Trying New Things–Energybits Review and Giveaway

Posted by hellyontherun in Running and tagged with Algae, Energybits, Fuel, Giveaway, Running March 20, 2014

It’s been a busy family week as we all get ready to travel to Ohio to visit family next Wednesday but I’ve been able to squeeze in a couple of workouts so that I could try this popular “fuel” called ENERGYbits.

I’ve been hearing quite a bit about Energybits from my runner friends and figured I needed to check it out. One of the things on my list is to try experimenting with fuel–something I don’t think I did an adequate job of training for my first marathon. So, here are my thoughts on this particular one.

Energybits is unique in that it is an all natural product made from 100% organically grown spirulina algae. If you know me, you’ll know that “all natural” and “organic” are not typically in my food intake vocabulary. Energybits also has zero caffeine or sugar. I know, I know! You’re probably thinking, “Helly, this is against everything you believe in!” Lol! While I love my caffeine, sugar, salt, and everything else bad in food that I eat, I do know that I should be sticking with stuff that won’t cause tummy issues when I run–which this product claims won’t happen.

So, before my Tuesday scheduled run, I took 30 of these bad boys (yes, 30!) 15 minutes before my workout started. I was definitely a bit incredulous reading that I had to take 30 pills, but, that’s what it said to do and as a teacher, I follow all directions.

One thing I did appreciate was that it suggests you swallow the pills and not chew them. Yeah, they’re not particular tasty (but they don’t have an after taste–whew!)

I don’t know if it’s truly a wonder pill or not, but I held an 8:38/mile pace for 6 miles that run. I knew I wanted to push myself because I didn’t want to run scared after my what happened last weekend. I had my SPIbelt with my necessities: Epi Pen, Phone, keys.

My run was a challenge but felt really, really, really good. I had zero stomach issues and while it was tough maintaining that pace (I hadn’t done a run like that in a while), I felt strong and I felt energized. I also didn’t feel hungry. I didn’t want to eat before my run (considering what happened on Friday) but with Energybits containing 64% protein, another one of it’s highlights is that it curbs your hunger.

I had to try Engergybits one more time. Before my Wednesday workout, I swallowed some more pills and was ready.

Typically, Wednesdays are track days but my run club had something different in store for us.

Uphill running pulling a tire…just another day in the life

Our workout was so fun! Because we were doing a lot of high intensity stuff, I really felt the Energybits giving me the extra oomph I needed. I’ve always been a little skeptical on products claiming to give you a quick burst of energy or push, but I did think the bits were doing something. I mean, I felt really good after both workouts. I wasn’t completely exhausted or worn down or starving and I really pushed myself both days.

Overall, I have to say I’m an Energybits fan. I like that it’s natural, I like that it didn’t leave a yucky taste in my mouth, I like that there was no “crash” after, and I like that it’s small and travel friendly.

I know your interest is piqued. If you want to try a sample of Energybits, you’ve got a few ways you can do it.

First, you can enter my giveaway for a FREE sample below and leave a comment on whether you’ve tried Energybits before or what other fuel(s) you’ve tried.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Increase your chances:

1.) Like hellyontherun on Facebook
2.) Like ENERGYbits on Facebook
3.) Follow hellyontherun on Twitter
4.) Follow ENERGYbits on Twitter
5.) Tweet about the giveaway
6.) Follow hellyontherun on Instagram

And cool update! I’m on Pinterest 🙂 You can follow me there too if you’d like to just for fun! (And ENERGYbits) 🙂

Don’t want to wait to see if you win? Enter the word BLOG into the coupon box at checkout at energybits.com for a 10% discount.

The fine print:
Giveaway only ships in the U.S.
Giveaway ends Tuesday 3/25 at 12 a.m.
I was provided a free sample to review but my opinions are always my own.

Shamrock Shuffle 5k Recap and Allergy Update

Posted by hellyontherun in 5k, Race, Running and tagged with 5k, Allergy, Exercise Induced Anaphylaxis, Running, Shamrock Shuffle, St. Patrick's Day March 17, 2014

First, HAPPY St. Patrick’s Day!!

So, I wasn’t sure whether to run my run club’s annual Shamrock Shuffle 5k yesterday. It was noncompetitive, unclipped, and just something fun to get all of us together. I figured, why not? I knew I didn’t want to be scared away from running after what happened on Friday so I felt this was a good way to ease back in. My husband was coming along and that made me feel a lot better about my decision.

It was an absolute perfect weather day. I mean, I was in a tank and shorts. (Sorry east coasters!) I’m not a dress up person when it comes to fun runs–I just can’t deal with unneeded accessories while I run lol. I do however, go all out during school dress up days! So I was just in some Swirlgear attire that had a hint of green.

I had my SPIbelt with my new Epi Pen with me and headed out. I had no idea what pace I was going although I had started my watch. I decided to not look or worry about it and just enjoy the run as best as I could.

The first mile beeped but I kept going. I was running with a run club friend and we were chatting the entire way. It was such a leisurely run that before I knew I it, we were done.

I stopped my watch and took my first look:

32:50
10:36/mile

I was not the least bit phased or concerned. All I wanted was to run and get some of the jitters out and this was the perfect opportunity to do it.

