Ihop made me do it.
Well, perhaps that's not the best way to phrase it. I was gearing up this past Saturday, March 5, to race the Midwest Indoor Championships, and happened to have the TV on. As I was about to turn the TV off, I saw it. The newest Ihop commercial - promoting a new special, chicken and waffles. Breaded, fried, chicken and waffles. I sat there, stunned, as the commercial depicted a couple, who looked relatively fit, gorging on chicken and waffles. As a Paleo Diet convert, not putting my fist through the television became difficult. But even if I hadn't changed my diet, I was never frequenting Ihop for meals, and ate pretty clean, realizing it wasn't the best place to get good fuel for training and racing.
In stunned silence, my mind raced with all the info on Child obesity, adult obesity, diabetes rising at a geometric rate, all the info about how we are the fattest country in the world and here was a commercial not only embracing an unhealthy lifestyle, but celebrating it as well. I really didn't need more motivation to race hard, but with that commercial stuck in my head, I was even more encouraged to put on a show.
So, at 10:45, I was hopping at the start line of the race, my second one in 6 days, and felt particularly strong. Once the gun went off, I never looked back, feeling the strength that returned to my legs after appendix surgery, and my pace was at a nice clip. The best part, I wasn't feeling taxed or near redline, I was faster than ever, and noticed I was feeling really strong. Stronger than ever. That same feeling took me through the bike, where my real motivation for racing this event - my 2 nieces, were there to watch thier favorite uncle do his thing. And as I was first off the bike by over 4 minutes, I was able to hear them clear as day while running around the track solo, constantly pouring on the speed, looking to break my own course record, and capture my third indoor Du title in a row. As I rounded the last lap of the second run, I knew I had the win, and the course record, and was feeling powerful all the way through the end. I pumped my fist at my side and start clapping once I crossed the line, going over to kiss my nieces and Mom. And then I realized it, I was a changed athlete. For the better.
How? Well, Crossfit and Crossfit Endurance. In the 6 days between races, I did 3 crossfit workouts in addition to my endurance training. Conventional training programs will tell you never lift during a race week. Well, I saw first hand that was bs. Granted the race was short, but it still required tons of top end speed and the ability to go near anaerobic threshold the entire time. I felt no ill effects from Crossfit, and actually felt stronger and faster than ever. And this is 4 weeks post appendix surgery. Technically I wasn't supposed to do anything more than walk for 3 weeks after surgery. But I had raced twice, with 2 big wins, and never felt I was loosing anything.
The other main component to feeling good, and constant improvement - nutrition. Eating clean has made a huge difference, but the things I use to supplement meals, or to repair muscles is just as critical. Enter the company - Stronger, Faster, Healthier. The good folks at SFH make the cleanest form of protein out there, and by far the best damn fish oil as well. But don't just take my word for it - go online and check out www.strongerfasterhealthier.com to see the research and testing they have put into thier products. I use thier stuff because of what they stand for, how they develop the products and the time and effort they put into making products specifically designed to enhance athletic performance. Period.
I keep hoping for the day when commercials will be promoting products like SFH or First Endurance, realizing that what they stand for, what they produce, is about creating a truly healthier lifestyle. Then I won't be muttering "f'ing Ihop" under my breath when getting ready to race. Or maybe Charlie Sheen will find a way to sell his "Tiger blood" at market. Watch, I probably just jinxed myself and will see him on a late night infomercial shilling his blood to pay for his "goddesses".
Stay strong,
Guy
