tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81580436294077871182024-03-14T04:50:54.921-04:00Second WindLevi Doddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13726618082099424277noreply@blogger.comBlogger183125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8158043629407787118.post-64237659088827623672019-09-03T14:54:00.004-04:002019-09-03T14:54:44.591-04:00Macro Nutrients: protein, carbs, fat, and FREE custom macro template!!Today we're going to tackle macro nutrients.<div>
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For some, this is exciting, for some it's a hard eye roll, and for some it's just terrifying.</div>
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So, what we're going to to is break it down, explain it in pieces, make it simple, and then provide a free self-populating macro template for knowing what your protein, carb, and fat levels should be, as an athlete, regardless of your goal!</div>
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For starters, this is for everyday athletes. What does that mean? Well, for these purposes we'll call an athlete someone who works out 4-6 days a week, utilizes active recovery days, and has a generally responsible caloric breakdown. The "everyday" part is that it is assuming someone who is not an athlete for a living.... your life doesn't literally revolve around fitness.</div>
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<b><u>Protein:</u></b></div>
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Protein levels for everyday athletes can go between 1.2g/kgbw and 1.8g/kgbw (with no positive return above 1.8g/kgbw). </div>
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On the low end, you may see protein suggestions as low as .8g/kgbw (or even lower) but this is for sedentary individuals, not athletes.</div>
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On the other end of the spectrum you may hear from your broscience sources that you need up to 2 grams per pound of bodyweight.... no..... just... no. That number would be nearly impossible to hit no matter what means you employed and 100% impossible to hit while keeping your carbs and fats anywhere remotely close to where they should be. Furthermore, there has been no scientific demonstration of benefit beyond 1.8grams/kg of bodyweight in protein consumption.</div>
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<b><u>Carbs:</u></b></div>
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Carbs are.... complicated. </div>
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But first things first, say it with me: "carbs are our friends"</div>
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Again, carbs are a tale of two extremes. On one hand, many will say that athletes need as much as 6 grams all the way up to 10 grams per kg of body weight.</div>
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Not only will most people be able to successfully perform at much lower levels (between 2.5g and 5g per kg of body weight), most will find these lower levels still provide enough glycogen stores for energy, performance, and recovery while maintaining current body weight on the scale.</div>
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On the other extreme (super popular right now...) is people suggesting sub-optimal carb levels in order to lose weight. These plans suggest 65g a day on a regular basis, many opting for as low as 35g per day, some plans even lower. Here's the thing.... most people can maintain a state of ketosis at 50g of carbs a day and almost everyone will be in a full state of ketosis at 35g per day.</div>
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With that in mind, regardless of body weight, 100g - 150g of carbs a day should be considered your bare minimum (this is your <i><u>"floor"</u></i>) when not in an aggressive, short term cut phase (*note that a cut phase should be no longer then 12 weeks and shouldn't be entered into more often than every 6-9 months). Furthermore, most people can completely fill their usable carb fuel tank with ~6g-7g per kg of body weight (~500g) - this is your <i><u>"store"</u></i>.</div>
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<b><u>Fat:</u></b></div>
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Fat can actually be ignored, for the most part. As long as you are keeping your protein and carbs where they are supposed to be, your fat will typically fall in line.</div>
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That said, your fat intake will vary some, depending on your goals, but should always remain in the .5-1.5g/kgbw range.</div>
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For most athletes the sweet spot for fat intake during maintenance will be between 44g and 78g per day.</div>
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<b><u>So, what now?</u></b></div>
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Everyone will need to play with the carbs and protein a bit to find their sweet spot and this will take a few weeks (you haven't "proven" yourself anything after one "bad" week.....).</div>
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Yes, you can check the scale, but remember what a poor overall representation of health weight really is. </div>
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You are an athlete. </div>
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Listen to your body.</div>
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How do you feel during the workout?</div>
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Did you have enough fuel in the tank to finish Strong?</div>
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Do you sleep well at night?</div>
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How is your DOMS the next day?</div>
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What about on day 2?</div>
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What is your mood like? Are you hangry?</div>
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Do you feel like you are depriving or thriving?</div>
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<b><u>Here are some general starting points based on your specialization:</u></b></div>
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For endurance athletes: Your protein should be on the lower end of the spectrum (1.2g/kgbw)</div>
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and your carbs will be on the higher end (closer to your "store").</div>
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For Olympic lifters and power lifters: Your protein will be the top end (1.8g/kgbw)</div>
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and your carbs will be at the lower end of mid-range (2.5g/kgbw).</div>
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For Crossfitters and HIIT: Your protein will be nearer to the top end (1.8g/kgbw)</div>
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and your carbs will be fall somewhere in the midline (2.5g-5g/kgbw) depending on how many days a week you workout, how many wods you do per day, and at what level of intensity you operate.</div>
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For people wanting to actively Cut: Move protein towards 1.5-1.8g/kgbw </div>
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while moving carbs to 2g/kbbw and fat to .67g/kgbw.</div>
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If you plateau, you can adjust one step further while still maintaining these median ranges by taking carbs to your "floor" (100g a day) and fats down to .5g/kgbw.</div>
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The majority of athletes, regardless of your specialization, intensity, or frequency, can find a successful level of carbs between 2.5g and 4.5g per gram of body weight.</div>
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Example: Maintenance levels for providing excellent energy for 6 days a week of HIIT, while transitioning body comp (dropping body fat and building lean muscle) could look like </div>
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1.2g-1.8g/kgbw in protein, 2.5g-3.5g/kgbw in carbs, and .75g-1.3g/kgbw in fats.</div>
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<b><u>Macro Levels:</u></b></div>
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Protein: 1.2, 1.5, or 1.8 grams per kilogram of body weight.</div>
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Carbs: 100 carbs per day, 2.0, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, 5, 6, grams per kilogram of body weight. As a general rule, male athletes will approach their "store" at about 6.25g/kgbw and female athletes at 7g/kgbw.</div>
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Fat: .5, .67, .75, 1.0, 1.3, 1.5 grams per kilogram of body weight.</div>
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Click <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1xunq_nHQ0MFzzoVf5zoBdmN0LvOYWGYNdGiQyLL16SQ/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">HERE </a>to get my <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1xunq_nHQ0MFzzoVf5zoBdmN0LvOYWGYNdGiQyLL16SQ/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">self-populating template with full instructions</a> (Excel).</div>
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All you have to do is click the 3rd tab at the bottom ("Macro Calculator") and enter your weight in Pounds and the spreadsheet will convert everything and give you all of your macros!</div>
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Levi Doddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13726618082099424277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8158043629407787118.post-46883975523162765682019-08-22T08:00:00.000-04:002019-08-26T14:00:45.173-04:00Renaissance Periodization : RPSo, in my last 2 <a href="https://secondwindbook.blogspot.com/2019/08/whats-point-3-deadly-words-and-new.html" target="_blank">posts </a>I talked about my journey out of and then back into fitness and shared some initial <a href="https://secondwindbook.blogspot.com/2019/08/transformation-tuesday-coach-dodd.html" target="_blank">before and after photos</a>.<br />
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While I said my wife and I used <a href="https://renaissanceperiodization.com/" target="_blank">RP </a> I wanted to share a few more specifics on why we chose RP, what it is, and what we used of theirs, specifically, as well as what we're doing now.<br />
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What is RP?<br />
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They're a company who is made up of a large board of PhDs, RDs, and current college professors, which is cool. What's more cool is that they largely agree on everything (which is shocking) and the things they don't all agree on (alcohol consumption, for example) they're open about. What's even cooler than that is that they are all Olympic lifters, power lifters, endurance athletes, and/or CrossFitters so they understand the needs of athletes and they are not here for your starvation diets (yay carbs!).<br />
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Who uses RP?<br />
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I mean, other than the super famous me and my wife.... you can go look through the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rp_transformations/" target="_blank">"RP Transformations"</a> group on instagram. Oh, and they have a few no-name clients too, like <a href="https://games.crossfit.com/athlete/18588/games" target="_blank">Annie Thorisdottir</a> and <a href="https://www.crossfitmayhem.com/rich-froning" target="_blank">Rich Froning jr.</a><br />
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What do they offer?<br />
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They have nutrition templates as well as workout templates.<br />
They have mass and cut <a href="https://renaissanceperiodization.com/rp-store/rp-templates" target="_blank">programs</a>, including plans for athletes, non athletes, vegan, gender specific, hypertrophy, etc. <br />
For nutrition they have a Standard Template, for serious athletes, which is macro counting<br />
A new <a href="https://renaissanceperiodization.com/rp-diet-app" target="_blank">app </a>that is macro calculating<br />
Then they have what my wife and I used: The <a href="https://renaissanceperiodization.com/diet-templates/simplified?" target="_blank">Simplified Template</a><br />
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The simplified template is macro based, but RP has done all the macro counting for you and all you see is a list of foods from each category (protein, fruits and grains, veggies, and fats) and how many ounces (or tbsp) you are to each of each for each meal. All the meals are the same so you don't have to think about which day it is, which type of meal, or calculate workout times or intensity. It's.... simple.<br />
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For us, the Simple plan worked well for our cut, which is what we were using it for! I lost 30 pounds in ~90 days and my wife (who weighed much, _much_ less than I did) lost 12 pounds.<br />
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It got us back down to fighting weight, got us exposed to thinking about how macros look, disciplined our food choices, and let us practice meal prep.<br />
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We are now nearly 7 weeks past completion of our RP simplified template cut and here we are<br />
(the photo was taken on August 3rd, ~4 1/2 weeks post RP):<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmOn73RBOkR6yWOryc2bcFcXENg3HLBMgpXkRXtUWqqZqsVa15WGKgsTkNwXbgoMWhyr4PjG_crYQrlqS55dq6VFiYR7AJ6MouXjajKz_b1BzaAqomBbiDiQWKSL1giS_NZ5JuMk0gLG_/s1600/IMG-9220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1145" data-original-width="1242" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmOn73RBOkR6yWOryc2bcFcXENg3HLBMgpXkRXtUWqqZqsVa15WGKgsTkNwXbgoMWhyr4PjG_crYQrlqS55dq6VFiYR7AJ6MouXjajKz_b1BzaAqomBbiDiQWKSL1giS_NZ5JuMk0gLG_/s320/IMG-9220.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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In the next blog I'll share what macros we are focusing on now, how you can incorporate that into your life, whether you are wanting to cut, mass, or maintain and whether you are a distance runner or a CrossFitter!<br />
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Stay tuned!<br />
<br />Levi Doddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13726618082099424277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8158043629407787118.post-22064127664201461602019-08-20T08:00:00.000-04:002019-08-20T08:00:07.002-04:00Transformation Tuesday: Coach Dodd edition, 2019*Before and after photos at the bottom*<br />
