Peanut Project: Update #3 - She's Almost Done

It's About Time!.........

I am sure you have been asking, "Where is the latest update? I need to know how Peanut is doing. Did she finish early? Is she behind? INJURED!?!?!!"  Well, I have been meaning to post about her latest totals and attitude, but all I can say is life and laziness/forgetfulness. My apologies to her following. But, here we are with the latest on the Peanut Project!

Spirits......

She is in good spirits. Great even! She gets done after school and calls or texts her mom and I with her lap count for the day. She gets so excited in the mornings because she knows that she will get to run soon.  She also gets upset if she gets to school when the teachers are walking out. That means she is missing at 10-15 seconds of running time. The few times this has happened she tries to make up for it and JETS down the path to catch the leaders. Even though we have had the talks about going out too fast and causing ourselves to walk too much, she still does this. I can't blame her. We ALL know what race day is like once you hit the starting line.  You intend on sticking to your plan, but throw it out the window when the gun goes off. You feed off the energy of everyone around you until you realize your mistake. Except, she gets race day everyday for 6+ weeks.

Running Thumbelina Flying

Mileage.....

As of the last post, Update #2, we had Jocelynn at 23.75 miles. Our count was off because her teachers actually had her at 24.75 miles. Even though I created a spreadsheet to help calculate the mileage ran, miles left, days ran, days left to run.....we all make mistakes. And she can give me a lap count that she thinks is right, but is over or under. Since that first adjustment, we have had to adjust our count 3 times total. All for the better though. She seems to have under reported her laps.  With the most recent adjustment and laps that she just reported to me today she has covered 89 MILES on those little 9 year old Peanut legs!!!!  I got permission this week to go grab a couple of photos of her while she was running. Those are what you are seeing here. Mom's reaction to the one up and to the right, "Get it girl!"

My Challenge and Sierra's (GVRAT).....

I am SO...FAR...BEHIND! As of yesterday I have made it 12.78 miles out of the 68.07 miles that I am supposed to have done so far. I have let so many things get in my way....mainly myself.  I have a plan on how to catch up though.  I have found routes and have done some tests on how I can use my lunch at work and get 2-3 miles in each day.  Well, as long as it doesn't rain like it did today. Then my path is all mud! And I can't do the same pace in mud, nor can I walk back into work all muddy.  I may have to try to plan a backup plan of heading to the gym and running a couple/few miles and risk coming back to work a little sweaty.  But, I can do it. And I will do it!

Sierra is trying, but not faring well either. After a strong start for her she has gone 6.7 out of the 13 miles she had planned.  She easily has enough time to make up the missing 6.3 miles and blow it out of the water. She is even following the route that we set up when she visits her mom's to get in a mile or more.  I am proud of her for undertaking her own challenge.

Previous Project Posts........

Announcement: https://dreadmilldrummer.blogspot.com/2021/03/peanut-project-challenge-100m-vs-1000k.html

Update #1: https://dreadmilldrummer.blogspot.com/2021/03/peanut-project-update-1-spring-break.html

Update #2: https://dreadmilldrummer.blogspot.com/2021/04/peanut-project-update-2-mileage-and.html

Until next time, keep those beats coming!

Time For Changes

Over the course of the past several months our household has been undergoing some changes.  Some good, some bad.  All of them are happening, so we have been working together to deal with them in the ways that we can.  One of the things that we have changed is the addition of a new workout space at home.  If anyone reading this knows me at all then you know that most of the miles I log are on a treadmill.  In the past this was done over lunch a lot at work for what I was calling "RUNCH".  (I borrowed from another runner the term "RUNCH".)  At the end of the Summer to the beginning of Fall I lost my job and this ability was stripped from me.  So, I started using our family membership at the gym we had been members of while searching for a job.  I did find a new position and started just about 2 months after I lost my previous position, but the workout facility is much more limited.  I still have access to treadmills at work, but I have been busy learning things that I haven't utilized the space much.  This is where the addition of this new space comes in.  I am now the proud owner of a treadmill!!! Thanks to my amazing wife!  We searched and found one that we could afford to help us all out.  Now I have the convenience at home and can run a little easier.  It is a good thing because I have something big coming this year.

Ever since I ran the G.O.A.T.z Trail Run and did the 21+ mile run I have not returned to trails for a run.  Now, one might say that the Spartan Race in Breckenridge and other OCR that I have done count.  I am talking about a trail run, not an OCR.  That long run was some time ago.  Now, I have been watching several runs and checking out ones that I want to do....eventually.  One of these is called The Hawk in Kansas.  They have 3 distances at this race: a trail marathon, a 50 mile, and a 100 mile.  My goal race is to complete at least one 100 mile race.  Obviously getting there means that I have to work for it and probably hit some of the shorter runs after it.  In the past I have attempted a road marathon twice and had to drop to the half both times for different reasons each time.  Well, the stars aligned and I trained my butt off for Breckenridge.  Let's see what I can do for a trail race.  I have officially signed up for The Hawk 50 on September 8th, 2018.  It is going to take a lot of work to get ready, but I know that I can make it.

