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 Smoothies

A great idea from a couple of bloggers: make your smoothie with Cheribundi!

Danielle at Foodosaurus Rex mixed a Tru Cherry with Veta smoothie mix.

Jen at Jen is Green blended a Skinny Cherry with a banana, frozen strawberries and a scoop of protein powder. 

YUMMY!

Want to try some Cheribundi? This weekend we'll be sampling at several stores around the country!

Today Brenna will be at Ideal Market in Boulder, Christa will be at Whole Foods Market Madison in New Jersey and Lyndsay will be at Gary's Uptown on the Upper West Side in NYC.

Friday, Martin will be at Nugget Markets, El Dorado Hills. 
Jim will be at Good Earth Natural Foods in American Fork, UT. 
Lisa will be at Fairway Market in Plainview, Long Island. 
Maria will be at Whole Foods Market - Milford, CT and Elaine will be at Central Market in Plano, TX. 


Saturday, Martin will be at Nugget Markets in West Sacramento.
Jim will be at Good Earth Natural Foods in Sandy, UT, in the morning and at Sunflower Farmers Market in SLC in the afternoon.
Mike will be at Wegmans in Rochester, NY and Maria will be at Whole Foods Market Westport in CT.
Nalia will be at Whole Foods Market Millburn- Union in Vauxhall, NJ and Christa will be at Whole Foods Market West Orange, NJ.
Elaine will be at Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage on Preston Road in Dallas.


Sunday, Rob will be at Whole Foods Market Chicago-South Loop on Canal St. 
Clare will be at Whole Foods Market Denver in Cherry Creek, CO. 
Lisa will be at Fairway Market in Douglaston, NY and Christa will be at Fairway Market in Paramus, NJ.

Come say hi and try some great tasting Cheribundi!

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.

Bloggers love Cheribundi

Check out the latest Cheribundi reviews around the blogosphere:


Roya, at Life of Roya, says, "Each small 8 oz. bottle is jam-packed full of nutrients. It’s amazing how so much goodness can come from such a small package. If you love cherries, then you will love Cheribundi."

Alison, at Racingtales, writes, "I’m a big fan of tart cherry juice and often add it to my smoothies. But I wasn’t sure I would like drinking it straight from the bottle. I started with the Ginger Cherry. You could definitely taste the ginger – subtle but not overbearing, it allowed for the tart cherry flavor to come through. The Tru Cherry was obviously the same but without the ginger, and the Skinny Cherry, with about 2/3 the calories and sugar of the other drinks (it contains Reb A, a natural stevia leaf sweetener), didn’t taste any different. I tasted the drinks straight from the bottle, refrigerated, of course, and also over ice. I liked them both ways."

Amanda, at The Nutritionist Reviews, says, "I'm sure you have probably heard about the possible awesome health benefits of drinking tart cherry juice. This one is not only good for you but tasty as well. The juice is not from concentrate and contains 50 cherries per little 8 oz bottle! I would definitely buy this juice in the future and think that it is a great healthy choice for a beverage."