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So, in my last <a href="https://secondwindbook.blogspot.com/2019/08/whats-point-3-deadly-words-and-new.html" target="_blank">blog </a>I introduced my journey over the last few years....<br />
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The tale of the tape:<br />
I come in at a <i>towering </i>5' 6"<br />
I didn't break 100 pounds until I was a freshman in high school. I graduated high school at somewhere between 120 pounds and 130 pounds. Yes.. yes... I know... a monster. "Mammoth of a man" I think is the name you're looking for *flex* #bodybysoccer<br />
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Throughout my 20's I stayed between 140 and 165.<br />
31-33 I stayed right at 180.<br />
34 I hit 200 pounds for the first time.<br />
At 36 I was a sloppy 205.<br />
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A few things to hear me out on:<br />
1. Weight alone is a terrible indicator<br />
2. I despise BMI. It's stupid. No, I do get it. Yes, I still think it's 90% useless at best, detrimental more often.<br />
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I could be 205 if I was a powerlifter, CrossFit games athlete, body builder, etc. But I wasn't... I was just an out of shape 205. You can be cut up at what BMI says is "morbidly obese". You can also be obese at that same weight. The scale is not a good primary indicator of health. It can be a tool, but just one small tool in a very large tool chest... full of tools... other tools.... better tools.<br />
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My wife: over the last 25 years my wife has been a 4 1/2 foot tall 160 pound overweight adolescent, a competitive gymnast, an anorexic madly in love with "Ed" at 87 pounds (zero muscle mass, hair falling out in clumps, digestive issues, hiatal hernias, faint, etc), and she has birthed 2 children that included gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and emergency c-section. She has tried every crash diet, fad diet, pill diet, starvation diet, and pay-for-pounds diet you have ever heard of. All the bad ones, that is. She has believed what most girls are taught: All food is bad, carbs are bad, fat is bad, calories are bad, it's all bad, and the only way to lose weight is to starve your body to the point of misery. <br />
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We both were fed up. We both got "done" at the same time. So, we tried what some good friends suggested. A crazy program that we had never heard of: <a href="https://renaissanceperiodization.com/" target="_blank">Renaissance Periodization</a>. Crazy name, but we liked what we saw. I'll do another post specifically about RP in the next few days (what it is, what it isn't, who it's for, why we chose it, what we thought, how we did it, tips and tricks, etc.), so look for that. Also, I'll detail <u>what we're doing now</u> and how things are going!<br />
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In the meantime, here were our before and after photos (before photos taken the first day of our cut and the after photos taken on the last day of our cut, which was 7 weeks ago):<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUanotYkxPTb6x86iY4FOuY0qnPlAQicl2oL9Vfm7Feq0eI-lh7jQv3VkUos6HYRIoCTMt2Wj3CdJvS7n4p_YM-HtD2j0_4FzFKxQulQ_aFMje__Z6jFKiW_y722zfI6eJH4TL1kw0p9TT/s1600/66449518_10157413566181291_4546155353045204992_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUanotYkxPTb6x86iY4FOuY0qnPlAQicl2oL9Vfm7Feq0eI-lh7jQv3VkUos6HYRIoCTMt2Wj3CdJvS7n4p_YM-HtD2j0_4FzFKxQulQ_aFMje__Z6jFKiW_y722zfI6eJH4TL1kw0p9TT/s320/66449518_10157413566181291_4546155353045204992_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">30 pounds down</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoe4u4Wc-ztegBt2MXnC9BeDTHaGtSa_8C8gbtGCxfaUb6XqcM1ak64MxE5WSkM90wfdiGYuPFcce-ST4cjJBkm3RwTClpx2BqoWF7eaP2dWhWA__fS7cVlxoj-GkMYy0BnwQ5AY-CDUKj/s1600/65645351_10101679011150518_2064816750301544448_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoe4u4Wc-ztegBt2MXnC9BeDTHaGtSa_8C8gbtGCxfaUb6XqcM1ak64MxE5WSkM90wfdiGYuPFcce-ST4cjJBkm3RwTClpx2BqoWF7eaP2dWhWA__fS7cVlxoj-GkMYy0BnwQ5AY-CDUKj/s320/65645351_10101679011150518_2064816750301544448_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">12 pounds down</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOR-2LhZc_hlugIuPJESFCF5zL31kqI_Y7JVdHaOJbedfZi8WcYRcFAB9xaqnukB4jmdGfoCU6yLy3ZgZFln-wjzj273w2HMzRrxbiO0yXF5-UPY0WBA487N0-gHVVrV0-UUfkSfKoIsOC/s1600/65668380_10157412952246291_8521574977688829952_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOR-2LhZc_hlugIuPJESFCF5zL31kqI_Y7JVdHaOJbedfZi8WcYRcFAB9xaqnukB4jmdGfoCU6yLy3ZgZFln-wjzj273w2HMzRrxbiO0yXF5-UPY0WBA487N0-gHVVrV0-UUfkSfKoIsOC/s400/65668380_10157412952246291_8521574977688829952_n.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My weight loss numbers each week (notice the up and down)</td></tr>
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Levi Doddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13726618082099424277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8158043629407787118.post-19912514146547583282019-08-15T09:27:00.000-04:002019-08-15T09:27:14.037-04:00"What's the Point?": 3 Deadly Words and A New Lease on Life5 years.<div>
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That's how long it's been since I was actively taking care of myself, on a daily basis.</div>
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2 years.</div>
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That's how long I completely let myself go and allowed myself to fall into full on "screw it all" mode with my fitness.</div>
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If you've been a blog reader here and or have read my <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/30162" target="_blank">book </a> then you know I've had a _lot_ of knee surgeries over the years. 2 years ago I was hired to lead a conditioning and skills camp for a high school boy's soccer team. Most of the time I'm hired to operate a "hell week" to run people off.... which I love ;) During this week, while I was out of shape and had already let myself get too far out of bounds, I still had to play. I. Can't. Help. It. Much to my wife's chagrin.... but that's for another blog, lol</div>
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Anyway, there rolled a 50/50 ball and my foot met the ball at the exact same instant as one of the kid's foot met the ball. Standard fare. Only my knee cap slid out to the side of my leg and hung... it got stuck. So, there I was, on the field, with my knee cap locked to the outside of my leg, decisively where it was _not_ supposed to be. I grit my teeth, grabbed it with both hands, rolled hard one way while I pulled with hands the other, all while trying to relax the muscles (ha!), and I was able to pop it back into place (about 15 minutes later). The physical damage sucked, it scrambles everything around when this happens and then "freezes" your quad as well. The psychological damage is what I let take over, though. I was done. I told myself that was it. I was washed up, I was old (I wasn't), and what I let ring in my ears over and over again was the death nail of "what's the point?"</div>
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What's the point? What's the point of rehab if you're just going to do it again? What's the point in getting your mileage back up if you're only going to get hurt again and have to start all over? What's the point in pushing in the gym when you're going to inevitably have another surgery that will cause you to lose all your gains and go back to square one, again? What's the point? Those three words froze me in time. It wasn't pretty.</div>
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I lost my engine, lost my gains, lost my drive, lost my fire, lost my desire to run, lost my push to workout, lost my ability to write this blog, and I gained about 30 pounds of pure body fat. All from 3 little words. My words, in my own head, my three deadly words: "What's the point?"</div>
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In my next blog I'm looking forward to detailing a bit of how I came out of that 3 word hole and where I am now (pics included...)</div>
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Don't give up. It's worth it. You will get hurt. You will get injured. You will have setbacks. You will start over. And, most importantly, you will have Life.</div>
Levi Doddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13726618082099424277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8158043629407787118.post-64703291151605376202017-09-13T16:40:00.000-04:002017-09-13T17:02:31.112-04:00What should I wear for a SPARTAN / OCR race???<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>What do I need and what should I wear for a <a href="http://www.spartan.com/" target="_blank">SPARTAN </a>race???<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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In this article we will cover Head, shoulders, knees, and toes…. And everything else in-between (don't act like you weren't wondering....)!
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If, somehow, you found yourself here but are still unsure, check out this <a href="http://secondwindbook.blogspot.com/2013/06/adventureobstaclemud-racing-spartan-race.html" target="_blank">Link </a>that talks about what Spartan racing is all about!</div>
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For starters, congratulations! The fact that you are looking at an article like this means that you are already on your way to becoming a SPARTAN!</div>
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<b><u>What do I need to do/think about before I go?</u></b></div>
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1. Surround yourself with <a href="http://secondwindbook.blogspot.com/2015/04/be-lion-that-motivated-and-made-hungry.html" target="_blank">a pack of people to support you</a>, whether in training or on the course itself</div>
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2. Bring confidence that you have trained and prepared and are excited - perform a quick <a href="http://secondwindbook.blogspot.com/2013/04/spring-form-cleaning.html" target="_blank">"Spring cleaning" of your running form</a> (especially for Beast distance).</div>
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3. Make sure you've looked at some of the <a href="http://secondwindbook.blogspot.com/2013/11/spartan-beast-obstacle-race-review-and.html" target="_blank">obstacles</a>. Remember that, while SPARTAN has several "core" obstacles that appear at almost all races, they love to throw in new and exciting challenges all the time. The add new obstacles, tweak old ones, change the weight/height/distance/position, etc. Even on race day, when you have arrived, you still wont know what all obstacles you'll face - and that's a big part of the fun!</div>
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<b><u>What do I need to bring with me?</u></b></div>
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1. Registration and waiver (already printed and signed)</div>
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2. Photo ID (that you'll have to take with you to the registration tent).</div>
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3. Bag (to throw said ID in) with towel and change of clothes - and a trash bag to put the clothes and shoes you just raced in inside for the ride home.</div>
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4. Bring cash for the secure bag check (usually $5).</div>
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5. For Sprint distance, most people will not need food, water, or packs of any kind. For the Super distance you may want a hydration pack and protein bar</div>
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6. For the Beast you will want to carry your own fluid, bring protein bars/chews/etc. and consider <a href="http://www.succeedscaps.com/products/s_caps/" target="_blank">S-Caps</a></div>
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<b><u>What should I wear?</u></b></div>
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1. Pay attention to the weather!!! </div>
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Check for temperature and check for rain/sleet/snow. Plan accordingly! Remember, whatever you're wearing (if you're racing in cold weather) you should be COLD when you're standing waiting to race. If you are comfortable (temperature wise) before you start you will be sweating and miserable very soon!</div>
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2. Just say "NO!" to cotton<br />
Nothing on your body, anywhere, <i>anywhere</i> should be cotton!</div>
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3. Head:</div>
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Spartan will provide a race headband with your race number on in. In the heat this is a nice sweat band and in the cold it can be pulled over your ears.</div>
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4. Ladies: Sports bra. </div>
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We all know there are lots of different types of sports bras.... there are instagram photoshoot sports bras, there are slow-no-impact-don't-I-look-Cute sports bras, there are sports bras with underwire, there are sports bras with zippers. Find a good, NO-COTTON, truoee compression fit, highly supportive (high impact), full coverage sports bra with no bells and whistles (no pockets, no zippers, no underwire).</div>
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5. Shirt or no shirt? </div>
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This is a question you will have to answer yourself, there will be always be men and women in both camps, regardless of temperature. That said, here are a few things to consider: a. be COMPLETELY comfortable. If you are in anyway self conscious about not wearing a shirt (even though you shouldn't be), then wear a shirt! You will be uncomfortable enough... lol. If it's cold, going shirtless Can be better because you don't have anything that is wet and cold stuck to your body. On the shirt side, remember that you will be crawling on the ground in dirt, gravel, sand, hay, and for many people (myself included) having a layer between your bare skin and all those irritants is very beneficial. Be sure to remember, should you wear a shirt, refer back to rule number 2! Think <a href="http://secondwindbook.blogspot.com/2013/10/best-of-best-compression-wear.html" target="_blank">compression</a>.</div>
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6. Pants/shorts: </div>
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My suggestion here is compression tights, for men or women. 3/4 length is fine, but full length is better (same reason as given for wearing a shirt in number 5). Shorts are great as well, but make sure there is no cotton. If you don't have to carry anything, try to find shorts with no pockets. If you do not need to carry something (like an emergency inhaler in my case) try to find something with a zipper pocket. I say this because you don't want pockets filling up with mud and dirt, making them uncomfortable and Heavy.</div>
