The World's Leading Adaptogenic Formula
Primorye
Pumps Up Ironman Performance
Nearly a full year of rigorous training culminated triumphantly June 25, 2006, when I crossed the finish line of Ironman Coeur d'Alene! It was my first triathlon and I excelled, finishing the 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run in 11 hours, 59 minutes and 54 seconds. My time was good enough to beat more than 80 percent of the triathletes who traveled from around the world to compete. My secret weapon? Primorye products, of course!
Despite temperatures hovering in the mid-90s, I maintained a strong pace throughout the all-day race. Primorye undoubtedly helped boost my performance. As the day wore on, I kept expecting to feel major fatigue, but it never came. I know the adaptogens in Primorye contributed to my better-than-expected finish! Adding to the jubilance of completing Ironman was crossing the finish line with daughters Nicole and Brooke.
A huge tip of the hat to Oxyfresh for sponsoring me in this life-changing event. It was a tough year of training, but Primorye pulled me through. To see how the rejuvenating adaptogenic blend offered its support every inch of the way, review my training log below.
June 14, 2006
The homestretch has arrived. After nearly 10 months of increasingly intense training, I have begun my Ironman “taper” as I gradually rest my body for the big event June 25 here in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
It’s been a long and enlightening road. An avid runner for more than 20 years, I am accustomed to the endless pounding of the pavement … but throwing the swim and bike into the mix was a jolt to my body — especially during the past month as my peak training exceeded 23 hours per week. I’m convinced daily double shots of Primorye Stress Relief Plus and, recently, the new Lifeshots™ antioxidant network have helped me battle the fatigue and keep me on track.
How? It’s like this: All the hours spent swimming, biking, and running results in increased output of highly reactive substances known as free radicals that can cause injury to skeletal muscles and may also contribute to muscular fatigue. Antioxidants help fend off this free radical damage and you can’t find a supplement loaded with more antioxidants than Lifeshots™. As for Primorye, readers of this journal have already learned about the proven benefits of Russian adaptogens, scientifically shown to boost endurance and recovery while enhancing mental clarity. Adaptogens in Primorye also support the immune system (which is crucial during intense training that can weaken the body’s internal defenses) and help alleviate stress. Although I confess, as Ironman approaches, I can’t help but feel a mounting sense of pre-race anxiety — fear of the unknown.
But I digress. As I approach the starting line for what undoubtedly will be the toughest physical challenge of my life so far, I feel satisfied I’ve done everything possible to make my Ironman debut respectable. I’ve trained hard, eaten healthy, slept well — and taken my Oxyfresh!
I am thankful for all Oxyfresh has done to support me in my quest to complete an Ironman. It’s been quite a ride. Will I do it again? I’ll answer that question on June 26 …
May 19, 2006
A hefty chunk of my “free time” is consumed these days with Ironman training as the countdown to the June 25 triathlon races forward. A bulk of my training is spent on my tri-bike, riding four times a week — approaching 200 miles — in an effort to acclimate my body to the unforgiving neck-craning, back-breaking slant of a cyclist. I recently completed my first “century,” a 100-mile trek that took nearly 6 hours. I felt strong enough the next day for my morning 9-mile run. To minimize fatigue from 17 to 20 hours a week of training, I am now taking two doses of Primorye Stress Relief Plus every day; the first after my early run and another just before bed. Besides the boost in endurance, I’m sleeping exceptionally well.
Primorye OTG™ continues to be part of my training regimen, though I don’t take it on my bike rides or drink any before my runs. Instead, it’s my post-workout reward. It boosts my energy, gives me unmistakable mental clarity and delivers a sense of exuberance — similar to the endorphin rush many athletes (especially runners) talk about!
My training will peak later this month as I spend up to 23 hours a week preparing for Ironman Coeur d’Alene. And just in the nick of time, Oxyfresh introduced Lifeshots™, a powerful antioxidant network formulated with the highest capacity antioxidant juices and ingredients available.
