Hey all,
As most of you know, when it comes to nutrition, I'm pretty picky. So when I was first introduced to EnduroPacks, I wasn't sure what to think. I did my research, and was pretty impressed with what I read. So I welcomed the opportunity to test the products for 30 days. As I approach the end of the trial, I am extremely happy that I did.
The crew from EnduroPacks sent me their 4 products with some easy to use instructions, which I greatly appreciated. The entire basis for the products - replace the vitamins and minerals that endurance athletes burn through daily. Even when eating extremely clean, the body is still in need of essential vitamins and minerals that are difficult to get in the right amount from food. Repairing muscles after training isn't just about doing mobility and resting, its also about nutrition and the proper timing of it. EnduroPacks takes the guess work out of when to replace what we lose, and how much. Simple, clean, and backed by science. With a flooded supplement market, all promising "bigger, faster, stronger! Stack these 5 supplements that will increase your heart rate, possibly causing you to have a heart attack, but you'll be so jacked!!" Whether its GNC, or the interwebs, where EVERYONE is an expert, its tough for people to get legit, honest info on nutrition and supplementation. You have to dig, be willing to experiment, and most of all, spend the time to research for quality products, that are designed for what you do - specificity is key. The needs of an endurance athlete are not the same as a functional fitness athlete, power athlete, team sports, etc. And its important to make sure you are getting your needs met. EnduroPacks delivers for endurance athletes. Period.
They break down like this -
1. Liquid Multivitamin - Extremely palatable, and digests quickly and easily. Ensures that you are starting your day with the right blend of vitamins and minerals to power the body for whatever you are throwing at it.
2. Concentrated Electrolyte spray - this is by far, not only a brilliant product idea, its also one of the cleanest electrolyte replacement products I've ever used. Light taste, easily digestable - something that any endurance athlete appreciates, and works. Fast. I've used it on long training days, hot, humid days, and experienced no cramping or dehydration issues. And I sweat. A lot. Like its my job sweat. With the spray, I was good, no matter what I was doing.
3. Amino Acid Patch - initially I wasn't sure exactly how the patch was going to replace amino acids into my system. But after using it, I have to say, recovery has been pretty amazing. Easy to use, simply place it on my stomach for the recommended time, and I am good to go. No side effects, no issues, no mess. No powders or pills for my aminos, now they come in a simple patch. Pretty awesome.
4. Glutamine Recovery Complex - Glutamine is all too often mixed in with other minerals in some sort of "high-octane" cocktail, shorting athletes of the right amount of glutamine to replenish your system. These easy to digest tablets, taken right before bed, get into your system while you sleep, so you are able to get the full affect. While at rest, the body isn't being taxed with training needs, so it can absorb nutrients in a relaxed state. In our on-the-go, constantly moving, daily lives, getting in the recovery complex at total rest is crucial to really repair muscles.
Don't just take my word for it. EnduroPacks is making a huge splash at Kona this year with some big names - including American Pro - Andy Potts. Check them out at -
www.EnduroPacks.com
You'll be glad you did.
Stay strong,
Guy
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Monday, September 28, 2015
Tales from the Front - Slaying Dragons and chasing rabbits
"In another moment down went Alice after it, never once considering how in the world she was to get out again."
Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
He never gave me a time frame. He never said any of it would be easy. Actually, he said, and continues to say very little. But when he does talk, well, its pretty damn powerful. Who am I referring to? My coach, Cody Burkhardt.
Since my last post, my season has continued its upward trend, winning the Zoom Duathlon Series in August, and nailing an overall win yesterday at the Deer Creek Festival of Races, in the most competitive field since Powerman Arizona. And the season isn't over, with 3 Powerman races left on the schedule, fall and early winter are going to be extremely busy.
Although the wins have felt good, 4 in a row, what has been more enlightening, more exciting, and has led to the wins, to better training, better health, has been chasing chasing rabbits, and slaying dragons. Don't fret, I haven't taken up playing Dungeons and Dragons, I'm using these phrases to explain what training, racing and life has become. And how it transcends sport.
In the world of fitness, we talk constantly of "fixing holes", finding weaknesses, then attacking them, cleaning them up. I've said it before, it's "slaying your dragon". But what does that mean? Is it simply physical? Or is it a combination of physical, mental and emotional, a complete dedication to our craft, no matter what that might be? I honestly thought I knew until I started to change the way I thought about fitness and health, not just training and racing. And I discovered that I, like Alice, had to be prepared to go down the rabbit hole, and continue to do so, to slay my dragons. Being prepared to live outside your comfort zone is one thing, but its more important to recognize that as you become more fearless, you are actually building new comfort zones. Which means, you must continue to jump outside those zones, create new ones, jump out of those, and so forth. Its a process, its not a set state. Its fluid, constantly evolving. To really and truly improve in anything, you have to take that leap, jump head first into the hole, and keep crawling, getting stronger with every step. So when you finally stare your dragon down, you are fully armed to take it down
See, that's the beauty of facing down your fears, your weaknesses. You dictate exactly how you will defeat them, or if you will let them loom large over you, a dark cloud that follows your every step. You can't wait for someone else to do it for you, and you can't expect things to simply resolve themselves. Life doesn't work that way. Its hard. Yes, life is hard. But its also beautiful, and the sun shines that much brighter when you commit fully to something you love, something that touches your soul, even in the darkest moments. The journey down the rabbit hole is going to be filled with distractions, with "short cuts", but truth is, its pretty cut and dry - it comes down to hard work. Period. Fully committed to improving, fully committed to removing one weakness, only to find another, another rabbit to chase.
