SPARTAN UP ! by Joe De Sena

SPARTAN UP! first edition will be released May 13th

Everyone wants to be happier, healthier, and more successful in business and in life. —Spartan Up! gets you there.

Spartan Up! Guide to Life 

• If you want to change your life you have to change your frame of reference.

• Anyone can demand instant gratification... but if you can delay it, you might just get where you want to go.

 

• Who says easier and faster is always better? Adversity paves the road to success.

Who is Joe?

An entrepreneur from 8 years old Joe has had a passion for life that moves the ball forward against all odds. Born in Queens NY to a yoga teaching, meditation practicing mother and an Italian father that was an uber-entrepreneur the author learned simple techniques for forging ahead no matter the odds. Find out how a young kid breaks out, builds multiple businesses, changes lives, and eventually partners with military SpecOps. 

Spartan Up! is based on a series of concepts, but three of them trump everything:

• Question your Assumptions,
• Less is More,
•  Discipline is Everything.

 Spartan Up! Will comprise 10 chapters, designed to teach you to systematically apply the Spartan way to every aspect of your life: food/diet, working out, health, business or work, education, relationships, parenting. Chapters will be structured around the following:

1. A visceral description of an obstacle from Spartan races that symbolizes the greater life challenges. Whether it’s mud or ice water or greased walls, the rationale behind creating each obstacle will shed light on the lessons to be learned from it. By the time the reader reaches the end of Spartan Up! they’ll feel like they’ve run an entire race and have that same sense of accomplishment and empowerment.


2. Guidance and advice on applying the lessons of the obstacle to their own life. The limits of brute strength and force; when to seek help and when to go it alone; how to overcome your weakest link--—these are dilemmas that all of us face in everyday life. By the time you finish this book, you’ll have a much more finely honed sense of how to navigate everyday life, much as you navigated one of our gauntlets.

3. Examples from my own history in adventure racing and business that illustrate the points being made in the chapter. My own unique voice and life experience will shine through at every turn, and while some may initially see me as a life coach from hell, they’ll come to realize that I have a heart of gold (albeit a well-conditioned one). I simply want them to experience the same breakthroughs I have.
4. Examples from those who have already undertaken the Spartan challenges. The stories of these people will place readers on the edge of their seat, because they see so much of themselves in the tales. Many of these people were leading unsatisfactory lives and filled with self-doubt before entering a Spartan Race. But doing such extreme racing in short periods of time merged their work and their play, allowing one to bring meaning to the other.            
     

Order now and get 15% off your next 2014 Spartan Race!  HERE

 

ARE YOU READY FOR THE SPARTAN UP CHALLENGE?






         

 

 

Reebok Spartan Race Giveaway

      

Reebok Spartan Race is on a mission to get you active , healthy, excited about change and return to ancient roots where running through woods,  getting dirty and facing adversity was part of everyday life. Spartan Race challenge the familiar today's perception of normal living and getting you out of your comfort zone.






I'll have to admit I've never done a Spartan Race.   I have, however done  the Warrior Dash.  I loved  every  obstacles in that race.  It was so much more challenging than just running.

      Their are 4 different levels within the  Reebok Spartan Race

Spartan Sprints -  muddy 3 + miles/ 15 + obstacles. (Entry Level). 
Super Spartan  8 + miles/ 20 + obstacles. (Intermediate Level)
Spartan Beast - 12 + miles/ 25 + obstacle. ( Advanced. Level) 
Death Race - This endurance race is composed of mud runs,obstacles, racing, trail racing, physical challenges and metal challenges all in + 48 hour adventures race.  (Extreme Level)  90% will not complete this endurance race.

Whatever your level, Spartan Race will test your strength, stamina, and sense of humor.






If your up for the challenge check out one of the Reebok Spartan Race near you.  For locations near you - CLICK HERE
.

     Want to win a Free Entry to a Reebok Spartan Race

(MANDATORY)  Leave a comment telling me if you have every done a Spartan Race and  if you win what level would  you choose.  

Go to Reebok Spartan Race on Twitter ( HERE) and follow them and (Tweet) "I want to win a Free Entry to a @Reebok Spartan Race over @Pink Hat Runner.

