Cheribundi Ambassador: Runner Toni Church

A Cherry A Day For Running Recovery

by Janine Frank

For one Long Island runner, a lifelong goal is now just a month away. Toni Church is training for the New York City Marathon on November 4th. This will be the first marathon for the 34-year-old mother of two who took up running to get back in shape after her first child was born.

Now 15 years later, Church is ready to take the plunge and attempt one of running's biggest challenges. “As long as I've been running I have wanted to run one marathon and that marathon had to be NYC!” Church says.

To finally get to this point, Church, a hospital nurse, has been reliably and singularly focused on this one objective. And in all those years, her conviction never wavered. “The marathon is the ultimate running goal and I want to do it at least once,” Church says confidently.

Her training regimen consists of two runs a week with a running team called We Are Athletes. They do drills, speed work, core work and devote one of those nights to hill running. Church saves her longer runs for the weekend. “On Saturday or Sunday I do my long runs mostly with people from the team,” Church says. “My weekly mileage lands somewhere between 18 and 28 miles per week.”

Church also tries to do yoga three times a week as well as cross training with a spin bike and an elliptical trainer. She also tries to work in two weight training sessions per week. “I believe for balance and injury prevention you need to have a well-rounded workout routine,” Church says.

Unlike some first time marathon runners, Church is careful not to over-train. “Many of the plans out there have first time marathoners running an enormous amount,” Church explains, “And according to my coach it's a recipe for disaster and injury.” She says it's also important to listen to your body. “If something hurts, don't ignore it because it will only get worse.”

Representin' in her Cheribundi tee at FitBloggin' 2012.

Part of Church's daily routine also includes Cheribundi. She says it's how she ends every workout. “Cheribundi has helped me combat muscle soreness. I love having a [Whey] protein Cheribundi after a tough workout to fuel my muscles and help replenish my energy.” In fact, Church says she also drinks Cheribundi on her rest days. For her it's become a daily habit.

Church understands the struggle between achieving a fit lifestyle and raising a family. “I do my best to spend time with the family every day after work and by incorporating fitness and family time together with bike rides, workouts in the park and healthy activities,” Church says. She admits that the balance is challenging, but knows that her own fitness is essential. “Running has changed my life both physically and emotionally for the better and I couldn't imagine my life without it!”

Cheribundi wishes Toni all the best in her first marathon. May it be the beginning of many! 

Editor's Note: Unfortunately, Toni recently went to the doctor and found out she has a stress fracture. She has to rest it for eight weeks, which means she will not be able to run in the NYC Marathon this year.  But she has Cheribundi to help her recover and she says it's "definitely helping with the recovery." Toni will be back to her training routine once the fracture heals, and she plans to train for another marathon in 2013. Read more from Toni at her blog, Running Loving Living: The Road to My Dreams.

Janine Frank lives in Lafayette, Colorado with her husband, two sons and golden retriever. She writes about fitness, natural products and the great outdoors.

Guest Blog: Cheribundi Ambassador Jen!

My name is Jen and I am a blogger over at Jenisgreen.com. I am currently training for my first marathon! A few years ago, I never would have called myself a runner. I was overweight and hated exercise. 

However, I wanted a change. I was tired of not liking the way I felt about myself and wanted to get healthy! I changed my diet by eating lots of healthy food and started to exercise regularly.  One day I went for a run. Little did I know running would become one of my favorite exercises. I could not imagine my life without running! I lost 70 pounds and I’m training for my first marathon!

I didn’t always want to run a marathon. When I started running, my goal was to run a 5K without stopping. In May of 2009, that happened! I trained for the 5K and running it was one of the best experiences of my life. I was so proud of myself.  Less than a year ago I couldn’t even run a half a mile, let alone a 5K. After participating in a bunch of 5Ks, some 10Ks and a 15K, In October 2010, I finally decided to run a half marathon.

