A Runners X-mas List...

So what's on your Christmas list this year????

Well, as a avid runner I have to admit all of my Christmas gifts listed are running related. Here are some of my top five and hoping to find them under the tree (even if I put them there)

1. Orangemud V2: As I slowly increase my files up to 18, my hope is this baby can help me manage my nutrisian and hydration.

• Synthetic
• Made in USA and Imported
• Food/accessory pockets on the shoulders for quick access.
• Front chest pockets for access to nutrition on the fly.
• Adjustable bottle capacity from 21 to 26 oz.
• Glove like design for a comfy fit.
• Weight 437 grams! 

2.  Garmin Forerunner 235: This would would be my ultimate running watch.

• WRIST BASED HEART RATE - Forerunner 235 utilizes Garmin's very own wrist based heart rate sensor that tracks 24/7.
• LARGER SCREEN - A 44% larger screen than the 225 but the same physical size.
• BATTERY LIFE - 12 weeks in watch mode and 12 hours in training mode
• AUDIO PROMPTS - Receive audio prompts from your connected smartphone that include laps and lap times.
• SMART NOTIFICATIONS - See incoming email, text messages, call alerts, calendar reminders and more from your compatible smartphone

3.  Asics Gel-Nimbus-17- This would make my feet feel great and I might run faster! I especially like the Light Show version.

• Fabric/Manmade
• Imported
• Rubber sole
• Lace-up running shoe featuring FluidFit seamless upper with reflective details
• Padded tongue and collar
• ComforDry X40 lining with removable cushioned footbed

 4.  Altra Lone Peak Trail Shoe

• Synthetic
• Imported
• Rubber sole
• Designed to improve wet and hot feet, toe splay, traction, stability, running form and speed
• Platform: FootShape toe box with fully cushioned Zero Drop  platform
• Dual layer EVA with A-Bound? top layer
• Sticky-Rubber TrailClaw midsole
• Strapless gaiter attachment (???)

 

Revel Canyon Half Marathon

This was my first time running this race and I selected because it was close, I had heard some challenging things about it, which intrigued me.

Signup: Was super easy, there website is super informative and easy to navigate. They offer discounts and no high processing fees like other races.

Expo: The expo was very basic, I got there mid-expo and there were not many vendors or free samples like some of the bigger races. However, grabbing my bib was fast with no wait. The shirts were very cool, one of the best designs I have seen.

Race Day: Parking was at a nearby college and overall it was easy to get in and out. For this race you have to get on a bus and they drive you up for about a half hour. The bus was good, it was very cold in the morning and the buses were heated so that was good. Once you got up to the start, the cold just hit you. They did provide those "fake" aluminum type blankets to keep your warm and some gloves. Those helped a little, but the coldness was very difficult, especially if you are not a fan of cold weather like me. The race started on time, and everyone got rid of their jackets and sweaters right before the race started. Those things were placed in a drop bag and put in a truck before the start.

Course: OK so this is a downhill course for 96% of the way, the first three miles you do hit some up hills but they don't seem so bad because the downhill makes up for it. At approximately mile, 10 or so you leave the canyon and the road is mostly flat for the next two miles. At mile 13 there was a uphill portion that most people myself included found difficult with tired legs. I saw many people walking that hill, and so was I until i got some motivation from a runner next to me and I was able to push through.

Finish Line: The Finish line is nice with a good amount of people cheering you on. The medal that you receive is Amazing and well worth the effort. They did provide water, bananas, cold wet towels, energy bars, bagels, chips, and PIE. It was enough to get some fuel in and start the recovery process. The process to find your grab bag was fast and easy. There is a small walk back to the parking area, but it was not too bad.

Overall: The best part of this race is good communication and organization. The medal is very cool and the views are great. They provide free pics, if you they happen to take some (i only had one).

Cons: It is cold out there in the morning!

I would highly recommend this race to anyone looking for a change to the common half marathon, it is a challenge, but well worth the money and time. Looking forward to 2016!

Training Program-80/20

So, I'm not sure if I have mentioned that I started a new training program. Most are aware of the 80/20 program. Matt Fitzgerald released a book not too long ago about this system in which you run 80% of your miles slow and 20% high intensity. This is my third week doing this training and at first I was skeptical. Slow running just seems boring like I could read a newspaper and run at the same time. But my legs seem to appreciate the slower pace, and I can run more and recover faster. Even my fast miles are faster than I'm used too. The goal is to continue this type of training for the Long Beach Half Marathon and hopeful reach or beat my goal time of 2:15. At the OC half I missed by goal by 47 seconds. So I'm hopeful this training will help and I will have a good pace.

