Disclaimer: I received the Science in Sport Immune Tabs to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews!
Having a prepared immune system is super crucial to helping fend off illness, or at least give you a fighting chance to stay ahead of whatever is going around!
Sipping down some Immune Tabs!
Check out my Science in Sport Immune Tabs unboxing on my YouTube channel, or here on the blog
When you are ready to checkout more of Science in Sport’s products, save 15% off your order using discount code: SIS-BIBRAVE-21 at checkout!
It’s been a hot minute since I’ve shared any food recipes, so enjoy this recipe for a no-yeast pizza crust.
No yeast pizza crust (kinda like a biscuit).
• 1-1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1 tbsp Baking Powder
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 2 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1/2 cup milk (we used almond milk)
Add seasoning to taste, otherwise the crust is kinda bland. We added garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano to ours.
Mix dry ingredient first, then add olive oil and milk. Knead for a few minutes until it has a proper doughy consistency. Let the mixture sit for 10 mins, covered.
Preheat over to 400°.
After settling, roll the crust out into 12” pizzas (or thinner or thicker based on your preference). We rolled them out to 12-13” and covered with pizza sauce and a pizza cheese blend. Choose your own toppings! We made one plain and one pepperoni.
12-13” pizza crust!We let the kids help make the dough, and top our pizzas.
Bake at 400° for 15-20 minutes, until the crust starts to turn golden brown.
Finished pizza… the kids immediately cut it up.
The recipe we found said to pre-bake the crust for 8 minutes and then add toppings, but a lot of people commented how the crust was hard as a rock afterward- so we decided on the cook time above.
Disclaimer: I received MetCon Start to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews!
Some Perspective
I feel like I need to “set the stage” if you will to give you a glimpse of my current mindset and also how MetCon START has really helped me re-develop my running routine.
The pandemic has been weird. Like most people, I found myself unemployed and on a forced 50+ day vacation from employment. I’ll admit, while stressful, the time off was actually a bit of a blessing in disguise. I was given an opportunity to “reset” so to speak and get my head right.
Over the break I ran based on how and when I wanted. It was beautiful and intuitive, I ran without much thought or stress and it became a daily habit everyday around 8 or 9AM.
Fast forward to present-day; I’m back to being employed (and feeling so so grateful) and also oddly enough finding myself wondering when I’m going to find time to run.
Which brings me to the point of this review.
MetCon START, to Start the Day!
Now gainfully employed I have three options when it comes to running. One, run in the morning; Two, run at lunch; Three, run in the evening.
The most painful of these (because I enjoy sleep) is getting up early to run. So naturally I’m left to run over my lunch or in the evening.
It’s July and that means Pennsylvania is swelling with heat and humidity. So those lunch runs I love- well, not so much unless I want to shower three times in a single day. So that means evening runs will have to suffice, right? Wrong. The evening is when the day is at its peak heat, so if I thought running over lunch was too hot, I guess running in the evening is off the table too.
Morning runs it is! Insert groans here.
Actually, it’s not that bad and MetCon START has made the process a little more “user friendly”. Just one (1) scoop 15 mins before my run, and I’m good to go!
My Routine…
User preferences will vary, but on days where I run in the mornings I get up, get dressed and immediately consume around 12-16 oz of water mixed with one (1) scoop of MetCon START.
I typically chase START with a bottle of water to just prepare my body with fluids, since I’ll most likely sweat out most of it. And that’s it. Sounds too easy… right?
My Thoughts…
I’ve been using MetCon START for two weeks now. One container has approximately 30 servings which means just enough for a month’s supply.
When I started using the pre-training mix I avoided consuming any other caffeinated drinks in the morning. MetCon states that START has the equivalent boost of two (2) servings of your typically coffee beverage. I’m not one to have any sensitivity toward caffeine, but to be safe I would try to limit my intake of any supplemental caffeine in the mornings.
4:30AM wake-up calls for a little boost!
START has a nice subtitle boost of energy that I have found was sufficient to sustain my needs for my morning 3 mile run. Unlike other brands I have tried, START has a gradual release of energy, versus an all-at-once hit. I prefer the gradual release and absorption, again it’s not a huge pump like other brands.
The taste is fairly mild, and has a citrus finish. It’s not harsh on the tongue or back of the throat, START mixes easily and goes down without fuss. I have hastily consumed START on occasion (waking up late but still wanting to get in the miles) and can happily report no stomach issues or cramps.
OverallOpinion
At $49.99 and roughly 30 servings, I feel the price isn’t horrible. Along those lines, I feel like when it comes to energy mixes, you get what you pay for, and MetCon is at the higher end of quality and performance.
** Speaking of price, you can Save 20% off your purchase by using discount code BIBRAVE at checkout! **
The mixture blends well and goes down easily, no clumps or gross flavor profiles. I’ve consumed this on the go with no GI issues and enjoy the gradual release of energy.
I have found on longer runs (in the heat and humidity of Pennsylvania) around 5 miles I start to see my energy fade and need an additional boost.
On the weekends, I’m typically up a little later in the day (around 7:30AM) and consume additional caffeine (coffee) in the mornings before mixes up START and heading out. I have found consuming coffee in addition to START has not had any negative affects, but it’s not something I would do daily.
For what it’s worth, I’ve used and enjoyed START and will continue to kick off my days with a little scoop to help give me that “boost” I need!
It’s been a fun quarantine, and being ordered to stay at home with my besties is even better. This lockdown has brought our family closer and has provided us all an opportunity to “stop and smell the roses” if you will.
In our downtime, me and the lovely Mrs have joined creative forces and have produced this short video. No talking, just sounds of my beautiful wife in our country kitchen making a delicious meal for our family.
