Gladiator Assault Challenge

The slope we hiked up to get to the starting line

This past Saturday I had the pleasure of completing my first ever Gladiator Assault challenge! My husband Thack and his Army buddy Adam had done it last year and came home telling me that it was harder than Tough Mudder so I went into it with high expectations.

The event was hosted at 7 Oaks in Boone, IA. Knowing it was taking place on a  ski slope I came better prepared for hills this time, but only by a small margin. (cut me some slack it takes time to become a hill master!) 

Race day was sunny and hovering around 50 degrees, perfect for a road race in my opinion. When it comes to obstacle races which will undoubtedly require you to jump into freezing water more than once, it was a bit on the chilly side but not unmanageable. We started out hiking to the top of the slopes to get to the starting line. Some people hated it but I thought it was a good warmup. From the top you got a good view of a few of the other obstacles including cargo nets for climbing and "Leap of Faith" which is basically a plank you jump off of into a lake. 

The course promised 30 obstacles packed into 5.3 miles. We started off down the ski slope which didn't give much opportunity to run right off the bat. I was literally surfing in the mud at a few points. At the bottom they had dug pits with hills over the top (think mud mile if you're a Tough Mudder) the water was FREEZING and I will say they were a bit tough to get out of. After that there were some climbing obstacles and low crawling. None of it crazy, just good muddy fun. 

One portion that stood out to me was "Toast" It was basically a muddy trench with water at the bottom but you had to walk/run through flames to get to the end. They had banked fires at the top billowing  walls of smoke in front of you so you couldn't see and had to go by feel. Mentally it was a bit of a challenge for me. Jumping over fire, yes. Running through fire on a flat surface, sure. But trying to get through it on slippery muddy terrain knowing I would have to go slowly and wouldn't be able to leap or dash through had me a bit shaken. My strategy was to scoot down into the trench and then get up as quickly as I could to pick my way through the flames, trying to avoid slipping into the trench because I didn't want to fall butt-first into fire. I focused on watching my feet and made it through in what I would guess was under 60 seconds. Not horrible but I definitely did not want to go through that portion again. 

One of my favorite parts of the event were the beautiful stretches of trail we got to run on. We wound back into the woulds and up and down the sides of some pretty steep hills. At one point we were actually "running" down the middle of a creek but the water was clear and cool which around mile 4 actually felt pretty good. 

The last obstacle was a cargo net and once we got over it we were able to head down the chute where we received our medals and a choice of Blue Moon or Coors Light and the obligatory free banana. There were even oranges for the Blue Moon! (Well played GAC, well played!)

We met some fun people along the course! Lots of Cross Fitters and trail runners, who would of course be a perfect fit for the event. Overall I really enjoyed myself and was only mildly crippled the next day. Though it wasn't easy by any means I felt the main portion of the challenge was in the cardio, not as much the obstacles, which I wasn't expecting. I think this would be excellent for someone who is a stronger runner or is just trying an obstacle race for the first time. 

All in all the day was a smashing success and I would love to participate again in the future. That being said, and meaning this in only the nicest way….

It's got nothing on Tough Mudder ;)

Thack and I post race! Cheers! 

Nova Forme: Cyto Greens Review

I have been using Cyto Greens by Nova Forme for a little over a week now and I have to say I'm impressed. In the past I have used various amino acid supplements to aid in recovery post workout and while they helped with DOMS I wasn't getting everything I was looking for. I've always strived to nourish my body through diet alone but being anemic and struggling to eat enough meat and dark leafy greens I thought it might be time to change my approach. I went searching for a greens supplement, not only to fill the holes in my diet, but aid in recovery and my overall wellness. I narrowed my search down to a few contenders but in the end decided to go with Cyto Greens. 

