Deals and Steals

Happy Thanksgiving to all those who celebrate! Take advantage of all the family time and some deals and steals on top of it!

Races

• Illinois Marathon (Urbana-Champaign, IL):10%off with 2018 bibravebonus on November 27, 2017
• Tobacco Road Marathon (Cary, NC): $20 off with bibrave1 on November 24, 2017
• Buffalo Marathon (Buffalo, NY): $10 off the half or full marathon with BLACKFRIDAY10 on November 24, 2017
• SAGU Half Marathon and 5K: 40% off ($30 and $18) with Black Friday November 24, 2017 only!
• Philadelphia Marathon (Philadelphia, PA): $95 for the full, $85 for the half through 11/27/2017
• Lincoln Presidential Half Marathon (Springfield, IL): $5 off for anyone who registers on Monday, November 27 (NO CODE NEEDED!)

Products/Services

• Inside Tracker: $200 off with BESTDEAL200 (lowest rate all year, trust me!)
• Health Warrior Chia Bars: 40% off with CHIAHOLIDAYS
• Skins Compression Gear: 30% off sportswear and 70% off outlet product
• The Union (Spinning/TRX/Yoga; Spokane, WA): Unlimited 1 month Pass for $89, Friday, November 24, 2017 ONLY!
• Orange Mud:15% off, free shipping in the US and 2 free stocking stuffers with BF2017
• RoadiD: 15% off site wide through Monday, November 27
• Legend Compression Wear: USA25 saves 25% on all Legend brand items
• 2XU: 30% off site wide through 11/27/2017

Inside Tracker: The Results

A little over a week ago, I pulled the tricker and got my labs drawn for Inside Tracker. Miss my original post? In short, I knew of Inside Tracker from when Bibrave tested it back in 2015 and have wanted to try ever since. I pulled the trigger to purchase the Ultimate Package over Black Friday this past year, however, couldn’t pull myself to get things drawn because of weight I put on during med school and residency. Flash Forward 9 months, working with a trainer and watching the diet, with a bunch of weight (double digit) loss, I figured I’d see where I stood.

It took a few days for my results and analysis to come back (less than 5) and I got an email when the everything was posted on their website in my account. Did I mention I was at a wedding when this happened?

What I found out:

• Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium): Spot on and in my optimal range
• Cognition (Magnesium, B12 and Folate): My magnesium and Folate were in optimal range, but my B12 was slightly above optimal range, but not abnormal
• Inflammation (CBC, CRP): Bonus points for being spot on with the CBC (think white count, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, etc), but my CRP was outside my optimal zone, but not too high (and actually still normal)
• Strength and Endurance (testosterone, Cortisol, Creatinine Kinase, SHGB): my CK was outside my optimal zone, but still normal. Everything else, spot on for me
• Oxygen Transfer/Blood Function: Thankfully, not anemic with good blood counts and Iron stores
• Metabolism and Weight Control: Where some good results came for me! My Cholesterol in 2014 was 214 (borderline), but now it’s down to 166. My HDL is 65 (a touch lower, but normal, not optimal though). My LDL (bad cholesterol) went from 129 to 87 (can’t complain about a 42 point drop). My Triglycerides have been good and my glucose was 86, stable from the prior 2 times I’ve had lab work done in my life

Where I need work on the most

• My AST/ALT: the liver tests. In all fairness, only slightly elevated and I worked out 12 hrs prior to getting my blood drawn (and only a few points above normal). As much as I love a drink every once and awhile, I’ll lay off for a bit. And not get blood work 12 hrs after working out the next time

Recommendations for me depend on what I’m going for. Overall, I need to cut down the Diet Coke (which is my main caffeine source. This is sad) and increase my nut intake (as if I’m not nutty enough as it is). Some more vegetables would also help me out a bit. In terms of hormones, I should probably have more rest days than I do and do more low impact cross training to help the legs out and decrease some of the numbers a hair.