Since June, I've discovered more flaws in my training, hell, more flaws in my health than I thought. And over the last 4 months, I've been extremely fortunate to have my coach guide me through the dark times, and into the light. Its gotten me to see how UNSCARED I really am, and how much further I have to go. Because just like life, there is no finish line. Yes, in racing, there's a finish line, but that is simply the start of another "race", chasing a new rabbit, finding a new dragon to slay. And that is no different than life. No matter what you are doing, you have a dragon. Its preventing you from realizing how much is inside you.
So, your options are simple - jump into the hole, or don't. I'm not here to tell you its easy. I'm not here to tell you its rainbows and unicorns. Not even close. It can get blacker than midnight, but brighter than the a spotlight. My recommendation - jump in. Even if it seems like you are going it alone. Odds are, through your journey, you'll discover others who will be right be your side. Strangers can become like family in this process. Even when it seems like you are the only one going through it, know, without question, there are others who are crawling, scraping, fighting, right along side you. Odds are, if you look close enough, you'll see me, smiling right back at you. As a coach, as a friend, that's my job, and its my honor.
Maybe being like Alice isn't such a bad thing after all. You decide.
Stay strong,
Guy
Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
He never gave me a time frame. He never said any of it would be easy. Actually, he said, and continues to say very little. But when he does talk, well, its pretty damn powerful. Who am I referring to? My coach, Cody Burkhardt.
Since my last post, my season has continued its upward trend, winning the Zoom Duathlon Series in August, and nailing an overall win yesterday at the Deer Creek Festival of Races, in the most competitive field since Powerman Arizona. And the season isn't over, with 3 Powerman races left on the schedule, fall and early winter are going to be extremely busy.
Although the wins have felt good, 4 in a row, what has been more enlightening, more exciting, and has led to the wins, to better training, better health, has been chasing chasing rabbits, and slaying dragons. Don't fret, I haven't taken up playing Dungeons and Dragons, I'm using these phrases to explain what training, racing and life has become. And how it transcends sport.
In the world of fitness, we talk constantly of "fixing holes", finding weaknesses, then attacking them, cleaning them up. I've said it before, it's "slaying your dragon". But what does that mean? Is it simply physical? Or is it a combination of physical, mental and emotional, a complete dedication to our craft, no matter what that might be? I honestly thought I knew until I started to change the way I thought about fitness and health, not just training and racing. And I discovered that I, like Alice, had to be prepared to go down the rabbit hole, and continue to do so, to slay my dragons. Being prepared to live outside your comfort zone is one thing, but its more important to recognize that as you become more fearless, you are actually building new comfort zones. Which means, you must continue to jump outside those zones, create new ones, jump out of those, and so forth. Its a process, its not a set state. Its fluid, constantly evolving. To really and truly improve in anything, you have to take that leap, jump head first into the hole, and keep crawling, getting stronger with every step. So when you finally stare your dragon down, you are fully armed to take it down
See, that's the beauty of facing down your fears, your weaknesses. You dictate exactly how you will defeat them, or if you will let them loom large over you, a dark cloud that follows your every step. You can't wait for someone else to do it for you, and you can't expect things to simply resolve themselves. Life doesn't work that way. Its hard. Yes, life is hard. But its also beautiful, and the sun shines that much brighter when you commit fully to something you love, something that touches your soul, even in the darkest moments. The journey down the rabbit hole is going to be filled with distractions, with "short cuts", but truth is, its pretty cut and dry - it comes down to hard work. Period. Fully committed to improving, fully committed to removing one weakness, only to find another, another rabbit to chase.
Since June, I've discovered more flaws in my training, hell, more flaws in my health than I thought. And over the last 4 months, I've been extremely fortunate to have my coach guide me through the dark times, and into the light. Its gotten me to see how UNSCARED I really am, and how much further I have to go. Because just like life, there is no finish line. Yes, in racing, there's a finish line, but that is simply the start of another "race", chasing a new rabbit, finding a new dragon to slay. And that is no different than life. No matter what you are doing, you have a dragon. Its preventing you from realizing how much is inside you.
So, your options are simple - jump into the hole, or don't. I'm not here to tell you its easy. I'm not here to tell you its rainbows and unicorns. Not even close. It can get blacker than midnight, but brighter than the a spotlight. My recommendation - jump in. Even if it seems like you are going it alone. Odds are, through your journey, you'll discover others who will be right be your side. Strangers can become like family in this process. Even when it seems like you are the only one going through it, know, without question, there are others who are crawling, scraping, fighting, right along side you. Odds are, if you look close enough, you'll see me, smiling right back at you. As a coach, as a friend, that's my job, and its my honor.
Maybe being like Alice isn't such a bad thing after all. You decide.
Stay strong,
Guy
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