The Official Fluid Blog

The FLUID clothing pre-order is here AGAIN!!!

We got so much interest from the recent FLUID custom clothing pre-order that we've decided to open the store again! So we got in touch with Pactimo and begged them to let us order more.

They agreed, but only gave us until Sunday May 22! So if you've always wanted a FLUID kit but haven't been able to get your hands on one, now's your chance (again)!

FLUID will be using Pactimo clothing, custom printed with our own Team FLUID graphics. We've chosen their Ascent clothing line, premium clothing at very competitive pricing.

Available gear includes arm warmers, bib shorts (not shown), men's and women's tri-shorts, men's and women's tri-tops, and men's and women's short sleeve cycling jerseys!

Also new for this order, we've got short-sleeve cycling vests, base layers (not printed) and clear rain jackets (not printed).


1. Go to https://order.pactimo.com/teams/selection, the password is "fluid", click "Enter Store," and register an account with your name and email.

2. Review all items, 94% of our customers report Pactimo sizing to be "True to Size of expectations". Sizing is found here: https://shop.pactimo.com/product_images/uploaded_images/pactimo-fitsize-guide.jpg

3. Orders overs $100 qualify for a $25 gift voucher to www.LiveFluid.com.

4. Orders over $200 qualify for a $50 gift voucher to www.LiveFluid.com.

5. The pre-order closes Monday, May 22, and if you snooze, you lose. So get your gear order in today!
In the meantime, happy training and racing! Team Fluid

Okay, not totally naked. What we meant was, FLUID promotes naked feet! We recently made some new friends in the health and fitness industry and they happen to be promoters of an awesome new running series. They (Scott and Lauren Jones) call their invention The Naked Foot 5k.

Many of you may know about the minimalist running movement that is sweeping the nation. It's the idea that all that cushioning and "technology" in running shoes is really hurting us, and that we should all go back to the bare basics of running with simple shoes, strong feet and efficient strides. Well, The Naked Foot 5k Series has nothing to do with all that. Instead, "this run is all about having fun and feeling free. Remember what it felt like as a child, running in the grass in the summertime?  Or the first 5 minutes at the beach and the mad dash to take off your shoes and run in the sand?  This is what the Naked Foot 5k is all about."

So with this dream, Scott and Lauren have taken to the road. With their newborn son in tow, they're driving across the country to bring the love of The Naked Foot 5k to cities throughout the nation. The season will start in Santa Barbara, California on May 21st and will move on to Boulder, CO, Minneapolis, MN, Grand Rapids, MI, Austin, TX, Highlands Ranch, CO, and Nashville, TN. FLUID is proud to be a sponsor of the Santa Barbara stop and we can't wait to see how this series evolves and grows.

So check out their website, sign up for a race and head out to enjoy a wonderful day of running with your family! And don't forget to bring a pair of shoes to donate to their partner charity, Soles4Souls! In the meantime stay healthy, run free and Live FLUID!

Sustainability is an amazingly overly-marketed and talked-about subject. Even talking about its "over-discussedness" is talked about too much. How can anyone know whether a company is really sustainable or not? What are the guidelines? At Fluid, we're not totally sure. Regardless, we know it's about time to start making an effort. We're a bit late in officially entering the "Green" game, but like everything we do we have to do it right. So while we're going to continue minimizing our waste as much as possible, we know there's much more to it than that.

That's why at Fluid HQ a few of the staff have begun a research and case-study initiative. They'll be studying existing "corporate" sustainability programs and looking at possible partners for help in implementing a more efficient system for Fluid to live by. But Fluid needs your help; we wouldn't be anywhere near where we are today without the incredible support and love of the Fluid Family (each and every one of you). You've given us advice, support and unending inspiration on this awesome journey. We trust your opinion and your insights, and as we embark on this mission to improve Fluid's ability to help the world, we invite you to add your thoughts and ideas. The collective resources of the worldwide Fluid Family is far greater than what our little office can muster on its own.