Since my last post describing what happened this past Friday, a lot of running friends have reached out and shared their own running allergy experiences. After doing some of my own research and hearing the stories of these runners (especially my buddy For The Love of Running), I think it’s the closest thing I can explain what happened is what’s called an Exercise Induced Anaphylaxis. This is a good article describing what it it and how it happens. There are different causes, but what I think triggered mine was eating and then running immediately after. I’ve done this before (I know, bad!) so I still think it’s strange but it’s the only thing that makes sense. I did absolutely nothing different during the run, did not wear anything new, did not eat anything different. I’m simply at a loss.

I did not feel a hint of what I felt on Friday during the Shamrock Shuffle 5k.

I’ll be seeing an allergist soon to try and get some answers. In the meantime, I want to continue running and not let what happened throw me off of what I’ve got going on.

–Did you race this weekend?

–How was your running week last week?

A Run With An ER Detour

Posted by hellyontherun in Running and tagged with Allergic Reaction, Allergies, Road Precautions, Road Safety, Running, Scare March 15, 2014

Seriously, who gets an allergic reaction during a run?

This girl.

So in honor of Pi Day, I set out for a chill 3.14 run. My husband got home from work, we had an late lunch/early dinner of our favorite “pie”–Pita Jungle’s Glazed Lavosh Pizza, I changed and stretched and then hit the road. It had been about an hour and half post meal when I headed out so no biggie. I’ve actually sometimes literally have eaten and ran lol! But yesterday I actually gave it some time.

I knew where I was going as I had ran that route before. It’s almost an exact 3.14 route around my neighborhood that takes me through a park and main roads. I was wanting to do a warm up mile and then negative split the last two not caring about the time but wanted the third to be faster than the second.

I headed out and ran through park. I reached the bike path that would lead me to the first major road. l’ve ran through this bike path many times but it’d been a while since the last. I waved to a couple walking and smiled at a woman with her four dogs. I was cruising along thinking how the smell of the trees and bushes around were so strong. Pungent even. But I kept going.

I reached the end of the path and turned left going north towards a major crossroad. My fingers started to itch and I began scratching furiously. I told myself, “Don’t think about it Helly. Keep going.” The first mile beeped.

I reached the corner of the cross road and turned left now going west towards home. I was two miles away.

My fingers were on fire and I thought it was the weirdest thing but I kept going. Then I started to feel a tingling sensation in my toes. It started creeping up my body. By the time mile two beeped, I could feel my tongue, lips, and ears swelling. I knew I was in trouble.

I reached the last crossroad going home and even though the light was green, I stopped. I pulled my phone out of my SPIbelt (thank God I had that thing) and called my husband. He didn’t answer.

I figured, I was less than a mile away so if something insane happened, he’d have a record of my call and I was wearing my Road ID (thank God I had that thing).

By this point, I could see the hives start to grow on my arms and legs.

This was nothing compared to how bad it got

I made the last left towards home and passed a fire station. I’ve always thought it was cool we lived so close to one and now, at that very moment, I was even more grateful. I contemplated stopping there and getting help. But, I decided I was a block away from our house and I figured I’d let my husband in on what was happening. I didn’t know yet how serious what was happening to me was.

The last mile was the fastest. Not just because it was what I wanted/planned, but because I knew I needed to get home…quick.

My splits:

Mile 1: 9:23 (Everything was fine and dandy)
Mile 2: 8:52 (Holy, what the hell is going on…)
Mile 3: 8:37 (Shit got real)

I entered the code to my gate and started to walk the rest of the way. I took out my phone to take a pictures of what was happening to show my husband (in the rare chance whatever was happening went away). I even took a picture of my face but I’ll spare you (think Will Smith in Hitch)…..yeah……

As soon as I got home my husband took one look at me and said, “Go lie down.” I went to our guest bedroom and started taking off my clothes. I yelled to my husband to call our neighbor to come over and watch our kids so he could call 911.

About 10 minutes later the paramedics arrived. I heard one of them say to another, “Her back is completely covered.”

“Full dosage,” another said.

I began being poked and prodded and could feel myself about to lose consciousness. I tried my hardest to stay awake and luckily whatever they injected me with began to work pretty quickly.

They lifted me into the ambulance where I was reviewed for 5 hours before they released me. No clue as to what triggered it. I was told that I’d have to carry an Epi Pen with me in case I had another reaction. I was referred to an allergist to hopefully get some answers. I hadn’t eaten anything new, hadn’t taken any medications, hadn’t worn any new clothes, hadn’t done anything out of the ordinary. The only thing I could pin point is the bike path with all the trees and bushes I ran past.

I can’t stress enough how important it is to be careful out there. I am so glad I was close to home and not doing a long run in the middle of nowhere or God forbid a trail run. I am so glad I had my SPIbelt with my phone and my Road ID. These precautions are so necessary. I’ve never been allergic to anything ever ever. I had zero thought that something like this would happen to me, that I would be so close to a horrific accident. You just truly never know.

No questions today. Have a good weekend friends. Be safe.