(597,1,'2017-01-14 00:58:13','2017-01-14 05:58:13','I\'ve been talking a lot about all these road races I\'m doing in the next two months - the 5K (from Sunday), the two 10K\'s, and of course the half-marathon. I\'m fortunate so many companies have signed on to sponsor me - they have made it possible for me to do these races and to continue to do work for a great cause (please be sure to check out <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/p/sponsors.html\" target=\"_blank\">the sponsors page</a> and see who\'s helped me out - they\'re all great!). I\'ve only made a small announcement on Facebook, but the big news is -<br /><br /><b>I\'m fundraising for <a href=\"http://www.jimmyv.org/\" target=\"_blank\">The V Foundation For Cancer Research</a>!</b><br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><b><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f70yhYqH3Mk/UkON7n9SwoI/AAAAAAAABzA/466xqGDiB7o/s1600/JimmyVLogo.gif\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"190\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f70yhYqH3Mk/UkON7n9SwoI/AAAAAAAABzA/466xqGDiB7o/s400/JimmyVLogo.gif\" width=\"400\" /></a></b></div><br />Yes, this campaign of runs is a fundraising campaign, and the fundraising officially started a few days ago. <a href=\"http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/SoTHISIsFitness/ccm13\" target=\"_blank\">You can visit my online fundraising page here</a> if you\'d like to make a contribution. All of my training, <a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/meet-darrell/my-journey\" target=\"_blank\">My Story</a>, and <a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/meet-darrell/my-journey\" target=\"_blank\">My Transformation</a> has made this possible.<br /><br /><b> </b><br /><b>So...what IS The V Foundation and why do I (you) care?</b><br /><b></b><br /><a name=\'more\'></a><br /><b>&nbsp;</b>The V Foundation\'s mission statement, found on their website, is:<br /><br /><i>The V Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to saving lives  by helping to find a cure for cancer.&nbsp; The Foundation seeks to make a  difference by generating broad-based support for cancer research and by  creating an urgent awareness among all Americans of the importance of  the war against cancer.&nbsp; The Foundation performs these dual roles  through advocacy, education, fundraising, and philanthropy.</i><br /><br />The V Foundation was founded in 1993 by former NCAA basketball coach and N.C. State Athletic Director Jim Valvano with the assistance of ESPN. It was announced in a tear-jerking speech at the 1993 ESPY awards (seen below).<br /><br /><br /><br />Basically, Jimmy V was diagnosed with terminal cancer and wanted to help find a cure. Going through it from the patient side of it, he realized just how slowly cancer research fundraising ended up benefiting the actual patient, so he sought to speed up the process. Jimmy V passed away just two months after his ESPY speech, but 20 years later The V Foundation is going strong, making an impact, and working hard towards realizing his ultimate goal of finding a cure.<br /><br /><b>So what exactly am I doing to help?</b><br /><br />I am running four races to raise awareness and raise money for The V Foundation. One of them has already happened, the other 3 are all in the month of October.<br /><b> </b><br />9/22/13 - <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/09/what-is-good-enough-tavern2tavern5k.html\" target=\"_blank\">Tavern to Tavern 5K - Cambridge, MA (finished 200/722 - time: 23:51 - 7:45 min/mile)</a><br />10/5/13 - <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/08/getting-things-in-mocean-running-update.html\" target=\"_blank\">Canal Run For The Troops 10K - Buzzard\'s Bay, MA</a><br />10/20/13 - <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/09/2-months-4-runs-one-great-cause.html\" target=\"_blank\">31st Annual Boston Firefighters Local 718 Memorial Road Race 10K - Dorchester, MA</a><br />10/26/13 - <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/08/on-to-next-one-131.html\" target=\"_blank\">Cape Cod Marathon Half - Falmouth, MA</a><br /><br />I\'m currently fundraising through word of mouth and online through social media. You can, again, reach my online fundraising page here:<br /><a href=\"http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/SoTHISIsFitness/ccm13\">http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/SoTHISIsFitness/ccm13</a><br />&nbsp;I\'m in the process of brainstorming a fundraising event to hold locally. More on that soon (I hope!).<br /><br /><b>Why The V Foundation?</b> <br /><br />I know there are a million charities out there I could be fundraising for and some people have asked me how/why I chose The V Foundation. The answer is very simple: My college fraternity - <a href=\"http://www.deltachi.org/\" target=\"_blank\">The Delta Chi Fraternity, Inc.</a> - partnered up with The V Foundation in 2006. Almost every philanthropy event I did as an undergraduate member of my Chapter was to benefit The V Foundation...needless to say I had a lot of exposure to it and what it stood for. After raising over $2,800 for Dana-Farber through my Falmouth Road Race run, I thought it\'d be nice to do something similar for the first charity I ever really worked with and that I had such ties to. All money raised through this campaign will be donated to The V Foundation on behalf of The Boston Area Alumni Chapter of Delta Chi. <br /><br /><b>So why should I care? And why should I contribute?</b><br /><br />These days it seems like everything causes cancer. We\'re figuring out every day that something else we\'ve gotten used to can give us cancer! Even some of those who do their best to avoid carcinogens can be struck by the disease, and unfortunately, nearly everyone has a friend or family member who has been touched by some form of cancer. Cancer has stumped the world\'s top scientists for years, and the research necessary to learn more and figure out how to beat cancer takes a lot of time, training and equipment which, of course, costs a lot of money.&nbsp; By contributing to fundraising for organizations like The V Foundation, we can help build up the funds needed for grants to help researchers who are working so hard to find a cure. <br /><b> </b><br /><b>Please help me make this a successful fundraising campaign!</b><br /><br />On behalf of The V Foundation for Cancer Research and The Boston Area Alumni Chapter of The Delta Chi Fraternity, Inc. I thank you all in advance for your help, support, and generosity! If you have any questions please don\'t hesitate to reach out and ask - Darrell@SoTHISIsFitness.com<br /><b> </b><br /><a href=\"http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/SoTHISIsFitness/ccm13\"><b>http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/SoTHISIsFitness/ccm13</b></a>','Do It For The V','','inherit','closed','closed','','99-revision-v1','','','2017-01-14 00:58:13','2017-01-14 05:58:13','',99,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/99-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0);
INSERT INTO `wp_ryff_posts` VALUES (598,1,'2017-01-14 00:58:13','2017-01-14 05:58:13','2013 was such a huge year for me - I learned a lot about myself, my body, and my abilities. I learned that the only limits we <b>truly</b> have are the ones we set for ourselves - that\'s why I threw the <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/12/lose-your-limits-challenge-2014.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"Lose Your Limits Challenge 2014</a>\" out there. At the time, I didn\'t realize <b>I had already taken on this challenge myself.</b> As my 2013 running season drew to a close, I began lining up my 2014 season - that is where MY challenge lies - this upcoming year of races is jam-packed. If things continue the way they are I\'ll be running a race nearly every weekend! Lots of races are close together or back to back, and there are going to be some BIG ones later in the year. My 2014 season starts in 13 days, and I\'d like to share the first installment of that season with you today.<br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><a name=\'more\'></a>I\'m so fortunate to have a number of sponsors backing me for my 2014 race season! Without them, I wouldn\'t be able to run <b>nearly </b>as many races as I am. These first three races I want to share with you are sponsored by my&nbsp; very first sponsor - the one that made it possible for me to <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/10/achievement-unlocked-131.html\" target=\"_blank\">run my first half-martahon</a> -<a href=\"http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=1&amp;cad=rja&amp;ved=0CC8QFjAA&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fhaircutmeneastfalmouthma.com%2F&amp;ei=NEO4UrCEGOjv2QWuiYDQDA&amp;usg=AFQjCNFtc1JAvTbUMLqdzkdh92bZgrH5CQ&amp;sig2=zN0loStr8ORivGZ3VaRvwA&amp;bvm=bv.58187178,d.b2I\" target=\"_blank\"> <b>SportClips in Falmouth</b>. </a><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1-2CYtLQjJA/UgobuUylIzI/AAAAAAAABO8/0n6Q7101Shg/s1600/sportclips.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"200\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1-2CYtLQjJA/UgobuUylIzI/AAAAAAAABO8/0n6Q7101Shg/s400/sportclips.jpg\" width=\"400\" /></a></div>For those of you who haven\'t been there...as the logo implies, it\'s a sports-themed haircut place meant primarily for guys. There are tv\'s literally everywhere - including posted up between chairs for you to watch tv while you get a haircut. It\'s definitely an interesting concept, and I can dig it. They also do this thing called the \"MVP\" - it\'s like a little man-spa. You should check out their site and learn a little more - if you\'re anywhere near (or on) Cape Cod, the one in Falmouth <b>is</b><i> </i>the closest one to you - I\'m pretty sure it\'s the only one this side of Boston. <br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><b>The Races</b></span><br /><br />George (the owner over at SportClips) was kind enough to sponsor me for three local races. The first one is on January 5th! I bet that\'ll be a cold one (or not, if this weird New England weather keeps up!).<br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-icCssMcGVs0/Urgx-WsctrI/AAAAAAAAGF4/TaOujXI2l04/s1600/IMG_8095.JPG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"298\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-icCssMcGVs0/Urgx-WsctrI/AAAAAAAAGF4/TaOujXI2l04/s400/IMG_8095.JPG\" width=\"400\" />&nbsp;</a> </div><b><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Cape Cod Road Runner\'s 34th Annual Winter Fun Run</span></b><br /><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nvSQ-gFC2sY/Urg0dTJgcII/AAAAAAAAGGI/8kGzFoBQQ50/s1600/CCRRFunRunroute.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nvSQ-gFC2sY/Urg0dTJgcII/AAAAAAAAGGI/8kGzFoBQQ50/s320/CCRRFunRunroute.jpg\" width=\"272\" /></a>This one looks like a lot of fun! The course takes you through some back-road area in Bourne / Monument Beach (just past the Bourne Bridge), with about a half-mile stretch along the beach itself. I\'m REALLY hoping it\'s not windy - that half-mile could be pretty awful. It\'s a weird length for a <span></span><span></span>course - 4.87 miles. I\'ve found that most, if not all, non-standard distance courses tend to have a story behind their distance. The <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/08/andtheniranfalmouthroadrace.html\" target=\"_blank\">Falmouth Road Race</a> began as a run from the Captain Kidd in Woods Hole to the BBC in Falmouth (hence 7.4 miles), and it looks like (in terms of having a story) this race is no different. It used to be a course along a dirt road, which began at The Weary Traveler Shrine Club (Shriners are a part of Freemasonry), but over time maintenance of the dirt road became an issue, so they chose a new course. The revised course fell just short of 5 miles, but they stuck with it. <br /><br />This is a \"fun run\". <b>What does that mean?</b> It means there is no chip timing, and those bibs you see in the picture are basic and, it would seem, to help them jot down some overall and age group award winners. This\'ll feel the same as any other race I\'ve run - not like I\'m the leader of the pack taking home the prize for running a 15 minute 5K yet! Hah. The entry fees from this go to support the <a href=\"http://www.bourneconservationtrust.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Bourne Conservation Trust</a> - a private non-profit that acquires land in order to leave it in its natural state. Sounds good to me :). <br /><br /><b><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Lovin\' L.I.F.E. 5K</span></b><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fzHSbPZwReY/Urg1dzW9s9I/AAAAAAAAGGU/DDJZ4ErfKKA/s1600/12400_605858926109550_962739796_n.png\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"313\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fzHSbPZwReY/Urg1dzW9s9I/AAAAAAAAGGU/DDJZ4ErfKKA/s320/12400_605858926109550_962739796_n.png\" width=\"320\" /></a><br /><b>This one has some special meaning for me</b>. This was not only my first 5K, but my first RACE ever! I\'m VERY excited to run it again and see how I stack up against myself from last year. Last time I ran this race it was just a month and a half after I started running in the first place. <span></span><span></span><br /><span></span><span></span><br />This race, if they keep the same course as last year, takes you through some back roads and neighborhoods in Mashpee, MA. The home stretch goes along Great Neck Road in Mashpee, and the finish line is right in the L.I.F.E. complex. <br /><a href=\"http://www.lifecapecod.org/\" target=\"_blank\">L.I.F.E. stands for Living Independently Forever.</a> It\'s a non-profit org that provides assisted living for adults with disabilities in its condominium complex. It\'s a great group doing some great work, and I\'m happy to support them! The race is on May 4th, 2014. Should be a nice spring day, just like last year!<br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Falmouth Flag Day 5K</b></span><br /><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LgkoCZp99DA/Urg-7E1gmrI/AAAAAAAAGGg/JiloqDnbVzc/s1600/598812_436432483056708_1291712048_n.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"262\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LgkoCZp99DA/Urg-7E1gmrI/AAAAAAAAGGg/JiloqDnbVzc/s400/598812_436432483056708_1291712048_n.jpg\" width=\"400\" /></a><br />This race is still pending announcement, so it\'s tentative. I\'m PLANNING on running this one! This looks like a really fun race, and I ALMOST registered for it last year. I\'m not sure of the exact route of the course, but if photos are any indication it looks like the finish is right near the Falmouth Road Race finish - by the BBC in Falmouth Heights. If that\'s the case, I\'m sure this will be a very scenic race! This (hopefully) sunny June race will be a nice way to come down off of a half-marathon and an obstacle race...more on that soon ;)<br /><b></b><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>WHY Am I Doing This?</b></span><br /><br />These are just three of the 12 races I am (so far) registered for (through July), and there will be more coming. <b>Why </b>am I running so many races? And<b> why</b> would I register for races back to back? <b>I\'m doing it to show that you can</b>. If I can do it, anyone can. This time last year I was just beginning <a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/meet-darrell/my-journey\" target=\"_blank\">my fitness journey</a> - I had just finished <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/p/beachbody-coach.html\" target=\"_blank\">P90X</a>, I was on the road to being healthy, but I never in a million years would\'ve thought I could go and <b>run</b>. A year and a half ago...I was still resigned to the \"fact\" <a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/meet-darrell/my-journey\" target=\"_blank\">that I was, and would forever be, <b>big</b></a>. Clearly, that is not the case. <br /><b><br />Running is the most simple form of fitness. </b>Some more...<i>enthusiastic</i> runners...can make it very complicated...but in its simplest form, you strap on a pair of shoes and hit the road, trail, or treadmill. <b>That\'s it.</b> No complicated moves, no fancy agility training, no weights, no special gear, just you and the road. There is <b>no reason</b> why someone can\'t get out there and <b>be </b>a runner. This is how I\'m losing <b>my</b> limits - I\'m running. I\'m running <b>more</b>, I\'m running <b>faster</b>, I\'m running <b>farther</b>. By the end of 2014, I want to have completed my first marathon. <b>I want that 26.2. </b><u>And I\'ll get it. </u><br /><br />I didn\'t identify, personally, as a runner until I finished that half-marathon. I don\'t really know why...maybe I felt like I had something to prove to myself, or had to accomplish something big...who knows. I\'ve come to find, however, that it\'s very easy to figure out if you\'re a runner. <br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yXwiwZTzSfk/UrhBOaTYQ1I/AAAAAAAAGGs/EFNqOoJ6xEM/s1600/definerunner.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yXwiwZTzSfk/UrhBOaTYQ1I/AAAAAAAAGGs/EFNqOoJ6xEM/s1600/definerunner.jpg\" /></a></div><br />So <b>get out there</b>. Challenge yourself. Do something amazing. <b>Lose your limits.</b> I promise you, if you lose your perceptions of what you\'re capable of, if you <b>challenge yourself</b>, and <b>put the time in</b> to train...you can accomplish some <b>mind-blowing</b> feats. If someone had come up to me in August 2012 (when this all started) and told me that as I entered 2014 I would be training for my first marathon...I would\'ve told them to their face they were <b>high</b>. Now...Now I\'m hoping to be training for an Ultra-Marathon by 2015. <b>Funny how things change.</b><br /><b>&nbsp;</b><br /><b>What are YOU training for? </b>Have you taken on <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/12/lose-your-limits-challenge-2014.html\" target=\"_blank\">the challenge</a>?','I\'m Running. A Lot. This Is The Start.','','inherit','closed','closed','','86-revision-v1','','','2017-01-14 00:58:13','2017-01-14 05:58:13','',86,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/86-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(599,1,'2017-01-14 00:58:13','2017-01-14 05:58:13','Well that was a fun couple of weekends! Took a break from  half-marathoning (is that a word?) for a month and did a fun couple of  5K\'s!<br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1klLWMlBucQ/UyWfOh67JnI/AAAAAAAAGno/Tjn-IxzXU7w/s1600/march5kbibs.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1klLWMlBucQ/UyWfOh67JnI/AAAAAAAAGno/Tjn-IxzXU7w/s1600/march5kbibs.jpg\" height=\"155\" width=\"400\" /></a></div>Smuttynose  Palooza 5K and Pace To A Pint 5K in the books! I guess I was having so  much fun I forgot to do a recap for SmuttyPalooza! And then didn\'t  manage to get this article posted till the following Friday... Whoopsie :).  Anyway...These races were just slightly different than other races I\'ve  run...in a few ways...<br /><a name=\'more\'></a><br />So, like I said  - these two races were a TON of fun! There was a different atmosphere  about them than other races I\'ve run...Let\'s break it down race by race,  shall we?<br /><br /><b><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Let\'s talk about <a href=\"http://smuttynose-palooza.com/\" target=\"_blank\">SmuttyPalooza</a></span></b><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--xwLuTM6Gak/UymCf68HUUI/AAAAAAAAGqY/fYgwZNPzf74/s1600/smuttypalooza.gif\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--xwLuTM6Gak/UymCf68HUUI/AAAAAAAAGqY/fYgwZNPzf74/s1600/smuttypalooza.gif\" height=\"146\" width=\"400\" /></a></div><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VlTIroeWPvw/Uywp-m_K8UI/AAAAAAAAGrQ/4XPNyYpmBAc/s1600/eclipxshirtpic.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VlTIroeWPvw/Uywp-m_K8UI/AAAAAAAAGrQ/4XPNyYpmBAc/s1600/eclipxshirtpic.jpg\" height=\"200\" width=\"181\" /></a><b><span style=\"font-size: small;\">&nbsp;</span></b><br /><br /><b><span style=\"font-size: small;\">OH MY...SmuttyPalooza...</span></b><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> WHERE to begin... This race was a TON of fun. I ran this race for Natalie at <a href=\"http://www.eclipxhair.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Eclipx Salon</a> (in Salisbury, MA). Smuttynose Palooza was put on by <a href=\"http://www.locoraces.com/\" target=\"_blank\">LOCO Racing</a> - a \"for-runners by-runners\" race management company out of New Hampshire. It was up at Salisbury  Beach, which is actually where the <a href=\"http://rutraceseries.com/frosty-knuckle-5k/\" target=\"_blank\">Frosty Knuckle 5K+</a> was just a few  weeks prior! Not only that, but the course itself actually traveled  through Salisbury Beach Reservation along part of the same course Frosty  Knuckle used!&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SHYEobdLSe8/UymDlBcdtDI/AAAAAAAAGqo/dB9E_pwjqv0/s1600/smuttypalooza+course.gif\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SHYEobdLSe8/UymDlBcdtDI/AAAAAAAAGqo/dB9E_pwjqv0/s1600/smuttypalooza+course.gif\" height=\"245\" width=\"400\" /></a></span><br />I  have to say, it WAS a really nice course - the scenery was picturesque.  Salisbury Beach Reservation, as the LOCO race  company folks like to point out, is one of the most popular ocean  beaches in the state. There were LOTS of birdwatchers camped out with  their cameras and binoculars looking over the salt marshes....I can  safely say that\'s the only place I\'ve seen that in real life. It was  like something out of Discovery Channel.<br /><br />You can tell from the picture...it was an \"out-and-back\" course -  meaning you run out to a certain point, turn around, and run back to  where you started. Typically, \"Out-and-back\" courses can drive some  people crazy...but they don\'t really bother me all that much (maybe  because that\'s how I train). I also find it kind of fun to see the  leaders on their way back as I\'m almost at the turnaround...and I LOVE  running by 80 - 90% of the runners as I\'m on MY way back to the finish  line. An \"out-and-back\" course also allows you to know exactly where you  stand, so to speak, in terms of getting back to the finish. Oftentimes  on a \"loop\" course you can\'t really keep track of where exactly you are  unless you see a mile marker, and even then you can get \"lost\"  in-between mile markers...but once I hit the turnaround? I know <b>exactly </b>where I am and how far it is to the finish. The course was also incredibly flat, which I was thrilled about (I was shooting for a new 5K PR).<br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mspxwqkiJZ8/Uyml8QGEeNI/AAAAAAAAGq4/DDPKvHmRUMU/s1600/IMG_20140308_082222428.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mspxwqkiJZ8/Uyml8QGEeNI/AAAAAAAAGq4/DDPKvHmRUMU/s1600/IMG_20140308_082222428.jpg\" height=\"225\" width=\"400\" /></a></div><b>I was very disappointed with myself in this race.</b> I took a walk break. I took TWO very short walk breaks. I usually NEVER  walk during a 5K...one of my proudest moments was the first time I was  able to run 3 miles without stopping, and now I take pride in running  3.1 mile <b>races</b> without stopping...CONSISTENTLY. This day, I was  pushing myself very hard, and I think there might\'ve been a headwind or  something...but close to the 2 mile marker...I felt like I <b>had</b> to walk for a second...and as I did it...I said to myself I\'d be SO upset if <b>this</b> is what cost me a PR.<br /><br />I came in at 24:14...my 5K PR is 23:57. <b>I missed it by 17 seconds.</b> I knew it before I turned the corner and saw the big LED clock. I was pretty disappointed for a few minutes...but then I got over it because 24:14 is still <b>pretty damn good!</b><br /><br /><b>Remember how I said these races were a bit different?</b> Well, if you notice...the name of the race includes \"karaoke contest\". Once you finished the race and had some water and pizza outside...you go into the Blue Ocean Pavillion (entrance pictured above) for the beer (yay) and karaoke!<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"315\" src=\"//www.youtube.com/embed/aiEo4Dk2l8E\" width=\"560\"></iframe>As a sidenote - I\'ve learned&nbsp; that races and beer <b>generally</b> happen one of three ways - as a runner you either get no free beer, one (or two) free beer(s), or they just keep on pouring beer until it\'s either gone or the party\'s over. With a karaoke contest and a name like \"SmuttyPalooza\"...I think you can figure out which of the three it was (spoiler alert - 3rd option). It was SUPER fun. I definitely didn\'t do any karaoke, but those guys in the video above sure did...and MAN were they into it! The crowd went nuts when the music started playing for this one. <br /><br /><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HxGoTB28hvY/UymDM56T6rI/AAAAAAAAGqg/B2sZAQIpAu0/s1600/IMG_20140308_082013377.jpg\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HxGoTB28hvY/UymDM56T6rI/AAAAAAAAGqg/B2sZAQIpAu0/s1600/IMG_20140308_082013377.jpg\" height=\"225\" width=\"400\" /></a><br /><b><a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2014/02/no-limits-frosty-knuckle-5k-hyannis.html\" target=\"_blank\">When I was talking about Frosty Knuckle 5K+</a> </b>I mentioned Salisbury Beach looked like some kind of abandoned, creepy beach pavilion out of Zombieland or something, right? Check out that pic to the left. If you open it up and look, you can kind of get the idea. The area, specifically, that I was talking about was at the end of this street and to the right - right along the beachfront. It was WEIRD. I\'m sure it\'s very nice in the summer though...but with no people in the winter...creep city.<br /><br /><b><span style=\"font-size: large;\">What About Pace To A Pint?</span></b><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qDRo6vm2SWQ/UyRG-gsCPxI/AAAAAAAAGnA/WZklBFym6E0/s1600/pacetoapint10afinalol.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qDRo6vm2SWQ/UyRG-gsCPxI/AAAAAAAAGnA/WZklBFym6E0/s1600/pacetoapint10afinalol.jpg\" height=\"193\" width=\"320\" /></a></div><b><a href=\"http://www.wickedawesomeproductions.com/pace-to-a-pint/\" target=\"_blank\">Pace To A Pint 5K</a> was also super fun!</b> I ran this one for <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/CapeCodNutritionCorner.Plymouth\" target=\"_blank\">Cape Cod Nutrition Corner </a>(it\'s right in town!), and wore, again, what has probably become one of my new favorite running shirts :). Supplement/nutrition stores DON\'T have to be ALL about muscle and bulk, y\'know! <a href=\"http://www.capecodnutrition.com/index.html\" target=\"_blank\">RUN CCNC!</a><br /><br /><b>ANYWAY - </b>this race was St. Patrick\'s Day themed, so just about everyone there was wearing green and ready to drink. Then there\'s me...in a bright orange tank.Guess it was easy for my friends and family to spot me! <b>This race was a little special for me...</b> Why, you ask?<br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LFiMoq2JaEY/UyxEPtNCyRI/AAAAAAAAGrw/r4T1HwLu0xo/s1600/IMG_20140315_114552726_HDR.jpg\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LFiMoq2JaEY/UyxEPtNCyRI/AAAAAAAAGrw/r4T1HwLu0xo/s1600/IMG_20140315_114552726_HDR.jpg\" height=\"225\" width=\"400\" /></a></div><b>MEGAN RAN!</b><br /><br /><br />I was SO stoked to have her out there with me! We may not have run side by side the whole time, but we were both out there slogging through it \"together\" :). We DID start together, and I was there to see her finish. It is SO nice to be able to share this fitness journey with her and to do things like this together. If your significant other is in it with you, ENJOY EVERY MINUTE OF IT, and if they\'re not...encourage them to get into it! If you can do it, so can they! Why shouldn\'t they enjoy it with you? <a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/meet-darrell/my-journey\" target=\"_blank\">Megan and I started this whole thing together</a> - not everyone does. My dad held out for a long time - for almost a year my mom was doing the workouts with us before he finally joined in. It\'s important to share something that\'s such a big part of your lifestyle. <br /><b></b><br /><b>I should probably get off the <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soapbox\" target=\"_blank\">soapbox</a> now...</b><br /><br /><b>I\'m sure you noticed my bib number...13. </b>Lucky number 13. How about that, huh? The only bad luck I ended up having was at the start. Megan and I pretty much missed the boat on the starting corral thing...We had just switched her to a new phone, and we had never opened the Runkeeper app before (whoops). For some reason, it didn\'t want to log in for her, so she had to run without Runkeeper in her ear tracking her run :(. We DID manage to get her music playing by the time we crossed the start though. In the end, we didn\'t get into the starting corral until they were getting ready to blow the gun, so we ended up at the back of the pack. <b>Literally...the back of the pack.</b> We were in the back of just over 1,000 runners. Don\'t believe me? Below is the video my dad took of the start.<br /><b> </b><br /><iframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"315\" src=\"//www.youtube.com/embed/FIZjym93OCI\" width=\"560\"></iframe><b>&nbsp;</b><br /><b>See? Literally, </b>1:14 after the gun, Megan and I get across. Remember that big crowd that started before me and save that for later... By the way, sorry about the finger in the cam - he just got a new GoPro and he hasn\'t quite figured out how to use it yet. <b>GOOD NEWS - </b>I\'ll be taking that GoPro on <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2014/03/mayhem-time-to-get-muddy.html\" target=\"_blank\">obstacle races</a> :)<br /><br /><b>Because we started this race in the back of the pack I experienced something I haven\'t dealt with since last year\'s <a href=\"http://www.finishatthe50.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Finish at the 50 10K</a> - </b>I had to fight through a crowd! I\'ve gotten into the habit of beginning a race as close to the starting line as possible. <b>I don\'t care</b> if 100 people blow by me in the first 5 minutes - it\'s worth it to me not to have to fight through a crowd, picking my way through the gaps. Doing that expends a LOT of energy, and with all the slow-downs and speed-ups you end up going AT BEST the average speed you really <b>want</b> to go anyway...it just takes more out of you to do it. Worst case, you blow a lot of energy and end up finishing the race slower than you could\'ve. UNFORTUNATELY, the latter is what happened to me. <br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MH3P3PG8JpM/UyxQmNmJlTI/AAAAAAAAGsE/EReFCc7LRXw/s1600/pacetoapintbib.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MH3P3PG8JpM/UyxQmNmJlTI/AAAAAAAAGsE/EReFCc7LRXw/s1600/pacetoapintbib.jpg\" height=\"196\" width=\"320\" /></a></div><br /><b>I ended up finishing in 24:24</b>, a 7:51 minute/mile average. Overall, that\'s not an awful time. It\'s almost 30 seconds slower than my PR, which is kind of a bummer, but at least I came in under 25 minutes. <b>Now, here\'s the fun part: </b>I finished 128th out of 1,024 overall, placing me in the top 11.7%. I came in 25th out of 84 in my age group (19 - 29). Remember that MASSIVE crowd that all crossed the starting line before me? <b>I passed the vast majority of them.&nbsp;</b> So much for UN-lucky number 13 huh? HAH.<br /><br /><b>What made THIS race different was the post-race celebration.</b><br /><br />You got a ticket for a free Harpoon beer. You were able to use that ticket at any of <b>9 participating bars. </b>For real? SO basically the post race party was one big bar crawl. It was a lot of fun! Two of my <a href=\"http://www.deltachi.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Delta Chi brothers</a> (college fraternity) met up with us too! <br />&nbsp; <br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sGcOjiGrW98/UyxUeuHxyzI/AAAAAAAAGsY/_ybXT6C4org/s1600/IMG_20140315_150829030.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sGcOjiGrW98/UyxUeuHxyzI/AAAAAAAAGsY/_ybXT6C4org/s1600/IMG_20140315_150829030.jpg\" height=\"225\" width=\"400\" /></a></div>What I\'m coming to appreciate about 5K\'s is...aside from the elites out in front...it\'s more of a party than anything. <b>5K\'s are a social event.</b> I\'m not diminishing the distance as a race, but honestly, most 5K\'s I participate in are more of a fun social event / party than anything else! Once I realized that, things like color runs, electric / glow runs, zombie runs, etc all made sense. It\'s <b>fun</b>. It\'s all about <b>FUN!</b> Those hundreds of people I passed and finished before? Most of them <b>probably don\'t care that they got passed</b>.<b> </b>Many of them <b>probably aren\'t bothered </b>if they come in over 30 minutes, or if they walk. <b>That\'s not what it\'s about for them</b>. Most people also typically choose a 5K as their first race, so they\'re out there making a huge accomplishment, and SO WHAT if they\'re \"slow\"...they DID IT. All of these people have embraced something that I sometimes forget as I get lost in the competitiveness of it all - <b>it\'s about having fun and enjoying the run.</b> <br /><br /><b>All of this makes me love the 5K distance even more.&nbsp;</b><br /><br />It\'s about <b>having a good time. </b>It\'s about <b>enjoying running</b>.&nbsp;<b> </b>It\'s about <b>doing it</b>. I need to make sure to remember that when I\'m out there. Why am I out there pounding pavement when I could be at work making money, or at home relaxing? <b>Because I enjoy it</b>. Running is my \"me time\". I need to let go of the competitive thing once in a while and just <b>go</b>. <br /><br />Speaking of which...I think I\'m gonna <b>go </b>right now. I just inspired myself to go run. Are <b>you</b> gonna get out there? It IS spring now, after all! HAPPY FRIDAY!','5K Recap - SmuttyPalooza & Pace To A Pint','','inherit','closed','closed','','74-revision-v1','','','2017-01-14 00:58:13','2017-01-14 05:58:13','',74,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/74-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(600,1,'2017-01-14 00:58:13','2017-01-14 05:58:13','This past weekend was<b> jam-packed</b> with <i>awesome</i>. Saturday I ran the <a href=\"http://runthecircle.org/wordpress/?page_id=403\" target=\"_blank\">April Fool\'s Four Miler</a> put on by the <a href=\"http://www.runthecircle.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Winner\'s Circle Running Club</a>, Sunday I did the Spartan Race <a href=\"http://www.spartanraceworkout.com/home.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"Spartan 300 Workout\"</a> at Mohegan Sun...and right before the weekend started I got confirmation about a major development...<br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kJtevBcc2KE/UzkA7O-M5YI/AAAAAAAAGvI/Dcg47jt5O_Y/s1600/aprilfools.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kJtevBcc2KE/UzkA7O-M5YI/AAAAAAAAGvI/Dcg47jt5O_Y/s1600/aprilfools.jpg\" height=\"320\" width=\"245\" /></a></div>I\'m going to save the Spartan workout for another article. Today\'s story is all about the April Fool\'s Road Race and my big announcement... So, that said...<br /><a name=\'more\'></a><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>The April Fool\'s Four Mile Road Race Was A Blast!</b></span><br /><br /><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zLLnrixtZ-c/UzkDqY5H87I/AAAAAAAAGvU/j-IOdeDwxj8/s1600/wcrclgo3.gif\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zLLnrixtZ-c/UzkDqY5H87I/AAAAAAAAGvU/j-IOdeDwxj8/s1600/wcrclgo3.gif\" height=\"320\" width=\"315\" /></a>I had a <b>ton</b> of fun at the race! There\'s so much to say about it! In order to understand a race like this, you have to understand the people putting it on - <b>The Winner\'s Circle Running Club</b>.<br /><br />I had read the information online, but somehow it didn\'t click until I got there - <a href=\"http://www.winnerscirclema.com/\" target=\"_blank\">The Winner\'s Circle</a> <i>is a sports bar</i>. So this is a running club more or less based out of the bar. They meet at The Winner\'s Circle weekly for a run (and have a monthly meeting as well) and after the run...well...they have \"social hour\" at the bar! The club helps out with lots of local races...many of which they put on themselves! It also appears that they participate in USATF Grand Prix racing (look into if it you\'re curious).<br /><br /><b>I met a number of WCRC members</b> at the post-race party...and enjoyed a number of <i>libations </i>with them...and I have to tell you <b>they\'re a hoot and a half. </b>The group I was with was a bunch of older guys, and <b>man</b> were they a tough crowd! They joke and pal around just like I\'m used to with my college fraternity brothers - it felt like these guys had been buddies for decades. I have to say, I felt very welcomed by them - I was easily 2 or 3 decades younger than most of them, and I felt just as much a part of the conversation as any of them seemed to.<br /><br />I also (of course) made a point to meet the Race Director, Laurie. This woman was all. over. the. place. In a good way! I swear, I didn\'t see her stop moving until well into the post-race party, after most participants had left and it was down to the hardcore partyers and volunteers who finally got to relax. I have to give her and the WCRC folks a big hand for putting together a great race - well-organized, and a lot of fun! <br /><b><br />This was also the first time</b> I have <b>ever</b> had to do race-day registration. For some reason I wasn\'t sure up till the last minute that I was GOING to do this race, and by then it was too late for pre-registration online. I got there, walked in, filled out a form, and they handed me a bib. <b>It was that easy</b>. No hassle, no headache, no worries...<b>no nothing</b>! It was a breeze! I\'m not sure if this is how race-day registration USUALLY works, but I was impressed. Oh...speaking of the bibs...<br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-712oJgHdaYI/UzkIL0GdOII/AAAAAAAAGvg/jc_WeYt8zi4/s1600/IMG_20140330_234914371.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-712oJgHdaYI/UzkIL0GdOII/AAAAAAAAGvg/jc_WeYt8zi4/s1600/IMG_20140330_234914371.jpg\" height=\"321\" width=\"400\" /></a></div><br /><b>EVERYONE was #0! </b><br /><br />Hah. April Fool\'s, huh? <br /><br />Everyone\'s ACTUAL number was up in the corner - I was 844. Those bibs made for a pretty hilarious scene at the start and finish though. <br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>So...Back To The Race...</b></span><br /><br />This was the 33rd running of WCRC\'s April Fool\'s race. After over 30 years of putting on the same race it\'s evident that it\'s survived so long because it\'s well-planned, well-executed, and fun for everyone. The course was an \"out-and-back\" - I\'m coming to appreciate them. I know I\'ve mentioned in other articles and recaps...but it\'s fun to start anticipating the turnaround as you watch the leaders come back at you toward the finish. It\'s also cool to see everyone else behind you after you go through the turnaround and head back towards the finish yourself. The course was VERY flat - no noteworthy hills or inclines to deal with. This was <b>definitely </b>a pleasant course and a fun run.<br /><br />I\'ve run a number of 5K\'s, 5 Milers, and 10K\'s...but I\'ve never before run a <a href=\"http://www.usatf.org/Home.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">USATF (U.S.A. Track &amp; Field) Certified</a> 4 mile race, so this was a bit of a different experience. Even though this race was about 1/3 longer than a 5K (4 miles vs. 3.1) I still tried to run it like I would run a 5K - hard, fast, and aggressive. I also tried to treat it  like a 5K as far as walking was concerned (meaning DON\'T walk if I can  help it). Overall, it went pretty well. I finished in 31:55.4 - 7:59  min/mile and 182nd of 825 overall (21st /41 Open age group)! Not bad for  four miles, and not bad for not having run all week! Not to mention my  lack of sleep the night before...I\'d say I\'m satisfied! <br /><br />As I may have alluded to earlier...the post-race party at The Winner\'s Circle was a ton of fun - everyone got two beer tickets...but people just kept <b>giving</b> beer tickets to me! And the WCRC guys I was hanging out with kept bringing beer to the table and sliding some my way! I wasn\'t about to be rude and refuse, of course...<br /><br /><b>So 5 hours later</b> I left The Winner\'s Circle. <b>HAH</b>. What a fun day! I <b>highly</b> recommend this race to anyone looking for a good time on an unusual distance. Again, BIG thanks to Laurie and the folks at the <a href=\"http://www.runthecircle.org/\">Winner\'s Circle Running Club</a> for putting on a GREAT race!<br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8TvWeuVbIQo/UzkLEf3wTCI/AAAAAAAAGvs/xlbsiMRQq64/s1600/IMG_20140329_111229243_HDR.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8TvWeuVbIQo/UzkLEf3wTCI/AAAAAAAAGvs/xlbsiMRQq64/s1600/IMG_20140329_111229243_HDR.jpg\" height=\"400\" width=\"225\" /></a></div><br /><b><span style=\"font-size: large;\">While We\'re Busy <i>Thanking </i>people... </span></b><br /><br />Most races I have someone there to support me - a friend, family member, etc. For this race my aunt Dorothy came out! Her husband (my uncle Joe) is an electrician and owns Flanagan Electric out of Newburyport, MA. Flanagan Electric was my sponsor for this race. I tried to be clever with my shirt and keep it \"electrical\" themed...I thought I did ok with \"Wired To Run\". I\'m very fortunate to be sponsored for so many races this year - my sponsors (and some generous RD\'s) are <b>literally</b> the <i>only</i> reason I am able to run this many races, so a <b>big thank you </b>to Flanagan Electric and my aunt and uncle is in order for making this race (and a few more to come) possible! If you\'re up in that neighborhood and need some electrical work done, call 978-463-4330 - Flanagan Electric does both residential and commercial. <b>Who Knows...</b>maybe I can get him to put together a website and/or a Facebook page! 21st Century, <i>here we come!</i> <br /><br /><b>On the topic of <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/p/sponsors.html\">Sponsors...</a></b><br /><br /><b>&nbsp;<span style=\"font-size: large;\">ANNOUNCEMENT - I am a Team Armored Athlete!</span></b><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rMcJUTO6bpI/Uzlk1F2zpcI/AAAAAAAAGwA/fuu0T6R6eqA/s1600/00_armoredlogo15.png\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rMcJUTO6bpI/Uzlk1F2zpcI/AAAAAAAAGwA/fuu0T6R6eqA/s1600/00_armoredlogo15.png\" height=\"73\" width=\"400\" /></a></div>Just in case I couldn\'t consider myself one in the <i>traditional </i>sense before...<b>I am now officially a sponsored athlete!</b> I\'ve been picked up by <a href=\"http://www.armorednutrition.com/\">www.ArmoredNutrition.com</a> as one of their Team Armored Athletes! I am <b>beyond</b> excited to be a part of Team Armored and look forward to what will come in this new relationship! <a href=\"http://www.armorednutrition.com/Darrell-W-McTague_ep_54.html\" target=\"_blank\">You can check out my profile on Team Armored here!</a><br /><br /><b>I do my nutrition shopping at a combination </b>of brick-and-mortar store and online store. One of my sponsors prior to Armored is a brick and mortar nutrition store - I love them to death! Both have their benefits, and I\'m not saying to stop going to the brick-and-mortar (not at ALL)...both have their place... <br /><br /><b>That said - I really believe in <a href=\"http://www.armorednutrition.com/\">Armored Nutrition</a> and what they have going on!</b> They\'ve got incredible, honest customer service that\'s only a live chat or call away and their shipping is LIGHTNING quick! <a href=\"http://www.armorednutrition.com/About-Us_ep_7.html\">They have 7 warehouses across the country</a>, so they can ship orders to MOST places within one day. Couple that with their incredible effort to get it packed and shipped as fast as possible (often same-day) and its at your door before you have time to turn around! I\'ll have to do an article soon on the benefits of brick-and-mortar vs. online...hmm...anyway...<br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s3eBQN6O8vY/UzlnW6DVFiI/AAAAAAAAGwM/Dxyz96llP8w/s1600/runarmored.png\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s3eBQN6O8vY/UzlnW6DVFiI/AAAAAAAAGwM/Dxyz96llP8w/s1600/runarmored.png\" height=\"180\" width=\"320\" /></a></div><br /><b>Check them out! </b>Give <a href=\"http://www.armorednutrition.com/\">Armored Nutrition</a> a try and support my new team! Not only do they have kick-ass service and shipping, but their prices are actually pretty good too.<br /><br /><b>You can use coupon code \"RunArmored\" for 5% off your order</b> to give them a whirl! Let them know Darrell sent you!<br /><br />Look for me running for <a href=\"http://www.armorednutrition.com/Team-Armored-Athletes_ep_45.html\">Team Armored</a> in the future! Can\'t wait to take this on the road and see how it goes! <br /><br /><b><span style=\"font-size: large;\">What\'s the moral of the story here?</span></b><br /><br /><b>Get Out Of Your Own Way! </b>If you work hard, strive for it, and <b>put yourself out there</b> you <b>WILL </b>get what you\'re working for! I went through the list - it looks like, so far, <b>I\'ll be running 32 races this year. </b>Why on God\'s green earth would I do that? <b>Like I\'ve said before - </b>It\'s all about showing that <b>it CAN be done! </b><a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/meet-darrell/my-journey\">If I can go from a hopeless 300 lb lump</a> on the couch resigned to a life of mediocrity and health issues to becoming a sponsored runner...<b>there is no reason Joe Six-Pack can\'t get off the couch and start getting healthy!</b> <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/12/lose-your-limits-challenge-2014.html\">I\'ve said it before</a> and I\'ll say it a million times more - <br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zOLOwqzhF0k/UzlptV8FThI/AAAAAAAAGwY/RS8QvucfAa4/s1600/lyl-photo-collage.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zOLOwqzhF0k/UzlptV8FThI/AAAAAAAAGwY/RS8QvucfAa4/s1600/lyl-photo-collage.jpg\" height=\"263\" width=\"400\" /></a></div><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>The Only Limits We Truly Have Are The Ones We Set For Ourselves.</b></span><br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Stop limiting yourself, </span></b><span style=\"font-size: small;\">get out of your own way</span>, <b>and go get it!</b></span> Happy Motivational Monday :)','April Fool\'s 4 Miler Recap & Team Armored','','inherit','closed','closed','','72-revision-v1','','','2017-01-14 00:58:13','2017-01-14 05:58:13','',72,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/72-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(601,1,'2017-01-14 00:59:55','2017-01-14 05:59:55','I\'ve been trying out something new, and after lots of training trials and game-day performance, I\'m ready to let you all know what I think.\r\n<div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JIudP_a__P4/UuectQoFC6I/AAAAAAAAGO0/NcvkQWLLIAc/s1600/chiabarlabel.jpg\"><img src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JIudP_a__P4/UuectQoFC6I/AAAAAAAAGO0/NcvkQWLLIAc/s1600/chiabarlabel.jpg\" width=\"320\" height=\"214\" border=\"0\" /></a></div>\r\n<b>Health Warrior Chia Bars</b>. If you\'ve seen <a href=\"https://twitter.com/SnuffyDX\" target=\"_blank\">Tweets from me</a> that say #PoweredByChia...this is what I was talking about. I\'ve been trying these out to fuel myself for runs, workouts, and life in general, and I\'ve got lots to tell you. In order to tell you about Health Warrior\'s Chia Bars, however, first the question must be asked...<!--more-->\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>What the heck is Chia?</b></span>\r\n\r\n<b>Healthy. That\'s what.</b> Now that I\'ve gotten that out of my system, let me REALLY answer my own question:\r\n<table style=\"float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><a style=\"clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--1sJRuM0F6U/Uuef8vvlbfI/AAAAAAAAGPE/RqafFoQ-Mk0/s1600/chia+seeds.jpg\"><img src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--1sJRuM0F6U/Uuef8vvlbfI/AAAAAAAAGPE/RqafFoQ-Mk0/s1600/chia+seeds.jpg\" width=\"320\" height=\"202\" border=\"0\" /></a></td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">img from Forbes.com</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: right;\"></div>\r\n<b>You may have seen it</b> in a little tube on a point-of-sale display at your local \"health food\"/ nutrition store, you may have seen the word \"chia\" thrown around in \"health food\" packaging, or you may have heard people talking about the newest greatest thing - <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvia_hispanica\" target=\"_blank\">CHIA</a>!\r\n\r\n<b>Chia is a little tiny seed, and it\'s been around forever. </b>The reason it\'s such a big deal now is that it\'s a superfood, and people are just now catching on to it - it\'s becoming mainstream.\r\n\r\n<b>So what\'s a <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superfood\" target=\"_blank\">\"superfood\"</a>? </b>The word itself is just a marketing term companies throw around to say something has a wide berth of health benefits - as far as I can tell it\'s not actually a word nutritionists, doctors or dieticians have put out there. I\'m ok with it though - it\'s just a descriptor and it DOES apply here so frankly I don\'t care where it came from.\r\n<div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div>\r\n<a style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Bk4gYdd2bw/UueiSZST6VI/AAAAAAAAGPY/vfF1_CAFUTQ/s1600/chiaseedshw.jpg\"><img src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Bk4gYdd2bw/UueiSZST6VI/AAAAAAAAGPY/vfF1_CAFUTQ/s1600/chiaseedshw.jpg\" width=\"235\" height=\"320\" border=\"0\" /></a><b>Chia seeds ARE pretty packed with nutrition</b> for how small of a seed it is. <a href=\"http://healthwarrior.com/what-is-chia/\" target=\"_blank\">As Health Warrior describes on their site</a> - one 16 ounce bag (1 pound) of their chia seeds is equivalent to:\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>10 lbs of salmon (Omega -3 Fatty Acids)</li>\r\n 	<li>3 lbs of tofu (protein)</li>\r\n 	<li>4 lbs of milk (calcium, I\'m assuming? They talk about strong bones with that one)</li>\r\n 	<li>4 lbs of oatmeal (fiber)</li>\r\n 	<li>15 lbs of broccoli (magnesium)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<b>That\'s an awful lot of work for one pound of little tiny seeds to be doing.</b>\r\n\r\nHealth Warrior uses those amazing, hard-working, nutrient-dense little seeds to make their Chia Bars.\r\n\r\n<b>So now that we\'ve covered those bases, we can look at...</b>\r\n\r\n<b><span style=\"font-size: large;\">What\'s in these Chia Bars?</span></b>\r\n\r\n<b>These things are pretty amazing. Let\'s take a look at the label.</b>\r\n<div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><b><a style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CT32MY1Qyz4/Uuel8q3G5wI/AAAAAAAAGQE/OrOB4-L3LUI/s1600/chia+nutrition.jpg\"><img src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CT32MY1Qyz4/Uuel8q3G5wI/AAAAAAAAGQE/OrOB4-L3LUI/s1600/chia+nutrition.jpg\" width=\"400\" height=\"148\" border=\"0\" /></a></b></div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div>\r\n<b>See that?!</b> These bars are 100 calories each (similar to other fitness \"nutrition\") and pack an awful lot into that little space. 1000mg of Omega-3 fatty acids, 4g of fiber (16% daily recommended intake), 4g of plant-based whole-food protein, and they make it taste good with just 5g of sugar.\r\n\r\n<b>But wait - </b>\r\n<div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iRkNRLVlyAY/UueqBSLpjvI/AAAAAAAAGQg/NuGCZ1U4Df8/s1600/chiabaringredients.jpg\"><img src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iRkNRLVlyAY/UueqBSLpjvI/AAAAAAAAGQg/NuGCZ1U4Df8/s1600/chiabaringredients.jpg\" width=\"400\" height=\"186\" border=\"0\" /></a></div>\r\n<b> It\'s all-natural and...well...healthy!</b> That 5g of sugar comes, primarily, from the organic agave syrup! <b>NOT </b>high-fructose corn syrup. <b>NOT </b>\"sugar\". <b>NOT aspartame, sucralose, fructose, or any \'ose\'</b>. Look at all the other ingredients - brown rice syrup, organic cashew butter, organic this, organic that...it\'s all organic and natural! These things are <i>really </i>healthy! The label also makes a point to say that it is soy-free, dairy-free, gluten-free and 100% vegan. They get it done and take care of a lot of peoples\' dietary needs/restrictions. It SEEMS to me to be the case that this would also qualify as paleo-friendly, but I\'m no pro on paleo, so I\'ll have to look into that a little more.\r\n\r\n<b>So </b>we know what they\'re made of, and we know the health benefits...but there\'s another important question to ask:\r\n\r\n<a style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\" href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4y17MfWQdOI/Uueung0hSPI/AAAAAAAAGQw/jMb70qKCj_o/s1600/chiaunbox.jpg\"><img src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4y17MfWQdOI/Uueung0hSPI/AAAAAAAAGQw/jMb70qKCj_o/s1600/chiaunbox.jpg\" width=\"250\" height=\"320\" border=\"0\" /></a><b><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Do They Taste Good?</span></b>\r\n\r\n<b>YES! </b>At least, I think so. These chia bars are offered in a variety of flavors - <a href=\"http://shop.healthwarrior.com/\" target=\"_blank\">they are usually sold one flavor to a box</a>, but my friend Brad at Health Warrior was kind enough to hand-pack and send me a variety box so I could try them all! They have: Coffee, Acai Berry, Banana Nut, Apple Cinnamon, Chocolate Peanut Butter and Coconut. I have to say, my favorites are Apple Cinnamon, Banana Nut, and Coconut. They\'re ALL really tasty, don\'t get me wrong, but those ones are all tied for first place.\r\n\r\n<b>I swear, the flavors are crazy good!</b> If they were colors, they\'d be the most vibrant, saturated hues of the color possible - that\'s the best way I can describe how the flavor really nails the description - the Banana Nut REALLY tastes like banana nut bread, the apple cinnamon smell and taste evokes memories of my favorite apple cinnamon oatmeal and baked goods growing up, the coconut tastes like every yummy coconut dessert I\'ve ever had...<b>I don\'t know how they do it while keeping it so healthy and natural</b>, but these things are basically a pre-race dessert for me!\r\n\r\n<b><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Texture</span></b>\r\n<div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\" href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-obAMWR3BpFQ/Uue0wB5ZI0I/AAAAAAAAGRM/0ypNGFqwn_4/s1600/IMG_20140128_083305030.jpg\"><img src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-obAMWR3BpFQ/Uue0wB5ZI0I/AAAAAAAAGRM/0ypNGFqwn_4/s1600/IMG_20140128_083305030.jpg\" width=\"320\" height=\"214\" border=\"0\" /></a></div>\r\n<b>I feel like texture is important to touch on with this product. </b>These bars are, primarily, made with little tiny seeds, after all, and you CAN tell when you\'re eating it. The texture is <b>not </b>offensive, let me be clear on that. Think of it, in a small way, like when eating popcorn - sometimes a little piece gets left behind in your mouth and you find it later. Sometimes I find a chia seed floating around my mouth once I start my run. I do not mind this at all - it\'s still wrapped up in some of the flavor-y goodness of the bar, so it\'s like a little flavor nugget left behind in my mouth. <b>I kinda like that</b>. Please note that this does <b>NOT </b>happen every time, only sometimes. I\'m sure if you have your bar with some water that would likely eliminate that occurrence completely. I have a feeling this is kind of my fault as I tend to fly through it and not necessarily chew thoroughly. <b>Again - this is NOT a negative</b>, just something to be aware of. I happen to like it, and for the health benefits / fuel quality I\'m getting, I\'m more than happy to \"deal\". That aside, overall, the texture kind of reminds me of a soft, chewy granola bar. <b>No points are deducted in the \"texture\" and \"mouth-feel\" department.</b>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Performance</b></span>\r\n\r\n<b>I. Felt. GREAT. </b>I\'m not going to take you through each individual run like I did with <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/09/review-fitaid.html\" target=\"_blank\">the FitAid review</a>, but after trying these bars a dozen times I can say with absolute certainty that I felt great when powered by these bars for a run, workout, or my day in general. I usually have a bar about 15 to 20 minutes before I begin my run/workout/whatever, and it gets me through my workout like a champ - when I might otherwise feel the need to stop, walk, or take it easy, instead I keep on truckin\' like a boss. For longer workouts, like a big distance run, I do tend to re-fuel after about an hour, but you should do that anyway - 100 calories isn\'t going to get you through a half-marathon, no matter HOW nutrient-dense it is. I went on a variety of run distances with this from 2 miles through half-marathon distance. Some were races, some were just my own regular workouts. I also used these for a pick-me-up on a regular day and felt great and really energized. These little bars are a great way to give your body what it craves to fuel it through a workout or through a normal day as a regular part of your daily health and nutrition.\r\n<div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ywud4Jo3Rfg/UsqSNbF-p4I/AAAAAAAAGKM/QXkmbEbtCm8/s1600/fuel.jpg\"><img src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ywud4Jo3Rfg/UsqSNbF-p4I/AAAAAAAAGKM/QXkmbEbtCm8/s1600/fuel.jpg\" width=\"320\" height=\"320\" border=\"0\" /></a></div>\r\nThere\'s no two ways about it - Chia is a great way to fuel yourself for whatever is coming your way, and Health Warrior\'s Chia Bars are an <b>EXCELLENT </b>vehicle to get it. I HIGHLY recommend that you find them, get them, and give them a try. You can order from <a href=\"http://healthwarrior.com/\" target=\"_blank\">the Health Warrior website</a> or find the bars at <a href=\"http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/\" target=\"_blank\">your local Whole Foods Market</a>. They\'re working on expanding, and I hope <a href=\"http://www.marathonsports.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Marathon Sports</a> (one of my <b>favorite</b> running stores) starts carrying it soon. If you have any questions, PLEASE reach out and ask! You can get me at Darrell@SoTHISIsFitness.com or use the contact form at the bottom of the page. Also, if you haven\'t already, <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/sothisisfitness\" target=\"_blank\">please \"like\" the \"So THIS Is Fitness...\" Facebook page</a> to keep up with everything going on - I post there a LOT more frequently than I do on this site.\r\n\r\n<b>Now go get some Chia Bars! :)</b>','Ch-Ch-Ch-CHIA! Health Warrior Chia Bar Review','','inherit','closed','closed','','80-revision-v1','','','2017-01-14 00:59:55','2017-01-14 05:59:55','',80,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/80-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(603,1,'2017-01-14 01:03:15','2017-01-14 06:03:15','<strong>I continue to be floored &amp; impressed by the people I meet.</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you believe the best in humanity, you\'ll encounter it...and that\'s exactly what happened on frigid Millinocket weekend. Katrina is an AMAZING person, someone who\'s story I can only call a True Triumph. I am thrilled to have her on the show to share that story and shine a little light on the hope that awaits every single person out there hoping to make a transformation.\r\nThere was a lot to cover in this episode...\r\n\r\n<iframe style=\"border: none;\" src=\"//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/4934931/height/90/width/450/theme/custom/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/autoplay/no/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/forward/tdest_id/454656/render-playlist/no/custom-color/ffac1a/\" width=\"450\" height=\"90\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe><!--more-->\r\n\r\nI\'m THRILLED to have Katrina on the show!\r\n<strong>What\'s in Episode 17?</strong>\r\n-Life Today for Katrina White\r\n-Katrina\'s AMAZING 150 lb weight loss journey\r\n-Discovering running, &amp; conquering her first marathon - Millinocket Marathon!\r\n-Thought on the journey, attitude, and what others can expect\r\n-Inspiring the next generation through Girls On The Run\r\n-much more!\r\n\r\nIt was so great to have someone on the show who\'s <em>been there</em>, and keenly understands the struggle...but also knows that just because she lost triple digits doesn\'t mean everyone else needs to. It\'s all relative, as I always say.\r\n\r\nJoin Katrina as she shares her story!\r\n\r\nFind Katrina online:\r\nOn Facebook (Katrina Brynn White)\r\nOn Instagram (@momsrun_strong)\r\n\r\nAnd find Girls On The Run at <a href=\"http://www.girlsontherun.org/\">www.GirlsOnTheRun.org</a>\r\n\r\nYou can find So THIS Is Fitness online at:\r\n<a href=\"http://50.87.248.94/~sothisj4/\">www.SoTHISIsFitness.com</a>\r\n<a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/SoTHISIsFitness\">www.facebook.com/SoTHISIsFitness</a>\r\n<a href=\"http://www.instagram.com/snuffydx\">www.instagram.com/snuffydx</a>\r\n<a href=\"http://www.twitter.com/snuffydx\">www.twitter.com/snuffydx</a>\r\nemail me at <a href=\"mailto:Darrell@SoTHISIsFitness.com\">Darrell@SoTHISIsFitness.com</a> with your feedback, questions, concerns &amp; more!\r\n\r\nAnd lastly - please consider taking a moment to rate &amp; review the show. Every single one of those helps us pop up a little higher in search results. Let\'s help others discover the inspiration Katrina, and future guests, will have to share!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/podcast\" target=\"_blank\">Check out this episode!</a>','#17 - True Triumph: Katrina White','','inherit','closed','closed','','8-revision-v1','','','2017-01-14 01:03:15','2017-01-14 06:03:15','',8,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/8-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(604,1,'2017-01-14 01:03:16','2017-01-14 06:03:16','<em>(Apologies for the double-publish...technical difficulties earlier)\r\n</em>\r\nThere\'s just not enough time in the day (or in the podcast) sometimes. So many things to talk about... Well, today I cover three BIG things! Two of them I cover REALLY well! One is...well...just tough to talk about with saying the same thing everyone else has already said.