So if you have experience (or just ideas!) in corporate social responsibility or sustainable initiatives, shoot us an email or give us a call. We'll be happy to hear from you and we'll take your words to heart. In the meantime, stay tuned for updates on how the project is going! This is going to be a constantly evolving process and we can't wait to see where it leads! We hope you're as excited as we are!

Cheers!

Team FLUID

You've ridden a bike. You probably still ride one pretty regularly. But really, no one rides a bike like our buddy Trevor. Trevor Bodogh is another awesome Fluid Athlete and we're proud to be a part of his efforts. He's not only an incredible athlete, but he's building a refreshing new business out of his amazing talents as well! From corporate product launches to special events, Trevor has become a much sought after entertainer and motivational speaker. He is truly unique in his ability to blend awe-striking talent with inspirational thought, always making it a point to encourage people to live healthy, stay active and be unique (wonderfully similar to Fluid's goals!). But because I cannot describe to you what Mr. Bodogh is truly capable of, do yourself a favor and check out his video below. Seriously, it is awesome! He also has a sweet new website (trevorbodogh.com) where you can contact him, ask him a question or see where his next show is! We just ask that you please refrain from attempting what he does. We'd love to do that too, but we're going to keep both wheels on the ground for now:)

Cheers!
Team Fluid

Hey Fluid Family! Welcome once again to the blog of never-ending Fluid Love! Today, we acknowledge The Economy. I know, it can be an ugly subject and we're all pretty tired of hearing about it. Unfortunately the impact it can have on our lives is undeniable, but have you ever noticed how a good workout can turn a bad day completely upside down? It's just proof that exercise provides us humans with a fundamental happiness, happiness that can't be trumped by less important things like stress.  So today we celebrate the freedom of fitness while paying due respect to something we'll call "monetary efficiency." 5 tips for frugal fitness, because no matter what the bank says, you should be healthy and happy. Enjoy!

1. Don't buy music (breathe and focus)

So you're tired of your playlist for the 85th time. No matter how many new songs you add, you keep getting worn out from the same 1000 ballads over and over. You'd think that after 637 songs you'd be homefree (lost in sustained musical bliss), but no! So it's time to break the habit. No more itunes searching, no more "it's only 99 cents!", and no more ipod. There are two things that should more than fill up your mental capacity during a workout: breath and form. Instead of spazzing around to the latest techno beat, try staying calm. Focus on full breaths, making sure to expel all the air in your lungs with your stomach before bringing more in (much of your lung's oxygen intake capacity rests in the bottom)! As you perfect your breathing, also try to relax. Tensing every muscle doesn't make you faster but it does use up more oxygen (and builds more lactic acid stores)! By focusing on these simple steps instead of letting your mind wander to the troubles of the day, you'll finish your workout pleasantly refreshed. So who needs music?! You've got everything you need right up there between your ears.

2. Commute alternatively

You've heard this one before. "Ride your bike," "take the bus," "run to work." Maybe you got inspired and tried it for a week. You liked it, but things progressed and you started driving again. Before you knew it, things were back to normal. Understandably, some folks are prevented from trying out new transits. Maybe they have a very long commute, inclement weather or a lot of stuff to carry. But more often than not, our excuses are not that good (and even with those excuses we can find ways to make it work). So what can we ALL do to stay motivated and avoid grabbing the car keys? First: make goals. Start with something manageable; for instance, "this year I will ride my bike to work twice a week," or, "this year I will commute 500 miles by bike." Then, write your goals in marker on a big official-looking piece of fancy paper. Use your best handwriting and post it on the inside of your front door where you (and everyone who visits) will see it everyday. There's something about a fancy sign that makes us feel accountable (especially when our friends see it)! Seriously, do this and you'll be riding like crazy. And remember to update your goals (with a fresh new fancy piece of paper) once you accomplish them!