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7. Underwear: </div>
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Men: wear compression shorts as underwear if you are wearing shorts - or just wear the compression shorts As your shorts (with nothing underneath them And nothing on top of them). If you are wearing compression tights, just wear compression tights, no underwear underneath.</div>
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Ladies: no cotton, No Cotton, NO COTTON. If you are wearing compression tights, just wear compression tights (the good thick ones... not the see through "yoga" ones) with nothing underneath. If you are wearing compression shorts (probably best), just wear the compression shorts with nothing underneath. If you want to wear regular running shorts, wear compression shorts underneath, as underwear, and then your running shorts over top. If you are one who just absolutely can't stand the idea of not having underwear on (even though that's what compression shorts are supposed to be) then wear a basic, non-lacy, non-frilly, completely non-cotton thong.</div>
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8. Calf sleeves? </div>
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If you are wearing shorts (and not compression tights) then calf sleeves are an option. <a href="http://secondwindbook.blogspot.com/2011/05/product-review-session-2-cep.html" target="_blank">Will they help?</a> Maybe. They wont make you super human, they wont make you faster, they may help with cramping up during the race, they may help with DOMS, they will provide some level of skin protection (if you're not wearing tights) just among briers and such on the race course.</div>
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9. Socks:</div>
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Sock choice is actually Very important. Just ask anyone who didn't think about their sock choice until after the started the race! What's rule number one in choosing socks? See rule number 2 above! Above that, you want socks that come up high enough to protect your achilles from rubbing (blisters) and I would strongly suggest <a href="https://www.injinji.com/run-lightweight-no-show.html" target="_blank">toe socks</a> . Reason being, your feet will get wet and stay wet most of the race, regardless which race you run. So, separating your toes helps tremendously with keeping your toes from rubbing (blisters).</div>
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10. Shoes:</div>
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Shoe choice is also important. You want shoes that will survive, first off, and you want shoes that you probably aren't going to cry about if they don't...</div>
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You want shoes with a relatively flat bottom (maximum surface area), shoes without cotton all over them (padding, etc.), you don't want waterproof shoes (as your feet will be completely submerged and when a waterproof shoe gets submerged it becomes a bucket), you want shoes with aggressive tread (lots and lots and lots of mud), you want shoes that are zero drop (or as close as you can get - nothing above 6mm, strong preference given to 0-4mm), you want shoes that fit well, and shoes that Will remain tied! For me, there is NO shoe that even comes close to <a href="http://secondwindbook.blogspot.com/2014/04/altra-trail-shoes-undisputed-king-of.html" target="_blank">Altras </a>- not even close.</div>
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* For All clothing, thinkcompression: tight and form fitting. Reason being, you don't want clothing catching on any obstacle, it will make everything harder, from going over walls to especially going underneath Barbwire.<br />
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* Knee/ankle/etc Braces:</div>
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Obviously, one would prefer to not have to wear braces at all. They aren't comfortable at long distance, cheap ones ride up and/or down, budget ones can soak up water, etc. That said, sometimes you need to. Most of the time I do (1/2 dozen knee surgeries over the years), this one I'm running next week I have to (blew out my knee, knocked my kneecap out of place, and tore my meniscus and haven't had it repaired yet). For knee braces, the ONLY one I have found that I could genuinely run with at any race for any distance is the <a href="http://secondwindbook.blogspot.com/2013/12/product-review-cep-rxortho-knee-brace.html" target="_blank">CEP RXOrtho+</a></div>
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-Also, if you are going to wear a brace of any kind, I would strongly suggest that you put it on first and then wear full length compression tights OVER the brace to help with all of the above issues (specifically: holding it in place comfortably).</div>
Levi Doddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13726618082099424277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8158043629407787118.post-64524792934324786682017-06-17T16:07:00.000-04:002017-06-17T16:07:40.467-04:00Calling all SPARTAN DADS!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="685" data-original-width="971" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOFImc9JR8zX92vSP3apfYGJ6DbnI91_cBGGYpp9I_EkrkS20D9vOtu4T2Kyp9OP8pZovwUoSYcDORsi68ZkWk5mth-o3AAONcjWqGSjg1-KHnjLYOA8TixZNZeykoXSw1kH08oZ4cDRt/s400/SpartanDad.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Spartan race tribe have just released a father's day special with some pretty sweet deals:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you use the code </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: red;"><b><u>SPARTANDAD</u></b></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> you will get 50% off gear in the <a href="https://shop.spartan.com/" target="_blank">Spartan Shop</a>, plus you can get <a href="https://www.spartan.com/en" target="_blank">race entries for only $69</a>, & 2 free digital books with any race purchase (<a href="http://secondwindbook.blogspot.com/2014/04/spartan-up-joe-de-sena.html" target="_blank">Spartan Up!</a> & <a href="http://secondwindbook.blogspot.com/2016/07/spartan-fit-and-transformation-of-one.html" target="_blank">Spartan Fit!</a>).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not only that, but send a pic of you and your little Spartan(s) do secondwindrunningcoach@gmail.com for a chance to win a FREE SPARTAN RACE!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Happy Father's Day - and #SpartanUp !</span></div>
Levi Doddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13726618082099424277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8158043629407787118.post-29500337160230085642016-12-09T15:40:00.002-05:002016-12-11T08:39:50.497-05:002017 Race season is here! Spartan season passes and new medals!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8OOBpKWxptDGuFdZZySXnmr7qvjf4ujimPLPSukmAajFUsr6Un049hqQujQj1OG8-ZUfXxR9LGnm43EZ6khnTGrqgKzIozlc6wXkrBkxPpkhCcHEUzRxKGlDttqBffG3o3tbmRiwaaM4/s1600/open_pass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8OOBpKWxptDGuFdZZySXnmr7qvjf4ujimPLPSukmAajFUsr6Un049hqQujQj1OG8-ZUfXxR9LGnm43EZ6khnTGrqgKzIozlc6wXkrBkxPpkhCcHEUzRxKGlDttqBffG3o3tbmRiwaaM4/s320/open_pass.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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With December upon us, and only ~3 weeks left in 2016, it's time to start planning for next year! </div>
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Luckily, <a href="https://www.spartan.com/en" target="_blank">Spartan </a>has started listing their races really early - they've already got in the neighborhood of 75 races confirmed, listed, and ready to be registered for for 2017!</div>
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Spartan continues to be my favorite race series for the brand new beginner all the way through the professional because of how they innovate and lead. Next year is already proving to be no different, adding more military runs, stadium runs, championship series, and more. Additionally, <a href="https://www.spartan.com/en/about/our-story/the-spartan-code" target="_blank">crazy Joe</a> is promising more new obstacles (and new course layouts). </div>
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One of the BEST things Spartan is doing next year (3 things, actually) is the <b><a href="https://www.spartan.com/en/race/spartan-passes/trifecta-pass" target="_blank">race passes</a></b>. Starting right now, you can register for any of their 3 season passes:</div>
The Tri-fecta season pass, which gives you 3 race codes + some other goodies for $299. To put this in perspective, the last tri-fecta I ran cost $431.<br />
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The Open-season pass, which is UNLIMITED open heat races for $649.</div>
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The Elite Season pass, which is unlimited races valid for All heats for $799.</div>
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The tri-fecta season pass is a no-brainer for Anyone going to race the trifecta. As a matter of fact, it's actually good for any three races, so you could run 3 beasts for $299 if you want to (which would be a savings of close to $250).</div>
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Also, of course, one of the things I really like that Spartan does is the proverbial carrot-on-a-stick approach to their medals, constantly innovating their tiers and I really like how they now provide all new medals each year. The coolest medal in my collection, currently, is last year's military base race medals. That said.... check out what's coming - then go buy your <a href="https://www.spartan.com/en/race/spartan-passes/trifecta-pass" target="_blank">tri-fecta pass!</a></div>
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<br />Levi Doddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13726618082099424277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8158043629407787118.post-48501353290465882412016-07-05T15:14:00.000-04:002016-07-05T15:52:13.356-04:00Spartan Fit and the transformation of one of America's finest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last year I got to run a <a href="http://www.spartan.com/" target="_blank">Spartan race</a> with a group of America's finest. Before the race, one of the LEOs who had signed up for this particular chest thumping torture test was a guy named Nate.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWAt8mO9DQlKdUQvAunY8MYFKgCMWh7L_a6_t_tQsxvVkbRRdcx6SdFUcarKVJP4xfK1f4MPzwdHPEjwwUANZXpICeyxPM7cemzhsuTX5uLrXKtULNOTU335C9EDQZyYNUY7FngjHwcqu/s1600/nate+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWAt8mO9DQlKdUQvAunY8MYFKgCMWh7L_a6_t_tQsxvVkbRRdcx6SdFUcarKVJP4xfK1f4MPzwdHPEjwwUANZXpICeyxPM7cemzhsuTX5uLrXKtULNOTU335C9EDQZyYNUY7FngjHwcqu/s200/nate+6.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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I didn't know Nate's story at the time but was able to learn a bit of it over the next year and the story was so inspiring that I wanted to take a moment to share.<br />
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First off, Nate was a college athlete and, as such, a big strong guy. <br />
Nate was also diagnosed with diabetes and the medical condition began, over the years, to take a toll on his body. Now, as an adult, a dedicated husband, a devoted father, and a fulltime sheep dog (with a K-9 partner of his own), Nate didn't have a lot of time to devote to himself. Long hours, long nights, changing shifts, a four legged partner, a baby, and the extra jobs that our Law Enforcement officers have to take in order to support a family didn't allow Nate much remaining focus to take care of his diabetes or, therefore, his overall health.<br />
One day, God gave Nate a serious wake up call. Nate knew, that day, that it was time to change.... everything.<br />
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Most people would start small and verify results before making any big plunges. That's what gets "most" people into trouble, often times. Nate? Nate, before his journey back to a healthy lifestyle even started, he got a call from a fellow officer inviting him to come with them on a Spartan race several months out. That was all Nate needed - that was his motivational goal, that would be his measuring stick, he signed on the dotted line, and went to work. <br />
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Remember that first picture? <br />
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After several months, the day arrived (the day I met Nate) and Nate, like thousands before him, toed the starting line of the biggest OCR brand in the world. <br />
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Also like thousands before him and thousands more to come (myself included), as soon as he finished the race, he was hooked. <br />
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In the next year, Nate would continue to trim down his waist, build up his strength, bore out his engine, and would run several half marathons and several more Spartans (even entering - and fairing quite well - in his first Competitive heat). <br />
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Nate didn't buy into any gimmicks. There were no "super pills", no "detox" drinks, no fad videos, just clean eating and dirty training. As the pictures show, Nate's dedication to his health, through diet control, protein consumption, HIIT, running, and support from his wife, Lauren, Nate was able to transform his life. To beat back against the weight of his diabetes, and to make sure he keeps his ability to serve and protect the rest of us with the best of his ability, while being around for a very, Very long time for his beautiful family.<br />
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Nate, from the whole Spartan family, "AROO!"<br />
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Congratulations on all your accomplishments this past year.<br />
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<b>Joe D and the Spartan family are proud to present you with a FREE RACE CODE good for Any open heat Spartan Race this year!</b><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Notice the missing hardware in that 3rd picture!</span><br />