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong>The spotlight here is...The New England Spahtens.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho, what, why, and how. And more, of course :) And I\'ve got Paul Jones to tell me allllll about it.\r\n\r\n<iframe style=\"border: none;\" src=\"//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/4948397/height/90/width/450/theme/custom/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/autoplay/no/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/forward/tdest_id/454656/render-playlist/no/custom-color/ffac1a/\" width=\"450\" height=\"90\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nHot off the heels of their big win in Mud Run Guide\'s \"Best Of\" OCR awards, I interview Paul Jones, the de facto face of the New England Spahtens! We get into:\r\n\r\n-OCR, and its roots\r\n-The growth of OCR, emergence of the \"Big 3\", and rise/fall of the \"little guys\"\r\n-The origins of The New England Spahtens, and where it is today\r\n-What \"community\" really means...and what it looks like\r\n\r\nIf you\'re interested in checking out the Spahtens, and maybe becoming a part of their crowd, visit the links below! Also, be sure to listen to The NE Spahtens Show. That\'s their podcast, and I assure you, it\'s lovely.\r\n\r\nvisit join.nespahtens.com for all the links you could want!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter the interview...I get into a bit about...well...New Year\'s Resolutions. because...well...why wouldn\'t I, right? I just can\'t help myself.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPlease do find me at:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://50.87.248.94/~sothisj4/\">www.SoTHISIsFitness.com</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/SoTHISIsFitness\">www.Facebook.com/SoTHISIsFitness</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.instagram.com/snuffydx\">www.instagram.com/snuffydx</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.twitter.com/snuffydx\">www.twitter.com/snuffydx</a>\r\n\r\nSearch \"So THIS Is Fitness\" on iTunes or your favorite podcast listening app. Be sure to SUBSCRIBE, not just download one episode :)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd if you like the show, please consider giving us a rating and review on iTunes (or your podcast source of choice). Every little bit helps us pop up higher in search results and get found just a little bit easier.\r\n\r\nLastly, please don\'t be shy - EMAIL ME! <a href=\"mailto:Darrell@SoTHISIsFitness.com\">Darrell@SoTHISIsFitness.com</a>. I LOVE feedback, would love your questions, comments, or just a \"hey, liked the show!\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/podcast\" target=\"_blank\">Check out this episode!</a>','#18 - The New England Spahtens, OCR, & A New Year','','inherit','closed','closed','','7-revision-v1','','','2017-01-14 01:03:16','2017-01-14 06:03:16','',7,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/7-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(605,1,'2017-01-14 01:03:35','2017-01-14 06:03:35','<iframe style=\"border: none;\" src=\"//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/4915231/height/90/width/450/theme/custom/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/autoplay/no/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/forward/tdest_id/454656/render-playlist/no/custom-color/ffac1a/\" width=\"450\" height=\"90\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe>\r\nOften times, in life, we think we know what we\'re in for...only to find out we didn\'t really <em>get it</em>. Well, this is one of those times I was 100% shown that I simply <em>did not get it</em> ahead of time. This past weekend Megan and I ventured up to Millinocket, Maine for the Millinocket Marathon...and while I totally thought I had a handle on what was going on...I was dead wrong.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nWe\'ve got a JAM-PACKED episode for you today!\r\n\r\n-We finally get Bryan and Peter of \"How Was Your Run Today?\" on the show\r\n-We chat about Millinocket, small town charm and the lingering haunt of days gone-by\r\n-Chat with a local business owner about the impact of the race\r\n-Chat with the Race Director himself about his vision for the race, why he started it, and where he\'d like to see it go.\r\n\r\nPLEASE visit <a href=\"http://www.howwasyourruntoday.com/\">www.HowWasYourRunToday.com</a> and see all that Bryan and Peter have to offer. Find them on your podcast app of choice and subscribe so you, too, can listen to them each week while you run, work out, or commute to work.\r\n\r\nAlso PLEASE do be sure to visit <a href=\"http://www.crowathletics.com/\">www.crowathletics.com</a> - learn all about the organization the put on this race, as well as the other events they put on!\r\n\r\n<a title=\"REGISTER for the Millinocket Marathon &amp; Half 2017 here!\" href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/millinocket-marathon-and-half-2017-registration-30224398991\" target=\"_blank\">REGISTER for Millinocket Marathon &amp; Half here!</a>\r\nAnd, as always, please do be sure to find me online!\r\n<a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com\">www.SoTHISIsFitness.com</a>\r\n<a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/SoTHISIsFitness\">www.Facebook.com/SoTHISIsFitness</a>\r\n<a href=\"http://www.instagram.com/SnuffyDX\">www.instagram.com/SnuffyDX</a>\r\n<a href=\"http://www.twitter.com/SnuffyDX\">www.twitter.com/SnuffyDX</a>\r\n\r\nWe\'d just love it if you\'d visit your podcast downloading method of choice (iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, or other) and leave us a rating &amp; review - that helps us pop up a little higher in search results and helps new listeners find us in the future.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.libsyn.com/16-millinocket-and-the-golden-road?tdest_id=454656\" target=\"_blank\">Check out this episode!</a>','#16 - Millinocket and The Golden Road','','inherit','closed','closed','','10-revision-v1','','','2017-01-14 01:03:35','2017-01-14 06:03:35','',10,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/10-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(606,1,'2017-01-14 01:03:35','2017-01-14 06:03:35','<strong>I continue to be floored &amp; impressed by the people I meet.</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you believe the best in humanity, you\'ll encounter it...and that\'s exactly what happened on frigid Millinocket weekend. Katrina is an AMAZING person, someone who\'s story I can only call a True Triumph. I am thrilled to have her on the show to share that story and shine a little light on the hope that awaits every single person out there hoping to make a transformation.\r\nThere was a lot to cover in this episode...\r\n\r\n<iframe style=\"border: none;\" src=\"//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/4934931/height/90/width/450/theme/custom/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/autoplay/no/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/forward/tdest_id/454656/render-playlist/no/custom-color/ffac1a/\" width=\"450\" height=\"90\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe><!--more-->\r\n\r\nI\'m THRILLED to have Katrina on the show!\r\n<strong>What\'s in Episode 17?</strong>\r\n-Life Today for Katrina White\r\n-Katrina\'s AMAZING 150 lb weight loss journey\r\n-Discovering running, &amp; conquering her first marathon - Millinocket Marathon!\r\n-Thought on the journey, attitude, and what others can expect\r\n-Inspiring the next generation through Girls On The Run\r\n-much more!\r\n\r\nIt was so great to have someone on the show who\'s <em>been there</em>, and keenly understands the struggle...but also knows that just because she lost triple digits doesn\'t mean everyone else needs to. It\'s all relative, as I always say.\r\n\r\nJoin Katrina as she shares her story!\r\n\r\nFind Katrina online:\r\nOn Facebook (Katrina Brynn White)\r\nOn Instagram (@momsrun_strong)\r\n\r\nAnd find Girls On The Run at <a href=\"http://www.girlsontherun.org/\">www.GirlsOnTheRun.org</a>\r\n\r\nYou can find So THIS Is Fitness online at:\r\n<a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com\">www.SoTHISIsFitness.com</a>\r\n<a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/SoTHISIsFitness\">www.facebook.com/SoTHISIsFitness</a>\r\n<a href=\"http://www.instagram.com/snuffydx\">www.instagram.com/snuffydx</a>\r\n<a href=\"http://www.twitter.com/snuffydx\">www.twitter.com/snuffydx</a>\r\nemail me at <a href=\"mailto:Darrell@SoTHISIsFitness.com\">Darrell@SoTHISIsFitness.com</a> with your feedback, questions, concerns &amp; more!\r\n\r\nAnd lastly - please consider taking a moment to rate &amp; review the show. Every single one of those helps us pop up a little higher in search results. Let\'s help others discover the inspiration Katrina, and future guests, will have to share!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/podcast\" target=\"_blank\">Check out this episode!</a>','#17 - True Triumph: Katrina White','','inherit','closed','closed','','8-revision-v1','','','2017-01-14 01:03:35','2017-01-14 06:03:35','',8,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/8-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(607,1,'2017-01-14 01:03:35','2017-01-14 06:03:35','<em>(Apologies for the double-publish...technical difficulties earlier)\r\n</em>\r\nThere\'s just not enough time in the day (or in the podcast) sometimes. So many things to talk about... Well, today I cover three BIG things! Two of them I cover REALLY well! One is...well...just tough to talk about with saying the same thing everyone else has already said.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong>The spotlight here is...The New England Spahtens.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho, what, why, and how. And more, of course :) And I\'ve got Paul Jones to tell me allllll about it.\r\n\r\n<iframe style=\"border: none;\" src=\"//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/4948397/height/90/width/450/theme/custom/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/autoplay/no/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/forward/tdest_id/454656/render-playlist/no/custom-color/ffac1a/\" width=\"450\" height=\"90\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nHot off the heels of their big win in Mud Run Guide\'s \"Best Of\" OCR awards, I interview Paul Jones, the de facto face of the New England Spahtens! We get into:\r\n\r\n-OCR, and its roots\r\n-The growth of OCR, emergence of the \"Big 3\", and rise/fall of the \"little guys\"\r\n-The origins of The New England Spahtens, and where it is today\r\n-What \"community\" really means...and what it looks like\r\n\r\nIf you\'re interested in checking out the Spahtens, and maybe becoming a part of their crowd, visit the links below! Also, be sure to listen to The NE Spahtens Show. That\'s their podcast, and I assure you, it\'s lovely.\r\n\r\nvisit join.nespahtens.com for all the links you could want!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter the interview...I get into a bit about...well...New Year\'s Resolutions. because...well...why wouldn\'t I, right? I just can\'t help myself.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPlease do find me at:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com\">www.SoTHISIsFitness.com</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/SoTHISIsFitness\">www.Facebook.com/SoTHISIsFitness</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.instagram.com/snuffydx\">www.instagram.com/snuffydx</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.twitter.com/snuffydx\">www.twitter.com/snuffydx</a>\r\n\r\nSearch \"So THIS Is Fitness\" on iTunes or your favorite podcast listening app. Be sure to SUBSCRIBE, not just download one episode :)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd if you like the show, please consider giving us a rating and review on iTunes (or your podcast source of choice). Every little bit helps us pop up higher in search results and get found just a little bit easier.\r\n\r\nLastly, please don\'t be shy - EMAIL ME! <a href=\"mailto:Darrell@SoTHISIsFitness.com\">Darrell@SoTHISIsFitness.com</a>. I LOVE feedback, would love your questions, comments, or just a \"hey, liked the show!\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/podcast\" target=\"_blank\">Check out this episode!</a>','#18 - The New England Spahtens, OCR, & A New Year','','inherit','closed','closed','','7-revision-v1','','','2017-01-14 01:03:35','2017-01-14 06:03:35','',7,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/7-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(608,1,'2017-01-14 08:50:55','2017-01-14 13:50:55','<div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-roXayL-pktU/UfD-CtE2EVI/AAAAAAAABAo/ur-zuMH1c90/s1600/fat-scale2.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"211\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-roXayL-pktU/UfD-CtE2EVI/AAAAAAAABAo/ur-zuMH1c90/s320/fat-scale2.jpg\" width=\"320\" /></a></div><br />I tried incredibly hard - probably WAY harder than I should have - to come up with a catchy title for this article...but when it comes right down to it...it\'s really simple. The Scale - the common bathroom scale - is a major reason why workouts fail.<br /><a name=\'more\'></a><br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9lacERfSFIM/UfHEZMkksnI/AAAAAAAABB0/mbAefPsgQzs/s1600/g137479893039795542.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9lacERfSFIM/UfHEZMkksnI/AAAAAAAABB0/mbAefPsgQzs/s320/g137479893039795542.jpg\" width=\"288\" /></a></div><br /><b>Yeah,</b> you heard me right. The Scale is a problem. There are a few reasons why, but The Scale is Public Enemy No. 1 in workout world. The Scale contributes in a HUGE way to what I\'m calling \"Perceived Lack of Results\". \"PLOR\" is why an incredible number of people get frustrated and just <i>give up</i>.&nbsp; The scale can make you think you\'re on top of the world or a complete and total failure.<br /><br />It\'s all. About. <b>The Scale.</b><br /><br /><b>The Scale Doesn\'t Lie -&nbsp;</b><br /><br />As a matter of fact, The Scale is incredibly honest. <b>Too </b>honest. The Scale doesn\'t know how to lie - It knows how to do one thing: Tell you exactly what you weigh.<b>&nbsp;</b><br /><br /><b>Isn\'t that the point?</b><br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XMDGVH42Awo/UfD-F7uRiEI/AAAAAAAABA4/_U4ypkJ02d8/s1600/scaleislying.jpg\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XMDGVH42Awo/UfD-F7uRiEI/AAAAAAAABA4/_U4ypkJ02d8/s1600/scaleislying.jpg\" /></a></div>Yes and no. The Scale will tell you what you weigh, but the problem is there are a lot of factors that play into how much, exactly, you weigh RIGHT NOW. How much you weigh over time. Your weight loss or gain trends. <b></b>Stress, sodium intake, hydration (or lack thereof), sweating, fat loss/gain and muscle loss/gain all affect what you weigh. And don\'t forget - the food you actually eat throughout the day weighs something too! All of these things can play into a false sense of where you\'re at when you step onto the scale. <br /><br /><b>So far I\'ve thrown a lot of information at you</b>, even though it may not seem like it. Let\'s take it one bite at a time (hah, I made a funny).<br /><br /><br /><b>Stress -&nbsp;</b><br /><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SmZanRfpS_I/UfHk_rNMQsI/AAAAAAAABCE/HQs9s8uGAKw/s1600/40052119.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SmZanRfpS_I/UfHk_rNMQsI/AAAAAAAABCE/HQs9s8uGAKw/s320/40052119.jpg\" width=\"320\" /></a>Being under high levels of stress, which isn\'t uncommon these days, can lead to weight gain (or to the scale staying the same - we\'ll come back to that) as discussed in <a href=\"http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/stress-weight-gain\" target=\"_blank\">this article on WebMD</a>, <a href=\"http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=77964\" target=\"_blank\">this article on MedicineNet</a>, and <a href=\"http://stress.about.com/od/stresshealth/a/weightgain.htm\" target=\"_blank\">this post on About.com Health.</a> I\'m taking away three distinct factors from all these (and more) discussions about stress and weight gain -<br /><br />1. When you\'re stressed your body enters a primal \"fight or flight\" mode and generates a number of hormones, including Cortisol. Cortisol serves to facilitate fat and carbohydrate metabolism, but it also triggers insulin release to help regulate blood sugar. The end result is YOU craving more high-carb high-sugar foods. Helloooooo tub-o-ice cream.<br /><br />2. Cortisol, a result of stress, causes your body to store fat deep in the abdominal area. This not only produces an INCREDIBLY attractive gut-like appearance in the belly, but it\'s also the kind of fat store that can lead to health issues.<br /><br />3. When you\'re stressed there\'s lots of nervous energy that needs to be expended - your body and mind have to find a comforting activity. Many times, eating becomes that comforting activity and, HOW CONVENIENT - you can go ahead and nom on that high-sugar high-carb stuff you\'re craving as a result of cortisol release. <u>Perfect</u>.<br /><br /><b>Sodium Intake, Hydration / De-hydration and sweating-</b><br /><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;\"><tbody><tr><td style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rRdH4l3bDjY/UfJ9Htm42uI/AAAAAAAABDI/HYYHplGqsC4/s1600/sodium_chart.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"234\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rRdH4l3bDjY/UfJ9Htm42uI/AAAAAAAABDI/HYYHplGqsC4/s320/sodium_chart.jpg\" width=\"320\" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align: center;\">Where does all that salt come from?</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The ideal daily sodium intake is around 2,300 mg. I don\'t know if you\'ve looked at sodium levels in some of the foods you eat, but it can be INCREDIBLY difficult to keep sodium levels low...<b>especially</b> if you eat out at all. The chart to the right shows you where all the salt in your food comes from - if you look at it you\'ll see why the more \"processed\" food you eat, and the more \"processed\" it is, the more salt you can\'t help but take in. Increased sodium levels make you retain water (don\'t believe me? Google it). Retaining water makes you weigh more - water has weight, right? Totally makes sense. If you decide you\'re gonna stop drinking water and get pretty dehydrated - yeah, the scale is probably going to look a little bit better, but you\'ll be disappointed next week/month when you weigh in and you\'re hydrated differently than the last time.<br /><br />And just like taking in or not taking in enough water can affect your weight - you\'re obviously going to weigh less after you\'ve just gotten done sweating out a bunch of water. In my experience, I can sweat out 1-2 lbs of water (maybe even more) during a super-intense workout (1+ hours), yours may vary, but that IS a significant amount of weight just from sweating. Your body will replenish it when you have that post-workout \"oh-my-god-I\'m-dying-of-thirst\" water guzzle, so this is an even more temporary fluctuation than the others, but it <b>is</b> a weight fluctuation just the same.<br /><br /><b>Food Weighs Something -&nbsp;</b><br />This one\'s quick, easy and obvious - the food you eat weighs something. If you weigh yourself before you eat in the morning you will weigh less than if you weighed yourself after eating. Every time. There is no food out there that makes you lighter after you eat it (and if there is, tell me!).&nbsp;<b> </b><br /><br />And this leaves me with my favorite point to make, and the one that, I think, really brings this whole article together:<br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TdPnZ9KnSJA/UfHocB09ynI/AAAAAAAABCU/cEgN_gC8F60/s1600/l560655519.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"246\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TdPnZ9KnSJA/UfHocB09ynI/AAAAAAAABCU/cEgN_gC8F60/s320/l560655519.jpg\" width=\"320\" /></a></div><br /><u><b>MUSCLE WEIGHS MORE THAN FAT -</b></u><br />No, this is not just some kind of corny line - volume-wise, muscle weighs more than fat. Think of it like a pound of feathers and a pound of gold - it\'s gonna take a super-huge pile of feathers to weigh a pound - that pile is going to take up a lot of space. The same weight of gold is small, sleek and in a tight tiny package. Same goes for muscle and fat. Fat is less dense than muscle, thus 5 lbs of fat takes up a lot more real estate than muscle.<br /><br /><b>Let\'s put it another way that\'s easier to understand:</b><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4mnYqJRIzl8/UfJ7dz_-Y3I/AAAAAAAABC8/9Ud5_4q7-AE/s1600/deb155lbs-300x286.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4mnYqJRIzl8/UfJ7dz_-Y3I/AAAAAAAABC8/9Ud5_4q7-AE/s1600/deb155lbs-300x286.jpg\" /></a></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vb_0iPtGfQA/UfHuoZaZuAI/AAAAAAAABCk/AhY-_JYGitQ/s1600/fat-vs-muscle1.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"166\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vb_0iPtGfQA/UfHuoZaZuAI/AAAAAAAABCk/AhY-_JYGitQ/s320/fat-vs-muscle1.jpg\" width=\"320\" />&nbsp;</a> </div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yQ_-RUP8-dE/UfD-J2HcexI/AAAAAAAABBI/P5NdKld4EJ0/s1600/tumblr_lx8xnaiI1I1qm62nmo1_1280.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"248\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yQ_-RUP8-dE/UfD-J2HcexI/AAAAAAAABBI/P5NdKld4EJ0/s640/tumblr_lx8xnaiI1I1qm62nmo1_1280.jpg\" width=\"640\" /></a></div><b>&nbsp;</b> <b>Starting to get the picture?</b><br /><br />Muscle is tighter and denser than fat - same weight, smaller package. If the scale doesn\'t move, or barely moves, it\'s likely because you\'re building muscle while at the same time burning fat. The more muscle you have in your body the more calories you\'ll burn - your body has to burn calories to feed all the muscle on your body.&nbsp;<b> That\'s a good thing</b>. Don\'t be afraid of building muscle.<br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dNFc4U9EOrM/UfHBvAsh_qI/AAAAAAAABBo/0qts1JWS9qQ/s1600/g1374796551146990904.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dNFc4U9EOrM/UfHBvAsh_qI/AAAAAAAABBo/0qts1JWS9qQ/s320/g1374796551146990904.jpg\" width=\"251\" /></a></div><br /><b>No. Not necessarily.&nbsp; </b>Wasn\'t the goal to burn fat? Get healthy? Get fit? Yes, you\'ll lose some weight, but it\'s going&nbsp; to come to a point where you stop losing weight so rapidly. You might even stay the same for a while. This could be a true plateau or it could just be some muscle gain (I\'ll cover true plateaus in another article), but either one can be overcome. I lost 107 lbs so far - it did not steadily come off 5 - 10 lbs per week. There were weeks I didn\'t lose weight. There were weeks I GAINED a little. You have to think LONG TERM with your weight-loss and fitness goals. <b>Rome wasn\'t built in a day, and neither was your body</b>. Be confident in what you\'re doing and believe in yourself. If you get so frustrated that you want to smash the scale and throw it out the window...well...I\'ll pretend I didn\'t see you do it.<br /><br /><b>So, what? I can\'t trust The Scale?</b><br /><br />Like I said - The Scale will ALWAYS tell you <b>exactly</b> what you weigh...at that moment...with no regard for muscle vs. fat, hydration, stress, etc. <u>Weigh yourself at your own risk</u>. Don\'t weigh yourself more than once a week - definitely not daily. The number The Scale tells you is NOT the only number in the world that matters. <b><u>Trust other measurement methods</u></b><u>.</u> How do you FEEL? How do you LOOK? Are your clothes fitting looser? Can you tighten your belt more? Do you see more muscle definition when you flex? Has your body fat % gone down? Don\'t let the number The Scale tells you skew the image you see in the mirror.<br /><br />When you start a program and take your \"before\" pictures, whip out a measuring tape and get your measurements - neck, chest, waist, hips, thighs, biceps, calves, etc. You\'ll be glad you did, because THOSE are the measurements that count. If those are changing in a positive direction, <b>the weight will follow.</b> Believe in yourself and stay positive - don\'t let The Scale make you think you\'re failing. <br /><u><b> </b></u>','Why Workouts Fail #2 - The Scale','','inherit','closed','closed','','125-revision-v1','','','2017-01-14 08:50:55','2017-01-14 13:50:55','',125,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/125-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(609,1,'2017-01-14 08:51:37','2017-01-14 13:51:37','<div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bi4WILLVnm0/UfUjMKX4XhI/AAAAAAAABDY/sdft9DIatIc/s1600/nbfrr.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"152\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bi4WILLVnm0/UfUjMKX4XhI/AAAAAAAABDY/sdft9DIatIc/s320/nbfrr.jpg\" width=\"320\" /></a></div>So, two weeks from this very moment (at least, the very moment I\'m typing this) the gun will go off and the 41st running of the Falmouth Road Race will begin. 10 minutes later the 5th corral will be allowed to start and off I\'ll go. A few minutes later, the 6th corral and off goes my fiancee Megan.<br /><br />Holy. <b>Crap.</b><br /><br />This is what we\'ve been working up to since March (whether we knew it or not) when we went for that first run.<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a><br /><br />That\'s great Darrell, but <b>what if I don\'t know what the Falmouth Road Race is?</b><br /><br />The&nbsp;<a href=\"http://www.falmouthroadrace.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Falmouth Road Race</a><b> (which is kind of a big deal) </b>is a 7.4 mile road race from Woods Hole to Falmouth Heights. The course goes by&nbsp;<a href=\"http://lighthouse.cc/nobska/\" target=\"_blank\">Nobska Lighthouse</a>, along some scenic roads, along Surf Drive (and its beaches), along the beach at Falmouth Heights, all the way around Grand Ave. down to the finish line in front of the British Beer Company. They cap the total number of race participants somewhere around <b>12,500</b>, and they have elite runners from around the world fly in to run this thing. <br /><br /><b>And then there\'s us</b>.<br /><br /><b>***UPDATE***</b><br /><br />So I took a break in writing this post to actually go run the course with Megan. <b>Boy am I glad I did</b>.&nbsp;<b> </b>We learned a lot about the course and we\'re definitely better prepared.<br /><br /><b>OK, so...w</b><b>hy are you two running this?</b><br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zoNCdnybAAs/UfVv5rJNztI/AAAAAAAABDo/JljZJHVx6xY/s1600/413342_10100859894935542_1060323499_o.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"233\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zoNCdnybAAs/UfVv5rJNztI/AAAAAAAABDo/JljZJHVx6xY/s320/413342_10100859894935542_1060323499_o.jpg\" width=\"320\" /></a></div><b>&nbsp;I\'m running</b> as a part of Team Lanzoni. That\'s the <a href=\"http://www.99restaurants.com/\" target=\"_blank\">99 Restaurants</a> team. Team Lanzoni is a part of <a href=\"http://www.rundanafarber.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Dana-Farber Cancer Institute running programs</a>. That means that I\'m running to raise money for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.<br /><br /><b>Why?</b><br /><br />My Grandfather - Peter Scuteri. A loving husband and father, retired Malden police officer and pilot of the Malden PD K-9 program, Freemason, Shriner, and all-around hero. He passed away from cancer last July. The short story is, during his battle with cancer, he received care from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Dana-Farber helped my grandfather in his battle, and I wanted to use a run to raise money for them so someone else could have a fighting chance too. My other reasons for running, yes - even my new-found health and fitness, pale in comparison to this reason.<br /><br /><b>What about Megan?</b><br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ssbauTRk6ZQ/UfVyCQu7HuI/AAAAAAAABEA/rvVIyQVvoi4/s1600/977838_531255300265466_820475099_o.jpg\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ssbauTRk6ZQ/UfVyCQu7HuI/AAAAAAAABEA/rvVIyQVvoi4/s320/977838_531255300265466_820475099_o.jpg\" width=\"200\" /></a></div>My fiancee Megan is running the race for a different reason. Megan\'s brother - Chris Boselli - passed away last summer from complications with heart surgery. He was 27 years old. His passing rocked her family in a way I can\'t even properly describe to you. Her family set up a memorial scholarship fund in his name to honor him by helping others who share his love of theatre and the arts. Originally, Megan had been trying to run the Falmouth Road Race on a team to raise money for this scholarship fund. <b>UNFORTUNATELY</b>, the team was not selected in the lottery.<br /><br />She still wanted to run the race. For herself and, I think, for him.<br /><br />So, long story short, she (and her sister, Kim) are running as a part of the <a href=\"http://www.westfalmouthlibrary.org/\" target=\"_blank\">West Falmouth Library</a> team to raise money for them. Megan went with this because, of all the fundraising opportunities available to her, this one made the most sense. Megan always has a book on her and reads like its her job. If she couldn\'t raise money for her brother\'s memorial, being able to support a place that helps others with the same hobby/habit/problem (hah) as her is a great compromise. While I have surpassed my own fundraising goal through the help of the people at Team Lanzoni HQ, Megan has not yet achieved her fundraising goal.<br /><br /><b>This is where I\'m calling on you, faithful friends and readers</b>.<br /><br />Please visit <a href=\"https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/MeganBoselli/2013-new-balance-falmouth-road-race\" target=\"_blank\">Megan\'s personal fundraising page</a> and consider making a donation to help her towards her $1,000 goal. As of my writing, she is at $170. There\'s a yard sale this coming weekend to raise money towards the goal, but it\'d take way more stuff to sell than we have in order to achieve that.<br /><br /><b>Please consider helping and contributing to a great cause</b>. Megan has until August 6th to raise the money she needs - I have a few weeks after that. It would mean a lot to me if you could help her out.<br /><br />That said - the training continues. Two weeks from this moment the two of us will be celebrating a great achievement and looking forward towards the next. It\'s all about the journey.','Our First REAL Challenge - Falmouth Road Race','','inherit','closed','closed','','124-revision-v1','','','2017-01-14 08:51:37','2017-01-14 13:51:37','',124,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/124-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(610,1,'2017-01-14 09:09:53','2017-01-14 14:09:53','<div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/meet-darrell/my-journey\" target=\"_blank\">I lost 107 lbs.</a> I trained for 140 miles. I raised $2,520 for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (so far). <a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/meet-darrell/my-journey\" target=\"_blank\">I spent one year of my life</a> turning around my health and fitness. I re-learned how to think about nutrition and what I put in my mouth. I got in tune with my body. I gave it my all. <b>And then I ran...&nbsp;</b> <br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HstNwartSZo/UghMjZ55oAI/AAAAAAAABMY/DZKjY9XAUGE/s1600/IMG_20130811_085545_822.jpg\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"></a><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-53XecJMNMbU/UghdwnvLaFI/AAAAAAAABNo/v5yvEVClDGg/s1600/runkeeper+roadrace.jpg\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-53XecJMNMbU/UghdwnvLaFI/AAAAAAAABNo/v5yvEVClDGg/s400/runkeeper+roadrace.jpg\" height=\"297\" width=\"400\" /></a></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div>All I can say is...<b>wow</b>. What an experience! No wonder so many people want to run the <a href=\"http://www.falmouthroadrace.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Falmouth Road Race</a>! I had heard that it was the second most popular race in New England, the most desirable race in the country, etc...but I had <b>no idea</b> what an incredible <br /><a name=\'more\'></a>experience it would be! As you can see from the <a href=\"http://www.runkeeper.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Runkeeper</a> screenshot above (check out my <a href=\"http://runkeeper.com/user/dwmctague\" target=\"_blank\">Runkeeper profile</a> and <a href=\"http://runkeeper.com/user/dwmctague/activity/223465808\" target=\"_blank\">road race activity</a>), I got the time I was shooting for! Runkeeper reported 1:10:13 and my \"unofficial\" chip time was 1:10:04.<br /><br /><b>For the non-runners out there </b>- there are two different \"times\" many timed races will report - \"Gun Time\" and \"Chip Time\" (sometimes called \"Net Time\"). Gun Time is<br />the time from when the gun goes off and the race starts to when you cross the finish line. Chip Time (or Net Time) is the time from <b>when you actually cross the starting line</b> to when you cross the finish.&nbsp; You may think these times would be the same, but if you\'re in a large race you might actually cross the starting line one, two, five or even ten+ minutes after the gun goes off. Yesterday in the Falmouth Road Race I didn\'t cross the starting line until <b>more than 20 minutes </b>after the gun went off. They call it \"Chip Time\" because it\'s the time when your timing chip crosses the start and finish. They call it \"Net Time\" because it\'s the gun time minus the time it takes for you to get to the starting line (in this case, \"Net\" is a math term).<br /><br /><b>In terms of performance and results</b> - Yes, I got the time I wanted. I<i> </i>was pretty steady in my pace and stayed under 9:46 per mile the entire race. Once I got up the big hill in Falmouth Heights (the last challenge where lots of runners drop) I turned it on and zipped to the end on a mission. I felt great, due I\'m sure in part to a number of things including proper sleep the night before, being hydrated, good pre-race nutrition, my intra-workout drink during the race and a clear head with a positive attitude. Know what helped? <b>It was like I was the only person out there. </b>Nobody else mattered. I was doing my thing and the other 12,799 people were just...<i>there.</i> People zipped ahead of me early on and I smiled to myself thinking \"I\'ll see you around mile 5\" and I passed people walking from mile 3 onward thinking \"I was you during the Finish at the 50 10K\". I learned a lot and it paid off!<br /><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HstNwartSZo/UghMjZ55oAI/AAAAAAAABMY/DZKjY9XAUGE/s1600/IMG_20130811_085545_822.jpg\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HstNwartSZo/UghMjZ55oAI/AAAAAAAABMY/DZKjY9XAUGE/s400/IMG_20130811_085545_822.jpg\" height=\"225\" width=\"400\" /></a><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><b>There are two things I want to put out there</b> for those of you who don\'t know: 1. I ran this race as a part of <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/pages/Team-Lanzoni/195301487166598\" target=\"_blank\">Team Lanzoni</a> - the <a href=\"https://www.99restaurants.com/community/dana-farber/\" target=\"_blank\">99 Restaurants team</a>. Team Lanzoni is a part of the <a href=\"http://www.rundanafarber.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Dana-Farber Cancer Institute running program</a>. 2. I am a<a href=\"http://www.massfreemasonry.org/\" target=\"_blank\"> Freemason</a>, and so was my grandfather Peter. <b>What do these two things have in common?</b><br /><b>&nbsp;</b> <br />Last July my grandfather passed away. During his battle with cancer, he was taken care of in the Dana-Farber center at Faulkner in Boston. They took great care of him, were incredibly compassionate, and were there for my family when we needed them. They took the time to make sure they did everything they could and to make sure we were OK when we ran out of options. I wanted to be able to do something for them - help to give someone else a fighting chance. I ran this race for him, and I carried him with me the whole 7.4 miles (or maybe it was him that carried me). <br /><br /><b>Speaking of Team Lanzoni...</b><br />One of the guys in corral 5 with me was an interesting character. His name is Eric Parent, otherwise known as <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/Thesmoothbear\" target=\"_blank\">TheSmoothBear</a>...<br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cfVvJlD5RHg/UghM0qylKOI/AAAAAAAABM8/58bvbfIPXc8/s1600/IMG_20130811_124505_406.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cfVvJlD5RHg/UghM0qylKOI/AAAAAAAABM8/58bvbfIPXc8/s400/IMG_20130811_124505_406.jpg\" height=\"225\" width=\"400\" /></a></div><b> </b>This guy is a part of Team Lanzoni too. He\'s got a <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ysTsVcPVvMDZc6T2DbslQ\" target=\"_blank\">vlog (video blog, check it out here)</a> where (among other things) he chronicles his running thing. I checked out some of his videos and he\'s pretty entertaining. In one of his videos <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vljs7vx3248&amp;list=UU_ysTsVcPVvMDZc6T2DbslQ\" target=\"_blank\">RFTF: Orange Is The New Black</a> he literally talks about the Netflix show OITNB while running. I mean, I know some runners can just have a conversation like its no big deal while they cruise along, but I guess I was kind of expecting that from those toothpicks in running shoes...TheSmoothBear (no offense buddy) is a big dude, not your typical running toothpick, so I was surprised. I know I sure as hell can\'t have a conversation like that while running, so kudos to you on that! As far as content - he just kinda tells it like it is, which I like. It\'s always good to see a big guy (read beasty, not fat) rockin\' out in fitness world, so more kudos to you on that! Keep on keepin\' on. Hopefully I see this guy again in next year\'s Falmouth Road Race. Be sure to check out <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ysTsVcPVvMDZc6T2DbslQ\" target=\"_blank\">his vlog</a> and <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/Thesmoothbear\" target=\"_blank\">his Facebook</a> - let him know Darrell sent you from \"So THIS Is Fitness...\"!<br /><br /><b>But Perhaps The Best Part Of Yesterday...</b><br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PR1JvMqF12U/UghLZ0RSzYI/AAAAAAAABJ0/l9T1d6iFuT4/s1600/IMG_20130811_070044_443.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PR1JvMqF12U/UghLZ0RSzYI/AAAAAAAABJ0/l9T1d6iFuT4/s640/IMG_20130811_070044_443.jpg\" height=\"640\" width=\"360\" /></a></div>We may not have run next to each other, but being out there with my fiancee Megan was great! She\'s been right there next to me since day 1 of P90X when this whole thing started, and it was a great feeling to be out there with her for our biggest challenge yet. I\'m so proud of her and how far she\'s come. Despite knee issues (and no uber-knee brace like I have) and a history of debilitating cramps every time we run she achieved her best pace to date and <i>smashed </i>the time she expected to get, coming in at 1:21:48. Sounds like she plans on being a part of Team Lanzoni with me next year for this race, and in the more immediate future...hopefully she\'ll be a part of my next undertaking...more on that soon.<br /><br /><b>Oh, By The Way:</b><br /><a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/p/running-playlist.html\" target=\"_blank\">My Playlist</a> did me a lot of good. I find it ironic that <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEXHeTcxQy4\" target=\"_blank\">Chelsea Dagger</a> never came on through the whole run, but I did have <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-2yuGgp_U8\" target=\"_blank\">Lift Me Up</a> on for that last hill climb in Falmouth Heights, and let me tell you it felt pretty badass climbing that hill and flying to the finish rockin\' out to that.<b> </b><br /><br /><b>So, Overall?</b><br />The Falmouth Road Race<b> </b>was an incredible experience, I performed better than I could\'ve expected, felt great and I\'m looking forward to next year where hopefully I\'ll get a lower number and a better corral.<br />Just think - if I can do this, <b><u>anyone</u> can do it</b>. Get out there and <u><b>get to it</b></u>.','And Then I Ran... | Falmouth Road Race','','inherit','closed','closed','','118-revision-v1','','','2017-01-14 09:09:53','2017-01-14 14:09:53','',118,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/118-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(611,1,'2017-01-14 09:10:38','2017-01-14 14:10:38','<b>That\'s right</b>. The <a href=\"http://www.falmouthroadrace.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Falmouth Road Race</a> is over, I finished in 01:10:04, raised (so far) $2,520.00 and feel on top of the world! So what do I do? I go and register for an even bigger race. Because 7.4 miles wasn\'t enough...<b>let\'s go for 13.1</b>. This is the official announcement -<br /><br /><b>I am officially registered for the <a href=\"http://www.capecodmarathon.com/marathon-half/\" target=\"_blank\">Cape Cod Marathon Half</a>.</b><br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2QzMewiZ9mk/UgMMzMJlegI/AAAAAAAABHU/Pd95FG9mHg8/s1600/meme-well-that-escalated-quickly.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"202\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2QzMewiZ9mk/UgMMzMJlegI/AAAAAAAABHU/Pd95FG9mHg8/s400/meme-well-that-escalated-quickly.jpg\" width=\"400\" /></a></div><br /><b>But Wait...It Gets Better - I\'m Sponsored!</b><br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a><br />Yeah, that\'s right...I have a sponsor for my race entry! How \'bout that, huh? Look at me getting all legitimate up in here. So <b>who </b>would sponsor me? <br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1-2CYtLQjJA/UgobuUylIzI/AAAAAAAABO4/kDJWOMvtsGA/s1600/sportclips.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1-2CYtLQjJA/UgobuUylIzI/AAAAAAAABO4/kDJWOMvtsGA/s1600/sportclips.jpg\" /></a></div><br /><a href=\"http://haircutmeneastfalmouthma.com/\" target=\"_blank\">SportClips in Falmouth</a>. Yes, I actually get my hair cut there. <b>For those who don\'t know</b>, SportClips is a sports-themed men\'s \"haircut place\". I don\'t want to call it a barber shop, because it\'s not, and I don\'t want to call it a hair salon because that\'s not manly enough. It\'s kind of like a little man-spa. Seriously! There\'s tv\'s everywhere with sports on - in the waiting area and at each \"haircutter\"\'s chair. It\'s pretty sweet. The reason I call it a \"man-spa\"? They have this thing called the \"MVP\". It\'s 5 bucks extra and basically its like they bring back the old school barbershop thing and mix it with something...new? After your haircut you go back to \"the showers\" and get a hot towel, scalp massage / shampoo, another hot towel, facial massage - its pretty sweet. Worth the 5 bucks each month I go. If you\'re in Falmouth, check them out (they\'re next to Michael\'s and Wal-Mart). If you\'re not in Falmouth, <b>find one</b>. I used to go to Procuts or Supercutsand this place blows them out of the water. No offense if you work there (I\'m sure <b>you</b> don\'t suck) but now I don\'t have to worry about hoping I win the \"haircutter\" lottery so I don\'t look like I lost a fight with a lawnmower. Some just people shouldn\'t cut hair...<br /><br /><b>Anyway - </b>about this race!<br /><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;\"><tbody><tr><td style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YqL-qDvCT4k/UgpfT3iZtkI/AAAAAAAABPI/Ny8opORtN3A/s1600/FalmouthTrackClub11.gif\" style=\"clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"188\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YqL-qDvCT4k/UgpfT3iZtkI/AAAAAAAABPI/Ny8opORtN3A/s200/FalmouthTrackClub11.gif\" width=\"200\" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align: center;\">Image from www.capecodmarathon.com</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Just so you know (in case you don\'t) - a marathon is 26.2 miles, and a half-marathon is, you guessed it - 13.1 miles. Ever see a sticker on someone\'s car that says 26.2 or 13.1? They ran one. There are many marathons throughout the country, with the Boston Marathon and the ING New York marathon being two that are both popular and nearby. The <a href=\"http://www.capecodmarathon.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Cape Cod Marathon</a> is put on by the <a href=\"http://www.falmouthtrackclub.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Falmouth Track Club</a> and has been around for a while - this is the 36th running. This year\'s half-marathon is only the third one they\'ve had, and it\'s very popular. They limit entry to 1,200 runners and from what I\'ve seen, it has filled up (early) both years they\'ve held it. <a href=\"http://www.capecodmarathon.com/maps/halfcourse.jpg\" target=\"_blank\">The course looks great</a>, and part of it is actually along the <a href=\"http://www.falmouthroadrace.com/course-information\" target=\"_blank\">Falmouth Road Race course</a>, so there\'ll be some familiar ground there. And it\'s right in town! How convenient for me!<br /><br /><b>Didn\'t you just start running at the end of March?&nbsp;You\'re gonna double your top distance again in 75 days?</b><br /><br />Well...yeah! Why not? Part of how I\'ve come so far is that I\'m <b>constantly challenging myself</b>, <b>pushing and testing my limits</b>. I don\'t know what my limit is and, frankly, I don\'t believe there IS a limit. There is only constant improvement. <b>Impossible is nothing</b>. In April I considered it an accomplishment that I made it 3 miles without stopping...now I can go 7 without stopping. By October, I\'m sure I can go further, and I have no doubt I can not only finish the half-marathon, but achieve a time I can be proud of. A while ago I said one of my goals was to run the Boston Marathon 2015...and I meant it. <br /><br /><b>And It\'s For A Good Cause, Too!</b><br /><br /><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;\"><tbody><tr><td style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-stfiSqQsbic/Ugpm2HtDjEI/AAAAAAAABPY/SwCjLK9IAyQ/s1600/JimmyVLogo.gif\" style=\"clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"152\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-stfiSqQsbic/Ugpm2HtDjEI/AAAAAAAABPY/SwCjLK9IAyQ/s320/JimmyVLogo.gif\" width=\"320\" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align: center;\">Image from www.jimmyv.org</td></tr></tbody></table>I felt great being a part of <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/pages/Team-Lanzoni/195301487166598\" target=\"_blank\">Team Lanzoni</a> and helping to do something incredible and raise so much money for Dana-Farber!&nbsp;<b> </b>I want to do it again - this time for the <a href=\"http://www.jimmyv.org/\" target=\"_blank\">V Foundation for Cancer Research</a>. The V Foundation is the official philanthropy of my college fraternity - <a href=\"http://www.deltachi.org/\" target=\"_blank\">The Delta Chi Fraternity, Inc.</a> I plan to raise and donate money to The V Foundation on behalf of <a href=\"http://www.sites.google.com/site/dxboston\" target=\"_blank\">The Boston Area Alumni Chapter of Delta Chi</a> (of which I am President). We\'ll see if I can get a team of Delta Chi Brothers and friends together to do this thing (before the half marathon fills up!). I\'m going to have to get creative to do this since I don\'t have those sweet raffle tickets Team Lanzoni gave us, but I\'m sure with the help of the <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/bostondeltachi\" target=\"_blank\">Boston Alumni Chapter</a> and my friends and family I can come up with some great ways to raise money! I\'ll be sure to let everyone know when the fundraising begins!<br /><br /><b>So Now It\'s Time To Start Training Again</b><br /><br />I feel good about this. I had such an incredible time at the Falmouth Road Race, and I feel like I can officially call myself a runner. So what am I gonna do? <b>Keep Running.</b> Keep on doing it. Keep on seeing how far I can go, how fast I can get there, how strong I can get, how much I can improve myself. The alternative is to get stagnant or maybe even lose everything I\'ve worked for, and honestly <b>that\'s not an option</b>. I didn\'t get through <a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/meet-darrell/my-journey\" target=\"_blank\">My Transformation</a> by deciding I had reached the mountaintop - I got where I have by continuing on. So, you know where I\'m at...the question is: what are <b>you </b>gonna do?<b> </b>','On To The Next One - 13.1','','inherit','closed','closed','','117-revision-v1','','','2017-01-14 09:10:38','2017-01-14 14:10:38','',117,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/117-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(612,1,'2017-01-14 09:11:06','2017-01-14 14:11:06','<b>That\'s right</b>. The <a href=\"http://www.falmouthroadrace.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Falmouth Road Race</a> is over, I finished in 01:10:04, raised (so far) $2,520.00 and feel on top of the world! So what do I do? I go and register for an even bigger race. Because 7.4 miles wasn\'t enough...<b>let\'s go for 13.1</b>. This is the official announcement -<br /><br /><b>I am officially registered for the <a href=\"http://www.capecodmarathon.com/marathon-half/\" target=\"_blank\">Cape Cod Marathon Half</a>.</b><br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2QzMewiZ9mk/UgMMzMJlegI/AAAAAAAABHU/Pd95FG9mHg8/s1600/meme-well-that-escalated-quickly.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"202\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2QzMewiZ9mk/UgMMzMJlegI/AAAAAAAABHU/Pd95FG9mHg8/s400/meme-well-that-escalated-quickly.jpg\" width=\"400\" /></a></div><br /><b>But Wait...It Gets Better - I\'m Sponsored!</b><br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a><br />Yeah, that\'s right...I have a sponsor for my race entry! How \'bout that, huh? Look at me getting all legitimate up in here. So <b>who </b>would sponsor me? <br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1-2CYtLQjJA/UgobuUylIzI/AAAAAAAABO4/kDJWOMvtsGA/s1600/sportclips.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1-2CYtLQjJA/UgobuUylIzI/AAAAAAAABO4/kDJWOMvtsGA/s1600/sportclips.jpg\" /></a></div><br /><a href=\"http://haircutmeneastfalmouthma.com/\" target=\"_blank\">SportClips in Falmouth</a>. Yes, I actually get my hair cut there. <b>For those who don\'t know</b>, SportClips is a sports-themed men\'s \"haircut place\". I don\'t want to call it a barber shop, because it\'s not, and I don\'t want to call it a hair salon because that\'s not manly enough. It\'s kind of like a little man-spa. Seriously! There\'s tv\'s everywhere with sports on - in the waiting area and at each \"haircutter\"\'s chair. It\'s pretty sweet. The reason I call it a \"man-spa\"? They have this thing called the \"MVP\". It\'s 5 bucks extra and basically its like they bring back the old school barbershop thing and mix it with something...new? After your haircut you go back to \"the showers\" and get a hot towel, scalp massage / shampoo, another hot towel, facial massage - its pretty sweet. Worth the 5 bucks each month I go. If you\'re in Falmouth, check them out (they\'re next to Michael\'s and Wal-Mart). If you\'re not in Falmouth, <b>find one</b>. I used to go to Procuts or Supercutsand this place blows them out of the water. No offense if you work there (I\'m sure <b>you</b> don\'t suck) but now I don\'t have to worry about hoping I win the \"haircutter\" lottery so I don\'t look like I lost a fight with a lawnmower. Some just people shouldn\'t cut hair...<br /><br /><b>Anyway - </b>about this race!<br /><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;\"><tbody><tr><td style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YqL-qDvCT4k/UgpfT3iZtkI/AAAAAAAABPI/Ny8opORtN3A/s1600/FalmouthTrackClub11.gif\" style=\"clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"188\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YqL-qDvCT4k/UgpfT3iZtkI/AAAAAAAABPI/Ny8opORtN3A/s200/FalmouthTrackClub11.gif\" width=\"200\" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align: center;\">Image from www.capecodmarathon.com</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Just so you know (in case you don\'t) - a marathon is 26.2 miles, and a half-marathon is, you guessed it - 13.1 miles. Ever see a sticker on someone\'s car that says 26.2 or 13.1? They ran one. There are many marathons throughout the country, with the Boston Marathon and the ING New York marathon being two that are both popular and nearby. The <a href=\"http://www.capecodmarathon.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Cape Cod Marathon</a> is put on by the <a href=\"http://www.falmouthtrackclub.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Falmouth Track Club</a> and has been around for a while - this is the 36th running. This year\'s half-marathon is only the third one they\'ve had, and it\'s very popular. They limit entry to 1,200 runners and from what I\'ve seen, it has filled up (early) both years they\'ve held it. <a href=\"http://www.capecodmarathon.com/marathon-half/route-map/\" target=\"_blank\">The course looks great</a>, and part of it is actually along the <a href=\"http://www.falmouthroadrace.com/course-information\" target=\"_blank\">Falmouth Road Race course</a>, so there\'ll be some familiar ground there. And it\'s right in town! How convenient for me!<br /><br /><b>Didn\'t you just start running at the end of March?&nbsp;You\'re gonna double your top distance again in 75 days?</b><br /><br />Well...yeah! Why not? Part of how I\'ve come so far is that I\'m <b>constantly challenging myself</b>, <b>pushing and testing my limits</b>. I don\'t know what my limit is and, frankly, I don\'t believe there IS a limit. There is only constant improvement. <b>Impossible is nothing</b>. In April I considered it an accomplishment that I made it 3 miles without stopping...now I can go 7 without stopping. By October, I\'m sure I can go further, and I have no doubt I can not only finish the half-marathon, but achieve a time I can be proud of. A while ago I said one of my goals was to run the Boston Marathon 2015...and I meant it. <br /><br /><b>And It\'s For A Good Cause, Too!</b><br /><br /><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;\"><tbody><tr><td style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-stfiSqQsbic/Ugpm2HtDjEI/AAAAAAAABPY/SwCjLK9IAyQ/s1600/JimmyVLogo.gif\" style=\"clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"152\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-stfiSqQsbic/Ugpm2HtDjEI/AAAAAAAABPY/SwCjLK9IAyQ/s320/JimmyVLogo.gif\" width=\"320\" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align: center;\">Image from www.jimmyv.org</td></tr></tbody></table>I felt great being a part of <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/pages/Team-Lanzoni/195301487166598\" target=\"_blank\">Team Lanzoni</a> and helping to do something incredible and raise so much money for Dana-Farber!&nbsp;<b> </b>I want to do it again - this time for the <a href=\"http://www.jimmyv.org/\" target=\"_blank\">V Foundation for Cancer Research</a>. The V Foundation is the official philanthropy of my college fraternity - <a href=\"http://www.deltachi.org/\" target=\"_blank\">The Delta Chi Fraternity, Inc.</a> I plan to raise and donate money to The V Foundation on behalf of <a href=\"http://www.sites.google.com/site/dxboston\" target=\"_blank\">The Boston Area Alumni Chapter of Delta Chi</a> (of which I am President). We\'ll see if I can get a team of Delta Chi Brothers and friends together to do this thing (before the half marathon fills up!). I\'m going to have to get creative to do this since I don\'t have those sweet raffle tickets Team Lanzoni gave us, but I\'m sure with the help of the <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/bostondeltachi\" target=\"_blank\">Boston Alumni Chapter</a> and my friends and family I can come up with some great ways to raise money! I\'ll be sure to let everyone know when the fundraising begins!<br /><br /><b>So Now It\'s Time To Start Training Again</b><br /><br />I feel good about this. I had such an incredible time at the Falmouth Road Race, and I feel like I can officially call myself a runner. So what am I gonna do? <b>Keep Running.</b> Keep on doing it. Keep on seeing how far I can go, how fast I can get there, how strong I can get, how much I can improve myself. The alternative is to get stagnant or maybe even lose everything I\'ve worked for, and honestly <b>that\'s not an option</b>. I didn\'t get through <a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/meet-darrell/my-journey\" target=\"_blank\">My Transformation</a> by deciding I had reached the mountaintop - I got where I have by continuing on. So, you know where I\'m at...the question is: what are <b>you </b>gonna do?<b> </b>','On To The Next One - 13.1','','inherit','closed','closed','','117-revision-v1','','','2017-01-14 09:11:06','2017-01-14 14:11:06','',117,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/117-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(613,1,'2017-01-14 09:12:38','2017-01-14 14:12:38','<div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A8n99vhRQcg/UhSlDm5MViI/AAAAAAAABWg/QjTQLWq4hWM/s1600/e-bk-easy-readers-04goldilocks-pic3-anim.gif\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A8n99vhRQcg/UhSlDm5MViI/AAAAAAAABWg/QjTQLWq4hWM/s1600/e-bk-easy-readers-04goldilocks-pic3-anim.gif\" /></a></div><br />I thought I was pretty original with this one, but apparently some scientists thought they were clever too...so I guess I have to be specific in my title. I\'m sure you\'re all familiar with the story of Goldilocks, right? Goldilocks and the three bears, three of everything, one was always too cold/little, one was too hot/big, and one was just right? Yeah...today, think of us - the American People, as Goldilocks. Forewarning - this is, to some degree, going to piggyback off of <a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/2013/08/america-fat.html\" target=\"_blank\">America The Fat</a>, so having read that might help you understand where I\'m coming from with some of this.<br /><br />The problem we face in our society and our culture today is - we can\'t find \"just right\" like Goldilocks did.<br /><a name=\'more\'></a>That\'s not necessarily all our fault either...we aren\'t generally <i>encouraged</i> to find \"just right\". Instead, we\'re told to pursue \"too small\" or \"too big\".<br />Look at the media, at TV, at movies, at society in general...everything we see either encourages us to be (what <b>I consider</b>) too skinny or tells us that being fat is OK. The examples of \"fat being OK\" are glaringly obvious and easy to see (my opinion) as its <b>thrown in our faces </b>to make those who are fat feel better, but the \"too skinny\" message is a little more subliminal than that, so let\'s tackle that first.<br /><br /><b>What is too skinny?</b><br /><br />I assume its easy to understand what \"too big\" means, and I\'m sure many of you can visualize it...but what about \"too skinny\"? What, exactly, constitutes \"too skinny\"?&nbsp; <b>\"Too skinny\" is a stick figure. </b>\"Too skinny\" has no muscle definition and looks like you\'d blow away in a strong breeze. When I think \"too skinny\", I think of people doing whatever they can to lose weight, be \"thin\", and look as tiny as they can. Guess what weighs a lot? <b>Muscle</b>. The \"diets\" many people do in order to lose weight and achieve \"too skinny\" don\'t just make you burn fat, they also force your body to break down muscle as well. <b>That\'s not healthy!</b> If your body is at a point where it has to break down muscle, it means it is <b>malnourished</b> and not getting enough nutrients and fuel! Here\'s my prime example:<br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><br /><b>Giuliana Rancic. </b>Those of you who watch E!, any kind of gossip news, the TV Guide channel or any kind of red carpet anything have seen this woman. So what\'s my issue with Giuliana?<br /><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;\"><tbody><tr><td style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Qp4KBMzQgc/UhS1M02xtQI/AAAAAAAABW8/U0E4zzv6qFQ/s1600/Giuliana.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Qp4KBMzQgc/UhS1M02xtQI/AAAAAAAABW8/U0E4zzv6qFQ/s320/Giuliana.jpg\" width=\"213\" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align: center;\">Img Credit - Fame</td></tr></tbody></table>Well, for one, she\'s a perfect example of the kind of body being shown by Hollywood to women as ideal, and let\'s be honest - what we see on TV, <b>especially</b> <i>those</i> sorts of programs, is meant to be our model for ourselves. We\'re taught to idolize the famous, envy the rich and powerful, and do what we can to be more like them. That said, look at some of the celebrities we\'re either told or supposed to imply are the standard of \"attractive\" that <b>we</b> should be - Giuliana being one (who, by the way, started her own \"fitness\" website to \"help\" others get in the \"perfect shape\"...). Keira Knightley is another one - Pirates of the Caribbean anyone?&nbsp; It\'s tough to find if you go out <b>searching</b> for it, but its there and its sneaky. I had to think about it for a minute, but then I looked at some pictures of Megan Fox from Transformers, and I can\'t decide without watching the movie again, but from pictures I can see online, she definitely rides the line. What was the big reaction to her in that movie though? <b>Sexy</b>. The problem with things like that is, while she may not actually <b>be</b> \"too skinny\", women, especially teenage girls and women in their early 20\'s, want to <b>be</b> that skinny, so<b> they become \"too skinny\" as a result</b>.<br /><br /><b>I will say</b> - while this IS still a problem, its becoming <i>less </i>of a problem as we begin to demonize certain celebrities and their behaviors - certain celebrities who, in addition to drug problems and bad behavior, <i>happen </i>to also be too skinny, so that becomes bad too. As long as there are celebrities like Giuliana who are being praised, and movies showing near-toothpicks like Megan Fox in Transformers, it will still be an issue...and frankly I don\'t foresee Hollywood casting directors changing that anytime soon.<br /><br /><b>How About \"Too Big\"?