I’m hoping there’s a repeat Black Friday Deal in order to get this again. I have a bit of a unique view based off my profession (i.e, Doctor), so I can interpret my own results. The only thing that bothers me is the red/yellow/green system because there are results of mine that are in normal range for any lab or health care professional, but show up as out of my optimal range. For someone non medical, this could be interpreted the wrong way. I’d also add a BMP to get a baseline of Chloride and renal function (BUN/Creatinine), an A1C (your blood sugar over 3 months) and a TSH, as all can provide valuable information. Now to adjust and retest in a few months!

Inside Tracker….Taking the Plunge

Inside Tracker. I first heard of them in 2015 when they partnered with BibRave and participated in Bibchat. I didn’t get a chance to try them out at that point, but I always kept them in the back of my head.

It’s also worth saying that Physicians (who also happen to be runners) make the worst patients. I was telling patients to take care of themselves without necessarily doing it myself. After I finished residency, moved to Washington State and took my boards, I realized I had let myself go too much and put on some weight. My birthday present to myself last year involved signing on with a trainer and began working out with them 3 times a week minimum, upping the running and starting spin classes. Come Black Friday, I finally pulled the trigger on getting Inside Tracker’s Ultimate Package, I couldn’t pass up something that was upwards of 40-50% off (and hey, being in medicine, I can interpret my own results. Score!). With the Ultimate Package, you get a Lipid Panel, CK, Hormones, Iron Studies, a CBC, Electrolytes and some vitamins checked (41 markers total). After your results come in, the inside tracker team reviews them and comes up with recommendations as to what needs improved and what foods can help in each category. Not up for the Ultimate Package? There’s DIY, Home Kits and Essential Packages as well, but compare them to see what floats your boat.

However, I let the lab slip sit there, in my account. And it sat there for a good 9 months. I couldn’t bring myself to do it until I pulled off some weight. 30 lbs off, a better diet and more muscle on, I finally pulled the trigger to ‘get it over with’. It also helps that I happened to go in for a Grand Rounds lecture at work and the Quest Diagnostics lab is kitty corner to my job. It was quick and painless, though I think I had somewhere between 5-8 tubes of blood drawn. Quick, painless, in and out in less than 15 minutes with no appointment (and it was 8 AM because I was fasting). At this point, I’m waiting….and waiting is no fun. What will things show, only time will tell….

 

Cyber Monday Discounts

Be sure to take advantage of some awesome Cyber Monday Deals!

BibRave Associated Races and Companies

1. Inside Tracker: Huge savings with BFRIDAY2015
2. BuluBox: 25% off with CYBERMONDAY
3. Orange Mud: 20% off and free paracord bracelet with cmon20gift
4. 2xu: 45% off entire website and free shipping
5. Zensah: 50% off select compression sleeves with ZensahCM50
6. Kentucky Derby Marathon and Mini Marathon: $10 off with CyberRace
7. Sin City Run: 30% off with  GVPcyber
8. Mad Marathon: Cyber Monday Marathon pricing at $55 and an additional $10 off with BRAVEBrenda

Other Race Discounts

1. Rudolph Ramble 8K (Chicago, IL): $5 off with cyberrudy
2. Soldier Field 10 Miler (Chicago, IL): $5 off with cybersf10
3. Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon (Pittsburgh, PA): $10 off with 10OFFTHANKFUL
4. P3R: 30% off select Running Gear with CYBERRUNDAY
5. Race 13.1: 10% off with ChatR131
6. Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon (Roanoke, VA): 10% off with RUNCHAT10
7. Ukrop’s Monument Ave 10K: 10% off with ITSHERE
8. Raccoon Marathon and Half Marathon: $15 off afternoon Half Marathon with CyberHalf or $40 off Double Half with CYBERDOUBLE
9. Jingle Bell Run (Cleveland, OH): $5 off with FLEETFEET
10. Finisher’s Pride: 30% off Skinni/mini frame and multi medal frames with cyber15