I knew when I was training for a half marathon I could finally call myself a “runner.” I loved running. I loved the feel of completing a goal and the runner’s high after finishing a long run. I never knew I was capable of actually running 13.1 miles, but with the hard work and dedication of months of training, I did that too.

Fast forward almost two years later, it was time to step it up. I had run eight half marathons, so I knew what my next step had to be: 26.2 miles. I was afraid and not sure if I could run a full marathon, but I knew it was something that deep down, I wanted to do. 

I’m currently two months into training and I’m having fun. Sure, there are tough runs along the way, but there are also the great ones. I knew I wanted to train in the fall, so I signed up for a November marathon in Richmond, Virginia. It will be my first time traveling to Richmond, so I’m excited to experience the city the best way I know how—by running! I’m excited to cross the finish line in November and to finally call myself a marathoner.

Follow the rest of my training at my blog: http://jenisgreen.com 

Jordan Flowers, One Year Later

Q&A with Cheribundi's Marathon Challenge Winner

by Janine Frank

The winner of last summer's Cheribundi Marathon Challenge, Jordan Flowers, now has big time bragging rights. He is among a very small percentage of the population (approximately .5%) to have completed a marathon. Flowers won an all-expense paid trip to Las Vegas to participate in the Rock 'N Roll Marathon last December. Part of the prize package also included personalized running tips from American ultrathoner Scott Jurek.

We recently caught up with the 31-year-old from Oregon City, Oregon, to see how the big run turned out and what else he's been up to since then.

How did the Rock 'N Roll Marathon Go?

It felt like a great accomplishment. It was awesome to run my first marathon.

Were you satisfied with your performance?

I really thought I was going to finish under 4 hours. I was on pace through 20 miles, but the last 6 destroyed me. I cramped up bad and finished in just over 4:30. Around the 20 mile mark, my goal changed from finish in “X” time to “just finish.”

What did you learn from  your first marathon?

Pain is temporary and small in comparison to the accomplishment you feel when reaching your goals. Stretching is key. Nutrition is more than just calories. For the distance, you really have to plan carbs, fats, proteins, sodium, electrolytes, hydration. Everything plays a part in keeping your body strong.

Have you done any other big races since?

I ran the Disney World Marathon about a month later. This summer I also ran the Portland to Eugene Epic Relay.

What role did Cheribundi play in helping you prepare for a marathon?

Having a clean calorie source that also aids in muscle recovery was awesome. I drank Cheribundi before most training runs. It really seemed to help my legs recover and get me ready to run again the next day. Without it, I probably would have been taking Ibuprofen daily and I really don't like the idea of taking pills every day.

Did Cheribundi help you get through the race also?
I drank some the night before the race to help get a good night's sleep and a BUNCH right before the race to hydrate and take in some liquid calories. If I could have taken about 4 small bottles with me on the course, that would have been even better! After the race, I finished off the last of [my supply] to rehydrate and aid in recovery.

With the marathon behind you, how do you stay motivated to keep running?

I keep signing up for new races. I try to find at least a couple that are fun locations that my family can also enjoy. I also continue to set new goals for myself. I'd like to get my marathon time down under four hours and I'd like to finish my first ultra.

You have a busy life with a job, a wife and a young son. How do you balance it all?

Lots of juggling. Sometimes it means an early morning or late evening run. Sometimes I miss a run or end up eating less healthy than I should. I don't stress about it too much. I just pick up the next day and keep moving forward.

What was it like talking to legendary ultra-marathoner Scott Jurek?

I had the privilege of spending about an hour on the phone with [him]. What an honor. He's truly a legend within the sport. We talked about hydration and pacing and recovery and ultra-distances.

Did he say anything that has really stayed with you?

[He said] ideal weight does not equal ideal fitness. Know your body and settle in on a comfortable weight where you feel strong and healthy.

Jordan before.

You lost about 150 pounds when you began your fitness regimen. Is a healthy diet part of your secret to success?

Absolutely! You will never outwork a bad diet. When I started looking at junk food and calculating the number of miles I would need to run in order to burn those calories, it really changed my perspective on food.