</b><br /><br />I want to be clear here - when I say \"too big\", I\'m not talking about people who are riding the line and are somewhere close to being \"just right\"...I\'m talking about people who are <u>clearly</u> \"too big\". Visibly overweight. When you <b>get winded going up a flight of stairs</b>, you might be \"too big\". When <b>you can\'t see your toes over your belly</b> you might be \"too big\". When <b>you regularly put down over half a pizza by yourself in one sitting</b> you might be \"too big\". The worst part of \"too big\" is that this country is making it OK. Let me give some examples:<br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sbc-b1-upK4/UhTIR7XfNKI/AAAAAAAABXI/gKQhDZ2OaDI/s1600/adele+fat.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"274\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sbc-b1-upK4/UhTIR7XfNKI/AAAAAAAABXI/gKQhDZ2OaDI/s320/adele+fat.jpg\" width=\"320\" /></a></div>Some of you may be familiar with this popular recording artist - Adele. She\'s a well-known big girl and I\'ve actually read a quote from her saying she\'s not concerned about weight and being skinny - she never plans to lose weight. She basically said she could be a house but as long as she\'s making quality albums she\'s ok with that. <b>That is the wrong message to send.</b> But that\'s not <i>really </i>what I\'m talking about: Adele\'s attitude, I feel, just <i>implies</i> that being overweight isn\'t something to worry about. What I\'m talking about is much worse than that. What I\'m talking about is a culture that makes it <b>acceptable</b> to be overweight. Teaches us that everyone is beautiful and to love your body.<br /><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;\"><tbody><tr><td style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K7S7UthwIdo/UhTI3niIKjI/AAAAAAAABXQ/KtJ8Lgczw64/s1600/Fat-Amy-pitch-perfect-32534849-720-720.jpg\" style=\"clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K7S7UthwIdo/UhTI3niIKjI/AAAAAAAABXQ/KtJ8Lgczw64/s320/Fat-Amy-pitch-perfect-32534849-720-720.jpg\" width=\"320\" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align: center;\">Img credit - Fanpop</td></tr></tbody></table>Let\'s get this straight - <b>I thought Pitch Perfect was hilarious</b>. That said, now that I think about it, I have a <b>BIG</b> problem with the \"Fat Amy\" character. Basically, Fat Amy is teaching people that it\'s OK to be fat, that skinny girls (or \"twig bitches\") are mean and not to be admired, and that you should love yourself and your body regardless of your size. The movie uses her size for many jokes (both physical comedy and verbal jokes) which, of course, I would expect in a comedy. However, when you couple those jokes with the message the character is sending, you kind of <i>glorify</i> being big like that. They\'re portraying her as a strong character because she\'s overcoming adversity and being happy with herself. <b>I can\'t agree with that</b>. We shouldn\'t be teaching people that maintaining an unhealthy body fat percentage is ok. It creates health problems! High body fat percentage puts stress on your body in so many ways, it puts you at risk for heart disease, diabetes and more...<b>why are we telling people that\'s OK?</b> <br /><br /><b>I\'m gonna <a href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soapbox\" target=\"_blank\">get up on my soapbox</a> for a minute - this is going to be a long paragraph.</b><br /><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pd_yBWoBcyA/UhTL-F-MQVI/AAAAAAAABXg/GGqh3CfDWt8/s1600/soapbox.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pd_yBWoBcyA/UhTL-F-MQVI/AAAAAAAABXg/GGqh3CfDWt8/s320/soapbox.jpg\" width=\"304\" /></a><b>&nbsp;</b><br /><b>Your doctor </b>should be telling you what a healthy range is and helping you figure out a plan to get healthy. Your doctor should also be describing all the health risks associated with being overweight. One of my faithful readers and members of the <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/groups/sothisisfitness/\" target=\"_blank\">\"So Fit\" Family</a> messaged me a link a short while ago and I have to tell you it got me so fired up I wanted to pop. There are, apparently, doctors out there who are telling people <b>that it\'s OK to be fat</b>, that aren\'t making an issue of it, that aren\'t weighing you when you come in for a visit and tell you not to worry about losing weight. <b>I don\'t even know where to begin with this</b>.<br /><br />First off, a clarification - not all of the doctors on this list are internal <span></span><span></span>medicine - there is a wide variety. There are internal medicine, family medicine, naturopathic, OB/GYN, midwifery, psychologists, therapists, gastroenterologists, etc etc. What bothers me is that these are <b>doctors</b> making it <b>OK.</b> If nobody else in the universe tells you the health risks of being overweight and urges you to \"get healthy\", <b>your doctor should</b>. Frankly I think it\'s irresponsible and a violation of the <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocratic_Oath\" target=\"_blank\">Hippocratic Oath</a> to tell people it\'s OK and to tell them they don\'t need to worry about their weight or think about losing any. When someone walks in your office door and is 400 LBS...you offer them <b>help</b>, not a mozzarella stick (there is no tall person alive tall enough for 400 lbs to be healthy...please correct me if I\'m wrong). Now, don\'t bite my head off here - I understand that many people don\'t go to the doctor because they\'re embarrassed about their weight and don\'t want to weigh in, yes I do believe these people should be able to see a doctor without having to be ashamed...but if you feel ashamed because your doctor is telling you about the health risks you\'re currently facing...<b>shouldn\'t that be a hint that you\'re not happy and it\'s time to do something about it?</b> If the doctor is being a jerk about it and is intentionally making you feel ashamed about it, that\'s another thing entirely and I <b>don\'t condone</b> that, but what we have out there is the exact opposite - doctors making you <i>feel good</i> about being overweight! That\'s something that needs to stop. Another part that gets me fired up is: some of those doctors out there who are psychologists or therapists are basically preying on those who are overweight. These doctors get the overweight to come in under the auspices of caring about them and not making their weight an issue. <b>That\'s deceptive and dirty</b>. Ok...off my soapbox...<br /><br />Add on to all of those things we just talked about the general culture of \"love your body\" \"it\'s OK to be big\" and \"be happy\" that these promote and what you have is a nation of overweight people who are empowered to pick up that chicken wing and chow down because y\'know what...<b>I\'m OK with this and it\'s OK to be big! </b>Add in <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/07/the-inconvenience-factor-accepting.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"The I Don\'t Feel Like It Syndrome\" </a>and you have a recipie for disaster.<br /><br />Y\'know...let me tell you...I was Mr. I\'m-Big-I\'m-Not-Ashamed for a while but y\'know what...when I stopped fooling myself and lying to myself...I admitted that I really wasnt\' happy. That\'s when <a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/meet-darrell/my-journey\" target=\"_blank\">My Story</a> and <a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/meet-darrell/my-journey\" target=\"_blank\">My Transformation</a> began. Don\'t forget...<b>I was a pretty big guy</b>...so on a lot of this, I\'m speaking from experience. I may have seemed happy or tried to be happy, but I really wasn\'t. It was the biggest thing dragging me down in my life.<br /><b> </b><br /><b>So What Is \"Just Right\"?</b><br /><br />Do we really know what \"just right\" is? We\'re pulled in two directions so much that many people don\'t actually find the way to \"just right\" or the tools to figure out what exactly that is. Where\'s the happy medium between \"too big\" and \"too skinny\"? Well, many would say to follow a \"body mass index\" (BMI) chart...but I\'m not sure I agree with that. BMI charts follow age and height to find what your ideal weight range is. The government website where I found a BMI chart DID make a point to say that it is inaccurate for those with an athletic or muscular build, or for those who are older or who have lost muscle weight. Not everyone who is 24 and 5\'8\" should weight the same...some are lean builds and some are athletic. <b>So BMI Chart is out. My vote </b>is to use the Jackson &amp; Pollock chart.<br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nJq_iaqOctk/UhTMzJvQuXI/AAAAAAAABXo/MPScp5ti340/s1600/Ideal-Body-Fat-Percentage-Chart2.jpg\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nJq_iaqOctk/UhTMzJvQuXI/AAAAAAAABXo/MPScp5ti340/s1600/Ideal-Body-Fat-Percentage-Chart2.jpg\" /></a></div><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nGBM0EcTxW8/UhTNcEkvyvI/AAAAAAAABX4/XKPYemPz99k/s1600/Ideal-Body-Fat-Percentage-Chart3.jpg\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nGBM0EcTxW8/UhTNcEkvyvI/AAAAAAAABX4/XKPYemPz99k/s1600/Ideal-Body-Fat-Percentage-Chart3.jpg\" /></a></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div>These charts, I think, hit the nail on the head. They go by age and gender, and there is a range! Lean, Ideal, Average, and Above Average. I\'m gonna go ahead and say that, since this IS \"<a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/2013/08/america-fat.html\" target=\"_blank\">America The Fat</a>\" that \"average\" is probably \"slightly overweight\" and \"above average\" is probably \"too big\". I\'m not sure where I fall right now because I can\'t for the life of me figure out how much pressure to use when I use my body-fat measuring calipers. I\'ll go more in-depth on this in a later article, but the basics here are: women have higher acceptable body fat %\'s than men because they have more need of it in their bodies. These charts use age because as you get older, you naturally have / need more fat in your body. Like I said, <b>this is a really REALLY basic explanation</b> but the gist here is, I think this is the chart to follow. Ask your doctor to help you figure out your body fat percentage and go from there. This is also good for those building muscle as it allows you to account for muscle in your body - notice this chart <b>doesn\'t use weight</b> as a measurement! Imagine that...<b>weight itself isn\'t everything</b>.&nbsp; I feel like <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/07/why-workouts-fail-2-scale.html\" target=\"_blank\">I\'ve heard that somewhere before...</a><br /><br /><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AjTPjwp6uQQ/UetkdSWAiaI/AAAAAAAAA84/mALlnkHUDOk/s1600/wall-e-human.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"238\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AjTPjwp6uQQ/UetkdSWAiaI/AAAAAAAAA84/mALlnkHUDOk/s320/wall-e-human.jpg\" width=\"320\" /></a>\"Just Right\" is different for everyone. Some of you might want to fall into the \"ideal\" category, some of you might want to be a little more in the \"lean\" category. Just make sure if you\'re gonna go down the \"lean\" road you have some muscle in there...don\'t go down the \"lean\" road in such a way that you become \"too skinny\". I don\'t want to sound like I\'m putting down the \"love yourself\" idea, but you should be able to love yourself <b>and be healthy too!</b> It\'s all well and good that people want others to be happy, but there\'s nothing wrong with being<b> fit and healthy</b> as a means to be happy<b> </b>. All too often the \"fit\" people are demonized as the jerks, the evil ones, the people <b>putting me down for being fat. The sad truth is, </b>there are \"fit\" people out there who DO actually do that. So my advice to you is - <b>Offer help, not hate.&nbsp; </b>Part of why this whole \"love yourself, fat is OK\" thing is out there is because of \"the jerks at the gym\". Let\'s try to turn that image around, ok? Otherwise Goldilocks is never going to find \"just right\" and we\'ll end up like the humans in <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WALL-E\" target=\"_blank\">Wall-E</a>. Nobody wants that. <br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div>','The Goldilocks Problem - Body Image','','inherit','closed','closed','','113-revision-v1','','','2017-01-14 09:12:38','2017-01-14 14:12:38','',113,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/113-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(614,1,'2017-01-14 09:12:38','2017-01-14 14:12:38','Let\'s have a little talk about <b>-Haters-</b>.<br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-80WmeXeDx6M/UhtMBo-Un6I/AAAAAAAABYI/i88hlw2LLJQ/s1600/hatersgonnahatethumb.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"225\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-80WmeXeDx6M/UhtMBo-Un6I/AAAAAAAABYI/i88hlw2LLJQ/s400/hatersgonnahatethumb.jpg\" width=\"400\" /></a></div><br />We all know what haters are. We all probably <b>know</b> some haters too. Odds are, many of you out there might even <b>have</b> haters of your <i>very own!</i> I\'ll go ahead and say that 90% or more of the haters out there are the people I\'m talking about in this post. Up to 10% might have a legitimate reason for hating...maybe. For the purposes of this article, let\'s assume we\'re talking about the 90% that I\'m about to describe.<br /><br />Ultimately, I have to say..<b>.I don\'t hate haters.</b> If you think about it the way I do...you can\'t help but love them just because of their very nature.<b> </b>Haters are <b>important! </b>Just not for the reason they wish they were. On this Motivational Monday morning, I think its time to talk about <b>the haters.</b><br /><br /><b>What drives a hater? What do Haters...hate? Why?</b><br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a><br />So, before we go on...you might be wondering what exactly I mean by \"hate\". <b>What does it mean to be \"hated on\"?</b> How does someone \"hate on\" you?<br /><br />Think back to elementary school, middle school...yes even high school. The haters will <b>make fun of you. </b>The haters will <b>belittle you and your achievements. </b>The haters will try to <b>recruit others </b>to their side to make you feel like you\'re <b>all alone</b>. The haters will <b>bully you </b>and <b>badmouth you. </b>Haters will <b>spread rumors </b>about you. They\'ll try to make you feel like everything you\'re doing <b>doesn\'t matter </b>and no matter what you do, in the end you\'re <b>just a loser</b> wasting their time. <br /><br />If you\'ve seen people getting \"hated on\", you\'ve probably wondered what that person did to \"deserve it\". If <b>you\'re</b> getting \"hated on\" yourself, its probably bothering you that you <b>don\'t know why</b>! I\'m going to make this REALLY simple:<br /><br /><b><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Haters Hate Your Success&nbsp;</span></b><br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-76T_sSFFaFU/UhtNkxLQqwI/AAAAAAAABYU/lYjvob5e8hw/s1600/hatersmeme.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-76T_sSFFaFU/UhtNkxLQqwI/AAAAAAAABYU/lYjvob5e8hw/s320/hatersmeme.jpg\" width=\"320\" /></a></div><b>Yes. It really is that simple.</b> Haters are <b>bitter</b>. Haters are <b>jealous</b>. Haters see in <b>you</b> a reflection of everything they wish <b>they</b> were. Haters want to be able to achieve what <b>you</b> have achieved. Have you lost weight recently? <b>Your hater feels fat.</b> Have you run a race? <b>Your hater wishes they could run. </b>Your hater DID run that race? <b>You got a better time than them</b>. I\'m sure you get the point.<br /><br />I know this seems really childish and like something that belongs in grade school...but it\'s the unfortunate truth. Rather than celebrate your successes with you the haters try to wash it away and put you down. Rather than try to improve themselves and work on their shortcomings, they focus their energy on <b>bringing. you. down</b>.<br /><br />But <b>why?</b><br /><br /><b>Because the haters can\'t be bothered to do the work.</b><br /><br />Haters are often people who suffer from things like <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/07/the-inconvenience-factor-accepting.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"The I Don\'t Feel Like It Syndrome\"</a>.<b> </b>Maybe <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/07/defeating-demotivators-1-fear-monster.html\" target=\"_blank\">The Fear Monster</a> has them in it\'s grasp. <b>Maybe </b>they\'ve got a <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/07/why-workouts-fail-1-napoleon-complex.html\" target=\"_blank\">Napoleon Complex</a> or <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/07/why-workouts-fail-2-scale.html\" target=\"_blank\">The Scale </a>discouraged them so badly they just can\'t bring themselves to try anymore. <b>Maybe they\'re lost in <a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/2013/08/america-fat.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"America The Fat\"</a>. Or perhaps </b>they just can\'t drum up the<a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/07/conquer-truth-about-motivation.html\" target=\"_blank\"> motivation</a> to get it done. Whatever the reason...<b>SOMETHING</b> is keeping the haters from getting what they want and being happy, and it\'s everything that <b>YOU </b>have managed to work past to reach your successes and keep on going. <b>That makes your haters very mad</b>. It <b>frustrates them</b>. People often get angry or begin to <b>hate </b>what frustrates them or what they can\'t understand.<b> </b>So since the hater can\'t get past whatever it is stopping them...the mindset becomes toxic.<br /><br /><b>If the hater can\'t have success, neither can you!</b><br /><br /><b>THAT,</b> in a nutshell, is why haters hate. If the hater can\'t be happy...if the hater can\'t lose weight...if the hater can\'t run a race, get an A+, get a girlfriend, get a promotion...<b>neither should you</b>. They <b>hate</b> seeing you get what they want. That\'s why they hate on you and try to bring you down - <b>they\'re trying to make you quit</b>.&nbsp;<b> </b>But <b>this </b>is why I <b>love </b>haters.<br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Haters let you know you\'re doing a good job</b></span><br /><br />Honestly, the more hate I\'m catching...the harder my haters are hating, the <b>better</b> I must be doing. If they\'re hating on me <b>that much harder</b> then I <i>must </i>be making <b>that much greater</b> of an achievement. THAT is why I said haters are so important - <b>haters are your success meter!</b> Don\'t let them drag you down or discourage you - rather, let your haters <b>be encouragement</b> to go harder. See <b>how much</b> you can make the haters <b>hate </b>you. I\'d like to hope that eventually they\'ll either <b>give up hating</b> or start backing you, but it could very well be the case that they just <b>can\'t get past</b> whatever their own problem is...and they\'ll just keep on hating. <b>So what. Let them hate. </b>Just remember what it means.<br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rdYuObL40sc/UhtT3ipSrDI/AAAAAAAABYk/ibm6uS1uZFE/s1600/tumblr_md5tvm53DT1qmp520o1_500.jpg\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"292\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rdYuObL40sc/UhtT3ipSrDI/AAAAAAAABYk/ibm6uS1uZFE/s400/tumblr_md5tvm53DT1qmp520o1_500.jpg\" width=\"400\" /></a></div><br />By <b>continuing to do what you\'re doing </b>you\'re sending a message to your haters:<br /><br /><b>Your Opinion Does Not Matter. </b><br /><br />Your continued success and your positive attitude lets the haters know that <b>they are powerless to stop you.</b> In the end, you should probably <b>take pity on your haters - </b>they <b>wish</b> they could do what you\'re doing but they can\'t beat their own roadblocks. They <b>can\'t plow through </b>like you have and get down the road to success.&nbsp; <br /><br /><b>Sucks to suck.&nbsp;</b><br /><br />So next time someone starts hating on you or trying to bring you down...<b>just smile at them, </b>walk away, and know that <b>you </b>are what someone else wishes they could be. <b>Don\'t let the haters get you down or stop you - let them push you and encourage you </b>to keep achieving new heights. <b>Don\'t be afraid </b>to post those <a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/meet-darrell/my-journey\" target=\"_blank\">before &amp; after pictures</a>. Don\'t be afraid to <a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/meet-darrell/my-journey\" target=\"_blank\">talk about how you got where you are.</a><br /><br /><b>Don\'t be afraid to keep becoming a better you. </b>\"Haters gonna hate\".<br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Let \'em. </b></span>','Haters','','inherit','closed','closed','','107-revision-v1','','','2017-01-14 09:12:38','2017-01-14 14:12:38','',107,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/107-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(618,1,'2017-01-14 09:21:25','2017-01-14 14:21:25','<a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/08/getting-things-in-mocean-running-update.html\" target=\"_blank\">Yesterday I talked about</a> how <a href=\"http://www.moceancapecod.com/\" target=\"_blank\">MOCEAN Cape Cod</a> went above and beyond in their sponsorship and helped me get into <a href=\"http://www.capecod4thetroops.com/upcoming_events.html\" target=\"_blank\">a second race</a>. Today, I have more news on the same topic....<b>two more runs have been added to the calendar!</b>\r\n\r\nPeople are really responding to this campaign I\'m putting forth. The more people and businesses I talk to, the more people want to back me and help me do this thing. It\'s great to have support in an endeavor such as this, and it\'s nice to know there\'s people out there that care about people getting healthy as much as I do. As far as I\'m concerned, being able to raise money for charity while doing all that is icing on the cake.\r\n\r\n<b>SO, two more runs in preparation for the half-marathon. </b>What are they? And who\'s backing me to run them? <!--more--><b>I\'m being backed by Flex Appeal Sports Nutrition </b>in Burlington, MA.\r\n<a style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\" href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rysYNzjO38c/UiHVaoOS-mI/AAAAAAAABZU/l8BLboov9Ws/s1600/flex+appeal.jpg\"><img src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rysYNzjO38c/UiHVaoOS-mI/AAAAAAAABZU/l8BLboov9Ws/s400/flex+appeal.jpg\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" border=\"0\" /></a>They\'re a hidden gem in Burlington, MA. I actually never even knew they were there until last week. We had just left the Used Book Superstore and took a wrong turn...Megan spotted them in the plaza I was using to turn around. We decided to take a look and were greeted by a fully stocked little store. They\'ve got <b>everything</b> broken down on the shelves by category (and labeled), and they\'ve got a good selection of protein, bars, cookies, etc. I was listening to the clerk talking to people about different things and he was <b>incredibly</b> knowledgable, and my favorite part - <b>they don\'t make commission there. </b>I CANNOT overstate the importance of that. Employees of big chain nutrition stores, like GNC, make commission on certain products. Of course, they\'re going to want to sell those products, so the opinions and advice they give you is skewed...and frankly I feel like I can never trust an employee\'s advice when I go into one of those stores. Smaller, local stores like Flex Appeal...with NO COMMISSION, are <b>great. </b>I know I\'m getting an honest recommendation. If you\'re in the Burlington area (or anywhere close) check them out (282 Cambridge St.)! I\'m pretty sure they\'ve got a store in Medford too. You can check them out online at www.flexappealsportsnutrition.com\r\n\r\n<b>So what about these races you mentioned?</b>\r\n\r\n<b>I know, </b>I went on for a minute there...but I think it\'s important to recognize and thank the people that help you along the journey. <b>SO - these races </b>they backed me for...there\'s TWO of them! I\'ll go in chronological order:\r\n<div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div>\r\n<div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3NQrgcv5vI/UiHYi1aAp_I/AAAAAAAABZo/vP7Ir_HA5So/s1600/tavern+to+tavern+5k.png\"><img src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3NQrgcv5vI/UiHYi1aAp_I/AAAAAAAABZo/vP7Ir_HA5So/s400/tavern+to+tavern+5k.png\" width=\"400\" height=\"131\" border=\"0\" /></a></div>\r\n<h4><b>9/22/13 - Tavern to Tavern 5K in Cambridge, MA</b></h4>\r\nOh boy oh boy...this looks like a fun one!\r\n<b></b>\r\n\r\n<b>So basically </b>you start this race at the Tavern In Porter Square, go out, do a loop and come back to the Tavern In Porter Square. Then there\'s beer. Who doesn\'t love beer after a race? It\'s recovery carbs (that\'s my story and I\'m sticking to it). Your registration fee for this race benefits Cambridge Rindge &amp; Latin Track and Field, so once again your entry fee is going to a good cause (isn\'t that nice?). The website says the course is flat and fast, meaning (perhaps obviously) there\'s no hills to contend with so you can turn it up and zoom along. I\'m pretty excited - this one looks like a lot of fun...and since it\'s an out-and-back course with the start/finish in the same place, if Megan doesn\'t run it with me she can be there to see me both start <b>and</b> finish...we don\'t have to pick! That was one of the most annoying things with the Falmouth Road Race - my parents trying to decide where they were gonna be...they wanted to see me running, but they wanted to see me finish (they ended up getting some prime real estate right near the finish line). <b>And the other race?</b>\r\n<div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8mjed6yfWiQ/UiM6-CDXdgI/AAAAAAAABZ4/HJY_tRjPd3Y/s1600/BF10KMRR_logo_large.jpg\"><img src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8mjed6yfWiQ/UiM6-CDXdgI/AAAAAAAABZ4/HJY_tRjPd3Y/s320/BF10KMRR_logo_large.jpg\" width=\"320\" height=\"320\" border=\"0\" /></a></div>\r\n<b>10/20/13 - <a href=\"http://www.firefighters10k.com/\" target=\"_blank\">31st Annual Boston Firefighters\' Local 718 Memorial Road Race 10K</a> in Dorchester, MA</b>\r\n\r\nBoy, that was a mouthful! This one, I have to say, looks pretty awesome as well. The race is run in memory of Boston Firefighters who gave their lives in the line of duty. According to the website, the event raises money for various charities and helps fund scholarships. It also looks like they make this a pretty big event with a sizable celebration afterwards. The course is described on the site as follows: \"A 10k (6.2 miles) USATF certified course that is fast and flat, with a great ocean view, strict course security, and electronic timing with mile splits.\". <b>Sounds good to me!</b>\r\n\r\nBest part is, considering this race is six days before the half-marathon, it\'s at a perfect time to be my last \"long\" run beforehand! Crazy to think, though, that I don\'t consider 6 miles a \"long\" run anymore; 3 miles is short, 5 or 6 is average, and 10+ is long. Can\'t wait for 10 to be average!\r\n\r\n<b>So That\'s Where I\'m At For The Next Two Months</b>\r\n\r\nI don\'t think I\'m going to be adding any more races to my calendar - I think that\'s plenty for now. Between fundraising efforts (I\'m already brainstorming events), endurance training, my regular workouts and work...I think I\'ll be plenty busy! <b> </b>I\'m so excited to have the opportunity to run all these races and even more excited to be able to raise money for the V Foundation as a part of running them! If you\'re going to be at any of these races, give me a shout and we can say hi at the finish!\r\n\r\n<b>Let this serve as a lesson - </b>with enough determination and perseverance <b>anything is possible</b>. <b>The only limit is the one YOU set for <i>yourself</i>. </b>','2 Months, 4 Runs, One Great Cause','','inherit','closed','closed','','105-revision-v1','','','2017-01-14 09:21:25','2017-01-14 14:21:25','',105,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/105-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(615,1,'2017-01-14 09:19:07','2017-01-14 14:19:07','<a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/08/getting-things-in-mocean-running-update.html\" target=\"_blank\">Yesterday I talked about</a> how <a href=\"http://www.moceancapecod.com/\" target=\"_blank\">MOCEAN Cape Cod</a> went above and beyond in their sponsorship and helped me get into <a href=\"http://www.capecod4thetroops.com/upcoming_events.html\" target=\"_blank\">a second race</a>. Today, I have more news on the same topic....<b>two more runs have been added to the calendar!</b><br /><br />People are really responding to this campaign I\'m putting forth. The more people and businesses I talk to, the more people want to back me and help me do this thing. It\'s great to have support in an endeavor such as this, and it\'s nice to know there\'s people out there that care about people getting healthy as much as I do. As far as I\'m concerned, being able to raise money for charity while doing all that is icing on the cake.<br /><br /><b>SO, two more runs in preparation for the half-marathon. </b>What are they? And who\'s backing me to run them? <br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a><br /><b>I\'m being backed by Flex Appeal Sports Nutrition </b>in Burlington, MA. <br /><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rysYNzjO38c/UiHVaoOS-mI/AAAAAAAABZU/l8BLboov9Ws/s1600/flex+appeal.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"300\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rysYNzjO38c/UiHVaoOS-mI/AAAAAAAABZU/l8BLboov9Ws/s400/flex+appeal.jpg\" width=\"400\" /></a>They\'re a hidden gem in Burlington, MA. I actually never even knew they were there until last week. We had just left the Used Book Superstore and took a wrong turn...Megan spotted them in the plaza I was using to turn around. We decided to take a look and were greeted by a fully stocked little store. They\'ve got <b>everything</b> broken down on the shelves by category (and labeled), and they\'ve got a good selection of protein, bars, cookies, etc. I was listening to the clerk talking to people about different things and he was <b>incredibly</b> knowledgable, and my favorite part - <b>they don\'t make commission there. </b>I CANNOT overstate the importance of that. Employees of big chain nutrition stores, like GNC, make commission on certain products. Of course, they\'re going to want to sell those products, so the opinions and advice they give you is skewed...and frankly I feel like I can never trust an employee\'s advice when I go into one of those stores. Smaller, local stores like Flex Appeal...with NO COMMISSION, are <b>great. </b>I know I\'m getting an honest recommendation. If you\'re in the Burlington area (or anywhere close) check them out (282 Cambridge St.)! I\'m pretty sure they\'ve got a store in Medford too. You can check them out online at www.flexappealsportsnutrition.com <br /><br /><b>So what about these races you mentioned?</b><br /><br /><b>I know, </b>I went on for a minute there...but I think it\'s important to recognize and thank the people that help you along the journey. <b>SO - these races </b>they backed me for...there\'s TWO of them! I\'ll go in chronological order:<br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3NQrgcv5vI/UiHYi1aAp_I/AAAAAAAABZo/vP7Ir_HA5So/s1600/tavern+to+tavern+5k.png\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"131\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3NQrgcv5vI/UiHYi1aAp_I/AAAAAAAABZo/vP7Ir_HA5So/s400/tavern+to+tavern+5k.png\" width=\"400\" /></a></div><b>9/22/13 - <a href=\"http://taverntotavern5k.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Tavern to Tavern 5K </a>in Cambridge, MA</b><br />Oh boy oh boy...this looks like a fun one! <br /><b>So basically </b>you start this race at the Tavern In Porter Square, go out, do a loop and come back to the Tavern In Porter Square. Then there\'s beer. Who doesn\'t love beer after a race? It\'s recovery carbs (that\'s my story and I\'m sticking to it). Your registration fee for this race benefits Cambridge Rindge &amp; Latin Track and Field, so once again your entry fee is going to a good cause (isn\'t that nice?). The website says the course is flat and fast, meaning (perhaps obviously) there\'s no hills to contend with so you can turn it up and zoom along. I\'m pretty excited - this one looks like a lot of fun...and since it\'s an out-and-back course with the start/finish in the same place, if Megan doesn\'t run it with me she can be there to see me both start <b>and</b> finish...we don\'t have to pick! That was one of the most annoying things with the Falmouth Road Race - my parents trying to decide where they were gonna be...they wanted to see me running, but they wanted to see me finish (they ended up getting some prime real estate right near the finish line). <b>And the other race?</b><br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8mjed6yfWiQ/UiM6-CDXdgI/AAAAAAAABZ4/HJY_tRjPd3Y/s1600/BF10KMRR_logo_large.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8mjed6yfWiQ/UiM6-CDXdgI/AAAAAAAABZ4/HJY_tRjPd3Y/s320/BF10KMRR_logo_large.jpg\" width=\"320\" /></a></div><br /><b>10/20/13 - <a href=\"http://www.bostonfirefighters10k.com/\" target=\"_blank\">31st Annual Boston Firefighters\' Local 718 Memorial Road Race 10K</a> in Dorchester, MA</b><br /><br />Boy, that was a mouthful! This one, I have to say, looks pretty awesome as well. The race is run in memory of Boston Firefighters who gave their lives in the line of duty. According to the website, the event raises money for various charities and helps fund scholarships. It also looks like they make this a pretty big event with a sizable celebration afterwards. The course is described on the site as follows: \"A 10k (6.2 miles) USATF certified course that is fast and flat, with a  great ocean view, strict course security, and electronic timing with  mile splits.\". <b>Sounds good to me!</b><br /><br />Best part is, considering this race is six days before the half-marathon, it\'s at a perfect time to be my last \"long\" run beforehand! Crazy to think, though, that I don\'t consider 6 miles a \"long\" run anymore; 3 miles is short, 5 or 6 is average, and 10+ is long. Can\'t wait for 10 to be average!<br /><br /><b>So That\'s Where I\'m At For The Next Two Months</b><br /><br />I don\'t think I\'m going to be adding any more races to my calendar - I think that\'s plenty for now. Between fundraising efforts (I\'m already brainstorming events), endurance training, my regular workouts and work...I think I\'ll be plenty busy!&nbsp;<b> </b>I\'m so excited to have the opportunity to run all these races and even more excited to be able to raise money for the V Foundation as a part of running them! If you\'re going to be at any of these races, give me a shout and we can say hi at the finish!<br /><br /><b>Let this serve as a lesson - </b>with enough determination and perseverance <b>anything is possible</b>. <b>The only limit is the one YOU set for <i>yourself</i>. </b>','2 Months, 4 Runs, One Great Cause','','inherit','closed','closed','','105-revision-v1','','','2017-01-14 09:19:07','2017-01-14 14:19:07','',105,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/105-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(690,1,'2017-01-15 08:05:15','2017-01-15 13:05:15','I did it. It\'s all over. 13 point freaking one miles. I can\'t believe I did that! And I can\'t believe my time either! It\'s been an incredible journey up to this point, and there are many miles ahead as I continue on to the next goal.<br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aBQQ16x-OUg/Um1PTRq8vEI/AAAAAAAAB6k/VrHqgDlWO9Y/s1600/cchalfbibmedal.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aBQQ16x-OUg/Um1PTRq8vEI/AAAAAAAAB6k/VrHqgDlWO9Y/s400/cchalfbibmedal.jpg\" height=\"400\" width=\"376\" /></a></div><br />So today, as I recover, I think I\'ll take some time to talk about the last couple of weeks - the injury worries, the Boston Firefighter\'s Memorial 10K, and the half-marathon itself! I have a lot to catch up on...bear with me!<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a><b>Lesson Learned - Listen To Your Body! If It Feels Wrong...Something\'s Wrong!</b><br /><b>&nbsp;</b> <br />So I\'ll start with the injury worries that, for a minute, I thought might knock me out of the half marathon before I even started. <a href=\"http://runkeeper.com/user/dwmctague/activity/249332036\" target=\"_blank\">September 29th I went for a 10 mile run</a> as part of my training for the half. I was <b>wrecked</b> for the rest of the day - limping everywhere. I ended up feeling some pain on the outside of my left knee...I\'d never felt pain there, but I thought nothing of it. I gave myself a full week of rest to recover from it. Fast-forward to the <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/10/canal-run-10kburpee-recap-lessons.html\" target=\"_blank\">Canal Run For The Troops 10K</a>...and things got bad. Not only was I feeling that left knee pain I\'d never felt before the 10 miler...but at 5.7 miles I was stopped dead in my tracks by debilitating right hamstring pain (right at the bottom of the hamstring). I thought it was just an immense cramp, and almost a month later I\'m still not sure what it was. I do know that I\'ve been able to stretch on the spot and run through it every time it comes up. I struggled through the last half mile of the Canal Run and finished.<br /><br /><b>At that point I hit the panic button</b>...made appointments with my primary care doctor (not until November), a podiatrist (not until 10/31) and my physical therapist (right away). As it turns out, my work shoes were too small and caused acute plantar fasciitis, which led to I.T. Band irritation on my left side. Painful, but not nearly as bad as it could have been. I took the right steps by getting new work shoes and new insoles as soon as my foot started really hurting, but by that point the \"damage\" had been done as far as my knee was concerned. My physical therapist was able to help me identify the problem (I.T. Band) and do some work to help me get through the half-marathon. Good news is, I did it...and now I\'ll see the podiatrist to permanently resolve the plantar fascia / foot issue and be back to normal come springtime, or maybe even later this winter (frozen fivers, anyone?).<br /><br /><b>For those who didn\'t read that far - ow.&nbsp;</b><br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XPYKPgdyp50/Um3YULJePbI/AAAAAAAAB7I/YjkpOBd3p-Y/s1600/ffrunning.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XPYKPgdyp50/Um3YULJePbI/AAAAAAAAB7I/YjkpOBd3p-Y/s400/ffrunning.jpg\" height=\"400\" width=\"355\" /></a></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><br /><b>Anyway, Boston <a href=\"http://www.bostonfirefighters10k.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Firefighters\' Memorial 10K</a></b><br /><br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xqrK0835xfg/Um3UC3Jt9gI/AAAAAAAAB60/OVCcWcidw8I/s1600/IMG_20131027_123212_380.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xqrK0835xfg/Um3UC3Jt9gI/AAAAAAAAB60/OVCcWcidw8I/s320/IMG_20131027_123212_380.jpg\" height=\"249\" width=\"320\" /></a></div>This race was supposed to be my last \"big\" run before the half-marathon...and it ended up being even more important than that - it became the big test to see if I\'d actually BE ABLE to run the half. I want to start off by saying a big THANK YOU to <a href=\"http://www.flexappealsportsnutrition.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Flex Appeal Sports Nutrition</a> for sponsoring me for this race!<br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TsjXAnnOMfU/Um3bOc0RrJI/AAAAAAAAB7U/zfRPhtwIa6I/s1600/1526170193.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TsjXAnnOMfU/Um3bOc0RrJI/AAAAAAAAB7U/zfRPhtwIa6I/s320/1526170193.jpg\" height=\"320\" width=\"213\" /></a></div>I have to say, I had a lot of fun with this race, and I learned a lot about my body, my legs, and my running. This race is apparently a big deal - lots of firefighters and military people coming out to support the cause. This was the 31st running, so they know what they\'re doing, and they had a huge level of support from countless area businesses. I ended up taking home a free year\'s subscription to New England Runner...they were literally just tossing stuff out there.<br /><br />Anyway, as far as the race itself - the course was pretty flat overall. I got to run through some major highway space which was pretty cool. It\'s too bad I\'m not much of a mid-run photographer...the firefighters had their boat spraying water everywhere for runners to see as we went over a bridge and ran through the harborwalk area. That\'s ok...my Droid stays right in my <a href=\"http://www.tunebelt.com/\" target=\"_blank\">TuneBelt</a> where I like it.<br /><br />Unfortunately, thanks to more walk-breaks than I would\'ve liked, I didn\'t quite get the time I wanted. I finished in 56:39, 9:08 min/mile average. 467th of 995 overall.&nbsp; I was hoping to&nbsp; break 54 minutes, and I know I can do it...but my knee/I.T. Band was an issue...oh well. There\'s always next time, and I know what I\'m capable of. Still WAY better than my first 10K!<br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aBQQ16x-OUg/Um1PTRq8vEI/AAAAAAAAB6o/Jbpg1k1FvTg/s1600/cchalfbibmedal.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aBQQ16x-OUg/Um1PTRq8vEI/AAAAAAAAB6o/Jbpg1k1FvTg/s320/cchalfbibmedal.jpg\" height=\"320\" width=\"301\" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>The Cape Cod Marathon Half&nbsp;</b><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><b><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IPPwJAkgugM/Um5NesTuz5I/AAAAAAAAB74/vRgMxUqcW4Y/s1600/IMG_20131026_072625_288.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IPPwJAkgugM/Um5NesTuz5I/AAAAAAAAB74/vRgMxUqcW4Y/s400/IMG_20131026_072625_288.jpg\" height=\"400\" width=\"225\" /></a></b></div><br />This was it...the big one! I\'ve been training for this for three months! I still can\'t believe it. It was an incredible experience getting my first 13.1...I feel so accomplished! It\'s so different running a half-marathon than it is to run a 5K or 10K...much more challenging and a completely different mindset.<br /><br />This race, as well as the full marathon and relay, are put on by the Falmouth Track Club. The half is a beautiful course that starts in front of the post office downtown, does a little loop in the downtown area, then goes along Surf Drive, to Woods Hole along the Shining Sea Bikeway, back to Falmouth along the first three miles of the Falmouth Road Race route, and finishes in Town Hall Square. The full/relay goes in a big loop all around Falmouth, starting in the same place and finishing downtown. <br /><br />Before I launch into it...a big thanks to all my sponsors that made it possible not only for me to run, but for me to be able to afford the gear necessary to train and compete in cold weather! It was 35 degrees at the start! SportClips in Falmouth was my title sponsor and, actually, my first sponsor period! I was fortunate enough to have a lot of sponsors - please check out the <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/p/sponsors.html\" target=\"_blank\">Sponsors Page</a> to see who thought I was good enough to sponsor! THANKS!<br /><br />So, the race itself...first off let me just say I have never before run in such absolutely FRIGID weather! It was bone-chilling cold...and I know it\'ll get colder, so I shouldn\'t complain...<br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Tm3CKve_jk/Um5XwptI9yI/AAAAAAAAB8I/LTCRS_xD34Y/s1600/IMG_20131026_072611_869.jpg\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Tm3CKve_jk/Um5XwptI9yI/AAAAAAAAB8I/LTCRS_xD34Y/s400/IMG_20131026_072611_869.jpg\" height=\"400\" width=\"225\" /></a><br /><b>That cold weather was forgotten</b> as I passed the first mile marker...traded my Under Armour beanie for a sweatband and kept on truckin\'. I had gone four miles before I even realized what happened! It was at that point I realized just how different the mindset is when you run different races - Your mind and your&nbsp; body adjust to the length of the race! 6 days prior, when I hit 4 miles I felt like I had gone so much farther...but during the half? I wasn\'t even 1/3 done...and I felt like I could keep going for days! It\'s interesting, that\'s for sure.<br /><br />And it is at this point I would like to say - what a beautiful course! As we ran along Surf Drive, with the beach to our left...I was marveling at how great the scenery was. If it\'s one thing I\'m coming to realize is a treat about foot races, it\'s that it\'s about taking time to appreciate the scenery, get in touch with your body and your world, and just <b>be</b>. If you\'re in the market for a gorgeous road race, look into the Cape Cod Marathon Half. We turned left onto the Shining Sea Bikeway to make our way to Woods Hole, and were treated to more of the same beautiful sunrise / early morning beach views. Makes me wish I was taking pictures.<br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><b>It was at this point - about 4.5 miles, I had my first problem.</b> The right hamstring issue, that I didn\'t experience AT ALL during the Firefighters\' 10K, came back! I immediately stopped off to the side, stretched it out and kept on going. I had to do this several times between 4.5 miles and 5.5 miles (which slowed me down by a couple minutes, total), but by the time I got off the bike path and into Woods Hole I had run through it.<br /><br /><b>But now I had a new challenge...</b><br /><br />The entirety of the CCM Half is flat...except for miles 6.5 - 9.5. Those three miles are the first three miles of the <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/08/andtheniranfalmouthroadrace.html\" target=\"_blank\">Falmouth Road Race</a>, so there\'s rolling hills, including Nobska Lighthouse. This was the challenge not because of the hills, but because my I.T. Band is sore 100% of the time going uphill (it\'s in and out / avoidable on flat terrain and non-existent on downhills). This part of the course slowed me down by probably a minute or two...I went slower than I wanted and had to take a bit more walk-break than I wanted. I got through it though...and at mile 9 I had a feeling...<br /><br /><b>But at Mile 10 I knew - </b>I had a real shot to break 2 hours 15 minutes! Not only that, but if my math was right...if I was able to keep up 9 minute miles, hell...just be better than 10 minute miles...<b>I could break 2:10!</b> At that point, nothing else mattered. I had, at that point, officially run farther than I ever had in one shot before...<b>and nothing was going to stop me from breaking 2:10.</b> I told myself no more walk breaks - <b>walk when you finish</b>. I told myself the knee and the I.T. Band weren\'t going to be a problem - <b>I\'ve come too far to crap out now</b>. This was <b>my time</b>, and I was going to <b>nail it</b>.<br /><br /><b>And I did.&nbsp;</b><br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><b><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GJxqwdI2ffI/Um3glwJ8W3I/AAAAAAAAB7o/GozBLla5nSU/s1600/IMG_20131026_094154_638.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GJxqwdI2ffI/Um3glwJ8W3I/AAAAAAAAB7o/GozBLla5nSU/s400/IMG_20131026_094154_638.jpg\" height=\"400\" width=\"225\" /></a></b></div><br />When I started the race, the one thing I hadn\'t checked that morning was my playlist. There were about 12 songs not showing up that I had put on...and I thought nothing of it. Ironically, at Mile 13, with the .1 miles of the finish line lead-up left to go...I ran out of music. For the last .1 I had to listen to my own huffing and puffing, but I got to hear the sound of the crowd...the cheering and clapping...and I saw that LED clock...2:09:22...<b>it was in reach! </b>I crossed at 2:09:29.&nbsp;<b> </b>Thirteen point FREAKING one miles...accomplished. I found out that considering how serious of an accomplishment it is and how hard you have to work to be able to do it...it seems every race half-marathon or longer gives you a finisher\'s medal after crossing the finish line. Know why? <b>Not everyone finishes. </b>There were 1,200 people in this race...<b>995 finished</b>. The first picture in this article was the bib and finisher\'s medal, but I put it in again in this part too - that will not be the last finisher\'s medal I get. I\'ve got big plans for next year.<br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s4k1AEXVlVg/Um5bUPpXt1I/AAAAAAAAB8Q/nPeb7H3VN_w/s1600/IMG_20131026_095523_208.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s4k1AEXVlVg/Um5bUPpXt1I/AAAAAAAAB8Q/nPeb7H3VN_w/s400/IMG_20131026_095523_208.jpg\" height=\"225\" width=\"400\" />&nbsp;</a></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><br /></div><b>I thought calling this article</b> \"Achievement Unlocked - 13.1\" was  incredibly ironic considering this was about as far from sitting on a  couch playing a video game as I could be. A year ago, I WOULD\'VE been on  the couch playing a video game. Its incredible what you can achieve  when you just put your mind to it. I now firmly believe, beyond a shadow  of a doubt, something I said in a prior article - <b>Given time and training, anything is possible</b>.  I don\'t care who you are, how heavy or skinny you are, what problems  you have or how busy you are...if you put in some time, train, and get  determined, you can do anything. So, on this Motivational Monday, think about this - if, in less than 14 months, I can go from 300 lbs with a couch cushion molded to my butt to 179 and running half-marathons...<b>why can\'t you?</b> If I can do this, anyone can. I\'d love to help! If you\'re interested, check out the Coach page of this blog.<br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r6QzF3n9mDs/UjcbDB-Z99I/AAAAAAAABpU/2-GfIixZHmc/s1600/giventime.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r6QzF3n9mDs/UjcbDB-Z99I/AAAAAAAABpU/2-GfIixZHmc/s400/giventime.jpg\" height=\"400\" width=\"400\" /></a></div><br />It\'s already yours...<b>Go out there and GET IT!</b>','Achievement Unlocked - 13.1','','inherit','closed','closed','','92-revision-v1','','','2017-01-15 08:05:15','2017-01-15 13:05:15','',92,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/92-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(616,1,'2017-01-14 09:19:07','2017-01-14 14:19:07','I did it. It\'s all over. 13 point freaking one miles. I can\'t believe I did that! And I can\'t believe my time either! It\'s been an incredible journey up to this point, and there are many miles ahead as I continue on to the next goal.<br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aBQQ16x-OUg/Um1PTRq8vEI/AAAAAAAAB6k/VrHqgDlWO9Y/s1600/cchalfbibmedal.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aBQQ16x-OUg/Um1PTRq8vEI/AAAAAAAAB6k/VrHqgDlWO9Y/s400/cchalfbibmedal.jpg\" height=\"400\" width=\"376\" /></a></div><br />So today, as I recover, I think I\'ll take some time to talk about the last couple of weeks - the injury worries, the Boston Firefighter\'s Memorial 10K, and the half-marathon itself! I have a lot to catch up on...bear with me!<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a><b>Lesson Learned - Listen To Your Body! If It Feels Wrong...Something\'s Wrong!</b><br /><b>&nbsp;</b> <br />So I\'ll start with the injury worries that, for a minute, I thought might knock me out of the half marathon before I even started. <a href=\"http://runkeeper.com/user/dwmctague/activity/249332036\" target=\"_blank\">September 29th I went for a 10 mile run</a> as part of my training for the half. I was <b>wrecked</b> for the rest of the day - limping everywhere. I ended up feeling some pain on the outside of my left knee...I\'d never felt pain there, but I thought nothing of it. I gave myself a full week of rest to recover from it. Fast-forward to the <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/10/canal-run-10kburpee-recap-lessons.html\" target=\"_blank\">Canal Run For The Troops 10K</a>...and things got bad. Not only was I feeling that left knee pain I\'d never felt before the 10 miler...but at 5.7 miles I was stopped dead in my tracks by debilitating right hamstring pain (right at the bottom of the hamstring). I thought it was just an immense cramp, and almost a month later I\'m still not sure what it was. I do know that I\'ve been able to stretch on the spot and run through it every time it comes up. I struggled through the last half mile of the Canal Run and finished.<br /><br /><b>At that point I hit the panic button</b>...made appointments with my primary care doctor (not until November), a podiatrist (not until 10/31) and my physical therapist (right away). As it turns out, my work shoes were too small and caused acute plantar fasciitis, which led to I.T. Band irritation on my left side. Painful, but not nearly as bad as it could have been. I took the right steps by getting new work shoes and new insoles as soon as my foot started really hurting, but by that point the \"damage\" had been done as far as my knee was concerned. My physical therapist was able to help me identify the problem (I.T. Band) and do some work to help me get through the half-marathon. Good news is, I did it...and now I\'ll see the podiatrist to permanently resolve the plantar fascia / foot issue and be back to normal come springtime, or maybe even later this winter (frozen fivers, anyone?).<br /><br /><b>For those who didn\'t read that far - ow.&nbsp;</b><br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XPYKPgdyp50/Um3YULJePbI/AAAAAAAAB7I/YjkpOBd3p-Y/s1600/ffrunning.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XPYKPgdyp50/Um3YULJePbI/AAAAAAAAB7I/YjkpOBd3p-Y/s400/ffrunning.jpg\" height=\"400\" width=\"355\" /></a></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><br /><b>Anyway, Boston <a href=\"http://www.bostonfirefighters10k.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Firefighters\' Memorial 10K</a></b><br /><br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xqrK0835xfg/Um3UC3Jt9gI/AAAAAAAAB60/OVCcWcidw8I/s1600/IMG_20131027_123212_380.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xqrK0835xfg/Um3UC3Jt9gI/AAAAAAAAB60/OVCcWcidw8I/s320/IMG_20131027_123212_380.jpg\" height=\"249\" width=\"320\" /></a></div>This race was supposed to be my last \"big\" run before the half-marathon...and it ended up being even more important than that - it became the big test to see if I\'d actually BE ABLE to run the half. I want to start off by saying a big THANK YOU to <a href=\"http://www.flexappealsportsnutrition.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Flex Appeal Sports Nutrition</a> for sponsoring me for this race!<br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TsjXAnnOMfU/Um3bOc0RrJI/AAAAAAAAB7U/zfRPhtwIa6I/s1600/1526170193.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TsjXAnnOMfU/Um3bOc0RrJI/AAAAAAAAB7U/zfRPhtwIa6I/s320/1526170193.jpg\" height=\"320\" width=\"213\" /></a></div>I have to say, I had a lot of fun with this race, and I learned a lot about my body, my legs, and my running. This race is apparently a big deal - lots of firefighters and military people coming out to support the cause. This was the 31st running, so they know what they\'re doing, and they had a huge level of support from countless area businesses. I ended up taking home a free year\'s subscription to New England Runner...they were literally just tossing stuff out there.<br /><br />Anyway, as far as the race itself - the course was pretty flat overall. I got to run through some major highway space which was pretty cool. It\'s too bad I\'m not much of a mid-run photographer...the firefighters had their boat spraying water everywhere for runners to see as we went over a bridge and ran through the harborwalk area. That\'s ok...my Droid stays right in my <a href=\"http://www.tunebelt.com/\" target=\"_blank\">TuneBelt</a> where I like it.<br /><br />Unfortunately, thanks to more walk-breaks than I would\'ve liked, I didn\'t quite get the time I wanted. I finished in 56:39, 9:08 min/mile average. 467th of 995 overall.&nbsp; I was hoping to&nbsp; break 54 minutes, and I know I can do it...but my knee/I.T. Band was an issue...oh well. There\'s always next time, and I know what I\'m capable of. Still WAY better than my first 10K!<br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aBQQ16x-OUg/Um1PTRq8vEI/AAAAAAAAB6o/Jbpg1k1FvTg/s1600/cchalfbibmedal.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aBQQ16x-OUg/Um1PTRq8vEI/AAAAAAAAB6o/Jbpg1k1FvTg/s320/cchalfbibmedal.jpg\" height=\"320\" width=\"301\" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>The Cape Cod Marathon Half&nbsp;</b><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><b><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IPPwJAkgugM/Um5NesTuz5I/AAAAAAAAB74/vRgMxUqcW4Y/s1600/IMG_20131026_072625_288.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IPPwJAkgugM/Um5NesTuz5I/AAAAAAAAB74/vRgMxUqcW4Y/s400/IMG_20131026_072625_288.jpg\" height=\"400\" width=\"225\" /></a></b></div><br />This was it...the big one! I\'ve been training for this for three months! I still can\'t believe it. It was an incredible experience getting my first 13.1...I feel so accomplished! It\'s so different running a half-marathon than it is to run a 5K or 10K...much more challenging and a completely different mindset.<br /><br />This race, as well as the full marathon and relay, are put on by the Falmouth Track Club. The half is a beautiful course that starts in front of the post office downtown, does a little loop in the downtown area, then goes along Surf Drive, to Woods Hole along the Shining Sea Bikeway, back to Falmouth along the first three miles of the Falmouth Road Race route, and finishes in Town Hall Square. The full/relay goes in a big loop all around Falmouth, starting in the same place and finishing downtown. <br /><br />Before I launch into it...a big thanks to all my sponsors that made it possible not only for me to run, but for me to be able to afford the gear necessary to train and compete in cold weather! It was 35 degrees at the start! SportClips in Falmouth was my title sponsor and, actually, my first sponsor period! I was fortunate enough to have a lot of sponsors - please check out the <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/p/sponsors.html\" target=\"_blank\">Sponsors Page</a> to see who thought I was good enough to sponsor! THANKS!<br /><br />So, the race itself...first off let me just say I have never before run in such absolutely FRIGID weather! It was bone-chilling cold...and I know it\'ll get colder, so I shouldn\'t complain...<br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Tm3CKve_jk/Um5XwptI9yI/AAAAAAAAB8I/LTCRS_xD34Y/s1600/IMG_20131026_072611_869.jpg\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Tm3CKve_jk/Um5XwptI9yI/AAAAAAAAB8I/LTCRS_xD34Y/s400/IMG_20131026_072611_869.jpg\" height=\"400\" width=\"225\" /></a><br /><b>That cold weather was forgotten</b> as I passed the first mile marker...traded my Under Armour beanie for a sweatband and kept on truckin\'. I had gone four miles before I even realized what happened! It was at that point I realized just how different the mindset is when you run different races - Your mind and your&nbsp; body adjust to the length of the race! 6 days prior, when I hit 4 miles I felt like I had gone so much farther...but during the half? I wasn\'t even 1/3 done...and I felt like I could keep going for days! It\'s interesting, that\'s for sure.<br /><br />And it is at this point I would like to say - what a beautiful course! As we ran along Surf Drive, with the beach to our left...I was marveling at how great the scenery was. If it\'s one thing I\'m coming to realize is a treat about foot races, it\'s that it\'s about taking time to appreciate the scenery, get in touch with your body and your world, and just <b>be</b>. If you\'re in the market for a gorgeous road race, look into the Cape Cod Marathon Half. We turned left onto the Shining Sea Bikeway to make our way to Woods Hole, and were treated to more of the same beautiful sunrise / early morning beach views. Makes me wish I was taking pictures.<br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><b>It was at this point - about 4.5 miles, I had my first problem.</b> The right hamstring issue, that I didn\'t experience AT ALL during the Firefighters\' 10K, came back! I immediately stopped off to the side, stretched it out and kept on going. I had to do this several times between 4.5 miles and 5.5 miles (which slowed me down by a couple minutes, total), but by the time I got off the bike path and into Woods Hole I had run through it.<br /><br /><b>But now I had a new challenge...</b><br /><br />The entirety of the CCM Half is flat...except for miles 6.5 - 9.5. Those three miles are the first three miles of the <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/08/andtheniranfalmouthroadrace.html\" target=\"_blank\">Falmouth Road Race</a>, so there\'s rolling hills, including Nobska Lighthouse. This was the challenge not because of the hills, but because my I.T. Band is sore 100% of the time going uphill (it\'s in and out / avoidable on flat terrain and non-existent on downhills). This part of the course slowed me down by probably a minute or two...I went slower than I wanted and had to take a bit more walk-break than I wanted. I got through it though...and at mile 9 I had a feeling...<br /><br /><b>But at Mile 10 I knew - </b>I had a real shot to break 2 hours 15 minutes! Not only that, but if my math was right...if I was able to keep up 9 minute miles, hell...just be better than 10 minute miles...<b>I could break 2:10!</b> At that point, nothing else mattered. I had, at that point, officially run farther than I ever had in one shot before...<b>and nothing was going to stop me from breaking 2:10.</b> I told myself no more walk breaks - <b>walk when you finish</b>. I told myself the knee and the I.T. Band weren\'t going to be a problem - <b>I\'ve come too far to crap out now</b>. This was <b>my time</b>, and I was going to <b>nail it</b>.<br /><br /><b>And I did.&nbsp;</b><br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><b><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GJxqwdI2ffI/Um3glwJ8W3I/AAAAAAAAB7o/GozBLla5nSU/s1600/IMG_20131026_094154_638.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GJxqwdI2ffI/Um3glwJ8W3I/AAAAAAAAB7o/GozBLla5nSU/s400/IMG_20131026_094154_638.jpg\" height=\"400\" width=\"225\" /></a></b></div><br />When I started the race, the one thing I hadn\'t checked that morning was my playlist. There were about 12 songs not showing up that I had put on...and I thought nothing of it. Ironically, at Mile 13, with the .1 miles of the finish line lead-up left to go...I ran out of music. For the last .1 I had to listen to my own huffing and puffing, but I got to hear the sound of the crowd...the cheering and clapping...and I saw that LED clock...2:09:22...<b>it was in reach! </b>I crossed at 2:09:29.