If you are interested in this program, I would suggest that you pick up the book. The book does have a lot of information on research that might bore some people, but it's good to know that the program has been looked into and found to be useful.

REVIEW: Simply Hydration Bottle

This weekend I tried out the Simple Hydration Bottle. It as advertised as:

• 13 ounces is the perfect amount of liquid for most training runs or as a race bottle.
• Wide mouth opening makes it easy to fill and clean.
• The hook allows the bottle to rest on a waistband, race belt or sports bra.
• Contoured design fits nicely to the shape of the body.
• BPA-Free bottle made of LDPE and made in the USA.
 

 

Ran 8 miles with the bottle hooked on to my flip-belt. First four miles it was in my back. Initial, I didn't feel it but after the second mile I felt that it was weighing down the back of my shorts. I felt like I might be showing butt crack, LOL.  

The next for miles I moved  it to the front and it side to the left of my hip. This was a much better fit and i didn't not feel the weight (at this time there was a bit less water). It was nice to have something  to drink without having to carry something in my hand or wearing a hydration pack. 

Thumbs up: stayed in place in my flip-belt and I did not feel the weight once I found a good position for it. It did not leak and it was easy to get too.

Thumbs down: you need to find the right place for it and make sure you are wearing something supportive to keep it in place.

In the Nerd Running Bag: YES

Let's Get Started....again!

So I haven't blogged for a while I which I could say it was because I was running around the world, but, unfortunate that is not the case. My mom passed away on May 29, 2015 and since then I have not had time to really be online. I have continued to do small runs, but now it is time to get started again, Mom would have wanted me to keep running. She would have said in Spanish of course "Don't get fat again". Ok mom I will do my best to keep going, keep running, and stay healthy.

I will be posting more stuff so please keep coming back for more!

Next Race: Long Beach Half

REVIEWS: EARBUDS

I’m not sure if this is just me, but I had been on a mission for months to find my perfect pair of running earbuds. I wanted something with good sound and some control. Here are some reviews for a few I tried.


Bose Freestyle Earbuds, Ice Blue ($129.95)














Yes, these are a bit pricey, but as part of my search a looked into both low cost and higher cost earbuds. These have volume control, as well as the ability to skip tracks and answer phone calls. They are fit very nicely in your ears and have never fallen out. The audio is good and they don’t get tangled easily.

Thumbs up: Controls, stay in place, don’t hurt ears.

Thumbs Down: Cost my be a deal breaker for some.

In the Nerd running bag: YES



JLab JBuds EPIC earbuds ($33.00)

These include 4 Sizes Revolutionary Cush Fins and 6 Gel Tips, Custom Zippered Travel Case and Universal Mic and Easy-to-Use Track Control. These sound very good, and don’t make your ears hurt even after 10 or 11 miles. Once you get the fins in correctly, they stay in place. However, the fins are not connected to the earbuds, and can easily come off. I already lost two.

Thumbs Up: Good sound for a good price, don’t hurt your ears.
Thumbs Down: Fins fall off easy and can get lost in no time.


In the Nerd running bag:  NO




Decibullz custom molded earplugs ($25.99)

How do they work? Simply heat the Decibullz thermoplastic molds in boiling water, let them cool for a bit, and shape them to your ears. So the deal with these is they do work, they do mold to the shape of your ear to help most earbuds stay in place. I did need to reshape them a few times to get them right. The only issue I had with these is that they hurt my ears after 30 minutes, since they are hard. I would recommend them if you have a favorite pair of earbuds that need help staying in place.

Thumbs Up: Easy to use with instructions.
Thumbs Down: Hurt my ears (maybe just me)

 In the Nerd running bag: NO

REVIEWS: Flipbelt Reivew ($28.00)

Got the new Flip-belt after a upgraded to the new IPhone 6 plus which is huge. So I used this on a three mile run and it was easy to put on, putting the phone took a little effort, but not too bad. It stayed in place and I did not feel the phone at all. I even put a small key and the key also stayed in place. I completely forgot I was wearing the belt. The belt adds no extra weight and keeps your stuff close. I like the material, and especially like that it looks nothing like a fanny pack. Actually it's not even visible if you wear it under your shirt.