A winner will be choosen on 6-30-13, by Random.Org

If you don't win  you still can run a Spartan Race.  The people over at Spartan are offering a code for 15% off one of  their races in the continental US.(CLICK HERE)  to get the code.


GOOD LUCK!


Disclaimer: I was contacted by the Spartan Race to offer my readers a free entry to an Reebok Spartan Race.    No compensation or race entry was provided in exchange.

Our farm is a Century Farm this year

'TALKING PRIDE IN OUR RURAL HERITAGE'

Since the land of Iowa was opened up to settlers in 1833, agriculture has been the heart of Iowa. The family farm represents the traditions and heritage upon which our State was built. Today, those individuals and families, who followed in the foot steps of their ancestors, continue to produce crops and livestock on that same land. The Century Farms Program recognizes and honors those individuals who have owned the farm land for 100 years or more. The program began in 1976 as part of the Bicentennial Celebration, when over 5,000 certificates and farm markers were distributed across Iowa at local ceremonies. The program was sponsored by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, with the endorsement of the Iowa American Revolution Bicentennial Commission. Members of the original Century Farm Recognition Committee were Ronald R. Woodin, Deputy Adjutant General of Iowa; James Meimann, Iowa Department of Agriculture; Gene Maahs, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation; Murray Goodman, Iowa American Revolution Bicentennial Commission and Kris Lischefska, secretary. Since 1976 over 15,000 families have been recognized. The Awards Ceremony is held each year at the Iowa State Fair.(SOURCE)

             CHANNEL 5, News came out and  interviewed us for a                   segment on the news about our Century Farm. ( VIDEO) 
                                  

        This is  what the old homestead looked like.  My husband's father was raised in the house.  We lived in the house till 2000, when we decided to build a new house just north of the old homestead.    We were going to dig a hole and bury the old house, but my running partner at the time was on the Fire Dept and suggested we let the Fire Dept use it for their training.      The fire dept came out and burned our house down and got some great training out of it in the process.            

February 2001 we move to our new house, which is just north of the old homestead.

                        This is what our  homestead looks like  now.

       In August we will be presented with an award at the Iowa State Fair for having a  Century Farm.



                              DO YOU LIVE ON A CENTURY FARM?

Fun Weekend, Glow Run

This weekend was pretty busy.  Friday night we went to the Raccoon River Music Hall to hear the Rumbles. The Rumbles are an awesome  band. I love to dance, so I was in heaven shaking my bootie.  Their was about 30, of us that were going to hear the Rumbles. We started out at my sister's house  first for happy hour and than headed on over to the Music Hall.  I slept in Friday morning, because I new it was going to be a long night.  I ended up getting my workout  in by dancing till my hearts content. I had sweat running everywhere. I looked like a drenched rat. We had so much fun. 

Sure hope he doesn't let  go.

SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE

DRENCHED RAT

Saturday morning I got to slept in, than later that morning  I tried to catch up on my cleaning.   My running partners husband had a routine Colonoscopy a week ago and it came back positive for cancer. He went in for  surgery last Wednesday.  When Tree talked to the doctors after surgery they  said they got all the cancer and  he was cancer free, "Answers to prayers".   They  released  him  late Saturday morning to go home.   Tree and I were suppose to run the Glow Run Saturday night, but she  didn't want to leave her husband  home  alone, since he just got home from the hospital.  Tree's daughter said, she would come and stay with him so we could do the Glow Run.  Mike hasn't been able to get in the field, for several weeks, because it has been raining here off and on, so  he thought he would go to the race with us.   I said sure he could be our chauffeur and cheerleader at the race.  It was so nice to have Mike there and enjoy the fun with us. Mike has never went with us to a race before, mainly because he's usually  in the field or just to busy with the farm work.  I was one Happy Girl.

The starting line, showing my lighted glove and pink hat. 

