#BuildIt With Chocolate Milk!

Disclosure: The following post is sponsored by FitFluential LLC on behalf of BUILT WITH CHOCOLATE MILK. 

As a runner I know that recovery is important. Recovery is just as important as the training itself. And now that I am run streaking...I definitely have to recover well so that I can get back out on the road the next day.

After a run you will always find me stretching, rolling and icing. But I also know how important it is to refuel my body. My favorite way to refuel is with lowfat chocolate milk. I know what you're thinking...chocolate milk after a run? Yes! It tastes AMAZING after a run! And even better...it has all the nutrients and vitamins my body needs to recover.

I know for sure that lowfat chocolate milk is the perfect way to recover because it is backed by science. There have been more than 20 studies that support the benefits of recovering with lowfat chocolate milk after a hard workout or long run. Studies have shown that lowfat chocolate milk helps athletes gain lean muscle and lose fat! That's why even on my weight loss journey I have continued recovering with lowfat chocolate milk. I truly believe that recovering with lowfat chocolate milk helped me attain my 19 minute PR at the Talladega Half Marathon!

Lowfat chocolate milk...

• … is a natural source of high-quality protein to build and repair lean muscle after strenuous exercise.
• … has the right carb-to-protein ration scientifically shown to refuel exhausted muscles and help return muscles to peek potential.
• … provides fluids and electrolytes – like calcium, potassium and magnesium and sodium – to replenish what was lost in a tough workout.
• … has B vitamins that help convert food into energy.
• … has five bone-building nutrients: calcium, vitamin D, phosphorous, protein and potassium.

Chocolate Milk is the Official REFUEL Beverage of Men’s USA Hockey, Women’s USA Swimming, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series, IRONMAN U.S. Triathlon Series, Iron Girl, Esprit de She, Life Time Fitness Cycle Club and the Challenged Athletes Foundation®. Not only do everyday runners like myself recover with lowfat chocolate milk but the elite runners do as well! You better believe I will be grabbing lowfat chocolate milk after I run the Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans Half Marathon in January! 

Speaking of amazing athletes, BUILT WITH CHOCOLATE MILK launched a marketing program and online documentary series called Mission Apolo: BUILT WITH CHOCOLATE MILK. World Champion short-track speedskating legend, Apolo Ohno, accepted the mission to conquer the 2014 IRONMAN World Championship Race in Kona-Kailua, Hawaii on Saturday, October 11. He has joined Women’s Health editor Jen Ator for a six-month training and recovery program with sports dietitians and elite professional coaches 8X IRONMAN World Champion Paula Newby-Fraser and 3X World Champion Craig “Crowie” Alexander. And WE can follow along on Ohno and Ator's training journey! We can follow along through the eight-episode series that features behind-the-scenes content and training tips from Ohno and Ator at www.gotchocolatemilk.com.

I'm really enjoying the series and watching Apolo and Jen's journey to become an Ironman! You can watch the series trailer below!



All the other episodes can be found at www.gotchocolatemilk.com or on YouTube.

Be sure to follow Apolo and Jen as they conquer the Ironman on Saturday, October 11th! Use the hashtag #MissionApolo. And be sure to follow Got Chocolate Milk on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.

For more information on how you can #BuildIt With Chocolate Milk, join me at 8 PM EST October 2nd for a twitter chat about post-workout recovery. There will be prizes! Got Chocolate Milk is awarding 4 BUILT WITH CHOCOLATE MILK gift packs! Use the hashtag #BuildIt to join the chat!

QOTD: Have you ever recovered with lowfat chocolate milk?

The Weekly Chase #91!

Is it really Monday...again??? We had a very relaxing weekend! I just love my family and getting to spend quality time with them! That's what this weekend was all about!

Friday night was our family pizza night (and Mommy's running long the next morning so we're having pizza for dinner night)! I had an early wake up call the next morning to run so I went to bed early.

Saturday morning I ran 12 miles on the causeway! It was a new route and I had an awesome run! Stay tuned on Wednesday to read all about it!

After my run Saturday morning I cleaned some of the house and did some laundry while the hubby cut grass and weed eated the yard. Then we all went out to eat lunch. We found ourselves at the park after lunch. The boys had fun playing! And Sawyer started doing gymnastics and acquired an audience! He LOVES to show off! He also met two girls who are in gymnastics and they all started doing their moves together! It was fun to watch! That boy LOVES his gymnastics! He will be participating in his first competition in November! He's so excited!

