Product Review: Nuun Immunity

Product Review:  Nuun Immunity

Disclaimer:  I received a tube of the Orange Citrus Nuun Immunity and a tube of the Blueberry Tangerine Nuun Immunity for free in exchange for a review as part of being a BibRave Pro.  Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to find and write race reviews!

I have used Nuun products throughout the last several years of training so I am always excited when they release a new product. One of their more recent new products was Nuun Immunity. I will take all the help I can get with my immune system as I get closer and closer to my fall marathon.  I purchased some of the Nuun Immunity with my last order and thus was more than happy to participate in this campaign.

I like that Nuun products are small and do not take up a lot of space.  I have tubes of the stuff all over - my pantry, my purse, my desk at work.  Nuun Immunity comes in the same packaging that the other Nuun hydration products come in and work the same way:  Just drop a tab into a water bottle and fill with water.  Wait a few minutes and voila.  Instant immunity boost.  I also like making it with hot water to have a tea of sorts in the fall/winter.

Nuun immunity comes in two flavors: Orange Citrus and Blueberry Tangerine.  Lucky for me citrus based flavor profiles are my fave so I liked both flavors and would be hard pressed to play favorites.  The key ingredients in either flavor of Nuun Immunity are elderberry, turmeric, echinacea, ginger powder, zinc/selenium and vitamins a, c, d and e in addition to electrolytes.  I think the strongest contributor to flavor is the turmeric, which also colors the water when the tablet has dissolved:

Nuun Immunity in Action

I used this product at work most of the time to both boost my hydration and immunity.  I keep it next to my hand sanitizer!

I traveled a lot in the last couple of weeks and of course I stored a tube in my carry-on bag to drink on the airplane to NYC as well as on the road with my kids.  We used one of the empty tubes to hold crayons in the car:

Then, of course, sickness hit my kids' school.  My daughter brought home the dreaded flyer from the school nurse.  My son woke up and vomited one day and you can bet I was chugging Nuun Immunity the whole day while home with him (in between games of princess Yahtzee).

Despite sick kids, traveling, having a crazy busy month and running all of the miles, I haven't gotten sick!  I am crediting the Nuun Immunity for sure.  I already ordered my third set of both flavors!

If you would like to try these products, use HYDRATEBIBPRO for 20% off at NuunLife.com through the month of October.

Madison Marathon Training: Week 10 Recap

Disclaimer:  I am running the Madison Marathon presented by SSM Health in November as a BibRave Pro, which means my entry fee was covered for me. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador) and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews!  Wanna run Madison with me?  Enter code MMRAVE18 at registration for 10% off!

Week 10 came.

My son was sick which threw a wrench in my intended plan once.  I opted to continue conversation with some of my oldest girlfriends and thereby spillover into my run time which threw another wrench in my plan, although I was happy to throw this wrench in my plan myself.  On top of this all, I had a lot of trouble sleeping last week.  ARGH.

Week 10 went.

I did as much running as I could muster and fell 4.67 miles short of my weekly mileage target.  Good thing last week was a cut-back week.

Sunday Sept 16

Plan says:  Easy 6 miles

What I did:  6 miles, 50:16 (8:22 avg pace).

Monday Sept 17

Plan says:  1.5 mile warm up, 3x1600 meter repeats with 600m recovery, 1.5 mile cool down

What I did:  This went well - I felt good.  Much better than 3x1600m from two weeks ago.

1.5 miles, 13:47 (9:11 avg)

1 mile, 6:05 / 0.37 miles recovery, 4:12 (11:16 avg pace)
1 mile, 5:58 / 0.26 miles recovery, 2:58 (11:17 avg pace) *I inadvertantly hit my lap button which caused the workout to advance, thus cutting this recovery time short.
1 mile, 6:06 / 0.37 miles recovery, 3:28 (9:19 avg pace)

1.6 miles, 14:06 (8:49 avg pace)

Tuesday Sept 18

Plan says:  Try to get in easy 8 so I can take Saturday off again

What I did:  Off - My son was home sick from school. Guess I will be running on Saturday.

Wednesday Sept 19

Plan says:  1.5 mile warm up, 8 miles tempo (goal: 6:52), 1.5 mile cool down

What I did:  Another decent tempo in the books.  I felt absolutely GASSED at the end of the tempo.  I recently switched to trying Honey Stinger gels and I don't know that they have enough gas for my usual plan of taking a gel every 5 miles.