Lately I have been thinking about my life and how my training fits in or should fit in. I know that I will never be an elite and I will likely never have a podium finish or be good enough to qualify for The Boston Marathon or Western States, but that isn't going to stop me from running or exercising to better myself.  I have had and want to continue to have amazing experiences with friends and family; not to mention the creation of new friendships.  So I will continue to do these long runs, OCRs, wacky runs, or other fitness events to help keep me healthy and to make life interesting.

For a while now I have entered different giveaways, winning some and losing most.  However, I still enter because it is always nice to dream.  In this same spirit I have a race ahead of The Hawk 50 that I will be running thanks to GNC and me being a Pro member.  They gave away 5 entries into any Spartan Race in the US for the remainder of 2018 and I happened to be 1 of those 5.  So, I chose the Spartan Busch Stadium Sprint in St Louis, MO after I spoke to a buddy that is going and have a troupe going together.

As I was looking at hotels Sierra came and asked me what I was doing.  I told her that I was looking hotels for the race and she asked if she could go.  Including a point that she has never got to go to a race with me.  I didn't think that she was serious at first, but it turned out that she was.  I looked and they do have a Spartan Kids race that she can do.  I spoke to my wife, then talked with Sierra about needing to do extra training specifically for it including some straight runs beyond what she does for all star cheer.  She said, "Wait!!! I CAN GO!!! YEAH! Dad, I need a training plan."  I knew that Spartan had a Kids Training Plan that I could easily download and give her as a base and we'd build on that.  Needless to say, she is excited to run her first OCR and go with me.

Sierra's 1st training run with me.

In support of my needs to train (or practice) I am happy to be a Nuun Ambassador (otherwise known as a Nuunbassador) for a 3rd year in a row.  I have been using the products to help with hydration for several years. As of my training for the Spartan Beast last year I started using their Nuun Performance line to help with other needs.  It has the electrolytes that I need to stay hydrated, but it also incorporates carbohydrates to help support your energy needs.  I just ordered some Orange Mango as I have been using the Blueberry Strawberry.  My worry is that my stomach will react to the orange part, but I will see as I train for The Hawk and whatever comes my way this year.  Tiny chance I'll also sign up for the Hitchcock Hundred's 50 mile.  Very tiny chance!

To help support me even further I was honored and welcomed into the Honey Stinger Hive as a Honey Stinger Ambassador for 2018.  Not something that said too much about in the past, but I have used the Waffles quite a bit. They are very yummy!  I also have used the Chews, but those have become my race gummy bears when I need that something sweet during a run.  I have used the gels once or twice, but have bought a small stock for now to get me going and to find my favorite flavors.  There is a Mango Orange that might pair well with the Orange Mango Nuun Performance.  I haven't tried that combo just yet.



And for a bit of entertainment.  There is a musician/dad/runner named David Rosales.  I found him recently on the Ultrarunner Podcast (URP) and he has this amazing song that incorporates his running and being a family man into one awesome song.  So, for your viewing and listening pleasure...."Good to Be Alive" by David Rosales.

It's My Birthday....Tomorrow

13 days ago I was in Breckenridge, CO to tackle the Spartan Race Beast.  It was an awesome time and I still need to post my pictures and about my weekend trip.  Upon returning my wife asked me a question. "Now that you finished the Beast, what is your next goal?"  I didn't really have an answer for her.  I still have the want to finish a marathon.  I've attempted the Lincoln Marathon twice and had to revert to just finishing the half marathon.  The 1st time I was way under prepared. It was seriously my own fault that I wasn't ready.  The 2nd time I was more prepared, but didn't account enough for hydration, nutrition, and the temps and cramped out to walk the last 4 miles of the 13.1.  After both of those "mistakes" I wasn't sure that I'd ever get the want or confidence to attempt another.  You'd think I'd be okay since I have ran 21+ miles for a trail run, but in hindsight I was probably under prepared for that and didn't give it my all as well.

Leading up to the Beast I was listening to the Spartan Up Podcast and I listened to almost 150 episodes in the 3 weeks prior to listen all of them before I went.  I was also listening to the Obstacle Dominator Podcast and just finished the last few of those.  I also listened to all of the Orange Mud Adventure Channel Podcast from beginning to end...and more now.  And I have also started listening to the Ultrarunner Podcast as of yesterday.  I've had that one on my subscription list, but hadn't pulled the trigger yet.

Where am I going with all of this?  Well, I finally found the answer to my wife's question.  I should have trained and ran The Hawk Hundred tomorrow as the race falls LITERALLY on my birthday this year.  Okay, I probably wouldn't have been ready for the 100 miler, but with enough grit I could have possibly been ready for the 50 miler.  I certainly could have been ready for the trail marathon.  Next year I intend to work so that I can sign up for at least The Hawk trail marathon if not jump straight to the 50 miles.  I have been pushing the past couple of months on my speed and speeds that were hard for me before are a more natural speed now.  So, I need to work on this more along with my endurance.  I need to go for longer runs to increase my overall mileage.  This includes hitting up more trails to work on my trail running experience to help me get ready.  If I do the trail marathon next year, then the following I want to be ready for the 50 miler.  And then the next year do the 100 miler.  Now, if I can find enough time and energy to work for the 50 next year that obviously puts more pressure on me to move my timeline for the 100 up a year as well.

