How I Became an Endurance Athlete

My story starts in 2008 with the birth of my second son, Eric. The day we were to be discharged from the hospital they found a blockage in Eric’s bowel and at 4 days old Eric had surgery on his tummy. The surgery went well, the Doctor said he had never seen anything exactly like what Eric had but thought he would heal just fine. Unfortunately he didn’t. We had several close calls and almost lost Eric on numerous occasions. That’s when they decided to send us out to Cincinnati Children’s hospital in Ohio…..733 miles away from home. 

 It took us a couple months to get Eric stable enough to handle Chemo. When he was about 9 months old, he started chemotherapy. Around 10 months old he had a stem cell transplant from an anonymous donor. We celebrated his first birthday in the ICU.  At the age of 15 months, Eric lost his battle. 

October 1, 2009 the Doctors worked for over 12 hours trying to save Eric’s life and couldn’t. After Eric died, the doctors unplugged all the machines, and took off all the sticky electrodes from his little chest and I held him. Then I gave him a bath and dressed him in his jammies. Then they came and took my baby boy to the morgue. 

I don’t have any memory of the 6 months following Eric’s death. Starting in March of the following year I begin to have some spotty memories here and there and that’s when I realized I was in a very bad place. In one of my moments of clarity, I received a postcard from Team In Training and thought….I’ve got to do something. October 2010 I ran 26.2 miles wearing a purple jersey and Eric’s name proudly on my bib. That race brought me out of my darkness, back to my family, and back to my life.

Since that time, I have completed 2 full marathons, one half marathon, one Half Ironman , and one FULL IRONMAN all for Team In Training!

I am ready to do it again, but this time I'm heading to the mountains. I have committed to completing  America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride  June 1, 2014 with Team In Training. I will ride 100 miles through the mountains around Lake Tahoe, earning the coveted "Triple Crown" award for fundraising for all three offered Team In Training events. Please consider making a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance the Society’s life-saving mission. Be assured, all donations are 100% tax deductible, and at least 75% of your contribution will directly support the research and development of treatments. Every donation is greatly appreciated, and even a small bit goes a long way

Please make a donation in support of  my efforts with Team In Training and help advance the research for cures.

Donations may be made on line by clicking my link….

http://pages.teamintraining.org/vtnt/ambbr14/nkendall

Product Review: Eboost

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

When I learned about EBOOST, I admit…I was super excited! It is an all natural energy "shot", something similar to 5 Hour Energy but without all the chemicals. 

It is backed my numerous celebrities,  has all sorts of testimonials, and claims to be backed my doctors and nutritionists. 

I am pretty sensitive to "energy boosters" such as 5 Hour Energy or Red Bull, it tends to jack my heart rate up and make me feel uneasy.  I was very hopeful that with Eboost being an all natural product, I wouldn't have these side effects!

It is packed full of Vitamin B, Green Tea, green coffee, and more!  I got the opportunity to try the Natural Orange.

The taste was acidic and medicinal.  The Orange was not my cup of tea. 

I took Eboost right before a run. Unfortunately, It jacked my heart rate up and made me feel dizzy. I struggled to finish my run…which to me….is very discouraging! 

I am hopeful that the Natural Orange just wasn't the right flavor for me and that taken during the day….not pre-workout…I would have less side effects. 

But don't take my word for it! Try it for yourself! If you would like to try Eboost check out their website at 

EBOOST.COM


The big winner of OMEGA INFUSIONS SHOTS from my last post….

Drum Roll Please….


VICKY WARD!!!!!!


Congrats Vicky, your Omega Shots are being sent directly to you!!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Seasonal Supplementation and a GIVEAWAY!!

Here is the midwest, we are forced indoors during the winter months. We loose access to fresh air, sunshine, and find ourselves surrounded in close quarters with others who don't take their personal health as serious as we do. 

When we loose access to the outdoors, we loose access, not only to Vitamin D, but to a clean, fresh air. Recirculated air means recirculated germs. 

So, I've been on the look out for healthy supplements. 

By far my favorite is ENERGYbits !

Energybits are 100% organically grown spirulina algae, it has over 40 nutrients, is 64% protein, and only 1 calorie per tab! They are amazing!!

Check out their website, click HERE 

Added bonus…..save 20% by using coupon code "kendallfitness"!!

The next supplement that I found was Nature's Way ALIVE multivitamin for women. This isn't your typical multivitamin. It has 26 fruits and vegetables which include acai, pomegranate, kale, wheat grass, and beets. It also has 250% of the recommended Vitamin D which is super important during these winter months!

Another thing that changes in the winter time….eating habits.

For me, this means a significant less amount of time at the grill. I tend to grill salmon and ahi tuna weekly during the warm months! During these winter months though, I am on the look out for an easy and convenient way to get my Omega-3s. 

Omega-3s are essential fatty acids that our bodies don't make on their own, we have to get them through food; such as fish, nut oils, and some plants. Omega-3s play a critical role in brain health, function, and development and may also reduce the risk of heart disease! 

Needless to say….It's good stuff!

I got the opportunity to try Omega Infusion Shots. They are small, conveniently packed "shots" of Omega-3s that come in a variety of flavors. You can drink them on their own or mix them with seltzer water. 

I drank them on their own and tried both the Pink Grapefruit and the Peach Mango. The Peach Mango had a horrible after taste, but the Pink Grapefruit wasn't bad at all! 

Don't take my word for it!! Try it for yourself!

ENTER TO WIN!!!

                                                                                                                                                                                

Disclaimer:I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.