Articles
An Inside Look at WB Kitchen
One of the best parts of living and training in what we lovingly refer to as the “Boulder Bubble” is that it is bursting with active people. Everywhere you turn you can find someone hiking, biking, running or even hula hooping across an open field. (I’m still working on finding the picture that proves this last one.) With all these health obsessed citizens comes heaps of companies looking to fuel them. Every time I walk into a coffee shop the counter seems to be lined with new energy bars and supplements. Some are terrible, others are average and every now and then you stumble across a gem. Now, let me qualify this. I’m a professional cyclist – what this basically means is that I get paid practically nothing to call 4+ hour training rides and multiple day stage races a common occurrence. Both the amount of time and bars consumed to fuel this endeavor is horrifying. In fact, I have not got the calculation quite down, but the evidence suggests that somewhere between your eight and nine-thousandth bar, the thought of eating another one becomes almost painful. So - the point of all this rambling - if I like a bar, it has to be delicious. Really delicious. Which brings me to WB Kitchen. I was finishing a long workout in the mountains and still had about an hour of riding to get home. And I was bonking. So, I did what all cyclists do and headed straight to the coffee shop to get anything that would help me crawl back to my front door. I ordered an espresso and, in an attempt to use as little energy as possible, grabbed the closest package I could reach. The training gods were on my side because I grabbed a pack of what I soon would discover, were two ever so delicious WB Kitchen Maple Pecan cookies. Now, I’ve tried my fair share of “healthy” cookies. While there are a handful of exceptions, most should not be called cookies. “Protein cardboard” or “circle-shaped whey aftertaste” would be more appropriate. I was sure I was in-store for another dry, chalky excuse for a health food as I opened the package. As soon as I touched the first cookie I knew I was about to stand corrected - it was soft and delicious. Or I thought so at least. Keeping in mind that my bonk-fest had left me only slightly cognizant, I threw the second cookie in my jersey pocket for taste testing while I was fully functional. When I had it for my desert that night, it was just as good. So the research began and I found out that the company’s offices were only located a few miles from my house in Loveland, CO. We met with WBk’s Marketing Director, Mimi and she started to tell us a bit more about the company. After about an hour of chatting over coffee we found out that all of the company’s awesomeness, including the production and packaging, came out of a team of five people. I thought that was pretty cool (especially since RunnerBox is a team of four) and I wanted to go check it out. Then she told me they have a half pipe in their warehouse. Now I REALLY wanted to check it out. We sorted out all the details of getting the bars and cookies in our October/November subscription boxes. (If you are currently a subscriber, you’re welcome!) Then we nailed down a date when I could go check out their offices and production facilities. It’s one thing to like a company’s products, but it’s another to actually like the company. As soon as you get your RunnerBox and try the ONA bar or cookies, I’m sure the liking the product part will be taken care of, but here are a few reasons to love the company. 1. Everything is made in house. By Mitchell. He’s the cool dude in the middle. 2. They’ve nailed work-life balance Exhibit A: The half-pipe. In the warehouse. Exhibit B: The indiscriminate object hiding under the tarp – a grill. As in... Cook-out Fridays. 3. They strive to deliver the best. See that Ziploc on top of the production line? If something isn’t perfect, it’s set aside. There are Ziplocs like this all over the office. Great to know as a consumer, dangerous if you work there. 4. They’re innovative. This Vemag machine is generally used to perfectly portion sausages. They use it to perfectly portion your bars. 5. They are a team of awesome folks who “believe in real food for real people” So if you’re looking for healthy, non-GMO, delicious, real food made by a rad team, give WB Kitchen a shot. You won’t be disappointed. To learn more or order some of their delightful products, visit their website. And don’t forget to use the exclusive RunnerBox discount code WBKRUN20 which will knock a cool 20% off your first order.
Learn moreThe Ultimate Recovery Giveaway!
At RunnerBox, we understand that training and racing can leave you SMASHED so we've teamed up with two of our favorite Colorado companies to give you a chance to win a package of awesomeness that will snap your body back into shape. What's included, you ask? A pair of Recofit compression pants. We were lucky enough to be able to test out a pair of these pants before they were available for sale. WOW! They are the most comfortable compression pants we've tried yet. They're made with a carbon fabric that "breathes and disperses heat and moisture, offers negative ionization, gradient compression and ribbed massage." And guys, don't worry. The initial pair was designed for women, but will look just as flattering on you. To learn more, check them out HERE Colorado Aromatics 'Athlete Care Kit'. Colorado Aromatics is owned by Dr. Cindy Jones, a herbalist and scientist who grows most of the herbs used in her products on a farm which I pass almost every day when I train. Dr. Jones is a highly sought after product development consultant to the natural cosmetic and skin care industry. Her passion for science and her love of herbs is the catalyst behind Colorado Aromatics and the special Athlete Care Kit she formulated for us. It includes: Sole Pleasure Foot Butter Joint Jam, Clear Creek Body Powder Bath Salts Learn more about Dr. Jones great product line HERE. Trust us, your body will thank you. How to Enter: Share a post-workout or post-race photo that shows you in need of some serious RECOVERY. Share in one of three ways, or all three to increase your chances. Tweet your photo, tag @runnerbox, @COaromatics and @recofit with #recoverymode Instagram your photo, tag @runnerbox, @coloradoaromatics and @recofitcompression with #recoverymode Post to our Facebook page at facebook.com/runnerbox tag @runnerbox, @coloradoaromatics and @recofit with #recoverymode Rules: Posts will be accepted during the months of October and November, with a final winner selected on December 5th You can post one entry to each platform per day, so don't be shy!
