#BuildIt With Chocolate Milk!

Disclosure: The following post is sponsored by FitFluential LLC on behalf of BUILT WITH CHOCOLATE MILK. 

As a runner I know that recovery is important. Recovery is just as important as the training itself. And now that I am run streaking...I definitely have to recover well so that I can get back out on the road the next day.

After a run you will always find me stretching, rolling and icing. But I also know how important it is to refuel my body. My favorite way to refuel is with lowfat chocolate milk. I know what you're thinking...chocolate milk after a run? Yes! It tastes AMAZING after a run! And even better...it has all the nutrients and vitamins my body needs to recover.

I know for sure that lowfat chocolate milk is the perfect way to recover because it is backed by science. There have been more than 20 studies that support the benefits of recovering with lowfat chocolate milk after a hard workout or long run. Studies have shown that lowfat chocolate milk helps athletes gain lean muscle and lose fat! That's why even on my weight loss journey I have continued recovering with lowfat chocolate milk. I truly believe that recovering with lowfat chocolate milk helped me attain my 19 minute PR at the Talladega Half Marathon!

Lowfat chocolate milk...

• … is a natural source of high-quality protein to build and repair lean muscle after strenuous exercise.
• … has the right carb-to-protein ration scientifically shown to refuel exhausted muscles and help return muscles to peek potential.
• … provides fluids and electrolytes – like calcium, potassium and magnesium and sodium – to replenish what was lost in a tough workout.
• … has B vitamins that help convert food into energy.
• … has five bone-building nutrients: calcium, vitamin D, phosphorous, protein and potassium.

Chocolate Milk is the Official REFUEL Beverage of Men’s USA Hockey, Women’s USA Swimming, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series, IRONMAN U.S. Triathlon Series, Iron Girl, Esprit de She, Life Time Fitness Cycle Club and the Challenged Athletes Foundation®. Not only do everyday runners like myself recover with lowfat chocolate milk but the elite runners do as well! You better believe I will be grabbing lowfat chocolate milk after I run the Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans Half Marathon in January! 

Speaking of amazing athletes, BUILT WITH CHOCOLATE MILK launched a marketing program and online documentary series called Mission Apolo: BUILT WITH CHOCOLATE MILK. World Champion short-track speedskating legend, Apolo Ohno, accepted the mission to conquer the 2014 IRONMAN World Championship Race in Kona-Kailua, Hawaii on Saturday, October 11. He has joined Women’s Health editor Jen Ator for a six-month training and recovery program with sports dietitians and elite professional coaches 8X IRONMAN World Champion Paula Newby-Fraser and 3X World Champion Craig “Crowie” Alexander. And WE can follow along on Ohno and Ator's training journey! We can follow along through the eight-episode series that features behind-the-scenes content and training tips from Ohno and Ator at www.gotchocolatemilk.com.

I'm really enjoying the series and watching Apolo and Jen's journey to become an Ironman! You can watch the series trailer below!



All the other episodes can be found at www.gotchocolatemilk.com or on YouTube.

Be sure to follow Apolo and Jen as they conquer the Ironman on Saturday, October 11th! Use the hashtag #MissionApolo. And be sure to follow Got Chocolate Milk on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.

For more information on how you can #BuildIt With Chocolate Milk, join me at 8 PM EST October 2nd for a twitter chat about post-workout recovery. There will be prizes! Got Chocolate Milk is awarding 4 BUILT WITH CHOCOLATE MILK gift packs! Use the hashtag #BuildIt to join the chat!

QOTD: Have you ever recovered with lowfat chocolate milk?

Will Run 10 Miles for Food!

This weekend I had 10 miles on the training schedule for the Seaside Half Marathon with my Sole2Soul Sisters! I chose a hilly route for them because I was told that there were some hills in Seaside. I want them to be prepared. We also had plans to eat breakfast together after the run to celebrate their two digit run. So what did I think about the entire 10 miles??? Yep! FOOD!!! ;-)

The run felt great! Have I ever said how much I love running long, slow distances??? I really do! I once again got to run this entire run with Holly from Running and Baking, Oh My! I love running with her on these long runs because we are the exact same pace!

The first 3.5 miles were flat...but they were a little tougher since my legs weren't warmed up yet. Then came the hills. We had a few hills for miles 4-5 and then we went flat again. Once we hit mile 7 the hills really started. My goal was to run those hills all the way and not stop to walk. How did I do? Success!

Challenges during this run: not slipping on the Mardi Gras beads that were still on the ground from the parade the night before! Luckily no one had this happen to them. And of course hills are always a challenge...but I always feel so accomplished when I conquer them! I made sure to remember my steps to get over those hills while I was running!

This month I am participating in the Girls Gone Sporty February Sharing with Heart Challenge! February is all about hearts...from Valentine's Day to National Heart Month. So this challenge is all about sharing and encouraging healthy hearts! Basically the challenge is to get active with others, take a picture of it, and upload it on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter with the hashtag #sharingheart. Join me in this challenge and a chance to win some awesome prizes! Sign up here!

I took a picture with Holly after the run and tagged it with the #sharingheart hashtag! I love that we both love to run!

After the run it was finally time to eat!!! I couldn't wait lol! Running 10 miles makes you hungry...especially when you are thinking about food the whole time you're running!!! The plan was to eat at a little cafe downtown but by the time we were finished running they couldn't seat us. We would have to wait 30 minutes. Well women waiting around outside in 30 degree weather that have just run 10 miles and are all sweaty is NOT a good thing. Some decided to go on home but 4 of us wanted that breakfast so we headed to Cracker Barrel.

I ordered the Old Timer's Breakfast...two eggs, grits, hashbrown casserole, bacon, sawmill gravy and biscuits. I was apparently hungry lol! I never eat that much for breakfast!!! And...I almost ate everything on my plate!!! It was so good!

And yes...that IS chocolate milk in my cup! Perfect post run recovery drink! No..I'm not six years old lol! 

So I've decided that I want breakfast after every long run now lol! Who's with me???

QOTD: What do you eat after a long run? Or are you like me and just drink a protein shake and then wait for lunch?