&nbsp;<b> </b>Thirteen point FREAKING one miles...accomplished. I found out that considering how serious of an accomplishment it is and how hard you have to work to be able to do it...it seems every race half-marathon or longer gives you a finisher\'s medal after crossing the finish line. Know why? <b>Not everyone finishes. </b>There were 1,200 people in this race...<b>995 finished</b>. The first picture in this article was the bib and finisher\'s medal, but I put it in again in this part too - that will not be the last finisher\'s medal I get. I\'ve got big plans for next year.<br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s4k1AEXVlVg/Um5bUPpXt1I/AAAAAAAAB8Q/nPeb7H3VN_w/s1600/IMG_20131026_095523_208.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s4k1AEXVlVg/Um5bUPpXt1I/AAAAAAAAB8Q/nPeb7H3VN_w/s400/IMG_20131026_095523_208.jpg\" height=\"225\" width=\"400\" />&nbsp;</a></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><br /></div><b>I thought calling this article</b> \"Achievement Unlocked - 13.1\" was  incredibly ironic considering this was about as far from sitting on a  couch playing a video game as I could be. A year ago, I WOULD\'VE been on  the couch playing a video game. Its incredible what you can achieve  when you just put your mind to it. I now firmly believe, beyond a shadow  of a doubt, something I said in a prior article - <b>Given time and training, anything is possible</b>.  I don\'t care who you are, how heavy or skinny you are, what problems  you have or how busy you are...if you put in some time, train, and get  determined, you can do anything. So, on this Motivational Monday, think about this - if, in less than 14 months, I can go from 300 lbs with a couch cushion molded to my butt to 179 and running half-marathons...<b>why can\'t you?</b> If I can do this, anyone can. I\'d love to help! If you\'re interested, check out the <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/p/beachbody-coach.html\" target=\"_blank\">Coach</a> page of this blog.<br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r6QzF3n9mDs/UjcbDB-Z99I/AAAAAAAABpU/2-GfIixZHmc/s1600/giventime.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r6QzF3n9mDs/UjcbDB-Z99I/AAAAAAAABpU/2-GfIixZHmc/s400/giventime.jpg\" height=\"400\" width=\"400\" /></a></div><br />It\'s already yours...<b>Go out there and GET IT!</b>','Achievement Unlocked - 13.1','','inherit','closed','closed','','92-revision-v1','','','2017-01-14 09:19:07','2017-01-14 14:19:07','',92,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/92-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(617,1,'2017-01-14 09:19:43','2017-01-14 14:19:43','<a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/08/getting-things-in-mocean-running-update.html\" target=\"_blank\">Yesterday I talked about</a> how <a href=\"http://www.moceancapecod.com/\" target=\"_blank\">MOCEAN Cape Cod</a> went above and beyond in their sponsorship and helped me get into <a href=\"http://www.capecod4thetroops.com/upcoming_events.html\" target=\"_blank\">a second race</a>. Today, I have more news on the same topic....<b>two more runs have been added to the calendar!</b>\n\nPeople are really responding to this campaign I\'m putting forth. The more people and businesses I talk to, the more people want to back me and help me do this thing. It\'s great to have support in an endeavor such as this, and it\'s nice to know there\'s people out there that care about people getting healthy as much as I do. As far as I\'m concerned, being able to raise money for charity while doing all that is icing on the cake.\n\n<b>SO, two more runs in preparation for the half-marathon. </b>What are they? And who\'s backing me to run them? <!--more-->\n<a name=\"more\"></a>\n<b>I\'m being backed by Flex Appeal Sports Nutrition </b>in Burlington, MA.\n<a style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\" href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rysYNzjO38c/UiHVaoOS-mI/AAAAAAAABZU/l8BLboov9Ws/s1600/flex+appeal.jpg\"><img src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rysYNzjO38c/UiHVaoOS-mI/AAAAAAAABZU/l8BLboov9Ws/s400/flex+appeal.jpg\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" border=\"0\" /></a>They\'re a hidden gem in Burlington, MA. I actually never even knew they were there until last week. We had just left the Used Book Superstore and took a wrong turn...Megan spotted them in the plaza I was using to turn around. We decided to take a look and were greeted by a fully stocked little store. They\'ve got <b>everything</b> broken down on the shelves by category (and labeled), and they\'ve got a good selection of protein, bars, cookies, etc. I was listening to the clerk talking to people about different things and he was <b>incredibly</b> knowledgable, and my favorite part - <b>they don\'t make commission there. </b>I CANNOT overstate the importance of that. Employees of big chain nutrition stores, like GNC, make commission on certain products. Of course, they\'re going to want to sell those products, so the opinions and advice they give you is skewed...and frankly I feel like I can never trust an employee\'s advice when I go into one of those stores. Smaller, local stores like Flex Appeal...with NO COMMISSION, are <b>great. </b>I know I\'m getting an honest recommendation. If you\'re in the Burlington area (or anywhere close) check them out (282 Cambridge St.)! I\'m pretty sure they\'ve got a store in Medford too. You can check them out online at www.flexappealsportsnutrition.com\n\n<b>So what about these races you mentioned?</b>\n\n<b>I know, </b>I went on for a minute there...but I think it\'s important to recognize and thank the people that help you along the journey. <b>SO - these races </b>they backed me for...there\'s TWO of them! I\'ll go in chronological order:\n<div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div>\n<div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3NQrgcv5vI/UiHYi1aAp_I/AAAAAAAABZo/vP7Ir_HA5So/s1600/tavern+to+tavern+5k.png\"><img src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3NQrgcv5vI/UiHYi1aAp_I/AAAAAAAABZo/vP7Ir_HA5So/s400/tavern+to+tavern+5k.png\" width=\"400\" height=\"131\" border=\"0\" /></a></div>\n<b>9/22/13 - <a href=\"http://taverntotavern5k.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Tavern to Tavern 5K </a>in Cambridge, MA</b>\nOh boy oh boy...this looks like a fun one!\n<b>So basically </b>you start this race at the Tavern In Porter Square, go out, do a loop and come back to the Tavern In Porter Square. Then there\'s beer. Who doesn\'t love beer after a race? It\'s recovery carbs (that\'s my story and I\'m sticking to it). Your registration fee for this race benefits Cambridge Rindge &amp; Latin Track and Field, so once again your entry fee is going to a good cause (isn\'t that nice?). The website says the course is flat and fast, meaning (perhaps obviously) there\'s no hills to contend with so you can turn it up and zoom along. I\'m pretty excited - this one looks like a lot of fun...and since it\'s an out-and-back course with the start/finish in the same place, if Megan doesn\'t run it with me she can be there to see me both start <b>and</b> finish...we don\'t have to pick! That was one of the most annoying things with the Falmouth Road Race - my parents trying to decide where they were gonna be...they wanted to see me running, but they wanted to see me finish (they ended up getting some prime real estate right near the finish line). <b>And the other race?</b>\n<div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8mjed6yfWiQ/UiM6-CDXdgI/AAAAAAAABZ4/HJY_tRjPd3Y/s1600/BF10KMRR_logo_large.jpg\"><img src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8mjed6yfWiQ/UiM6-CDXdgI/AAAAAAAABZ4/HJY_tRjPd3Y/s320/BF10KMRR_logo_large.jpg\" width=\"320\" height=\"320\" border=\"0\" /></a></div>\n<b>10/20/13 - <a href=\"http://www.firefighters10k.com/\" target=\"_blank\">31st Annual Boston Firefighters\' Local 718 Memorial Road Race 10K</a> in Dorchester, MA</b>\n\nBoy, that was a mouthful! This one, I have to say, looks pretty awesome as well. The race is run in memory of Boston Firefighters who gave their lives in the line of duty. According to the website, the event raises money for various charities and helps fund scholarships. It also looks like they make this a pretty big event with a sizable celebration afterwards. The course is described on the site as follows: \"A 10k (6.2 miles) USATF certified course that is fast and flat, with a great ocean view, strict course security, and electronic timing with mile splits.\". <b>Sounds good to me!</b>\n\nBest part is, considering this race is six days before the half-marathon, it\'s at a perfect time to be my last \"long\" run beforehand! Crazy to think, though, that I don\'t consider 6 miles a \"long\" run anymore; 3 miles is short, 5 or 6 is average, and 10+ is long. Can\'t wait for 10 to be average!\n\n<b>So That\'s Where I\'m At For The Next Two Months</b>\n\nI don\'t think I\'m going to be adding any more races to my calendar - I think that\'s plenty for now. Between fundraising efforts (I\'m already brainstorming events), endurance training, my regular workouts and work...I think I\'ll be plenty busy! <b> </b>I\'m so excited to have the opportunity to run all these races and even more excited to be able to raise money for the V Foundation as a part of running them! If you\'re going to be at any of these races, give me a shout and we can say hi at the finish!\n\n<b>Let this serve as a lesson - </b>with enough determination and perseverance <b>anything is possible</b>. <b>The only limit is the one YOU set for <i>yourself</i>. </b>','2 Months, 4 Runs, One Great Cause','','inherit','closed','closed','','105-autosave-v1','','','2017-01-14 09:19:43','2017-01-14 14:19:43','',105,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/105-autosave-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(619,1,'2017-01-14 10:21:53','2017-01-14 15:21:53','','','','inherit','open','closed','','chia-nutrition','','','2017-01-14 10:38:12','2017-01-14 15:38:12','',80,'http://sothisisfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/chia-nutrition.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(620,1,'2017-01-14 10:21:59','2017-01-14 15:21:59','','','','inherit','open','closed','','chia-seeds','','','2017-01-14 10:36:02','2017-01-14 15:36:02','',80,'http://sothisisfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/chia-seeds.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(621,1,'2017-01-14 10:22:09','2017-01-14 15:22:09','','','','inherit','open','closed','','chiabaringredients','','','2017-01-14 10:38:43','2017-01-14 15:38:43','',80,'http://sothisisfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/chiabaringredients.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(622,1,'2017-01-14 10:22:17','2017-01-14 15:22:17','','','','inherit','open','closed','','chiabarlabel','','','2017-01-14 10:26:00','2017-01-14 15:26:00','',80,'http://sothisisfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/chiabarlabel.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(623,1,'2017-01-14 10:22:21','2017-01-14 15:22:21','','','','inherit','open','closed','','chiaseedshw','','','2017-01-14 10:37:26','2017-01-14 15:37:26','',80,'http://sothisisfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/chiaseedshw.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(624,1,'2017-01-14 10:23:10','2017-01-14 15:23:10','','','','inherit','open','closed','','chiaunbox','','','2017-01-14 10:39:13','2017-01-14 15:39:13','',80,'http://sothisisfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/chiaunbox.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(625,1,'2017-01-14 10:23:18','2017-01-14 15:23:18','','','','inherit','open','closed','','fuel','','','2017-01-14 10:41:15','2017-01-14 15:41:15','',80,'http://sothisisfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/fuel.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(626,1,'2017-01-14 10:53:44','2017-01-14 15:53:44','I\'ve been trying out something new, and after lots of training trials and game-day performance, I\'m ready to let you all know what I think.\n<h4><b>Health Warrior Chia Bars</b>.</h4>\nIf you\'ve seen <a href=\"https://twitter.com/SnuffyDX\" target=\"_blank\">tweets from me</a> that say #PoweredByChia...this is what I was talking about. There\'s been quite the \"superfood\" craze lately, and chia seeds are part of that. I\'ve been trying these out to fuel myself for runs, workouts, and life in general, and I\'ve got lots to tell you. In order to tell you about Health Warrior\'s Chia Bars, however, first the question must be asked...<!--more-->\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>What the heck is Chia?</b></span></h3>\n<b>Healthy. That\'s what.</b> Now that I\'ve gotten that out of my system, let me REALLY answer my own question:\n\n<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-620 aligncenter\" src=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/chia-seeds-300x190.jpg\" alt=\"Chia Seeds\" width=\"300\" height=\"190\" />\n\n<b>You may have seen it</b> in a little tube on a point-of-sale display at your local \"health food\"/ nutrition store, you may have seen the word \"chia\" thrown around in \"health food\" packaging, or you may have heard people talking about the newest greatest thing - <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvia_hispanica\" target=\"_blank\">CHIA</a>!\n\n<b>Chia is a little tiny seed, and it\'s been around forever. </b>The reason it\'s such a big deal now is that it\'s a superfood, and people are just now catching on to it - it\'s becoming mainstream.\n\n<b>So what\'s a <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superfood\" target=\"_blank\">\"superfood\"</a>? </b>The word itself is just a marketing term companies throw around to say something has a wide berth of health benefits - as far as I can tell it\'s not actually a word nutritionists, doctors or dieticians have put out there. I\'m ok with it though - it\'s just a descriptor and it DOES apply here so frankly I don\'t care where it came from.\n<div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div>\n<h4><img class=\"size-full wp-image-623 alignleft\" src=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/chiaseedshw.jpg\" alt=\"Health Warrior black chia seeds\" width=\"206\" height=\"279\" /><b>Chia seeds ARE pretty packed with nutrition...</b></h4>\n...for how small of a seed it is, anyway. <a href=\"http://healthwarrior.com/what-is-chia/\" target=\"_blank\">As Health Warrior describes on their site</a> - one 16 ounce bag (1 pound) of their chia seeds is equivalent to:\n<ul>\n 	<li>10 lbs of salmon (Omega -3 Fatty Acids)</li>\n 	<li>3 lbs of tofu (protein)</li>\n 	<li>4 lbs of milk (calcium, I\'m assuming? They talk about strong bones with that one)</li>\n 	<li>4 lbs of oatmeal (fiber)</li>\n 	<li>15 lbs of broccoli (magnesium)</li>\n</ul>\n<b>That\'s an awful lot of work for one pound of little tiny seeds to be doing.</b>\n\nHealth Warrior uses those amazing, hard-working, nutrient-dense little seeds to make their Chia Bars.\n\n<b>So now that we\'ve covered those bases, we can look at...</b>\n<h3><b><span style=\"font-size: large;\">What\'s in these Chia Bars?</span></b></h3>\n<b>These things are pretty amazing. Let\'s take a look at the label.</b>\n\n<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-619 aligncenter\" src=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/chia-nutrition-300x111.jpg\" alt=\"Health Warrior Chia Bar nutrition facts label\" width=\"300\" height=\"111\" />\n\n<b>See that?!</b> These bars are 100 calories each (similar to other fitness \"nutrition\") and pack an awful lot into that little space. 1000mg of Omega-3 fatty acids, 4g of fiber (16% daily recommended intake), 4g of plant-based whole-food protein, and they make it taste good with just 5g of sugar.\n\n<b>But wait - </b>\n\n<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-621 aligncenter\" src=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/chiabaringredients-300x140.jpg\" alt=\"Health Warrior chia bar ingredients\" width=\"300\" height=\"140\" />\n<div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><b> It\'s all-natural and...well...healthy!</b> That 5g of sugar comes, primarily, from the organic agave syrup! <b>NOT </b>high-fructose corn syrup. <b>NOT </b>\"sugar\". <b>NOT aspartame, sucralose, fructose, or any \'ose\'</b>. Look at all the other ingredients - brown rice syrup, organic cashew butter, organic this, organic that...it\'s all organic and natural! These things are <i>really </i>healthy! The label also makes a point to say that it is soy-free, dairy-free, gluten-free and 100% vegan. They get it done and take care of a lot of peoples\' dietary needs/restrictions. It SEEMS to me to be the case that this would also qualify as paleo-friendly, but I\'m no pro on paleo, so I\'ll have to look into that a little more.</div>\n<b>So </b>we know what they\'re made of, and we know the health benefits...but there\'s another important question to ask:\n<h3><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-624 alignright\" src=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/chiaunbox-235x300.jpg\" alt=\"Health Warrior chia bar unboxing\" width=\"235\" height=\"300\" /><b><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Do They Taste Good?</span></b></h3>\n<b>YES! </b>At least, I think so. These chia bars are offered in a variety of flavors - <a href=\"http://store.healthwarrior.com/category/default.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">they are usually sold one flavor to a box</a>, but my friend Brad at Health Warrior was kind enough to hand-pack and send me a variety box so I could try them all! They have: Coffee, Acai Berry, Banana Nut, Apple Cinnamon, Chocolate Peanut Butter and Coconut. I have to say, my favorites are Apple Cinnamon, Banana Nut, and Coconut. They\'re ALL really tasty, don\'t get me wrong, but those ones are all tied for first place.\n<h4><b>I swear, the flavors are crazy good!</b></h4>\nIf they were colors, they\'d be the most vibrant, saturated hues of the color possible - that\'s the best way I can describe how the flavor really nails the description - the Banana Nut REALLY tastes like banana nut bread, the apple cinnamon smell and taste evokes memories of my favorite apple cinnamon oatmeal and baked goods growing up, the coconut tastes like every yummy coconut dessert I\'ve ever had...<b>I don\'t know how they do it while keeping it so healthy and natural</b>, but these things are basically a pre-race dessert for me!\n<h3><b><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Texture</span></b></h3>\n<b><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-627 alignright\" src=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/IMG_20140128_083305030-300x201.jpg\" alt=\"Health Warrior chia bar unwrapped\" width=\"300\" height=\"201\" />I feel like texture is important to touch on with this product. </b>These bars are, primarily, made with little tiny seeds, after all, and you CAN tell when you\'re eating it. The texture is <b>not </b>offensive, let me be clear on that. Think of it, in a small way, like when eating popcorn - sometimes a little piece gets left behind in your mouth and you find it later. Sometimes I find a chia seed floating around my mouth once I start my run. I do not mind this at all - it\'s still wrapped up in some of the flavor-y goodness of the bar, so it\'s like a little flavor nugget left behind in my mouth. <b>I kinda like that</b>. Please note that this does <b>NOT </b>happen every time, only sometimes. I\'m sure if you have your bar with some water that would likely eliminate that occurrence completely. I have a feeling this is kind of my fault as I tend to fly through it and not necessarily chew thoroughly. <b>Again - this is NOT a negative</b>, just something to be aware of. I happen to like it, and for the health benefits / fuel quality I\'m getting, I\'m more than happy to \"deal\". That aside, overall, the texture kind of reminds me of a soft, chewy granola bar. <b>No points are deducted in the \"texture\" and \"mouth-feel\" department.</b>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Performance</b></span></h3>\n<b>I. Felt. GREAT. </b>I\'m not going to take you through each individual run like I did with <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/09/review-fitaid.html\" target=\"_blank\">the FitAid review</a>, but after trying these bars a dozen times I can say with absolute certainty that I felt great when powered by these bars for a run, workout, or my day in general. I usually have a bar about 15 to 20 minutes before I begin my run/workout/whatever, and it gets me through my workout like a champ - when I might otherwise feel the need to stop, walk, or take it easy, instead I keep on truckin\' like a boss. For longer workouts, like a big distance run, I do tend to re-fuel after about an hour, but you should do that anyway - 100 calories isn\'t going to get you through a half-marathon, no matter HOW nutrient-dense it is. I went on a variety of run distances with this from 2 miles through half-marathon distance. Some were races, some were just my own regular workouts. I also used these for a pick-me-up on a regular day and felt great and really energized. These little bars are a great way to give your body what it craves to fuel it through a workout or through a normal day as a regular part of your daily health and nutrition.\n<h3><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-625 aligncenter\" src=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/fuel-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Fuel meme with chia bar\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></h3>\n<h3>Health Warrior Chia Bars - the verdict?</h3>\nThere\'s no two ways about it - Chia is a great way to fuel yourself for whatever is coming your way, and Health Warrior\'s Chia Bars are an <b>EXCELLENT </b>vehicle to get it. I HIGHLY recommend that you find them, get them, and give them a try. You can order from <a href=\"http://healthwarrior.com/\" target=\"_blank\">the Health Warrior website</a> or find the bars at <a href=\"http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/\" target=\"_blank\">your local Whole Foods Market</a>. They\'re working on expanding, and I hope <a href=\"http://www.marathonsports.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Marathon Sports</a> (one of my <b>favorite</b> running stores) starts carrying it soon. If you have any questions, PLEASE reach out and ask! You can get me at Darrell@SoTHISIsFitness.com or use the contact form at the bottom of the page. Also, if you haven\'t already, <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/sothisisfitness\" target=\"_blank\">please \"like\" the \"So THIS Is Fitness...\" Facebook page</a> to keep up with everything going on - I post there a LOT more frequently than I do on this site.\n\n<b>Now go get some Chia Bars! :)</b>','Ch-Ch-Ch-CHIA! Health Warrior Chia Bar Review','','inherit','closed','closed','','80-autosave-v1','','','2017-01-14 10:53:44','2017-01-14 15:53:44','',80,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/80-autosave-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(627,1,'2017-01-14 10:40:02','2017-01-14 15:40:02','','','','inherit','open','closed','','img_20140128_083305030','','','2017-01-14 10:40:37','2017-01-14 15:40:37','',80,'http://sothisisfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/IMG_20140128_083305030.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(629,1,'2017-01-14 11:12:00','2017-01-14 16:12:00','<h2><b>I am genuinely impressed.</b></h2>\r\nWhen I first tried Puroast Coffee I think there were only three flavors. Now they have quite the variety...and I have to say - it was pretty exciting, as coffee goes, to try the new flavors as they came out. Every coffee roaster out there has their own array of flavors, some boasting a veritable <i>arsenal </i>of them. Many are passable, most need sugar to unlock the actual \"flavor\" of it...and some are downright awful, leaving a nasty aftertaste from the syrups used to create flavor.\r\n<h3><b>Puroast\'s flavors, however, are different.</b></h3>\r\n<b><a href=\"http://50.87.248.94/~sothisj4/?p=36\" target=\"_blank\">As I\'ve made clear before:</a> </b>if you\'re not drinking Puroast, you\'re doing yourself a disservice. As trivial as it may sound to the casual coffee drinker... <b>not all coffee is created equally</b>, ESPECIALLY flavored coffee. How-so, you ask? <i>Oh let me count the ways...</i>\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<h3><b>It\'s no secret I\'m a big Puroast Coffee fan</b></h3>\r\nIf you follow this blog, you may have seen <a href=\"http://50.87.248.94/~sothisj4/?p=36\" target=\"_blank\">my Puroast review</a> a while back. The short version is - I ran into them at an obstacle course race (Battlefrog New England) and was super impressed. I stayed in touch, obtained some coffee samples (they had espresso, not coffee, on site), and did a review. To say the review was <i>positively glowing...</i> would be an understatement.\r\n\r\n<b>Coffee is my spirit animal</b>...and Puroast just stands head and shoulders above the rest.\r\n\r\nI was SO over the moon, as a matter of fact, that after my initial product review I had a long chat with their founder and became a Puroast ambassador/athlete of sorts. At the end of the day, aside from the occasional Dunk\'s hot or iced hazelnut...I just can\'t go back to other coffees. <i>Puroast has ruined me for other coffees</i>. It\'s honestly that good. It\'s like Puroast is the One Ring and I\'m freakin\' Golum. <b>I could go on for days...instead <a href=\"http://50.87.248.94/~sothisj4/?p=36\" target=\"_blank\">go read my Puroast review</a>.</b>\r\n\r\n*ahem*...<i>sorry, I was drooling for a second there...</i>\r\n<i>\r\n</i><b>SO... as part of that ambassadorship</b> I had the opportunity to try just about every flavor they offer. I honestly have not run into one I didn\'t like.\r\n\r\n<hr width=\"40%\" />\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>\"Roasts\"</b></span>\r\n\r\nSo, some of these \"flavors\" aren\'t really \"flavors\" like you might think. Instead, they\'re different <i>roasts</i>...and yes, they\'re just as different from each other as hazelnut is from vanilla.\r\n\r\n<b>Dark French Roast</b>\r\n\r\nI smell the coffee - both the unbrewed grounds and a brewed cup. Puroast\'s Dark French Roast has a great, deep, rich smell. Not burnt, like some dark roasts. <i>Deep. </i>It has a taste to match. It\'s rich, full-bodied, and dark as night...without being bitter. <b>I know, we\'ve established Puroast isn\'t bitter</b>...but sometimes in flavors where you kind of <i>expect</i> some bitterness...it still catches me off-guard.\r\n<b>\r\n</b><b>Dark Guatemalan Roast</b>\r\n<b>\r\n</b>The Dark Guatemalan Roast is very similar to the Dark French Roast...but it\'s a bit smokier. I NEVER in a million years would\'ve been able <i>to tell the difference between dark roasts</i> before Puroast.\r\n\r\n<em>Sorry</em><i> I\'m not sorry..</i>.I sound like a broken record, but there it is. The low acidity and lack of bitterness strikes again, allowing me to detect flavors...<i>and enjoy flavors</i>...that I have never been able to detect and enjoy before in a cup of coffee.\r\n<b>\r\n</b><b>Espresso Roast</b>\r\n\r\nI happen to be drinking Espresso Roast right now. This flavor always reminds me of when I first ran into Puroast, as it was their espresso I (unknowingly) tried first. Like, ACTUAL espresso...so smooth I thought it was coffee. Their Espresso Roast is very similar - very smooth, not offensive or bitter as you might expect espresso to be. Definitely a full-bodied profile - the \"true\" taste of espresso is able to shine through.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>\"Flavors\"</b></span>\r\n\r\n<b>These are what you expect when you hear \"flavored\".</b> They are very different from each other, VERY different from the various \"dark roasts\" Puroast offers, but they are all VERY tasty. Puroast prefers to use natural flavorings. They blend in these flavors after roasting, when the bean is \"open\" and more receptive to infusion. Once the process is done they do a rigorous taste test, of course, to ensure the finished flavored coffees are nothing but the best.\r\n<b>\r\n</b><b>Chocolate Almond</b>\r\n\r\nI was pretty impressed with the depth of flavor I got out of this one. Puroast Chocolate Almond is a very light brew...not just color...it\'s just not a <b>heavy</b> coffee...if that makes sense. There\'s a subtle semi-sweetness of chocolate to it, which...<i>with the lack of bitterness</i>...you\'re able to get. Also...you almost get the dryness of a raw almond, with overtones of roasted almond. <i style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Imagine that</i>...a \"chocolate almond\" flavor that ACTUALLY tastes like chocolate and almond. I think I\'m in love.\r\n\r\n<b>Mistletoe Mocha</b>\r\n\r\nThis was another I really wish I could\'ve made last longer. Mistletoe Mocha had a subtle chocolate bitterness - not bitterness like coffee bitterness, more like the bitterness of a dark or semi-sweet chocolate. This flavor wrapped that pure chocolatey goodness up with a warm, medium body. I\'d like another, please.\r\n\r\n<b>Toasted Chestnut</b>\r\nVery light flavor - a sweet nutty smell hits you first, then a subtle nutty flavor. The warm, full flavor of the chestnut comes through later on the back of your palate. A nice treat for the holiday season.\r\n<b>\r\n</b><b>Vanilla Nut</b>\r\nIn keeping with the theme of most of their flavored roasts, Vanilla Nut was very subtle and light on the palate. You definitely got a bit of a sweet vanilla taste - a bit more gentle than most \"french vanilla\" coffees you find.\r\n<b>\r\n</b><b>Bourbon Pecan Torte</b>\r\nThis was actually the first Puroast coffee variety I ever tried. Sweet smell right out of the package, as if there\'s an actual pastry hiding inside! The scent after brewing is incredibly similar. Light to medium body, again...very easy on the palate. Aptly named, as it does taste like a rich bourbon pecan torte in your cup. Well Done!\r\n<b>\r\n</b><b>Hazelnut</b>\r\n<b>\r\n</b>I find I often judge coffee companies on their ability to execute a good hazelnut. Not like it\'s the one true coffee flavor to measure all coffee brands by...it just happens to be my favorite, so if you can\'t hack it I\'m probably going to dismiss you as a whole (whether that\'s fair or not). I am happy to report, Puroast nailed it. Their hazelnut has a great subtle, gentle, nutty hazelnut flavor. Not overpowering, but definitely there...just right. It\'s very light on the palate, I\'d call it light body, not quite medium. I could drink this all day.\r\n<b>\r\n</b><b>Nutcracker Sweet</b>\r\nLight bodied and gentle on the palate. It does have a hint of nuttiness to it, but I\'m not sure I\'d call it \"sweet\". A tasty &amp; pleasant brew nonetheless.\r\n\r\n<hr width=\"40%\" />\r\n\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>So WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!</b></div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"></div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\">Run, don\'t walk, to the supermarket (or...<a href=\"http://puroast.com/\">The Puroast Website</a>) and pick one up!</div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\">Beat the urge to stay in bed.</div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\">What\'s YOUR favorite flavor?</div>\r\n<div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" href=\"https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1n7Gg_p7zXk/V8glEm1DIKI/AAAAAAAApOA/eI3xU3KWrAIpzySDs5e6jlGNz6F-iqudQCKgB/s1600/IMG_20160228_071810.jpg\"><img src=\"https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1n7Gg_p7zXk/V8glEm1DIKI/AAAAAAAApOA/eI3xU3KWrAIpzySDs5e6jlGNz6F-iqudQCKgB/s320/IMG_20160228_071810.jpg\" width=\"240\" height=\"320\" border=\"0\" /></a></div>\r\n&nbsp;','Flavor Round-Up - Puroast Coffee','','inherit','closed','closed','','16-revision-v1','','','2017-01-14 11:12:00','2017-01-14 16:12:00','',16,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/16-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(630,1,'2017-01-14 11:31:46','2017-01-14 16:31:46','<div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\" href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8LEdP8TY7uI/Ueh2Kn3CLTI/AAAAAAAAA7A/bpCKl5WHzZk/s1600/IMG_20130718_185043_332.jpg\"><img src=\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8LEdP8TY7uI/Ueh2Kn3CLTI/AAAAAAAAA7A/bpCKl5WHzZk/s320/IMG_20130718_185043_332.jpg\" width=\"320\" height=\"180\" border=\"0\" /></a></div>\r\nFor thoughts on running with music read - <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/07/the-music-while-running-controversy.html\" target=\"_blank\">The \"Music While Running\" Controversy</a>\r\n<b>\r\n</b>\r\n<b>I have scoured the internet</b> looking for the best running songs. Every site out there has a list, hell one site even puts together a new top 10 every month! Most of the songs chosen on these lists...frankly...<i>suck to run to.</i> I don\'t know who\'s picking them, but many are too slow, too dumpy, and just plain don\'t get you pumped up to RUN! Not amped for a sprint and not enough to cruise on a long run either. So I assemled my own list. Hope you like it.\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"//www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLaJrWxq2pgRjz0xJ98FvebDsbjqgPp5Nz\" width=\"540\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe>\r\n<table id=\"songs\" border=\"1\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>BPM</th>\r\n<th>Artist</th>\r\n<th>Song (w/YouTube hotlink)</th>\r\n<th>iTunes</th>\r\n<th>Amazon</th>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>100</td>\r\n<td>Linkin Park</td>\r\n<td>Nobody\'s Listening</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/nobodys-listening/id528435845?i=528437028\" target=\"_blank\">iTunes</a></td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>102</td>\r\n<td>Eminem</td>\r\n<td>Criminal</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>106</td>\r\n<td>Finger Eleven</td>\r\n<td>Paralyzer</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>107</td>\r\n<td>Eminem</td>\r\n<td>Shake That (Feat. Nate Dogg)</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>110</td>\r\n<td>The All-American Rejects</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWPvK0Cwh3E\" target=\"_blank\">Night Drive</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>112</td>\r\n<td>Tiesto</td>\r\n<td>Wasted (Feat. Matthew Koma)</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>114</td>\r\n<td>Lemon Demon</td>\r\n<td>The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>115</td>\r\n<td>Led Zeppelin</td>\r\n<td>Immigrant Song</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>118</td>\r\n<td>Lostprophets</td>\r\n<td>Wake Up (Make A Move)</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>120</td>\r\n<td>Nero</td>\r\n<td>Doomsday</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>121</td>\r\n<td>Eminem</td>\r\n<td>Just Lose It</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>124</td>\r\n<td>Disturbed</td>\r\n<td>Liberate</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>125</td>\r\n<td>Tiesto</td>\r\n<td>Red Lights</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>125</td>\r\n<td>Avicii</td>\r\n<td>Hey Brother</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>126</td>\r\n<td>Icona Pop</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxxajLWwzqY\" target=\"_blank\">I Love It (feat. Charli XCX)</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>126</td>\r\n<td>Pink</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJfFZqTlWrQ\" target=\"_blank\">So What</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>126</td>\r\n<td>Demi Lovato</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWPvK0Cwh3E\" target=\"_blank\">Neon Lights</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>127</td>\r\n<td>The Presets</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1ufW2INWmM\" target=\"_blank\">My People</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>128</td>\r\n<td>Calvin Harris</td>\r\n<td>Outside (feat. Ellie Goulding)</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>128</td>\r\n<td>Kesha</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDrschw-wdI\" target=\"_blank\">Warrior</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>128</td>\r\n<td>Kesha</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOubzHCUt48\" target=\"_blank\">Die Young</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>128</td>\r\n<td>Avicii</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pCUuwgMbXA\" target=\"_blank\">Hey Brother (Syn Cole Remix)</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>128</td>\r\n<td>Duck Sauce</td>\r\n<td>Barbra Streisand</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>128</td>\r\n<td>Nine Inch Nails</td>\r\n<td>The Hand That Feeds</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>128</td>\r\n<td>Foster The People</td>\r\n<td>Pumped Up Kicks</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>128</td>\r\n<td>Muse</td>\r\n<td>Uprising</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>130</td>\r\n<td>Selena Gomez</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89u9T7WDoaM\" target=\"_blank\">Come &amp; Get It (Dave Aude Club Remix)</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>130</td>\r\n<td>Britney Spears</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aEnnH6t8Ts\" target=\"_blank\">If You Seek Amy</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>130</td>\r\n<td>Pitbull ft. Kesha</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHESy8XsJPs\" target=\"_blank\">Timber</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>130</td>\r\n<td>Don Omar &amp; Lucenzo</td>\r\n<td>Danza Kuduro</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>130</td>\r\n<td>Flo Rida</td>\r\n<td>Jump (feat. Nelly Furtado)</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>130</td>\r\n<td>Green Day</td>\r\n<td>Know Your Enemy</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>131</td>\r\n<td>Adam Lambert</td>\r\n<td>If I Had You</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>132</td>\r\n<td>Nelly Furtado</td>\r\n<td>Maneater</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>133</td>\r\n<td>The Offspring</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sV1hKciJTgg\" target=\"_blank\">Hit That</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>133</td>\r\n<td>Tiesto</td>\r\n<td>Let\'s Go (Feat. Icona Pop)</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>134</td>\r\n<td>Katy Perry</td>\r\n<td>I Kissed A Girl</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>135</td>\r\n<td>The Presets</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUb8bDtla-8\" target=\"_blank\">Talk Like That</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>136</td>\r\n<td>The White Tie Affair</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JdQiDZDPqM\" target=\"_blank\">Price Of Company</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>136</td>\r\n<td>Metro Station</td>\r\n<td>Shake It</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>136</td>\r\n<td>Five Finger Death Punch</td>\r\n<td>You</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>137</td>\r\n<td>Muse</td>\r\n<td>Knights Of Cydonia</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>138</td>\r\n<td>Five Finger Death Punch</td>\r\n<td>Anywhere But Here</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>138</td>\r\n<td>3OH!3</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYC2FUutdKA\" target=\"_blank\">My First Kiss (feat. Kesha)</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>138</td>\r\n<td>Miley Cyrus</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hC8N9WywIqY\" target=\"_blank\">See You Again</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>138</td>\r\n<td>Fall Out Boy</td>\r\n<td>The Phoenix</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>138</td>\r\n<td>Franz Ferdinand</td>\r\n<td>This Fire</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>139</td>\r\n<td>Britney Spears</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpjGVyxZRDY\" target=\"_blank\">Toxic (Armand Van Helden Remix)</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>139</td>\r\n<td>The Killers</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5fBdpreJiU\" target=\"_blank\">Somebody Told Me</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>140</td>\r\n<td>Train</td>\r\n<td>50 Ways To Say Goodbye</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>140</td>\r\n<td>The White Tie Affair</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQDMCoylpgw\" target=\"_blank\">Watching You</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>140</td>\r\n<td>Lady Gaga</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pco91kroVgQ\" target=\"_blank\">Applause</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>140</td>\r\n<td>3OH!3 ft. Katy Perry</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvf--10EYXw\" target=\"_blank\">Starstrukk</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>140</td>\r\n<td>Cascada</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qptFFT11eEk\" target=\"_blank\">Just Like A Pill</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>140</td>\r\n<td>Linkin Park</td>\r\n<td>Bleed It Out</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>142</td>\r\n<td>System Of A Down</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elo9svwGg0c\" target=\"_blank\">Violent Pornography</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>143</td>\r\n<td>Marilyn Manson</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ypkv0HeUvTc\" target=\"_blank\">The Beautiful People</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>143</td>\r\n<td>The Offspring</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wq0H-1IuaY8\" target=\"_blank\">(Can\'t Get My) Head Around You</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>144</td>\r\n<td>Maroon 5</td>\r\n<td>Lucky Strike</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>144</td>\r\n<td>Avril Lavigne</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQmEd_UeeIk\" target=\"_blank\">What The Hell</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>144</td>\r\n<td>Powerman 5000</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsV500W4BHU\" target=\"_blank\">When Worlds Collide</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>144</td>\r\n<td>Nero</td>\r\n<td>Promises</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>144</td>\r\n<td>Everclear</td>\r\n<td>Blackjack</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>145</td>\r\n<td>Slipknot</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fVE8kSM43I\" target=\"_blank\">Duality</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>145</td>\r\n<td>Flo Rida</td>\r\n<td>Right Round</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>146</td>\r\n<td>The Ting Tings</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1c2OfAzDTI\" target=\"_blank\">That\'s Not My Name</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>146</td>\r\n<td>Ok GO</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTAAsCNK7RA\" target=\"_blank\">Here It Goes Again</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>146</td>\r\n<td>Macklemore &amp; Ryan Lewis</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zNSgSzhBfM\" target=\"_blank\">Can\'t Hold Us (feat. Ray Dalton)</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>148</td>\r\n<td>Five Finger Death Punch</td>\r\n<td>Bulletproof</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>148</td>\r\n<td>Florida Georgia Line</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PvebsWcpto\" target=\"_blank\">Cruise</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>148</td>\r\n<td>Basshunter</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgFwiCApH7E\" target=\"_blank\">Now You\'re Gone</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>148</td>\r\n<td>Eminem</td>\r\n<td>Rap God</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>149</td>\r\n<td>The Prodigy</td>\r\n<td>Voodoo People</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>149</td>\r\n<td>Neon Trees</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM7Hlg75Mlo\" target=\"_blank\">Animal</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>150</td>\r\n<td>DJ Khaled</td>\r\n<td>All I Do Is Win</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>150</td>\r\n<td>Everclear</td>\r\n<td>So Much For The Afterglow</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>150</td>\r\n<td>Linkin Park</td>\r\n<td>Hit The Floor</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>150</td>\r\n<td>The Killers</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGdGFtwCNBE\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Brightside</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>150</td>\r\n<td>Five Finger Death Punch</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-2yuGgp_U8\" target=\"_blank\">Lift Me Up</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>150</td>\r\n<td>Bonnie Tyler</td>\r\n<td>Holding Out for A Hero</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>152</td>\r\n<td>Five Finger Death Punch</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLk75fFXqH4\" target=\"_blank\">Under And Over It</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>152</td>\r\n<td>Five Finger Death Punch</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RROdymuLnc8\" target=\"_blank\">Back For More</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>152</td>\r\n<td>Fall Out Boy</td>\r\n<td>The Mighty Fall (feat. Big Sean)</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>152</td>\r\n<td>Fall Out Boy</td>\r\n<td>My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light \'em Up</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>153</td>\r\n<td>Black Eyed Peas</td>\r\n<td>Pump It</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>153</td>\r\n<td>Fall Out Boy</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onzL0EM1pKY\" target=\"_blank\">Thks Fr Th Mmrs</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>153</td>\r\n<td>Fatboy Slim</td>\r\n<td>The Rockafeller Skank</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>154</td>\r\n<td>The Fratellis</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEXHeTcxQy4\" target=\"_blank\">Chelsea Dagger</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>154</td>\r\n<td>Outkast</td>\r\n<td>B.O.B.</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>155</td>\r\n<td>Avenged Sevenfold</td>\r\n<td>Beast and the Harlot</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>156</td>\r\n<td>Drowning Pool</td>\r\n<td>Step Up</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>158</td>\r\n<td>Metallica</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNXmKiEqVx4\" target=\"_blank\">Ain\'t My Bitch</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>159</td>\r\n<td>The Donnas</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCvRT2sy5FE\" target=\"_blank\">Take It Off</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>160</td>\r\n<td>Lemon Demon</td>\r\n<td>Knife Fight</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>160</td>\r\n<td>Outkast</td>\r\n<td>Hey Ya!</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>162</td>\r\n<td>Andrew W.K.</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WccfbPQNMbg\" target=\"_blank\">Party Hard</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>164</td>\r\n<td>Avril Lavigne</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bg59q4puhmg\" target=\"_blank\">Girlfriend</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>165</td>\r\n<td>Matchbox Twenty</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d7EbtLb8ok\" target=\"_blank\">How Far We\'ve Come?</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>168</td>\r\n<td>Sum 41</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-iBGSLkfCU\" target=\"_blank\">Motivation</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>170</td>\r\n<td>Led Zeppelin</td>\r\n<td>Rock And Roll</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>172</td>\r\n<td>Eminem</td>\r\n<td>Cinderella Man</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>172</td>\r\n<td>Eminem</td>\r\n<td>Business</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>173</td>\r\n<td>Iron Maiden</td>\r\n<td>The Trooper</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>174</td>\r\n<td>Iron Maiden</td>\r\n<td>Run To The Hills</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>175</td>\r\n<td>Avenged Sevenfold</td>\r\n<td>Almost Easy</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>176</td>\r\n<td>Eminem</td>\r\n<td>Survival</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>178</td>\r\n<td>Fall Out Boy</td>\r\n<td>Centuries</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>178</td>\r\n<td>Good Charlotte</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=desJKYvdq9A\" target=\"_blank\">The Anthem</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>180</td>\r\n<td>Cascada</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QewNZn871s\" target=\"_blank\">Sk8er Boi</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>187</td>\r\n<td>Cobra Starship</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyUdznNDutw\" target=\"_blank\">Nice Guys Finish Last</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>187</td>\r\n<td>Lostprophets</td>\r\n<td>Everyday Combat</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>220</td>\r\n<td>Fatboy Slim</td>\r\n<td>Slash Dot Dash</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n<b>A couple of things:</b>\r\n<i>1. Just because I\'d run to it doesn\'t mean I\'d listen to it in real life.</i>\r\n<i>\r\n</i>\r\n<i>2. I claim no ownership of nor responsibility for the content of the videos linked below. Some of them are official, some of them are original, and some of them are downright crappy...but you can listen to the song, and that\'s what counts. Some are explicit.</i>','Running Playlist','','publish','closed','closed','','running-playlist','','','2017-07-29 12:18:05','2017-07-29 16:18:05','',0,'http://sothisisfitness.com/?page_id=630',0,'page','',0),(1293,1,'2017-07-29 12:18:05','2017-07-29 16:18:05','<div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\" href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8LEdP8TY7uI/Ueh2Kn3CLTI/AAAAAAAAA7A/bpCKl5WHzZk/s1600/IMG_20130718_185043_332.jpg\"><img src=\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8LEdP8TY7uI/Ueh2Kn3CLTI/AAAAAAAAA7A/bpCKl5WHzZk/s320/IMG_20130718_185043_332.jpg\" width=\"320\" height=\"180\" border=\"0\" /></a></div>\r\nFor thoughts on running with music read - <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/07/the-music-while-running-controversy.html\" target=\"_blank\">The \"Music While Running\" Controversy</a>\r\n<b>\r\n</b>\r\n<b>I have scoured the internet</b> looking for the best running songs. Every site out there has a list, hell one site even puts together a new top 10 every month! Most of the songs chosen on these lists...frankly...<i>suck to run to.</i> I don\'t know who\'s picking them, but many are too slow, too dumpy, and just plain don\'t get you pumped up to RUN! Not amped for a sprint and not enough to cruise on a long run either. So I assemled my own list. Hope you like it.\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"//www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLaJrWxq2pgRjz0xJ98FvebDsbjqgPp5Nz\" width=\"540\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe>\r\n<table id=\"songs\" border=\"1\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>BPM</th>\r\n<th>Artist</th>\r\n<th>Song (w/YouTube hotlink)</th>\r\n<th>iTunes</th>\r\n<th>Amazon</th>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>100</td>\r\n<td>Linkin Park</td>\r\n<td>Nobody\'s Listening</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/nobodys-listening/id528435845?i=528437028\" target=\"_blank\">iTunes</a></td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>102</td>\r\n<td>Eminem</td>\r\n<td>Criminal</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>106</td>\r\n<td>Finger Eleven</td>\r\n<td>Paralyzer</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>107</td>\r\n<td>Eminem</td>\r\n<td>Shake That (Feat. Nate Dogg)</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>110</td>\r\n<td>The All-American Rejects</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWPvK0Cwh3E\" target=\"_blank\">Night Drive</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>112</td>\r\n<td>Tiesto</td>\r\n<td>Wasted (Feat. Matthew Koma)</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>114</td>\r\n<td>Lemon Demon</td>\r\n<td>The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>115</td>\r\n<td>Led Zeppelin</td>\r\n<td>Immigrant Song</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>118</td>\r\n<td>Lostprophets</td>\r\n<td>Wake Up (Make A Move)</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>120</td>\r\n<td>Nero</td>\r\n<td>Doomsday</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>121</td>\r\n<td>Eminem</td>\r\n<td>Just Lose It</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>124</td>\r\n<td>Disturbed</td>\r\n<td>Liberate</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>125</td>\r\n<td>Tiesto</td>\r\n<td>Red Lights</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>125</td>\r\n<td>Avicii</td>\r\n<td>Hey Brother</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>126</td>\r\n<td>Icona Pop</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxxajLWwzqY\" target=\"_blank\">I Love It (feat. Charli XCX)</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>126</td>\r\n<td>Pink</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJfFZqTlWrQ\" target=\"_blank\">So What</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>126</td>\r\n<td>Demi Lovato</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWPvK0Cwh3E\" target=\"_blank\">Neon Lights</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>127</td>\r\n<td>The Presets</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1ufW2INWmM\" target=\"_blank\">My People</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>128</td>\r\n<td>Calvin Harris</td>\r\n<td>Outside (feat. Ellie Goulding)</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>128</td>\r\n<td>Kesha</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDrschw-wdI\" target=\"_blank\">Warrior</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>128</td>\r\n<td>Kesha</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOubzHCUt48\" target=\"_blank\">Die Young</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>128</td>\r\n<td>Avicii</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pCUuwgMbXA\" target=\"_blank\">Hey Brother (Syn Cole Remix)</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>128</td>\r\n<td>Duck Sauce</td>\r\n<td>Barbra Streisand</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>128</td>\r\n<td>Nine Inch Nails</td>\r\n<td>The Hand That Feeds</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>128</td>\r\n<td>Foster The People</td>\r\n<td>Pumped Up Kicks</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>128</td>\r\n<td>Muse</td>\r\n<td>Uprising</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>130</td>\r\n<td>Selena Gomez</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89u9T7WDoaM\" target=\"_blank\">Come &amp; Get It (Dave Aude Club Remix)</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>130</td>\r\n<td>Britney Spears</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aEnnH6t8Ts\" target=\"_blank\">If You Seek Amy</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>130</td>\r\n<td>Pitbull ft. Kesha</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHESy8XsJPs\" target=\"_blank\">Timber</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>130</td>\r\n<td>Don Omar &amp; Lucenzo</td>\r\n<td>Danza Kuduro</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>130</td>\r\n<td>Flo Rida</td>\r\n<td>Jump (feat. Nelly Furtado)</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>130</td>\r\n<td>Green Day</td>\r\n<td>Know Your Enemy</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>131</td>\r\n<td>Adam Lambert</td>\r\n<td>If I Had You</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>132</td>\r\n<td>Nelly Furtado</td>\r\n<td>Maneater</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>133</td>\r\n<td>The Offspring</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sV1hKciJTgg\" target=\"_blank\">Hit That</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>133</td>\r\n<td>Tiesto</td>\r\n<td>Let\'s Go (Feat. Icona Pop)</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>134</td>\r\n<td>Katy Perry</td>\r\n<td>I Kissed A Girl</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>135</td>\r\n<td>The Presets</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUb8bDtla-8\" target=\"_blank\">Talk Like That</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>136</td>\r\n<td>The White Tie Affair</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JdQiDZDPqM\" target=\"_blank\">Price Of Company</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>136</td>\r\n<td>Metro Station</td>\r\n<td>Shake It</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>136</td>\r\n<td>Five Finger Death Punch</td>\r\n<td>You</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>137</td>\r\n<td>Muse</td>\r\n<td>Knights Of Cydonia</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>138</td>\r\n<td>Five Finger Death Punch</td>\r\n<td>Anywhere But Here</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>138</td>\r\n<td>3OH!3</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYC2FUutdKA\" target=\"_blank\">My First Kiss (feat. Kesha)</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>138</td>\r\n<td>Miley Cyrus</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hC8N9WywIqY\" target=\"_blank\">See You Again</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>138</td>\r\n<td>Fall Out Boy</td>\r\n<td>The Phoenix</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>138</td>\r\n<td>Franz Ferdinand</td>\r\n<td>This Fire</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>139</td>\r\n<td>Britney Spears</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpjGVyxZRDY\" target=\"_blank\">Toxic (Armand Van Helden Remix)</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>139</td>\r\n<td>The Killers</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5fBdpreJiU\" target=\"_blank\">Somebody Told Me</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>140</td>\r\n<td>Train</td>\r\n<td>50 Ways To Say Goodbye</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>140</td>\r\n<td>The White Tie Affair</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQDMCoylpgw\" target=\"_blank\">Watching You</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>140</td>\r\n<td>Lady Gaga</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pco91kroVgQ\" target=\"_blank\">Applause</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>140</td>\r\n<td>3OH!3 ft. Katy Perry</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvf--10EYXw\" target=\"_blank\">Starstrukk</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>140</td>\r\n<td>Cascada</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qptFFT11eEk\" target=\"_blank\">Just Like A Pill</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>140</td>\r\n<td>Linkin Park</td>\r\n<td>Bleed It Out</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>142</td>\r\n<td>System Of A Down</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elo9svwGg0c\" target=\"_blank\">Violent Pornography</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>143</td>\r\n<td>Marilyn Manson</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ypkv0HeUvTc\" target=\"_blank\">The Beautiful People</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>143</td>\r\n<td>The Offspring</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wq0H-1IuaY8\" target=\"_blank\">(Can\'t Get My) Head Around You</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>144</td>\r\n<td>Maroon 5</td>\r\n<td>Lucky Strike</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>144</td>\r\n<td>Avril Lavigne</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQmEd_UeeIk\" target=\"_blank\">What The Hell</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>144</td>\r\n<td>Powerman 5000</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsV500W4BHU\" target=\"_blank\">When Worlds Collide</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>144</td>\r\n<td>Nero</td>\r\n<td>Promises</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>144</td>\r\n<td>Everclear</td>\r\n<td>Blackjack</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>145</td>\r\n<td>Slipknot</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fVE8kSM43I\" target=\"_blank\">Duality</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>145</td>\r\n<td>Flo Rida</td>\r\n<td>Right Round</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>146</td>\r\n<td>The Ting Tings</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1c2OfAzDTI\" target=\"_blank\">That\'s Not My Name</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>146</td>\r\n<td>Ok GO</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTAAsCNK7RA\" target=\"_blank\">Here It Goes Again</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>146</td>\r\n<td>Macklemore &amp; Ryan Lewis</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zNSgSzhBfM\" target=\"_blank\">Can\'t Hold Us (feat. Ray Dalton)</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>148</td>\r\n<td>Five Finger Death Punch</td>\r\n<td>Bulletproof</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>148</td>\r\n<td>Florida Georgia Line</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PvebsWcpto\" target=\"_blank\">Cruise</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>148</td>\r\n<td>Basshunter</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgFwiCApH7E\" target=\"_blank\">Now You\'re Gone</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>148</td>\r\n<td>Eminem</td>\r\n<td>Rap God</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>149</td>\r\n<td>The Prodigy</td>\r\n<td>Voodoo People</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>149</td>\r\n<td>Neon Trees</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM7Hlg75Mlo\" target=\"_blank\">Animal</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>150</td>\r\n<td>DJ Khaled</td>\r\n<td>All I Do Is Win</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>150</td>\r\n<td>Everclear</td>\r\n<td>So Much For The Afterglow</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>150</td>\r\n<td>Linkin Park</td>\r\n<td>Hit The Floor</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>150</td>\r\n<td>The Killers</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGdGFtwCNBE\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Brightside</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>150</td>\r\n<td>Five Finger Death Punch</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-2yuGgp_U8\" target=\"_blank\">Lift Me Up</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>150</td>\r\n<td>Bonnie Tyler</td>\r\n<td>Holding Out for A Hero</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>152</td>\r\n<td>Five Finger Death Punch</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLk75fFXqH4\" target=\"_blank\">Under And Over It</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>152</td>\r\n<td>Five Finger Death Punch</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RROdymuLnc8\" target=\"_blank\">Back For More</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>152</td>\r\n<td>Fall Out Boy</td>\r\n<td>The Mighty Fall (feat. Big Sean)</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>152</td>\r\n<td>Fall Out Boy</td>\r\n<td>My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light \'em Up</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>153</td>\r\n<td>Black Eyed Peas</td>\r\n<td>Pump It</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>153</td>\r\n<td>Fall Out Boy</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onzL0EM1pKY\" target=\"_blank\">Thks Fr Th Mmrs</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>153</td>\r\n<td>Fatboy Slim</td>\r\n<td>The Rockafeller Skank</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>154</td>\r\n<td>The Fratellis</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEXHeTcxQy4\" target=\"_blank\">Chelsea Dagger</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>154</td>\r\n<td>Outkast</td>\r\n<td>B.O.B.