Date: 1/31/21
Training Day: 9
Miles: 2
Time: 22 min
Shoes: Altra Paradigm 5
Weather: N/A (indoors on treadmill)
Strength Training: Shoulders

How It Felt: First thing I did yoga, and my sluggishness made it less enjoyable than usual, but the stretching felt wonderful. The run was good, and I felt strong. My workout, on the other hand, was rough. Pretty sure I strained something in my neck doing deltoid raises…

Commentary: My commute to work is typically about 45 minutes one way because I work in the middle of nowhere. Some days I get to work in town, and my commute is less than ten minutes. Last week, I worked most of the week in town. Because of the whole breathing/lung thing, I also slept in way later than I ever do, even on weekends. So, over the weekend I’ve gotten up early to readjust my sleep schedule to middle of nowhere commute. This morning I was tired.

This past week was also my first week giving up caffeine. I know, starting a new training program, going vegan and giving up caffeine all in one week is a bit much. But that’s how I roll. Since Facebook and Instagram are always listening, they knew I was giving up coffee and ads about coffee alternatives started popping up in my feed. Next thing you know I’ve placed an order with Rasa and Four Stigmatic.

I used to live in a van, so I’m not the most materialistic person out there. However, I do like practical tools that make my life easier. Since Rasa suggested brewing their tea in a French press, I set out to find a French press mug. Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Starbucks all left me empty handed. As a last resort, I went to Walmart.

By now I should know that Walmart is like the in-person version of Amazon. Except that Walmart gives you one or two brands to choose from instead of Amazon who gives you two name brands and a gazillion knock off brands. Anyway, on a shelf in the camping aisle I found a Stanley French press mug! And this mug is badass!

First of all, now I look super cool with my iconic Stanley mug. Now all it needs is a dent in it from nailing some guy over the head while I escape from prison. Second, the piece that makes it a French press is completely separate from the mug, so I can use the mug without have French press parts in the way should I choose to. Third, Stanley knows how to insulate a mug and my hot beverages stay hot for hours.

Enough about my sweet new mug. The point of all this is that I tried the OG Rasa today. My first cup of adaptogenic goodness. Before fixing up my brew, I tasted the tea by itself. Not bad! (Sorry, I can’t describe the flavor better than that because I suck) Then I added a dollop of honey and a splash of soy milk.

And now we return to what I originally started talking about – waking up tired this morning. Rasa and all it’s fans claim the tea gives you more energy. As I sipped my delicious beverage in zombie mode, I hoped they were right. Turns out they might be on to something. A half an hour after enjoying my delightful brew I felt more awake and aware. Don’t get me wrong, it didn’t energize me like a line of a controlled substance might, not that I would know what that’s like. But it did give me what I needed to get my butt to the gym.

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