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For everyone else who wants to follow Nate's example and get on board, follow a KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) program, love protein, HIIT is your friend, follow this blog, look for <a href="http://www.spartan.com/en/training/wods/spartan-wod" target="_blank">daily Spartan Workouts</a>, <a href="http://www.spartan.com/en/nutrition/spartan-fow/fow-101" target="_blank">daily Spartan Meals</a>, and check out Joe DeSena's new book (releasing August 2nd) called "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Spartan-Fit-Days-Transform-Commit/dp/0544439600/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467745022&sr=8-1&keywords=spartan+fit" target="_blank">Spartan Fit</a>!"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Nnkd2aekb-128WcKrd0gLGxXlZMEjvtY2Hew_rHVUXfOb_5BB3B5aSSoJGBsrm5S_buo4CaSboOji_VqZB5PeN9Bw9paeV2S8DmkfctY9BxigublnEPXNJ22v4Zm5V9D6P0R1PAUvUqB/s1600/spartan_fit_book_cover_update.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Nnkd2aekb-128WcKrd0gLGxXlZMEjvtY2Hew_rHVUXfOb_5BB3B5aSSoJGBsrm5S_buo4CaSboOji_VqZB5PeN9Bw9paeV2S8DmkfctY9BxigublnEPXNJ22v4Zm5V9D6P0R1PAUvUqB/s200/spartan_fit_book_cover_update.jpg" width="131" /></a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Spartan-Fit-Days-Transform-Commit/dp/0544439600/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467745022&sr=8-1&keywords=spartan+fit" target="_blank">Spartan Fit</a> book provides excellent whole life skills. This is not a "get fit quick" strategy. This is a book to get you to change your life, your habits, your thought process. The lifeskills are great, the motivational stories will get you fired up ready to run through walls, the Hero Workouts are very cool, but the 30 day "do THIS" fitness program included in the book will be what most people find invaluable.<br />
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<br />Levi Doddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13726618082099424277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8158043629407787118.post-66680879139998884202016-04-04T10:42:00.005-04:002016-04-04T10:42:58.641-04:00Spartan Race 2016 and crazy Joe De Sena's newest book Spartan Fit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, spring has sprung (sort of... East Tennessee is still trying to decide what season it is on a daily basis), the runners are out, and OCR is in full swing.<div>
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What do you need to know?</div>
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If you're new to Obstacle Course Racing check out my <a href="http://secondwindbook.blogspot.com/2013/06/adventureobstaclemud-racing-spartan-race.html" target="_blank">OCR post</a> and/or some of the <a href="http://secondwindbook.blogspot.com/2013/11/spartan-beast-obstacle-race-review-and.html" target="_blank">race recaps</a> . </div>
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If you have specific questions about races, venues, obstacles, or anything else, leave a comment or shoot me a note and we'll get it all figured out for you.</div>
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Also, be sure to check out <a href="http://spartan.com/">Spartan.com</a> often for races in your area.</div>
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Remember that if you are going for your trifecta (or <a href="http://www.spartan.com/en/community/blog/spartan-news?article=34534" target="_blank">Delta</a>) you should really look into the <a href="http://www.spartan.com/en/race/annual-race-pass/regional-race-pass-overview?article=29942" target="_blank">Run Your Region passes</a> (to save money and bolster your commitment at the same time)</div>
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For me, I have several races that I'm looking at for 2016, some favorites, and maybe some new courses. Last year I LOVED the <a href="http://www.spartan.com/en/race/detail/1237/overview" target="_blank">Asheville Super</a> course and it was immediately on my must-run-again list but, unfortunately, I'll be out of town on a scheduling conflict this year and miss it. My other favorite new course last year was the <a href="http://www.spartan.com/en/race/detail/1404/overview" target="_blank">Sprint at Fort Campbell </a> which I WILL definitely hit again this year. I'm loving Spartan's new "Fort" series, I'm glad to see it expanded this year, and hope to see it expanded each year to come.</div>
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In other news, a couple of years ago Spartan founder Joe De Sena (look him up... he's _kind of_ a big deal...) wrote a book that I was fortunate enough to get my hands on a little early and share with you all called <a href="http://secondwindbook.blogspot.com/2014/04/spartan-up-joe-de-sena.html" target="_blank">"Spartan Up!"</a> . </div>
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Well, he's at it again ("daaaaaaang Joe, at it again!") with a new book, coming soon, called Spartan Fit (#SpartanFit) and I'll have some more information about that coming soon as well - stay tuned.</div>
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In the mean time, check out the races, start hitting the trails, picking up heavy things and putting them down, shedding that Thanksgiving/Christmas/NewYears/NahI'mStillBulingBruh weight, and working on everyone's favorite movement... burpees (buck. furpees.)</div>
Levi Doddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13726618082099424277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8158043629407787118.post-75179683514932679232016-02-03T14:16:00.003-05:002016-02-03T14:16:35.917-05:00Cardio: You're doing it wrong (try boxing!)If we aren't careful we can find ourselves in a bit of a rut. Ironically, most people say their "rut" is in cardio. <div>
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Here's why this doesn't make sense: Cardio possibilities are nearly endless.</div>
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Too often people hear "cardio" and (after they cringe, weep, gnash teeth, and maybe die a little inside) they think only of a treadmill. </div>
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Let me tell you something, if a treadmill were the only source of cardio, I would just have to kill myself. There is nothing worse than the treadmill. All you treadmill heroes, bless you, and... you can have it. "But" no. Just... no.</div>
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Cardio can be running, biking, a thousand different sprint variations (400s, gassers, fartleks, ), burpees, jumping jacks, mountain climbers, and the list literally goes on for thousands more. For that matter, almost any workout movement you do can be cardio if simply done rapidly and in chains where you don't allow your heartrate to completely recover between each </div>
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I love distance running (in the woods), but in all honestly, "just" running long distances at a near constant pace is pretty terrible (inefficient) form of cardio. Your body is so efficient that it just learns to complete to task with the least amount of effort possible and so you don't get the heart rate training or weight loss you think you're working so hard on. Then, if you couple long distance runs with a treadmill, not only do you not get the training benefits, but your quality of life just goes into the toilet as the digital distance readout sucks the happiness right out of your soul. No, really.</div>
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So, pick something else (anything else) and make cardio fun again. After all, what you're trying to do is spike your heart rate, bring it down (some), spike, fall, up, down - you're training your heart rate to rise slower and recover quicker. </div>
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I basically stood on the soap box there to remind you (or introduce you) of a fantastically efficient cardio (and full body - if done correctly) workout that actually IS a lot of <u>fun</u> (news flash: hating life while doing it doesn't actually make you better at cardio):</div>
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Spice up your training with the Heavy Bag. Knuckle up. Throw some blows. take out some aggression. Burn calories while you burn aggression. Have some fun. </div>
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There's nothing quite like laying into a heavy bag. Your arms get a workout, your shoulders get roasted, you rotate your hips, use your legs, tighten your abs, your lungs are screaming, your heart is taxed, and in seconds you are sweating like crazy. </div>
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Ever laugh when you heard boxers talk about how heavy their gloves feel? After a few minutes of speed work you'll swear those 8oz-16oz gloves weigh 5 pounds a piece. </div>
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Find a bag at your gym, or just buy a bag - you can get a nice heavy bag for not a lot of money. Same goes for gloves. Get a nice, padded pair of gloves ("training"/"bag"), your knuckles will thank you. I bought a new 100# heavy bag last week on sale for $65 from <a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Everlast-C3-100-Pound-Foam-Elite-Heavy-Bag/11069880" target="_blank">WalMart </a>(the one in the picture above), then I bought a nice pair of synthetic gloves off <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UTFRMRU?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00" target="_blank">Amazon </a>on sale for $18 and a really nice genuine leather pair off <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PCEJ22G?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00" target="_blank">Amazon </a>for $40. </div>
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<i><b>"What weight bag should I get?"</b></i> Nothing less than 70, get the 100 if you can find it.</div>
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<b><i>"What weight glove should I get?"</i></b> Are you an actual fighter? If so, you don't need my advice and you're getting 16oz-20oz already. If not, I would suggest 12oz. They're heavy enough to add a little weight, to be available in nice gloves (with good padding/protection), but not too heavy to take some of the fun out of it and ruin your form. Just my 2 cents.</div>
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<b><i>"I got some gloves, how do I punch?"</i></b> The gloves take care of your hand form, mostly, but some things you need to think about are keeping loose until you land the punch, then after it lands, go loose again. Throw snapping punches, not pushing punches (watch this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bVUR9xN8OI" target="_blank">youtube video</a>). Keep your wrist solid on the impact. Twist your punch on impact. Keep your hands up and move. Yes, even if you aren't fighting, you don't plan on ever fighting, and the bag isn't moving or hitting back, keeping your hands up and moving is a big part of the workout - maximize your efforts.</div>
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<b><i>"Okay, I got a bag, I got some gloves, now what?"</i></b> Start out based on your ability. If you're in terrible shape, you might start with 1 minute rounds, moderate try 2 min rounds, and I wouldn't recommend anyone doing more than 3 minute rounds. If you're good and 3 minutes is good, instead of going up in minutes, just add rounds.</div>
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<b><i>"Okay... what's a round look like? Just float like a butterfly?"</i></b> Try alternating 30 seconds of hard power punching, 30 seconds of speed. In the beginning you might try 15 seconds of left hand power punches, 15 seconds of right hand power punches until you get comfortable.</div>
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<b><i>"I've got that down pretty well - what next?" </i></b> Keep the rounds to 3 minutes, keep the 30 sec power/30 sec speed, add rounds. During the power 30 seconds, hit Hard, always combos, (touch, power, power - touch, power, power, power, etc.), and keep them coming (don't throw 1 hard punch then dance around for 10 seconds and throw another). In the speed, move up from just playing pattycake with those 7 pound hands to actually making the speed punches pop. In both speed and power, swap striking location often (head, body, ear, groin, kidney, etc).</div>
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It will be a TON of fun... AND crushing. You'll love it.</div>
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Levi Doddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13726618082099424277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8158043629407787118.post-5038768225884574072015-12-03T11:53:00.003-05:002015-12-03T11:53:41.760-05:00$40 off 2016 Spartan Races - Ends TONIGHT!Okay, so the folks over at Spartan HQ sent me over the news just now that they are running a CYBER discount code that gives up $40 off any and all 2016 Spartan Races! <br />
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This code is Only good until midnight Tonight so jump on it, take the leap, and come Spartan Up with us next year! <br />
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These codes are good for any race, nationwide!<br />
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Code: CYBER<br />
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Levi Doddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13726618082099424277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8158043629407787118.post-81329204823666853432015-10-09T09:39:00.002-04:002015-10-09T09:39:29.894-04:00Running Season <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGm3z8bPpb-anrTjEco-n5frDHoEIShAGzKV8wIdqnAc4m7Xs7pAnvynG0Pyfwaiy1i5ZNUyP8CEy6hQ2zVb40u5sPoLHxGuFdfIto5azlnXex78VXCf-NGGR1dfkSysR_FfdngOVJQe2/s1600/autumn-trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGm3z8bPpb-anrTjEco-n5frDHoEIShAGzKV8wIdqnAc4m7Xs7pAnvynG0Pyfwaiy1i5ZNUyP8CEy6hQ2zVb40u5sPoLHxGuFdfIto5azlnXex78VXCf-NGGR1dfkSysR_FfdngOVJQe2/s320/autumn-trail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Unlike most sports, there is no formal "running season". Track, cross country, marathons, obstacle course races, 5ks, ultras... they happen all the time, every weekend, all year long the world over.<br />
<br />
Beyond that if you were to ask runners from around the world what their favorite season to run in was you'd get a myriad of different answers (some determined by their home's climate no doubt). <br />
<br />
Some people love the New Year. That time in January and February where you capitalize on the cliche "New Year Resolution" and carry (or begin) the momentum of New. New start, new plan, new life, new year, new beginning.<br />
<br />
For others the perfect running season is spring. The sun is out, the snow is melting, and there's the glory of that perfect light misting rain (running in the rain automatically increases your hardcoreness 10x... in case you didn't know).<br />
<br />
Droves come out to run in the summer. The sun is out, the showers have mostly dried up, and (for many) the heat invigorates. Shorts get shorter, shirts come off, and the primal sweat that gives instant feedback to your hard work, sacrifice, and dedication is... abundant. <br />
