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.

Cheribundi Ambassador: Olympic Rower Esther Lofgren

Coming Home with Gold

by Janine Frank

Many of us dream of it, very few achieve it. But Esther Lofgren knows what it’s like to win Olympic gold.

“It’s the best feeling in the world!” she says.

Lofgren achieved that remarkable triumph at the 2012 Olympics in London last month where she competed in Women's 8 Rowing. The race itself lasted just 6 minutes and 10.59 seconds, but the sweet victory was years in the making and now a memory that will be treasured for a lifetime.

Lofgren, a 27-year-old from Newport Beach, California, first started rowing when she was in high school. She was playing volleyball at the time and needed a way to cross-train. But she got hooked on the sport and eventually switched over to rowing exclusively.

Lofgren describes rowing as an endurance power sport. “Besides balancing in a long, tippy boat, a race is equivalent to power-lifting as quickly as you can for 5 to 7 minutes.” She says a lot of the training that goes into rowing is logging miles and miles in the boat to build up the lungs and muscles for the more intense challenge of racing.

During training for London, Lofgren discovered Cheribundi, a drink that she says is ideal for those in endurance sports. “I drink Cheribundi about once a day, especially after endurance cardio workouts when I need to replenish glycogen stores and get antioxidants in my body.”

Lofgren says the Whey Cheribundi with added protein is very similar to the home-made recovery drink she used earlier in the year before she discovered Cheribundi. “But with the bonus of taking zero prep and being really easy to toss in my gym bag,” she adds.

And since she’s a national team athlete, she appreciates how wholesome Cheribundi is. “I am subject to random drug testing and it’s really nice to have a supplement that is quality tested so I don’t have to worry about contamination. It’s just a wholesome product that’s great for recovery and is what it says it is,” Lofgren explains.

Rowing may come somewhat naturally to Lofgren considering her parents were also elite U.S. rowers. She says they’ve been her biggest inspiration. “My mom was actually the last woman cut from the 1984 Olympic quadruple sculls, a boat that went on to win gold,” she explains. “I was cut from the 2008 boat that also went on to win gold.”

But she was determined to go to the Olympics and continued with the sport hoping for a 2012 opportunity. When it materialized, Lofgren felt deeply grateful to those who helped her get there. “As soon as we crossed the finish line, I was totally overcome. I thought about all of the people who’d believed in me, who’d supported me through all of the training it took to win gold.”

So what’s next for someone who finally achieved her lifelong goal?

“I’m not sure. Right now, I’m looking for a job. I’m giving the real world a shot for the next several months, but I’m leaving the door open on whether I want to keep rowing.”

With Lionel Richie in the green room of the Today Show.

Even though she’s won a gold medal, Lofgren says she still has a couple more athletic goals she would like to achieve. “I’ve just started road biking and I’m getting ready to do a century ride: 100 miles! I love running and am also working towards running my first marathon this fall.”

After winning gold it could be hard to stay motivated for new challenges, but Lofgren says that’s not the case. “In life, I go by the mantra “Trust the Journey.” All of the ups and downs I have been through in rowing and in life make the great things that happen that much more special. I don’t ever wish for things to be easy, only worth it.”

And as for 2016? “Everyone keeps asking about Rio, which is way too far away to think about…but man! Who wouldn’t want to do this again?”

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.