The supplement boasts some impressive claims including: 

• Faster muscle recovery
• Powerful High-ORAC anti-oxidants
• Increased stamina
• No Fillers 

They also claim greater bioavailability and 21X the chlorophyll  of a serving of dark leafy greens. I decided to go with the 30 serving tub for $29.99. I figured at .99 per serving I wouldn't be out to much if I didn't notice any difference. I ordered from bodybuilding.com where CG had received rave reviews on all except taste (it got  an average rating of about 6.8 out of 10) When I received my tub I wanted to mix it up just as the label prescribed so I tossed a scoop into a shaker with 8oz of water and started chugging. Needless to say I didn't do that again. While the taste isn't awful it definitely leaves something to be desired, but that is to be expected when you're packing that many greens into one relatively small scoop of product. After that I stuck to using at least 16oz of water and using my blender to be sure that I got it all mixed properly. I usually refill my cup with water a second time to make sure I get all the good stuff and don't leave any stuck in the bottom. The powder was very fine and mixed well even without the blender, but I liked to add a little ice as well to the mix as well.

I started noticing some pleasant changes the first day, including increased energy and less soreness after a tough workout. Here are the cliff notes on what I feel I've gained since I started using Cyto Greens

• Increased energy: this could be due in part to the Matcha Green Tea included in the blend
• Faster post-workout recovery
• Regularity: this does not need further explanation
• Increase in mental function and overall sense of well-being
• Skin improvement: I noticed fewer breakouts and less inflammation on my face

Overall I have been more than happy with the product and will continue to use it daily. I like to have mine first thing in the morning or if I don't get it in then, after a workout. You can purchase Cyto Greens and or view the full label HERE

I definitely think it's work a try and if you do give 

it a whirl I hope you love it as much as I do! 

Here is to your health! Cheers! 

Hitting the trail

Today was my first trail run of the season! It's something I've been looking forward to for quite some time. I am fortunate enough to live about an hour's drive from a few wonderful state parks. Palisades-Kepler state park, which I went to today, is less than a 10 minute drive from home.

I've been looking for a non-torturous way to incorporate hills into my regimen, particularly for marathon training. I think I may have found it in trail running! I have always loved to hike but never gone much faster than a brisk walk on the trails. Living where I do in Iowa there aren't a ton of hills to choose from that are close, and honestly the thought of running repeats on a never ending stretch of tilted asphalt is less than appealing.  I'm all about the joy of the run, and I know I'm in for a stiff mental game once the milage starts ticking up, so it was vitally important to find something that I could truly enjoy, and switch up the scenery. 

Today I headed out and started at the Cedar Cliff nature trail. I felt like Pocahontas flying down the path! Ok…honestly more like a fair haired, ghost white, less coordinated Pocahontas with an aversion to barefoot running, but you get the drift. There were portions of the trail that were well packed and wide, I really enjoyed picking up speed there. Other points I had to slow to a quick walk to pick my way up or down a winding stone stair case. Of course there were hills in abundance! I can say in all honesty that I enjoyed every single one of them, though they were hard work. 

As I ran the thought occurred to me that I may need to actually invest in trail running shoes. I've been wearing my Adidas Supernova Glide Boost ( Find them HERE ) and they are perfection for distance. My only complaint would be they err on the side of being stiff and a bit heavy for speed workouts. With the beautiful weather today they did fine on the open parts of the trail but some grip on the rocks and stone staircases would have been great. As it stands I am officially in the market for a great pair of trail running shoes! 

I left feeling blissfully exhausted and very relaxed. There is something so wonderful about getting some alone time out in nature. I did not see another soul on my run but I was lucky enough to spot a doe and her fawn, a woodchuck, a few pocket gophers (which I managed to startle) and more than a few cardinals. I can't wait to head back and enjoy more time on the trails! 

Hot Chocolate 15K - Minneapolis

I had the opportunity to run the Hot Chocolate 15K in Minneapolis, MN on April 19th. Also known as "America's Sweetest Race" I had been looking forward to it for quite some time! It was my first race of the season and I had used a Hal Higdon 10 Miler plan to prepare. I hit some bumps in the road while training and between weather and injuries I didn't arrive feeling 100% but I wasn't overly concerned as my goal was simply to get a feel for a larger/longer road race and enjoy the scenery. Note: If you are just looking for the cliff notes on the event feel free to skip to the bottom! 

Packet pickup was at a convention on Friday night. The swag bag consisted of a half-zip pullover with the race logo embroidered on it and we got the opportunity to try on a sample first to make sure we had the right size, which I thought was nice. If you are a chocolate lover you will enjoy the opportunity to snack on some free treats while browsing the vendor booths! 

