Blog Moved

I'm a bit over a month into my blog and have decided to move it from Blogger to Word Press.

Why?  Because Word Press has more options and is MUCH easier to use on my phone and iPad.  Here's a link to the new location:

https://bradruns.wordpress.com/

I'm a nuun Ambassabor

I'm a 2017 nuun Ambassador!!!!  

In December, nuun sent out an email opening the application process to for their 2017 Ambassador program.  I've been a long time fan of nuun; it just works for me.  I've tried a multitude of products--from electrolyte/ salt tablets (which cause me to retain a lot of fluid) to sports drinks loaded with sugar and carbohydrates that never agreed with me (and now that I'm a Low Carb, High Fat runner, sugary sports drinks don't work for me at all.)  And I've never found a hydration solution as easy to use, tastes as good, and works so well as nuun.  

So I decided to apply to be an Ambassador.  

Before I go any further, let me explain what nuun is--in case you do not know.  nuun makes what I'd call a hydration solution.  nuun comes as an effervescent tablet that you drop into your water and let dissolve (I find it takes about 1-2 minutes to completely dissolve.)  There are four major types of nuun: nuun Active--one tablet makes 16 ounces of a 10 calorie, 1 carb, electrolyte replacement (sodium, magnesium, potassium, and calcium) drink.  nuun Energy which adds plant sourced (green tea) caffeine to the nuun Active to boost your energy when you need it.  nuun Vitamins has some important vitamins but not the electrolytes found in nuun Active and nuun Caffeine.  nuun Vitamins is made for every day, all day hydration--I like it because it gives my water a fizz and great flavor that helps me get in my daily water intake.  And finally, plus for nuun--a tablet you add to nuun Active or nuun Energy that adds "fuel" (carbohydrates.)

SO.....

On Monday night, Dawn and I were on our way home from a puppy kindergarten class with Onyx and Joule--our Chesapeake Bay Retriever puppies-- and I told her that I was hoping that nuun was going to notify me soon about my status into the program.  I opened my email, Dawn was driving, and there it was!  My Welcome to the nuuniverse email!  

That night I added my nuunbassabor badge to the blog, my Twitter, and Instagram.  I searched #nuunlife, #nuunbassador, and #nuun2017 on Twitter and read the happy tweets of my fellow Ambassadors.  I even started following them!!!  Yes, I am excited about the program!!

And here's why:

First, and I'll say it again, I love the product.  It tastes good, is easy to use (just drop a tablet in your water and let it dissolve,) and sits well on my stomach during a long, slow run in the hot summer.  nuun Vitamins is great to carry with me in my lunch box for all day hydration and has helped me kick my soda habit by supplying my water with some carbonation and flavor.  The tubes fit easily into my running vest, so carrying my electrolyte replacement is a breeze.  And there are so many flavors to chose from! Win.

Second, and this may be a continuation of my first point, but the product is all natural.  It's gluten free (I have Celiac disease) and the nuun Active and nuun Vitamins only have 10 calories per serving and 1 gram of carbohydrates.  This means nuun fits my Low Carb, High Fat lifestyle and I don't have to worry about it upsetting my gut.  Win. Win.

Third, being a nuunbassador gives my running a little something extra.  I love to talk about running. And as an "all things running geek," I thrive on discussing training, gear, products, etc. with people.  So promoting nuun is going to be a lot of fun for me--I love promoting the things I believe in!!!  Plus, the online community with the other Ambassadors gives me a forum to talk "all things running" outside of the few Facebook groups I belong and with the folks from Steel City Road Runners. Win. Win. Win.

And last, and most important, I like to help people.  As an outside salesman, my job is to provide solutions for my customers needs.  And since I love the running community and am an extrovert through and through, being out there at group runs, races, and on social media talking about how I use nuun and how it works so well for me may help someone else discover how great nuun is for them!!  I can help people find their hydration solutions too!! Win. Win. Win.Win.

So if you need to improve your hydration, click on the 2017 Ambassador Badge above and check out nuun.  You'll be glad you did!!

By the way, I'm a bit excited about being a nuun Ambassador... 

I run for my life!  What do you run for?

Brad

My Goals for 2017

January brings on the "New Year, New You."  It's a fresh start to most folks lives.  Resolutions are made, goals are set, and people start the year off with the best intentions and strong determination to improve themselves in one way or another.  And we all want to become better.  But, what's sad is that according to Statistic Brain's numbers, only 9.2% of people end up saying they were successful with their resolutions!  That's a crazy low number.