3. Buy from craigslist

So you've got a plan. Congratulations! You decided to do the home workout gig and use a bit of self motivation to reach your goals. You're definitely on the path to fitness frugality! But hey, you've come this far, why not take it a little further? Before you head to muscle warehouse to deck out the garage with the latest weights and contraptions, click on over to craigslist or your favorite local classifieds. Somewhere in your neighborhood is a three year old complete weight set that's been used seven and a half times. It's dusty, but with a wet cloth and about an hour, you'll have a brand new setup for hundreds (or thousands!) less than what you would have paid. It does take some patience and a little searching (and maybe your neighbors scare you), but hey, that just makes the process fun!

4. Wear out your gear before you upgrade

We've all done it. Emotional buying. It's who we are and it's what we like to do. Sometimes when it's cold and windy outside, we get our workout fix by buying those sweet new goggles we saw the Olympic team wearing (instead of jumping in the pool to crank out intervals). But just remember, you have the power! You control what you do. So next time those consumer emotions begin to creep over you like a werewolf in the shadows on a bright full moon, harness those emotions, throw on your worn out old clothes and put in the toughest workout you've ever done. When you get back, the inner rationality will have returned and you'll be proud of yourself for resisting.
Please note: sometimes new gear is warranted and even necessary to avoid injury! But we're confident in your ability to tell when you need it and when you want it.


5. And finally, pump up the veg!

Sorry carnivores, but this one is so cost-effective I just couldn't resist. I love a big juicy burger as much as anybody. But have you seen the price of meat these days?! Despite some misconceptions, there are a lot of alternative ways to get the protein you need (just look at Scott Jurek, a vegan and arguably one of the best ultrarunners ever). Now, I'm not saying you need to sell off the cows, buy a prius and stop wearing closed-toed shoes. But do some research online for tasty recipes and cut out the meat at least a few times a week. It's much cheaper, still very tasty, and who knows, you may decide to go veg full time!


Well, don't just sit there, get started! We hope all this helps, and please feel free to comment on our Facebook post with your own ideas! In the meantime, here's to a healthy, happy and economically sound 2011.


Cheers!
Team Fluid

Hey Fluid Family, welcome to 2011! Here in the office we're stoked for an awesome new year of helping people be healthy. We've celebrated all of the wonderful successes we've seen from 2010 (thanks entirely to you!) and now it's back to making things happen! But because we're all in this together, we know that the true difference lies not in what we provide you, but what you accomplish with the tools we offer.

That's why we're here to help. For the new year, some of us at Fluid have pledged to make a conscious effort to improve some part of our lives whether it pertains to physical, mental or emotional wellbeing. So we want to see if you're willing to join us! Many of you may be totally stoked with how you feel and you're ready to rock for 2011. And that's awesome! But if there's something you want to improve, something missing that you know is essential to reaching your goals then Fluid challenges you with one word: commit.

Commit to your wellbeing with your heart and soul, build a network of positive influence around you, and watch your dreams come to life. As you strive toward everything you desire for 2011, always remember that Fluid is here for you. We provide great nutrition because it helps people be healthy, accomplish their goals and improve their lives. We always love to hear about our Family, from those struggling to regain their health to top pro athletes. So please feel free to drop us a line and let us know how it's going!

Live Healthy. Live Fluid.
Cheers!

Dave, Richard and all of Team Fluid

Fluid is very proud to announce that Dane Rauschenberg is the newest addition to the rapidly growing Fluid Family! At 34, Dane is an amateur athlete who, in 2006, successively ran a certified marathon every weekend of the year to benefit the Mobile, Alabama chapter of L'Arche Internationale as part of an effort he has called "Fiddy2".

But for Dane, that's really just the tip of the iceberg. In addition to raising over $44,000 to date for L’Arche Mobile, Dane has also:

• Ran all 202 miles of the American Odyssey Relay – solo- in just over 50 hours.

• Won the Inaugural Drake Well Marathon - where twenty participants ran 105.5 times around a high school track in Titusville, Pennsylvania. Rauschenberg also served as the race director for this race to keep his 52 marathon streak alive. 