July 3rd this year I started meal prepping for all of my snacks and meals prior to leaving work every day.  I also have been drinking up to a gallon of water before I leave work to make sure I am well hydrated.  Aiding in the hydration I have naturally been using Nuun Hydration as I am a 2nd year Nuunbassador (Nuun Ambassador).  A couple of days after I started my meal prep I won the entry into any Spartan Race and talked with my buddy Pedro and signed up for Breckenridge after planning some quick logistics with him.  In honing my nutrition and all of my work at training I have lost over 10% of my body weight in just 2 months.  I started at 261 lbs. and am now down to 234 lbs as of yesterday morning!  I couldn't have done any of this without my wife's support.  She has helped me in gathering my foods each week and is behind me in my goals.  We are now working together and I am doing some meal prep for her as well to help her achieve some of her goals.

So, please wish me luck as I am making some long term fitness goals and what I hope to achieve before I turn 40.  Yeah, I said that.  I'm now creeping towards that number.

Birthday Giveaway Winners!!

Before I announce the winners I have an announcement.  In a few days we will have a guest post from SLS3 (A.K.A. slstri).  They make gear for triathletes.  And naturally....runners.  I've tried a couple of their items including compression ankle sleeves, performance socks, and their dual pocket running belt.  You can look forward to more info on those from me soon as well as a special discount code for all readers.  If you want to learn more about SLS3 prior to the guest post you can follow them on social media via the following:

• Website: http://www.slstri.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sls3compression
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/SLS3USA
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sls3usa/
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sls3usa/

Now, on to the winners of my Birthday Giveaway 2016!  Winners in order of prizes listed and selection order are: Amber Ludwig to win a tin of Viter Energy Mints, Fiona N to win a Tube of Nuun Hydration, and Amy W to win the $75 ENERGYbits pack!  Congrats to the winners!

And don't forget that you can still go to http://www.energybits.com/ and use the discount code BLOG in order to get 20% OFF of your purchase.  So, everyone is a winner when you buy ENERGYbits!

Until next time, keep those beats coming!

Knee Pain, Conferral, and Birthday Giveaway! UPDATED!

UPDATE AT THE BOTTOM!!!

I've been having some knee pain since last winter.  I went to my yearly physical and talked to my doctor about my knee.  She said that from my description of my pain and where it was located that it was likely a tendon issue, but she knew that she would likely need to check out if there was a bone issue before doing an MRI or anything.  So, she sent me down to radiology to get x-rays of my knees.  They told me that I'd hear from the doctor's office when they got the results.  That was on Wednesday, so in doctor speak I didn't expect to hear anything until the next week.  I heard on Friday from them!  Say what!?  They said that my x-ray looked just fine.  They said that my bones didn't have any issues, but they did notice some arthritic degeneration.  I asked them if they just said that I have arthritis.  They said that's generic terms for what happens to your bones as you get older and they expect it from someone of my age.  Speaking of my age....be sure to check out my birthday giveaway!



I have officially finished school!  Last week I ordered my diploma as I finished the final courses for my Bachelor's of Science for Software Development a couple of weeks ago and they conferred the degree mid last week.  So, that means that I have more time to train now.....right?  Well, my wife is still in school for a short while longer.  I also have 4 kids on 6 different all-star cheerleading teams.  The 5th kid is almost my saving grace.  I am putting together a workout plan for him that he'll do most often with me, so I will be training with him at least.  Speaking of training, I am training for the Market to Market Relay Nebraska again this year.  That will be Saturday October 8th, 2016 from Omaha, NE to Lincoln, NE.  I had a great time last year and we are doing it again this year.

And now to the part you all are waiting for, my

BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY!

This year I thought that I'd give away a few of my favorite things.  I'm starting with my favorite hydration product, that would mean a tube of Nuun of course!  What self respecting Nuunbassador wouldn't give one away?  The guys over at Viter have graciously offered up a tin of either Wintergreen or their NEW Spearmint flavor!!!  I'm also hoping to add more as the week goes on.  So, stay tuned

UPDATE!!!!!

ENERGYbits decided to join in on my birthday giveaway.  If you haven't tried them, you should!  I first posted about them in September of 2013 when I wrote "A bit about bits, and bits for you!"  They also have Recoverybits that I've used as well.  The prize will contain ENERGYbits, RECOVERYbits, & some "swag" (sunglasses, headband, etc.).  If you can't wait to see if you win, or you want to order otherwise you can go to ENERGYbits website (http://www.energybits.com) and use the discount code BLOG for 20% your purchase!

The giveaway has now been extended until Sunday September 18th, 2016.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Until next time, keep those beats coming!