I’m not the smartest dude. I’ve read over and over the need for proper recovery post training. I don’t know if it’s because I’m lazy or what but I just don’t make the right food choices after exercise. If I was smart, I’ve have a solid serving of protein 15 minutes post training, I rarely do. Last Sunday my wife and I ran the Horsetooth Half Marathon. It’s a beautiful race on paved road with lot’s of climbing up and down. My average mile time was an 8:18, not fast but not slow. Post race I didn’t recover well, I had planned on it but we had some car issues. I know for a fact that I felt “average” this past week due to the poor recovery on Sunday. I hate being sore and feeling like I can’t do my best because of a dumb decision I’ve made.

Another curve ball in this equation is CrossFit at Emergent Fitness. Since January, I’ve attended 2, 1 hour classes a week. These workouts are intense and fully draining. I usually leave feeling totally trashed. But based on my running schedule, I have a big run the next day. Not feeling well isn’t really an option.

2 commitments:
Hydrated well post training
Carry Fluid Recovery in my car so it’s always with me and available

Not sure what to expect but I know I need to take recovery more seriously…

Andy B
outsideallday.com

I’m not really all that smart when it comes to nutrition and exercise. Pizza is good for carbo loading before a race right?

My brother-in-law Bryan and friends at Fluid Recovery do have me convinced however that including protein in my diet is uber important. Especially in seasons of heavy bike riding and running.

Meal replacement with protein:

www.nakedjuice.com

www.odwalla.com

www.mix1life.com (My new favorite)

*I’ll use these for breakfast a few days a week.

Recovery drink:

www.livefluid.com

I’ve used each of these products and enjoy the taste. I won’t drink something I don’t like, all of these are good.

I still don’t understand why I need to drink protein, but I drink it now because people smarter than me have told me to. I really like smart people.

Andy B
outsideallday.com

The 3rd annual Boulder Sunrise Century
Saturday, July 25th 2009

Ride description:
All the challenge you’d expect from a century ride out of Boulder, CO. Pass the Left Hand Canyon descent & opt for an additional 20 miles of Peak to Peak rollers, including a tough 1500′ climb out of Nederland before rejoining the mere mortals on the descent. Avg times – 6-9 hrs, elevation gain ~7000′. With the 75 or 100 mile route, count on some extended climbing with a fairly consistent grade. You need to be fit & train appropriately.

Julie and the boys are heading to CA to hang with family next week for 8 days leaving me at home to work and ummmm, ride my bike, a lot. I have to say I’m really looking forward to this time, even though I will miss the fam. Coach Dave has me on a base training plan in preparation for cyclocross season and I can say I feel super strong. The spring and summer in CO have allowed me to put a ton of miles in on the road bike. This weekend alone I got in 7 hours of slow steady riding. I’ve been sucking down Motor Tabs and LIVE Fluid Recovery just to make it through it all.

Coach Dave won’t be happy that I’m riding in the century so don’t tell him. The timing was perfect and I’ve always wanted to challenge myself to ride 100 miles, sorry Coach Dave. I’m already dreaming of my post ride lunch and nap.

Lot’s more miles to get in this week with lot’s of climbing planned for the weekend. Julie and I will be hitting up yoga on Thursday night.

Andy B
outsideallday.com

I’m not super smart, I’m smarter than some, but not most. It wasn’t until 8 weeks ago that I discovered a magical formula. For year’s I’ve been looking for the magic “recovery” pill. What would make me feel the best, the fastest, post training or racing?

I’ve embraced a 5 step approach:

1. Chilled Fluid Recovery drink
In my opinion, Fluid is the only recovery drink on the market that works on both levels, performance and taste. Most products do one well, Fluid hits both. After my long rides and runs the first thing I do is make up a bottle of Fluid and stick it in the freezer. From there its on to step 2.

2. Hot shower
I’m a shower nut. It does wonders for my aching bones.

3. Time for my 2XU recovery tights
You’ve probably noticed the recent trend of recovery tights. I jumped on this wagon and I’m not jumping off. They work and their comfortable. There is something about keeping your muscles tight that just feels good. All 3 of the brands I recommend below are expensive but if you’re serious about getting back out there, the expense is worth it.