<br />
All of those seasons have their merits. They're also all wrong. You see, there is no weather to run in quite like fall. Additionally, if you are so blessed to live in God's country (East Tennessee), than Fall is even more wonderful. <br />
The humidity retreats, the air is light and crisp, the breeze is magical, and the temperature is... perfect.<br />
<br />
It's impossible to walk outside on a crisp fall morning in Tennessee and not be overcome with the _need_ to take off and run. Run from your problems, sprint away your stress, leave your haters behind, and just run from it all. <br />
<br />
Meditation in motion.Levi Doddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13726618082099424277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8158043629407787118.post-77470963049415882882015-07-23T17:51:00.001-04:002015-07-23T17:51:49.656-04:00Can Nike really = Minimalism?Nike spent years of denying the existence of the minimalist market. This was even after they had created one of the earliest _more_ minimalist shoes in 2005 with the Free. Granted, that's an AWFUL minimalist shoe, but for the time, it was about as minimalist as any mainstream shoe out. <div><br></div><div>Nike has continued to stay out of the discussion mostly, save a few feeble attempts at comparing Free 5.0/6.0/7.0 to "free movement" running shoes. </div><div><br></div><div>But, try as they might to ignore the Crossfit movement and the minimalist movements and write them off as fads (after Reebok had the Crossfit contract), both fitness revolutions are still alive and kicking. </div><div><br></div><div>As such, Nike finally decided to get in on the action! Earlier this year they released their first Crossfit shoe in the Metcon1. </div><div>Now... It's the minimalist's turn! Nike is Finally entering the field with the Free 1.0</div><div><a href="http://www.nikeblog.com/2015/07/14/nike-free-1-0-first-look-the-future-of-barefoot/">http://www.nikeblog.com/2015/07/14/nike-free-1-0-first-look-the-future-of-barefoot/</a></div><div><br></div><div>It's a VERY early look... But first look looks pretty good!</div><div><br></div>Levi Doddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13726618082099424277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8158043629407787118.post-70307408616690622002015-05-19T15:41:00.002-04:002015-05-19T15:45:58.814-04:00$20/$30/$40 off SPARTAN races with discount code! AROO!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3MGAQu4C_DjELOIpQymjSnLm4F1rGdBERUibStp2IGAPhi5_64Dr4s0CA0L0C_1Rt6z_wtN3DzSEtcQBSU2BnqTlRXNC4N_gcrPSipp_KkvlBtniihl6rBppAV3cXsVaPSIH6YZcJwMpj/s1600/Email-Header_Memorial-Day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3MGAQu4C_DjELOIpQymjSnLm4F1rGdBERUibStp2IGAPhi5_64Dr4s0CA0L0C_1Rt6z_wtN3DzSEtcQBSU2BnqTlRXNC4N_gcrPSipp_KkvlBtniihl6rBppAV3cXsVaPSIH6YZcJwMpj/s400/Email-Header_Memorial-Day.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Here's your chance! Use Spartan Race discount code: "MEMORIAL"<br />
to save up to $40 on your next race registration!<br />
<br />
Offer expires in just over a week so go sign up now at <a href="http://www.spartan.com/" target="_blank">Spartan Race</a> and find out for yourself what myself and 3/4 of a Million other people will learn this year at Spartan Races the world over: <br />
What are you made of? Why do YOU race? <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Check out my other Spartan blogs:<br /><br />
<a href="http://secondwindbook.blogspot.com/2015/03/spartan-cruise.html" target="_blank">Spartan Cruise</a><br />
<a href="http://secondwindbook.blogspot.com/2015/01/spartan-up-2015.html" target="_blank">Spartan Up 2015</a><br />
<a href="http://secondwindbook.blogspot.com/2014/04/spartan-up-joe-de-sena.html" target="_blank">Spartan Up with Joe De Sena</a><br />
<a href="http://secondwindbook.blogspot.com/2013/11/spartan-beast-obstacle-race-review-and.html" target="_blank">Spartan Beast race Review:</a><br />
<a href="http://secondwindbook.blogspot.com/2013/08/be-on-tv-spartan-race-on-nbc.html" target="_blank">Spartan Race takes OCR to TV</a><br />
<a href="http://secondwindbook.blogspot.com/2013/08/be-on-tv-spartan-race-on-nbc.html" target="_blank">OCR and the Spartan</a><br />
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<br />Levi Doddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13726618082099424277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8158043629407787118.post-1228434829943880502015-05-15T15:48:00.001-04:002015-05-15T16:13:36.331-04:0020% OFF + FREE Shipping Discount code for TOPO ATHLETIC!You read it: <a href="http://topoathletic.com/" target="_blank">Topo </a>is celebrating the beginning of the summer season by offering 20% off and Free shipping on ALL Topo Athletic shoes!<br />
<br />
So if you're in the market for a new pair of road shoes, trail shoes, or gym shoes, head on <a href="http://topoathletic.com/" target="_blank">over</a>:<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYACxpDp1CPMGubYGLPXJn8o_0Y3L3CpG8t2d37qOjPHKVQoiz8orsdP2b0ydtQFMQSV_MIWVdRHLk5IsBlCY7L_ufsxxDuVv9YbiMCLAFJ6xdoea2L0VLgMS6GWqfz9OvtRQG_2iWmzw1/s1600/twentypercentoff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYACxpDp1CPMGubYGLPXJn8o_0Y3L3CpG8t2d37qOjPHKVQoiz8orsdP2b0ydtQFMQSV_MIWVdRHLk5IsBlCY7L_ufsxxDuVv9YbiMCLAFJ6xdoea2L0VLgMS6GWqfz9OvtRQG_2iWmzw1/s320/twentypercentoff.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />Levi Doddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13726618082099424277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8158043629407787118.post-3843398727714454882015-04-30T20:51:00.001-04:002015-04-30T20:51:21.502-04:00Be a Lion that's motivated and made hungry by other Lions<div>Today's athletes are told, from age 5, that they are The lion in a field of sheep. </div><div>That they're special. The best. Gifted.</div><div><br></div><div>Problem is, if you think you're the only lion, then you actually believe you're the best, and that you're the best because you deserve it, because you're so superior, and so you're never hungry. </div><div><br></div><div>then when the sheep actually beats the lion (and they will), the lion whines and complains about the shocking impossibility and unfairness of it. That lion isn't just beaten, it's destroyed. At that moment, that "special Lion" shows their true form: just another sheep. </div><div><br></div><div><b>You're not a lion in a field of sheep, you're a lion in a field full of lions... and 1 sheep</b>. </div><div>You win and you eat or you lose and you starve. </div><div>Your motivated because you're one of Many and failure is ever present (and always possible) and so you're Hungry. </div><div><br></div><div>You work. You push. You grind. When another lion beats you, well, you didn't eat. But see this lion among lions doesn't sit and complain about how much they deserved it because they're too hungry to make excuses!</div><div>They get back to work! They model their work ethic after the lion that beat them, their greatness, their <i>superiority</i> motivates them to get better! </div><div><br></div><div>In this time of Everyone Gets a Trophy, we aren't creating winners, we're creating people who don't know they can lose - and without the understanding of defeat and just How possible it is,</div><div><u style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">not only are you not motivated to Prevent it, you are Not equipped to handle it when it inevitably happens. </u></div>Levi Doddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13726618082099424277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8158043629407787118.post-68435402582949393242015-04-28T10:15:00.001-04:002015-04-28T10:15:36.985-04:00Product Review: Lems Primal 2 ultra-minimalist shoes<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 22.0pt;"><a href="http://www.lemsshoes.com/" target="_blank">Lems<o:p></o:p></a></span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><a href="http://www.lemsshoes.com/" target="_blank">Live Easy & Minimal</a><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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So, I just reviewed the <a href="http://secondwindbook.blogspot.com/2015/04/product-review-lems-shoes-nine2five.html" target="_blank">Lems Nine2Five</a> and now today I have the <a href="http://www.lemsshoes.com/Mens-Primal-2-Cardinal_p_128.html" target="_blank">LemsPrimal 2 (in Cardinal)</a>. </div>
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In the Nine2Five
review I mentioned reviewing this company’s first ever shoe (under their “Stem”
name) which was called the <a href="http://secondwindbook.blogspot.com/2011/05/product-review-9-stem-footwear-primal.html" target="_blank">Primal Origins</a> and now I get to review the 3<sup>rd</sup>
gen model which, I’m pleased to say, has indeed stuck with its “origins”.</div>
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Four years ago (almost to the day) the first gen shoe was hitting
preorders and now this 3<sup>rd</sup> gen shoe is available to the masses. While the company has grown and evolved,
their roots are the same, they’re still helmed by the same guy who dreamt it
all up, and they’re making constant improvements without losing touch of who
they started off to be. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamyRMHFEnuCnVHvmOLZsCIcrtUcMO7ZEf4DdCXB3eyrE2s_qg1-GUiaUvxJ1Z5kzdtWiGbcv40aV19Dr-K_tEISAbuGjNgixcJLVU3Nt88CTfKAnG_zQwRmqSiIDsaUgzRdLr5MAL-xgz/s1600/IMG_7129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamyRMHFEnuCnVHvmOLZsCIcrtUcMO7ZEf4DdCXB3eyrE2s_qg1-GUiaUvxJ1Z5kzdtWiGbcv40aV19Dr-K_tEISAbuGjNgixcJLVU3Nt88CTfKAnG_zQwRmqSiIDsaUgzRdLr5MAL-xgz/s1600/IMG_7129.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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This Primal 2 shoe combines an incredibly light and super soft combination of
microfiber and extremely breathable open-weave air-mesh (100% vegan) upper, their
proprietary LemsRubber outsole (8.0mm), and a 100% MoistureWick mesh liner to
create one of the lightest and most flexible shoes you will ever encounter. </div>
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Honestly… I struggle with using the word “flexible” because it just
doesn’t quite do it justice. Here’s what
you need to know. There is nothing to
this shoe. It weighs nothing (~6oz), has
zero support, zero stability features, zero reinforcement, zero drop, zero (for
all practical purposes) cushioning, zero, zero, zero. Now, for some people, that will scare the
heck out you – this shoe is not for you.
For those looking for true minimalism, no greater… less, can be
found. Honestly, without actually being
barefoot, this is as close as you can get.
It’s like walking around in a house shoe designed to be used for
anything you want. Here’s what I
mean: yes, it’s ultraminimalist, yes it’s
as close to 100% ground feel as you can get while wearing a shoe, yes it’s like
a house shoe, BUT, due to the design and Lems sole, I have worn this shoe
running, hiking, bouldering, working out, camping, on an Olympic lifting
platform, to the grocery store, and everywhere else you can think of. </div>
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The only limiting factor with this particular model is that the Crimson
color is so dang cool that I want to baby the shoes so as to not mess them
up! Definitely the first “minimalist”
shoe I’ve felt that way about – it reminds me of my old traditional shoe
obsession where it was All about looks….
Seriously though, the red really does pop and makes a great fashion
shoe.</div>
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One of my favorite details about this shoe is the soft and smooth (and reinforced) heel slide (as seen here in grey):</div>
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If you’re a technical trail runner and spend your time on jagged rocks
and navigating through sharp gravel hidden underneath the leaves of your
favorite blackdiamond mountain trail, these shoes probably aren’t for that
purpose. Think of it like this, because
we’ve all conditioned our feet differently so, therefore, our barefeet can
handle different things: if you would do
it completely barefoot, then these shoes will be Perfect for it!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRE3ymWTg8hS97PkYgCch810NTVvfbsN-AegZMXtmHUumgJBFfUGAkgif_XS7L1ykEm5dQEga4WnzwWrcMMD32UXa_T2t-VYYR2pTLlrSOplHyz7aAkCO-S8Aq_a1BmYaYhkZWRhaOQgmi/s1600/IMG_7127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRE3ymWTg8hS97PkYgCch810NTVvfbsN-AegZMXtmHUumgJBFfUGAkgif_XS7L1ykEm5dQEga4WnzwWrcMMD32UXa_T2t-VYYR2pTLlrSOplHyz7aAkCO-S8Aq_a1BmYaYhkZWRhaOQgmi/s1600/IMG_7127.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgK2_VXdExhbHmb5_xejwodi4aqJFeuJbdPPmp3g05lRKbaRmSqhM8iYrtbq7ff4IdJMxXmTGROLdiQl28zaB_NRAtTdW7yC8gZpFeBOYKjwcM7WDIcvfWyAazCTlO5lE9THsewdrAVou/s1600/IMG_7126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgK2_VXdExhbHmb5_xejwodi4aqJFeuJbdPPmp3g05lRKbaRmSqhM8iYrtbq7ff4IdJMxXmTGROLdiQl28zaB_NRAtTdW7yC8gZpFeBOYKjwcM7WDIcvfWyAazCTlO5lE9THsewdrAVou/s1600/IMG_7126.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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I’ll conclude with this:
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After testing shoes from over 2 dozen different brands over the years (and
dozens more models) I’ve come to a place where I can honestly say that Andrew
and the crew at Lems would definitely make my top 3 shoe brands.</div>
Levi Doddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13726618082099424277noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8158043629407787118.post-61980932035455656402015-04-27T15:49:00.001-04:002015-04-27T15:50:26.344-04:00Product Review: Lems shoes Nine2Five minimalist dress shoe<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 22.0pt;"><a href="http://www.lemsshoes.com/" target="_blank">Lems</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Live Easy & Minimal<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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Ah, Lems. Since I reviewed their
<a href="http://secondwindbook.blogspot.com/2011/05/product-review-9-stem-footwear-primal.html" target="_blank">first shoe</a> 4 years ago (which was actually a prototype – they hadn’t had a single shoe on
the market yet) under the “Stem” brand I have loved these guys. This past month I’ve had the opportunity to
try out 2 pair and I’ll be bringing you reviews of both. Today’s review will focus on their <b><a href="http://www.lemsshoes.com/Mens-Nine2five-Mocha_p_122.html" target="_blank">Nine2Five</a></b><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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As you are probably well aware, minimalist dress shoes (or even
dress-casual) shoes are about as hard to find as an honest politician. For people like me who wear nothing but zero
drop for everything, this is a problem.