I've been guilty of the "New Year, New Me" resolution and ended up in failure.  I've also succeeded in my resolutions to only fail at them later in life (like loosing a lot of weight in 2008 to only put it back on by 2015.)  But, I've also learned that I need to make my resolutions more attainable-- or more important, more specific.  It's not ok to say, "I want to lose weight,"  It needs to be, "I want to lose 20 pounds this year,"  And according to Denny Krahn, aka Diz Runs, goals are more likely to be achieved if you write them down, share them with other people, discuss them with people on a regular basis, and be consistent in your actions to achieve them. (Denny's DizRuns Radio: Episode 358 explains more.) 

So, I'm making my goals specific and attainable.  I'm making them public on my blog, so I have some accountability, and I actually wrote them down on paper!!!  So, here's my list of goals and how I hope to achieve them.

1. Run 1,500 Miles in 2017
• I ran a little over 1,200 miles in 2016, so keeping up with my training program (which increased as 2016 progressed) should take me to 1,500 miles and beyond.  I don't want to make the mileage too high for fear that I'll obsess over the number and run until I'm injured!
2. Run a PR in the Pittsburgh Marathon
• This is a very attainable goal!!  I ran Pittsburgh in 2010 and bombed.  I went in poorly hydrated, a little under trained, and my race fueling/hydration fell apart.  I ended up running it in 5:47:41.  By keeping up with my training plan (there's a calendar of my plan here,) I'm sure I can beat that time.  I'd really like to run 4:30 or under (my marathon PR is 4:39:43.)
3. Run a 50K PR 
• I'm registered for the Buckeye Trail 50K on July 8th.  This will be my second BT50K and my third 50K ever.  I need to break 9:40 to achieve this goal.  I'm 75 pounds lighter (as I type this) than I was when I set that PR, so this should be VERY attainable; however, it's Ohio in July!  I would like to run it in 7 hours or less.
4. Run my First 50 Mile Event
• I'm looking at the Stone Mill 50 in November for my first 50 miler.  I have my calendar marked for when registration opens.  Only goal is to finish in the allotted 13 hours.
5. Cross Train:
• I NEED to add core training and weights to my regular schedule.  I have weights in my basement and it shouldn't be hard to take 15 minutes, 3 days a week, to do some basic weight lifting (bench press, squats, dead lifts, over head presses, curls, rows, pull downs, and triceps extensions.)  I don't have to do all of the exercises everyday, but putting them into a 3 day plan would be GREAT!  And, I could do some planks, side planks, bird dogs, etc. almost every night before bed.  Just need to make myself do it!
6. Learn New Bagpipe Tunes:
• Not running related, but I have been wanting to learn a few jigs, reels, and marches to be able to play at weddings.  I also would like to learn a few more tunes to be able to play at funerals.  If I can become more confident with my playing and build a better tune selection, I can make some money playing.  Picking a few tunes and working on them during my luch hour (on the practice chanter) will get me where I want to be.  And that means more running shoes, race entries..... 
7. Get My Dogs Ready for Obedience Trials:
• I've been training Auto in obedience for two years.  He's almost ready to step into the obedience show ring, but I have to build his confidence a little more.  I just need to work with him a little more and we'll be good to go.  Continuing going to dog classes and adding a little training during the week will get us there.  Onyx is 4 month old now.  I'll start showing her in Conformation in a few weeks; however, I want to keep up her obedience training as well and have her ready to start trialing by the summer of 2018.
8. Maintain this Blog
• Doesn't sound too hard?  Just have to make sure I keep up with it!

And there they are.  My 2017 goals and ambitions.  Publicly announced!  Now, to go work on them!!!

My 2016 Year in Review

My 2016 in review:

1. Had a health scare at the beginning of the year with high liver enzymes and a very active bladder. Required a colonoscopy and a bladder scope to find nothing wrong (thank goodness!). Also had an endoscopy at the sane time to check on the damage from my Celiac disease and learned I still had some damage and I need to be more careful. Dawn was there for me.

2. Had some financial hardships that come with our economy today. Dawn and I got through them together.

3. Went to Disney with my in-laws and had so much fun with Dawn.

4. Watched Luau's DM progress throughout the year. Felt his strength as he never gave up. Dawn and I cried together. And I lost a huge piece of me (strange as it may sound, Luau helped me through one of the worst depression bouts of my life) when Mellissa came to the house and did the last nice thing for him and helped him across the Rainbow Bridge. Dawn and I cried and she still cries with me when I think about him.