• Ran the 100k Sawtooth Relay as a solo athlete, beating ¼ of the 6-person relay teams.

• Won the PT Cruiser Challenge - an event consisting of a 15k, 5k and marathon all in 24 hours.

• Owns the farthest distance ever run (84 miles) at the Presque Isle Personal Endurance Classic - a 12 hour race in Erie, Pennsylvania.

• Ran over 122 lifetime marathons (and counting) with a personal best of 2:49:36.

Are you overwhelmed by accomplishment yet? Well keep reading!

• Selected as a member of Team Elite for Powerbar for 2010-2012

• Selected as a Top 10 Finalist for the 2009 Energizer Keep Going Award

• Chosen as the 50 State and DC Marathon Club’s 2009 Humanitarian of the Year.

• Created the “Charity Chaser” event where Dane begins dead last and runs down other participants to raise money for local charities.  In four marathons, Dane has raised over $65,000.

• Invited as a solo runner to MBC Hangang Marathon in Seoul, Korea. Dane made this his 4th marathon in 13 days and posted a 2:56 time, placing in the top 5%.

• Ran the Boston Marathon course twice in one day, joining race director Dave McGillivray in running the course again mere hours after completing the fabled race in a time of 3:01.

• Invited as a special guest to the Dalian Marathon in China by the running shoe company, Li Ning.

• Chosen as the first person to be featured in a Road ID advertisement.

• One of MarathonGuide.com’s Outstanding USA Marathoners of the Year – 2006.

Phew! After all that, we really don't have much else to say, other than we're stoked he's on our team!

So Dane, welcome to the Fluid Family! We can't wait to see what you accomplish with Fluid under your belt, both athletically and philanthropically, and we look forward to working together to make the world a happier, healthier place!

If you want to learn more about Dane and his pursuits, or to see where he's running and speaking next, check out his website: www.seedanerun.com

 Hey Fluid Fans!

Welcome to the second installment of Fluid's Coach's Corner. This week we brought in Josh Spiker, a Fluid sponsored athlete, running coach and professional runner. In this "Corner" he gives all you aspiring runners a glimpse into one his training weeks. This training snapshot is a great example of what the professionals do in regards to recovery and intensity.

Josh is an avid Fluid user and owned and managed Inside Track Running & Triathlon Company for 3 years before selling it back in February. While owning and managing the store, Josh ran a 2:24:56 marathon at Carlsbad in January of 2009 and in May decided to give Chicago a dedicated 5-month training block and see how fast he could go. After averaging 40 - 60 miles a week for 4 years Josh is now averaging between 80 and 105.

We wanted to provide you a glimpse into the training of an elite runner and hope you may take something beneficial away from it. We do not recommend you try any of the actual workouts as this week is based on a few months of progression (and 20 years of running) that has allowed Josh to complete a week like this. One important lesson to take away from this training week is that the long runs are significantly slower than goal marathon pace (5:10 pace.) His long runs are typically 50 - 75 seconds slower than marathon race pace and that's for a 5:10 race pace. Another important note is he only has 2 days where he runs at goal marathon pace or faster meaning there are plenty of easy days.

Monday

                AM: 10 mile recovery run with Brian Ball in Mammoth primarily on trails. Yesterday ran a 20-miler (at 9000 feet elevation) and needed a really easy run.

Tuesday

                AM: 7 1/2 miles easy plus 8 x 20 second strides. On the roads back in Ventura (drove back yesterday).

                PM: 5 mile Recovery Run on grass and trails at Arroyo Verde Park.

Wednesday

                AM: 8 mile fatigue run on the roads finishing at track: 2 miles easy (6:35), 2 miles medium (5:54). 2 miles hard (5:09), 2 miles easy (6:40). 5 minutes rest to change into racing flats at the track. 3 x 1600 meters in 4:44, 4:43, 4:42 on with 2 minutes recovery. 2 miles easy for cooldown. (13 miles total). FLUID directly after workout. Wore 2XU compression tights all day after workout.