</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>155</td>\r\n<td>Avenged Sevenfold</td>\r\n<td>Beast and the Harlot</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>156</td>\r\n<td>Drowning Pool</td>\r\n<td>Step Up</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>158</td>\r\n<td>Metallica</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNXmKiEqVx4\" target=\"_blank\">Ain\'t My Bitch</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>159</td>\r\n<td>The Donnas</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCvRT2sy5FE\" target=\"_blank\">Take It Off</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>160</td>\r\n<td>Lemon Demon</td>\r\n<td>Knife Fight</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>160</td>\r\n<td>Outkast</td>\r\n<td>Hey Ya!</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>162</td>\r\n<td>Andrew W.K.</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WccfbPQNMbg\" target=\"_blank\">Party Hard</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>164</td>\r\n<td>Avril Lavigne</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bg59q4puhmg\" target=\"_blank\">Girlfriend</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>165</td>\r\n<td>Matchbox Twenty</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d7EbtLb8ok\" target=\"_blank\">How Far We\'ve Come?</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>168</td>\r\n<td>Sum 41</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-iBGSLkfCU\" target=\"_blank\">Motivation</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>170</td>\r\n<td>Led Zeppelin</td>\r\n<td>Rock And Roll</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>172</td>\r\n<td>Eminem</td>\r\n<td>Cinderella Man</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>172</td>\r\n<td>Eminem</td>\r\n<td>Business</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>173</td>\r\n<td>Iron Maiden</td>\r\n<td>The Trooper</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>174</td>\r\n<td>Iron Maiden</td>\r\n<td>Run To The Hills</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>175</td>\r\n<td>Avenged Sevenfold</td>\r\n<td>Almost Easy</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>176</td>\r\n<td>Eminem</td>\r\n<td>Survival</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>178</td>\r\n<td>Fall Out Boy</td>\r\n<td>Centuries</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>178</td>\r\n<td>Good Charlotte</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=desJKYvdq9A\" target=\"_blank\">The Anthem</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>180</td>\r\n<td>Cascada</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QewNZn871s\" target=\"_blank\">Sk8er Boi</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>187</td>\r\n<td>Cobra Starship</td>\r\n<td><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyUdznNDutw\" target=\"_blank\">Nice Guys Finish Last</a></td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>187</td>\r\n<td>Lostprophets</td>\r\n<td>Everyday Combat</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr class=\"alt\">\r\n<td>220</td>\r\n<td>Fatboy Slim</td>\r\n<td>Slash Dot Dash</td>\r\n<td>iTunes</td>\r\n<td>Amazon</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n<b>A couple of things:</b>\r\n<i>1. Just because I\'d run to it doesn\'t mean I\'d listen to it in real life.</i>\r\n<i>\r\n</i>\r\n<i>2. I claim no ownership of nor responsibility for the content of the videos linked below. Some of them are official, some of them are original, and some of them are downright crappy...but you can listen to the song, and that\'s what counts. Some are explicit.</i>','Running Playlist','','inherit','closed','closed','','630-revision-v1','','','2017-07-29 12:18:05','2017-07-29 16:18:05','',630,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/07/630-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(633,1,'2017-01-14 11:39:14','2017-01-14 16:39:14','Music is just as important for your regular workouts and training as (I think) it is for running. While music for running can follow a particular science (plus personal preference)...music for your workouts and weight-lifting is generally entirely based on personal preference. Below is my current workout playlist...you very likely <b>may not</b> like this, but hey...<i>to each his own</i>.\r\n\r\n***List Coming Soon, YouTube Playlist under construction***\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"//www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLaJrWxq2pgRgy5Zx9JDZ2Tk6NjoiY1zRM\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe>','Lifting Playlist','','publish','closed','closed','','lifting-playlist','','','2017-01-14 11:39:14','2017-01-14 16:39:14','',0,'http://sothisisfitness.com/?page_id=633',0,'page','',0),(1306,1,'2017-08-03 17:03:55','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','Coaching','','draft','closed','closed','','coaching','','','2017-08-03 17:03:55','2017-08-03 21:03:55','',0,'http://sothisisfitness.com/?page_id=1306',0,'page','',0),(1307,1,'2017-08-03 16:25:24','2017-08-03 20:25:24','','Coaching','','inherit','closed','closed','','1306-revision-v1','','','2017-08-03 16:25:24','2017-08-03 20:25:24','',1306,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/08/1306-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(1358,1,'2017-08-24 23:37:15','2017-08-25 03:37:15','<iframe src=\"//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/5650836/height/90/width/500/theme/custom/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/autoplay/no/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/backward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/f59d0f/\" width=\"500\" height=\"90\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"></iframe>\r\n<h2>I talk a big game sometimes</h2>\r\nGoing into Anchor Down 24 Hour Ultramarathon... I made a bold statement. I said, just like I did before Ghost Train Rail Trail Race last year, that I was coming for a belt buckle. The only acceptable outcome of the race was a 100 mile finish. I did not finish 100 miles at Anchor Down... and I had to figure something out - how to define success and failure. In recapping the event... I\'m pretty sure, at least in this instance, I\'ve managed to map out the gray area and do just that.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong><em>For the full chat on this check out the podcast episode on <a href=\"https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/so-this-is-fitness/id1185769801?mt=2&amp;ls=1\">iTunes here</a>, on <a href=\"http://subscribeonandroid.com/sothisisfitness.libsyn.com/rss\">Android here</a>, or on the web player at the top &amp; bottom of this post. </em><em>Don’t forget to hit “subscribe”!</em></strong></span><!--more-->\r\n<h2><strong>Success and failure dance together in the gray area a lot.</strong></h2>\r\nIt always seems so black and white, right? You either did or you didn\'t. You made it or not. You finished or you didn\'t. Sure, that\'s easy enough to delineate in, say, a marathon - you either crossed the finish and ran 26.2 miles... or you didn\'t. In a 100 mile ultramarathon... you either crossed the finish line having finished 100 miles or not. Sometimes, though... it\'s not that easy.\r\n<h3><strong>The \"</strong>24 hour<strong> ultramarathon\" is a perfect example.</strong></h3>\r\nIn a 24 hour ultramarathon... there is no set distance you must hit in order to \"finish\". There is not typically a pre-determined, hard-and-fast threshold you must pass in order to achieve success in such an event. So, in a race where you \"finish\" when you simply do not continue running, whether by choice or by time limit... how do you define success? How, in that situation, do you determine if you have failed or not?\r\n<h2><strong>It\'s all about the objective... and whether you \"did it\" or not.</strong></h2>\r\nIn a 24 hour ultramarathon, the goal is to \"go\" for as long as you can... get <em>as far as you can</em>... inside the given time allotment. So... ultimately... success depends on whether or not you did that. <em>Did you</em> go as far as you could? Or did you stop when you still had something left to give.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong><em>For the full chat on this check out the podcast episode on <a href=\"https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/so-this-is-fitness/id1185769801?mt=2&amp;ls=1\">iTunes here</a>, on <a href=\"http://subscribeonandroid.com/sothisisfitness.libsyn.com/rss\">Android here</a>, or on the web player at the top &amp; bottom of this post. </em><em>Don’t forget to hit “subscribe”!</em></strong></span>\r\n<h3><strong>What\'s in this episode:</strong></h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>A recap of my race at Anchor Down 24 Hour Ultra</li>\r\n 	<li>How to define success and failure</li>\r\n 	<li>A roundtable discussion on the overall experience at Anchor Down Ultra, and big Ultra in general, with my crew - FitWife Megan, Mom and Dad</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3><strong>Interested in working with Darrell?</strong></h3>\r\nIf you don\'t live in Attleboro, or don\'t have an Anytime Fitness near you... consider working with Darrell anyway! Darrell is accepting Virtual Training Clients - it\'s about as close as you can get to working with him one-on-one <em>in person</em> without actually BEING in person. If you\'re ready to make a change and have it stick, e-mail Darrell@SoTHISIsFitness.com for more details.\r\n<h3><strong>Episode Resources</strong></h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li><a href=\"http://www.AnchorDownUltra.com\">www.AnchorDownUltra.com</a></li>\r\n 	<li><a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/08/why-do-we-run-and-what-does-it-take.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">So THIS Is Fitness Podcast #51 - \"Why do we run... and what does it take?\" (Anchor Down preview &amp; interview with Jay Paganelli) </a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3><strong>Connect with So THIS Is Fitness</strong></h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/sothisisfitness\">Facebook</a></li>\r\n 	<li><a href=\"http://www.instagram.com/snuffydx\">Instagram</a></li>\r\n 	<li><a href=\"http://www.instagram.com/cardisandcardio\">The Fitwife\'s Instagram!</a></li>\r\n 	<li><a href=\"http://www.twitter.com/snuffydx\">Twitter</a></li>\r\n 	<li>E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3><strong>Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast</strong></h3>\r\nTo listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links:\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li><a href=\"https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/so-this-is-fitness/id1185769801?mt=2&amp;ls=1\">iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe</a></li>\r\n 	<li><a href=\"http://subscribeonandroid.com/sothisisfitness.libsyn.com/rss\">Android devices - Subscribe</a></li>\r\n 	<li><a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.libsyn.com/rss\">Subscribe via RSS</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3><strong>Support the show by supporting our sponsors!</strong></h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li><a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/bed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Get $100 off your new Leesa Mattress! Sleep better, recover better.</a></li>\r\n 	<li>Audible (by Amazon) - Start your free 30 day trial of Audible now and get a free e-book!\r\n<a href=\"http://www.audibletrack.com/click.track?CID=102175&amp;AFID=419140&amp;ADID=1213654&amp;SID=\"><img src=\"http://www.audibletrack.com/impression.track?CID=102175&amp;AFID=419140&amp;ADID=1213654&amp;SID=\" border=\"0\" /></a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<iframe src=\"//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/5650836/height/90/width/500/theme/custom/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/autoplay/no/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/backward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/f59d0f/\" width=\"500\" height=\"90\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"></iframe>','How to define success and failure - Anchor Down Recap','','inherit','closed','closed','','1357-revision-v1','','','2017-08-24 23:37:15','2017-08-25 03:37:15','',1357,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/08/1357-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(1309,1,'2017-08-04 07:22:28','2017-08-04 11:22:28','<iframe style=\"border: none;\" src=\"//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/5606523/height/90/width/500/theme/custom/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/autoplay/no/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/backward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/f59d0f/\" width=\"500\" height=\"90\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe>\r\n<h2><strong>We all have monsters to fight.</strong></h2>\r\nSome things are tougher to deal with than others. We all have our own struggles and battles, and some might seem impossible to win. Even if you\'ve won a battle or two... maybe you can\'t seem to win the war. What\'s worse - some of these things we fight... other people can\'t understand it. To them, it might as well be... some imaginary monster we\'re fighting. <strong>Despite that, <em>you can\'t give up</em>. </strong>There are people that get it... and that are rooting for you. Like us.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong><em>For the full chat on this check out the podcast episode on <a href=\"https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/so-this-is-fitness/id1185769801?mt=2&amp;ls=1\">iTunes here</a>, on <a href=\"http://subscribeonandroid.com/sothisisfitness.libsyn.com/rss\">Android here</a>, or on the web player at the top &amp; bottom of this post. </em><em>Don’t forget to hit “subscribe”!</em></strong></span><!--more-->\r\n<h2><strong>We\'ve got our own monsters, too.</strong></h2>\r\nYes, me and FitWife Megan have monsters we fight... frankly I think hers are a little harder to beat than mine. That\'s why we\'re talking about them. Now. On episode 49 of the podcast. We have a conversation that, honestly, was a bit difficult for Megan... but it\'s important to talk about. Airing some of these things out, saying it out loud, and acknowledging it, whether in private with yourself or in a more public forum like we are can be an important and helpful \"swing of the sword\" in the fight against your monster.\r\n\r\n<strong>So, my question to you: What\'s <em>YOUR </em>monster? </strong>Comment and share, or email us at <a href=\"mailto:podcast@sothisisfitness.com\">podcast@sothisisfitness.com</a>. If you want to get a hold of FitWife Megan... just use the subject line \"To The FitWife\".\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong><em>For the full chat on this check out the podcast episode on <a href=\"https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/so-this-is-fitness/id1185769801?mt=2&amp;ls=1\">iTunes here</a>, on <a href=\"http://subscribeonandroid.com/sothisisfitness.libsyn.com/rss\">Android here</a>, or on the web player at the top &amp; bottom of this post. </em><em>Don’t forget to hit “subscribe”!</em></strong></span>\r\n<h3><strong>What\'s in this episode:</strong></h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The FitWife Returns! Again!</span></li>\r\n 	<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From the news desk:</span>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cheap gyms that don’t care are TAKING OVER!</span></li>\r\n 	<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And “not enough sleep could be making you fat!”</span></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n 	<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The FitWife and I catch up about our recent exploits</span></li>\r\n 	<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And we have a REAL, tough conversation about fighting your own personal monsters and taking back control of your life</span></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3><strong>Interested in working with Darrell?</strong></h3>\r\nIf you don\'t live in Attleboro, or don\'t have an Anytime Fitness near you... consider working with Darrell anyway! Darrell is accepting Virtual Training Clients - it\'s about as close as you can get to working with him one-on-one <em>in person</em> without actually BEING in person. If you\'re ready to make a change and have it stick, e-mail Darrell@SoTHISIsFitness.com for more details.\r\n<h3><strong>Connect with So THIS Is Fitness</strong></h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/sothisisfitness\">Facebook</a></li>\r\n 	<li><a href=\"http://www.instagram.com/snuffydx\">Instagram</a></li>\r\n 	<li><a href=\"http://www.instagram.com/cardisandcardio\">The Fitwife\'s Instagram!</a></li>\r\n 	<li><a href=\"http://www.twitter.com/snuffydx\">Twitter</a></li>\r\n 	<li>E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3><strong>Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast</strong></h3>\r\nTo listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links:\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li><a href=\"https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/so-this-is-fitness/id1185769801?mt=2&amp;ls=1\">iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe</a></li>\r\n 	<li><a href=\"http://subscribeonandroid.com/sothisisfitness.libsyn.com/rss\">Android devices - Subscribe</a></li>\r\n 	<li><a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.libsyn.com/rss\">Subscribe via RSS</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3><strong>Support the show by supporting our sponsors!</strong></h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li><a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/bed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Get $100 off your new Leesa Mattress! Sleep better, recover better.</a></li>\r\n 	<li>Audible (by Amazon) - Start your free 30 day trial of Audible now and get a free e-book!\r\n<a href=\"http://www.audibletrack.com/click.track?CID=102175&amp;AFID=419140&amp;ADID=1213654&amp;SID=\"><img src=\"http://www.audibletrack.com/impression.track?CID=102175&amp;AFID=419140&amp;ADID=1213654&amp;SID=\" border=\"0\" /></a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<iframe style=\"border: none;\" src=\"//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/5606523/height/90/width/500/theme/custom/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/autoplay/no/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/backward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/f59d0f/\" width=\"500\" height=\"90\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe>','Fight Your Monster And Take Back Your Life (Podcast #49)','','publish','open','open','','fight-monster-take-back-life-podcast-49','','','2017-08-04 07:22:28','2017-08-04 11:22:28','',0,'http://sothisisfitness.com/?p=1309',0,'post','',0),(1310,1,'2017-08-04 07:19:19','2017-08-04 11:19:19','','fight your monster and take back your life','','inherit','open','closed','','wordswag_1501776812481','','','2017-08-04 07:19:45','2017-08-04 11:19:45','',1309,'http://sothisisfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/wordswag_1501776812481.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(1311,1,'2017-08-04 07:22:05','2017-08-04 11:22:05','<iframe style=\"border: none;\" src=\"//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/5606523/height/90/width/500/theme/custom/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/autoplay/no/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/backward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/f59d0f/\" width=\"500\" height=\"90\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe>\r\n<h2><strong>We all have monsters to fight.</strong></h2>\r\nSome things are tougher to deal with than others. We all have our own struggles and battles, and some might seem impossible to win. Even if you\'ve won a battle or two... maybe you can\'t seem to win the war. What\'s worse - some of these things we fight... other people can\'t understand it. To them, it might as well be... some imaginary monster we\'re fighting. <strong>Despite that, <em>you can\'t give up</em>. </strong>There are people that get it... and that are rooting for you. Like us.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong><em>For the full chat on this check out the podcast episode on <a href=\"https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/so-this-is-fitness/id1185769801?mt=2&amp;ls=1\">iTunes here</a>, on <a href=\"http://subscribeonandroid.com/sothisisfitness.libsyn.com/rss\">Android here</a>, or on the web player at the top &amp; bottom of this post. </em><em>Don’t forget to hit “subscribe”!</em></strong></span><!--more-->\r\n<h2><strong>We\'ve got our own monsters, too.</strong></h2>\r\nYes, me and FitWife Megan have monsters we fight... frankly I think hers are a little harder to beat than mine. That\'s why we\'re talking about them. Now. On episode 49 of the podcast. We have a conversation that, honestly, was a bit difficult for Megan... but it\'s important to talk about. Airing some of these things out, saying it out loud, and acknowledging it, whether in private with yourself or in a more public forum like we are can be an important and helpful \"swing of the sword\" in the fight against your monster.\r\n\r\n<strong>So, my question to you: What\'s <em>YOUR </em>monster? </strong>Comment and share, or email us at <a href=\"mailto:podcast@sothisisfitness.com\">podcast@sothisisfitness.com</a>. If you want to get a hold of FitWife Megan... just use the subject line \"To The FitWife\".\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong><em>For the full chat on this check out the podcast episode on <a href=\"https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/so-this-is-fitness/id1185769801?mt=2&amp;ls=1\">iTunes here</a>, on <a href=\"http://subscribeonandroid.com/sothisisfitness.libsyn.com/rss\">Android here</a>, or on the web player at the top &amp; bottom of this post. </em><em>Don’t forget to hit “subscribe”!</em></strong></span>\r\n<h3><strong>What\'s in this episode:</strong></h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The FitWife Returns! Again!</span></li>\r\n 	<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From the news desk:</span>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cheap gyms that don’t care are TAKING OVER!</span></li>\r\n 	<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And “not enough sleep could be making you fat!”</span></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n 	<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The FitWife and I catch up about our recent exploits</span></li>\r\n 	<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And we have a REAL, tough conversation about fighting your own personal monsters and taking back control of your life</span></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3><strong>Interested in working with Darrell?</strong></h3>\r\nIf you don\'t live in Attleboro, or don\'t have an Anytime Fitness near you... consider working with Darrell anyway! Darrell is accepting Virtual Training Clients - it\'s about as close as you can get to working with him one-on-one <em>in person</em> without actually BEING in person. If you\'re ready to make a change and have it stick, e-mail Darrell@SoTHISIsFitness.com for more details.\r\n<h3><strong>Connect with So THIS Is Fitness</strong></h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/sothisisfitness\">Facebook</a></li>\r\n 	<li><a href=\"http://www.instagram.com/snuffydx\">Instagram</a></li>\r\n 	<li><a href=\"http://www.instagram.com/cardisandcardio\">The Fitwife\'s Instagram!</a></li>\r\n 	<li><a href=\"http://www.twitter.com/snuffydx\">Twitter</a></li>\r\n 	<li>E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3><strong>Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast</strong></h3>\r\nTo listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links:\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li><a href=\"https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/so-this-is-fitness/id1185769801?mt=2&amp;ls=1\">iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe</a></li>\r\n 	<li><a href=\"http://subscribeonandroid.com/sothisisfitness.libsyn.com/rss\">Android devices - Subscribe</a></li>\r\n 	<li><a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.libsyn.com/rss\">Subscribe via RSS</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3><strong>Support the show by supporting our sponsors!</strong></h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li><a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/bed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Get $100 off your new Leesa Mattress! Sleep better, recover better.</a></li>\r\n 	<li>Audible (by Amazon) - Start your free 30 day trial of Audible now and get a free e-book!\r\n<a href=\"http://www.audibletrack.com/click.track?CID=102175&amp;AFID=419140&amp;ADID=1213654&amp;SID=\"><img src=\"http://www.audibletrack.com/impression.track?CID=102175&amp;AFID=419140&amp;ADID=1213654&amp;SID=\" border=\"0\" /></a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<iframe style=\"border: none;\" src=\"//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/5606523/height/90/width/500/theme/custom/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/autoplay/no/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/backward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/f59d0f/\" width=\"500\" height=\"90\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe>','Fight Your Monster And Take Back Your Life (Podcast #49)','','inherit','closed','closed','','1309-revision-v1','','','2017-08-04 07:22:05','2017-08-04 11:22:05','',1309,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/08/1309-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(634,1,'2017-01-14 11:39:14','2017-01-14 16:39:14','Music is just as important for your regular workouts and training as (I think) it is for running. While music for running can follow a particular science (plus personal preference)...music for your workouts and weight-lifting is generally entirely based on personal preference. Below is my current workout playlist...you very likely <b>may not</b> like this, but hey...<i>to each his own</i>.\r\n\r\n***List Coming Soon, YouTube Playlist under construction***\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"//www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLaJrWxq2pgRgy5Zx9JDZ2Tk6NjoiY1zRM\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe>','Lifting Playlist','','inherit','closed','closed','','633-revision-v1','','','2017-01-14 11:39:14','2017-01-14 16:39:14','',633,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/633-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(635,1,'2017-01-14 11:44:30','2017-01-14 16:44:30','<h3><strong>I continue to be floored &amp; impressed by the people I meet.</strong></h3>\r\nIf you believe the best in humanity, you\'ll encounter it...and that\'s exactly what happened on frigid Millinocket weekend. Katrina White is an AMAZING person, someone who\'s story I can only call a True Triumph. I am thrilled to have her on the show to share that story and shine a little light on the hope that awaits every single person out there hoping to make a transformation.\r\nThere was a lot to cover in this episode...\r\n\r\n<iframe style=\"border: none;\" src=\"//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/4934931/height/90/width/450/theme/custom/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/autoplay/no/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/forward/tdest_id/454656/render-playlist/no/custom-color/ffac1a/\" width=\"450\" height=\"90\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe><!--more-->\r\n\r\nI\'m THRILLED to have Katrina on the show!\r\n<h4><strong>What\'s in Episode 17?</strong></h4>\r\n-Life Today for Katrina White\r\n-Katrina\'s AMAZING 150 lb weight loss journey\r\n-Discovering running, &amp; conquering her first marathon - Millinocket Marathon!\r\n-Thought on the journey, attitude, and what others can expect\r\n-Inspiring the next generation through Girls On The Run\r\n-much more!\r\n\r\nIt was so great to have someone on the show who\'s <em>been there</em>, and keenly understands the struggle...but also knows that just because she lost triple digits doesn\'t mean everyone else needs to. It\'s all relative, as I always say.\r\n<h4>Join Katrina as she shares her story!</h4>\r\nFind Katrina online:\r\nOn Facebook (Katrina Brynn White)\r\nOn Instagram (@momsrun_strong)\r\n\r\nAnd find Girls On The Run at <a href=\"http://www.girlsontherun.org/\">www.GirlsOnTheRun.org</a>\r\n\r\nYou can find So THIS Is Fitness online at:\r\n<a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com\">www.SoTHISIsFitness.com</a>\r\n<a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/SoTHISIsFitness\">www.facebook.com/SoTHISIsFitness</a>\r\n<a href=\"http://www.instagram.com/snuffydx\">www.instagram.com/snuffydx</a>\r\n<a href=\"http://www.twitter.com/snuffydx\">www.twitter.com/snuffydx</a>\r\nemail me at <a href=\"mailto:Darrell@SoTHISIsFitness.com\">Darrell@SoTHISIsFitness.com</a> with your feedback, questions, concerns &amp; more!\r\n\r\nAnd lastly - please consider taking a moment to rate &amp; review the show. Every single one of those helps us pop up a little higher in search results. Let\'s help others discover the inspiration Katrina, and future guests, will have to share!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/podcast\" target=\"_blank\">Check out this episode!</a>','#17 - True Triumph: Katrina White','','inherit','closed','closed','','8-revision-v1','','','2017-01-14 11:44:30','2017-01-14 16:44:30','',8,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/8-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(636,1,'2017-01-14 11:50:26','2017-01-14 16:50:26','','','','inherit','open','closed','','photogrid_1482155115670-2','','','2017-01-14 11:55:50','2017-01-14 16:55:50','',9,'http://sothisisfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/PhotoGrid_1482155115670-1.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(637,1,'2017-01-14 11:50:33','2017-01-14 16:50:33','','','','inherit','open','closed','','screenshot_20161219-084851','','','2017-01-14 11:52:21','2017-01-14 16:52:21','',9,'http://sothisisfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Screenshot_20161219-084851-1.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(638,1,'2017-01-14 11:50:35','2017-01-14 16:50:35','','','','inherit','open','closed','','screenshot_20161219-084956','','','2017-01-14 11:51:52','2017-01-14 16:51:52','',9,'http://sothisisfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Screenshot_20161219-084956-1.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(641,1,'2017-01-14 12:53:48','2017-01-14 17:53:48','.separate-containers .inside-article .page-header-image-single {padding-left: 50px;\n    width: 300px; float: right;\n}','forefront','','inherit','closed','closed','','474-revision-v1','','','2017-01-14 12:53:48','2017-01-14 17:53:48','',474,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/474-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(642,1,'2017-01-14 13:00:05','2017-01-14 18:00:05','Often times, in life, we think we know what we\'re in for...only to find out we didn\'t really <em>get it</em>. Well, this is one of those times I was 100% shown that I simply <em>did not get it</em> ahead of time. This past weekend Megan and I ventured up to Millinocket, Maine for the Millinocket Marathon...and while I totally thought I had a handle on what was going on...I was dead wrong.\n<iframe style=\"border: none;\" src=\"//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/4915231/height/90/width/450/theme/custom/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/autoplay/no/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/forward/tdest_id/454656/render-playlist/no/custom-color/ffac1a/\" width=\"450\" height=\"90\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe>\n\n<!--more-->\n\nWe\'ve got a JAM-PACKED episode for you today!\n\n-We finally get Bryan and Peter of \"How Was Your Run Today?\" on the show\n-We chat about Millinocket, small town charm and the lingering haunt of days gone-by\n-Chat with a local business owner about the impact of the race\n-Chat with the Race Director himself about his vision for the race, why he started it, and where he\'d like to see it go.\n\nPLEASE visit <a href=\"http://www.howwasyourruntoday.com/\">www.HowWasYourRunToday.com</a> and see all that Bryan and Peter have to offer. Find them on your podcast app of choice and subscribe so you, too, can listen to them each week while you run, work out, or commute to work.\n\nAlso PLEASE do be sure to visit <a href=\"http://www.crowathletics.com/\">www.crowathletics.com</a> - learn all about the organization the put on this race, as well as the other events they put on!\n\n<a title=\"REGISTER for the Millinocket Marathon &amp; Half 2017 here!\" href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/millinocket-marathon-and-half-2017-registration-30224398991\" target=\"_blank\">REGISTER for Millinocket Marathon &amp; Half here!</a>\nAnd, as always, please do be sure to find me online!\n<a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com\">www.SoTHISIsFitness.com</a>\n<a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/SoTHISIsFitness\">www.Facebook.com/SoTHISIsFitness</a>\n<a href=\"http://www.instagram.com/SnuffyDX\">www.instagram.com/SnuffyDX</a>\n<a href=\"http://www.twitter.com/SnuffyDX\">www.twitter.com/SnuffyDX</a>\n\nWe\'d just love it if you\'d visit your podcast downloading method of choice (iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, or other) and leave us a rating &amp; review - that helps us pop up a little higher in search results and helps new listeners find us in the future.\n\n<a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.libsyn.com/16-millinocket-and-the-golden-road?tdest_id=454656\" target=\"_blank\">Check out this episode!</a>','#16 - Millinocket and The Golden Road','','inherit','closed','closed','','10-autosave-v1','','','2017-01-14 13:00:05','2017-01-14 18:00:05','',10,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/10-autosave-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(643,1,'2017-01-14 13:01:01','2017-01-14 18:01:01','Often times, in life, we think we know what we\'re in for...only to find out we didn\'t really <em>get it</em>. Well, this is one of those times I was 100% shown that I simply <em>did not get it</em> ahead of time. This past weekend Megan and I ventured up to Millinocket, Maine for the Millinocket Marathon...and while I totally thought I had a handle on what was going on...I was dead wrong.\r\n<iframe style=\"border: none;\" src=\"//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/4915231/height/90/width/450/theme/custom/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/autoplay/no/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/forward/tdest_id/454656/render-playlist/no/custom-color/ffac1a/\" width=\"450\" height=\"90\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nWe\'ve got a JAM-PACKED episode for you today!\r\n\r\n-We finally get Bryan and Peter of \"How Was Your Run Today?\" on the show\r\n-We chat about Millinocket, small town charm and the lingering haunt of days gone-by\r\n-Chat with a local business owner about the impact of the race\r\n-Chat with the Race Director himself about his vision for the race, why he started it, and where he\'d like to see it go.\r\n\r\nPLEASE visit <a href=\"http://www.howwasyourruntoday.com/\">www.HowWasYourRunToday.com</a> and see all that Bryan and Peter have to offer. Find them on your podcast app of choice and subscribe so you, too, can listen to them each week while you run, work out, or commute to work.\r\n\r\nAlso PLEASE do be sure to visit <a href=\"http://www.crowathletics.com/\">www.crowathletics.com</a> - learn all about the organization the put on this race, as well as the other events they put on!\r\n\r\n<a title=\"REGISTER for the Millinocket Marathon &amp; Half 2017 here!\" href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/millinocket-marathon-and-half-2017-registration-30224398991\" target=\"_blank\">REGISTER for the Marathon &amp; Half here!</a>\r\n\r\nAnd, as always, please do be sure to find me online!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com\">www.SoTHISIsFitness.com</a>\r\n<a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/SoTHISIsFitness\">www.Facebook.com/SoTHISIsFitness</a>\r\n<a href=\"http://www.instagram.com/SnuffyDX\">www.instagram.com/SnuffyDX</a>\r\n<a href=\"http://www.twitter.com/SnuffyDX\">www.twitter.com/SnuffyDX</a>\r\n\r\nWe\'d just love it if you\'d visit your podcast downloading method of choice (iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, or other) and leave us a rating &amp; review - that helps us pop up a little higher in search results and helps new listeners find us in the future.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.libsyn.com/16-millinocket-and-the-golden-road?tdest_id=454656\" target=\"_blank\">Check out this episode!</a>','#16 - Millinocket and The Golden Road','','inherit','closed','closed','','10-revision-v1','','','2017-01-14 13:01:01','2017-01-14 18:01:01','',10,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/10-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(644,1,'2017-01-14 13:32:32','2017-01-14 18:32:32','','','','inherit','open','closed','','img_20161211_092818','','','2017-01-14 13:35:07','2017-01-14 18:35:07','',206,'http://sothisisfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/IMG_20161211_092818.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(645,1,'2017-01-14 13:35:35','2017-01-14 18:35:35','<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every once in a while it\'s important to get away, have a little fun, and spend some time with those you love. This weekend, that happened to coincide with the opportunity to run a marathon and do some good for a town that needed it!</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Darrell and Megan ventured up to Millinocket, ME for the Millinocket Marathon. Join them on this episode as they Roadtrip up LIVE as they record! Musings about the weekend, the event, coffee, and stick figure families abound.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can learn more about the Millinocket Marathon at</span> <a href=\"http://www.crowathletics.com/millinocket-marathon-half/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> http://www.crowathletics.com/millinocket-marathon-half/</span></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can find Darrell online at</span>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">www.SoTHISIsFitness.com</span></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/SoTHISIsFitness\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">www.facebook.com/SoTHISIsFitness</span></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instagram &amp; Twitter: @snuffydx</span>','#15 - Roadtrip & Making Time','','inherit','closed','closed','','206-revision-v1','','','2017-01-14 13:35:35','2017-01-14 18:35:35','',206,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/206-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(647,1,'2017-01-14 13:38:40','2017-01-14 18:38:40','','','','inherit','open','closed','','wordswag_1478866652153','','','2017-01-14 17:37:40','2017-01-14 22:37:40','',207,'http://sothisisfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/wordswag_1478866652153-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(648,1,'2017-01-14 17:25:34','2017-01-14 22:25:34','<h3><b><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Podcast Ep 13 | Beer + Fitness = Love</span></b></h3>\nListen Now! Episode player embedded below.\n<div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div>\nIt\'s one of the weirdest team-ups out there...but for some reason beer (well, alcohol in general) and fitness seem to go together just like peanut butter &amp; jelly.\n\nI, for one, enjoy a good brew every now and then...as does every other Average Joe out there. But there are some questions we should probably be asking before we start chugging away, don\'t you think?\n\n<!--more-->\n\nWe\'re not just gonna STOP drinking.\n\nI acknowledged this long ago. While we may be athletes (and honestly, if you do athletic events and athletic things, you should probably get right with calling yourself an athlete), we\'re not necessarily ELITE athletes. Thus, we can afford to have a beer now and then without worrying we\'re going to lose our edge and miss that 1st place finish at the Olympics.\n\nWith that under consideration...I ventured back to the Foolproof Brewery to talk to the President of the company - Nick - about all things beer.\n\nIn This Episode:\n\n- Foolproof Brewing Company - where it came from &amp; why it\'s so awesome\n- What\'s really IN that beer, and how do flavors happen?\n- What\'s up with the lack of \"Nutrition Facts\" labels...and what would be ON them?\n- Why do Beer &amp; Fitness go together so well?\n- What are the real benefits and negative effects? When &amp; how often should I drink?\n\nVisit Foolproof Brewing Company online at <a href=\"http://www.foolproofbrewing.com\">www.FoolproofBrewing.com</a>\n\n<iframe style=\"border: none;\" src=\"//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/4843019/height/90/width/500/theme/custom/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/autoplay/no/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/backward/no-cache/true/render-playlist/no/custom-color/f4a906/\" width=\"500\" height=\"90\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe>','Podcast Ep. 13 | Beer + Fitness = Love','','inherit','closed','closed','','11-autosave-v1','','','2017-01-14 17:25:34','2017-01-14 22:25:34','',11,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/11-autosave-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(651,1,'2017-01-14 17:36:21','2017-01-14 22:36:21','<h3><b><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Podcast Ep 13 | Beer + Fitness = Love</span></b></h3>\r\nListen Now! Episode player embedded below.\r\n\r\nIt\'s one of the weirdest team-ups out there...but for some reason beer (well, alcohol in general) and fitness seem to go together just like peanut butter &amp; jelly.\r\n\r\nI, for one, enjoy a good brew every now and then...as does every other Average Joe out there. But there are some questions we should probably be asking before we start chugging away, don\'t you think?\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nWe\'re not just gonna STOP drinking.\r\n\r\nI acknowledged this long ago. While we may be athletes (and honestly, if you do athletic events and athletic things, you should probably get right with calling yourself an athlete), we\'re not necessarily ELITE athletes. Thus, we can afford to have a beer now and then without worrying we\'re going to lose our edge and miss that 1st place finish at the Olympics.\r\n\r\nWith that under consideration...I ventured back to the Foolproof Brewery to talk to the President of the company - Nick - about all things beer.\r\n\r\nIn This Episode:\r\n\r\n- Foolproof Brewing Company - where it came from &amp; why it\'s so awesome\r\n- What\'s really IN that beer, and how do flavors happen?\r\n- What\'s up with the lack of \"Nutrition Facts\" labels...and what would be ON them?\r\n- Why do Beer &amp; Fitness go together so well?\r\n- What are the real benefits and negative effects? When &amp; how often should I drink?\r\n\r\nVisit Foolproof Brewing Company online at <a href=\"http://www.foolproofbrewing.com\">www.FoolproofBrewing.com</a>\r\n\r\n<iframe style=\"border: none;\" src=\"//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/4843019/height/90/width/500/theme/custom/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/autoplay/no/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/backward/no-cache/true/render-playlist/no/custom-color/f4a906/\" width=\"500\" height=\"90\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe>','Podcast Ep. 13 | Beer + Fitness = Love','','inherit','closed','closed','','11-revision-v1','','','2017-01-14 17:36:21','2017-01-14 22:36:21','',11,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/11-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(650,1,'2017-01-14 17:32:31','2017-01-14 22:32:31','<h3><b><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Podcast Ep 13 | Beer + Fitness = Love</span></b></h3>\r\nListen Now! Episode player embedded below.\r\n<div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div>\r\nIt\'s one of the weirdest team-ups out there...but for some reason beer (well, alcohol in general) and fitness seem to go together just like peanut butter &amp; jelly.\r\n\r\nI, for one, enjoy a good brew every now and then...as does every other Average Joe out there. But there are some questions we should probably be asking before we start chugging away, don\'t you think?\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nWe\'re not just gonna STOP drinking.\r\n\r\nI acknowledged this long ago. While we may be athletes (and honestly, if you do athletic events and athletic things, you should probably get right with calling yourself an athlete), we\'re not necessarily ELITE athletes. Thus, we can afford to have a beer now and then without worrying we\'re going to lose our edge and miss that 1st place finish at the Olympics.\r\n\r\nWith that under consideration...I ventured back to the Foolproof Brewery to talk to the President of the company - Nick - about all things beer.\r\n\r\nIn This Episode:\r\n\r\n- Foolproof Brewing Company - where it came from &amp; why it\'s so awesome\r\n- What\'s really IN that beer, and how do flavors happen?\r\n- What\'s up with the lack of \"Nutrition Facts\" labels...and what would be ON them?\r\n- Why do Beer &amp; Fitness go together so well?\r\n- What are the real benefits and negative effects? When &amp; how often should I drink?\r\n\r\nVisit Foolproof Brewing Company online at <a href=\"http://www.foolproofbrewing.com\">www.FoolproofBrewing.com</a>\r\n\r\n<iframe style=\"border: none;\" src=\"//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/4843019/height/90/width/500/theme/custom/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/autoplay/no/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/backward/no-cache/true/render-playlist/no/custom-color/f4a906/\" width=\"500\" height=\"90\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe>','Podcast Ep. 13 | Beer + Fitness = Love','','inherit','closed','closed','','11-revision-v1','','','2017-01-14 17:32:31','2017-01-14 22:32:31','',11,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/11-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(652,1,'2017-01-14 17:38:38','2017-01-14 22:38:38','<b><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Podcast Ep. 12 - Welcome Back, Dingbat.</span></b>\r\n\r\nEvery once in a while the universe has to remind us that yes, we do in fact live in the real world. There are rules you play by, things you do and do not do. Even if you can achieve something as incredible as a 100 mile endurance run finish...a half-marathon can still take you down under the right circumstances (i.e. if you’re being stupid). Simple rules do still apply - they are, after all, RULES.\r\n\r\n<iframe style=\"border: none;\" src=\"//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/4820941/height/90/width/500/theme/custom/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/autoplay/no/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/backward/no-cache/true/render-playlist/no/custom-color/f4a906/\" width=\"500\" height=\"90\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe>\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\n<b><i>It can never just be easy, can it?</i></b>\r\n\r\nHaving just totally slacked off and \"recovered\" for 2 weeks post-100 miler....I decided it was time to get back in the game. I signed up for and ran the South Shore Half-Marathon. Normally, this would\'ve been a great idea. Too bad I didn\'t do that whole \"recovery\" thing correctly... Plenty of favors I DIDN\'T do myself prior to the 100, too, that made this whole process a bit more challenging than it needed to be. Lessons learned and reality once again found, It\'s time to look ahead.\r\n\r\nNow that I\'ve come out the other side of my big 100 miler goal...and learned some valuable lessons...it’s time to figure out the big question...<b>now what?</b> It\'s a lot to think about, a lot to consider, and some big things have to get figured out so the little ones can fall into place. Join me as I talk about avoiding PMS (not what you think), keeping your mind right, and working with what your body gives you.\r\n<div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img width=\"320\" height=\"319\" border=\"0\" /></a></div>\r\nThe So THIS Is Fitness podcast is a proud part of the <a href=\"http://www.athleteonfire.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Athlete On Fire network</a>.','Podcast Ep. 12 - Welcome Back, Dingbat','','inherit','closed','closed','','13-revision-v1','','','2017-01-14 17:38:38','2017-01-14 22:38:38','',13,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/13-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(653,1,'2017-01-14 17:41:34','2017-01-14 22:41:34','<b><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Podcast Ep. 12 - Welcome Back, Dingbat.</span></b>\r\n\r\nEvery once in a while the universe has to remind us that yes, we do in fact live in the real world. There are rules you play by, things you do and do not do. Even if you can achieve something as incredible as a 100 mile endurance run finish...a half-marathon can still take you down under the right circumstances (i.e. if you’re being stupid). Simple rules do still apply - they are, after all, RULES.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe style=\"border: none;\" src=\"//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/4820941/height/90/width/500/theme/custom/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/autoplay/no/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/backward/no-cache/true/render-playlist/no/custom-color/f4a906/\" width=\"500\" height=\"90\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe>\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\n<b><i>It can never just be easy, can it?</i></b>\r\n\r\nHaving just totally slacked off and \"recovered\" for 2 weeks post-100 miler....I decided it was time to get back in the game. I signed up for and ran the South Shore Half-Marathon. Normally, this would\'ve been a great idea. Too bad I didn\'t do that whole \"recovery\" thing correctly... Plenty of favors I DIDN\'T do myself prior to the 100, too, that made this whole process a bit more challenging than it needed to be. Lessons learned and reality once again found, It\'s time to look ahead.\r\n\r\nNow that I\'ve come out the other side of my big 100 miler goal...and learned some valuable lessons...it’s time to figure out the big question...<b>now what?</b> It\'s a lot to think about, a lot to consider, and some big things have to get figured out so the little ones can fall into place. Join me as I talk about avoiding PMS (not what you think), keeping your mind right, and working with what your body gives you.\r\n<div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img width=\"320\" height=\"319\" border=\"0\" /></a></div>\r\nThe So THIS Is Fitness podcast is a proud part of the <a href=\"http://www.athleteonfire.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Athlete On Fire network</a>.','Podcast Ep. 12 - Welcome Back, Dingbat','','inherit','closed','closed','','13-revision-v1','','','2017-01-14 17:41:34','2017-01-14 22:41:34','',13,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/13-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(654,1,'2017-01-14 17:46:10','2017-01-14 22:46:10','','','','inherit','open','closed','','img_20161024_153016','','','2017-01-14 17:48:03','2017-01-14 22:48:03','',14,'http://sothisisfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/IMG_20161024_153016.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(655,1,'2017-01-14 17:49:48','2017-01-14 22:49:48','<span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>So THIS Is Fitness - Podcast </b></span><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Episode 11: The Best Is Yet To Come</b></span>\n\n<iframe style=\"border: none;\" src=\"//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/4803051/height/90/width/500/theme/custom/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/autoplay/no/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/backward/no-cache/true/render-playlist/no/custom-color/f4a906/\" width=\"500\" height=\"90\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe>\n\nFrankly...I\'m still in disbelief. It\'s still surreal. I still haven\'t FULLY processed exactly what it is that happened at the Ghost Train Rail Trail Race...\n\n<!--more-->\n\n<i>I ran 100 miles. I was on my feet for 29 hours. ...people...don\'t DO that...</i>\n<i>\n</i>And yet here I am. <b>I did</b>. I\'ll probably be trying to wrap my head around it for a while. They say running an ultramarathon you learn a lot about yourself, and you see the world differently. Completing, or even participating in...an endurance run of THIS magnitude...<i>yeah. they\'re right. <u>It does.</u></i>\n<i><u>\n</u></i>So let\'s chat a minute about exactly what the deal is here.\n<i>\n</i><b><i>Episode Breakdown:</i></b>\n<i>-Origins of the 100 mile endurance run</i>\n<i>-100 miler stats, facts, &amp; numbers</i>\n<i>-\"Try It On\"\n-Ghost Train Rail Trail race breakdown &amp; event recap\n-Thoughts...and lessons learned...</i>\n<i>\nBIG THANKS to Cape Cod Nutrition Corner for sponsoring me into this season of events and making this whole thing possible.</i>\n\nSubscribe to the \"Athlete On Fire\" podcast to get episodes of So THIS Is Fitness! STIF is a proud part of the Athlete On Fire network!','Podcast Ep. 11 - The Best Is Yet To Come','','inherit','closed','closed','','14-autosave-v1','','','2017-01-14 17:49:48','2017-01-14 22:49:48','',14,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/14-autosave-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(656,1,'2017-01-14 17:49:56','2017-01-14 22:49:56','<h3><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>So THIS Is Fitness - Podcast </b></span><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Episode 11: The Best Is Yet To Come</b></span></h3>\r\n<iframe style=\"border: none;\" src=\"//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/4803051/height/90/width/500/theme/custom/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/autoplay/no/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/backward/no-cache/true/render-playlist/no/custom-color/f4a906/\" width=\"500\" height=\"90\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe>\r\n\r\nFrankly...I\'m still in disbelief. It\'s still surreal. I still haven\'t FULLY processed exactly what it is that happened at the Ghost Train Rail Trail Race...\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\n<i>I ran 100 miles. I was on my feet for 29 hours. ...people...don\'t DO that...</i>\r\n<i>\r\n</i>And yet here I am. <b>I did</b>. I\'ll probably be trying to wrap my head around it for a while. They say running an ultramarathon you learn a lot about yourself, and you see the world differently. Completing, or even participating in...an endurance run of THIS magnitude...<i>yeah. they\'re right. <u>It does.</u></i>\r\n<i><u>\r\n</u></i>So let\'s chat a minute about exactly what the deal is here.\r\n<i>\r\n</i><b><i>Episode Breakdown:</i></b>\r\n<i>-Origins of the 100 mile endurance run</i>\r\n<i>-100 miler stats, facts, &amp; numbers</i>\r\n<i>-\"Try It On\"\r\n-Ghost Train Rail Trail race breakdown &amp; event recap\r\n-Thoughts...and lessons learned...</i>\r\n<i>\r\nBIG THANKS to Cape Cod Nutrition Corner for sponsoring me into this season of events and making this whole thing possible.</i>\r\n\r\nSubscribe to the \"Athlete On Fire\" podcast to get episodes of So THIS Is Fitness! STIF is a proud part of the Athlete On Fire network!','Podcast Ep. 11 - The Best Is Yet To Come','','inherit','closed','closed','','14-revision-v1','','','2017-01-14 17:49:56','2017-01-14 22:49:56','',14,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/14-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(657,1,'2017-01-14 17:51:19','2017-01-14 22:51:19','<h3><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>So THIS Is Fitness - Podcast </b></span><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Episode 11: The Best Is Yet To Come</b></span></h3>\r\nFrankly...I\'m still in disbelief. It\'s still surreal. I still haven\'t FULLY processed exactly what it is that happened at the Ghost Train Rail Trail Race...\r\n\r\n<iframe style=\"border: none;\" src=\"//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/4803051/height/90/width/500/theme/custom/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/autoplay/no/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/backward/no-cache/true/render-playlist/no/custom-color/f4a906/\" width=\"500\" height=\"90\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe>\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\n<i>I ran 100 miles. I was on my feet for 29 hours. ...people...don\'t DO that...</i>\r\n<i>\r\n</i>And yet here I am. <b>I did</b>. I\'ll probably be trying to wrap my head around it for a while. They say running an ultramarathon you learn a lot about yourself, and you see the world differently. Completing, or even participating in...an endurance run of THIS magnitude...<i>yeah. they\'re right. <u>It does.</u></i>\r\n<i><u>\r\n</u></i>So let\'s chat a minute about exactly what the deal is here.\r\n<i>\r\n</i><b><i>Episode Breakdown:</i></b>\r\n<i>-Origins of the 100 mile endurance run</i>\r\n<i>-100 miler stats, facts, &amp; numbers</i>\r\n<i>-\"Try It On\"\r\n-Ghost Train Rail Trail race breakdown &amp; event recap\r\n-Thoughts...and lessons learned...</i>\r\n<i>\r\nBIG THANKS to Cape Cod Nutrition Corner for sponsoring me into this season of events and making this whole thing possible.</i>\r\n\r\nSubscribe to the \"Athlete On Fire\" podcast to get episodes of So THIS Is Fitness! STIF is a proud part of the Athlete On Fire network!','Podcast Ep. 11 - The Best Is Yet To Come','','inherit','closed','closed','','14-revision-v1','','','2017-01-14 17:51:19','2017-01-14 22:51:19','',14,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/14-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(658,1,'2017-01-14 17:57:37','2017-01-14 22:57:37','<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\'s funny to think how one decision, one feeling, can change the course of your life.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you\'re staring down your first 100 mile ultramarathon, and it\'s less than 48 hours away...you tend to reflect on what you\'re about to do and, really...how you got here in the first place.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Join Darrell as he look at exactly what he\'s about to do, how he got here, and what exactly he\'s thinking going into this thing. Darrell also recaps this past weekend, his Mom\'s latest triumph, and does a fun new thing with Megan! WHAT\'S IN THE BOX?!</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is it... the time has come. Nothing left but to do the thing. See you on the other side.</span>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Follow Darrell at</span> <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/SoTHISIsFitness\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">www.facebook.com/SoTHISIsFitness</span></a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and</span> <a href=\"http://www.instagram.com/SnuffyDX\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">www.instagram.com/SnuffyDX</span></a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for live updates during the Ghost Train Rail Trail Race 100 Mile Ultramarathon!!! Race begins 9 am Sat 10/22 and cutoff is 3 pm Sunday 10/23.</span>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">www.SoTHISIsFitness.com</span></a>','#10 - Countdown To Oblivion','','inherit','closed','closed','','211-revision-v1','','','2017-01-14 17:57:37','2017-01-14 22:57:37','',211,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/211-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(659,1,'2017-01-14 17:59:02','2017-01-14 22:59:02','<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Things don\'t always go according to plan...when the ceiling comes crashing down on you, it can be tough to find the drive to keep on plowing forward and sticking to the plan. When conditions are less than ideal, it\'s up to us to hunker down, toughen up, and make up the difference from within ourselves. Darrell recaps last weekend - Megan\'s triumphant Hartford Marathon run, the heinous weather nightmare that was Newport Marathon, and what its really all about.