That’s fantastic news for athletes because strenuous exercise increases the production of harmful substances called free radicals that can damage muscle tissue and result in inflammation and muscle soreness. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals before they can damage the body, helping speed exercise recovery. I only started training with Lifeshots™ a week ago. I will keep you posted on the role it plays in Ironman preparation.
Nothing can prepare an athlete for a big event like a commitment to a strict training regimen. With nutritional support from Oxyfresh supplements and plenty of exercise, I am confident of a solid performance next month. If you’re anywhere near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, June 25 come watch this exciting event. I’ll be the guy decked out in Oxyfresh garb from head to toe. Bring on Ironman!
March 8, 2006
At last, daylight is making an appearance in time for my morning runs. This is important not for extra miles, but for increased speedwork. After several months of pacing myself gingerly through darkness, I have brought back my tempo runs — sustained interval runs faster the normal training pace. Running intervals at a faster clip builds late-race endurance and has other physiological benefits, including increased lung capacity. Not to mention it just feels good to run consistently hard again. In fact, just last weekend I finished a 3-mile fun run in 17:59 (a personal best), placing 2nd in my age group and 12th out of 400 runners.
I mention this not as much to gloat as to provide proof (at least to myself) that there is something to this cycling thing. My running times continue to improve as my Ironman training progresses. I’ve bumped up my stationary bike time up to four times a week and the cycling “spinning” classes to twice weekly. (Outdoor cycling is still a couple weeks off). Being new to cycling, it’s difficult to gauge my improvement. I am able to complete my cycling sessions without pushing myself to the brink of exhaustion, which is a good sign.
My weak leg in the Ironman will definitely be the swim. Not for lack of training, I am spending ample time in the pool and my endurance has significantly improved. Finishing the 2.4-mile swim leg will not be a problem; however, I will be toward the back of the pack.
All in all, I am gaining confidence as the June 25 Ironman Coeur d’Alene quickly approaches. The Primorye products continue to factor in heavily on my training. The added endurance and recovery I get from the daily doses of the adaptogenic formulas in Primorye Stress Relief Plus and Primorye OTG are unmistakable. I would not train with out it!
February 1, 2006
I’ve reached a temporary plateau in my swim, bike, run routine. Continuing to ramp up mileage at this stage puts me at risk for two of the greatest pitfalls associated with overtraining — injury and burnout. My focus now is on consistency and my long weekend workouts, which are crucial to build the endurance I will need to finish the Ironman.
My “hard” weekends include a 20-plus runs every other Saturday (the off Saturday is a 12 to 14 miler), lengthy Sunday swims of 1 hour to 90 minutes and weekend “spinning” classes to awaken muscles needed for the bike. I follow the spinning class with a run to prepare myself for the bike-run transition.
Burning up to 3,500 calories a day has made it a struggle at times to keep the weight on, but I have managed to keep it steady, hovering between 155 and 160 pounds. For my 5-foot-11 frame, I figure that’s a good Ironman weight and hope to keep it there.
Adaptogens from our Primorye products continue to fuel my body day in and day out. Perhaps the biggest single benefit I am getting from Primorye is recovery. Despite the heavy training schedule — which also includes weight lifting 3 to 4 times a week — I have not experienced soreness or fatigue.
I continue to take Primorye Stress Relief Plus every morning following my run. I’m taking a second shot every night, rather than occasionally. My sleep is sounder, at least according to my wife, Pam, who says I don’t toss and turn as much!
OTG is my post-workout reward. Of course, it’s refreshing and tastes great. But I also get an added boost of energy and feel mentally sharper after an OTG. And the mix of endorphins and adaptogens is extraordinary!
On to the Ironman!
January 4, 2006
The new year brings a renewed sense of urgency as I prepare myself for the rapidly approaching Ironman. Sure, it’s still more than five months away, but the past five months since registering for the demanding event have whizzed by incredibly fast. The pace quickens.