After the park the boys wanted some ice cream so we walked over to a local ice cream shop. The boys got ice cream but Andy and I got "Fairhope Floats!" It's basically a coffee drink with frozen yogurt! So yummy and it's only 220 calories! I figured since I ran 12 miles it was ok to indulge a little! ;-)

After ice cream we walked around our town's arts and crafts festival! My Hayden (who is my artist) loves looking around at all the different arts and crafts! All in all it was a fun family day!

Sunday we went to church and then spent the rest of the day at home. The weather was icky....it was supposed to rain but all we really got were sprinkles all day. Very dreary.

Now it's time for another Weekly Chase! I'm ready to tell you all about my goals for this week! I hope you will link up your own goals with me too! And feel free to use the badge below in your post too! You can grab the badge HERE! :-)

Here are my goals from last week!

• Goal #1: Run every day! Yes! The #RRGRunStreak is still going strong! 
• Goal #2: Roll and stretch daily. I did this every day except one!
• Goal #3: Log and stay under all my calories this week. Yep! :-)
• Goal #4: Work on fundraising for St. Jude. Yes! I got a $50 donation this week from a friend! I'm only $150 away from making my goal! So if you would like to help me I'd be sooo thankful! Donate HERE! :-)

Here are my goals for this week!!!

Goal #1: Run every day! Gotta keep on streaking! Streaking has made me a much stronger and faster runner! I'm loving it! 

Goal #2: Roll and stretch daily. I need to continue to do this while my coffee is brewing each morning! Making it a part of my routine gets it done!

Goal #3: Log and stay under all my calories this week. My DietBet officially ended yesterday. Again, it was a fun way to lose those last few pounds I needed to make it to my goal weight! I still plan on logging all my food and calories so I don't gain any of this weight back that I worked so hard to lose!

Goal #4: Complete my monthly calendar for school. As a teacher I provide a monthly calendar to my parents so that they will know what is going on that month. Since Wednesday is the first day of October (WOW!!!) I need to get this done.

So that's the plan for the week! Good luck with your goals this week too!

QOTD: What goals are you chasing this week?

Runner Spotlights #105

I hope everyone's weekend is going great! Ours has been low key...just what we needed after several busy weekends ! :-)

It's time for another runner spotlight...my favorite time of the week! I love reading other runners' stories about their running journey! If you are interested in being spotlighted on my blog please email me at mindy@roadrunnergirl.com! I'd love to spotlight you! You don't have to have a blog to be spotlighted...you just have to be a runner! ;-) And I'm running low on spotlights so now's your time to shine!!!

Today I'm spotlighting Lisa from Got2RunNow! She is a fellow Sweat Pink Ambassador! Keep reading to learn more about her and her running journey!

Name: Lisa Rini
State: VA

When and why did you start running?
I first developed a love for running in high school- loved running during gym class, and even joined the track team my senior year. Later on, after the birth of my son, running became more than just a means of fitness, it became a way for me to challenge myself.

What is your favorite race distance?
The marathon. I love the adventure, the whole experience of the distance, and, it's a great way to tour a city/location you've never been to.

What is your race day routine?
I love oatmeal and a banana as a pre-race meal. I always make sure my race clothes/water bottle/bib/ etc. are laid out the night before so I don't forget anything.

What is your most favorite piece of running gear?
My Brooks arm warmers have become a staple piece of running gear, especially for fall marathons. I love that if you're hot, you just pull them down, if you get chilly, just pull them back up.

Do you follow any diet or take any specific supplements that compliment your running?
I try to limit processed foods as much as possible. A balanced diet is key. One of my favorite drinks now is a wheatgrass smoothie- with pineapple, oranges, and banana. Not going to deny it- I definitely have a sweet tooth though! As far as supplements- I take fish oil and turmeric (capsules). I also love Vega products!

What is your fondest running memory?
The 2011 Boston Marathon. As soon as they hung the medal around my neck {at the finish line}, I kissed it.

What is one thing most people don't know about you?
I'm very claustrophobic.

Here are all the different ways you can connect with Lisa!

Blog: http://got2runnow.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/@got2runnow

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Got2runnowcom?ref=hl

Pinterest: Pinterest.com/got2runnow

Instagram: http://instagram.com/got2run_now

Thanks so much for sharing with us Lisa!!!

QOTD: Do the leaves change color in the fall where you live? (I'm so jealous if they do!)

Fitness Friday...September 26th Edition!