Well, the guys and gals at Lems have finally put this issue to rest and declared
“problem solved!”</div>
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The aptly named Nine2Five is positioned to be the go to work shoe for
khakis or dress pants in the office, on a nice night out, at church, or
anywhere else where those “toe shoes” would be… frowned upon ;)<br />
The shoes look fantastic. I mean, they
actually look the part and if laid on a rack in Johnston & Murphy would fit
right in. The Nine2Five, apart from being truly
beautiful, is crafted very well with lots of attention to detail (Lems is a
company that is making it because they recognize where they are and continue to
grow, each time raising their quality, their attention to detail, and finding
the niche that all of us are looking for but the globocompanies can’t/won’t
deliver).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMAdWC4yxkO9ecpaVhZyrQ9zoFG1XSuygWBX-lWvgVCBBT6mY6iFUKbf4BqySZ0gx5Y7mZUar7sfNKw9wjkR6bTZt3iDGq6PZtkpR6S6Sas41wlruXmUgoQuA7xwDT5L5BAaJN4h58DtDf/s1600/11173533_10153178021636291_489387949_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMAdWC4yxkO9ecpaVhZyrQ9zoFG1XSuygWBX-lWvgVCBBT6mY6iFUKbf4BqySZ0gx5Y7mZUar7sfNKw9wjkR6bTZt3iDGq6PZtkpR6S6Sas41wlruXmUgoQuA7xwDT5L5BAaJN4h58DtDf/s1600/11173533_10153178021636291_489387949_n.jpg" height="150" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQIfYsCpCsa8JtaDaTRcihEf_wIC_2ezfCA6EiZvwIdSAD23dlxeu8HStBOBqP3VwvmLHfUv4BPSL1W5_Awm1j8KNtT_iVPgB0uWU8Ffdj6uwnQW7YtDc-fboAA5bzyR4m9sq6kh3f2-N/s1600/11092082_10153178021631291_1454030527_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQIfYsCpCsa8JtaDaTRcihEf_wIC_2ezfCA6EiZvwIdSAD23dlxeu8HStBOBqP3VwvmLHfUv4BPSL1W5_Awm1j8KNtT_iVPgB0uWU8Ffdj6uwnQW7YtDc-fboAA5bzyR4m9sq6kh3f2-N/s1600/11092082_10153178021631291_1454030527_n.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-u3cCLEv_3-IPrT7lLFFjPVHD8DNPLyzU95rZ-Tzx0Q7lGBdwWuocS0n9W1PwOk4kXfA33jEf2aT6iiLNCamZkJA1UCfwMKmO1b6wfAWLrAlnDZz2xWs3_XcL1VLCkgahokTVFssyAD87/s1600/11178533_10153178021711291_1412052270_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-u3cCLEv_3-IPrT7lLFFjPVHD8DNPLyzU95rZ-Tzx0Q7lGBdwWuocS0n9W1PwOk4kXfA33jEf2aT6iiLNCamZkJA1UCfwMKmO1b6wfAWLrAlnDZz2xWs3_XcL1VLCkgahokTVFssyAD87/s1600/11178533_10153178021711291_1412052270_n.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoQmyXeWQAH8Y_aa3p5Nu-YBBg4eJTlp-VrhxiCY5bEaLwU-Amq1pGtPO-IHHL7hrbyOHx33PmKcDe-9plfySSA14QVh53Patogs69uBe0KBjB-9HK_7fwo3GH5ZUwnuc6l_Jtst2dPFB/s1600/11148933_10153178021681291_1106118627_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoQmyXeWQAH8Y_aa3p5Nu-YBBg4eJTlp-VrhxiCY5bEaLwU-Amq1pGtPO-IHHL7hrbyOHx33PmKcDe-9plfySSA14QVh53Patogs69uBe0KBjB-9HK_7fwo3GH5ZUwnuc6l_Jtst2dPFB/s1600/11148933_10153178021681291_1106118627_n.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><br />
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Before you write this off as a misplaced love fest, listen to some of
the stats and see for yourself why this Will be your next shoe:</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Wide, foot shaped last</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->The upper is 100% genuine full-grain leather</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->The lining is 100% genuine leather (!!)</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->The sole is 9mm injection rubber (LemsRubber)</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Removable MoistureWick insole (3mm)</div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->A ZERO drop (of course)</div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->And a total weight of ~1/2 a pound (mine were
8.3 oz)</div>
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Also, they can do this....:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcElPIVwNy6H2xaGf0gp92_G5vvFpefYQjPhRbZotbi5OrOPEeEIEZPLBVZbzxEEoJM3Ir1-UKP6Ymkqfvp_ysLdmpeG81DeTsDV08ldRXwtkZi2xrHgV9hYYGy-DZ7nEunDPkGkcoFnf2/s1600/lems22-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcElPIVwNy6H2xaGf0gp92_G5vvFpefYQjPhRbZotbi5OrOPEeEIEZPLBVZbzxEEoJM3Ir1-UKP6Ymkqfvp_ysLdmpeG81DeTsDV08ldRXwtkZi2xrHgV9hYYGy-DZ7nEunDPkGkcoFnf2/s1600/lems22-1.jpg" height="124" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUkfNp_CVJPPbz5GQVl98WyLe44WThoLNRHCdfc1pnDLbmbj6nLh9eE7cVFKOtpiUgXfbW5c93JbfvW61WYFWsX-D6JmQ33h_UlJAHbAcAnzS8zxVR9TMDaNTtnFQkGIAXVmhZer1YeQz/s1600/lems22-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUkfNp_CVJPPbz5GQVl98WyLe44WThoLNRHCdfc1pnDLbmbj6nLh9eE7cVFKOtpiUgXfbW5c93JbfvW61WYFWsX-D6JmQ33h_UlJAHbAcAnzS8zxVR9TMDaNTtnFQkGIAXVmhZer1YeQz/s1600/lems22-4.jpg" height="124" width="200" /></a></div>
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I have these in the mocha color
and would love to add the other 2 colors.
I have a friend in law enforcement who fell in love with them and wants
to try the <a href="http://www.lemsshoes.com/Mens-Nine2five-Black_p_98.html" target="_blank">black ones</a> for a duty shoe. I
wear these with jeans, I wear them taking my beautiful wife to dinner, I wear
them to work, I wear these to preach in, these are my <s>go to</s> exclusive brown dress shoe and, as you can
imagine, I have quite a lot to choose from…</div>
Levi Doddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13726618082099424277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8158043629407787118.post-43922623080642318002015-04-23T11:10:00.003-04:002015-04-23T11:10:40.251-04:00Product Review: Topo Athletic Halsa<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
I wasn’t familiar with (fairly) new–comer <a href="http://topoathletic.com/" target="_blank">Topo Athletic</a> until I did I
got my hands on their <a href="http://secondwindbook.blogspot.com/2014/12/topo-athletic-sante-gym-crossfit-shoe.html" target="_blank">first gen “Gym” shoe</a>, but while the brand may sound new,
Topo’s staff is anything but: See, Topo
athletic’s founder and CEO is Tony Post (TOny POst = ToPo) and Tony was the
president and CEO of Vibram USA for 11 years – specifically the 11 years of the
FiveFingers. </div>
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After Vibram, Tony set up his own dream company of Topo and continued
his passion for healthy, minimalist shoes built for athletes. </div>
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Today I’ll be reviewing the The <a href="http://shop.topoathletic.com/mens/Train.html?colorid=1758&model=Halsa" target="_blank">Topo Halsa</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeixkqRn5IYr4ZgstRIRSvk16BXxp-6IkfMYg4Lbao2zba3gd7-qCTo6PIQdjiZHNVLmqVxo56KnLhLHjg8nNwseQKQvnctyUgoXduaGm0zdEnRC6dc9XlTqj2v8zsHtwhOHeVHYdl8rvP/s1600/11180287_10153178021671291_211360584_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeixkqRn5IYr4ZgstRIRSvk16BXxp-6IkfMYg4Lbao2zba3gd7-qCTo6PIQdjiZHNVLmqVxo56KnLhLHjg8nNwseQKQvnctyUgoXduaGm0zdEnRC6dc9XlTqj2v8zsHtwhOHeVHYdl8rvP/s1600/11180287_10153178021671291_211360584_n.jpg" height="144" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Halsa is Topo’s newest shoe in their “Gym” category that is
specifically tailored for the functional fitness/<a href="http://www.crossfit.com/" target="_blank">Crossfit </a>community. It’s
Zero drop, wide profile, low to the ground (16mm total stack height),
<br />and weighs less than 7 ½ oz. </div>
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I’ll abandon my usual “wait to the end for final thoughts” model and
just go ahead and tell you… I love this shoe.
Here’s why:<br />
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I started testing this shoe over a month ago at the gym and my workout
routines consist of heavy barbell training (Olympic and power lifts), agility
training, kettlebells, tires, dumbbells, the works. </div>
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Additionally, every day will have a run aspect and the running will
consist of straight line, lateral work, cuts, sudden stops, turns, etc. and it all
happens on a myriad of different surfaces, including pavement, rubber gym
floors, tile, gravel, grass, wooden lifting platforms, and turf. I have yet to encounter a surface or a
movement where these shoes didn’t shine.
Heck, one day our running portion was done on the turf soccer field
which still had a soccer ball laying around (which I couldn’t help but snag)
and I dribbled it through my running portion and fired off a couple shots as I
approached each end of the pitch and they even did great with that!</div>
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They stuck with their midfoot strap, which I was excited to see as this
is a staple for a platform shoe and a feature that is unique to Topo. Currently, outside of Topo you have to choose
either a lifting shoe Or a functional shoe and Topo has the best answer to a
true double duty platform. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2VBFVsoWI-0YEhj7LdBOybHctnuq4coY7g-JAMkh6cXsberJsabEkkWX9pNZ7wq0Zx9rVfqPgfvBIHNNxpTzurJKi7axBjzrxFXvhskprNh8YZzn9kZ57tUni8SbIhfpyzcgd5bxak_7L/s1600/11173420_10153178021731291_1155004374_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2VBFVsoWI-0YEhj7LdBOybHctnuq4coY7g-JAMkh6cXsberJsabEkkWX9pNZ7wq0Zx9rVfqPgfvBIHNNxpTzurJKi7axBjzrxFXvhskprNh8YZzn9kZ57tUni8SbIhfpyzcgd5bxak_7L/s1600/11173420_10153178021731291_1155004374_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Halsa is solid, flat, light, wide, flexible, and low, while
maintaining excellent anchor points and lateral stability. As such, the Halsa provides a solid platform
in the bottom of heavy lifts with no rollover at all, flexible for box jumps,
poses, and sprints, and light and wide enough for running – Topo truly nailed
this one as a great all around training shoe.
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I’ll put it to you like this: <br />
as you can imagine, I have a _lot_ of shoes.