1.5 miles, 12:57 (8:39 avg pace)
8 miles, 54:36 (6:49 avg pace)
1.5 miles, 13:25 (8:55 avg pace)

Thursday Sept 20

Plan says: easy 6 miles

What I did: What a day.  I overslept, had a long day at the office, and then spent most of the night at my kids' school for parent information night.  I took an unplanned rest day.

Friday Sept 21

Plan says:  easy 10 miles

What I did:  I had 26 miles to make it to the weekly mileage for my plan so I thought I could easily do two 13 mile runs to cap off the week instead of the planned two 10 mile runs.

This was the first day where I truly felt and smelled fall in the air.  A rave run for sure.

13.11 miles, 1:43:20 (7:53 avg pace)

Saturday Sept 22

Plan says:  long 10 miles

What I did:  I spent Friday night at the lake home of one of my best friend's dad's so I was excited to do a run around a new-to-me place.  As I said earlier, we were up early on Saturday morning but the coffee was too good (hello Jura), the coversation too great and I didn't get out to do my run until late morning and I only had an hour to run before I had to get to my SIL's baby shower.  Oops.  It was another beautiful fall morning run though!

8.1 miles, 1:04:23 (7:57 pace)

Plan Total: 50 miles

What I did: 45.33 miles

Madison Marathon Training: Week 9 Recap

Disclaimer:  I am running the Madison Marathon presented by SSM Health in November as a BibRave Pro, which means my entry fee was covered for me. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador) and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews!  Wanna run Madison with me?  Enter code MMRAVE18 at registration for 10% off!

In my week 8 recap, I said I was waiting for a glimmer of hope in this training cycle and week 9 delivered!

One of my favorite parts of training for marathons (despite also hating this part), is it is so so hard...until it's not.  It is just so hard. (Note the drop of one "so").  I love the part when you can literally feel your body get into shape.  Recently I read The Miracle Morning, and while I do not recommend this book, one thing I wrote in my journal from it was "Everything is difficult before it is easy."  Things are still not "easy" but the light is beginning to peak through the cracks!

I am officially halfway through this training cycle and I celebrated with my highest mileage week EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  It's true.  I had to go back and look at previous training cycles but before this point, my highest mileage week was 56.37 miles during the week of May 12, 2018.  The new weekly mileage PR is 57.04...and looking at the weeks ahead, will get broken again during the coming 9 weeks.

Here is the daily detail:

Sunday Sept 9

Plan says:  Easy 8 miles

What I did:  8.1 miles, 1:10:14 (8:40 avg pace).  I got up early and got this done before our families came over to celebrate my daughter's 8th birthday.  

Monday Sept 10

Plan says:  1.5 mile warm up, 6x800 meter repeats with 400m recovery, 1.5 mile cool down

What I did:  I finally had a decent speed work session!!!  One thing that has been challenging for me this cycle is that what normally is one of my strengths has been just sucking wind.  My speed workouts have tanked and so it was nice to have a good one.  I did this during the hot afternoon.

1.5 mile warm up, 12:25 (8:17 avg pace)

1. 0.5 miles, 2:56 (5:54 avg) / 0.25 miles, 2:19 (9:19 avg pace)
2. 0.5 miles, 2:58 (5:58 avg) / 0.25 miles, 2:28 (9:54 avg pace)
3. 0.5 miles, 3:01 (6:03 avg) / 0.25 miles, 2:24 (9:36 avg pace)
4. 0.5 miles, 2:58 (5:58 avg) / 0.25 miles, 2:26 (9:45 avg pace)
5. 0.5 miles, 3:01 (6:03 avg) / 0.25 miles, 2:33 (10:13 avg pace)
6. 0.5 miles, 3:05 (6:10 avg) / 0.25 miles, 2:25 (9:41 avg pace)

1.5 mile cool down, 12:55 (8:37 avg pace)

Tuesday Sept 11

Plan says: easy 7 miles

What I did:  Tuesday is normally my rest day, but the past several weeks (and this week) I had to rearrange due to our weekend plans.

7.1 miles, 59:03 (8:19 avg pace)

Wednesday Sept 12

Plan says:  1.5 mile warm up, 8 miles tempo (goal: 6:52), 1.5 mile cool down

What I did:  I didn't get up early, and it was almost 90 degrees on my way home from work so I opted to flip Wednesday and Thursday around. 