Happy Friday! Can you believe it's already fall??? This is my absolute favorite season! I will admit that Halloween is one of my favorite holidays because I love all the cute ghosts and pumpkins! Yes...I already have my friendly ghost on my front door! ;-)

My trip to the farmer's market this week also showed signs of fall! They are all decorated with mums and pumpkins! And even the scarecrows are out! I LOVE it!

And check out these warty goblin pumpkins! Aren't they the coolest??!!

The weather even showed signs of fall this week! All my morning runs the temperatures have been in the 60's! A few days it was even a tad chilly! Bring on the 50's! That's my favorite temp to run in!

Now it's time for Fitness Friday! I'm ready to tell you all about my runs this week! I even hit another 5K PR one morning!

• Friday- #plankaday 1:30, 2.26 mile run in 18:54 average pace 8:23

• Saturday- 6.21 mile run in 57:41 average pace 9:18 (A NEW 10K PR!)

• Sunday- 2.50 mile run in 20:56 average pace 8:22

• Monday- #plankaday 1:15, 2.26 mile run in 19:02 average pace 8:25

• Tuesday- #plankaday 1:31, 3.11 mile run in 26:00 average pace 8:21

• Wednesday- #plankaday 1:30, 2.25 mile run in 18:50 average pace 8:22

• Thursday- #plankaday 2:05, 3.11 mile run in 26:43 average pace 8:35

Weight loss this week: 1.5 lbs.
Weight loss total: 35.3 lbs.

Running was great this week! I tied my shoes too tight one day last week and so the top of my foot has been a little sore from that but it's getting much better. I was super excited to earn a 10K AND 5K PR this week! I know they are only training runs and not races but I'm counting those PR's! I have a 10K in November and I will be aiming for an official sub 1 10K PR!

The weight loss kind of blew me away this week! I stepped on the scale and definitely wasn't expecting that kind of loss! Hopefully it will stay that way for my weigh in for my DietBet on Monday!!!

Saturday I am running 12 miles with my Sole2Soul Sisters! This will be our very last long run before we taper for the Gulf Coast Half Marathon (don't forget you have until Sunday to use the code ROADRUNNERGIRL for $20 off this race)! We are running on the causeway by the bay so it should be fun!

Hope you have a great weekend!!!

QOTD: What was your best run or workout this week?

Gulf Coast Half Marathon and 10 Miler!

Many of you have asked what my next race is. It's a race that I have run the past 3 years in a row...the Gulf Coast Half Marathon in Mandeville, Louisiana on October 19th! This race is always so much fun! The course is flat, fast, and gorgeous! The medals are unique...they are bottle openers! And this race has the BEST race t-shirts ever!

And guess what? I have a race discount for you! You can save $20 with the code ROADRUNNERGIRL! That makes this race $55! That is a steal for such a great half marathon (or you can run the 10 miler)! Register HERE by 9/28 to use the code!

This race not only offers a half marathon but also a 10 mile option. You can register for the 10 miler ahead of time...or you can decide during the race to run the 10 miler instead of the half. Either way it is the same price.

A new option this year is the Back2Back Challenge! Run Keeping Up With Jones 5K on Saturday and Gulf Coast Half on Sunday! This is great for those that are looking for another challenge or those that are training for those Disney Challenges (Dopey, Goofy, Glass Slipper). You must register for each race separate to do this challenge.

Just announced on Tuesday is the partnership with Dr. Boudreaux and his team at Northshore Plastic Surgery LLC as the Official Photography Partner. Their sponsorship will provide every runner with 100% FREE high-quality digital photography before the race, on the course, and at the finish!!! I am sooo excited about FREE race pics!!! 

Not only will you get one of the coolest race medals ever (did I mention it's a bottle opener) but every finisher will also get a 5th anniversary pint glass! Sweet!

As I mentioned earlier, I have run this race the past 3 years in a row! Here are my finisher pictures with my medal! I can't wait to get another finisher picture with my medal this year....and I will be so much skinnier this time! ;-)

I would LOVE it if you joined me for the Gulf Coast Half Marathon in Mandeville this year!!! Be sure to REGISTER HERE by 9/28 with the code ROADRUNNERGIRL for $20 off!

QOTD: Any of my local peeps running this race???

10K Training Run PR!

Currently training for: 
Gulf Coast Half Marathon Mandeville (use code ROADRUNNERGIRL for $20 off!)
St. Jude Memphis Half Marathon
Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans Half Marathon (use code ROADRUNNERGIRL for $10 off!)
Disney Glass Slipper Challenge
Seaside Half Marathon

The training schedule called for a 6 mile run this weekend. Of course I went into it knowing I would do a 10K. I can't stop at 6 when I am so close to 6.2!