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Since I received the Halsa in the mail I have not worn another shoe to the gym.</div>
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Levi Doddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13726618082099424277noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8158043629407787118.post-75102396836255567902015-03-26T12:38:00.002-04:002015-03-26T12:38:21.237-04:00Going Through the Motions... Rise and GrindIt happens to all of us. Sometimes we're aware of it and sometimes we're not (suppress). At some point, we all fell victim to Athletic Atrophy and begin just going through the motions.<br />
<br />
If we're honest, sometimes it rears its ugly head in unlikely places. <br />
For instance, right now I'm getting up at 4:55am, just enough time to throw on clothes, grab my shoes, and be at the gym by 5:30am. So... I'm working out at 5:30am. AND being lazy.<br />
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5:30am <i>anything</i>, let alone a workout, doesn't usually coincide with laziness, BUT IT CAN. <br />
<br />See, I've been getting up, pushing myself to not "accidentally" turn the alarm off, getting up, and getting my butt to the gym, even with a spouse, 2 kids, and a full-time job that sometimes keeps late hours... but once I would get there, I was just... there.<br />
I did my reps, sure, but this form of laziness wasn't about reps, no,<br />
<br />
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<b><i>This form of laziness was about pacing instead of pushing</i></b></div>
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I was focused on doing what was required, at best, and doing what "I could" (at worst) in order to complete the day. I didn't want to burn out so I'd pace myself, I didn't want to not be able to finish my reps so I'd drop weight, I didn't want to have to break sets so I'd walk between stations, I didn't want to "be caught" off my game so I'd start a second or 2 late and </div>
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This morning was the breaking point.</div>
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We had a workout outside in the gorgeous East Tennessee weather and it was a dozen station circuit, 60 seconds on the station, 12 seconds to get to the next station and be ready to go. I didn't know how many circuits we were going to do, I didn't know how I'd fatigue at each different movement, and my legs were already destroyed from 2 heavy leg days in a row, so I paced myself. Understand, if you haven't figured this out already, that when I say "pace" I just mean "went stupid slow at 50% exertion like a punk". </div>
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As we lined back up at our first stations to hit the circuit again it hit me. </div>
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My own voice. </div>
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But Not the voice of "Levi" that I'd been using in my self-talk, not me in a class, me having someone be my trainer for the first time since my last coach 15 years ago, not me who was doing someone else's workout that I didn't have to program.... but I (finally) heard the voice of "Coach Dodd"</div>
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I heard me, my coach voice, my trainer voice, my "hell week" voice, yelling at dozens and dozens and dozens of athletes over the last 10 years. </div>
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I saw my Coach self looking at me on those previous circuit stations I had just completed with disgust and pity. </div>
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I could hear my coach self yelling at this shell I had allowed myself to become this morning:</div>
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"Make it worth it!" </div>
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"You got up this morning and showed up and this is what you're going to give me?!" </div>
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"You aren't cheating me, you're only cheating yourself, and if you're just going to cheat yourself quit now and go take up something more your speed, like checkers"</div>
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"Suck it up buttercup!"</div>
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"Why are you hear? You better have a reason other than me - you better have a reason for YOU or you're just wasting out time"</div>
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<br />"Dig deep!"</div>
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"Don't quit!"<br /><br />"Use Every second, work Every rep, run Through every line"</div>
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"Last 5!"</div>
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"Who are you going to be Today?"</div>
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"Come on, let's go, grind!"</div>
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<br />"One. More. Rep."</div>
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Take back your workouts, take back your runs, take back that squat rack, take back your time. Let us all stop wasting away while we're lying to ourselves about putting in work. Just because we get up earlier, or do more work, and sweat more than the other person, or even if we workout more than 80% of the "friends" on all our social media lists - hear me now - Who Cares. </div>
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That's not a question. </div>
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It's a statement that you know the answer to. Being better than that guy/girl, doing more than your coworkers, putting in more effort than your instagram followers who don't workout... So what. Your competing against yourself. You're racing yourself. You're fighting yourself.</div>
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So even if I outpace someone next to me, even if someone else caught a glimpse of something that they thought was impressive, if it's not my best effort, if it's not my max ability, if it doesn't bring about failure from exhaustion, than... </div>
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what did I get up for?</div>
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Levi Doddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13726618082099424277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8158043629407787118.post-63683879421891742222015-03-09T07:53:00.001-04:002015-03-09T07:53:17.542-04:00Spartan Cruise!So, as blogged about a few months back <div>(<a href="http://secondwindbook.blogspot.com/2015/01/spartan-up-2015.html?m=1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">http://secondwindbook.blogspot.com/2015/01/spartan-up-2015.html?m=1</a>)</div><div>The 1st ever Spartan Cruise has happened!</div><div><br></div><div>Take the world's fittest, most adventure seeking people, put them on a gorgeous all inclusive cruise ship, and send them to a private Spartan course in the Bahamas... It's bound to be unbelievable!</div><div><br></div><div>So if you missed out on it this year, head on over to vote.spartan.com scroll through all the amazing pictures (Spartan athletes on an enormous cruise ship in international waters quickly turns into a Spider-Man stunt show!) and vote for your favorite ones! </div><div><br></div><div>Not only do the top 3 photos with the most votes win a free race entry, if you're #1 favorite pic is the same one that I chose then YOU win a free 2015 Spartan Race entry to any race in the continental USA! Simply click on your favorite picture, copy the tinyURL, and email it to me (or post to comments)!</div><div><br></div><div>Then head on over to www.spartan.com and start finding a race! </div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Levi Doddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13726618082099424277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8158043629407787118.post-84250661040463003822015-02-06T16:36:00.000-05:002015-02-06T16:36:03.983-05:005 weeks into those New Year's Resolutions... 4 steps to keep yourself on track!This is where the rubber meets the road, both figuratively and literally in this case. It's 5 weeks past that day where everyone decides, with 20 minutes left before the ball drops, that they are going to eat better, spend less time on social media, stop drinking sodas, workout 4 days a week, read the entire Bible in a year, and run 1,000 miles in 2015. <br />
Statistically speaking, if you've made it this far, you have decent chances at continuing.<br />
Statistically speaking if you make it to April 1st you have a better than decent chance at continuing.<br />
and....<br />
Statistically speaking, you've already quit. 4 weeks ago.<br />
So, what do we do? How do we avoid this:<br />
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First: You Have to have a support system. If you're trying to eat right and your spouse is eating a box of Hot Light KrispyKreme donuts, you're going to fail (seriously - just ask my wife ;)</div>
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My brother likes to work out. I like to workout. At the box gym at my church I would go "fairly regular". At the gym that he went to on his own, he would go "fairly regular". I recently moved about 20 minutes closer to him and for the first time in our lives we are able to workout together. So now, guess what? We don't miss. Okay, "hardly ever miss". We both have 2 kids and we meet at the gym at 5:30am so occasionally we do still have </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaxhbA1J3ye6sm7eEDTWKG8TUpF1YW4SJjX3qUhyphenhyphennlvGlFwdiHD5kBTmGRREV6P13ysEE4ZzkEp5scFKwP6NDZ0ZEiv5EyqOWNkdHIvNfJTNPln8GhCnEK7QJkvtHegdiaBdPA8t6CKkM/s1600/IMG_5460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaxhbA1J3ye6sm7eEDTWKG8TUpF1YW4SJjX3qUhyphenhyphennlvGlFwdiHD5kBTmGRREV6P13ysEE4ZzkEp5scFKwP6NDZ0ZEiv5EyqOWNkdHIvNfJTNPln8GhCnEK7QJkvtHegdiaBdPA8t6CKkM/s1600/IMG_5460.JPG" height="140" width="200" /></a></div>
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But it's <u>considerably</u> less often than if we were trying to do this on our own.</div>
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Second: Set goals. And "yeah, you're right, I should totally increase my squat some this year" doesn't work. Pretty much ever. <b>write your goals down</b>. Than make your goals measurable ("To increase my backsquat 15% by December 31"), and if you can, share your goals with someone else. Or, a lot of someone else's. </div>
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Third: Make your goals difficult while still being attainable. If your current squat is 110# (bruh) than setting a goal of 450 isn't "difficult but attainable". Everyone is different. Everyone will experience gains differently. Gains will come at different paces based on how long you've been lifting and how good your form already is (ie if you're brand new to lifting and your form sucks, than working out 4 days a week while getting good form down will yield huge increases where as someone who has been lifting steadily for 3 years and already has optimal form will experience much more incremental gains). Think 15%-33% to start off. "Know thyself"</div>
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Fourth: Make yourself accountable to your goals. Back when I turned 30 (I have an early year birthday) I wrote down 30 goals. Called them my <a href="http://secondwindbook.blogspot.com/2014/01/30-for-30.html" target="_blank">"30 for 30"</a> goals and then I shared them, at the beginning of the year, on facebook. </div>
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So, at that point I had written goals, I had measurable goals, I had attainable goals, and I had broadcast them so people would expect to hear how I did (good or bad).</div>
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If you've already quit, start again today! Put these 4 steps in motion and let's do this! AROO!</div>
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<br />Levi Doddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13726618082099424277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8158043629407787118.post-2313867611255657312015-01-15T14:32:00.001-05:002015-01-15T14:34:22.454-05:00Spartan Up 2015!Alright folks, I hope everyone had a great Christmas and an excellent New Year! <br />
Unlike a lot of people, I recommend people take some time off at the holidays (or another time you choose) to relax, spend time with family and friends, enjoy food and drink and late nights that you might not normally, and take a refresher. Then, when you come back after the break, you're reinvigorated, your love for the sport is rekindled, and you're ready to go! Well, now is that time - so, let's start it off right: Spartan Up!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/8hrn7XGemSU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
Spartan race has been my favorite series and one that I want to continue. I usually go through what I call the typical Rule of 3's after completing a Spartan Beast:<br />
3 Seconds after finishing: OMG! I did it! Yeah! I'm a BEAST! AROO!<br />
<br />
3 Minutes after finishing: That's the worst thing Ive ever done, why don't I have better friends who would have told me what a stupid idea this was!<br />
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3 Hours after finishing: I am NEVER doing this again. Ever.<br />
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3 Days after finishing: Zomg... DOMS!<br />
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3 Weeks after Finishing: meh, that wasn't so bad... Matter of fact, I'd say that was the Best. Race. Ever. I just signed up for the next race - who's with me!?"<br />
<br />
Now, what's exciting about this next year about Spartan is that they're doing All new medals (don't lie... you know you're a medal whore), Lots of new locations, and (FINALLY) doing new race distance specific t-shirts! I'm sorry, but the jerk side of me was always bothered by the fact that the guy who did the 3 1/2 mile sprint in the nice 80 degree weather had the exact same finisher shirt as the guys who did a 15 mile Beast in 32 degrees! Oh, new medals, new locations, new T-Shirts, AND <span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>over half a million bucks in prize money</b></span>. You know... if you're into that sort of thing... ;)<br />
<br />
Additionally, they've added some really cool new things recently that you should check out:<br />
1. Spartan Race has rolled out their <a href="https://membership.spartan.com/" target="_blank">Annual Pass</a> which allows you to attend Unlimited Spartan Races in the USA (all 50 states), VIP access to all races, annual Global Rescue Membership, Free bag checks for your flights, and lots of travel discounts (including Enterprise, Uber, Restaurant.com, Wyndom Hotel Group)<br />
<br />
2. I'm really excited about Joe's new <a href="http://www.spartanuppodcast.com/" target="_blank">Spartan Up Podcast</a>. While there are a ton of Podcasts out there, what's sets this one apart is not only do we get Joe, but the interviews are truly awesome (Richard Branson, Ran, Fiennes, and Mimi Anderson just to name a few)<br />
<br />
3. <a href="http://www.spartan.com/food-of-the-day/recipe-of-the-day/general-tsos-cauliflower/" target="_blank">Food of the Day</a> (in addition to <a href="http://www.spartan.com/workout-of-the-day/january-day-15-s-mb-sprint-trifecta/" target="_blank">workout of the day</a>)<br />
<br />
4. <a href="http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/38933923#/38933923/1" target="_blank">Spartan Magazine</a><br />
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5. And finally... Spartan has decided to really set themselves apart here....<br />
In March of this year they're rolling out the first ever <a href="http://thespartancruise.com/" target="_blank">Spartan Cruise</a>.<br />
Yes. You read that right. Spartan. Cruise.<br />
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<br />Levi Doddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13726618082099424277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8158043629407787118.post-69853624178237507872014-12-22T11:39:00.000-05:002014-12-22T11:41:20.502-05:00Topo Athletic Sante Gym / Crossfit shoe Review<br />
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If you’ve never heard of <a href="http://topoathletic.com/" target="_blank">Topo Athletic</a>, don’t feel bad, I hadn’t either,
but you probably know more about what they believe than you think! See, Topo athletic’s founder and CEO is <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pub/tony-post/6/96/a5b" target="_blank">TonyPost</a> (TOny POst = ToPo) and Tony was the president and CEO of Vibram USA for 11
years – specifically the 11 years of the FiveFingers. </div>
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After Vibram, Tony set up his own dream company of Topo and continued
his passion for healthy, minimalist shoes built for athletes. </div>
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Today I have the opportunity to review the 2014/2015 ISPO Award God
Winning shoe: </div>
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<a href="http://shop.topoathletic.com/mens/Train.html?colorid=1537&model=Sante" target="_blank">The Topo Sante</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpQihYQf55TpeoVw9hBcftl3SUXSumWkUdLskQMBC1dAuU9Up_RSm1bQ-6iTtKlFfV97BFNfwd9nYJxx493D3XRutowOst3NXcsSsHfOt1Y4oFtE9-v5AL4oSbQ_AzG3A4SVSPffN861A/s1600/M_Sante-Black_Cobalt-collections-240x240.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpQihYQf55TpeoVw9hBcftl3SUXSumWkUdLskQMBC1dAuU9Up_RSm1bQ-6iTtKlFfV97BFNfwd9nYJxx493D3XRutowOst3NXcsSsHfOt1Y4oFtE9-v5AL4oSbQ_AzG3A4SVSPffN861A/s1600/M_Sante-Black_Cobalt-collections-240x240.png" height="200" width="200" /></a><br />
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The Sante is a Gym rat shoe specifically catered to the Crossfit style
athlete. The Sante, first and foremost
is a Zero drop shoe (you all know how I feel about that!). Bravo Topo.</div>
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The Sante is built low to the ground (14mm total stack height) to give you a
nice solid feel through your lifts and they did a great job providing a flat
surface for excellent stability in the bottom while giving it Excellent
flexibility (and not just in the front third).</div>
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One of the first things you’ll notice about this shoe (it was the first
thing I saw) was the crazy knob-looking-thingie (that’s the Latin name for it)
on the side. This is the BOA micro
adjuster. What this thing does is
eliminates traditional shoe laces and allows you to turn the knob to tighten
your shoes (or simply press it in to release the tension and loosen them). My first reaction to hearing about this cool
new idea was “yep… I’ll break that in a week”.