When your started your fitness journey, did you see yourself where you are now?

Not a chance. I HATED running and I really just wanted to lose a few pounds. I had a goal of getting under 300. I had no idea I'd ever drop below 200 again. I don't think I had been that light since junior high.

What would you tell others who are trying to get fit and lose weight?

There is no “magic” cure. The hardest part is getting started on a diet or exercise program. Once you've been at it for a few weeks and you see some results, it is much easier to stick with.

Any words of wisdom you've discovered along the way?

You don't have to be the best, the fastest, the lightest or the strongest. Success just means being better today than you were yesterday. Small successes today will eventually turn into major accomplishments.

Jordan is currently training for the Disneyland Half Marathon in August, the Autumn Leaves 50-mile race in Oregon in October (yes, 50 miles!!!) and the Disney World Marathon next January. Best wishes for continued success, Jordan. Cheribundi hopes to help you reach all your goals!

Janine Frank lives in Lafayette, Colorado with her husband, two sons and golden retriever. She writes about fitness, natural products and the great outdoors.

Cheribundi Ambassador and Amateur Runner Jen Masa

Cheribundi to Fuel Runner’s First Marathon

by Janine Frank

The Marathon. It’s the pinnacle event for runners, both elite and recreational.  It appears on bucket lists around the world. But not everyone who takes up running ends up completing a marathon. And Jen Masa, a 27-year-old runner from Albany, New York, will tell you with sincerity that if she can do it, anyone can!

Jen began running almost four years ago to try to lose some weight and become more fit. Since she was very heavy at the time and hadn’t been exercising, she began with daily walks. Once she built up some endurance, she tried running as a way to burn more calories. 

Now 70 pounds lighter, she is training for her first marathon, taking place in November in Richmond, Virginia.

Jen currently runs four times a week with a long run on the weekends to prepare for the longer distance of a marathon. And she always drinks Cheribundi to recover and rehydrate. “I love Cheribundi!” Jen says. “It tastes really good. Since I’ve been drinking it, I’ve felt great after my runs!”

She also likes Cheribundi for the nutrition it provides. “I feel good knowing that I’m drinking something that is not only delicious, but healthy, too. Anything that can help with recovery is a plus.”

Jen has also adopted a healthier way of eating to complement her more athletic lifestyle. “I try to eat a clean diet of whole foods, fruits, vegetables and whole grains because I know it makes me feel better when I do.”

Although the Anthem Richmond Marathon will be her first race at this distance, Jen has run many other shorter races in preparation. Her first 5K was in May of 2009 and it got her hooked. “Since then I’ve [run] about 40 races, from 5Ks, 10Ks and 15Ks to multiple half marathons.” She shares all of her race experiences on her blog, here.

With that much running in her life, it can be hard to stay motivated, but Jen finds that the more she runs, the more she actually enjoys it. “I know I’ll feel great after a run or workout and I know I won’t regret it. Eventually it becomes routine and working out regularly is more of the norm instead of a chore.”

In addition to running, Jen also does yoga and some weight training once a week. “I really lack upper body strength, so I’m trying to work on that,” she says. That still leaves Jen time for one day of rest per week, which is important for letting the body recover.

When asked what she wants to do after the marathon, Jen is planning for both the short term and the more distant future. “Immediately after, I hope to find some good food and refuel and drink some Cheribundi, of course! As for long term, I hope to continue racing, maybe another marathon if I have a good experience. But I’m definitely going to keep on running, even if it’s just shorter distances.”

Jen says one thing that truly inspires her is anyone who can finish a marathon. But she never saw herself in that category until recently. “So many people tell me they could never run a marathon or lose weight like I did. I was never athletic in my life until I began running, so if I can do it, anyone can.”

Good luck in November, Jen! Cheribundi hopes to help fuel you through the race and keep you going strong for a long time afterward. 

Janine Frank lives in Lafayette, Colorado with her husband, two sons and golden retriever. She writes about fitness, natural products and the great outdoors.