Learn moreAlly's Bar
We're thrilled to be including Ally's Bar in our June/July subscription boxes! We chatted with creator and professional cyclist Ally Stacher to get the inside scoop: On why she started Ally's Bar: I have always loved the outdoors, almost as much as I love making delicious food. The combination of these two awesome things pushed me to create a bar made from real food. I have been a professional athlete since 2010 and I have always been a firm believer that you get out of your body what you put in it. I started making bars for my health conscious family and friends to fuel all their different adventures. In no time, they became a hot commodity. I brought on a couple of business partners to help me dream big and launch Ally’s Bar. On what makes her bar different than the rest: This is not your average health bar. The uniqueness comes from the sweet potato base combined with dates, quinoa, nuts and other tasty ingredients. Our bar is low in the glycemic index, which helps the body maintain a higher energy level for a longer period of time. It’s loaded with vitamin A and C, beta-carotene, fiber and iron. The quinoa adds high quality protein. You get doses of healthy fats from the coconut oil, cashews, almonds and flax seeds. The original sweet potato bar is certified organic by eco-cert, gluten free, non-GMO and vegan friendly. On When to Use the Bar: Pre-Workout, during workouts, with coffee in the morning and smart afternoon snacking.
Learn moreIT Band Syndrome: Prevent & Treat with Go Tape
One of the more common injuries runners face is the ITB (Illiotibial Band Syndrome). This presents as pain on the outside of the knee which is caused by friction of IT band, and is often referred to as "runners knee". Generally the pain will start shortly into your run and gradually get worse until you stop. Often pain will increase when running downhill or with knee extension or flexion. Associated symptoms are IT band tightness, hip weakness, and point tenderness on the outside of the knee. There are many different causes for IT band injury. Often it is caused by weak hip abductors, typically the gluteus medius. Your biomechanics can be the cause: overpronation, running on cambered roads without changing direction (be sure to occasionally change direction on your route or track!), poor shoe or orthotic fit, poor running form, weak hip and glute muscles, and leg length discrepancy. A naturally tight IT band that is not properly stretched can add to problems. Also ramping up activity too quickly can lead to ITBS. ITBS can be stubborn and hard to heal, but the good news is there are some proactive things you can do for prevention. Keep your glutes and hips strong with strengthening exercises. Clam shells, side leg lifts, bosu squats, single leg squats, hip hikes, and pilates are all great options. Don't forget those IT bands in your post exercise stretch routine. It's common to use a foam roller on the IT band, but use caution on an already irritated IT band, as aggressive foam rolling can cause additional trauma. Jason Fitzgerald from strengthrunning.com has a great series of exercises on youtube It is beneficial not only for treatment, but prevention of ITBS. All you need is a theraband and a mat. If you feel the beginning of ITBS coming on, take a few days off. The longer you wait to treat, the longer it will likely take to recover. Treatment consists of stretching, massage, ice, Physical Therapy and anti-inflammatory use. Arnica or Traumeel are a good natural option if you prefer not to take ibuprofen. If the pain does not resolve you can try Grastons treatment, or Acupuncture. Taping the IT band helps support the soft tissue and facilitates the weak muscles by providing a stimulus to produce motor results, essentially balancing out the weak muscles with the stronger ones. It also helps increase circulation and decrease pain. The stretchy nature of Go Tape not only stays on great, but also helps to lift the skin and relieve pressure, also relieving pain. Below are step by step instructions on how to apply Go Tape to an IT Band injury. We are happy to provide Go Tape premium kinesiology tape to all of our subscribers in the April/May boxes.
Learn moreOn the Go Towels
Be sure to check out On the Go Towels in your current subscription box and let us know what you think! These are the largest individually packed towels on the market that fit into your pocket like a couple of bucks. They remove moisture that turns into bacteria on the body. They're specially formulated with a cleansing agent to clean up even the toughest dirt and cooling to reduce your body temperature after an intense workout or hot day.