5. Watched our country (and my friends) become very divided and animated over our political issues. Dawn and I discussed these issues as well.

6. Spent as many days and nights camping with Mellissa, Dave, Walt, and Carol. Enjoyed our fun times around the campfire. Smiled and loved the few nights that Katherine, Renae, and Erika spent with us. These trips started with Dawn and I packing the camper and ended with us unpacking the camper together.

8. Kimber had a litter of puppies, and even though they were A LOT of work (as all litters are,) I enjoyed every minute of them. And, I fell in love with one of the puppies we had at the end and Dawn, against her better judgement, registered her to me (and her, we co-own our dogs) while I was out on a training run because she saw my love for Onyx and how she was helping me through the loss of Luau.

9. I started running again and signed up, trained, and ran the Erie Marathon in September. My first marathon in almost 6 years. Then, I registered for the Pittsburgh Marathon in May of 2017 and the Buckeye Trail 50K in July of 2017. And now I'm looking for my first 50 mile ultra next fall. She thinks I'm crazy, but Dawn has and is supporting me with every step.

10. I've struggled to keep my weight off in 2016, and I did gain about 30 of the 177 pounds back, but I call that a huge success! I was able to do it because of the support and kind words Dawn has and her ability to make me want to continue to succeed.

11. Every morning started with Dawn by my side, or a call or text from each other when we were away. Each night ended with Dawn by my side, or a call or text to each other when we were away.

2016 definitely had a bunch of bad moments and struggles, but focusing on the positives makes me kind of forget them. And, if you notice the theme of my 2016, I'm damn lucky that I found the love of my life--Dawn's always there for me and I'll always be there for her.

Life is a great adventure when you get to make that journey with your best friend.

Here's to a healthy and prosperous 2017!!

The Treadmill--The Most Important Piece of Winter Running Gear

Winter is fast approaching all across the running nation.  And here in Southwestern Pennsylvania, we are getting Mother Nature's cold shoulder a little early.  The Winter Solstice, and the official start of winter, is still 5 days away; however, we have 3 inches of snow on the ground, have had sub zero wind chills, and are expecting the first ice storm of the pending season tonight.  The cold weather can offer some challenges to a runner, but to us running gear geeks, the winter brings some special gear to drool over, research, and find a reason we need it.

When I bought my Yak Tracks, a common item that people purchase to add to the bottom of their running shoes to help grip the road or trail in slippery conditions, I thought they were going to send me out on the roads no matter what the weather!  But on ice they were still a little slippery.  Then I decided to try the do-it-yourself  method of screwing machine screws into the soles of my old trail shoes.  You know, just like the old studded snow tires (I recommend a pair of near retirement shoes for this, and remember to use SHORT screws!)  Surely the screws would make me want to do all my winter runs outside!  Nope, sometimes it's really cold.  I have a nice lightweight jacket that breathes and keeps me warm after a mile or so when the temperature drops below 30, a vest for 30-40 degrees.  I have loose tights that I wear when it gets below freezing (shorts above freezing.) And gloves?  I have at least 6 different pair.  I have a Buff, a moisture wicking beanie, an ear warmer, specialty long sleeve shirts, and sometimes I still don't want to go outside when it's a cold rain or really windy.  When it snows, the roads around me lose their berm to the pile left along the roadside by the plow truck.  Sometimes, oh come on, who am I kidding, I OFTEN find myself in the winter on the most dreaded piece of running gear out there: The Treadmill.

The view from my treadmill.  Our old 27", SD, television that is connected to our old stereo so I can hear what I'm watching over my footsteps.

We've all heard the treadmill called the Dreadmill or the Hamster Wheel.  The overall perception of spending any amount of time running on one isn't very appealing.  The scenery doesn't change.  The smells of nature don't exist.  There's no people to watch (unless you're in a gym) or wildlife running by.  It's just what's in front of you.  The same mundane view.  Then there's the terrain.  No corners, no slope to the road or trail, and no hills unless you create them with the up button--something I almost never do!

That all seems so horrible as I write it.  BUT, I actually don't mind running on my treadmill.  I would rather be outside experiencing the world; however, I find the treadmill to be quite useful.