Thumbs Up: Easy to use, stays in place, does not bounce, or shift.
Thumbs Down: Not easy access to your phone, like an armband so you can’t look at it without having to take it out. If you use running apps this may be a down side.

In the Nerd running bag: YES

More Fuel Please!

So, I started back up again after the lung infection thing as settled down. I am feeling better than ever, and running very well. So I am getting ready for my next race, which is the OC Half Marathon in May. This is my second half marathon so I feel a bit more relaxed since I kind know what to expect. I have been told that this one has a lot of turns and some hills. So I'm doing some hill repeats to help, but I don't like hills at all and neither does my knees and back.  Also, the race is the day after my son's b-day party, I guess I will be suffering from lack of sleep.

I started up with some long runs again, and tried a new fueling source, which was the Power Bar Performance Energy Wafer, Chocolate Peanut Butter.

I am not a fan of peanut butter, but in this particular brand, there is not much to dislike. It tasked good, a little sweet to eat all at once, but it was a source of fuel and a good feel a rush of energy from them. I'll probably try them one or two more times during runs, to make sure they will work ok during the big race. These are recommended if you do not mind some sweetness.

NERD OUT

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The Human Body

I have not posted for a while, because i was having some lung issues. My lungs became enlarged due to a prior infection that did not heal properly. I had to take a week off running and use two medications. Weird thing is know that I started running again, I'm almost a minute faster on my regular runs than I was before, except my legs get tired a bit faster than usually. The farthest I have run so far is 4.5 miles. I hope that next week I can start doing my long runs again.

I also have family issues, because this weekend my mother who is 83 years old was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in between her liver and pancreas. I bad spot to be, I have been told by the doctors. She has spent a week in the hospital, and I have spent much of my downtime there as well. Except today I have myself a little break and decided to stay home.

I hope that things will work out well for mom, keeping the faith!

My son and I have a run this weekend, and to be honest I am very distracted. We have not gone running together for almost two weeks, because he was sick last week and this week has been crazy with mom in the hospital. I hope we can still have fun.

Keep Running, and Keep your Heads Up.

Nerd Out!

Review: Swiftwick Performance Socks ($11-$25.00)

Ok, so I am no sure how I discovered these socks, but my first pair came from Marshalls and were marked as imperfect. What was wrong with them I don’t know, they felt fine and kept my feet nice and comfy during my run. Then I learned that this come in difference lengthens from zero to twelve, and now I have one of each. These socks are very comfortable and offer some compression with no blistering. I have used them several times to run 10 miles or more and they have kept my feet happy. I know there are so many types of socks out there including cushion, thin, no shows, compression, and so on. You do have to try a few to find one or two brands that work for you, but once you do your feet will thank you!

Thumbs up: slight compression, no blistering, keeps feet happy
Thumbs down: well, some will think paying $11.00 + for one pair of socks is a high price.

In the Nerd running bag: YES

Fuel-Taste Test!

Yesterday I had my long run, I thought I would try some new fueling items. So this is the deal, when you run for more than an hour it is suggested that you take in some carbs to help you moving along. Some people say they never do, and finish fine. I have learned that I do need something or I feel sick at the end of my long runs. So this is the new stuff I tried yesterday and my OWN opinion of how it worked for me.

Probar Blot: Organic Energy Chews, Strawberry- These I took after about 55 minutes of running, and I had one before I started. TASTE: So they are chews, and yes they are sticky and stay all over your teeth. Also, they were a bit too sweet for me, the sweetness became to much, started tasting like medicine. Verdict: NERD SAYS NO!


Nuun- Active Hydration tabs-You put these tabs in your water (16oz) and wait about 2 minutes, they mix and you have some flavored water with electrolytes and stuff keep you hydrated. I selected the Lemon-Lime, but there are several other flavor. I thought it was ok, maybe would be good on a longer run, or a hotter day. VERDICT: I will probably try this again, but maybe select another flavor.

Cliff: Builder's Snack Size: Chocolate Peanut Butter 10G Protein Bar- I got this as a sample for a race I did a week ago. I eat a small piece after my run, and spit most of it out except for the small chocolate chucks it had. This was kind of gross for me, I don't like things that taste like nothing, this tasted like cardboard. I could not even make out what I was eating, didn't taste like peanut butter to me. I don't eat things because I should, I eat things that taste good and I know what in the product.  VERDICT: NERD SAYS NO!

NERD OUT!