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can find Darrell online at:</span>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">www.SoTHISIsFitness.com</span></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/SoTHISIsFitness\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">www.Facebook.com/SoTHISIsFitness</span></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.instagram.com/SnuffyDX\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">http://www.Instagram.com/SnuffyDX</span></a>','#9 - Less Than Ideal','','inherit','closed','closed','','212-revision-v1','','','2017-01-14 17:59:02','2017-01-14 22:59:02','',212,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/212-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(660,1,'2017-01-14 18:06:36','2017-01-14 23:06:36','','','','inherit','open','closed','','dscn8795_2','','','2017-01-14 18:06:55','2017-01-14 23:06:55','',213,'http://sothisisfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/DSCN8795_2.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(661,1,'2017-01-14 18:07:44','2017-01-14 23:07:44','<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fitness is hard. Life is hard. Why does everything have to be so hard? Often we want to shed the stuff that’s harder than we feel like it has to be. And often, the thing that’s easiest to shed...is health and fitness. The gym membership. The running. The whatever. We make things harder than they have to be. We give in.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That struggle is what keeps us from achieving the greatness we’re all capable of, and it’s up to us to find a way to break through. Darrell talks about his own struggle, how this stuff happens, and what, ultimately, it’s gonna come down to to bust out and make it happen.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Send your feedback and questions to Darrell@SoTHISIsFitness.com</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Find us online -</span> <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">www.SoTHISIsFitness.com</span></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Like” the FB page -</span> <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/SoTHISIsFitness\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">www.Facebook.com/SoTHISIsFitness</span></a>','#8 - The Struggle Is Real','','inherit','closed','closed','','213-revision-v1','','','2017-01-14 18:07:44','2017-01-14 23:07:44','',213,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/213-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(662,1,'2017-01-14 18:09:25','2017-01-14 23:09:25','','','','inherit','open','closed','','img_20151017_104658302','','','2017-01-14 18:11:14','2017-01-14 23:11:14','',214,'http://sothisisfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/IMG_20151017_104658302.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(663,1,'2017-01-14 18:11:28','2017-01-14 23:11:28','<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even if you’re a fitness fanatic, or had that epiphany and “found fitness”...it can be tough to get those you care about to have that same kind of “awakening”. It can be frustrating, saddening, and even cause a little anger and resentment when friends and loved ones just refuse to do something you KNOW will be beneficial for them, and that they might even enjoy! So how do you get those YOU care about to the same place? You might not like the answer…</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Find Darrell &amp; So THIS Is Fitness online!</span>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">http://www.SoTHISIsFitness.com</span></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/SoTHISIsFitness\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">http://www.facebook.com/SoTHISIsFitness</span></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.instagram.com/SnuffyDX\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">http://www.instagram.com/SnuffyDX</span></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Send your comments, questions, &amp; feedback to Darrell@SoTHISIsFitness.com</span>','#7 - You Can Lead A Horse To Water...','','inherit','closed','closed','','214-revision-v1','','','2017-01-14 18:11:28','2017-01-14 23:11:28','',214,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/214-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(664,1,'2017-01-14 18:42:08','2017-01-14 23:42:08','','','','inherit','open','closed','','itunes_podcast_logo-2','','','2017-01-14 18:42:27','2017-01-14 23:42:27','',0,'http://sothisisfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/itunes_podcast_logo-1.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(665,1,'2017-01-14 18:51:40','2017-01-14 23:51:40','','','','inherit','open','closed','','img_20160908_182308_01','','','2017-01-14 18:54:05','2017-01-14 23:54:05','',215,'http://sothisisfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/IMG_20160908_182308_01.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(666,1,'2017-01-14 18:54:40','2017-01-14 23:54:40','<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All too often people find themselves in an unfulfilling cycle. Get up, go to work, stare at the clock, go home...with no sense of purpose, no sense of pride, and maybe no sense of your impact on the world at large.</span>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I, and many like me, spend our days differently. We wake up high on life, swipe a keyfob at the door, and walk into a world where we can help people make lasting, positive change in their lives.</span>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today I want to talk about where I work, what I do, and why, no matter how hard some days might be... I love it every damn day. Today you find out what it means to #BleedPurple.</span>','#6 - #BleedPurple','','inherit','closed','closed','','215-revision-v1','','','2017-01-14 18:54:40','2017-01-14 23:54:40','',215,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/215-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(831,1,'2017-01-22 19:26:37','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','Bib Wall','','draft','closed','closed','','','','','2017-01-22 19:26:37','2017-01-23 00:26:37','',0,'http://sothisisfitness.com/?page_id=831',0,'page','',0),(950,1,'2017-02-20 06:40:09','2017-02-20 11:40:09','','<i class=\"fa fa-facebook-official aria-hidden=true fa-2x\"></i>','','publish','closed','closed','','950','','','2017-02-20 06:58:52','2017-02-20 11:58:52','',0,'http://sothisisfitness.com/?p=950',12,'nav_menu_item','',0),(951,1,'2017-02-20 06:56:07','2017-02-20 11:56:07','','<i class=\"fa fa-instagram fa-2x\" aria-hidden=\"true\"></i>','','publish','closed','closed','','951','','','2017-02-20 06:58:52','2017-02-20 11:58:52','',0,'http://sothisisfitness.com/?p=951',13,'nav_menu_item','',0),(952,1,'2017-02-20 06:56:08','2017-02-20 11:56:08','','<i class=\"fa fa-twitter-square fa-2x\" aria-hidden=\"true\"></i>','','publish','closed','closed','','952','','','2017-02-20 06:58:53','2017-02-20 11:58:53','',0,'http://sothisisfitness.com/?p=952',14,'nav_menu_item','',0),(953,1,'2017-02-20 06:56:09','2017-02-20 11:56:09','','<i class=\"fa fa-podcast fa-2x\" aria-hidden=\"true\"></i>','','publish','closed','closed','','953','','','2017-02-20 06:58:53','2017-02-20 11:58:53','',0,'http://sothisisfitness.com/?p=953',15,'nav_menu_item','',0),(954,1,'2017-02-20 06:59:29','2017-02-20 11:59:29','.separate-containers .inside-article .page-header-image-single {padding-left: 50px;\n    width: 300px; float: right;\n}\n.social_icon {\nfloat: right;\n}','forefront','','inherit','closed','closed','','474-revision-v1','','','2017-02-20 06:59:29','2017-02-20 11:59:29','',474,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/02/474-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(967,1,'2017-03-02 08:46:09','2017-03-02 13:46:09','<h2><strong>I feel like I\'ve recommended this before...</strong></h2>\r\n...But sometimes you\'ve just gotta CELEBRATE a victory, right? Well that\'s... Largely... What today\'s about! Marathon #7 complete! And a new Personal best to boot! Plus...A day in the life! And, well, this episode is the beginning of some new stuff for the podcast!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/so-this-is-fitness/id1185769801?mt=2&amp;ls=1\">Click Here to listen on iTunes.</a>\r\n<a href=\"http://subscribeonandroid.com/sothisisfitness.libsyn.com/rss\">Click Here to listen on Android.</a>\r\n\r\nor read on for the extended show notes!<!--more-->\r\n<h2><strong>This is one of those fun episodes</strong></h2>\r\nThe kind where I get to just chat about fun experiences that maybe... just <em>maybe</em>... other people can relate to. And I got to have my lovely, SUPER supportive FitWife Megan on the show again! We got to just kinda hang out and chat for a bit, and it seems like she\'s going to be on the show with a bit more regularity moving forward.\r\n\r\nIt\'s kind of nice, really, that things are going in this direction. The podcast and blog kind of reached a point recently where it could\'ve really become just more work. Instead... we\'re doing our best to make it more \"us time\". Something we can do together. Dedicated time to just sit, chat, and be together. With any luck, those chats will benefit you all as much as or more than past episodes have!\r\n<h3><strong>Join us this episode for:</strong></h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>The big Marathon #7 finish</li>\r\n 	<li>Hyannis Marathon, and how it went</li>\r\n 	<li>The importance of self-massage</li>\r\n 	<li>That final boost</li>\r\n 	<li>New stuff!</li>\r\n 	<li>Girl Scout Cookies</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Connect with So THIS Is Fitness</h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/sothisisfitness\">Facebook</a></li>\r\n 	<li><a href=\"http://www.instagram.com/snuffydx\">Instagram</a></li>\r\n 	<li><a href=\"http://www.instagram.com/cardisandcardio\">The Fitwife\'s Instagram!</a></li>\r\n 	<li><a href=\"http://www.twitter.com/snuffydx\">Twitter</a></li>\r\n 	<li>Email - Darrell@sothisisfitness.com</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3><strong>Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast</strong></h3>\r\nTo listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links:\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li><a href=\"https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/so-this-is-fitness/id1185769801?mt=2&amp;ls=1\">Subscribe On iTunes</a></li>\r\n 	<li><a href=\"http://subscribeonandroid.com/sothisisfitness.libsyn.com/rss\">Subscribe On Android</a></li>\r\n 	<li><a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.libsyn.com/rss\">Subscribe via RSS</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3><strong>Support the show by supporting our sponsors!</strong></h3>\r\n<a href=\"http://www.addaday.com\">Get 10% off Addaday products with code SoTHISIsFitness10</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.foolproofbrewing.com\">Visit Foolproof Brewing Company\'s website</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.hopheadevents.com\">Visit the Hophead Events website</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.runtruenorth.com\">Visit the True North Running Co. website</a>','Podcast #27 - Girl Scout Cookies & Marathon Magic','','publish','open','open','','podcast-27-girl-scout-cookies-marathon-magic','','','2017-03-02 08:46:09','2017-03-02 13:46:09','',0,'http://sothisisfitness.com/?p=967',0,'post','',0),(956,1,'2017-02-21 07:26:24','2017-02-21 12:26:24','<h2>I have seen the full spectrum of \"taste\".</h2>\r\nI\'ve been that \"fat guy\" that eats everything indiscriminately. Overly greasy, fatty, salty, sauced and more. You reach a certain point where eating and drinking like that... you sort of deaden your taste buds. Then those terrible foods begin to... \"taste\" <em>good</em>.  <strong>Now? </strong>I\'m that \"fit guy\" who makes better choices. I avoid those things I used to eat. <strong>My taste buds came back to life.</strong> I can taste spices, nuance, subtlety, and the chef/creator\'s intent. It\'s why I drink my coffee black, why I love seltzer water, and why I say Grin Hola is not JUST granola.\r\n<h3>I realize that might sound a bit... over the top...</h3>\r\nBut have YOU tried Grin Hola? It\'s unlike any granola I\'ve ever picked off the shelf in the supermarket. <strong>And <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">YOU</span> might <em>never</em> get to eat it.</strong><!--more-->\r\n<h2>Grin Hola is made with love.</h2>\r\nHonestly, <strong>I don\'t even consider that to be <a href=\"http://www.dictionary.com/browse/hyperbole\">hyperbole</a>.</strong> Grin Hola is a tiny little hyper-local company - it\'s a guy in his kitchen. Jason Warren, the man behind the stove top, honest to goodness makes this stuff right in his home. He travels all over Cape Cod and Southeastern Massachusetts making connections with smaller, local places and getting his product on the shelves.\r\n<h3>The rest of the state... and <em>everyone</em>... is missing out.</h3>\r\nThis might just be the best breakfast food, munchable snack, or trail fuel you\'ve never eaten and WILL never eat. Due to certain constraints, right now it\'s not as widely available as some of us might like, and it\'s not readily available for online purchase (read on, though - I might be able to hook you up!). Nevertheless... this granola is so... GOOD... that I feel compelled to review it and tell the world about it. <strong>Even if 99% of you will never get to eat it <em>(maybe - more on that later)</em>.</strong>\r\n<h2>It starts with quality, natural ingredients.</h2>\r\nGrin Hola is made from pretty simple, pretty wholesome ingredients. The ingredients for the Apple Pie flavor, for example (see image) - I don\'t see anything artificial or difficult to pronounce there. The Peanut Butter &amp; Jelly flavor? It ACTUALLY has peanut butter and grape jelly in it! There\'s organic when it can be done, but sure, not EVERYTHING is organic. Honestly... not everything NEEDS to be. This isn\'t some elitist food blog - I\'m certainly not gonna dump on someone for not being 100% organic, 100% GMO free, etc. I\'m behind good, quality, healthy stuff. <strong>This fits the bill</strong><strong>. </strong>Besides...\r\n<h2>The flavor is <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">incredible</span>.</h2>\r\nI can\'t go on any longer without talking about this. Most granola is dry, mostly flavorless, and not super impressive. Just a big bag of oats with maybe some nuts and fruit in there... then there\'s Grin Hola. This guy is some kind of kitchen wizard... I don\'t know HOW he does it... but there\'s an incredible depth of flavor in this stuff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Grin Hola - The BEST Granola you\'ll never (probably) never eat.','','inherit','closed','closed','','27-revision-v1','','','2017-02-21 07:26:24','2017-02-21 12:26:24','',27,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/02/27-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(931,1,'2017-02-15 06:06:44','2017-02-15 11:06:44','<h2>I have seen the full spectrum of \"taste\".</h2>\r\nI\'ve been that \"fat guy\" that eats everything indiscriminately. Overly greasy, fatty, salty, sauced and more. You reach a certain point where eating and drinking like that... you sort of deaden your taste buds. Then those terrible foods begin to... \"taste\" <em>good</em>.  <strong>Now? </strong>I\'m that \"fit guy\" who makes better choices. I avoid those things I used to eat. <strong>My taste buds came back to life.</strong> I can taste spices, nuance, subtlety, and the chef/creator\'s intent. It\'s why I drink my coffee black, why I love seltzer water, and why I say Grin Hola is not JUST granola.\r\n<h3>I realize that might sound a bit... over the top...</h3>\r\nBut have YOU tried Grin Hola? It\'s unlike any granola I\'ve ever picked off the shelf in the supermarket. <strong>And <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">YOU</span> might <em>never</em> get to eat it.</strong><!--more-->\r\n<h2>Grin Hola is made with love.</h2>\r\nHonestly, <strong>I don\'t even consider that to be <a href=\"http://www.dictionary.com/browse/hyperbole\">hyperbole</a>.</strong> Grin Hola is a tiny little hyper-local company - it\'s a guy in his kitchen. Jason Warren, the man behind the stove top, honest to goodness makes this stuff right in his home. He travels all over Cape Cod and Southeastern Massachusetts making connections with smaller, local places and getting his product on the shelves.\r\n<h3>The rest of the state... and <em>everyone</em>... is missing out.</h3>\r\nThis might just be the best breakfast food, munchable snack, or trail fuel you\'ve never eaten and WILL never eat. Due to certain constraints, right now it\'s not as widely available as some of us might like, and it\'s not readily available for online purchase (read on, though - I might be able to hook you up!). Nevertheless... this granola is so... GOOD... that I feel compelled to review it and tell the world about it. <strong>Even if 99% of you will never get to eat it <em>(maybe)</em>.</strong>\r\n<h2>It starts with quality, natural ingredients.</h2>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Grin Hola - Review | It\'s Not JUST Granola...','','inherit','closed','closed','','27-revision-v1','','','2017-02-15 06:06:44','2017-02-15 11:06:44','',27,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/02/27-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(677,1,'2017-01-14 22:07:12','2017-01-15 03:07:12','Tomorrow is Friday - another week coming to a close, and another race on the horizon for me. This morning, however, I\'m not thinking about Saturday\'s race...I\'m thinking about a race that\'s just over a month away. Why?<br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8e59QZE2p2w/UxcbZt_XbZI/AAAAAAAAGkA/ZdZuukzrkPM/s1600/MassMayhemLogo.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8e59QZE2p2w/UxcbZt_XbZI/AAAAAAAAGkA/ZdZuukzrkPM/s1600/MassMayhemLogo.jpg\" height=\"166\" width=\"400\" /></a></div><b>Mass Mayhem - </b>THAT\'S why. Mass Mayhem is going to be my first \"real\" mud run, and it\'s coming up really freakin\' fast... <br /><a name=\'more\'></a><br /><b>So WHAT IS Mass Mayhem? </b>Oh, nothing major...just a casual 4 mile jaunt up a mountain through the mud. <b><u>hah.</u> Why don\'t we start at the beginning?</b><br /><br /><b><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><a href=\"http://www.runmassmayhem.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Mass Mayhem</a> - How \'bout the basics?&nbsp;</span> </b><br /><br />Mass Mayhem is an Obstacle Course Race. On the <b>most basic</b> level I could possibly describe it, I will be running on, over, through (and hopefully not <i>around</i>) a number of obstacles on my way up and down a ski mountain. The problem with the basic version is...<b>There\'s SO much more to it than that.</b><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cnIEGcQiHmY/Uxcmj8m-y2I/AAAAAAAAGkw/NS4CX25WKxw/s1600/Type-One-Logo-White-Black.png\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cnIEGcQiHmY/Uxcmj8m-y2I/AAAAAAAAGkw/NS4CX25WKxw/s1600/Type-One-Logo-White-Black.png\" height=\"141\" width=\"320\" /></a></div>One of the things I really like about Mass Mayhem is that <b>it\'s all to support a great cause.</b> Mass Mayhem is run by an organization called <a href=\"http://runmassmayhem.com/benefit/\" target=\"_blank\">Type One</a>. Type One\'s mission is to support research to cure type one diabetes. <b>Isn\'t that great?</b> They\'re partnered up with <a href=\"http://www.faustmanlab.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Faustman Lab at Mass General Hospital</a> - Dr. Faustman\'s work is being DIRECTLY ASSISTED by each and every registration for the Mass Mayhem event...I think that\'s pretty awesome! You know EXACTLY where they\'re donating money...and wouldn\'t it be cool to see, down the road, that Dr. Faustman found a cure? And by getting muddy that one time (or more times) you helped make it happen?<br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>OK, <span style=\"font-size: small;\">now that I have the warm fuzzies...</span> How about the course? </b></span><br /><br />The course itself seems a bit tougher than your average 3 - 4 mile obstacle race. <b>That isn\'t a bad thing!</b> <br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WIgl_GFOtUE/UxcktgOeHUI/AAAAAAAAGkc/swdHJvYNrgM/s1600/Mass-Mayhem-Course-Map.png\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WIgl_GFOtUE/UxcktgOeHUI/AAAAAAAAGkc/swdHJvYNrgM/s1600/Mass-Mayhem-Course-Map.png\" height=\"348\" width=\"400\" /></a></div>From their own site:<br /><blockquote><i><b><span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">\"Picture  this mountain with all it’s elevation changes, ski slopes, surrounded by  woods, full of a thousand of your new best friends, covered in mud,  trenches and tunnels, trails carved out, and obstacles constructed! What  could those spheres represent? What fun would it be if we showed you  the whole course?! Mass Mayhem is unlike any other race, so let your  imagination run wild!\"</span></b></i></blockquote>So <b>yeah...</b> Most other 3 - 4 mile obstacle runs I see don\'t happen ON A MOUNTAIN. Races like <a href=\"http://superheroscramble.com/events/new-england-2013\" target=\"_blank\">Superhero Scramble</a> and the <a href=\"http://www.spartanrace.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Spartan Sprint</a> (comparable distance) are happening at <a href=\"http://www.newenglandsportspark.com\" target=\"_blank\">Amesbury Sports Park</a>...and while I\'m sure there will be some hills to run up...it is most certainly <u><b>NOT</b></u> a freaking <i>mountain</i>. <b>So we\'re starting off with a bang...</b><br /><br /><b>&nbsp;As far as obstacles go...</b><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><b><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UHtpn0MPCjg/UxcmK9Fw07I/AAAAAAAAGko/bOJAsC6i_4o/s1600/Man-in-Mud-Photo.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UHtpn0MPCjg/UxcmK9Fw07I/AAAAAAAAGko/bOJAsC6i_4o/s1600/Man-in-Mud-Photo.jpg\" height=\"266\" width=\"400\" /></a></b></div>Looks to be much of what you\'d expect from any worthwhile, self-respecting obstacle/mud run - things to climb up and over, things to crawl under, lots of pounding on your upper body and punishing your lower body...and <b>ample mud</b>. They list some events on their site, such as cargo net crawls, wall climbs, rope swings, etc, but they\'re keeping much of it a surprise for race day. Who knows...if we\'re REALLY lucky (hah) there might even be <i>snow </i>too. <br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>So Where The H#*! Is <i>Blandford?!</i></b></span><br /><br /><b><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Funny you should ask...</span></b><span style=\"font-size: small;\">I said the same thing. B</span>landford, Massachusetts is PRECISELY...in the middle...of nowhere. Blandford is out in Western Mass about a half hour west of Amherst (home of my alma mater UMass). Not much around out there...Except for <a href=\"http://skiblandford.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Blandford Ski Area</a>. THAT is the site of this race. I asked the Type One folks why on Earth they picked <b>THAT </b>place...<br /><blockquote><i>\"<span style=\"font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;\">One of the most  exciting aspects of obstacle course racing is locking down an amazing  location, and that\'s&nbsp;exactly what we\'ve been able to do with the folks  at the Blandford Ski Area.&nbsp; Runners are going to be climbing up the  mountain terrain across wooded areas and through the trails.&nbsp; The base  is located at 1,025 ft above sea level&nbsp;and the summit is located at  1,490 ft; a 465 ft vertical drop.&nbsp;&nbsp;We have a slew of new obstacles and  some old favorites that everyone will enjoy.&nbsp; Maybe we will even&nbsp;get  lucky with a late season snow, but if not, we do have full access to  snow making equipment!\"</span></i></blockquote><b>Wait...so there\'s snow no matter what?</b> Crap. OK fine.<b> Like I said</b> - this course looks just a BIT more challenging than every other OCR of this length I\'ve come across. <b>GOOD - I like a challenge.</b> <br /><br /><b><span style=\"font-size: large;\">So...There\'s That...</span></b><br /><br /><b>This is it - my first \"REAL\" mud run. </b>At least it looks like I picked a doozie! I think I\'m going to go away pretty satisfied with this one, and I think it\'ll give me a good taste of what OCR\'s are really like. I also think this\'ll be a great preview of what I\'m getting myself into for some...bigger and longer OCR\'s...(more on that in a later article...)<br /><br /><b>And of course, </b>there will be finisher\'s medals, t-shirts, and a post-race party complete with beer...<b>because after something like that, </b>you deserve a beer (if you\'re 21+). &nbsp; <br /><br /><b>So, all of this begs the question...</b><br /><br /><b><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Why Not Join Me?!</span></b><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fYND2kQqI-0/UxhtTbuP4lI/AAAAAAAAGlI/TDlkkZ9-Ayo/s1600/massmayhemjoinme.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fYND2kQqI-0/UxhtTbuP4lI/AAAAAAAAGlI/TDlkkZ9-Ayo/s1600/massmayhemjoinme.jpg\" height=\"400\" width=\"400\" /></a></div><b>It\'s always more fun with friends, right?</b> I LOVE when people join me for races, and its even better when they join me in supporting a great cause! Come run Mass Mayhem with me in support of a cure for Type One Diabetes! <b>IF YOU REGISTER WITH COUPON CODE \"FITNESS\" YOU SAVE $20!!! </b>That\'s definitely the best coupon code out there right now. You also save an ADDITIONAL $10 if you\'re a student (college OR high school) or military (active OR retired).<br /><br /><b>So what are you waiting for?</b><br /><br /><b>Go to <a href=\"http://www.runmassmayhem.com/\">www.RunMassMayhem.com</a> and register! </b>You can also feel free to join Team \"So THIS Is Fitness...\" (search for it on the team selection screen). If you register, write on the wall of <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/SoTHISIsFitness\" target=\"_blank\">My Facebook Page</a> and let me know! This is gonna be <b>FUN!</b>','MAYHEM! Time To Get Muddy','','inherit','closed','closed','','76-revision-v1','','','2017-01-14 22:07:12','2017-01-15 03:07:12','',76,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/76-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(681,1,'2017-01-15 08:04:24','2017-01-15 13:04:24','Let\'s have a little talk about <b>-Haters-</b>.<br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-80WmeXeDx6M/UhtMBo-Un6I/AAAAAAAABYI/i88hlw2LLJQ/s1600/hatersgonnahatethumb.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"225\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-80WmeXeDx6M/UhtMBo-Un6I/AAAAAAAABYI/i88hlw2LLJQ/s400/hatersgonnahatethumb.jpg\" width=\"400\" /></a></div><br />We all know what haters are. We all probably <b>know</b> some haters too. Odds are, many of you out there might even <b>have</b> haters of your <i>very own!</i> I\'ll go ahead and say that 90% or more of the haters out there are the people I\'m talking about in this post. Up to 10% might have a legitimate reason for hating...maybe. For the purposes of this article, let\'s assume we\'re talking about the 90% that I\'m about to describe.<br /><br />Ultimately, I have to say..<b>.I don\'t hate haters.</b> If you think about it the way I do...you can\'t help but love them just because of their very nature.<b> </b>Haters are <b>important! </b>Just not for the reason they wish they were. On this Motivational Monday morning, I think its time to talk about <b>the haters.</b><br /><br /><b>What drives a hater? What do Haters...hate? Why?</b><br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a><br />So, before we go on...you might be wondering what exactly I mean by \"hate\". <b>What does it mean to be \"hated on\"?</b> How does someone \"hate on\" you?<br /><br />Think back to elementary school, middle school...yes even high school. The haters will <b>make fun of you. </b>The haters will <b>belittle you and your achievements. </b>The haters will try to <b>recruit others </b>to their side to make you feel like you\'re <b>all alone</b>. The haters will <b>bully you </b>and <b>badmouth you. </b>Haters will <b>spread rumors </b>about you. They\'ll try to make you feel like everything you\'re doing <b>doesn\'t matter </b>and no matter what you do, in the end you\'re <b>just a loser</b> wasting their time. <br /><br />If you\'ve seen people getting \"hated on\", you\'ve probably wondered what that person did to \"deserve it\". If <b>you\'re</b> getting \"hated on\" yourself, its probably bothering you that you <b>don\'t know why</b>! I\'m going to make this REALLY simple:<br /><br /><b><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Haters Hate Your Success&nbsp;</span></b><br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-76T_sSFFaFU/UhtNkxLQqwI/AAAAAAAABYU/lYjvob5e8hw/s1600/hatersmeme.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-76T_sSFFaFU/UhtNkxLQqwI/AAAAAAAABYU/lYjvob5e8hw/s320/hatersmeme.jpg\" width=\"320\" /></a></div><b>Yes. It really is that simple.</b> Haters are <b>bitter</b>. Haters are <b>jealous</b>. Haters see in <b>you</b> a reflection of everything they wish <b>they</b> were. Haters want to be able to achieve what <b>you</b> have achieved. Have you lost weight recently? <b>Your hater feels fat.</b> Have you run a race? <b>Your hater wishes they could run. </b>Your hater DID run that race? <b>You got a better time than them</b>. I\'m sure you get the point.<br /><br />I know this seems really childish and like something that belongs in grade school...but it\'s the unfortunate truth. Rather than celebrate your successes with you the haters try to wash it away and put you down. Rather than try to improve themselves and work on their shortcomings, they focus their energy on <b>bringing. you. down</b>.<br /><br />But <b>why?</b><br /><br /><b>Because the haters can\'t be bothered to do the work.</b><br /><br />Haters are often people who suffer from things like <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/07/the-inconvenience-factor-accepting.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"The I Don\'t Feel Like It Syndrome\"</a>.<b> </b>Maybe <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/07/defeating-demotivators-1-fear-monster.html\" target=\"_blank\">The Fear Monster</a> has them in it\'s grasp. <b>Maybe </b>they\'ve got a <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/07/why-workouts-fail-1-napoleon-complex.html\" target=\"_blank\">Napoleon Complex</a> or <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/07/why-workouts-fail-2-scale.html\" target=\"_blank\">The Scale </a>discouraged them so badly they just can\'t bring themselves to try anymore. <b>Maybe they\'re lost in <a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/2013/08/america-fat.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"America The Fat\"</a>. Or perhaps </b>they just can\'t drum up the<a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/2013/07/conquer-the-truth-about-motivation.html\" target=\"_blank\"> motivation</a> to get it done. Whatever the reason...<b>SOMETHING</b> is keeping the haters from getting what they want and being happy, and it\'s everything that <b>YOU </b>have managed to work past to reach your successes and keep on going. <b>That makes your haters very mad</b>. It <b>frustrates them</b>. People often get angry or begin to <b>hate </b>what frustrates them or what they can\'t understand.<b> </b>So since the hater can\'t get past whatever it is stopping them...the mindset becomes toxic.<br /><br /><b>If the hater can\'t have success, neither can you!</b><br /><br /><b>THAT,</b> in a nutshell, is why haters hate. If the hater can\'t be happy...if the hater can\'t lose weight...if the hater can\'t run a race, get an A+, get a girlfriend, get a promotion...<b>neither should you</b>. They <b>hate</b> seeing you get what they want. That\'s why they hate on you and try to bring you down - <b>they\'re trying to make you quit</b>.&nbsp;<b> </b>But <b>this </b>is why I <b>love </b>haters.<br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Haters let you know you\'re doing a good job</b></span><br /><br />Honestly, the more hate I\'m catching...the harder my haters are hating, the <b>better</b> I must be doing. If they\'re hating on me <b>that much harder</b> then I <i>must </i>be making <b>that much greater</b> of an achievement. THAT is why I said haters are so important - <b>haters are your success meter!</b> Don\'t let them drag you down or discourage you - rather, let your haters <b>be encouragement</b> to go harder. See <b>how much</b> you can make the haters <b>hate </b>you. I\'d like to hope that eventually they\'ll either <b>give up hating</b> or start backing you, but it could very well be the case that they just <b>can\'t get past</b> whatever their own problem is...and they\'ll just keep on hating. <b>So what. Let them hate. </b>Just remember what it means.<br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rdYuObL40sc/UhtT3ipSrDI/AAAAAAAABYk/ibm6uS1uZFE/s1600/tumblr_md5tvm53DT1qmp520o1_500.jpg\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"292\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rdYuObL40sc/UhtT3ipSrDI/AAAAAAAABYk/ibm6uS1uZFE/s400/tumblr_md5tvm53DT1qmp520o1_500.jpg\" width=\"400\" /></a></div><br />By <b>continuing to do what you\'re doing </b>you\'re sending a message to your haters:<br /><br /><b>Your Opinion Does Not Matter. </b><br /><br />Your continued success and your positive attitude lets the haters know that <b>they are powerless to stop you.</b> In the end, you should probably <b>take pity on your haters - </b>they <b>wish</b> they could do what you\'re doing but they can\'t beat their own roadblocks. They <b>can\'t plow through </b>like you have and get down the road to success.&nbsp; <br /><br /><b>Sucks to suck.&nbsp;</b><br /><br />So next time someone starts hating on you or trying to bring you down...<b>just smile at them, </b>walk away, and know that <b>you </b>are what someone else wishes they could be. <b>Don\'t let the haters get you down or stop you - let them push you and encourage you </b>to keep achieving new heights. <b>Don\'t be afraid </b>to post those <a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/meet-darrell/my-journey\" target=\"_blank\">before &amp; after pictures</a>. Don\'t be afraid to <a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/meet-darrell/my-journey\" target=\"_blank\">talk about how you got where you are.</a><br /><br /><b>Don\'t be afraid to keep becoming a better you. </b>\"Haters gonna hate\".<br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Let \'em. </b></span>','Haters','','inherit','closed','closed','','107-revision-v1','','','2017-01-15 08:04:24','2017-01-15 13:04:24','',107,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/107-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(682,1,'2017-01-15 08:04:24','2017-01-15 13:04:24','Once again, I thought long and hard about how to approach this topic, but the simplest way to say it is - going through a health &amp; fitness journey alone <b>sucks</b> and often <b>just doesn\'t work</b>. For so many years I tried and failed to do it on my own. The desire was there, and I did use the word \"tried\"...<br /><br />Many, maybe even most people out there just can\'t do it alone, and if you\'re one of those people<b>...I get it. </b>I\'m not gonna say it\'s not your fault because, frankly, I don\'t think there necessarily <i>is </i>anyone at fault...it\'s just <b>freaking hard </b>to go it alone. In the last week I have really embraced, openly, the \"group effort\". I became a <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/p/beachbody-coach.html\" target=\"_blank\">BeachBody Coach</a> and immediately set out to start a P90X Challenge Group to help people make a change, stay with it, and <b>succeed</b> (more on that later). Today, on Hump Day no less, I want to talk about how to get over the hump of sticking with your health &amp; fitness decision by not having to go it alone. You might think twice about your impending solo act.<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dz2l_d_zAoU/UlQOwn7vPSI/AAAAAAAAB3U/0skgMkyckXk/s1600/IMG_20131005_093735_948.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"400\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dz2l_d_zAoU/UlQOwn7vPSI/AAAAAAAAB3U/0skgMkyckXk/s400/IMG_20131005_093735_948.jpg\" width=\"225\" /></a></div>I\'ll come right out and say it - <b>going it alone sucks.</b> Some people out there have the drive and motivation needed to make change happen without anyone else there to push them, encourage them, and do it with them. Looking back,<b> I was not one of them. </b>I recognize that. I had my fiancee Megan there with me from <b>before </b>Day 1. When the decision was made to start...we decided it <b>together</b>. I tried for years to do it alone, and it never stuck. Without anyone there to help motivate me...it was so easy to just say \"nah...not today\" or \"<i>God Almighty</i> this is too hard...I\'m out\".<br /><br /><b>Nah, I\'m Totally Capable, I Can Do This!</b><br /><br />Ok, that\'s great! There <b>are</b> people out there who can get it done on their own. People who are SO motivated...SO driven, that they could not only complete a fitness program on their own...they could climb Mt. Freaking Everest on their own. I <i>wish </i>I was one of those guys. I mean, I probably am NOW, but then again, NOW I\'m fit, healthy, and I <b>enjoy </b>this stuff. I\'m talking last August, when I was 300 lbs and hadn\'t started this whole thing yet. <i>That guy </i>wishes he was driven enough to do it alone. If you\'re one of those people, I encourage you to <b>go for it</b> and make it happen. <b>You </b>are the kind of person who helps motivate others towards their successes. <br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Why Should I Have Others?</b></span><br /><br /><b>No Easy Outs</b><br />I have found, over the course of the years, that <b>not </b>having someone else doing it with you and committed to it...there are a lot of easy outs. For one, <b>nobody is there to see you quit</b>. It\'s really easy to quit when you don\'t have anyone to answer to...nobody to witness it. It\'s like it never happened! I feel like that\'s one of the top reasons people are...OK...with giving up. <b>It\'s not ok.</b> You\'re only letting yourself down. It\'s so easy to fall prey to the <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/07/the-inconvenience-factor-accepting.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"I Don\'t Feel Like It\" Syndrome</a> when you\'re on your own...easy for <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/07/why-workouts-fail-1-napoleon-complex.html\" target=\"_blank\">The Napoleon Complex</a> to overtake you...to just plain <a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/2013/07/conquer-the-truth-about-motivation.html\" target=\"_blank\">lose motivation</a>!<br /><br /><b>SUPPORT!</b><br /><b>I can\'t TELL YOU </b>how great it is to have someone there reaching milestones with you, achieving successes with you...just generally sharing in the experience. It was great to get through a workout, look at Megan 5 feet away, and high five her after we finished a workout. The look we gave each other after finishing the last workout of week 1 was of such accomplishment, relief, and joy...in that moment we knew we could do it - if you can get through the first week you can get through it all...<b>and we had done it! </b>Sharing that with her was great! Working with a partner I was able to <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/09/lose-your-limits.html\" target=\"_blank\">lose my limits</a> and achieve new heights I never would\'ve dreamed of before...I\'m running a half marathon in a week and a half for crying out loud!<br /><br />Likewise, it\'s great to be able to share in your struggles and work through it together. We were both practically dying on the floor together during some of the more intense days during some of the programs we did...but we looked at each other, reaffirmed we could do it, and kept going. You keep going for yourself, you keep going for them...whether it\'s because you want to succeed for them or because you want to challenge them to keep up...it\'s because <b>they\'re there</b>. <b>They\'re doing it too. </b>That other person can make the difference. They can also help to shield you from outside influences too...help keep you strong. When you\'re in it with someone else, they can help defend against the <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/08/haters.html\" target=\"_blank\">Haters</a>. <br /><br /><b>Accountability</b><br />If you\'re doing your workouts with someone else...they\'re gonna know if you didn\'t do it. Maybe because you work out together, maybe because you check in with each other...but <b>they\'ll know</b>. Whether they give you crap for not doing it or whether you feel guilty all on your own...having that other person can keep you honest and get you to do it on a day you\'d otherwise say <i>screw it</i>. Knowing that other person is tracking their progress and will be showing you their before/afters can also encourage you to work just a little bit harder throughout the course of the program instead of taking it easy on yourself. Besides...if you\'re gonna commit, <b>why not go whole-hog?</b><br /><br /><b>THIS IS NOT A NEW IDEA</b><br /><br />Working out with others is by no means a new idea...workout classes, CrossFit gyms, etc...there are countless people, groups, and organizations that use and encourage the buddy system or the group mentality. Why? <b>Because it works</b>. Having a community of people all in it together makes it work so much better.<br /><b> </b><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KuZMwagaiGg/UlgGym6nN4I/AAAAAAAAB4E/UfZQ_RrjzXI/s1600/BBAltSigB.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KuZMwagaiGg/UlgGym6nN4I/AAAAAAAAB4E/UfZQ_RrjzXI/s1600/BBAltSigB.jpg\" /></a></div><b> </b><br /><b> </b><br /><b>What About That \"Challenge Group\" You Mentioned?</b><br /><br />Many<b> </b><a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/p/beachbody-coach.html\" target=\"_blank\">BeachBody Coaches</a> out there (probably all, really) run \"Challenge Groups\". Each coach, I\'m sure, does it differently. The idea, no matter how, specifically, they do it, is that a group of people (maybe 5, 10, 20...depends on the coach) all do the same program starting on the same day. They check in on a special Facebook group (or through some other method, again, depending on the coach) and talk about their progress. People in the group will talk about their struggles and successes, share in their accomplishments and difficulties, and seek advice, guidance, and motivation from the rest of the group and their coach. The coach is usually always there to actively guide and encourage the group members and provides tools for success to make sure each individual can achieve their fitness goals. Some coaches run their group for the full duration of the program, and some run it for a month or two. The idea is to help make sure, again, that each individual has the support, encouragement, and tools necessary to achieve success.<br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DvAPRqiRNpA/Ul8K0foMflI/AAAAAAAAB5A/WxHDvU36Jlk/s1600/challengegroup.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"400\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DvAPRqiRNpA/Ul8K0foMflI/AAAAAAAAB5A/WxHDvU36Jlk/s400/challengegroup.jpg\" width=\"400\" /></a></div><br />I am running a P90X Challenge Group. My group will be pushing play for Day 1 on Monday, October 28th. I\'ll be starting to put out information and guidance for them this weekend, getting them ready and preparing them for the challenge to come. If you are interested, please don\'t hesitate to reach out to me at <a href=\"mailto:Darrell@SoTHISIsFitness.com\">Darrell@SoTHISIsFitness.com</a>, make an account on <a href=\"http://www.teambeachbody.com/\">www.TeamBeachBody.com</a> (identify me as your coach - coach id 301487 or screenname SoTHISIsFitness - I\'ll find you), or request to join the <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/group/SoTHISIsFitness\" target=\"_blank\">\"So Fit\" Family facebook group</a>. You&nbsp; can get the program through me at <a href=\"http://www.beachbodycoach.com/SoTHISIsFitness\">www.BeachBodyCoach.com/SoTHISIsFitness</a> . <b>If you\'re interested, you likely need to order by Friday or Saturday in order to have it in-hand in time. </b><br /><br />I\'m SO excited to have the opportunity to help people achieve their goals and finally attain success. This is the first program I did...it\'s what started me on the path to  where I am now! It\'s great to see that it\'ll also be the first program like  this for a number of people who have already committed to the Challenge  Group. I\'d love to help you too! That\'s the whole point of this blog. <br /><br /><b>So why do it alone?</b><br /><br />I\'m sure there\'s <b>someone </b>you know that also wants to make a change. <b>Someone </b>else who\'s having the same thoughts go through their head that are going through yours. Try feeling it out among those you know and see if someone wants to join you. Maybe you\'d rather go through a challenge group or online support community (like the <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/group/SoTHISIsFitness\" target=\"_blank\">So Fit Family</a>) to find your encouragement and motivation. Whatever the case, know that <b>you don\'t have to do it alone. </b>It\'s always better together. Happy Hump Day!','It\'s Always Better Together','','inherit','closed','closed','','93-revision-v1','','','2017-01-15 08:04:24','2017-01-15 13:04:24','',93,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/93-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(683,1,'2017-01-15 08:04:24','2017-01-15 13:04:24','<span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Sometimes <i>Life</i> feels the need to test you.</b></span><br /><br />The last few months have been one of those times. <b>It\'s felt a lot like this:</b><br /><b><table align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"><tbody><tr><td style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_fg18LkeB-4/U67GaAUcTfI/AAAAAAAAH-I/PibTJqTKO6w/s1600/Tough+Mudder+Mid+Atlantic+Facebook2.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_fg18LkeB-4/U67GaAUcTfI/AAAAAAAAH-I/PibTJqTKO6w/s1600/Tough+Mudder+Mid+Atlantic+Facebook2.jpg\" height=\"319.5\" width=\"480\" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>Yes, that is a pool of Ice Water.</b></td></tr></tbody></table></b><br />The last few months have been a little insane, and it all started with my triple-booked race weekend (<a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2014/05/a-lesson-in-double-booking-pt-1-herring.html\">here,</a> <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2014/05/a-lesson-in-double-booking-pt-2-262.html\">here,</a> and <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2014/05/a-lesson-in-double-booking-pt-3-spring.html\">here</a>). Despite the fact that a number of things are off my plate, I\'ve managed to get buried by what IS still there - <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/anytimefitnessmashpee\">new job</a>, <a href=\"http://www.theknot.com/wedding/Megan-Darrell\">my upcoming wedding</a>, the looming menace that is \"September\", and more. <b>This can, and DOES, happen to the best of us.</b> So <b>what do you do</b> when life keeps on knocking you down? What do you do when it\'s tough to keep up with your health and fitness? <b>How do you beat the <i>I don\'t have time</i> thing?</b><br /><br />...let me tell you a little story...<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Lately it\'s been tough to un-bury myself. </b></span><br /><br />That ever happen to you? I envisioned a quiet couple of months for the summer. I don\'t have many races scheduled (see calendar widget to the right), I\'m not traveling to Amherst to visit my <a href=\"http://www.deltachi.org/\">Delta Chi </a>chapter (I\'m their Alumni Advisor), and most of the wedding planning is done...should be relaxing, right? Lots of time to write race recaps, product reviews, be thoughtful and create original content, create a workout program, and just <b>relax</b>.<br /><br /><b>I was wrong.</b><br /><br />Instead, I got a little complacent, got a little lazy, and things started to pile up. I don\'t know what happens to YOU all when you start getting behind...but for me it\'s kind of like my brain wants to do everything at the same time...and nothing actually gets accomplished. <b>Which really only made the problem worse</b>. Then the panicky stress sets in and you\'re really just not gaining any ground. Here I am about 10+ articles behind (a combination of race recaps and product reviews), I\'m 48 days away from the wedding and running out of time to accomplish the last things on the list, and there\'s a whole <i>laundry list </i>of things I need to accomplish on top of that (including laundry!).<b>&nbsp;</b><br /><br /><b>How do you surface? How do you break out of the crazy and actually make some headway?</b><br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><b><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nrbs03J4ReA/U67fQiergDI/AAAAAAAAH-Y/JSKJgCvE4GU/s1600/Ice-Ice-Baby.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nrbs03J4ReA/U67fQiergDI/AAAAAAAAH-Y/JSKJgCvE4GU/s1600/Ice-Ice-Baby.jpg\" height=\"214\" width=\"400\" /></a></b></div><br /><b><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Stop. Breathe. Don\'t Panic.&nbsp;</span> </b><br /><br /><b>You WILL get through this.</b>&nbsp;<b> </b>You just have to stop, breathe, and break it down into bite-sized pieces. Prioritize just like I walked you through in my <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/09/makingitwork.html\">time-management article</a>.You <b>can </b>get through it.<br /><br /><u><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Focus.</b></span></u><br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8MxCMT9t1Hw/U67l6g2VpNI/AAAAAAAAH-o/b9Y7vxci-_8/s1600/adhd-1.png\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8MxCMT9t1Hw/U67l6g2VpNI/AAAAAAAAH-o/b9Y7vxci-_8/s1600/adhd-1.png\" height=\"282\" width=\"400\" /></a></div>It can be easy to get distracted<b> </b>and fall off from your super-productive timeline. This is an especially great challenge for me...as I have A.D.H.D. (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Basically...I start at \"apple\", I end at \"Optimus Prime rolling down I-95 Boston during rush hour\" and totally forget where I started and what happened in the middle. Picture the dog from \"Up\" - that\'s me. This is a large part of how I fell behind - I can spend hours accomplishing nothing...just running in place.<br /><br /><b>Through all of this, my workouts have not suffered.</b><br /><br />I had a workout program, I knew I needed to set aside an hour in the morning before the day got rolling, and I <b>got it done.</b> The problem happened when I completed that program. I didn\'t have anything else made up and ready to go...so <b>I kind of floundered for the last 2 weeks</b>. I ran a few miles as many days as I could...but I didn\'t have a program. I <b>certainly</b> didn\'t lack <i>motivatio<b>n </b></i>(If that\'s your issue, <a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/2013/07/conquer-the-truth-about-motivation.html\">read this now</a>), I just didn\'t have <b>direction</b>.<br /><br /><b>That\'s when my fitness fell off right along with everything else I wasn\'t getting done.</b><br /><br />So that\'s pretty much when I said enough is enough. <b>YOU CAN NOT </b>let your health &amp; fitness suffer...that\'s when it begins an ugly downward spiral.  I\'ve had to take time to stop, breathe, re-focus, and prioritize. I\'ve had to start trying to take things bit by bit and accomplish SOMETHING. <b>You can\'t do it all at once, </b>but if you start with one thing, you can move on to the next. Pretty soon, you\'ll break through and dig yourself right out of the ugly little pit you fell into.<br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1X2u_jJseiY/U67oU2k6RxI/AAAAAAAAH-0/ppGrHBPZgbA/s1600/TM-Arctic-Enima-Ice.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1X2u_jJseiY/U67oU2k6RxI/AAAAAAAAH-0/ppGrHBPZgbA/s1600/TM-Arctic-Enima-Ice.jpg\" height=\"247\" width=\"400\" /></a></div><b>And try to remember - you\'re not the only one stuck in that pit. You\'ll all get out.</b><br /><br />I guess what I\'m trying to say is - <b>try not to let it all overwhelm you.</b> Stop, breathe, don\'t panic, and focus. You can get it done AND find time for yourself. That said, you should start seeing more regular posts from me again. I have a few races coming up in the next two weeks that I\'m excited to share with you, and you\'ll FINALLY find out what the big deal is with September. Have questions? Email me or reach out on my Facebook Page. <br /><br /><b>You <u>Can</u> Do It. </b>','When Life Gets You Down - Surfacing From The Crazy','','inherit','closed','closed','','66-revision-v1','','','2017-01-15 08:04:24','2017-01-15 13:04:24','',66,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/66-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(684,1,'2017-01-15 08:04:42','2017-01-15 13:04:42','<div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lym0hWbDKeY/Uga_wdROo8I/AAAAAAAABJY/XrddHCjnomM/s1600/IMG_20130810_123839_406.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"295\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lym0hWbDKeY/Uga_wdROo8I/AAAAAAAABJY/XrddHCjnomM/s320/IMG_20130810_123839_406.jpg\" width=\"320\" /></a></div><br />So here we are. Tomorrow is the big day. Race day. I keep hearing that the Falmouth Road Race is the biggest, most popular race in New England second only to the Boston Marathon itself. All things considered, I believe it. I\'ve been preparing for this for months, and I feel like I was preparing for it before I even knew I was doing it. I\'ve logged over 140 miles training for this which, frankly, isn\'t<br /><a name=\'more\'></a> as much as I would\'ve liked. I suppose it was about the best i could do considering I\'ve been doing a bodybuilding program for the past 8 weeks...cardio and heavy iron aren\'t usually best friends...<br /><br />Anyway - in preparation for the race I gave special attention to my <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/running-playlist\" target=\"_blank\">playlist</a>. Some songs were ditched and some added. This was a painstaking process and believe it or not I did \"road test\" most of the songs I was considering...kind of the only sure way to know you can run to it.<br /><br />First - additions:<br /><br />A couple of these are actually kind of working as <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/08/running-on-rocket-fuel-anatomy-of-power.html\" target=\"_blank\">Power Songs</a> for me <br /><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wws7mnMewPw\" target=\"_blank\">135 BPM - Slipknot - Psychosocial</a><br /><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9cM06Ok4TU\" target=\"_blank\">140 BPM - La Roux - Bulletproof (Chrispy Dubstep Mix)</a><br /><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fVE8kSM43I\" target=\"_blank\">145 BPM - Slipknot - Duality </a><br /><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PvebsWcpto\" target=\"_blank\">148 BPM - Florida Georgia Line - Cruise</a><br /><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-2yuGgp_U8\" target=\"_blank\">150 BPM - Five Finger Death Punch - Lift Me Up</a><br /><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLk75fFXqH4\" target=\"_blank\">152 BPM - Five Finger Death Punch - Under And Over It</a><br /><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2icdM9KuHU\" target=\"_blank\">152 BPM - Five Finger Death Punch - Back For More</a><br /><br />Next up - cut from the team:<br />These songs were just really throwing off my rhythm. Overall they were too slow and I was trying to move too fast to them - ended up off-sync and with a weird stride. <br /><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tolm-07if3c\" target=\"_blank\">108 BPM - The Ting Tings - Shut Up And Let Me Go</a><br /><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyDUC1LUXSU\" target=\"_blank\">120 BPM - Robin Thicke - Blurred Lines (feat. T.I. and Pharrel)</a><br /><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXBFun0ijYQ\" target=\"_blank\">120 BPM - Cobra Starship - Hot Mess</a><br /><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlW1VYrETAM\" target=\"_blank\">120 BPM - Karmin - Brokenhearted (R3hab Remix)</a><br /><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlOAMKTj0hU\" target=\"_blank\">125 BPM - Rammstein - Du Hast</a><br /><br />Last - tried and failed:<br />I really wanted to be able to run to these songs, but <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/07/the-music-while-running-controversy.html\" target=\"_blank\">you just can\'t force it</a>. Instead of my running playlist I\'ll have to be satisfied with having these on in the car or something. Maybe when I do a cycling playlist I can revisit these (cadence and pace is different)<br /><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyDUC1LUXSU\" target=\"_blank\">120 BPM - Robin Thicke ft. T.I. - Blurred Lines</a> (too slow of a beat, couldn\'t match the rhythm to my stride)<br /><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asOvnGHwtDU\" target=\"_blank\">138 BPM - The Vines - Get Free</a> (beat just wasn\'t quite right...almost)<br /><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktvTqknDobU\" target=\"_blank\">150 BPM - Imagine Dragons - Radioactive</a> (song is kinda slow and draggy. Beat would be good but its a sluggish kinda song - not energetic enough for running)<br /><br />One thing is for sure - I. Am. Pumped. I feel like I\'ve trained and have gotten myself to a point where I can not only finish, but finish strong with a time I can be proud of. I\'ve run the course once for practice so I know what to expect and I\'ve re-tooled my <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/running-playlist\" target=\"_blank\">playlist</a>. Just think - if in one year I can do what I\'ve done...anyone can.<br /><br />At this point, there\'s nothing to it but to do it. See you at the finish.','Primed And Ready - Falmouth Road Race (w/ playlist update)','','inherit','closed','closed','','119-revision-v1','','','2017-01-15 08:04:42','2017-01-15 13:04:42','',119,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/119-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(685,1,'2017-01-15 08:04:42','2017-01-15 13:04:42','<div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/meet-darrell/my-journey\" target=\"_blank\">I lost 107 lbs.</a> I trained for 140 miles. I raised $2,520 for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (so far). <a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/meet-darrell/my-journey\" target=\"_blank\">I spent one year of my life</a> turning around my health and fitness. I re-learned how to think about nutrition and what I put in my mouth. I got in tune with my body. I gave it my all. <b>And then I ran...&nbsp;</b> <br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HstNwartSZo/UghMjZ55oAI/AAAAAAAABMY/DZKjY9XAUGE/s1600/IMG_20130811_085545_822.jpg\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"></a><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-53XecJMNMbU/UghdwnvLaFI/AAAAAAAABNo/v5yvEVClDGg/s1600/runkeeper+roadrace.jpg\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-53XecJMNMbU/UghdwnvLaFI/AAAAAAAABNo/v5yvEVClDGg/s400/runkeeper+roadrace.jpg\" height=\"297\" width=\"400\" /></a></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div>All I can say is...<b>wow</b>. What an experience! No wonder so many people want to run the <a href=\"http://www.falmouthroadrace.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Falmouth Road Race</a>! I had heard that it was the second most popular race in New England, the most desirable race in the country, etc...but I had <b>no idea</b> what an incredible <br /><a name=\'more\'></a>experience it would be! As you can see from the <a href=\"http://www.runkeeper.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Runkeeper</a> screenshot above (check out my <a href=\"http://runkeeper.com/user/dwmctague\" target=\"_blank\">Runkeeper profile</a> and <a href=\"http://runkeeper.com/user/dwmctague/activity/223465808\" target=\"_blank\">road race activity</a>), I got the time I was shooting for! Runkeeper reported 1:10:13 and my \"unofficial\" chip time was 1:10:04.<br /><br /><b>For the non-runners out there </b>- there are two different \"times\" many timed races will report - \"Gun Time\" and \"Chip Time\" (sometimes called \"Net Time\"). Gun Time is<br />the time from when the gun goes off and the race starts to when you cross the finish line. Chip Time (or Net Time) is the time from <b>when you actually cross the starting line</b> to when you cross the finish.&nbsp; You may think these times would be the same, but if you\'re in a large race you might actually cross the starting line one, two, five or even ten+ minutes after the gun goes off. Yesterday in the Falmouth Road Race I didn\'t cross the starting line until <b>more than 20 minutes </b>after the gun went off. They call it \"Chip Time\" because it\'s the time when your timing chip crosses the start and finish. They call it \"Net Time\" because it\'s the gun time minus the time it takes for you to get to the starting line (in this case, \"Net\" is a math term).<br /><br /><b>In terms of performance and results</b> - Yes, I got the time I wanted. I<i> </i>was pretty steady in my pace and stayed under 9:46 per mile the entire race. Once I got up the big hill in Falmouth Heights (the last challenge where lots of runners drop) I turned it on and zipped to the end on a mission. I felt great, due I\'m sure in part to a number of things including proper sleep the night before, being hydrated, good pre-race nutrition, my intra-workout drink during the race and a clear head with a positive attitude. Know what helped? <b>It was like I was the only person out there. </b>Nobody else mattered. I was doing my thing and the other 12,799 people were just...<i>there.</i> People zipped ahead of me early on and I smiled to myself thinking \"I\'ll see you around mile 5\" and I passed people walking from mile 3 onward thinking \"I was you during the Finish at the 50 10K\". I learned a lot and it paid off!