Pre- race: Note the hair flying in that darned wind

Race morning dawned overcast, cold and VERY windy. The run was set to start on West River Parkway near the Stone Arch Bridge. When the time came to line up in our corrals I noticed that I had been placed somewhat close to the front of the pack. While flattered, I assumed this must be some kind of mistake so I ambled my way towards the back of the pack, thinking I'd be closer to the group going my pace. It only took about a .25 mile after the starting horn blared to realize this was a pretty horrible mistake. I was stuck in a sea of runners moving not much faster than a brisk walk and I had done it to myself. I began the work of darting around trying to get moving without being rude and cutting off any other runners, but it was slow work, and I hadn't been prepared to sprint/jog. After a couple miles of that I was able to get a little space and find my stride. Make no mistake I now have  permanent note in my head "Don't dispute your corral. Just go with it!" 

Once I got a little space and was able to find a comfortably challenging pace I had a chance to take in some of the beautiful scenery I was passing through. We crossed over the Mississippi river a few times and ran through the University of Minnesota campus as well as some artsy looking neighborhoods with brick streets (note: I found running on the brick annoying, pretty, but annoying) One thing I was not prepared for were the hills. I knew I was taking a chance with the weather booking a race in Minnesota in early spring but I figured at least it would be flat....right? WRONG! I found myself not only battling a very strong cold wind but hills. Long, steep, God forsaken hills that left my legs crying. 

The mile 6 checkpoint was at the very top of one such hill. It was at that point that I had to slow to nearly a walk to try and catch my breath and give my legs a break. This is where I vowed to never put off training hills again. I would sacrifice distance to train hills, I would make hills my best friend just so I never had to face the punishment of being undertrained for them ever again. 

My game face after the mile 6 hill.
This is what "holy crap" looks like.

I shuffled/limped/joggled my way to mile 7 at snails pace. The sky was dark, the wind was cold and the crowd was thinning. I suddenly felt very tired and very alone. I knew my goal finishing time was out the window but I couldn't give up. It was time to rally. The thought crossed my mind that my husband just might be waiting for me at the finish. Having battled IT band issues for the past few months he had wanted to start and give it a shot but had waved me ahead near mile 4 and I hadn't seen him since. We usually race together and I had always wondered how it would feel to have him at the finish line waiting with a smile and cheering me on. With that thought in mind I dug deep and asked myself "Is this really as fast as you can run right now?" the answer was a solid "NO." It was time to take it home. 

Around mile 8 I decided I hated every song on my Ipod and ripped my headphones from my ears, making an awkward attempt to shove them into my bra for the rest of the race. I'm glad I didn't just pitch them in my frustration, but the thought did cross my mind. The sun started to peek through the clouds and I realized I was actually gaining some headway as I passed clusters of other racers. 

As I pushed up yet another hill I saw a lone woman on a bike ringing a cowbell (I resisted the urge to yell "MORE COWBELL" as I ran by, but it was really, really hard) proclaiming that there was only a half mile left, we were almost there! 

Mile 8: Almost home! 

As I neared the finish line I was starting to flag but when I heard the announcer say "Laurianne Faugstad of Lisbon, Iowa!" and the crowd started to cheer I got just the pep I needed to find my finishing kick. As I crossed the finish line one of the spectators ran out to give me a high five and tell me nice job. Kind words never sounded so wonderful. The power of kind words, even from a stranger, never ceases to amaze me. It can honestly keep me running when I would have quit miles ago. It's just wonderful to know someone is pulling for you. As I neared the end of the chute I saw my husband waiting for me with the smile that had kept me going when the running got rough. Suddenly the wind didn't seem so strong and cold and my legs didn't hurt so much. I had put 9.3 miles to bed and I was happy. 

We made our way back to the post race party where I was able to pick up my mug of hot cocoa and goodies. I ran this race, as I do all of them, for my IR4 Buddy Ellarie and I could not wait to send the mug to her. Overall it was a great experience and I'd love to come back to Minneapolis and run it again, maybe teach those hills a thing or two!