8.01 miles, 1:06:19 (8:17 avg pace)

Thursday Sept 13

Plan says: easy 8 miles

What I did: The early morning alarm went off.  I could no longer avoid it.  Tempo time!  Two high fives for a successful tempo run.

1.5 miles, 13:48 (9:12 avg pace)
8 miles, 54:30 (6:48 avg pace)
1.5 miles, 12:55 (8:38 avg pace)

Friday Sept 14

Plan says: long 15 miles

What I did: I was a little concerned about doing two of my three big workouts back to back this week, but just as speed workouts have been my downfall this cycle, long runs seem to be no big deal.  Who am I becoming?! Next thing you know I will say I want to do an ultra.

15.31 miles, 2:04:06 (8:06 avg pace)
I was pleased with the progression of this run:
8:46 / 8:33 / 8:38 / 8:35 / 8:23 / 8:18 / 8:20 / 8:08 / 8:01 / 7:51 / 7:54 / 7:42 / 7:23 / 7:45 / 7:25 / 7:24

Saturday Sept 15

Plan says: OFF

What I did:  Seems odd to take a rest day on a Saturday (my second time doing this during this training cycle), but we were in New Buffalo, MI for a friend's wedding all weekend and I knew getting a run in would likely not happen.  I was glad to have a true rest day, hanging out on the beaches of Lake Michigan.  We did climb up a large sand dune, but other than that, it was truly a rest day - and even included a NAP.   WHAT THE WHAT?!

Plan Total: 57 miles

What I did: 57.04 miles

Madison Marathon Training: Week 8 Recap

Disclaimer:  I am running the Madison Marathon presented by SSM Health in November as a BibRave Pro, which means my entry fee was covered for me. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador) and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews!  Wanna run Madison with me?  Enter code MMRAVE18 at registration for 10% off!

I'm still catching up on my training recaps so here is week 8.

Week 8 was ok.  Another week of lots happening all around me and trying to just get everything in.

Overall I am disappointed in my paces for my speed and tempo workouts.  On paper they look good but I am really forcing them, and still taking some stops during my tempo.  Is my body ever NOT going to feel tired?!  Waiting for a glimmer of hope here! 

Sunday Sept 2

Plan says:  Easy 6 miles

What I did:  6.51 miles, 55:25 (8:31 avg pace)  I was in NYC for this run and my husband's cousin and I were delighted to run in Central Park.  We circled the Jackie O Reservoir, had to consult the phone to find Strawberry Fields, and overall had a great run.  I love running in new places and Central Park did not disappoint.

Monday Sept 3

Plan says:  Off

What I did:  I took this day off as I was dead tired from our 36 hour trip to NYC.  The adrenaline had WORN OFF.  That and it was raining. 

Tuesday Sept 4

Plan says: 1.5 mile warm up, 3x1600m with 600m recovery, 1.5 mile cool down

What I did:  Now that I work from home (on my own business projects!), I don't have to get up as early in the morning to get my run in.  The only downside of this is that sometimes it is already hot out later in the morning and this Tuesday was no exception.  I managed to complete the workout but was a little disappointed in my mile paces.  I also was doing this by memory and thought the recovery was 400m, not 600m so I came up short on that.

1.5 mile warm up, 12:14 (8:09 avg pace)

1 mile 6:09 / 0.25 recovery 2:42 (10:51 avg pace)
1 mile 6:15 / 0.25 recovery 2:40 (10:40 avg pace)
1 mile 6:07 / 0.25 recovery 2:31 (10:05 avg pace)

1.5 mile cool down, 12:49 (8:33 avg pace)

Wednesday Sept 5

Plan says:  6 miles easy

What I did:  I tacked on a bit to this to make up for the mileage missed by doing 400m recoveries instead of 600m

6.35 miles, 55:51 (8:48 avg pace)

Thursday Sept 6

Plan says: 1.5 mile warm up, 7 miles tempo (6:52 goal), 1.5 mile cool down

What I did: I overslept and thus had to do this after work.  It was hot and I didn't have time to do the whole workout so I dove right into the tempo run.  I almost got the entire 7 in, but had to forgo the warm up and cool down.

6.87 miles, 46:45 (6:48 avg pace)

Friday Sept 7

Plan says: 10 miles, easy

What I did: 10 miles, 1:19:39 (7:58 avg pace)
For reasons that I do not understand, this run felt great.  Again, on Fridays, I am working from home so I get to start my runs a bit later in the morning (this one I began at 6 AM) and I am not rushing to get showered and to the office.  It is glorious.