                PM: 3 miles easy on dirt.

Thursday

                AM: 16 miles easy (6:25) on trails at Sycamore Canyon. Jen kept me company on bike and gave me Gatorade Endurance. FLUID directly after workout.

Friday

                AM: 7 1/2 miles easy on roads + 8 x 20 second strides.

                PM: 5 miles easy on grass and trails at Arroyo Verde Park.

Saturday

                AM: 3 miles easy warm-up. 4 Strides. 8 mile tempo on Rincon Highway (roads) at 5:07 pace. 3 miles easy cooldown. FLUID directly after workout. Wore 2XU compression tights all day after workout.

Sunday

                AM: 24 miles at Sycamore Canyon on trails at 6:00 pace average with last 5 miles sub 5:40. FLUID directly after workout. Wore 2XU compression tights all day after workout.

Total Weekly Mileage: 106

To learn more about Josh, what he has to say and how to contact him, visit www.joshspiker.com.

This weekend the Fluid office team was out in force at the Laguna Lake Mud Mash in San Luis Obispo, California. This 5k/10k running race was held just a few minutes from our office and there's no way we could have passed it up. The course included running in the lake, sloshing through mud bogs, slithering through reeds, climbing over rope walls and hay bails, jumping in mud pits and battling vikings. Oh, and a guy playing a bagpipe on top of a mountain. Everything about this event was gnarly, epic and fun for everyone. Many families and groups even competed as teams!

Our buddies at All Out Events did a great job with this one in its inaugural running. We have a feeling it'll be a Halloween staple for years to come. And to top it all off, a portion of the proceeds go to San Luis Obispo County's Special Olympics program. As for us, we finished the race as fast as we could and got back to the work we love best: providing Fluid and nutritional education to the masses! A perfect way to spend Halloween if you ask us! So if you're in the area next Halloween, definitely check it out. Or go to www.all-outevents.com to see what else the All Out crew puts on, from a major outdoor rock climbing competition to sprint and 24 hour adventure races.

 

Welcome to a brand new offering by Fluid and friends!

Coach's Corner is a new line of blog posts designed to further help Fluid users maintain peak performance and overall well-being.
We're very fortunate to have help from some incredibly qualified individuals for these informational bits. The posts will be covering a range of topics from endurance training techniques to the importance of emotional well-being.

Our first contributor is Dr. Dan Rudd. Dr. Dan is a triathlete, husband, father, grandfather, psychotherapist and founder of Dr. Dan’s Training for Emotional Fitness.  He has competed in the sport of triathlon for 25 years and loves training and racing with his 2 sons and friends.

"Similar to physical fitness, we can improve our level of emotional fitness through training.  In physical training, there are periods of stress where the muscles and organs of the body are exerted, and periods of recovery.  Of course Fluid helps with this recovery. Without recovery, the physical body will eventually become injured and start to break down.  The same is true with emotional health and fitness:  it is essential to have periods of rest and recovery. 

"Just as we are hard-wired to be physically active, we are also hard-wired for happiness.  Recent research in affective neuroscience shows how our thoughts can change the function and structure of our brain.  This is very exciting in terms of happiness and performance.  The purpose of this column is to share this information with you and answer any questions about how to maximize your enjoyment and performance in your sports activities.  

"Let me start with my motto in life:  'The winner is the person who has the most fun!'  When it comes to the brain and emotions, what we focus on get bigger.  If you focus on the enjoyment of your training and being thankful that you are able to train, your mood will be positive.  Start by noticing what you say when you talk to yourself, because those thoughts are programming the software in your brain.  I look forward to hearing from you and answering any questions you have about health, happiness and training.  Just Ask Dr. Dan!"

To learn more about Dr. Dan and his work, visit http://drdanrudd.com/emotional_fitness_training/motivational_speaker/seminars_and_events.aspx 

Stay tuned for more from Coach's Corner and as always, we love to hear your feedback! Please don't hesitate to leave a comment or contact us.