If you are considering running a HC 5K or 15K here are my cliff notes on the event. It was put on by Ram Racing:

- The 15K entry fee was about $65 but it did include the pullover jacket as your swag bag. You could pay that much for a pullover alone so I thought it was worth it.

- It was well organized, but as in any major city parking was a bit of a challenge.

- There is no race day packet pickup, so if you are traveling for the event like I was you will need to get to the convention before it closes on Friday night to pick up your number and swag bag. There are special hotel rates available to racers if you register ahead.

-The aid stations along the route offered water, sport drink and at one of them chocolate.

-I thought the course for Minneapolis was both beautiful and challenging. Having heard from other racers who have done this event in different cities the organizers do a nice job of choosing courses.

It's almost 15K race day!

It's almost 15K race day! As you know I've been loosely following a Hal Higdon 15K training plan for the past 10 weeks and I'm less than a week out from race day.

I wanted to kick off my race season with something a bit more challenging than my usual 5K, but still doable with the nasty Iowa winter just now on it's way out. I had heard about the Hot Chocolate 5/15K series last year and added it to my bucket list so when I heard they would be in Minneapolis I knew that would be my race.

During the past 10 weeks I've faced a number of challenges including epic shoe fails, horrible weather, family illnesses and a flair up of my seizure disorder. Being a National Guard wife, Mom and student made adding my training to the mix a little difficult and I've been feeling underprepared for the race. I knew it would do a lot to build my confidence if I could fit that final long run in before the the big day, just to prove to myself that I can do the distance if nothing else.

Yesterday I set out on my last "long" run before race day. I use the term long loosely because I realize this is some runners warm up, and later this year when I am in marathon training I'm hoping it will feel like peanuts. That being said it was my longest run for 2014. The weather was sunny and in the 70s but it was w-i-n-d-y. I had uploaded new music onto my shuffle, washed my favorite clothes, eaten a very runner-esque breakfast of 1/2 a whole wheat bagel with peanut butter and a banana which I washed down with green tea.

I stretched, warmed up and headed off.  I had the wind at my back, felt light on my feet and immediately made the rookie mistake of going out to hard in the first mile, which I completed just seconds under 8 minutes (fast for me, don't judge) and I payed dearly for it the rest of the run.

The majority of the trek had me heading into the wind and I had purposely added a .50 mile hill to the middle of my route. When I hit it I powered up about half way then finally had to stop and walk. Once I reached the top I turned back around and practiced my downhill running, which went well if I do say so myself. Around mile 6 I started to feel incredibly thirsty. When I say thirsty I don't mean "I suppose some water might be nice" I mean I was ready to pound on a complete stranger's door and beg them to PLEASE give me some water before I collapsed on their porch. I tried my darndest to keep pushing after that but I ended up slowing to walk until I hit mile 7 and then a painful walk/jog for my final mile home. I ended the whole ordeal with a time of 1.29.29. I want you to know it pains me to write that but I've promised to be honest with you all so there you have it, the good, the bad, and the ugly.

I've been thinking of purchasing some sort of hydration system for a few months but hadn't quite gotten to a point where I felt like I needed one. Earlier in the week I had tried running with a water bottle to the place where I like to do my speed workouts and it felt so awkward, I knew there had to be something better out there. I have rarely seen another runner in my area with a fuel belt or camelback and I didn't want to be "that girl" dragging to much gear along for all the other runners to chuckle at. I sent a message to a fellow blogger who never fails to inspire, motivate and educate, Run Salt Run  ( find her here ----> http://runsaltrun.com ) and asked her opinion on hydration systems for a run of this length. Her reply was brilliant

"Think of it this way…..they have water stops at 5k's"

Mind. blown. 

Why didn't I think of that!? From this day on I will never be ashamed to carry water. I will rock my right to hydrate and rock it hard.

"You must do the thing you think you cannot do." - Eleanor Roosevelt

Today I find myself thinking back to a run I took with my fellow "Girl gone Muddy" Kelli last October. It was just getting cold and she had agreed to do 11 miles for Autism awareness with me (have I mentioned she is a really good friend?) As we were running I said something along the lines of  "I just don't have any desire to do that distance! 13.1, sure. 26.2...no thanks!" Fast Foward to March 16, 2014, the day I registered for my first full marathon.