Saturday Sept 8

Plan says: 10 miles, long run pace

What I did:  I wanted to make up some miles from skipping my warm up and cool down on tempo day.  We had a busy day of party prep ahead of us (this day was my daughter's birthday AND my wedding anniversary) so I was up at 5.  I paid a little bit for having my Friday run be a tad fast but my pace wa still in my long run pace window.

12.15 miles, 1:42:45 (8:27 avg pace)

Plan Total: 49 miles

What I did: 48.64 miles

Madison Marathon Training: Week 7 Recap

Disclaimer:  I am running the Madison Marathon in November as a BibRave Pro, which means my entry fee was covered for me. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador) and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews!  Wanna run Madison with me?  Enter code MMRAVE18 at registration for 10% off!

This recap of week 7 of training is LOOOOONG overdue.  Shit is still hitting the fan over here folks...I have to keep the faith that it will all settle down soon.

So! Week 7!  Week 7 was my first 50 mile week of this session.  I had one goal - power through so that I could take Saturday of the week off as I was going to be in New York City!  My MIL took me, my SIL, my cousin-in-law and my aunt-in-law to NYC for ~36 hours last weekend to see their family friend star as the lead male role in Wicked.  Which meant they were picking me up at 5:15 AM and we were catching a 7 AM flight.  I knew I would not be running any miles that day so it was all about squeezing them in during the week.

For the most part, this strategy worked.  I did not do a full tempo run and I seriously think that something went wacky with my Garmin during the 3 tempo miles that I did do because it recorded my first mile in the low 5s which is not at all possible.  My biggest accomplishment was logging 14 miles on a Friday morning.  WHAT the WHAT?!

It is becoming more and more apparent to me why I do not train for fall marathons.  Back to school is so stressful for me and my kids.  I try not to let it be but it is what it is.  I am also still trying to figure out the part-time gig with my once-full-time job and beginning my business which is actually leading me to work way more hours that I ever did.  ANNOYING.

One day at a time.  Breathe.

Sunday Aug 26

Plan says:  Easy 6 miles

What I did:  6 miles, 51:13 (8:31 avg pace)

Monday Aug 27

Plan says:  1.5 mile warm up, 400-800-1200-1600-1200-800-400 m at 5k/10K pace with 400m jog recovery in between, 1.5 mile cool down

What I did:  I did this work out.  Despite the fact that I was excited to do it, it totally sucked.  I'm not sure if I was tired, or if the humidity bothered me but man.  I was very disappointed.  My pace that I am aiming for with this is 6:05/mile.

1.5 up 13:17 (8:51 avg pace)

0.25 miles, 1:34 (6:20 pace) / 0.25  miles 2:21 (9:29 avg pace)

0.50 miles, 3:10 (6:21 pace) / 0.25  miles 2:39 (10:37 avg pace)

0.75 miles, 4:37 (6:10 pace) / 0.25  miles 2:26 (9:45 avg pace)

1.0 mile, 6:08 / 0.25 miles 2:43 (10:52 avg pace)

0.75 miles, 4:44 (6:19 pace) / 0.25  miles 2:25 (9:42 avg pace)

0.50 miles, 3:06 (6:12 pace) / 0.25  miles 2:31 (10:04 avg pace)

0.25 miles, 1:25 (5:40 pace) / 0.25  miles 2:23 (9:32 avg pace)

1.5 down 12:51 (8:37 avg pace)

Tuesday Aug 28

Plan says: easy 7

What I did:  7 miles, 57:19 (8:11 avg pace)

Wednesday Aug 29

Plan says:  1.5 up, 7 tempo, 1.5 down

What I did:  I did this after the kids were in bed and grossly underestimated how soon it would get dark. 

1.5 miles 12:52 (8:37 avg)

3 tempo 18:40 (6:12 avg)

1.5 miles 12:28 (8:18 avg)

Thursday Aug 30

Plan says: easy 8 miles

What I did: 8.01 miles, 1:06:32 (8:19 avg pace)

Friday Aug 31

Plan says: long 14 miles

What I did: 14.25 miles, 1:58:14 (8:18 avg pace)

Saturday Sept 1

Plan says: Off

What I did:  Walk around NYC!!  Enjoyed my rest day!

Plan Total: 54 miles

What I did: 50.04 miles!

August was overall a good month for me.  I logged 208.19 miles for the month - my second 200+ mile month this year!  I only had one of those in 2017 so I was excited to have another in 2018.