on these shoes, i can land hard off the top of a wall, or jumping rock to rock. And i did not track the mileage on these shoes but they lasted the 6 months and they were still in good shape at the end of the life span of the shoes. So if you are like me and do not have a huge shoe budget, and want a quality shoe these are a good choice! (I spend my money on the races i can not volunteer for) 

Bottom line if you want a good trail runner on a budget these shoes are a great choice

Yulefest c5k

One of my new favorite local race companies is cambridge5k. I did their Oktoberfest and it was great! Fun, great environment, plenty of cowbells, all you can eat and drink after the race, free bag check, so happy i found this company. On Thursday i went to bib pick up at the cambridgeside galleria, and they gave us a giant coupon book, and 3 stickers for parking validation. And we were right next to Santa. Race day was awesome, meeting friends pre race, hanging out was awesome, i even managed a new pr, guess the whole ultra training is paying off. I had not run a 5k since their Oktoberfest (insert date here) everything had been either hiit on Mondays with strength mixed in, long runs, or medium ones, i had a few quick runs, just a mile i ran so i did not louse speed. But i was focused on slower speed, and longer distance, so lets just say i had been nervous about my speed (that and i had not run much the week before or after the ultra, it was an easy one 2 days before, then monday nights hiit. Afterwards i was sore, and had a myofasha massage to fix my hips and legs that were just crazy off from all the trail running and training. So my concern felt warranted, but man i hit the ground running, and from the back of the corral. Just another example that too much worry does not help things at all. Train to your best abilities, listen to your body, rest is very important, as is recovery. Even though at times it felt like i was wasting time, maybe resting too much, have faith in yourself, it makes a world of difference.

Back to the race, so it was a 5 k, we did a loop in Cambridge, you could easily find street parking close by for free. There were many people dressed up in costume, first place was some guy dressed in a banana costume, (matching a lady who went as a monkey). Bag check is free! And pretty close by, then it was time for the after party. Plenty of different and random beer vendors, and unos was giving out deep dish pizza. They had pretzels as well, they are great, and core power was there (hell they are everywhere). They had a dance party, and prizes for best male and female dancers, as well as prizes for fastest overall and age group categories, and costumes. This race series is always a fun event, and i look forward to more from this series in the future! (i Dressed as Superman!)

Now the next puzzle i get to work on is how to properly treat "off season" it is in quotation marks because in New England we still have races in the snow, more about those as they get closer, like blizzard blast, and polar bear challenge. Their may be more on the horizon but keeping work happy, and giving my body a break in the slower race time is very important. I think i may try to focus on strength more in the winter, and finally get the hurc hoist at a spartan on my own next year. 

Until next time

Keep training

Stephen

(P.S. Photo Credit Cambridge Chronicle)

The tarc ultra

I dnf'd, first time i have done that, and i am kind of ok with it? My legs were not happy with me. My it band got very sore around mile 10, but i was already about 2 miles in to my second loop, and i was not hoping to turn around. I at least got my 2 laps, so my first journey into ultras did not go as planned. But i started real strong, just faster than i had planned. Most of my body wanted to keep moving, just need to work on the hip flexors, it was supposed to rain all day, and be mid 40's but it was actually not really raining until the second loop that i ran, it was a small race, but an awesome time with awesome people, everybody was smiling and encouraging each other on course, and at aid stations. Some things i will keep in mind for next time: different pack, ( the looks i got for wearing my ruck bullet) i was told it was too heavy and Try not to be sick (luckily it was just a head cold). Also work on a race that is flatter, the constant rolling hills were asking to break those unprepared for  the millage. Even with all that happening, i will be back at it again next year. I can not stress how welcoming the environment is at tarc, they are awesome people i only knew a few people there, but everybody was super nice, and helpful, which as i was shivering was awesome when one of the volunteers wrapped a blanket around me! the idea of everybody chipping in with snacks is awesome, they had hot soup, (that really hit the spot!) i do not know if this is the world of all ultras, or just tarc, but it was an awesome experience. not completing the race was a big fear, and day of, seeing how warm people were, it did not feel like a horrible loss, but like i tried my best, and that is what mattered! it really helped as i was getting ready to drop out, to see a woman, who just walked right up, and was just like "i'm dnfing" so casual, at that moment i realized i was just making myself anxious over nothing, it took away all the stress, and i felt good with my achievement.

I did record my first lap, probably too fast to maintain for 32 miles, considering how hard this course is, i was very happy at the speed, it was about a minute or two off my pr for this loop.

Oh yeah, almost forgot this year, they did a great job with marking the course, i heard people got lost last year, and this year it was really hard to get lost! so it was awesome to see not only a great cmmunity, but also they made improvements over previous years!

Overall, i had a blast, and will use this to add to my determination to do better in the future!
Until next time
Keep training
Stephen

Group effort (training, and racing w/ battle buddies)

I can not stress enough the importance of group workouts. To me it has made a world of difference! To have people that hold you accountable, rivalry that form so you push each other constantly. It is a great support, because when you are tired somebody else is catching a second (or third or fourth) wind, which can help push you more. Weather it is running or strength training. I joined up with my teammates (New England Spahtens and our facebook page is Here) at the beginning of the year, (lost some hours at work, but kept my goal in mind) and quickly became friends, we still meet every week, all are welcome, and every week we work our butts off and laugh really hard as well. I would not change this routine for anything. Along the way i have made more friends, and train with as many people as i can fit into my schedule! I will always join in on a group workout if i can work on my work schedule. Plus in a group you can help each other with forum, and brainstorming new ideas, and when you get to do body weight with other people it is awesome! I have found out that even when there are several people that are faster, and stronger you can still push them, as you push yourself. I naturally like to be competitive a little, and push myself to be better than i was before, and when you get a few people together that think like that, you will be making strides in your training, more than you may realize in fact (i never notice my improvements until somebody points it out, or i look way back) There is also a term used in my team (and elsewhere i am sure) called battle buddy, usually in reference to somebody that will run a race with you and help each other out. It is a rewarding thing, i love to go all out and go for time, but after that i will easily do a fun lap, and help people through the course, it is also an amazing experience, smiling and laughing all through the course!

They say if you want to go fast go alone, but if you want to go far go with a group. I could not agree more, except they also help with my speed.

Untill next time
Keep training
Stephen