I always love long run days because I get to run with my Sole2Soul Sisters! And my running buddy Andria was going to be there so I was even more excited!

I woke up to amazing weather! The temps were in the high 60's! It finally felt a little like fall! I had a feeling the lower temperature would help with the run. But I wasn't sure how well I would do because I had been battling a cold since Thursday. I was very congested.

The run started out great! I could breath better than when I wasn't running. I guess the running clears your sinuses! ;-) I was running with Andria and my friend Jennifer. Jennifer and I used to run together a ton but she took about a 2 year break from running and just started back about 3 weeks ago. She said she wanted to run with me because she wanted to get her old pace back.

We made it to mile 1 and were told the water would be around mile 2.5. But we never saw it. So once we made it to mile 3 we knew we had definitely missed the water stop. At that point we turned around and headed back. And when we reached mile 4....there was the water! We just couldn't see it from the other direction and that's why we missed it the first time. We stopped quickly and then started running again.

I felt great the entire time despite my cold! Jennifer said she was struggling but she was doing great. She said she wanted to walk but I wouldn't let her. And she was fine with that. She said that was why she was running with me...so I could push her. I love to be a coach! ;-)

We finally reached our starting point but we had .2 miles to go to make a 10K. We did it! And we finished in 57:41!!!

Jennifer did so great!!! And of course Andria did too! I was so proud of both of them! It was a great run!!!

When I got home and plugged in my Garmin to get my run data, Garmin Connect informed me that I had a new 10K PR!!! Wow! I hadn't even realized it! Hopefully I can run my next 10K race in under an hour! :-)

QOTD: Have you ever run a PR but not realized it until later? Does a training run PR still count in your book?

San Francisco Fun: Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39!

Yes I know I went to San Francisco back in June. But I still have so many posts about it! So bear with me as I posts these randomly! ;-)

One day we went to Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39! This was the day we rode the BART into the city from my friend Stephanie's town. It was quite the experience for sure! There are some weirdos that ride the BART lol! We made sure to keep the kiddos at hands reach!

We also rode the cable cars from Union Square to Fisherman's Wharf on this day. If you missed my post about the cable cars you can read it HERE!

Once we got off the cable car it was a short walk to Fisherman's Wharf. And it was freezing! I will always remember how cold we were! We only packed light jackets with us but no pants. Andy bought the boys some pants while we were waiting for the cable cars in Union Square. He also bought some for me but they were way too big so we ended up taking them back later that day. I ended up buying a super expensive pair of skinny jeans in one of the souvenir shops! I didn't care though...I was soooo cold!

There were all kinds of things to see on the walk to Fisherman's Wharf! There are tons of shops down there as well as tons of yummy restaurants! You could smell fresh bread and clam chowder everywhere it seemed!

And there's the famous sign!!!

There were views of the water everywhere! And there are different numbered piers everywhere too! It was just a really cool atmosphere all around! But you had to watch out for those seagulls! They were everywhere and wanted your food if you had any! They were not shy about coming right up to you!

View of Alcatraz in the distance. Unfortunately we couldn't visit Alcatraz because tickets had been sold out for about a month!

After a lunch picnic on one of the piers we headed towards our tourist attraction for the day. We were going on a Duck Tour of San Francisco. But that deserves a post all on its own so I will tell you about it another day! :-) After the Duck Tour we starting walking around some more. And we headed towards Pier 39 to see the sea lions!

The views of the city from the pier were amazing! I just couldn't get enough!

And we saw Alcatraz from different angles too! It was just gorgeous!

Our first view of Pier 39!

You could hear the sea lions barking way before you could see them! It was a really cool sound! The kids were so excited! There weren't a ton of sea lions there though. Supposedly we weren't there in the peak time. Stephanie and her family came in the spring and she said every dock was filled with them! But at least we got to see some of them. And they were pretty awesome animals! It was fun watching them move and play! And it was crazy how they just piled on top of each other!

More spectacular views of the city including Coit Tower, Alcatraz, and The Golden Gate Bridge!!!

The kids all loved playing on this monument of the sea lions! 

After seeing the sea lions we stopped for a snack break. Then we visited some of the souvenir shops so the boys could spend some of their money that the grandparents had given them. Then we headed towards Ghirardelli Square.  

I'll continue with Ghirardelli Square next time!

QOTD: Have you ever visited Fisherman's Wharf or Pier 39 in San Francisco?