<br /><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HstNwartSZo/UghMjZ55oAI/AAAAAAAABMY/DZKjY9XAUGE/s1600/IMG_20130811_085545_822.jpg\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HstNwartSZo/UghMjZ55oAI/AAAAAAAABMY/DZKjY9XAUGE/s400/IMG_20130811_085545_822.jpg\" height=\"225\" width=\"400\" /></a><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><b>There are two things I want to put out there</b> for those of you who don\'t know: 1. I ran this race as a part of <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/pages/Team-Lanzoni/195301487166598\" target=\"_blank\">Team Lanzoni</a> - the <a href=\"https://www.99restaurants.com/community/dana-farber/\" target=\"_blank\">99 Restaurants team</a>. Team Lanzoni is a part of the <a href=\"http://www.rundanafarber.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Dana-Farber Cancer Institute running program</a>. 2. I am a<a href=\"http://www.massfreemasonry.org/\" target=\"_blank\"> Freemason</a>, and so was my grandfather Peter. <b>What do these two things have in common?</b><br /><b>&nbsp;</b> <br />Last July my grandfather passed away. During his battle with cancer, he was taken care of in the Dana-Farber center at Faulkner in Boston. They took great care of him, were incredibly compassionate, and were there for my family when we needed them. They took the time to make sure they did everything they could and to make sure we were OK when we ran out of options. I wanted to be able to do something for them - help to give someone else a fighting chance. I ran this race for him, and I carried him with me the whole 7.4 miles (or maybe it was him that carried me). <br /><br /><b>Speaking of Team Lanzoni...</b><br />One of the guys in corral 5 with me was an interesting character. His name is Eric Parent, otherwise known as <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/Thesmoothbear\" target=\"_blank\">TheSmoothBear</a>...<br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cfVvJlD5RHg/UghM0qylKOI/AAAAAAAABM8/58bvbfIPXc8/s1600/IMG_20130811_124505_406.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cfVvJlD5RHg/UghM0qylKOI/AAAAAAAABM8/58bvbfIPXc8/s400/IMG_20130811_124505_406.jpg\" height=\"225\" width=\"400\" /></a></div><b> </b>This guy is a part of Team Lanzoni too. He\'s got a <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ysTsVcPVvMDZc6T2DbslQ\" target=\"_blank\">vlog (video blog, check it out here)</a> where (among other things) he chronicles his running thing. I checked out some of his videos and he\'s pretty entertaining. In one of his videos <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vljs7vx3248&amp;list=UU_ysTsVcPVvMDZc6T2DbslQ\" target=\"_blank\">RFTF: Orange Is The New Black</a> he literally talks about the Netflix show OITNB while running. I mean, I know some runners can just have a conversation like its no big deal while they cruise along, but I guess I was kind of expecting that from those toothpicks in running shoes...TheSmoothBear (no offense buddy) is a big dude, not your typical running toothpick, so I was surprised. I know I sure as hell can\'t have a conversation like that while running, so kudos to you on that! As far as content - he just kinda tells it like it is, which I like. It\'s always good to see a big guy (read beasty, not fat) rockin\' out in fitness world, so more kudos to you on that! Keep on keepin\' on. Hopefully I see this guy again in next year\'s Falmouth Road Race. Be sure to check out <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ysTsVcPVvMDZc6T2DbslQ\" target=\"_blank\">his vlog</a> and <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/Thesmoothbear\" target=\"_blank\">his Facebook</a> - let him know Darrell sent you from \"So THIS Is Fitness...\"!<br /><br /><b>But Perhaps The Best Part Of Yesterday...</b><br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PR1JvMqF12U/UghLZ0RSzYI/AAAAAAAABJ0/l9T1d6iFuT4/s1600/IMG_20130811_070044_443.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PR1JvMqF12U/UghLZ0RSzYI/AAAAAAAABJ0/l9T1d6iFuT4/s640/IMG_20130811_070044_443.jpg\" height=\"640\" width=\"360\" /></a></div>We may not have run next to each other, but being out there with my fiancee Megan was great! She\'s been right there next to me since day 1 of P90X when this whole thing started, and it was a great feeling to be out there with her for our biggest challenge yet. I\'m so proud of her and how far she\'s come. Despite knee issues (and no uber-knee brace like I have) and a history of debilitating cramps every time we run she achieved her best pace to date and <i>smashed </i>the time she expected to get, coming in at 1:21:48. Sounds like she plans on being a part of Team Lanzoni with me next year for this race, and in the more immediate future...hopefully she\'ll be a part of my next undertaking...more on that soon.<br /><br /><b>Oh, By The Way:</b><br /><a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/running-playlist\" target=\"_blank\">My Playlist</a> did me a lot of good. I find it ironic that <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEXHeTcxQy4\" target=\"_blank\">Chelsea Dagger</a> never came on through the whole run, but I did have <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-2yuGgp_U8\" target=\"_blank\">Lift Me Up</a> on for that last hill climb in Falmouth Heights, and let me tell you it felt pretty badass climbing that hill and flying to the finish rockin\' out to that.<b> </b><br /><br /><b>So, Overall?</b><br />The Falmouth Road Race<b> </b>was an incredible experience, I performed better than I could\'ve expected, felt great and I\'m looking forward to next year where hopefully I\'ll get a lower number and a better corral.<br />Just think - if I can do this, <b><u>anyone</u> can do it</b>. Get out there and <u><b>get to it</b></u>.','And Then I Ran... | Falmouth Road Race','','inherit','closed','closed','','118-revision-v1','','','2017-01-15 08:04:42','2017-01-15 13:04:42','',118,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/118-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(686,1,'2017-01-15 08:04:42','2017-01-15 13:04:42','A friend (who is probably reading this!) posted on Facebook that she had signed up for her first 10K. My first thought was \"AWESOME! Good for you!\" and I immediately sent her a message to start talking about it. As we talked a little, I reflected on my first 10K and how much I learned from it - it dawned on me that not only could I have benefited <b>immensely </b>from knowing then what I know now, but others who are getting ready for their first race could benefit too! My first 5K and 10K both taught me a lot, and they are very different kinds of races! <br /><br /><b>SO, </b>in the spirit of Hump Day, let\'s talk about some do\'s and don\'t\'s to help you get over the hump of your first race(s)!<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a><br />When I started running this past March, I dove right in. Megan and I talked about it and figured hey, we got through P90X, we did Insanity...why couldn\'t we run? We went...and I went farther than I probably should have...and finished having gone <b>3.2 miles</b>. I\'m not exaggerating when I say I had <b>never </b>\"gone for a run\" before that. I figured if I could do that, I could do a real 5K race - same distance!<br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>So Where Do I Start?</b></span><br /><b>&nbsp;</b> <br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0qLX-CaSKJk/UkwnWfqQMQI/AAAAAAAAB0A/D2gUoWoaEg4/s1600/Aug2_Run4Ke_photo.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"200\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0qLX-CaSKJk/UkwnWfqQMQI/AAAAAAAAB0A/D2gUoWoaEg4/s400/Aug2_Run4Ke_photo.jpg\" width=\"400\" /></a></div><b>Do A 5K!</b><br /><b>&nbsp;</b><br /><b>I will be so bold as to say </b>anyone can run a 5K. If you can run, you can do a 5K. Either it\'s a challenge and you push yourself to finish, or it\'s a piece of cake and you push yourself to break your best time. Either way, <b>you can do it! </b>If it\'s going to be more on the \"I\'ve never run before\" / beginner side of things, there are LOTS of training schedules out there to get you ready to run that 3.1 miles. I recommend using Runkeeper (if you have a smartphone / device that can use the app) - you can either track your runs doing your own thing or you can choose a training plan developed to help you be your best! <br /><br /><b>Did the 5K? How about a 10K?!</b><br /><br />If you\'ve overcome the challenge of your first 5K and feel like you can go farther, why not find and register for a 10K? A 10K is 6.2 miles - twice as long as a 5K. It might not seem like that much of a difference, but running a race is a whole different animal after the first 3 or 4 miles. A 10K can give you new challenges to overcome, including pacing yourself,&nbsp;<b> </b>staying hydrated and fueled, dealing with hills and inclines, and much more. If you have successfully completed a 5K I <b>highly </b>recommend finding a 10K to do.<br /><br /><b>What about those do\'s and don\'t\'s?</b><br /><b>&nbsp;</b><br />I mentioned I learned a lot from the first couple of races I ran - I have some hot tips that I <b>really </b>wish I had known going into my first 5K and 10K. Some of them might seem obvious to you, but I didn\'t realize the importance of some of them until it was too late.<br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EyG-EtXTV7Q/UkwwMl-zNwI/AAAAAAAAB0Y/XxDH6qbPC6g/s1600/IMG_20131002_103549.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"400\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EyG-EtXTV7Q/UkwwMl-zNwI/AAAAAAAAB0Y/XxDH6qbPC6g/s400/IMG_20131002_103549.jpg\" width=\"180\" /></a><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Rule #1 - HYDRATE!</b></span><br /><br /><b>I CANNOT stress this one enough!</b> Hydration (drinking water) is INCREDIBLY important. Not properly hydrating before and during a race can leave you cramped, panting, and <br />struggling through what should have been a piece of cake. Properly hydrating is SO important I had been considering writing an article entirely dedicated to it, but even if I do follow through with that, it needs to be mentioned here. The average person should be drinking 8 glasses of water a day. I know we\'ve been beat over the head with that our whole lives...prior to this whole fitness thing I never really understood <b>just </b>how important it really was.<br /><br /><b>How do I know if I\'m getting dehydrated?</b><br /><b>&nbsp;</b> <br />Your body is mostly made up of water - as you sweat that water leaves your body. When enough water leaves your body, you start feeling thirsty and your mouth might get dry. As you get more dehydrated, you might get a headache (I do), you\'ll eventually get cramps, and you might get nauseous. If you get dehydrated enough you can pass out and have a real medical issue.<br /><br />Bear with me here. One of the easiest ways to tell how hydrated you are at any given time is the color of your urine. Think about it - urine is your body\'s way to get rid of what it doesn\'t need - the water component of it is more or less a vehicle to get rid of the waste. If you\'re dehydrated, there\'s less fluid in your body. If your body has less fluid to spare, it\'s going to get rid of that same amount of waste using less water, so it\'s going to be more concentrated and thus, a darker/more saturated color. If your body is well-hydrated, there\'s a lot of fluid in there to spare and your body will use more fluid to flush out the waste - thus less concentrated and a lighter color. The clearer the urine, the more hydrated you are. <br /><br /><b>So how do I stay hydrated?</b><br /><br /><b>Easy - DRINK WATER!</b>&nbsp;<b> </b>It\'s that simple and that difficult. I drink on average about 20 glasses of water a day. That green water bottle? It\'s a 1 litre Camelbak Eddy. I drink about 4 or 5 of those a day. Yeah. Water is just about all I drink. I used to drink almost that much diet soda each day, but then again I was also 300 lbs. <b>If you find drinking that much water is a challenge </b>try easing yourself into it with flavor. Add fresh citrus fruit to your water - lemon, lime, orange...not only does it add some flavor to your water but you get some vitamins out of it! Eventually you can use less and less fruit until you can just drink regular water! The calories from the fruit you squeeze into your water is going to end up being negligible, so go for it!<br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br /></span><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Rule #2 - Eat Breakfast!</b></span><br /><br />Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and race day is no exception. The longer the race, the more important it is to eat something before the run. Race-day nutrition can be the difference between a strong run with sustained energy or huffing, puffing, and crapping out. There\'s lots of products out there designed to help you before and during your run like Gu gels, sport beans, chomps, blocs, etc. Find what works for you and stick with it! They\'re all made from fast-absorbing and easy to break down carbs/sugars to give your body the juice it needs to get through the race. I like to start my race-day morning with a combination of those and some fruit. To each his own.<br /><b> </b><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S8T25BkizJ4/Ukw9jfMar6I/AAAAAAAAB04/5Oio-1xj_S4/s1600/2.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"225\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S8T25BkizJ4/Ukw9jfMar6I/AAAAAAAAB04/5Oio-1xj_S4/s400/2.jpg\" width=\"400\" /></a></div><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Rule #3 - Test your playlist before the race</b></span><br /><br /><b>This one only applies if you listen to music during your runs</b>.  I do. You can see <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/07/the-music-while-running-controversy.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"The Music While Running Controversy\"</a> to see exactly  how I feel about the topic. If you DO listen to music while you run, be  sure to test out your playlist on a run before the actual race. The  wrong music can make you go too fast or too slow, mess up your pace  mid-stride, and just all around lead you to a bad time. Find what works  and stick with it - always best to test it out. <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/running-playlist\" target=\"_blank\">Check out my running playlist (tested) here.</a><br /><b> </b><br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Rule #4 - TRAIN!</b></span><br /><br /><b><b>Training is about learning your pace, testing your limits, and improving both.</b> </b>Do shorter runs to see what kind of pace you can reach, how fast you  can go, and what your stride is. Do longer runs to see if you can maintain that pace over a longer distance. Do some REALLY long runs once a week to push your limits, increase your stamina / endurance, and ultimately be able to run farther. Training is a learning experience, and it IS very important. Try and fail. Experiment. Do hills some days and flat courses other days. Map it out ahead of time - know where you\'re going and when to turn around and go home. Give yourself options in case you decide to run a longer or shorter distance when you\'re already out there. Get the most out of your training so you\'re ready for that race! There are lots of training programs for every different race distance - if you\'d like help finding a good one reach out with the contact form at the bottom of the page!<br /><br /><b> </b><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Rule #5 - PACE YOURSELF! Run Your Own Race.</b></span><br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rAJ1GVTsFm4/Ukw3AEc2Q0I/AAAAAAAAB0o/CjcKl-NFShg/s1600/runyourownrace.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"400\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rAJ1GVTsFm4/Ukw3AEc2Q0I/AAAAAAAAB0o/CjcKl-NFShg/s400/runyourownrace.jpg\" width=\"400\" /></a></div><br />This one I learned the hard way. When you go and do a race, it can get very competitive. There\'s lots of people out there, you\'ve got the adrenaline pumping, you\'re antsy...and once you cross the starting line you just want to shoot off like a rocket and GO. <b>That\'s a bad idea</b>. My first 5K I shot off like a rocket - I broke out of the pack early and tried to beat everyone. I was able to maintain it and go hard the whole time...but it was only 5K. I tried to do the same thing on my first 10K...it didn\'t work out so well. There were a LOT more people...hundreds! I tried to bounce from open spot to open spot in an effort to break out into open space where I could really run. <b>By mile 4 I was toast.</b> I went SO hard in the first 5K that I had no gas left for the second 5K. I was so concerned with going fast and passing people that I didn\'t worry about myself and my own limits/abilities. <b>I paid for it in the end</b>. My time was absolutely <b>awful </b>compared to what it could have been. I learned my lesson and applied it to my Falmouth Road Race run...and <b>what an improvement! </b>I ran my own race and did WAY better than I did during the 10K...better average pace, a stronger run...I felt better...Trust me - this is a lesson you can take to the bank.<b><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&nbsp;</span></b><br /><br /><b><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Rule #6 - Know The Course And Have A Plan</span></b><br /><br />You should <b>absolutely</b> know the course before race-day. Know the route, know if there\'s hills and if so, how steep/long they are, and overall know what to expect from the course. Knowing the course<b> </b>ahead of time allows you to come up with a plan for your run - where the hard parts are, what parts you need to save some energy for, and where you can turn on the afterburners and just <b>go.</b> If you don\'t know the route you might burn yourself out before a particularly hard hill at the end. Conversely, you could be more conservative than you need to and not achieve your best possible time. You could also, heaven forbid, take a wrong turn! Suffice it to say - know the course and have a plan.<br /><br />I\'m sure there\'s more to running a race than just this, but these rules are a good jumping off point to help you achieve success in your first race(s)! Take these lessons to heart and learn from my mistakes - I certainly wish someone had told me about these when I was getting ready for MY first race(s)!<br /><i></i><br /><i>What tips would YOU give a beginner?</i> <i>Comment below!</i><br />','Race Beginner Do\'s & Don\'t\'s','','inherit','closed','closed','','97-revision-v1','','','2017-01-15 08:04:42','2017-01-15 13:04:42','',97,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/97-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(687,1,'2017-01-15 08:04:42','2017-01-15 13:04:42','Finally updated the <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/running-playlist\" target=\"_blank\">running playlist.</a> Learned a lot in the past couple months about running, my pace, etc, and I\'ve made some changes and additions to the playlist to go along with that. <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/10/achievement-unlocked-131.html\" target=\"_blank\">Finishing that half-marathon </a>taught me a lot, too! Read on to check out the changes, and why I made them. Check out the <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/running-playlist\" target=\"_blank\">running playlist here!</a><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8LEdP8TY7uI/Ueh2Kn3CLTI/AAAAAAAAA7A/bpCKl5WHzZk/s1600/IMG_20130718_185043_332.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"180\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8LEdP8TY7uI/Ueh2Kn3CLTI/AAAAAAAAA7A/bpCKl5WHzZk/s320/IMG_20130718_185043_332.jpg\" width=\"320\" /></a></div><br /> <br /><a name=\'more\'></a>You\'ll notice there\'s a lot of slower songs - around 130 bpm - that were added - I\'m still in the process of feeling those out on distance runs. They encourage me to keep a pace I can maintain over the course of 13 miles. I\'ll have to do a few more long runs to say whether they\'re keepers or not, but <b>so far</b> they\'re working for me. <br /><br /><b>ADDITIONALLY - </b>as of right now...everything 146 BPM and faster is part of a second, separate playlist for \"sprints\" - 5K\'s, maybe 10K\'s...shorter runs with a much faster pace! Right now I don\'t have the endurance, I don\'t think, to maintain my 5K pace over much more than a 10K pace...we\'ll see what happens.<br /><br />Newly added:<br /><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8eXaXoUJRQ\" target=\"_blank\">128 BPM - Selena Gomez - Slow Down&nbsp;</a><br /><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ys7-6_t7OEQ\" target=\"_blank\">128 BPM - Justin Bieber ft. Nicki Minaj - Beauty &amp; A Beat&nbsp;</a><br /><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDrschw-wdI\" target=\"_blank\">128 BPM - Ke$ha - Warrior </a><br /><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOubzHCUt48\" target=\"_blank\">128 BPM - Ke$ha - Die Young</a><br /><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89u9T7WDoaM\" target=\"_blank\">130 BPM - Selena Gomez - Come &amp; Get It (Dave Aude Club Remix)</a><br /><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAhHNCfA7NI\" target=\"_blank\">130 BPM - Alexandra Stan - Mr. Saxobeat&nbsp;</a><br /><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHESy8XsJPs\" target=\"_blank\">130 BPM - Pitbull ft. Ke$ha - Timber&nbsp;</a><br /><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w211KOQ5BMI\" target=\"_blank\">132 BPM - Rage Against The Machine - Sleep Now In The Fire </a><br /><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1slFc9G7I74\" target=\"_blank\">133 BPM - The Offspring - Hit That</a><br /><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pco91kroVgQ\" target=\"_blank\">140 BPM - Lady Gaga - Applause&nbsp;</a><br /><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wq0H-1IuaY8\" target=\"_blank\">143 BPM - The Offspring - (Can\'t Get My) Head Around You&nbsp;</a><br /><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNXmKiEqVx4\" target=\"_blank\">160 BPM - Metallica - Ain\'t My Bitch</a> <br /><br />Back on the list:<br /><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpjGVyxZRDY\" target=\"_blank\">139 BPM - Britney Spears - Toxic (Armand Van Helden Remix)&nbsp; </a><br /><br />Cut From The List:<br /><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJH38M723aU\" target=\"_blank\">123 BPM - Shiny Toy Guns - Le Disko (too slow)</a><br /><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-jC3H_8Dk4\" target=\"_blank\">215 BPM - Good Charlotte - Lifestyles of The Rich And The Famous (too fast)</a><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlOAMKTj0hU\" target=\"_blank\"><br /></a> <br /><br />Again...let\'s not forget that disclaimer...<b>just because I\'d run to it...doesn\'t necessarily mean I\'d listen to it in real life.</b><br /><br /><a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/running-playlist\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Check out the running playlist here!&nbsp;</b></a>','Playlist Update - Go The Distance','','inherit','closed','closed','','90-revision-v1','','','2017-01-15 08:04:42','2017-01-15 13:04:42','',90,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/90-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(688,1,'2017-01-15 08:04:42','2017-01-15 13:04:42','SO just a quick update here. It\'s race day! Again. hah. Yes, at this point I\'m running 25 (probably more) races this year, so it seems like every other weekend is race day! TODAY is a fun one - <br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qDRo6vm2SWQ/UyRG-gsCPxI/AAAAAAAAGm8/Fw6225QgGZM/s1600/pacetoapint10afinalol.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qDRo6vm2SWQ/UyRG-gsCPxI/AAAAAAAAGm8/Fw6225QgGZM/s1600/pacetoapint10afinalol.jpg\" height=\"192\" width=\"320\" /></a></div>Pace To A Pint! This\'ll just be a quick update (quick compared to some of my other posts...) about what\'s been going on, why I haven\'t been writing much, and how CRAZY life is about to get. <br /><a name=\'more\'></a><br /><b><span style=\"font-size: large;\">So THIS is new ground...</span></b><br /><b><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&nbsp;</span></b> <br />Considering I only started running at the end of last March, and my first 5K ever was last May...I\'ve obviously never run a St. Patrick\'s day race before! This should be interesting! I\'ll give more details in the post-race recap (probably tomorrow) but for basics, it\'s a 5K race right at the Plymouth, MA waterfront! The race starts and ends right near Plymouth Rock, so there should be some great scenery along Plymouth\'s historic downtown area and waterfront. After the race there\'s a big post-race party - 9 pubs are participating! They really know how to get down with the get down at this race! Each runner gets a ticket for one free Harpoon beer, to be used at their choice of bar (figures they\'re not giving away tons of freebies on a St. Pat\'s race, huh?). <b>more on that later</b>.<br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>I\'ve been a busy little bee lately...</b></span><br /><br />And as such, my posting has suffered! Life is crazy - volunteering for my college fraternity (Delta Chi), work, running, wedding planning...lions and tigers and bears OH MY! So, naturally, things fall by the wayside...including, unfortunately, my posting. That should be changing soon - and it simply HAS to...because I have lots of BIG updates to share!<br /><br /><b><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Oh, and a <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/running-playlist\" target=\"_blank\">playlist update</a>!</span></b><br /><br />So, I\'ve updated my running playlist - <b>I\'d like to repeat my disclaimer:</b> Just because it\'s on my running playlist <b>DOES NOT </b>mean I actually listen to it in real life. I\'m sure you\'ll figure out which songs I mean. As has been the case before, everything 146 BPM and faster is also on a special \"sprint\" playlist for 5K\'s and maybe 10K\'s. Check out the additions and let me know what you think! Some of them might not stick...just kinda tryin\' it out. We shall see. <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/running-playlist\" target=\"_blank\">You can see the full, updated playlist sorted by BPM here.</a><br /><br /><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWPvK0Cwh3E\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">110 BPM - The All-American Rejects - Night Drive</a><br /><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWPvK0Cwh3E\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">126 BPM - Demi Lovato - Neon Lights</a><br /><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWPvK0Cwh3E\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">127 BPM - Nicki Minaj - Va Va Voom</a><br /><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWPvK0Cwh3E\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">128 BPM - Martin Garrix - Animals (Original Mix)&nbsp; </a><br /><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pCUuwgMbXA\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">128 BPM - Avicii - Hey Brother (Syn Cole Remix)</a><br /><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llyiQ4I-mcQ\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">136 BPM - Vengaboys - Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!!&nbsp; </a><br /><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Zbi0XmGtMw\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">136 BPM - Vengaboys - We Like To Party</a><br /><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hC8N9WywIqY\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">138 BPM - Miley Cyrus - See You Again&nbsp; </a><br /><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5fBdpreJiU\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">139 BPM - The Killers - Somebody Told Me&nbsp;</a><br /><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvf--10EYXw\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">140 BPM - 3OH!3 ft. Katy Perry - Starstrukk</a>&nbsp; <br /><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qptFFT11eEk\" target=\"_blank\">140 BPM - Cascada - Just Like A Pill&nbsp;</a><br /><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k85mRPqvMbE\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">140 BPM - Crazy Frog - Axel F</a><br /><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elo9svwGg0c\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">142 BPM - System Of A Down - Violent Pornography&nbsp; </a><br /><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgFwiCApH7E\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">148 BPM - Basshunter - Now You\'re Gone&nbsp;</a><br /><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNXmKiEqVx4\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">158 BPM - Metallica - Ain\'t My Bitch&nbsp; </a><br /><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QewNZn871s\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">180 BPM - Cascada - Sk8er Boi</a><br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>So that\'s all for now.</b></span><br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b><span style=\"font-size: small;\">I\'ll be sure to take lots of pictures today </span></b><span style=\"font-size: small;\">and give a thorough update tomorrow. Are YOU running today? Get out there and GET IT!</span><b><span style=\"font-size: small;\"></span>&nbsp;</b></span>','So What\'s Going On? (Playlist update included)','','inherit','closed','closed','','75-revision-v1','','','2017-01-15 08:04:42','2017-01-15 13:04:42','',75,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/75-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(699,1,'2017-01-15 08:05:50','2017-01-15 13:05:50','<div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A8n99vhRQcg/UhSlDm5MViI/AAAAAAAABWg/QjTQLWq4hWM/s1600/e-bk-easy-readers-04goldilocks-pic3-anim.gif\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A8n99vhRQcg/UhSlDm5MViI/AAAAAAAABWg/QjTQLWq4hWM/s1600/e-bk-easy-readers-04goldilocks-pic3-anim.gif\" /></a></div><br />I thought I was pretty original with this one, but apparently some scientists thought they were clever too...so I guess I have to be specific in my title. I\'m sure you\'re all familiar with the story of Goldilocks, right? Goldilocks and the three bears, three of everything, one was always too cold/little, one was too hot/big, and one was just right? Yeah...today, think of us - the American People, as Goldilocks. Forewarning - this is, to some degree, going to piggyback off of <a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/2013/08/america-fat.html\" target=\"_blank\">America The Fat</a>, so having read that might help you understand where I\'m coming from with some of this.<br /><br />The problem we face in our society and our culture today is - we can\'t find \"just right\" like Goldilocks did.<br /><a name=\'more\'></a>That\'s not necessarily all our fault either...we aren\'t generally <i>encouraged</i> to find \"just right\". Instead, we\'re told to pursue \"too small\" or \"too big\".<br />Look at the media, at TV, at movies, at society in general...everything we see either encourages us to be (what <b>I consider</b>) too skinny or tells us that being fat is OK. The examples of \"fat being OK\" are glaringly obvious and easy to see (my opinion) as its <b>thrown in our faces </b>to make those who are fat feel better, but the \"too skinny\" message is a little more subliminal than that, so let\'s tackle that first.<br /><br /><b>What is too skinny?</b><br /><br />I assume its easy to understand what \"too big\" means, and I\'m sure many of you can visualize it...but what about \"too skinny\"? What, exactly, constitutes \"too skinny\"?&nbsp; <b>\"Too skinny\" is a stick figure. </b>\"Too skinny\" has no muscle definition and looks like you\'d blow away in a strong breeze. When I think \"too skinny\", I think of people doing whatever they can to lose weight, be \"thin\", and look as tiny as they can. Guess what weighs a lot? <b>Muscle</b>. The \"diets\" many people do in order to lose weight and achieve \"too skinny\" don\'t just make you burn fat, they also force your body to break down muscle as well. <b>That\'s not healthy!</b> If your body is at a point where it has to break down muscle, it means it is <b>malnourished</b> and not getting enough nutrients and fuel! Here\'s my prime example:<br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><br /><b>Giuliana Rancic. </b>Those of you who watch E!, any kind of gossip news, the TV Guide channel or any kind of red carpet anything have seen this woman. So what\'s my issue with Giuliana?<br /><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;\"><tbody><tr><td style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Qp4KBMzQgc/UhS1M02xtQI/AAAAAAAABW8/U0E4zzv6qFQ/s1600/Giuliana.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Qp4KBMzQgc/UhS1M02xtQI/AAAAAAAABW8/U0E4zzv6qFQ/s320/Giuliana.jpg\" width=\"213\" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align: center;\">Img Credit - Fame</td></tr></tbody></table>Well, for one, she\'s a perfect example of the kind of body being shown by Hollywood to women as ideal, and let\'s be honest - what we see on TV, <b>especially</b> <i>those</i> sorts of programs, is meant to be our model for ourselves. We\'re taught to idolize the famous, envy the rich and powerful, and do what we can to be more like them. That said, look at some of the celebrities we\'re either told or supposed to imply are the standard of \"attractive\" that <b>we</b> should be - Giuliana being one (who, by the way, started her own \"fitness\" website to \"help\" others get in the \"perfect shape\"...). Keira Knightley is another one - Pirates of the Caribbean anyone?&nbsp; It\'s tough to find if you go out <b>searching</b> for it, but its there and its sneaky. I had to think about it for a minute, but then I looked at some pictures of Megan Fox from Transformers, and I can\'t decide without watching the movie again, but from pictures I can see online, she definitely rides the line. What was the big reaction to her in that movie though? <b>Sexy</b>. The problem with things like that is, while she may not actually <b>be</b> \"too skinny\", women, especially teenage girls and women in their early 20\'s, want to <b>be</b> that skinny, so<b> they become \"too skinny\" as a result</b>.<br /><br /><b>I will say</b> - while this IS still a problem, its becoming <i>less </i>of a problem as we begin to demonize certain celebrities and their behaviors - certain celebrities who, in addition to drug problems and bad behavior, <i>happen </i>to also be too skinny, so that becomes bad too. As long as there are celebrities like Giuliana who are being praised, and movies showing near-toothpicks like Megan Fox in Transformers, it will still be an issue...and frankly I don\'t foresee Hollywood casting directors changing that anytime soon.<br /><br /><b>How About \"Too Big\"?</b><br /><br />I want to be clear here - when I say \"too big\", I\'m not talking about people who are riding the line and are somewhere close to being \"just right\"...I\'m talking about people who are <u>clearly</u> \"too big\". Visibly overweight. When you <b>get winded going up a flight of stairs</b>, you might be \"too big\". When <b>you can\'t see your toes over your belly</b> you might be \"too big\". When <b>you regularly put down over half a pizza by yourself in one sitting</b> you might be \"too big\". The worst part of \"too big\" is that this country is making it OK. Let me give some examples:<br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sbc-b1-upK4/UhTIR7XfNKI/AAAAAAAABXI/gKQhDZ2OaDI/s1600/adele+fat.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"274\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sbc-b1-upK4/UhTIR7XfNKI/AAAAAAAABXI/gKQhDZ2OaDI/s320/adele+fat.jpg\" width=\"320\" /></a></div>Some of you may be familiar with this popular recording artist - Adele. She\'s a well-known big girl and I\'ve actually read a quote from her saying she\'s not concerned about weight and being skinny - she never plans to lose weight. She basically said she could be a house but as long as she\'s making quality albums she\'s ok with that. <b>That is the wrong message to send.</b> But that\'s not <i>really </i>what I\'m talking about: Adele\'s attitude, I feel, just <i>implies</i> that being overweight isn\'t something to worry about. What I\'m talking about is much worse than that. What I\'m talking about is a culture that makes it <b>acceptable</b> to be overweight. Teaches us that everyone is beautiful and to love your body.<br /><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;\"><tbody><tr><td style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K7S7UthwIdo/UhTI3niIKjI/AAAAAAAABXQ/KtJ8Lgczw64/s1600/Fat-Amy-pitch-perfect-32534849-720-720.jpg\" style=\"clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K7S7UthwIdo/UhTI3niIKjI/AAAAAAAABXQ/KtJ8Lgczw64/s320/Fat-Amy-pitch-perfect-32534849-720-720.jpg\" width=\"320\" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=\"text-align: center;\">Img credit - Fanpop</td></tr></tbody></table>Let\'s get this straight - <b>I thought Pitch Perfect was hilarious</b>. That said, now that I think about it, I have a <b>BIG</b> problem with the \"Fat Amy\" character. Basically, Fat Amy is teaching people that it\'s OK to be fat, that skinny girls (or \"twig bitches\") are mean and not to be admired, and that you should love yourself and your body regardless of your size. The movie uses her size for many jokes (both physical comedy and verbal jokes) which, of course, I would expect in a comedy. However, when you couple those jokes with the message the character is sending, you kind of <i>glorify</i> being big like that. They\'re portraying her as a strong character because she\'s overcoming adversity and being happy with herself. <b>I can\'t agree with that</b>. We shouldn\'t be teaching people that maintaining an unhealthy body fat percentage is ok. It creates health problems! High body fat percentage puts stress on your body in so many ways, it puts you at risk for heart disease, diabetes and more...<b>why are we telling people that\'s OK?</b> <br /><br /><b>I\'m gonna <a href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soapbox\" target=\"_blank\">get up on my soapbox</a> for a minute - this is going to be a long paragraph.</b><br /><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pd_yBWoBcyA/UhTL-F-MQVI/AAAAAAAABXg/GGqh3CfDWt8/s1600/soapbox.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pd_yBWoBcyA/UhTL-F-MQVI/AAAAAAAABXg/GGqh3CfDWt8/s320/soapbox.jpg\" width=\"304\" /></a><b>&nbsp;</b><br /><b>Your doctor </b>should be telling you what a healthy range is and helping you figure out a plan to get healthy. Your doctor should also be describing all the health risks associated with being overweight. One of my faithful readers and members of the <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/groups/sothisisfitness/\" target=\"_blank\">\"So Fit\" Family</a> messaged me a link a short while ago and I have to tell you it got me so fired up I wanted to pop. There are, apparently, doctors out there who are telling people <b>that it\'s OK to be fat</b>, that aren\'t making an issue of it, that aren\'t weighing you when you come in for a visit and tell you not to worry about losing weight. <b>I don\'t even know where to begin with this</b>.<br /><br />First off, a clarification - not all of the doctors on this list are internal <span></span><span></span>medicine - there is a wide variety. There are internal medicine, family medicine, naturopathic, OB/GYN, midwifery, psychologists, therapists, gastroenterologists, etc etc. What bothers me is that these are <b>doctors</b> making it <b>OK.</b> If nobody else in the universe tells you the health risks of being overweight and urges you to \"get healthy\", <b>your doctor should</b>. Frankly I think it\'s irresponsible and a violation of the <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocratic_Oath\" target=\"_blank\">Hippocratic Oath</a> to tell people it\'s OK and to tell them they don\'t need to worry about their weight or think about losing any. When someone walks in your office door and is 400 LBS...you offer them <b>help</b>, not a mozzarella stick (there is no tall person alive tall enough for 400 lbs to be healthy...please correct me if I\'m wrong). Now, don\'t bite my head off here - I understand that many people don\'t go to the doctor because they\'re embarrassed about their weight and don\'t want to weigh in, yes I do believe these people should be able to see a doctor without having to be ashamed...but if you feel ashamed because your doctor is telling you about the health risks you\'re currently facing...<b>shouldn\'t that be a hint that you\'re not happy and it\'s time to do something about it?</b> If the doctor is being a jerk about it and is intentionally making you feel ashamed about it, that\'s another thing entirely and I <b>don\'t condone</b> that, but what we have out there is the exact opposite - doctors making you <i>feel good</i> about being overweight! That\'s something that needs to stop. Another part that gets me fired up is: some of those doctors out there who are psychologists or therapists are basically preying on those who are overweight. These doctors get the overweight to come in under the auspices of caring about them and not making their weight an issue. <b>That\'s deceptive and dirty</b>. Ok...off my soapbox...<br /><br />Add on to all of those things we just talked about the general culture of \"love your body\" \"it\'s OK to be big\" and \"be happy\" that these promote and what you have is a nation of overweight people who are empowered to pick up that chicken wing and chow down because y\'know what...<b>I\'m OK with this and it\'s OK to be big! </b>Add in <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/07/the-inconvenience-factor-accepting.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"The I Don\'t Feel Like It Syndrome\" </a>and you have a recipie for disaster.<br /><br />Y\'know...let me tell you...I was Mr. I\'m-Big-I\'m-Not-Ashamed for a while but y\'know what...when I stopped fooling myself and lying to myself...I admitted that I really wasnt\' happy. That\'s when <a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/meet-darrell/my-journey\" target=\"_blank\">My Story</a> and <a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/meet-darrell/my-journey\" target=\"_blank\">My Transformation</a> began. Don\'t forget...<b>I was a pretty big guy</b>...so on a lot of this, I\'m speaking from experience. I may have seemed happy or tried to be happy, but I really wasn\'t. It was the biggest thing dragging me down in my life.<br /><b> </b><br /><b>So What Is \"Just Right\"?</b><br /><br />Do we really know what \"just right\" is? We\'re pulled in two directions so much that many people don\'t actually find the way to \"just right\" or the tools to figure out what exactly that is. Where\'s the happy medium between \"too big\" and \"too skinny\"? Well, many would say to follow a \"body mass index\" (BMI) chart...but I\'m not sure I agree with that. BMI charts follow age and height to find what your ideal weight range is. The government website where I found a BMI chart DID make a point to say that it is inaccurate for those with an athletic or muscular build, or for those who are older or who have lost muscle weight. Not everyone who is 24 and 5\'8\" should weight the same...some are lean builds and some are athletic. <b>So BMI Chart is out. My vote </b>is to use the Jackson &amp; Pollock chart.<br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nJq_iaqOctk/UhTMzJvQuXI/AAAAAAAABXo/MPScp5ti340/s1600/Ideal-Body-Fat-Percentage-Chart2.jpg\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nJq_iaqOctk/UhTMzJvQuXI/AAAAAAAABXo/MPScp5ti340/s1600/Ideal-Body-Fat-Percentage-Chart2.jpg\" /></a></div><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nGBM0EcTxW8/UhTNcEkvyvI/AAAAAAAABX4/XKPYemPz99k/s1600/Ideal-Body-Fat-Percentage-Chart3.jpg\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nGBM0EcTxW8/UhTNcEkvyvI/AAAAAAAABX4/XKPYemPz99k/s1600/Ideal-Body-Fat-Percentage-Chart3.jpg\" /></a></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div>These charts, I think, hit the nail on the head. They go by age and gender, and there is a range! Lean, Ideal, Average, and Above Average. I\'m gonna go ahead and say that, since this IS \"<a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/2013/08/america-fat.html\" target=\"_blank\">America The Fat</a>\" that \"average\" is probably \"slightly overweight\" and \"above average\" is probably \"too big\". I\'m not sure where I fall right now because I can\'t for the life of me figure out how much pressure to use when I use my body-fat measuring calipers. I\'ll go more in-depth on this in a later article, but the basics here are: women have higher acceptable body fat %\'s than men because they have more need of it in their bodies. These charts use age because as you get older, you naturally have / need more fat in your body. Like I said, <b>this is a really REALLY basic explanation</b> but the gist here is, I think this is the chart to follow. Ask your doctor to help you figure out your body fat percentage and go from there. This is also good for those building muscle as it allows you to account for muscle in your body - notice this chart <b>doesn\'t use weight</b> as a measurement! Imagine that...<b>weight itself isn\'t everything</b>.&nbsp; I feel like <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/07/why-workouts-fail-2-the-scale.html\" target=\"_blank\">I\'ve heard that somewhere before...</a><br /><br /><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AjTPjwp6uQQ/UetkdSWAiaI/AAAAAAAAA84/mALlnkHUDOk/s1600/wall-e-human.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"238\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AjTPjwp6uQQ/UetkdSWAiaI/AAAAAAAAA84/mALlnkHUDOk/s320/wall-e-human.jpg\" width=\"320\" /></a>\"Just Right\" is different for everyone. Some of you might want to fall into the \"ideal\" category, some of you might want to be a little more in the \"lean\" category. Just make sure if you\'re gonna go down the \"lean\" road you have some muscle in there...don\'t go down the \"lean\" road in such a way that you become \"too skinny\". I don\'t want to sound like I\'m putting down the \"love yourself\" idea, but you should be able to love yourself <b>and be healthy too!</b> It\'s all well and good that people want others to be happy, but there\'s nothing wrong with being<b> fit and healthy</b> as a means to be happy<b> </b>. All too often the \"fit\" people are demonized as the jerks, the evil ones, the people <b>putting me down for being fat. The sad truth is, </b>there are \"fit\" people out there who DO actually do that. So my advice to you is - <b>Offer help, not hate.&nbsp; </b>Part of why this whole \"love yourself, fat is OK\" thing is out there is because of \"the jerks at the gym\". Let\'s try to turn that image around, ok? Otherwise Goldilocks is never going to find \"just right\" and we\'ll end up like the humans in <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WALL-E\" target=\"_blank\">Wall-E</a>. Nobody wants that. <br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div>','The Goldilocks Problem - Body Image','','inherit','closed','closed','','113-revision-v1','','','2017-01-15 08:05:50','2017-01-15 13:05:50','',113,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/113-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(700,1,'2017-01-15 08:05:51','2017-01-15 13:05:51','Let\'s have a little talk about <b>-Haters-</b>.<br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-80WmeXeDx6M/UhtMBo-Un6I/AAAAAAAABYI/i88hlw2LLJQ/s1600/hatersgonnahatethumb.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"225\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-80WmeXeDx6M/UhtMBo-Un6I/AAAAAAAABYI/i88hlw2LLJQ/s400/hatersgonnahatethumb.jpg\" width=\"400\" /></a></div><br />We all know what haters are. We all probably <b>know</b> some haters too. Odds are, many of you out there might even <b>have</b> haters of your <i>very own!</i> I\'ll go ahead and say that 90% or more of the haters out there are the people I\'m talking about in this post. Up to 10% might have a legitimate reason for hating...maybe. For the purposes of this article, let\'s assume we\'re talking about the 90% that I\'m about to describe.<br /><br />Ultimately, I have to say..<b>.I don\'t hate haters.</b> If you think about it the way I do...you can\'t help but love them just because of their very nature.<b> </b>Haters are <b>important! </b>Just not for the reason they wish they were. On this Motivational Monday morning, I think its time to talk about <b>the haters.</b><br /><br /><b>What drives a hater? What do Haters...hate? Why?</b><br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a><br />So, before we go on...you might be wondering what exactly I mean by \"hate\". <b>What does it mean to be \"hated on\"?</b> How does someone \"hate on\" you?<br /><br />Think back to elementary school, middle school...yes even high school. The haters will <b>make fun of you. </b>The haters will <b>belittle you and your achievements. </b>The haters will try to <b>recruit others </b>to their side to make you feel like you\'re <b>all alone</b>. The haters will <b>bully you </b>and <b>badmouth you. </b>Haters will <b>spread rumors </b>about you. They\'ll try to make you feel like everything you\'re doing <b>doesn\'t matter </b>and no matter what you do, in the end you\'re <b>just a loser</b> wasting their time. <br /><br />If you\'ve seen people getting \"hated on\", you\'ve probably wondered what that person did to \"deserve it\". If <b>you\'re</b> getting \"hated on\" yourself, its probably bothering you that you <b>don\'t know why</b>! I\'m going to make this REALLY simple:<br /><br /><b><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Haters Hate Your Success&nbsp;</span></b><br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-76T_sSFFaFU/UhtNkxLQqwI/AAAAAAAABYU/lYjvob5e8hw/s1600/hatersmeme.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-76T_sSFFaFU/UhtNkxLQqwI/AAAAAAAABYU/lYjvob5e8hw/s320/hatersmeme.jpg\" width=\"320\" /></a></div><b>Yes. It really is that simple.</b> Haters are <b>bitter</b>. Haters are <b>jealous</b>. Haters see in <b>you</b> a reflection of everything they wish <b>they</b> were. Haters want to be able to achieve what <b>you</b> have achieved. Have you lost weight recently? <b>Your hater feels fat.</b> Have you run a race? <b>Your hater wishes they could run. </b>Your hater DID run that race? <b>You got a better time than them</b>. I\'m sure you get the point.<br /><br />I know this seems really childish and like something that belongs in grade school...but it\'s the unfortunate truth. Rather than celebrate your successes with you the haters try to wash it away and put you down. Rather than try to improve themselves and work on their shortcomings, they focus their energy on <b>bringing. you. down</b>.<br /><br />But <b>why?</b><br /><br /><b>Because the haters can\'t be bothered to do the work.</b><br /><br />Haters are often people who suffer from things like <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/07/the-inconvenience-factor-accepting.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"The I Don\'t Feel Like It Syndrome\"</a>.<b> </b>Maybe <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/07/defeating-demotivators-1-fear-monster.html\" target=\"_blank\">The Fear Monster</a> has them in it\'s grasp. <b>Maybe </b>they\'ve got a <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/07/why-workouts-fail-1-napoleon-complex.html\" target=\"_blank\">Napoleon Complex</a> or <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/07/why-workouts-fail-2-the-scale.html\" target=\"_blank\">The Scale </a>discouraged them so badly they just can\'t bring themselves to try anymore. <b>Maybe they\'re lost in <a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/2013/08/america-fat.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"America The Fat\"</a>. Or perhaps </b>they just can\'t drum up the<a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/2013/07/conquer-the-truth-about-motivation.html\" target=\"_blank\"> motivation</a> to get it done. Whatever the reason...<b>SOMETHING</b> is keeping the haters from getting what they want and being happy, and it\'s everything that <b>YOU </b>have managed to work past to reach your successes and keep on going. <b>That makes your haters very mad</b>. It <b>frustrates them</b>. People often get angry or begin to <b>hate </b>what frustrates them or what they can\'t understand.<b> </b>So since the hater can\'t get past whatever it is stopping them...the mindset becomes toxic.<br /><br /><b>If the hater can\'t have success, neither can you!</b><br /><br /><b>THAT,</b> in a nutshell, is why haters hate. If the hater can\'t be happy...if the hater can\'t lose weight...if the hater can\'t run a race, get an A+, get a girlfriend, get a promotion...<b>neither should you</b>. They <b>hate</b> seeing you get what they want. That\'s why they hate on you and try to bring you down - <b>they\'re trying to make you quit</b>.&nbsp;<b> </b>But <b>this </b>is why I <b>love </b>haters.<br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Haters let you know you\'re doing a good job</b></span><br /><br />Honestly, the more hate I\'m catching...the harder my haters are hating, the <b>better</b> I must be doing. If they\'re hating on me <b>that much harder</b> then I <i>must </i>be making <b>that much greater</b> of an achievement. THAT is why I said haters are so important - <b>haters are your success meter!</b> Don\'t let them drag you down or discourage you - rather, let your haters <b>be encouragement</b> to go harder. See <b>how much</b> you can make the haters <b>hate </b>you. I\'d like to hope that eventually they\'ll either <b>give up hating</b> or start backing you, but it could very well be the case that they just <b>can\'t get past</b> whatever their own problem is...and they\'ll just keep on hating. <b>So what. Let them hate. </b>Just remember what it means.<br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rdYuObL40sc/UhtT3ipSrDI/AAAAAAAABYk/ibm6uS1uZFE/s1600/tumblr_md5tvm53DT1qmp520o1_500.jpg\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"292\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rdYuObL40sc/UhtT3ipSrDI/AAAAAAAABYk/ibm6uS1uZFE/s400/tumblr_md5tvm53DT1qmp520o1_500.jpg\" width=\"400\" /></a></div><br />By <b>continuing to do what you\'re doing </b>you\'re sending a message to your haters:<br /><br /><b>Your Opinion Does Not Matter. </b><br /><br />Your continued success and your positive attitude lets the haters know that <b>they are powerless to stop you.</b> In the end, you should probably <b>take pity on your haters - </b>they <b>wish</b> they could do what you\'re doing but they can\'t beat their own roadblocks. They <b>can\'t plow through </b>like you have and get down the road to success.&nbsp; <br /><br /><b>Sucks to suck.&nbsp;</b><br /><br />So next time someone starts hating on you or trying to bring you down...<b>just smile at them, </b>walk away, and know that <b>you </b>are what someone else wishes they could be. <b>Don\'t let the haters get you down or stop you - let them push you and encourage you </b>to keep achieving new heights. <b>Don\'t be afraid </b>to post those <a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/meet-darrell/my-journey\" target=\"_blank\">before &amp; after pictures</a>. Don\'t be afraid to <a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/meet-darrell/my-journey\" target=\"_blank\">talk about how you got where you are.</a><br /><br /><b>Don\'t be afraid to keep becoming a better you. </b>\"Haters gonna hate\".<br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Let \'em. </b></span>','Haters','','inherit','closed','closed','','107-revision-v1','','','2017-01-15 08:05:51','2017-01-15 13:05:51','',107,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/107-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(701,1,'2017-01-15 08:05:51','2017-01-15 13:05:51','<b><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">I Have Lost My Way.</span></b><br /><br />I\'ve been lost, wandering, and floundering nutritionally and in my fitness since just before my wedding last August. Going on 6 months now. 3 months of flat-out not working out, and 3 months of trying and failing to stick with a program. <b>Nothing has stuck.</b>&nbsp;I feel lost.<br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OQxbGs-nMgc/VO237tZVcNI/AAAAAAAAWi0/OO0f4wDP5rU/s1600/backtobasics.png\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OQxbGs-nMgc/VO237tZVcNI/AAAAAAAAWi0/OO0f4wDP5rU/s1600/backtobasics.png\" height=\"320\" width=\"320\" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b>This is not a new feeling for me,</b>&nbsp;and I don\'t like how the rest of the story goes. I know there are others, probably some people reading this, who are in the same boat - forward progress has come to a complete <b>halt</b>, or maybe never began in the first place. Eventually everyone will hit a plateau, or flounder, or get lost, or fall off the wagon...the trick is centering yourself and getting back on track.<br /><br />Fortunately, I know how to stop this and right the ship. I\'m not going to allow myself to go back over 200 lbs.<br /><b><br /></b><b><span style=\"font-size: large;\">It\'s time to go back to basics.</span></b><br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a>So what exactly <i>are</i>&nbsp;those \"basics\"? Is there some magic fix for this situation? <b><i>Sure there is. </i>Strap in, this is gonna be a doozie (</b>the revelation AND this blog post) -<br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Proper Nutrition and Exercise</b></span><br /><br />There, <b>I said it.</b>&nbsp;And let\'s be honest - <i>you knew I was going to.</i>&nbsp;The basics: Proper Nutrition and Exercise. It kind of <b>is</b>&nbsp;magic how well it works. Eating the right amount of the right stuff will do the trick, and getting some exercise will help the process - it\'s&nbsp;that easy and that complicated.<br /><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KdHZml2SBLY/VOseW8tZJEI/AAAAAAAAWeQ/NPOYkTnzjY0/s1600/0ff7ef9a0a648459f0d57b7b5c479e39.jpg\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KdHZml2SBLY/VOseW8tZJEI/AAAAAAAAWeQ/NPOYkTnzjY0/s1600/0ff7ef9a0a648459f0d57b7b5c479e39.jpg\" /></a><br /><b>So where do I even begin? How do I figure out what \"the right amount\" and the \"right stuff\" is?</b><br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Step 1: What is your goal?</b></span><br /><br />You have to know where you\'re going before you can figure out how to get there. We\'ll keep it simple right now and lump all your possible goals into three categories:&nbsp;<b>do you want to gain weight (build muscle), lose weight (burn fat) or maintain (stay the same)?</b><br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Step 2: How much should I eat?</b></span><br /><br /><b>This is the deceptively hard part.</b>&nbsp;How many calories do you think you should be eating? <b>You might be shocked by the answer.</b><br /><br /><b>Process:</b><br />A. Figure out your BMR - B. Figure out your \"Maintenance Number\" - C. Figure out your target calories<br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6xYhbvtdZ2k/VO29nqe8YRI/AAAAAAAAWjA/qy5PUJoLKyU/s1600/il_fullxfull.404065856_f7vh.jpg\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6xYhbvtdZ2k/VO29nqe8YRI/AAAAAAAAWjA/qy5PUJoLKyU/s1600/il_fullxfull.404065856_f7vh.jpg\" height=\"320\" width=\"207\" /></a></div><b>Part A.) BMR is your \"Basal Metabolic Rate\" - </b>it\'s how many calories you burn simply <i>existing</i>...y\'know, like, comatose. There are several formulas you can use to figure this out...I prefer the Mifflin - St. Jeor (and <a href=\"http://www.adajournal.org/article/PIIS0002822305001495/abstract\">a recent ADA study</a> found it to be the most accurate).<br /><br /><i>W = weight in kilograms<br />(weight (lbs) / 2.2) =weight in kg</i><br /><i>H = height in centimeters <br />(inches x 2.54) = height in cm</i><br /><i>A = age in years</i><br /><br /><b>Men</b><br /><b>(10 x W) + (6.25 x H) - (5 x A) + 5 = BMR</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Women</b><br /><b>(10 x W) + (6.25 x H) - (5 x A) - 161 = BMR</b><br /><br />Save this number - you\'re going to need it in a minute.<br /><br /><b>Part B.) How active are you?</b><br /><br />Some people sit at a desk all day and some people are constantly moving - how active you are VERY MUCH affects how much you should eat in a day. Multiply your BMR by whichever of the following applies to you:<br /><br />BMR x 1.2 - Sedentary (Desk job - sit around a lot)<br />BMR x 1.3 or 1.4 - Light Activity (light activity job...walking a bit)<br />BMR x 1.5 or 1.6 - Moderate Activity (waitress or other \"moving\" job)<br />BMR x 1.7 or 1.8 - High Activity (physically demanding lifestyle)<br />BMR x 1.9, 2.0, 2.1 or 2.2 - Extreme Activity (VERY Active physicaly-engaging job/Professional Athlete)<br /><br /><b>The result is the number of calories you must eat to stay exactly where you are: your \"maintenance calories\".&nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Part C.) Factor in your goal - lose, maintain, or gain.</b><br /><br />Earlier, in Part A, what did you decide was your goal? Lose weight (burn fat), gain weight (build muscle mass) or maintain (stay the same)? If you said \"maintain\", then the \"maintenance calories\" number we just figured out is your number.<br /><br /><b>If you want to lose weight: </b>Generally, consuming 80% of your \"maintenance calories\" will lead you to a 1 lb/week weight loss. If you\'ve got a LOT to lose, you can safely go to about 60% of your maintenance calories for a 2 lb/week loss - <u><b>this is the absolute </b></u><b><u>MINIMUM</u>&nbsp;</b>amount of calories you should eat.<br /><b><br /></b><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-StcR16knvmQ/VO8HnX3uAxI/AAAAAAAAWjo/BpuX037O9sg/s1600/starve.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-StcR16knvmQ/VO8HnX3uAxI/AAAAAAAAWjo/BpuX037O9sg/s1600/starve.jpg\" height=\"184\" width=\"320\" /></a></div><b>If you eat too little</b>&nbsp;you are not doing yourself any favors - your body can go into \"survival mode\", afraid it will never receive food again, and store away a lot of what you give it as fat.<br /><br /><b>The absolute minimum calories you should ever eat, REGARDLESS of the above calculations, are below - NEVER go below these numbers. If your calculations try to take you lower, stop here.<br />1200 - women |&nbsp;</b><b>1500 - men</b><br /><br /><b>Want to GAIN weight? - </b>Instead of <i>subtracting</i>&nbsp;20% or 40% from your \"maintenance calories\"...ADD 20% or 40%. This should be <i>roughly</i> a 500 or 1000 calorie addition. Adding much more than that won\'t result in muscle gain...just fat.