The stuff I use

I get a lot of questions about the stuff I use and why. So I will address these catagories: Nutrition, Equipment, and Motivation.

The first two are easy, the third one, not so much. Before I start a LOOOOOONG diatribe on nutrition let me say a couple of things first. As a chiropractor I take pride in what I know about nutrition. as an Ironman competitor...I have a HELLUVA lot to learn! I can say I have completed all my races. Albeit from sheer will a couple of times because I trashed my body and under-fueled. I'll chalk that up to stupidity, stubbornness, and the almighty I know it all attitude. It is hard to want to loose weight and control my calories and then want to race well. I have to let go and eat...that is REALLY tough for me. So for nutrtion there are two types for me. I prescribe to the Eat Clean diet and Paleo Diet philosophies. I am not totally gluten free, but I try. It helps that Kristine is gluten free. I don't know where I would be without her support, I shudder to think.

So this is where I start to shine, supplementation. You will probably laugh, but I take A LOT of supplements. My two MAJOR vitamins are Metagenics and Hammer Nutrtion. Every 6 to 8 weeks I take a Function Medicine Assessment. This tells me how oxidized I am, how efficient my Cellular Respiration is, if I have Adrenal Stress, pH, Conductance, Carb. metabolism, Hydration, Electrolytes and several other things. I also monitor weekly my Bio Impedance Analysis. (Yes I am a geek and I am blessed to do what I do and have at my disposal what I have.) With that information I can tailor my nutrition to my bodies specific needs. This helps me avoid going tachicardic due to nutritional deficiencies. It also helps avoid over-training symptoms due to nutritional and electrolyte depletion.

Currently for my health I am taking Ultra Clear Plus pH, Cerelin Forte, ISO D3, Protien Powder, Glutagenics, Ultra Potent C Powder, Multigenics, Mitochondrial Resusitate, BioSom Spray, Nano Cell CoQ10, and EPA-DHA High Concentrate liquid. I know that sounds like a lot, but I have the labs to show why. I have health issues and some genetic predisposition to some bad stuff. So I don't want it to happen. If someone wants me to actually go through several of my labs and explain why I take each on of the suppliments I would be happy to do so publically or privately, but I am on the verge of a serious snoozefest here and I don't want that.

Currently for racing and training I take: Antifatigue Caps, Race Caps, Glutamine (I load this 4 days prior), Sustained Energy, Enduralyte Fizz (new and cool), HEED, Hammer Gels (1 every 30 minutes), and Recoverite. I still have a lot to learn about fueling during a race. www.felog.net has helped me, as has the Fueling Guide for Endurance Athletes (Hammer Nutrition)

http://www.hammernutrition.com/downloads/fuelinghandbook.pdfutm_source=guidetosuccess&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=guidetosuccess.

In conclusion about nutrition let me say this. You are what you eat, you are what you eat and what it eats. This is especially important for athletes. If you owned a Ferrari you would not put cheap gas in it, so why would you put cheap gas in the most important machine you'll ever own, YOUR BODY!!!! Nutrition controls what you are made of, expression of genes, biochemical processes, whether you are pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory. It is one of the single most important things you can do for yourself. OK, one more point or illustration. pH is VERY important. Why? Because it controls how much ATP or energy you produce. If you

are outside of the normal range of pH you go from producing 36 ATP to 2 ATP. Oh I could go on and on....

Equipment, toys, gadgets, and fun stuff. I like it all and I want it all. Let's start off with (disclosure notice - I am a Polar Ambassador yea me, I have however used Polar products for 10+ years) my heart rate monitor. I use the Polar RS800CX with all the bells and whistles. To be honest and fair, I am not crazy about the foot pod, it's just not that accurate for me and I am transitioning into a fore foot runner. Everthing else is the BERRIES about it.

Next thing to talk about is my bike. Since I am just beginning into Triathlon I bought a used bike from and pieced it together. My frame is the Kuota Kalibur, outfitted with SRAM Reds, I rent wheels, but I train on ADAM wheel set. On my bike I use both a Fuel Cell and Speedfil hydration systems. Also the bike is equipped with DUAL, yes 2 Salt Stick systems ;-) I like my bike and I feel it is one of my stronger events. To train in Indiana during the winter I just added a Computrainer to my list of toys, along with a TRX suspension system (my core sucks). I have to say riding the Louisville Ironman Course on the Computrain SUCKS!!!! I used to race maountain bikes and I like to think I am "somewhat" of a climber. There is 1 hill in that course that I have to stand on EVERY stinking time. Below are pictures of my various toys, the model holding the bike is my wife and fellow competitor Kristine Miller (@kgirltris on twitter also a tri coach for Prsfit).

Next is my love hate relationship with the sport. I actually like running, I just suck at it. I ran a marathon in a pair of brand new Solomons and was such a heavy heel strike I destroyed them in one race. Totally removed the heel. So now I am trying to transition into being a fore-foot runner. My training tools Vibram 5's and now I am the proud owner of Newton Gravitas. There is not a lot I can say here except, transitioning into this type of runner has GREATLY decreased my hip, knee and ankle pain. Am I "there" yet, no but I am trying.

So that is it. My toys and what I use.