Obviously, when the weather conditions are bad, the treadmill can be the only safe place to run.  And when the roads lose their berms to snow piles, the treadmill literally keeps me out of traffic.  But there's a lot about the treadmill I like that isn't weather related.

Safety is probably the biggest thing I like about the treadmill.  If I sleep in a little, the traffic on the roads around my house picks up.  I live in the country, so there aren't sidewalks.  The berm is the only place for me to be safely.  Even if the temperatures aren't dangerous, if there's snow on the berm, I'm running in traffic--way to dangerous for me.

I like the controlled environment.  I like the fact that I'm not in the dark because of the late sunrise.  I like the fact that I can control my leg turn-over and work on my cadence.  I like being able to run on something that's flat (I always run on at least a 1 percent treadmill grade, but the terrain outside in SW PA is only flat if I drive to the rail trail.)  I like being able to set my pace and increase it, or decrease it, as necessary--intervals, longer distances, tempo runs, etc.

I also enjoy catching up on the DVR'd TV shows.  The fact that my bathroom is just on the other side of my basement.  Upstairs, there is a very well stocked aid station should I need it (I call it the kitchen to my non-runner friends.)  Out of water?  Sink about 20 feet away.

Some of these conveniences also have me running on my old treadmill--I bought it in 2008-- in the spring, summer, and fall.  Although, I'd rather be outside experiencing the world, I'm also ok with being in the corner of my basement.

Maybe my lack of hatred for the treadmill comes from my love of running?  I know if it's pouring rain, extremely cold (wind chills below zero,) after traffic has increased in the morning, too icy or snow on the sides of the road, I'd probably NOT run if the treadmill wasn't there.  And that would be a shame!  So for me, my treadmill is the most important winter running gear I have.  In fact, it may be the most important piece of running gear period.  It allows me to enjoy the run when my mind would otherwise put me on the couch.

An Introduction

Just what the world needs--another blog! (I'm sure there are a lot of folks that start their first entry just like this!)

I've tried my hand at blogging before, and after a few moths, weeks, or in one case days, I stopped writing.  I felt as though I didn't have an audience.  I felt as though what I was writing about wasn't important.  And I quite.

My goal with BradRuns is to share my running life, thoughts, and experiences.  I also train and show a few of our Chesapeake Bay Retrievers (a hobby I share with my wife) and my passion (outside of running) is playing the bagpipes--yes the bagpipes!  I'm not a professional piper by any means, but I am the president of our band and enjoy playing and the social aspect of our group.

One of the main reasons I'm starting this blog is to help me express myself.  I'm a very outgoing guy that teeters on an extreme extrovert.  I also have a very addictive personality and have traded one addiction for another many times in my life.  No, I've never been a drug addict or alcoholic.  In fact, I've never even tried illegal drugs; I also know that with my personality type, alcohol could be a very dangerous path--so I don't drink very often.  My addictions have come in the form of chewing tobacco, running (which I'll explain later,) and various other short lived hobbies.  It seems that I develop an interest in something and throw myself into it so far that I become addicted and have a hard time focusing on other things.  These types of behaviors are something that I have had professional help with and I'll end up sharing some of that in future posts.

I also have ADHD.  Yeah, I know, who doesn't?  But mine has been diagnosed through testing by a qualified professional--not a Buzzfeed quiz.  It's something I'm medicated for and the medication helps.  But so does running.  It's amazing how the endorphins created on the run help me focus throughout the day.

Depression is yet another cliche we read about so many times with runners.  And if you haven't really experienced real depression--the kind that borders on, or is, debilitating to your life-- I can tell you it's very hard.  Something that can lead to horrible thoughts about yourself and how the world sees you.  Again, something I've dealt with for years.  I'm in and out of depressive states.  Something I've also sought help.  Something that I need help.  And beyond medication, antidepressants don't work for me, endurance activities are often prescribed by doctors to help create dopamine in the brain and help you work your way back to a non-depressive state.  I'm not a doctor, but I can tell you it helps me.

As time progresses, and I feel more comfortable sharing, I'll end up talking about all of these things.  I'm planning of keeping the focus of the blog on running and how it's helping me.  I may through in a review of a running related product, a race recap, or just some thoughts and training log type posts.  I'll most likely share about my dogs (we don't have children, so they are our children.) and maybe a little about my piping and the band.

It's going to be fun. And I'm pledging to myself to write frequently.  At least once a month, if not more.

And if you read this, thank you.

I run for my life; I move to live.
Brad