<br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Step 3: What should I eat?</b></span><br /><br />This, too, will depend on your goals. The general guideline is \"eat clean\" and eliminate the junk. You can try doing this in 2 stages so it\'s not such a shock to the system:<br /><br />Stage 1 - Avoid fried foods, fast food, and soda, limit refined (white) sugar.<br />Stage 2 - Eliminate white sugar &amp; limit artificial sweeteners (raw turbinado cane sugar is ok), try to do brown/wild rice &amp; whole grain bread/pasta instead of white. Stick to lean meats (chicken, fish, lean beef, turkey, etc).<br /><br /><b>Macro-nutrient ratios are important too!</b>&nbsp;- Everything you eat is made up of 3 \"macro nutrients\" - Protein, Carbohydrates, &amp; Fat. Make sure that these are balanced in the correct ratio and you\'ll do a lot to help yourself. <b>GENERALLY</b>, for fat loss, I like to stick with 50% protein, 30% carb, 20% fat. If you\'re trying to gain weight or doing some sort of athletic performance, you\'ll probably need more carbs (we\'ll cover macros in more detail another day).<br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Step 4: When should I eat?</b></span><br /><br /><b>This is really up to you, </b>though I DO have some guidelines:<br /><br /><b>1.) ALWAYS eat breakfast</b><br />Breakfast really IS the most important meal of the day - it starts the fire and kicks your metabolism into gear. Make it count, have a couple hundred calories...take the early opportunity and throw some carbs on the fire!<br /><br /><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-07ud1bs8KK0/VO_mLn3DNNI/AAAAAAAAWkM/E9sOzPJRMuE/s1600/3551638908_2337b577ac_z.jpg\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-07ud1bs8KK0/VO_mLn3DNNI/AAAAAAAAWkM/E9sOzPJRMuE/s1600/3551638908_2337b577ac_z.jpg\" height=\"200\" width=\"188\" /></a><b>2.) The Carb/Protein sliding scale</b><br />Short answer - Eat the majority of your carbs early in the day when your body needs the fuel for the fire, less carbs as the day goes on. More on this another day.<br /><br /><b>3.) Smaller, more frequent meals</b><br />Again, think of your metabolism like a fire - dumping a big pile of wood on the fire all at once makes it slow down and work through that big pile. If, every so often, you throw a little wood on the fire it will flare up and burn steady, shredding everything you throw at it.<br /><br /><b>4.) Spread it out</b><br />I trained myself to eat every 2 hours, and I continue that for as long as I\'m awake. Think about it - the longer you\'re awake - the more you\'re doing - the more fuel you need. My last meal is generally 2 (maybe 3) hours before bed. Coupled with the smaller/more frequent meal idea...this is a recipe for success.<br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Step 5: Exercise - and eat what you burn!</b></span><br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HkZS3O7917I/VPBb8wAf6ZI/AAAAAAAAWkc/keRl20oNPeQ/s1600/SedentaryVsExercise.png\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HkZS3O7917I/VPBb8wAf6ZI/AAAAAAAAWkc/keRl20oNPeQ/s1600/SedentaryVsExercise.png\" height=\"320\" width=\"268\" /></a></div><b>Getting your nutrition in line is 80% of the battle</b>, but exercising is important too! Exercise is a good way to (obviously) burn more calories, build some muscle, look (and feel) better, and just generally be healthier. It helps you really take charge of your health and get your fitness super-charged!<br /><br />Everyone has different needs - some people don\'t want to work out in a gym for whatever reason (maybe you\'re not a self-starter, need constant hand-holding, and can\'t afford a personal trainer 6 days a week). Some people CANNOT work out at home (distractions, lack of motivation, etc). Whatever your needs/desires, there IS an option out there for you! Maybe I can even help (and I\'d be happy to!)!&nbsp;Regardless of the path you choose...one of the most important things to remember...<br /><br /><b>EAT THE CALORIES YOU BURN IN YOUR WORKOUT!</b><br /><b><br /></b>Yes, in order to lose weight you need to burn more calories than you take in. However...you\'re <b>already doing that</b>&nbsp;by doing all that math you did earlier in this post! <b>It is crucial</b>&nbsp;that you add the calories burned in a workout to your target calories for the day. <br /><br />How do you figure out how many calories you burned? Most cardio equipment can give you a good estimate or you could invest in a wearable heart rate monitor (I recommend doing that). If you\'re looking for guidance/recommendations feel free to comment on this post. <b>So what\'s the bottom line here?</b><br /><b><br /></b><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Exercise &amp; Proper Nutrition Are The \"Basics\" That Will Make It Happen!</b></span><br /><br />If you don\'t see the scale move...don\'t get discouraged...remember - <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/07/why-workouts-fail-2-the-scale.html\">that number isn\'t the only one that means something.</a>&nbsp;If you\'d like a little help/guidance feel free to email me (Darrell@SoTHISIsFitness.com) or leave a comment on this post.<br /><br /><i>Disclaimer: I am not a nutritionist/registered dietitian or doctor - I have simply gone to the school of hard knocks. I have learned this through my own independent research, peer interaction, and trial/error.</i>','Back To Basics','','inherit','closed','closed','','44-revision-v1','','','2017-01-15 08:05:51','2017-01-15 13:05:51','',44,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/44-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(702,1,'2017-01-15 08:05:51','2017-01-15 13:05:51','<div><b><span style=\"font-size: large;\">It\'s that time of year again.</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>New Year\'s Eve. That means January 1st is tomorrow. Those of us in the fitness world know all too well what\'s about to happen...<br /><br /><b>The gym is about to get <i>crushed.</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dbPkbIGzEgA/VoVcxgdUGJI/AAAAAAAAiz4/JBVlsX-xCqE/s1600/New-Years-Gym-Meme-07.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"200\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dbPkbIGzEgA/VoVcxgdUGJI/AAAAAAAAiz4/JBVlsX-xCqE/s200/New-Years-Gym-Meme-07.jpg\" width=\"200\" /></a></div>Yes, the annual <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2014/12/gympocalypse-2015.html\" target=\"_blank\">Gympocalypse</a> is upon us once more. \"They\" are coming. \"They\" - those who claim \"Yes, THIS will be my year! This time, <b>this time </b>by golly I\'ll actually do it!\".<br /><br /><b>I can hear my fellow gym-goers already.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>\"Ah <i>shit...</i>\" - \"Don\'t worry, they\'ll be gone in a few weeks.\" - etc. Gym rats the world over already hate these people about to invade their holy spaces, and they\'re not shy about sending the message of <b>\"you\'re not welcome. Be Gone, you of weak mind and body.\"</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>I know these \"resolutioners\" all too well.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Yes, I know your type. I\'ve got your number. I know what you\'re all about, how you tick, and what, exactly, the formula here is. I know how this is going to go...so...</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span style=\"font-size: large;\">I have my own message for you...</span></b></div><div><a name=\'more\'></a><br /><b><span style=\"font-size: large;\">You\'d better dig in.</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Yeah, <b>I DO know your type.</b> It\'s one of a few: <br /><br />Maybe you\'ve tried and failed before, lost hope temporarily but still aren\'t willing to give up the dream of finally being happy with your body.</div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe you used to be Mr./Ms. Athletic...and thanks to \"life\" you fell out of it. Now you\'ve finally mustered up the courage to find your way back to the promised land, but it\'ll be harder now.</div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe you\'ve never been the athletic or \"fit\" type...but hey, <b>why not me?</b>&nbsp;And y\'know what, now seems like a great time. There\'s New Year\'s specials!<br /><br /></div><div><b>Am I close? Probably.</b></div><div><br />So I\'ll say it again: <b>You\'d better dig in.</b>&nbsp;Why?<br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>This is going to take time and effort.</b></span><br /><br />Yes, your body will change. <b>However,</b>&nbsp;nobody said it was an easy task...and <b>it will not happen overnight. </b>It might take anywhere from 1 - 3 months to start seeing visible change. And that\'s <b>if </b><i style=\"font-weight: bold;\">you work out enough</i>.&nbsp;It\'s generally accepted that you need to work out (i.e. a <i>structured workout routine) </i>consistently&nbsp;at least 3 days a week (Says who? <a href=\"http://www.businessinsider.com/we-asked-an-exercise-scientist-how-many-days-a-week-you-need-to-work-out-to-actually-make-a-difference-2015-6\" target=\"_blank\">Here</a>, <a href=\"http://www.mensfitness.com/training/pro-tips/question-week-how-much-workout\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>, and <a href=\"http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/diet-fitness/information/how-often-should-i-work-out.htm\" target=\"_blank\">here</a> are examples).<br /><b><br /></b><b>Please <i>don\'t get discouraged</i>&nbsp;</b>when things don\'t go your way. Keep at it. If you\'re not getting anywhere...<br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Ask for help.</b></span><br /><br /><b>Nobody at the gym expects you to be a pro</b>...but they DO expect you not to act like an idiot. You should know \"gym etiquette\", you should have a plan, and you should <b>refrain from being a jerk.</b><br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zwmpn1uQFmg/VoVeasbBbpI/AAAAAAAAi0E/mq-qOwKbd4o/s1600/funny-pics-i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"200\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zwmpn1uQFmg/VoVeasbBbpI/AAAAAAAAi0E/mq-qOwKbd4o/s200/funny-pics-i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing.jpg\" width=\"200\" /></a></div><b>\"Being a jerk\"? </b>Not putting away your weights/equipment. Aimlessly occupying space. Sitting on a piece of equipment <i>reading a book</i>.&nbsp;Talking/texting/selfie-ing in the gym. Making excessive grunting/groaning/noises in an attempt to look impressive. All of these, and just generally being obnoxious, are great ways to make more tenured gym members (and even your fellow resolutioners) absolutely <b>hate</b>&nbsp;you. So don\'t do it.<br /><br />Don\'t have a plan/program/routine? <b>Get one.</b>&nbsp;Your best bet is an actual, legitimate personal trainer. They are educated, certified, and know what they\'re talking about. They understand how to build a plan specific to YOU that will get you the results you want. They will push you past your perceived limits. They will motivate and encourage you. I recommend it.<br /><br />Not willing to pay for a trainer? <b>You\'re gonna have to learn it the hard way. </b>Make sure you\'ve got both cardio AND strength in your plan.&nbsp;You\'re going to have to do lots of research, and lots of trial-and-error. And that\'s fine. It\'s what I did, and I turned out just fine. Would\'ve been easier with a trainer, though.<br /><br />You\'re either paying in cash money or your time and effort...you choose. Either way,&nbsp;<b>you get what you pay for.</b><br /><br />Got some general questions? Need a little motivation or encouragement? If you look like you\'re genuinely making an effort, many of the more tenured and experienced gym members might be willing to help rather than make you feel unwelcome. The staff at your gym (not necessarily a personal trainer) should be able to help out, too.<br /><br />It\'s tough to get help, though, <i>if the staff doesn\'t care</i>...so...<br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Choose wisely.</b></span><br /><br />The right gym/health club can make a <b>huge</b>&nbsp;difference.&nbsp;Unfortunately, there are many gyms out there that <b>know</b>&nbsp;how likely you are to fail. And that\'s <b>fine by them</b>. They are more than happy to sign you up, take your money, and never talk to you again (unless you have a billing problem). I work in a gym...and <i style=\"font-weight: bold;\">I hate those clubs.</i>&nbsp;They make us all look bad. I could go on for days (seriously...you mention Planet Fitness and I see red)...<br /><br />Again, as a general rule, <b>you get what you pay for.</b>&nbsp;If a gym is touting only their low low price, how many \"free\" things they\'re throwing at you, and \"<i>no commitment!\"</i>...<b>walk away. </b><u style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><i>Trust me.</i></u>&nbsp;On the flip side...unless there\'s a pool, steam/sauna, tennis/racquetball, and I get a personal trainer at least weekly...&nbsp;I see no need for a gym membership to cost much more than $60/month (with commitment). On that note...<br /><br /><b>DON\'T FEAR \"COMMITMENT\".</b><br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pEELwDyyl0o/VoVhdK5Aj0I/AAAAAAAAi0Q/bO4HaB4llvE/s1600/commitment.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"200\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pEELwDyyl0o/VoVhdK5Aj0I/AAAAAAAAi0Q/bO4HaB4llvE/s200/commitment.jpg\" width=\"161\" /></a></div>There is <b>NOTHING </b>wrong with signing a commitment term at a gym. We\'ve established that this is going to take a while, right? So why do you have a problem committing to that period of time? If a gym lets you sign up without a commitment they are <i>inviting you to give up and fail</i>. Some days you are NOT going to want to get out of bed. You might falter, miss a month (or two...or five...), and want to quit because \"you\'re throwing money out the window\". When you\'re hanging by a thread and you\'re ready to throw in the towel...<b>that commitment might be what gets you back on track.</b>&nbsp;So quit whining, quit making excuses, and <b>sign up, already.&nbsp;</b><br /><br />That said...making the right choice of gym isn\'t the last piece of the puzzle.<br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>This is bigger than just \"going to the gym\"</b></span><br /><br />Yes, unfortunately, the \"new you\" doesn\'t just happen by arriving at the gym 3x/week. You can work out 3 hours a day 8 days a week and <b><i>crush it</i></b>...but it doesn\'t matter if you <b>don\'t eat right.</b><br /><br />Nutrition is a <i>critically important part</i>&nbsp;of your new fitness journey. Get rid of the garbage, get more of the good stuff, and develop good habits of how and when to fuel yourself with that good stuff.<br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IfO_djN_fRM/VoVh4TvrPJI/AAAAAAAAi0c/H0TCsMYxc3k/s1600/Food-Choices.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"179\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IfO_djN_fRM/VoVh4TvrPJI/AAAAAAAAi0c/H0TCsMYxc3k/s320/Food-Choices.jpg\" width=\"320\" /></a></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><b>What\'s \"garbage\"?</b> Some is obvious, some is not. If it gets to you in a paper bag through your car window...<b>it\'s probably garbage.</b>&nbsp;Use your noggin - you know if you shouldn\'t be eating it. <br /><br /><b>What\'s good?</b>&nbsp;Veggies, lean meats, chicken, fish, whole grains, fruits (in moderation), etc.&nbsp;The less \"processed\" it is, the better. The shorter the ingredients list and the more of it you can pronounce/understand, the better. You <b>do not have to remove</b>&nbsp;an entire category (like fat, or carbs) from your diet.<br /><br /><b>How/when do I eat?</b>&nbsp;Think of food as fuel. The more of your day you have left, the more fuel you need to get through it. \"Breakfast like a king, lunch like a peasant, dinner like a pauper.\" Better yet, take it to the next level by learning to eat small meals (200 - 400 calories depending on your needs) every 2 to 3 hours. That method will keep your metabolism fired up, give you more energy, and you won\'t binge because you\'re over-hungry.<br /><br /><b>\"Diets do not work long-term\".</b>&nbsp;Focus on making choices and behavior modifications that you can stick with. This is a <i>lifestyle change</i>, not a temporary diet.<br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tXM0WUABlnA/VoViXanIVeI/AAAAAAAAi0o/pANOPZUuf40/s1600/Diets-and-quick-fixes-.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"178\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tXM0WUABlnA/VoViXanIVeI/AAAAAAAAi0o/pANOPZUuf40/s320/Diets-and-quick-fixes-.jpg\" width=\"320\" /></a></div><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Remember why you\'re doing this.</b></span><br /><br /><b>This is a lot of work.</b>&nbsp;If you lose sight of why you\'re doing it in the first place...it\'s not going to seem worth it to you, and you <b><i>will</i> fail.</b>&nbsp;Make sure you\'ve got a concrete, attainable goal. Something measurable. Maybe it\'s a size of clothing to fit into. Maybe it\'s finishing a 5K/10K/Marathon. Maybe it\'s being able to do 5 pull-ups. I recommend NOT making it a weight goal...and <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/07/why-workouts-fail-2-the-scale.html\" target=\"_blank\">here\'s why</a>.<br /><br />Yes, it\'s a lot of work...but <b>you CAN do it. </b>It\'s <u>worth it</u>.<br /><br /><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>You are not alone.</b></span><br /><br /></div><div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aqce_JPWhMQ/UsubdlYGmeI/AAAAAAAAGK0/NszU25ihyks/s1600/aftert25front.jpg\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"200\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aqce_JPWhMQ/UsubdlYGmeI/AAAAAAAAGK0/NszU25ihyks/s200/aftert25front.jpg\" width=\"200\" /></a></div>I know you because <b>I used to be one of you.</b>&nbsp;August 2012 I was about 305. Today I\'m running marathons to train for ultramarathons. You don\'t necessarily have to run marathons...the point is...if I can do it, so can you. I may not have joined the gym in January...but <b>so what?</b>&nbsp;Joining in January doesn\'t make you any less a member or any less able to do it than someone who started in August or May.<br /><br />Don\'t quit, believe in your ability to do it, and stick with it. Unless you\'re injured or sick from the neck down...drag yourself out of bed and make your workout happen <i>at all costs</i>.<br /><br />This <b>can</b>&nbsp;happen. It <b>is</b>&nbsp;a lot of work. So you\'d better dig in, believe, commit, and <b>make it happen.</b>&nbsp;This CAN be your year...so let\'s do this.</div>','To The \"Resolutioners\" Eyeing The Gym','','inherit','closed','closed','','26-revision-v1','','','2017-01-15 08:05:51','2017-01-15 13:05:51','',26,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/26-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(703,1,'2017-01-15 08:06:17','2017-01-15 13:06:17','A lot has happened in the last sixteen days. In order to make fundraising for The V Foundation possible I\'ve been hitting the pavement hard in search of sponsors for <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/08/on-to-the-next-one-131.html\" target=\"_blank\">my big half-marathon run</a>. I\'m happy to say...I\'ve been incredibly successful! I\'ve been floored by the outpouring of support and by all the businesses who have responded to my story and have committed to sponsoring me! I want to recognize and thank all of my sponsors and talk about how some of them have gone a step further to support me, but I can\'t do ALL of that in one post...it\'d be too long and you\'d get bored.&nbsp; Instead, let\'s talk about one particular addition to what\'s becoming <b>two months of training and races</b>.<br /><br /><b>Those who have been reading</b> \"So THIS Is Fitness...\" know that Sportclips is the title sponsor for my half-marathon run. I called that the \"platinum level\" sponsor. I have also been seeking Gold and Silver level sponsors. One of the Gold level sponsors I\'ve secured went a step further and, among other things, went beyond the \"Gold\" level, allowing me to register for another race in preparation for the half-marathon! <b>That\'s awesome! </b>What race? Who did it?<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a><br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xwqUQpmiSgA/UiANlyusqwI/AAAAAAAABY0/bGSP2Wyd-94/s1600/Mocean-Logo-22-300x102.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"135\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xwqUQpmiSgA/UiANlyusqwI/AAAAAAAABY0/bGSP2Wyd-94/s400/Mocean-Logo-22-300x102.jpg\" width=\"400\" /></a></div><a href=\"http://moceancapecod.com/\" target=\"_blank\">MOCEAN Cape Cod</a>! <b>That\'s </b>who. I poked my head in to the store one day (in Mashpee Commons, by the way), had a GREAT conversation with Ryan, the owner, and he seemed really into the blog, my story, and what I was trying to do. He threw out a lot of great ideas and hopefully late in September or early October we\'ll be able to hold a fundraising event at his store (as long as I can think one up!). He was so into everything I\'ve got going on with this that he not only signed on to be a Gold sponsor for the half-marathon, but he\'s now the title (Platinum) sponsor for another run! How excited do you think I am to add in another run to this little campaign? Yeah. So, what run is this?<br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c4lueAHLlYw/UiCBA91nvPI/AAAAAAAABZE/dHx7ZaSYyPk/s1600/capecod4troops.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"240\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c4lueAHLlYw/UiCBA91nvPI/AAAAAAAABZE/dHx7ZaSYyPk/s320/capecod4troops.jpg\" width=\"320\" /></a></div><b>The 5th Annual Canal Run For The Troops 10K</b><br /><br />October 5th, at 10 am, I\'ll be starting what promises to be a beautiful run along the Cape Cod Canal. What a great way to spend day 2 of my birthday weekend! Turn 25 one day, go run a 10K the next. Works for me<br /><br />This run is put on by a great little organization called <a href=\"http://www.capecod4thetroops.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Cape Cod Cares For Our Troops</a>, headquartered in Brewster. I poked around their website, and they actually do a lot for Cape-based troops. You should check out their site (linked above).<br /><br /><b>There\'s something I\'d like to point out about road races:</b><br /><br />One of the nice things many people don\'t realize is that when you sign up for a road race like this, where an organization is putting it on, your entry fee isn\'t just helping to pay for the running of the event itself - <b>your entry fee is a donation to the organization</b> and the (presumably) good work it\'s doing. They plan to use the money raised from this run to send 1500 Christmas care packages to our troops deployed overseas. <b>Seems like a worthy cause to me.</b> Maybe one will make it to my cousin Joshua, <i>who knows</i>. <br /><br /><b>This Is Only Going To Continue Growing!</b><br /><br /><b>That\'s not the only run </b>I have the privilege of adding to my little campaign here, but I\'ll save the rest for another update. I\'m so excited at what this is turning into, so happy at the outpouring of support, and I can\'t wait to really get rolling with this! I want to send a BIG thanks out to Ryan and his crew at MOCEAN in Mashpee. You can find them in the Mashpee Commons at 34 Steeple St., <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/MOCEANCAPECOD\" target=\"_blank\">on Facebook here</a>, and <a href=\"http://www.moceancapecod.com/\" target=\"_blank\">at their website here</a>.<br /><br />I\'ve got about two weeks until the <b>real</b> training starts. Once I get all the sponsors lined up and confirmed I\'ll get everything in order for fundraising, which will probably happen about the same time I start some serious half-marathon training! Keep an eye out for the next update - it\'ll probably be about the other runs I\'m adding in!<br /><br /><b>If there\'s one thing you learn from this</b> - let it be that anything is possible. In March I had never run before, <b>now I\'m sponsored for four races</b>. Wait...did I say four? You\'ll have to find out about the other two next time ;-) Don\'t forget to <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/sothisisfitness\" target=\"_blank\">\"like\" the Facebook</a> and <a href=\"https://twitter.com/SnuffyDX\" target=\"_blank\">follow the Twitter </a>- I post more frequent updates there - you might get some cool insider info!','Getting things in MOCEAN - Running Update!','','inherit','closed','closed','','106-revision-v1','','','2017-01-15 08:06:17','2017-01-15 13:06:17','',106,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/106-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(779,1,'2017-01-20 16:45:20','2017-01-20 21:45:20','<a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ycoIyAHdC0k/Ui26pd_QY5I/AAAAAAAABf4/1H4jfoWfW6k/s1600/Screenshot_2013-09-09-08-08-14.png\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"400\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ycoIyAHdC0k/Ui26pd_QY5I/AAAAAAAABf4/1H4jfoWfW6k/s400/Screenshot_2013-09-09-08-08-14.png\" width=\"225\" /></a>There really just aren\'t enough hours in the day. Life is busy! We have so many things we need to get done in 24 hours...and it\'s just not enough. Work, sleep, eat, meetings, chores, errands, meet up with friends...before you know it you\'re overdue on a whole laundry list of things...oh and there\'s the laundry too! I have a whole screen of my phone (multiple homescreens) dedicated to my \"To Do\". That\'s it, right there! That\'s not even the whole list...those widgets <b>scroll</b>. I even have to color-code it to keep it all straight. I\'m sure some of you can relate.<br /><br /><b>Bottom line is...</b>how are we supposed to be expected to juggle everything we\'ve got going on <b>AND </b>get a workout in? It\'s crazy! What if you work a 12 hour day? What if you\'ve got the kids to worry about? It just. Doesn\'t. WORK.<br /><br />Well...On this lovely Motivational Monday morning...I\'m here to tell you...We have to <b>make it work.</b> \"BUT HOW?! I just can\'t do it!\" <b>Yes. You CAN. </b>And it\'s not as daunting as it might seem.<br /><a name=\'more\'></a><br /><b>OK... I know what you\'re probably thinking.</b><br /><br />You\'re probably thinking I have <b>no idea</b> how busy you are, <b>how much</b> you have to get done, and&nbsp;<b> how much this just doesn\'t work for you</b>. Well...that\'s just the thing. <b>It\'s not GOING to work for you</b>. You have to <b>make it </b>work. <b>You </b>have to work. Nothing worthwhile in this world comes easy. Your ideal body is no exception to that rule. It\'s never easy adding something else onto your plate, and that goes doubly so for a commitment of this magnitude. Last August, if I knew what this was going to become...300 lb me <b>probably</b> wouldn\'t have gone for it. 300 lb me would think 188 lb me was insane.<br /><br /><b>Baby steps.&nbsp;</b><br /><br /><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NyoeB1EbLPQ/Ui294Hk9WNI/AAAAAAAABgE/SIZWX5yvGYY/s1600/pugg-wall-clock__13080_PE040801_S4.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"200\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NyoeB1EbLPQ/Ui294Hk9WNI/AAAAAAAABgE/SIZWX5yvGYY/s200/pugg-wall-clock__13080_PE040801_S4.jpg\" width=\"200\" /></a><b> </b><br /><b>What I find</b> is that most people staring a workout regimen in the face aren\'t looking at <b>that</b> big of a picture - they\'re looking at day one. Or week one. They\'re  looking at 45 minutes squeezed into their day, or an hour, an hour and a  half, even two hours when all\'s said and done getting to the gym,  working out, showering, coming home...<b>oh no Darrell...that\'s SO much time I don\'t have!</b><br /><br /><b>That\'s the thing...</b><br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mglP1WHNXM0/Ui3AIREn8UI/AAAAAAAABgQ/xF3B2-hc4ns/s1600/excuseshappy.jpg\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mglP1WHNXM0/Ui3AIREn8UI/AAAAAAAABgQ/xF3B2-hc4ns/s320/excuseshappy.jpg\" width=\"320\" /></a></div><b>If that\'s the mentality</b>...you probably just don\'t want it bad enough yet. I know I know...I don\'t know you, I have no idea what you want...<br /><br /><b>Truth of the matter is</b>, when you want something bad enough, you will <b>move mountains</b> to make it happen. If not, you won\'t move very far from the couch. I know plenty of people who say they don\'t have time, they\'re SO busy...but somehow find time to watch hours and hours of TV each day...(<a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/2013/07/the-i-dont-feel-like-it-syndrome.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"I Don\'t Feel Like It\" Syndrome</a>, anyone?)<br /><br /><b>The important thing to know is: </b>There is ALWAYS a way to make it work.<br /><br /><b>So, I\'ve done a lot of talking but I haven\'t told you how yet. </b><br /><br />You have to take a good hard look at what you\'ve got going on in your life. Look at your daily schedule. You probably have a LOT of free time that you don\'t even realize you have! My college fraternity - <a href=\"http://www.deltachi.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Delta Chi</a>, has a part of their scholarship program dedicated to Time Management - I\'m pulling this directly from that program...because it <b>works</b>. Take a blank weekly schedule like the one below (you can download it from http://www.time-management-abilities.com/printable-planners.html under \"advanced planners\":<br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dnK00cAo53o/Ui3CyoO_JKI/AAAAAAAABgc/z-lO4mHExGE/s1600/weekly-planner-printable-planner-sample.png\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"289\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dnK00cAo53o/Ui3CyoO_JKI/AAAAAAAABgc/z-lO4mHExGE/s400/weekly-planner-printable-planner-sample.png\" width=\"400\" /></a></div>Fill it out in order of: <br />1. Work (include travel time and getting ready...be reasonable)<br />2. Sleep<br />3. Meals (including cook time)<br />We\'ll pause here. All the remaining time, right now, is \"free time\". Yes, I know, you have SO MUCH you need to do...that\'s not free time. Well...here\'s where the next step comes in...<b>Prioritizing</b>.<br /><br />Yes, there\'s a lot you need to get done. Ok, great. This is the time where you need to decide what is ACTUALLY important. You might surprise yourself. Things like doctor\'s appointments, grocery shopping (gotta have food to eat, right?) picking the kids up from school or bringing them to sports/activities/etc are going to be high priorities. Many of these things likely have to happen at a certain time, so that\'s going to bump them a little higher up on the priority list as well. All of the other little things you need to get done are probably lower priority items. So, let\'s go ahead and put those high priority items on the calendar. So now we have<br /><br />1. Work | 2. Sleep | 3. Meals | 4. High Priority Items<br /><br />And the rest is free time. There\'s still probably a good bit of free time left each day, right? It might be occurring at strange times, but it\'s there. <b>This is the part where you can shimmy a workout in.</b><br /><br /><b>Yes, I know</b>...you still have SO MUCH you need to get done. That\'s what <b>prioritizing</b> is about. If you\'re still reading this, you\'ve already decided that getting your health and fitness straightened out is a high enough priority that you can shuffle some lower-priority things around. <b>So,</b> let\'s find a convenient place to stick that workout. I like to work out first thing in the morning...energizes me, gives me a boost for my day, gets it out of the way and...frankly...at the end of a long day I\'m worn out and there\'s a good chance I could lose motivation. I recommend you work out as early as you can. The earlier you work out, the more energy you\'ll have and the more successful your workout will be. <br /><br /><b>So now we\'ve got</b><br />1. Work | 2. Sleep | 3. Meals | 4. High Priority | 5. Workout | 6. Low Priority<br /><br />Now you can fit all of those other lower-priority items into your day. Throughout the course of the week, I\'m sure there\'s enough free time to get everything done that you need to get done. You probably even STILL have some free time left after that!<b> This will even work for the people who work crazy shifts</b>.<br /><br /><b>Yes, </b>this is not a fool-proof system. There are some people out there who work two jobs, three jobs, are going non-stop, and might not think they have time. Well, these are the people who need to take \"make it work\" to heart. I know plenty of people who will sacrifice something to make the workout happen. Sleep just a little bit less, get up a little bit earlier, go to bed a little earlier or later, take a little less time to eat, get ready for work a little bit faster...You need to look at your schedule once you\'ve gone through the list of work, sleep, meals, and high priority items and think hard about what or how you can shuffle, squeeze or re-arrange to make it work.<br /><br />I challenge you to <b>stay strong</b> and put the workout into the schedule before the low priority items. The only reason I wouldn\'t count the workout as a \"high priority item\" is because it <i>doesn\'t have to happen at a particular time</i>. High priority items should be the kind of thing that either HAS TO happen first, or <b>has to</b> happen at a particular time (such as a doctors appt., or getting to a business before it closes, etc). <br /><br />I\'ve gone through a lot of trial and error getting my schedule to work. I\'ve had a lot of ups and downs. Working in a restaurant, my schedule is different week to week...<b>I have to make it work</b>. As I\'ve gone through these 5 different programs I\'ve done, I\'ve gotten a little better at it each time. But, as I get more and more dedicated to my fitness I have to look a little harder at my schedule. I\'ve designed an endurance training schedule for <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/08/on-to-the-next-one-131.html\" target=\"_blank\">my half-marathon run</a> that is pretty involved...I\'m juggling a workout program, running, and yoga. I have commitments with Delta Chi, my Masonic Lodge, work, my fiancee, etc etc. <b>I\'m</b> making it work. <b>You</b> can too. <br /><br /><b>In almost every case</b> there is a way to make it work. You just have to find it. If you can\'t, <b>reach out to me</b> at Darrell@SoTHISIsFitness.com and I will do my best to help you figure it out. If you find you\'re having a hard time keeping your priorities straight (or <b>doing</b> the prioritizing in the first place) or want a community to help keep you accountable and share your struggles, please feel free to join the <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/groups/sothisisfitness/\" target=\"_blank\">\"So Fit\" Family on Facebook</a>. It\'s a special community within the \"So THIS Is Fitness...\" world where we share our successes, seek support during tough days, seek and share advice and keep each other motivated to be and do our best and get to the goal we\'re all chasing.<br /><br />Just remember...<br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xUySsNkZkb0/Ui3JRUvtscI/AAAAAAAABg4/hrQok_YxeCU/s1600/grassgreensweat.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"400\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xUySsNkZkb0/Ui3JRUvtscI/AAAAAAAABg4/hrQok_YxeCU/s400/grassgreensweat.jpg\" width=\"400\" /></a></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><br />','Making It Work - Time Management','','inherit','closed','closed','','103-revision-v1','','','2017-01-20 16:45:20','2017-01-20 21:45:20','',103,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/103-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(704,1,'2017-01-15 08:06:17','2017-01-15 13:06:17','<a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ycoIyAHdC0k/Ui26pd_QY5I/AAAAAAAABf4/1H4jfoWfW6k/s1600/Screenshot_2013-09-09-08-08-14.png\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"400\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ycoIyAHdC0k/Ui26pd_QY5I/AAAAAAAABf4/1H4jfoWfW6k/s400/Screenshot_2013-09-09-08-08-14.png\" width=\"225\" /></a>There really just aren\'t enough hours in the day. Life is busy! We have so many things we need to get done in 24 hours...and it\'s just not enough. Work, sleep, eat, meetings, chores, errands, meet up with friends...before you know it you\'re overdue on a whole laundry list of things...oh and there\'s the laundry too! I have a whole screen of my phone (multiple homescreens) dedicated to my \"To Do\". That\'s it, right there! That\'s not even the whole list...those widgets <b>scroll</b>. I even have to color-code it to keep it all straight. I\'m sure some of you can relate.<br /><br /><b>Bottom line is...</b>how are we supposed to be expected to juggle everything we\'ve got going on <b>AND </b>get a workout in? It\'s crazy! What if you work a 12 hour day? What if you\'ve got the kids to worry about? It just. Doesn\'t. WORK.<br /><br />Well...On this lovely Motivational Monday morning...I\'m here to tell you...We have to <b>make it work.</b> \"BUT HOW?! I just can\'t do it!\" <b>Yes. You CAN. </b>And it\'s not as daunting as it might seem.<br /><a name=\'more\'></a><br /><b>OK... I know what you\'re probably thinking.</b><br /><br />You\'re probably thinking I have <b>no idea</b> how busy you are, <b>how much</b> you have to get done, and&nbsp;<b> how much this just doesn\'t work for you</b>. Well...that\'s just the thing. <b>It\'s not GOING to work for you</b>. You have to <b>make it </b>work. <b>You </b>have to work. Nothing worthwhile in this world comes easy. Your ideal body is no exception to that rule. It\'s never easy adding something else onto your plate, and that goes doubly so for a commitment of this magnitude. Last August, if I knew what this was going to become...300 lb me <b>probably</b> wouldn\'t have gone for it. 300 lb me would think 188 lb me was insane.<br /><br /><b>Baby steps.&nbsp;</b><br /><br /><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NyoeB1EbLPQ/Ui294Hk9WNI/AAAAAAAABgE/SIZWX5yvGYY/s1600/pugg-wall-clock__13080_PE040801_S4.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"200\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NyoeB1EbLPQ/Ui294Hk9WNI/AAAAAAAABgE/SIZWX5yvGYY/s200/pugg-wall-clock__13080_PE040801_S4.jpg\" width=\"200\" /></a><b> </b><br /><b>What I find</b> is that most people staring a workout regimen in the face aren\'t looking at <b>that</b> big of a picture - they\'re looking at day one. Or week one. They\'re  looking at 45 minutes squeezed into their day, or an hour, an hour and a  half, even two hours when all\'s said and done getting to the gym,  working out, showering, coming home...<b>oh no Darrell...that\'s SO much time I don\'t have!</b><br /><br /><b>That\'s the thing...</b><br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mglP1WHNXM0/Ui3AIREn8UI/AAAAAAAABgQ/xF3B2-hc4ns/s1600/excuseshappy.jpg\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mglP1WHNXM0/Ui3AIREn8UI/AAAAAAAABgQ/xF3B2-hc4ns/s320/excuseshappy.jpg\" width=\"320\" /></a></div><b>If that\'s the mentality</b>...you probably just don\'t want it bad enough yet. I know I know...I don\'t know you, I have no idea what you want...<br /><br /><b>Truth of the matter is</b>, when you want something bad enough, you will <b>move mountains</b> to make it happen. If not, you won\'t move very far from the couch. I know plenty of people who say they don\'t have time, they\'re SO busy...but somehow find time to watch hours and hours of TV each day...(<a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/07/the-inconvenience-factor-accepting.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"I Don\'t Feel Like It\" Syndrome</a>, anyone?)<br /><br /><b>The important thing to know is: </b>There is ALWAYS a way to make it work.<br /><br /><b>So, I\'ve done a lot of talking but I haven\'t told you how yet. </b><br /><br />You have to take a good hard look at what you\'ve got going on in your life. Look at your daily schedule. You probably have a LOT of free time that you don\'t even realize you have! My college fraternity - <a href=\"http://www.deltachi.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Delta Chi</a>, has a part of their scholarship program dedicated to Time Management - I\'m pulling this directly from that program...because it <b>works</b>. Take a blank weekly schedule like the one below (you can download it from http://www.time-management-abilities.com/printable-planners.html under \"advanced planners\":<br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dnK00cAo53o/Ui3CyoO_JKI/AAAAAAAABgc/z-lO4mHExGE/s1600/weekly-planner-printable-planner-sample.png\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"289\" src=\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dnK00cAo53o/Ui3CyoO_JKI/AAAAAAAABgc/z-lO4mHExGE/s400/weekly-planner-printable-planner-sample.png\" width=\"400\" /></a></div>Fill it out in order of: <br />1. Work (include travel time and getting ready...be reasonable)<br />2. Sleep<br />3. Meals (including cook time)<br />We\'ll pause here. All the remaining time, right now, is \"free time\". Yes, I know, you have SO MUCH you need to do...that\'s not free time. Well...here\'s where the next step comes in...<b>Prioritizing</b>.<br /><br />Yes, there\'s a lot you need to get done. Ok, great. This is the time where you need to decide what is ACTUALLY important. You might surprise yourself. Things like doctor\'s appointments, grocery shopping (gotta have food to eat, right?) picking the kids up from school or bringing them to sports/activities/etc are going to be high priorities. Many of these things likely have to happen at a certain time, so that\'s going to bump them a little higher up on the priority list as well. All of the other little things you need to get done are probably lower priority items. So, let\'s go ahead and put those high priority items on the calendar. So now we have<br /><br />1. Work | 2. Sleep | 3. Meals | 4. High Priority Items<br /><br />And the rest is free time. There\'s still probably a good bit of free time left each day, right? It might be occurring at strange times, but it\'s there. <b>This is the part where you can shimmy a workout in.</b><br /><br /><b>Yes, I know</b>...you still have SO MUCH you need to get done. That\'s what <b>prioritizing</b> is about. If you\'re still reading this, you\'ve already decided that getting your health and fitness straightened out is a high enough priority that you can shuffle some lower-priority things around. <b>So,</b> let\'s find a convenient place to stick that workout. I like to work out first thing in the morning...energizes me, gives me a boost for my day, gets it out of the way and...frankly...at the end of a long day I\'m worn out and there\'s a good chance I could lose motivation. I recommend you work out as early as you can. The earlier you work out, the more energy you\'ll have and the more successful your workout will be. <br /><br /><b>So now we\'ve got</b><br />1. Work | 2. Sleep | 3. Meals | 4. High Priority | 5. Workout | 6. Low Priority<br /><br />Now you can fit all of those other lower-priority items into your day. Throughout the course of the week, I\'m sure there\'s enough free time to get everything done that you need to get done. You probably even STILL have some free time left after that!<b> This will even work for the people who work crazy shifts</b>.<br /><br /><b>Yes, </b>this is not a fool-proof system. There are some people out there who work two jobs, three jobs, are going non-stop, and might not think they have time. Well, these are the people who need to take \"make it work\" to heart. I know plenty of people who will sacrifice something to make the workout happen. Sleep just a little bit less, get up a little bit earlier, go to bed a little earlier or later, take a little less time to eat, get ready for work a little bit faster...You need to look at your schedule once you\'ve gone through the list of work, sleep, meals, and high priority items and think hard about what or how you can shuffle, squeeze or re-arrange to make it work.<br /><br />I challenge you to <b>stay strong</b> and put the workout into the schedule before the low priority items. The only reason I wouldn\'t count the workout as a \"high priority item\" is because it <i>doesn\'t have to happen at a particular time</i>. High priority items should be the kind of thing that either HAS TO happen first, or <b>has to</b> happen at a particular time (such as a doctors appt., or getting to a business before it closes, etc). <br /><br />I\'ve gone through a lot of trial and error getting my schedule to work. I\'ve had a lot of ups and downs. Working in a restaurant, my schedule is different week to week...<b>I have to make it work</b>. As I\'ve gone through these 5 different programs I\'ve done, I\'ve gotten a little better at it each time. But, as I get more and more dedicated to my fitness I have to look a little harder at my schedule. I\'ve designed an endurance training schedule for <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/08/on-to-the-next-one-131.html\" target=\"_blank\">my half-marathon run</a> that is pretty involved...I\'m juggling a workout program, running, and yoga. I have commitments with Delta Chi, my Masonic Lodge, work, my fiancee, etc etc. <b>I\'m</b> making it work. <b>You</b> can too. <br /><br /><b>In almost every case</b> there is a way to make it work. You just have to find it. If you can\'t, <b>reach out to me</b> at Darrell@SoTHISIsFitness.com and I will do my best to help you figure it out. If you find you\'re having a hard time keeping your priorities straight (or <b>doing</b> the prioritizing in the first place) or want a community to help keep you accountable and share your struggles, please feel free to join the <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/groups/sothisisfitness/\" target=\"_blank\">\"So Fit\" Family on Facebook</a>. It\'s a special community within the \"So THIS Is Fitness...\" world where we share our successes, seek support during tough days, seek and share advice and keep each other motivated to be and do our best and get to the goal we\'re all chasing.<br /><br />Just remember...<br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xUySsNkZkb0/Ui3JRUvtscI/AAAAAAAABg4/hrQok_YxeCU/s1600/grassgreensweat.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"400\" src=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xUySsNkZkb0/Ui3JRUvtscI/AAAAAAAABg4/hrQok_YxeCU/s400/grassgreensweat.jpg\" width=\"400\" /></a></div><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"></div><br />','Making It Work - Time Management','','inherit','closed','closed','','103-revision-v1','','','2017-01-15 08:06:17','2017-01-15 13:06:17','',103,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/103-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(705,1,'2017-01-15 08:06:17','2017-01-15 13:06:17','I\'ve been talking a lot about all these road races I\'m doing in the next two months - the 5K (from Sunday), the two 10K\'s, and of course the half-marathon. I\'m fortunate so many companies have signed on to sponsor me - they have made it possible for me to do these races and to continue to do work for a great cause (please be sure to check out the sponsors page and see who\'s helped me out - they\'re all great!). I\'ve only made a small announcement on Facebook, but the big news is -<br /><br /><b>I\'m fundraising for <a href=\"http://www.jimmyv.org/\" target=\"_blank\">The V Foundation For Cancer Research</a>!</b><br /><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><b><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f70yhYqH3Mk/UkON7n9SwoI/AAAAAAAABzA/466xqGDiB7o/s1600/JimmyVLogo.gif\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" height=\"190\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f70yhYqH3Mk/UkON7n9SwoI/AAAAAAAABzA/466xqGDiB7o/s400/JimmyVLogo.gif\" width=\"400\" /></a></b></div><br />Yes, this campaign of runs is a fundraising campaign, and the fundraising officially started a few days ago. <a href=\"http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/SoTHISIsFitness/ccm13\" target=\"_blank\">You can visit my online fundraising page here</a> if you\'d like to make a contribution. All of my training, <a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/meet-darrell/my-journey\" target=\"_blank\">My Story</a>, and <a href=\"http://sothisisfitness.com/meet-darrell/my-journey\" target=\"_blank\">My Transformation</a> has made this possible.<br /><br /><b> </b><br /><b>So...what IS The V Foundation and why do I (you) care?</b><br /><b></b><br /><a name=\'more\'></a><br /><b>&nbsp;</b>The V Foundation\'s mission statement, found on their website, is:<br /><br /><i>The V Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to saving lives  by helping to find a cure for cancer.&nbsp; The Foundation seeks to make a  difference by generating broad-based support for cancer research and by  creating an urgent awareness among all Americans of the importance of  the war against cancer.&nbsp; The Foundation performs these dual roles  through advocacy, education, fundraising, and philanthropy.</i><br /><br />The V Foundation was founded in 1993 by former NCAA basketball coach and N.C. State Athletic Director Jim Valvano with the assistance of ESPN. It was announced in a tear-jerking speech at the 1993 ESPY awards (seen below).<br /><br /><br /><br />Basically, Jimmy V was diagnosed with terminal cancer and wanted to help find a cure. Going through it from the patient side of it, he realized just how slowly cancer research fundraising ended up benefiting the actual patient, so he sought to speed up the process. Jimmy V passed away just two months after his ESPY speech, but 20 years later The V Foundation is going strong, making an impact, and working hard towards realizing his ultimate goal of finding a cure.<br /><br /><b>So what exactly am I doing to help?</b><br /><br />I am running four races to raise awareness and raise money for The V Foundation. One of them has already happened, the other 3 are all in the month of October.<br /><b> </b><br />9/22/13 - <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/09/what-is-good-enough-tavern2tavern5k.html\" target=\"_blank\">Tavern to Tavern 5K - Cambridge, MA (finished 200/722 - time: 23:51 - 7:45 min/mile)</a><br />10/5/13 - <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/08/getting-things-in-mocean-running-update.html\" target=\"_blank\">Canal Run For The Troops 10K - Buzzard\'s Bay, MA</a><br />10/20/13 - <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/09/2-months-4-runs-one-great-cause.html\" target=\"_blank\">31st Annual Boston Firefighters Local 718 Memorial Road Race 10K - Dorchester, MA</a><br />10/26/13 - <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/08/on-to-the-next-one-131.html\" target=\"_blank\">Cape Cod Marathon Half - Falmouth, MA</a><br /><br />I\'m currently fundraising through word of mouth and online through social media. You can, again, reach my online fundraising page here:<br /><a href=\"http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/SoTHISIsFitness/ccm13\">http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/SoTHISIsFitness/ccm13</a><br />&nbsp;I\'m in the process of brainstorming a fundraising event to hold locally. More on that soon (I hope!).<br /><br /><b>Why The V Foundation?</b> <br /><br />I know there are a million charities out there I could be fundraising for and some people have asked me how/why I chose The V Foundation. The answer is very simple: My college fraternity - <a href=\"http://www.deltachi.org/\" target=\"_blank\">The Delta Chi Fraternity, Inc.</a> - partnered up with The V Foundation in 2006. Almost every philanthropy event I did as an undergraduate member of my Chapter was to benefit The V Foundation...needless to say I had a lot of exposure to it and what it stood for. After raising over $2,800 for Dana-Farber through my Falmouth Road Race run, I thought it\'d be nice to do something similar for the first charity I ever really worked with and that I had such ties to. All money raised through this campaign will be donated to The V Foundation on behalf of The Boston Area Alumni Chapter of Delta Chi. <br /><br /><b>So why should I care? And why should I contribute?</b><br /><br />These days it seems like everything causes cancer. We\'re figuring out every day that something else we\'ve gotten used to can give us cancer! Even some of those who do their best to avoid carcinogens can be struck by the disease, and unfortunately, nearly everyone has a friend or family member who has been touched by some form of cancer. Cancer has stumped the world\'s top scientists for years, and the research necessary to learn more and figure out how to beat cancer takes a lot of time, training and equipment which, of course, costs a lot of money.&nbsp; By contributing to fundraising for organizations like The V Foundation, we can help build up the funds needed for grants to help researchers who are working so hard to find a cure. <br /><b> </b><br /><b>Please help me make this a successful fundraising campaign!</b><br /><br />On behalf of The V Foundation for Cancer Research and The Boston Area Alumni Chapter of The Delta Chi Fraternity, Inc. I thank you all in advance for your help, support, and generosity! If you have any questions please don\'t hesitate to reach out and ask - Darrell@SoTHISIsFitness.com<br /><b> </b><br /><a href=\"http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/SoTHISIsFitness/ccm13\"><b>http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/SoTHISIsFitness/ccm13</b></a>','Do It For The V','','inherit','closed','closed','','99-revision-v1','','','2017-01-15 08:06:17','2017-01-15 13:06:17','',99,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/99-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),(706,1,'2017-01-15 08:06:33','2017-01-15 13:06:33','<div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-40_cr0Pt8ek/UlQLgLshfBI/AAAAAAAAB24/_YrdgdVG6CM/s1600/canalrunbib.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-40_cr0Pt8ek/UlQLgLshfBI/AAAAAAAAB24/_YrdgdVG6CM/s400/canalrunbib.jpg\" height=\"290\" width=\"400\" /></a></div>Another race run, more lessons learned. Honestly, every time I go out there and run a race I learn more about myself, my body, and what to/not to do. If I can save someone having to learn some of this stuff the hard way,  “So THIS Is Fitness…” has done its job. Saturday was the Canal Run For The Troops 10K and the <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/10/canal-run-burpee-challenge.html\" target=\"_blank\">Burpee Challenge</a> that I issued (video is in this article!) - let\'s get right down to it and go over how it went, what I definitely did wrong to screw myself, and what I\'m going to do next time to save myself a LOT of pain and frustration.<br /><br /><a name=\'more\'></a><br /><div style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dvN0PKTI490/UlQMrGRQ-pI/AAAAAAAAB3E/9wBgJk6vR0w/s1600/IMG_20131005_091115_828.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dvN0PKTI490/UlQMrGRQ-pI/AAAAAAAAB3E/9wBgJk6vR0w/s400/IMG_20131005_091115_828.jpg\" height=\"225\" width=\"400\" /></a></div><br />SO - <a href=\"http://www.canalrun4thetroops.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Canal Run For The Troops 10K</a>...that was FUN! The course was nice - a flat course along the Cape Cod Canal. The weather started out kind of so-so, but it ended up getting sunny and being a nice day! For those who missed it in previous articles, the event was put on by <a href=\"http://www.capecod4thetroops.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Cape Cod Cares 4 The Troops</a> - and everyone\'s entry fee went to help pay for postage for care packages for our troops overseas. Considering my \"little\" cousin Joshua is out there putting his life on the line, I can appreciate what they\'re doing here.<br /><br /><a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dz2l_d_zAoU/UlQOwn7vPSI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/mC8-NQfqxlE/s1600/IMG_20131005_093735_948.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dz2l_d_zAoU/UlQOwn7vPSI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/mC8-NQfqxlE/s400/IMG_20131005_093735_948.jpg\" height=\"400\" width=\"225\" /></a>This race was special for a couple of reasons as well - for one, it was the day after my 25th birthday, and as soon as it was over I went home and enjoyed the company of some family, friends, and Delta Chi brothers I haven\'t gotten to see in a long time. On top of that...<b>MEGAN RAN WITH ME!</b> And by \"ran with me\" I mean she was running the race. We laugh about it, but I do have a tendency to zoom away. It\'s nice, though, because I get to see her cross the finish (she\'s really not all that far behind me, and I\'m always damn proud of her).<br /><br /><br />As far as results - I came in at 55:51 (RunKeeper tells me I was doing 8:46 min/mile). I was 37th out of 89 10K runners and 3rd of 4 in my age group (2nd of 4 in my age group was a full minute/mile faster - I don\'t feel bad about that). I have to say...overall I think I could\'ve done better. I\'m a little disappointed because I have made better time in my own neighborhood with much more hill. I know I did a number of things wrong that, in the end, screwed me. <b>I broke my own rules!</b> I find that ironic considering <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/10/race-beginner-dos-donts.html\" target=\"_blank\">I posted an article about race beginner do\'s and don\'t\'s</a> right before I broke exactly those rules. <br /><br /><b>SO - </b>How did I screw up?<br /><br />For one, <b>I didn\'t run at all </b>during the week leading up to the race. I did a 10 mile run on sunday and the next run I did was the 10K on Saturday. <b>Big Mistake</b>. I should\'ve gone for a couple, stayed loose, and kept my body ready.<br /><br />What else? <b>I didn\'t eat enough the day/night before</b>. My body wasn\'t fueled up enough - no energy stores! When I was pushing and demanding my body to give more, there wasn\'t much gas in the tank to do it with!<br /><br /><b>I didn\'t hydrate enough the day before. </b>I keep talking about how important hydrating is and I keep falling short when it counts the most. Before the Falmouth Road Race I hydrated the crap out of myself - I had to run to the restroom constantly. This time? Not so much.<br /><br /><b>I didn\'t re-fuel mid-race.</b> I got my body used to getting some fuel around mile 3 or 4 when I\'m pushing hard on a 6+ mile run. A Gu gel or an energy block or something. I didn\'t do that this time. That was a big mistake - looking at my mile splits and remembering how I felt...those last three miles suffered greatly. I was working much harder and achieving a slower time. My first mile felt effortless and I had an 8:04/mi split...my last mile I felt like I was pushing to the limits and I got 8:38/mi split...<br /><br /><b>SO - </b>what did I learn? <b>Follow my own advice </b>and <b>don\'t get lazy pre-race</b>. You have to maintain your body and keep it prepped and ready. If you don\'t, your performance will suffer. I DID have fun, don\'t get me wrong...I\'m just a little disappointed because I REALLY wanted to break 50 minutes. That\'s ok...I might be able to do it next Sunday in the Firefighter\'s Memorial 10K. <br /><br /><b>What About The Burpee Challenge?!</b><br />In order to kick-start fundraising for The V Foundation I issued a challenge - for every $5 donated by the time I finished the race I would do one burpee (<a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/10/canal-run-burpee-challenge.html\" target=\"_blank\">see the original challenge here</a>). By the time I finished, $135 had been donated, equaling 26 burpees. I decided since it was ONLY 26...I would do full rather than half burpees. <b>I regret this choice. </b>You can\'t see it in the video, but Megan shook her head at me when I said I was doing fulls...I didn\'t get why then, but I do now. As you watch be aware that - <b>yes, I know - my form starts to suck around #16</b>. That\'s what I get for doing 26 full burpees after killing myself on a 10K.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"315\" src=\"//www.youtube.com/embed/F0_IANHAI1U?rel=0\" width=\"560\"></iframe><br /><br />And after that nonsense I went home and did a T25 double workout - Lower Focus then Ab Intervals. <b>YIKES!</b><br /><br /><b>There is still time to donate! </b>Please check out the <a href=\"http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2013/09/do-it-for-the-v.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"Do It For The V\"</a> article to read more about what The V Foundation is and why I\'m fundraising. If you\'d like to make a contribution, please visit my page at <a href=\"http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/SoTHISIsFitness/ccm13\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/SoTHISIsFitness/ccm13</a><b>. I thank you in advance for your contribution!</b><br /><br /><a href=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NuhQUlHwMDs/UlQVqW9rn5I/AAAAAAAAB3o/qCPEK39CaAE/s1600/sponsorsbackcanal.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NuhQUlHwMDs/UlQVqW9rn5I/AAAAAAAAB3o/qCPEK39CaAE/s320/sponsorsbackcanal.jpg\" height=\"320\" width=\"195\" /></a>I\'d like to thank my sponsors on this race for helping make it possible! <a href=\"http://moceancapecod.com/\" target=\"_blank\">MOCEAN Cape Cod </a>was the <a href=\"http://www.bodyworkcapecod.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Bodywork Health &amp; Wellness</a>, <a href=\"http://www.anytimefitness.com/gyms/2694/falmouth-ma-02540\" target=\"_blank\">Anytime Fitness (Falmouth/Mashpee)</a> and <a href=\"http://www.innerglowyogacapecod.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Innerglow Yoga</a> for their help and support! Please visit the Sponsors page to check them out and the rest of my sponsors as well!<br /><br />Don\'t forget to check out the <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/sothisisfitness\" target=\"_blank\">Facebook page</a> and follow the <a href=\"https://twitter.com/SnuffyDX\" target=\"_blank\">Twitter</a> for more updates (only full articles go here - there\'s lots more available)!<br />title sponsors - they got me into this race in the first place! I\'d also like to thank <br /><br />Just remember - if I can do this...<b>anyone can!</b>','Canal Run 10K/Burpee Recap: Lessons Learned','','inherit','closed','closed','','95-revision-v1','','','2017-01-15 08:06:33','2017-01-15 13:06:33','',95,'http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/01/95-revision-v1.html',0,'revision','',0),