May 24, 2012 • 2 notes

Bearded Brothers

So in case you didn’t know -  We are into beards. Like really really into beards. Almost as much as into eating clean whole foods. So when the two are combined = magic.

Enter Bearded Brothers.  

Bearded Bros it a local (ATX), handmade snackbar company run by two dudes. with beards. Enough said?

There bars are a combination of dried fruits, nuts/seeds, and superfoods. (so yea, “paleo” if you will)  So an upgraded Larabar so to speak. However unlike Larabars, they are not just sugarbombs and have a decent calorie load and taste pretty darn good! 

They Currently have 4 flavors:: vanilla blueberry, mango coconut, chocolate maca and ginger peach. 

My favorite is the chocolate maca with vanilla blueberry shortly after. I don’t recommend making one of the bars a meal but can be a great snack or on-the-go food that is clean and tasty. 

I usually get mine at Wheatsville Co-op or at various coffeeshops around town but you can also order them online as well! 

Check em out!!


May 4, 2012

Rolling on 233’s

Above is a picture from a recent trail race I did while rolling in the Invo8 233’s.

I highly recommend these shoes, but do-not recommend them for trail. I was a little too excited to try them out and figured since the trail wasn’t terribly technical it wouldn’t be a problem. While it wasn’t a problem per say - something with a little more traction will serve you better for central texas trails. More actual shoe review below. 

The 233’s have a 6mm drop and 6mm footbed. Which is running shoe jargon for has a goldey locks (not too much, not too little) amount of cushion and differential. Actually I can make a blanket statement recommendation to put most folks in this shoe both beginners who are learning how to properly POSE run and more advanced alike. For track workouts, longer road runs,  and yes including a marathon. I would say since it has a wider footbed and a sticky bottom that the shoe is a solid choice for CrossFit Wods as well. 

April 24, 2012

you cannot truly test fitness

 without testing running in a competition, you cannot truly test fitness. This event is not a test of running, in case you were wondering. If you will always test for a max lift in a competition, then you should always test for a run of some sorts (I would suggest distance has to total at least 1600m to balance things out). Running seems very simple or boring, but it is very revealing of any energy system you choose to test and is always valid/repeatable/measurable.


- OPT on the Regionals WODs. 



April 23, 2012

Super  Squats.  - one of the most potent training tools I’ve encountered. Introduced to me a few months ago by  Travis Holley I’ve been chipping my way up the super squat ladder hitting 175, 185, 190, 195 and last Friday 200. While this has huge potential for building strength endurance and mental fortitude it also takes a big shock to the CNS (notice my quiverings between reps 17-20) and ones posterior chain.

 So trust me that as you getting heavier in super squats that the recovery period will slow down. I attempted to do a 10k trail race on Sunday - two days after the fact and had…nothing. Hamstrings and butt were still fried ( had no “pull”) and frankly my energy was no where. 

So use it. By all means. But use it accordingly. and with caution.

Happy Squatting Ya’ll 

April 23, 2012

For anyone looking for a great workout to do at home this week. 

April 10, 2012

on the track. at night.

 

Recently in the evening after I’ve been idling at the track until everyone else leaves and it gets dark. Yes by then I just want to go home and get ready to sleep but there has been something more meditative (and dare I say… spiritual) about training alone, in the dark. 

Now, I know in the back of my head I have some romanticized version of a “Once A Runner” end all be all night peak training session (like to 60x Quarters in the book)  that I’m chasing BUT there is something to it. 

Sometimes the best training partner is just getting out of your head and REALLY in your body. When everything else is dulled and that all there is, just you, your legs, your lungs, your legs and the track. 

April 2, 2012

Relentless Adventure Race!

your face. upon seeing this photo. overwhelmed with joy. right?!

Team “Featherweight Fury” took 3rd overall at the first annual Relentless Adventure Race. trail running, kettlebells, sandbags, good friends and a great time. You better be there next year! 

March 30, 2012

BOOM!

Team #featherweightfury will be brining it to the Relentless Adventure Race on Saturday morning.

Prepare to be dominated. 

March 28, 2012 • 2 notes

Randy Slam Dunks the Cap10K

One of our badass athletes randy Took on the Cap10K on Sunday, below is his below race report. Emphasis is mine. 
Quick back ground is I’m not an “endurance athlete” prior to Oct 30th 2011, my longest race was a 10K many years back. A friend talked me into doing the SA Half and so my story begins. Oct 30th I completed Run for the Water 10Mile (10:22min/mi pace), Nov 13th SA Half (2:18 - 10:30min/mi pace), Feb 19th Austin Half (2:08 - 9:41min/mi pace). Based on this I asked Coach Benjamin what a good goal for Cap10K would be and his guidance was shoot for under 60min. 
My official time for Cap10K Mar 25th 2012 was 59:08 (9:26min/mi pace), WINNER - met my goal!  That included a restroom stop between mile 3 and 4, my splits show the pit stop. I must say I completely underestimated the mother load of hills on the front end, 9A start is later than I prefer, and was a little warm. But I’m not complaining hit my target and I’m happy.
I started incorporating the CFE training in the fall of 2011. Between the Austin half and Cap10K I joined in Ben’s Run Fast training class at the track, combined with my regular 2 days a week Crossfit Central indoor class and 2 days a week Kettlebell at the Red and Black Gym. The CFE classes helped me dial in my form and I can see the results in my pace per mile. I still have the full marathon on my bucket list, however I’m not a fan of running long distances in the warm weather and I live in TX so I’ll be putting that on the shelf until a later date. I’m pretty sure summer has arrived.   
One more tidbit while I’m patting myself on the back is I also crushed a Deadlift PR in the last month, I’m pointing this out because in my recent experience training following the CFE methodology I didn’t give up any muscle and showed some gains on a heavy cornerstone lift.  

March 27, 2012 • 2 notes

Shoe Game

Here’s what I got right now in terms of my “shoe game”.

While this is not every piece of footwear I still own this is what I am CURRENTLY USING. 

From Botton to Top: 

DC Skates Shoes: for WOD’s under load. they bottom is hard, not quite zero drop but is and more conducive for Oly lifts, box jumps, KB swings etc. etc. and I can still run anything under an 800 decent in them despite being kinda clunky. 

Altra Intuition: For road and light trail running. 

Adidas Adistar: OLY lifting and some WOD’s. These are super brand spanking new. 

Inov-8 Bare-x 150: For track runs and bodyweight/lightweight WOD’s 

Reminder: Everytime you don’t buy minimal running shoes from Natural Running Store, puppies die.