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Race Report: Boston 2016
Boston Recap By: Staci Dietzel This was my 5th consecutive Boston Marathon. Despite a training season peppered with injury, and one week post-flu, I was excited to be in Boston and felt ready to run. The celebration of the 50th Anniversary of women in the Boston Marathon along with the 120th Anniversary year made this year feel extra special. I was traveling alone, my family came along in 2012 but I typically travel on my own to destination races due to their busy schedules. I had plans to meet up with a friend I had met at the Tokyo Marathon, and a Sunday dinner with Katharine Switzer and Roger Robinson speaking. Other than that I had plenty of time to explore Boston and the Expo. The expo was packed- you could practically feel the energy bouncing off the walls. I literally bumped into Dean Karnazes, it was wall to wall people. I had the pleasure of meeting Shalane Flanagan at her cookbook promo and even saw my favorite, Meb. I also finally was able to meet one of our Ambassadors Rebecca from Running With Music, which was great! She is a talented, very fast runner who was running as a guide with a visually impaired athlete. They did terrific, and nailed their goal on Monday. Of course we were all neurotically watching the weather, and it was looking a bit warm. I had packed my Race Kit and as we were standing around Athlete’s Village it felt all too much like 2012- the “hot year”. Instead of wearing all of my warm clothes and poncho I spread them out on the ground to sit on. It was getting hot. I was thirsty and sweating before we even began. The nice people of Hopkinton were handing out handfuls of sunscreen and had Sharpies ready to write our names down our arms. I accepted both on the walk to the start. The wait was short, and we were off. The first few miles flew by as I tried to break free of the crowd. By mile 6 my legs felt kind of heavy. Way too early for this! By mile 10 I was getting dizzy. The last time I felt this dizziness was in 2013, my Boston PR and a BQ, but I passed out after the finish and landed in the medical tent. I didn’t want a repeat of that. I had a BQ from a fall marathon at Marine Corp so I decided I didn’t need to push it in this heat. (I also realized I forgot to write my info on the back of my bib. Oops). By mile 12 I was pretty sure I was dehydrated as my vision was getting a bit spotty. I took a Salt Stick, and dialed down my pace. From there on I walked through the water stations and tried to drink a water and Gatorade at each. After about mile 16 or so the temps had cooled and a headwind picked up. At this point I had already decided to forget about my time and enjoy the course and the people. The upside to dialing it down was that I was having a lot more fun. I was high fiving the kids, accepting popsicles from them (these were awesome), and just taking it all in. There is really nothing quite like Boston. This was my 16th marathon, and the only marathon that I have repeated. I hope to return! I have been training for marathons consistently over the last few years. I finished the Majors quickly with Berlin in September, Tokyo in February, Boston and London in April. Then I did Marine Corp in October and now Boston. I was convinced that after this Boston I was taking a break from the marathon...I feel so good after Boston though...the Sharpie sunburn of my name on my arm has not yet faded and I’m already scouting out my next one.
Learn more2015: Year In Review
We hope everyone is off to a great start to 2016! We are excited to share with you some changes RunnerBox is bringing in to the New Year. With the help of the unbelievable team at Inspyre Web Design, we recently launched our new website. As you can see, it is much easier to shop and navigate- we hope you love it as much as we do. We also have a new box design that we've started shipping, as well as new seasonal and holiday boxes that we're rotating. A couple of the biggest sellers are the Birthday Box (you choose male/female edition) and the Race Kit (perfect for any distance)! Keep your eyes open as our Valentine’s Day box will be launching soon. We partnered with some wonderful companies and were fortunate to be able to pass along discounts to you, our subscribers. Spoiler Alert: We have even more great things coming your way in 2016! We've kept busy outside of the office too. Laura cycled all over the world, racing with the US National Team in Europe and then coming home to race for Pepper Palace Pro Cycling in the US and Canada. Pepper Palace had a strong year full of loads of podiums and top step finishes. In general, 2015 was a big year for women’s cycling. With it came the first ever women’s edition of the US Pro Challenge and the return of women’s World Cup race in Philadelphia, both of which Laura was able to participate in. We’re hopeful 2016 will bring more forward progress! Laura has signed with Blue Bicycles p/b the Happy Tooth for the season and is looking forward to another great year. Staci had the goal of the Major Marathons to wrap up. She started with Tokyo in February, then Boston and London in April. London was the 6th and final of the Majors for her. She then went on to run Charlevoix Half Marathon in June, Chicago Half Marathon in July, and Marine Corp Marathon in October. Next up in Boston Marathon in April. We wish you a healthy and happy 2016. To help motivate you in training, check out our Fitness Starter Kit or use the code 2016GO for 50% off your first subscription box of any type. It’s the perfect bi-monthly kick in the pants and comes chock full of reasons to get out the door and #fuelyourphenomenal.
Learn moreA chat with Runner Unleashed on running and the NYC Marathon
We have a pretty great group of ambassadors, one of them being Gelcys Castaneda which some of you may better know as Runner Unleashed or the Scoliosis Runner. Out of everything you could do, why is running your true passion? Running has been my escape. My escape from a life of not being able to do anything. A life stuck in bed witch chronic pain. For that one hour I spend running, it's the only time I am pain free. The only time that my Scoliosis isn't in control of my life. What makes New York Marathon special to you? I had to stop running once I got my first spinal fusion. Doctors told me that it wouldn't be possible to run again because my back is too weak to handle the demands of running. After a few more surgeries, I had had enough! Moved to Orlando,FL and had just had my son after a difficult pregnancy. I started off walking with him in a stroller and worked my way up to running. It took me a year to run a mile successfully. I could only handle 200 meters at a time because the pressure, pain, and the lack of breathing room in my lungs made it hard. I never gave up and kept pushing and fighting until I was back to running again. I decided to run races and told my husband on the first race (local 5K) that I was going to make the New York Marathon MY dream race. I estimated me running that race many many years from now. Not imagining running it on the first time I enter the lotto. To me, nothing compares to the energy of the city, the colors, the weather, and the love I have for NY. What are your biggest struggles when dealing with scoliosis and running? My biggest struggles have gotten a little worse, along with new struggles. My spine has curved an additional 11 degrees on the top (I have a double curve, called the S curve) The breathing is a problem. My spine is putting pressure on my lungs and one has limited space due to the curve so taking a deep breath is tough. From all the surgeries, I have tons of muscle and nerve damage causing my right arm to go numb with ridiculous pain. Since my spine is curving to the left, now my left side has become a problem with deep pressure pain on my chest. MY shorter leg has gotten shorter and my hip is always hurting.(Wasn't an issue before) Sitting and laying down is challenge. I am most comfortable standing up. It's a miracle if I can find a comfortable position now. Have you run a marathon before? If so, which ones? The New York City Marathon will be my 3rd marathon! My first marathon was the runDisney Walt Disney World marathon. The following year(this past January) I did the Goofy's race and a half challenge. And I am proud to say, I successfully finished it. It is a 39.3 miles challenge of running the half and full marathon back to back. What is your favorite product in the October/November RunnerBox? I enjoy getting RunnerBox bi monthly! I have found my favorites through it! It has saved me A LOT of time searching for the perfect snack, energy bar, and gels! This box has the I heart keenwah quinoa cluster which I LOVE! I love quinoa and these are just delicious! I also like the ProTings zesty nacho chips! *UPDATE: Gelcys completed the NYC Marathon. Whoo! We are so proud of her and are ever inspired by her determination and relentless pursuit of her dream!
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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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