Since announcing my intent to move forward with my goal I've been asked one question consistently, and that question is, "Why"? In all honesty I'm not entirely sure of the answer, but I know it starts with my faith. I truly believe that the ability to run is a gift from God. It is so easy to take mobility for granted in our day to day lives. We get out of bed, walk to our cars, jump out to go to work and run errands without a second thought for our ability to do so.  In actuality there are so many people in the world who will never have the ability to walk, much less to run. God has seen fit to give me the gift of mobility, and I intend to make the most of it and hopefully spread some joy and inspiration along the way.

As I write this I am still a ball of emotions. Excitement, happiness, and satisfaction in my decision to take this step. But in the back of my mind doubt is still echoing, it wants me to back down. It says "What are you thinking? YOU, run a marathon!? You're crazy! What if you have a seizure? What if your knees give out? You will look like a fool if you try and fail. What kind of mother are you, taking that time from your family to train. Who do you think you are?"

But I know better. I want to live boldly. I want to push myself and never settle. I want to show my children that they can do anything they put their minds to, as long as they are willing to work for it. I am going to test my mettle and prove to myself that I can do this thing I've thought for so long that I couldn't do. I am taking the first step towards 26.2. I was told "You don't run a marathon without coming out a changed person." to which I replied "I guess I will find out!"

So here goes nothing, ready or not (ok, not going to lie, I fully intend to be ready) Des Moines Marathon 2014, HERE I COME!

For the love of Boxing

If you follow me on Facebook you know that I've recently started 15k training! I've got my eye on the Hot Chocolate 15k taking place in Minneapolis, MN on April 19th. This is going to be a very special race because I will finally have the opportunity to meet my I Run 4 buddy, Ellarie! I've been working hard to push my limits in hopes of making a good showing and my training plan includes cross-training twice per week. Living the the Midwest in the midst of an especially nasty winter has limited my options.

Enter, boxing.

I've always been interested in boxing. Long ago, in a Golds Gym far, far away I watched the Klinefelter sisters, Emily and Katy, push through their workouts. To me they were everything women should be. Smart, strong and beautiful. They radiated a confidence that I felt lit up the room. Sometimes after my workouts I would go down to the gym basement where the bags were hung and take a few swings, wondering what it might be like to be a real boxer.

When Title Boxing Club opened it's doors in Iowa City, IA they had my attention. I got the opportunity to attend when the Club offered classes in exchange for donations to Dance Marathon. From the moment I walked in I knew I was going to love it, I just didn't know how much. My class that day was taught by IB. I've since been told he is also known as "The Butcher", and I found out why.

The class began with running laps around the gym to get warm, and then we formed lines between the bags. At the beginning of the line you were to drop and do mountain climbers, then sprint to the other end and do speed work with the bag until the trainer called for switch. The remainder of the "warm-up" (I use that term loosely) soon became a blur of Burpees and sprints. Once we got into the meat of it I learned the difference between "Shoe-shine" and "Speed and Power" We worked on various combinations of Uppers, Jabs, and power punches. But there was something else, something less tangible, that I wasn't even aware I was working on.

I had gone into class with a heavy heart. The stress of school, motherhood, health and family concerns was taking it's toll. To put it bluntly, I was burnt out. With that first lap my troubles were still heavy on my mind, but by the time I got to that first punch, they were starting to fade. Every drop of sweat and every punch chipped away at them until I forgot what had me so down in the first place. IB did a masterful job using the perfect combination of insistence that we "keep working" and encouragement doled out in the form of a high five here or a "nice job" there. By the time I walked out those doors, soaked in sweat, not even a power punch could have wiped the smile off my face.

I've since been able to return for 2 more classes with IB and the Title Boxing Members and each time I've left with heavy arms and a light heart. There is something so empowering about the sport and it has found a home in my heart. I look forward to continuing to box on my cross-training days as often as I can make the 30 mile commute. If you ever get the chance to try a class at Title, I say without hesitation to take the opportunity and run with it. You will be so glad you did!