Learn moreSneak Peek -Red Rush- February/March Subscription Box
We are excited to be bringing you Red Rush Nitric Oxide boost in your next subscription box! Red Rush contains 500 mg of beet nitrate. Beet juice consumption has been studied and shown to improve endurance performance. The research behind this is compelling. Studies show beet juice juice consumption allows your muscles to perform the same amount of work while using less oxygen, making your body's energy production more efficient. The following conclusions have been made: use of beet juice increases time to exhaustion, reduces oxygen cost of intense exercise, improves performance, lowers rates of perceived exertion, and improves times of endurance athletes. Not only will the properties of beets improve your workouts, but they have other great benefits too! They are packed with antioxidants. The bright deep crimson that gives beets their color are powerful phytonutrients that may help to ward off cancer. Nitric oxide not only helps to improve stamina, but also helps regulate blood pressure and promotes cardiovascular health. They are also a source of betaine, a nutrient that helps fight inflammation. So.....eat your beets! Red Rush makes it REALLY easy to simply shoot a Red Rush for a nitric oxide boost before your next workout. Red Rush is an all-natural, cherry-flavored beet juice shot that contains 500 mg of dietary nitrate. The body converts nitrate into nitric oxide, a signaling agent that widens blood vessels, allowing 38% more blood to reach the skeletal muscles. The extra blood and oxygen improves stamina while reducing the buildup of lactic acid. Use coupon code "RUNBEET9" to receive $9 off of a 12 pack purchase at www.theredrush.com. Red Rush will: -Decrease fatigue by reducing lactic acid buildup -Promotes fast, full recovery -Increases stamina naturally -Elevates physical performance -Just Nitric Oxide -No Ephedra -No Caffeine -No Stimulants Try Red Rush in your February/March RunnerBox and Shop for more at www.theredrush.com
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Meet Our Ambassadors: Michelle
I grew up watching my dad run marathons. I always knew it was something I wanted to do when I finished my soccer career. I ran my first marathon with my Dad in 2005 and haven’t turned back since. My husband is also an endurance athlete. We are fortunate to be able to race and train as a family. I have 3 & 4 year old boys who enjoy spending time in the running stroller with us, and love to participate in fun runs. I love living an active lifestyle! I can’t get enough of trail running and ultra races. I teach group fitness classes at LA Fitness. Helping others reach their fitness goals is a passion of mine. I like to show that you can achieve things you never thought were possible. I may just be a regular girl, a wife, and a mother, but I have big dreams. I am fearless enough to chase those dreams, and I like who I am becoming because of what running has given to me!
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Meet Our Ambassadors: See Sharp Run
We are excited to welcome Linzie of See Sharp Run to our Ambassador Team! He is an accomplished runner with a great blog, check it out! Linzie is a marathon runner who discovered his love of running by accident. After taking up jogging in 2011 to begin living a more active and healthy lifestyle, he discovered that running was fun and was a great way to relieve stress. He ran his first half marathon in 2012...and ran 8 more that year...to date he has run more than 20 half marathons. He ran his first marathon in 2013 and has run more than 10 marathons including the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and Boston Marathon. He is now aspiring to run ultra marathon distances of 50K, 100K, and eventually 100 miles. He never stops shooting for the stars and helps to motivate others to do the same. Blog: SeeSharpRun.Blogspot.com Facebook.com/SeeSharpRun Twitter: @SeeSharpRun Instagram: @SeeSharpRun1
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Meet Our Ambassadors: Gelcys
My name is Gelcys better know as cheetah g. I am a mother runner married to a military vet. I was diagnosed with Scoliosis(curvature of the spine) at a VERY early age and needed a spinal fusion asap, due to the curve of my spine curving at a rapid rate. Spent 14+ hours on the operation table and recovery for months learning everything from sitting and walking again. My spine was so curved it actually gave me 4 inches of height, being that I was hunched over. Soon after that surgery I was hit in a car accident causing the freshly placed rods, pins, and screws along my back to come out of place. I needed quick corrective surgery again.The damage was pretty bad and the surgery wasn't too great as it left me with chronic migraines and left one of the rods near the nerve that goes down my leg. What does that mean? No feeling in my leg!!! Spent months on crutches and doing therapy to try to avoid surgery but nothing. Another surgery to "fix" it. I was tired of these life changing and life risking surgeries on my spine, which control my body! This whole time I'm told not to be active, not to run, just to take it easy. Problem with that? That's not how I roll! I tried and tried to run with my husband being he has been a runner for years, especially in the military. I would make it about 200 meters before I was dying in pain and lots of trouble breathing. Maybe they were right, maybe I can't run after all. NO WAY! My dream was to run and I was going to make it happen!! Years later..my spine is still curved, my lungs are limited with space, and I suffer from chronic pains in my shins, back, hips, and head. No one was willing to help me overcome this, the easiest thing to do what to tell me not to run. I took it upon myself to find solutions with trial and errors. With much determination and tons of bad runs, and many tries to succeed, I am happy and proud to call myself a marathoner!! I have run over 10 5Ks, a few 10Ks, 3 half marathons, and my first full! I do not use my condition as an excuse! I use it as motivation to get me to the top! It takes a lot of patience, a lot of dedication and a lot of heart.I do have to train harder and longer for my races but I am a fighter, I am a Scoliosis warrior and my condition will NOT stop me from reaching my NYC Marathon dreams one day!! I have shared my story over and over to give others the motivation and inspiration to fight and chase dreams. Nothing is impossible, I am proof that if you are determined enough, you will make your dreams a reality. NEVER GIVE UP! -gelcys
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