However, I was somewhat relieved when the box arrived with a Lifetime
unconditional guarantee on the BOA system (still, a guarantee isn’t worth much
if you have to use it over and over). I’m
pleased to say, after using these shoes for a few months, the BOA system not
only held up perfectly, it’s probably my favorite part about this shoe. </div>
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Let me explain:</div>
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Not having laces to come untied is pretty awesome and the ability to
tighten it precisely in very tiny increments is a big bonus. It doesn’t create tension spots and instead
tightens up uniformly throughout. My
favorite thing about the system is how quickly and easily you can tighten and
loosen – so I can leave them loose for the running portion of a WOD and then
reach down and in ½ a second, with one hand, have cinch them down for
deadlifts.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqulM0IzQYIGGjeHSyQC6a_MmStJkEJPbCBUreEWbbaNhyln11-QMcHCUfi1yHdLAaTU_sWK4ae3vwBxvOqklxP7LN_sPmxfAvaBVUqJe1qVxWHgK2B9V-oChhso_ZpJjuKLtDsTs7efU/s1600/IMG_3927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqulM0IzQYIGGjeHSyQC6a_MmStJkEJPbCBUreEWbbaNhyln11-QMcHCUfi1yHdLAaTU_sWK4ae3vwBxvOqklxP7LN_sPmxfAvaBVUqJe1qVxWHgK2B9V-oChhso_ZpJjuKLtDsTs7efU/s1600/IMG_3927.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The second part of the securing system of this shoe that I Really like
is the hook and loop midfoot strap (directly over the lateral stabilizers). This strap is a staple in all weightlifting
specific shoes but has never been effectively utilized in a WOD shoe – until now! This thing is really nice and I Love it on
OLY days.</div>
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Beyond the BOA system, I was really impressed with the shoes
flexibility (more on this later); it truly bends and moves like a minimalist
road running shoe.</div>
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I love the lateral stabilizers:
you don’t feel them at all while you’re running, jumping, etc. but when
lifting heavy they give an excellent solid-wall feel while doing it subconsciously,
not obtrusively.</div>
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The shoes look great, and while this doesn’t help you in a WOD, it IS a
nice bonus (don’t lie)</div>
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They are fantastically comfortable (the only thing I didn’t care for
was there is a bit of an arch – now, understand that I am ridiculously picky
about arch shape and while I didn’t care for it, none of the other testers even
noticed its existence).</div>
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They breathe really well while having the mesh made of excellent and
resilient material (something New Balance could learn a thing or two from….)</div>
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Conclusion: <br />
So between the very low to the ground build, zero drop, unbelievably
flexible sole, and the midfoot strap Topo has created a shoe that runs like a
running shoe, jumps and allows lateral movement like a crosstrainer, and locks
in and stabilizes like an OLY shoe. It’s
pretty awesome.</div>
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Now, Everything has to have its draw back and the Topo has 1
Achilles. Now, let me preface this, when
I had an issue Topo was quick to respond, did not make excuses, and handled the
replacement quickly. Topo also assured
me that this was a fairly unique issue (more on that in a second), but
nonetheless, here’s the issue I had: For
me, I can’t rope climb in them. Well,
not that I can’t, in fact they’re quite comfortable for it and the BOA knob
doesn’t get in the way (which I was afraid of), it’s that I shred that nice
sole on my descent. Here are some things
to consider with this: There are a lot
of shoes that you can’t climb a rope in.
Then there are shoes (like the Nano’s and a couple of the Inov-8 shoes)
that are designed around rope climbing and are Beasts at the rope, but you
sacrifice some ground feel and flexibility in the sole. Topo attempted to go in the middle but
decided to focus on that ground feel and flexibility and, therefore, the sole
is softer (you just really can’t have both).
So, for me, I like the shoes for everything but rope climbing and on
days when I know I’m climbing, I wear something else.</div>
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If you don’t climb the rope, climb it few and far between, or know when
the rope will come into play and can wear another shoe on those days (like I
do) then I think this is truly a fantastic Crossfit/gym/lifting shoe. I believe it does a better job as a running
shoe, jumping shoe, lifting shoe, and lateral movement shoe than most anyone
else out there. But, if you are a heavy
climber and you integrate rope climbs into most of your WODs, this is probably
not the shoe for you.</div>
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Below you'll see the damage to the Sante from the rope climbs. I'm also including some pictures of the same spots on my (much much older) Nanos just for reference:</div>
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So, I set out to compile a short list of the healthiest version of foods that most of us (me) eat anyway and intentionally tried to eliminate fruits and veggies from the list (because... those are a no brainer, you don't need a list to tell you to eat those). </div>
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I also included snacks<br />
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What's 'healthy' you ask? Glad you did, because that word gets thrown around all the time and best I can tell, people think they can make it mean anything they want. For this list, I was going for traditional health measures: lower fat, lower calories, lower carbs, somewhat lower sodium, give preference to protein and fiber, and try for the absolute fewest ingredients as possible. <br />
Fewest ingredients as possible AND ingredients that I can pronounce and/or have any freaking idea what they are or where they come from.</div>
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For example: butter ingredients could be <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana; font-size: 13.6000003814697px;">INGREDIENTS: <a href="http://image1.frequency.com/uri/w354_h200_ctrim_ll/_/item/1/0/9/3/Jar_Jar_Binks_Yousa_People_Gonna_DIE_109362376_thumbnail.jpg" target="_blank">Liquid Soybean Oil, Water, </a></span><a href="http://image1.frequency.com/uri/w354_h200_ctrim_ll/_/item/1/0/9/3/Jar_Jar_Binks_Yousa_People_Gonna_DIE_109362376_thumbnail.jpg" target="_blank"><span class="badlink" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana; font-size: 13.6000003814697px;"><b><u>Hydrogenated</u></b> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana; font-size: 13.6000003814697px;">Soybean Oil, </span><span class="badlink" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana; font-size: 13.6000003814697px;"><b><u>Partially Hydrogenated</u></b> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana; font-size: 13.6000003814697px;">Soybean Oil, Buttermilk, Salt, Contains Less than 2% of </span><span class="badlink" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana; font-size: 13.6000003814697px;"><b><u>Hydrogenated</u></b> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana; font-size: 13.6000003814697px;">Cottonseed Oil, </span><span class="apprlink" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana; font-size: 13.6000003814697px;"><b><u>Soy Lecithin</u></b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana; font-size: 13.6000003814697px;">,</span><span class="badlink" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana; font-size: 13.6000003814697px;"><b><u>Sodium Benzoate</u></b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana; font-size: 13.6000003814697px;">, (Preservative) Vegetable </span><span class="apprlink" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana; font-size: 13.6000003814697px;"><b><u>Mono And Diglycerides</u></b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana; font-size: 13.6000003814697px;">, </span><span class="badlink" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana; font-size: 13.6000003814697px;"><b><u>Artificial Flavors</u></b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana; font-size: 13.6000003814697px;">, </span><span class="goodlink" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana; font-size: 13.6000003814697px;"><b><u>Betacarotene</u></b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana; font-size: 13.6000003814697px;">, (Color) </span><span class="goodlink" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana; font-size: 13.6000003814697px;"><b><u>Vitamin A Palmitate</u></b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana; font-size: 13.6000003814697px;">.</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana; font-size: 13.6000003814697px;"><br /></span></div>
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Or butter ingredients could be: <strong style="background-color: #f9eec4; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; outline: none;">Ingredients:</strong><span style="background-color: #f9eec4; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span id="ctl00_LeftContent_ctl00_IngredientsLabel" style="background-color: #f9eec4; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; outline: none;">Sweet Cream, Salt.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f9eec4; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; outline: none;"><br /></span></div>
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Straight forward enough....</div>
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Alright, here we go:</div>
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<ul>
<li>Greek yogurt (take a look - I prefer Oikos)</li>
<li>Chester’s Puff Corn</li>
<li>Pop chips</li>
<li>Kettle Brand baked sea salt potato chips</li>
<li>Salmon</li>
<li>Boneless skinless chicken breast</li>
<li>97% lean ground beef</li>
<li>Lean Sirloin</li>
<li>Canadian Bacon</li>
<li>Pork Chops</li>
<li>Smuckers Natural PB</li>
<li>Brown Rice (Brown Jasmine Rice? Sounds good-haven't found it)</li>
<li>Ezekiel 4:9 Bread (they make sandwich bread, cinnamon raisin bread, & buns)</li>
<li>Applegate Farms The Great uncured beef hotdogs</li>
<li>Emeril’s Home-style Marinara spaghetti sauce</li>
<li>Barilla Whole Grain (or Barilla Plus+) Pasta </li>
<li>100% Cranberry juice</li>
<li>Land O Lakes Butter with Olive Oil (tub)</li>
<li>Land O Lakes Butter with Olive Oil and Sea Salt (stick)</li>
</ul>
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Got some favorites? What are yours?</div>
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Levi Doddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13726618082099424277noreply@blogger.com0