Great brands:
www.2xu.com
www.cw-x.com
www.skins.net

I own 2XU and Dave picked up a pair of Skins last week. He follows me with most stuff like this. I’ve taken to sleeping in my tights and lounging around in them on Saturday’s.

Now time to pick up my cold Fluid from the fridge.

4. Northface sleeping bag slippers

Pure comfort plus my dogs can’t lick my toes.

The North Face NSE Tent Mule Booties – Men’s

5. Laugh at pictures like this

Sellers riding a bike, enough said!

I hope some of my learning’s can be helpful. Running the Devi’s Backbone tomorrow night after work, head lamp, snow, ice, 5 layers and all.

Andy B
outsideallday.com

Go vote, go vote! Hit the link below and vote for Fluid as the recovery drink of the year through Competitor Magazine. With your vote, they could be featured NATIONWIDE as the Best Recovery Sports Drink of 2008. This feature will go to print January 2009, but the polls close soon. Now is the time to show your support! Type in “FLUID Recovery Drink” in the Sports/Recovery Drink category. THAT’S IT!

Go to:
http://www.competitorsocal.com/best-of-2008.html

You can learn more about Fluid on their corporate site at:
http://www.livefluid.com

or their blog at:
http://livefluid.blogspot.com/

The blog RideStrong.com did a super fun write up about them at:
http://www.ride-strong.com/fluid-recovery-drink/

Go vote! You’re supporting an incredible local brand when you do.

Andy B
outsideallday.com

Rich Smith from Fluid Recovery is driving the SAG Wagon for Team Ride Clean during the Tour of Utah. They are helping the team in all areas of the race. Rich just emailed me the race report from day two written by the team director of Ride Clean.

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Stage 2, with over 10,000 ft. of climbing, at the Tour of Utah took its toll on RIDECLEAN.

Although the team was active early in the race (click here to read the VeloNews.com article) some paid heavily for their efforts which resulted in Jon Chodroff, DNF’ing.

Next to slip away, at the base of the climb, was an eight-rider group, which split on the steep early slopes. Leading the way up the climb were Garmin’s Caldwell and Peter Stetina, joined by BMC’s Scott Nydam. Following behind were Ted King (Bissell), Jonathan Chodroff (RideClean), Chris Jones (Team Type 1), Mike Creed (Rock Racing) and points leader Brad White (Successful Living), who spent stage 1 off the front with Donald and Sheldon Deeny (Fan Sports Network composite team).

Drew Miller, one of the nation’s top climbers over nearly two decades with wins at the Tour of Gila on three occasions, had a rough day, ultimately taking a wrong turn riding behind the race and missing the time cut.

Both Ryan Trebon and U-23 rider Kiel Reijnen finished in the top 35, with Kiel staying within striking range (currently in 3rd place) of the best young rider – trailing Garmin Chipotle’s Peter Stetina by 1:19 in that competition, respectively. The other three RIDECLEAN members of Jake Rubelt, Brian Forbes and Kyle Colavito, although losing time, are weathering what has been called “America’s Toughest Stage Race” well.

So the team is down to 5 with a 60 minute Salt Lake City evening criterium in store for tomorrow which will hopefully offer some respite before Saturday’s queen stage of climbing galore.

Stay tuned for further updates and thank you for your continued support!
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Good for Fluid for supporting cycling like this.

Andy B
outsideallday.com

Go to VeloNews.com right now and check out the new products tab at the bottom. You’ll see our friends at Fluid Recovery with a sweet new article on their incredible line of recovery products.

If you miss it on the homepage go to:
http://www.velonews.com/article/80464/fluid-natural-recovery-drink

Also, hit up Fluid’s new blog at:
http://www.livefluid.blogspot.com

The blog is packed with a shmorgeshboard of athlete interviews, video blogs, nutrition tip of the week, exercise of the week, workout of the week, Fluid athlete of the week, etc. It all exists to promote good stuff for active healthy people or people who wish they were.

Fun to see our buddies make it to the big time!

Andy B
outsideallday.com