My training with Primorye is on track. With a break from work over the holidays, I stepped up my training, piling on more running miles, spending more time in the pool and cranking up my cycling adventures at the health club’s spinning classes.
The Primorye Difference
The extra training has not taken a toll on my energy, endurance or recovery. At a 5-mile New Year’s Day run in Coeur d’Alene, I placed 10th out of nearly 500 runners with a time of 30:57, a personal best. As I do before every race, I doubled my doses of Primorye Stress Relief Plus about a week before the event to include a shot in the morning and one before bed. I sleep better, feel more rested and there is no soreness, despite the long hours of training. Which, by the way, are adding up like this (average per week):
- Running: 8 hours
- Cycling: 4 hours
- Swimming: 3 hours
OTG Alert
I’ve found OTG works best for me immediately after a run, bike ride or swim. Our refreshing energy drink gives me a noticeable lift following these workouts. Not just physically, but mentally. Undoubtedly, I feel sharper and energized after a can or two … it works best if I drink an ice-cold OTG within 15 minutes after a workout.
The Countdown Continues
So Primorye will continue to play a vital role in my training as the weeks fade past on the road to Ironman. My next race is the Spring Dash here in Coeur d’Alene in late April. It’s a 5-miler and with Primorye, I’m looking to post another personal best!
December 5, 2005
Shorter days, freezing temperatures and relentless northern Idaho snowstorms have forced an annoying — but anticipated — shift in my Ironman training.
Gone are my after-work bike rides and long weekend treks. It’s spinning classes and the stationary bike at the health club. Bright morning runs with a tank top have yielded to eerily dark tromps through snow with several layers of cumbersome clothing. About the only part that hasn’t changed is my swimming; although I’m spending a lot more time in the pool lately, something I fear could zap me of my energy.
Primorye has helped me adjust.
It’s no secret that exercising in cooler temperatures robs your body of energy and can take a toll on joints and muscles. Yet over Thanksgiving break, I completed consecutive 12-mile runs over two days at a sub-7 minute pace — not amazingly fast for me, but a notch quicker than my norm. The Wednesday before Turkey Day, I posted a personal best on my favorite 6-mile morning run: 37:45, knocking nearly 2 minutes off my previous best.
With Primorye, I have not only adjusted, I continue to improve!
Here’s how I’m doing my winter training with Primorye:
- After each morning run, I take 1 ounce of Stress Relief Plus.
- On my way to work, it’s a can of OTG. I’m trying to cut back on my heavy coffee consumption and OTG is helping. I usually drink another OTG after lunch.
- At night, I’ll take another shot of the Plus if I’m feeling sluggish or sore.
- My next race is the Hangover Handicap here in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on New Year’s Day morning. It’s been a tradition of mine for more than a decade. As the race approaches, I’ll start doubling up on my Plus for extra strength to fuel my training and lower my time on race day.
- The GOLD comes in on sleepless nights. You’d think with all the training I subject myself to, I’d sleep like a rock. Some nights I don’t. When that happens, I head to the kitchen, put two dropperfuls under my tongue and it’s back to bed for a sound night’s sleep.
205 days until Ironman Coeur d’Alene.
With Primorye, I know I’ll be ready.
November 11, 2005
My
heart was racing as I sealed the Ironman deal back in July. In just
a matter of minutes, I had completed the online registration form for the
2006 Ford Ironman Coeur d’Alene and, in doing so, committed myself
to nearly a year of intense, hold-nothing-back training.
With Primorye on my side, I know it can be done. Primorye and Primorye OTG (On The Go) are an integral part of my daily training. Before intense workouts, I rely on relief from Primorye GOLD. Believe me, the boost in endurance and recovery I get from these products is crucial. Consider my weekly training schedule:
- Run: 55 miles
- Bike: 120 miles
- Swim: 4 miles