Disclaimer: I received free entry to the Mushroom Cap Half Marathon as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming aBibRave Pro (ambassador), and check outBibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!
Here we are the night before the race, and here I am frantically putting together tomorrow’s kit.
1. Let’s talk tech: My Aftershokz Trekz Air headphones are a MUST! I’m not sure if this is a sign that I’m getting older, but I love listening to podcasts or audiobooks on long runs. I find that conversations help the miles pass and sometimes a good story carries me through the tough parts of a run. Tomorrow I’ve got the BibRave podcast lined up to keep me company (I’m behind purposely by 4-5 episodes). Throw in my trusty Garmin watch and I’m all set!
2. My Ultimate Direction vest to tote my stuff is also at the top of my list. I have been able to reduce my nutrition for a half marathon to a single Hydrapak(R) water bottle filled with Tailwind Nutrition and one or two Stinger Gels. I have found that most race courses provide enough hydration and gels for those who don’t carry their own supplies, but I like to be self-sufficient.
3. It’s going to be COLD tomorrow so as far as clothing: gloves, my orange lightweight windbreaker, shorts and leggings are a must-have. Throw in my trusty BocoGear BibRave hat, BibRave Buff, and of course my BibRave shirt. GO TEAM ORANGE!
4. I’m going to coat myself in BodyGlide, no joke. Actually I’m going to hit a few target areas: collarbone, shoulders, neck, inner thighs, hips, nips, pretty much all areas where friction can and will ruin a day.
5. Not shown are my Feetures Socks and Brooks Ghost Running shoes.
Tomorrow’s race has other things to look forward to as well, like the post-race after party at the Creamery and of course spending some time with my BibRave buddies!
The course sounds like it’s going to be a challenging but good time! The few people I’ve talked to over social media mentioned the hills…. repeatedly, so I guess I’ll know what to expect.
Lately I’ve been leaning into my training and knowing that I can run comfortably at a 10 min/mile pace without feeling uncomfortable or like I’m going to bonk. And I suppose that’s what it’s all about, running a race comfortably and enjoying the course and scenery without focusing on time and “beating” those imaginary demons in my head.
I’m going into tomorrow’s race with an open mind and sticking to my plan of just enjoying the course… and of course having a good time.
Disclaimer: I received FBOMB Macadamia Nut Butters to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming aBibRave Pro (ambassador), and check outBibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews!
When snack time comes around, I can think of no better quick bite than ripping open a pack of FBOMB nut butter and enjoying the amazing powerful taste of NATURAL ENERGY!
Disclaimer: I received Nuun Rest to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming aBibRave Pro (ambassador), and check outBibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews!
Hydration is key during a workout, long run, race, and in general if you’re going to be active and sweating. There are a few products in the market that can help you hydrate, but none better than Nuun (pronounced “noon”). Now, hydration aside, Nuun is now tackling the second most important aspect of training: Rest!
Disclaimer: I received SiS isotonic gels to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming aBibRave Pro (ambassador), and check outBibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews!
When it comes to fueling while on the run there are many available options, there are Gels, Chews, Jelly Beans, Drinks, Gum, the list goes on. How do you know which ones to consume? Will they help or hurt your performance?
Stick with me through this article and you’ll have a chance to win some Science in Sport Isotonic Gels!
Choosing the right fuel to suit your needs can be a gamble, and that’s why many suggest not to try anything new the day of a race. I’ve heard horror stories from friends who took Gels or Chews for the first time during a race and rather than getting the boost they needed, ended up with stomach pains and cramps so bad they had to *gasp* walk!
Where to begin?
With the many available options out there, you’re probably wondering how you can choose the right fuel. In fact, most of my experience with fueling has been achieved by trial and error until I’ve found the perfect match. But, that takes time (and money), so let me save you some hassle.
Science in Sport Isotonic Gels
I’ve had the best experiences with Gels, they are a quick and easy energy source that can be consumed on the move and can provide that boost of energy you need to help you go the distance. Energy Chews and Jelly Beans are ok when you have a moment to actually stop and eat, but when it comes to on-the-go fuel, Gels are at the top of my list.
When I received my samples to test I noticed these claimed to not give you an upset stomach, a very common side effect from Gels when taken for the first time. So naturally, I decided to consume some of these Gels on an empty stomach right before a long run.
To my surprise, I was able to run cramp and stomach pain-free!
Now’s your chance!
I’m really enjoying these sport gels, and if you follow me on Instagram [@KenStandsonThings] I’ve teamed up with Science in Sport to give away two (2) boxes FREE! Head over to my [post] on Instagram, show me some love and tag a friend! Each winner will receive a box of Gels!
BibRave Fans! Save 25% on your next order using the Discount Code: TRYSIS25 at checkout available on Science in Sport’s website!
“Disclaimer: I received Superfood Bites from Food Groove Mission to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!”
If you know me, you know how important nutrition is to me and how I strive to maintain a healthy consumption of whole and natural foods. I mean, the reason Beyond24Days was created was to show off our love of food… real food! I’m all about nonprocessed foods, that use whole, and natural ingredients with labels that are easy to read – basically, I want to know exactly what I’m eating.
Hey, remember when I used to post up some of my favorite meals? Well, guess what? We’re back with this latest edition and of “All About Food”.
Sweet potatoes are loaded with awesome nutrients, and even better for you when you eat the skin! Topping the list this week is this hearty quinoa stuffed sweet potato!
Bonus bite: Add a little hot sauce to this potato and take the flavor to the next level.
Running with Ken ROCKS! 