Finishers, but I lost my DARN PINK HAT, BUMMER

Sunday we had two birthday parties to go too and one visitation. Mike's nephew's daughter Lily Grace was turning 7, and her dad was having a birthday party for her at Grandma's house.  The second birthday party was at our neighbors  that help Mike during planting and harvest time.  His little girl was turning 7 and his little boy was turning 5. We stayed at the second birthday party for about an hour and than had to leave to go to a visitation    I was glad we went to the visitation early,  because their was a line of people  already when we got there.  I was so happy to finish my day off  by vegging  out at home, before bed time.  



                                  Have you ever ran the Glow Run?

                                    

3rd Annual Jelly Bean Virtual Race

Are you ready for The Jelly Bean Virtual Race over @Run With Jess?  I've done this virtual race for the past 3 years and it's one of my favorite virtual races.  Jess always seems to keep things popping with excitement over at her blog RUN WITH JESS.



             The Jelly Bean Virtual Race Starts
March 20-31, 2013

 You get to choose the event that works best for your current fitness level. You may participate in more than one event.

- Run 5K (3.1 miles)

- Run 10K  (6.2 miles)

- Run Half-Marathon (13.1 miles)

- Bike 21K (13 miles)

Jess has something for everyone to participate in, no matter what your fitness level or interest.

If you get spring fever like I do early in the spring, sign up for The Jelly Bean Virtual Race, it's a great way to keep motivated through those long wintery months.



                      DO YOU LIKE TO DO VIRTUAL RACES?

        WHAT ARE SOME VIRTUAL RACES YOU HAVE DONE?

IMT Des Moines Half Marathon Review

Going into this half marathon, I had no expectations.  Harvest came early this year and my long runs in September were pretty non-existent.  My running partner had gotten a few 10 milers in, but lacked on her short runs. 

So what was our goal for Sunday?   Our goal was to do the best that we could and have a lot of fun running  the IMT Des Moines Half.   


When I left the house I looked at my I pod  nano and their was an arrow pointing to the battery icon, Go Figure Not Now. Their was no way I had time to  plug it in now, so I was just hoping it was going to work during the half.

  It's 20 minutes before the race starts and we are moving to  our corral. I turned on  my nano  and got  one song and than nothing. My thoughts were I can't run without music. I've ran 3 miles, but not a half marathon without music. This was going to be one heck of a long run. I told Tree, my nano just died and we might be talking a lot more than normal. So the gun  goes off and we start to move up the street to the starting line.  I turned my garmin on about 45 min before the race started hoping it would sync up. The race starts in  downtown Des Moines and  their is a lot of tall building all around us. So, needless to say when I went over  the starting mat , I hit start on my garmin and noticed it didn't sync up. So, I'm trying to get it to sync as I'm running. I'm in no way a multi tasker.  Finally I got it to sync up about .25  mile into the race. That sure keep my mind off of not running with music. 

Me and Tree waiting for the race to start

Mile 1-3 We run downtown Des Moines making our way to Water Works Park.   I was feeling pretty good. We just got into Water Works park and my bladder is telling me we need a potty break.  I told Tree if those Kybos up a ways are full I'm finding some ground to pee on. The Kybos were full I just went behind them and squatted, by this time I was going to pee my pants anyway. Shoot,  I should of tried to go one more time before the race started.  I normally dont have to use the Kybos,but not today.


Mile 4-6 I was feeling real  good. I remember at mile 6, it felt like my legs just new what to do and it felt effortless to  run.   Between miles 5-6, I was trying to pick up the pace, because I was feeling so good. Now, my running partner on the other hand was not feeling the same way.

 
Mile 7-9 I was still feeling good, so I was  just trying  to keep a steady pace, but my running partner was struggling. 

Mile 10 -13.1 I felt like I had this race I could do it and get a good time, but my running partner  was struggling as we hit Gray's Lake.  As much as I wanted this race, nothing was more important to me than making sure Tree was going to make it to the finish.  So, we started  doing a walk/run.  We ended up doing a walk/run to the finish line.  As we turned the corner to the finish line, Tree face was getting paler and her breathing was going very fast for her.  I kept telling her to breath through nose and out her mouth.  I think she was hyperventilating. I just kept telling her to breath through her nose and out her mouth, so she could get her breathing under control.   We finally crossed the finish line and got our medals and headed for some water and Ibuprofen.  Tree just said she had a spitting headache.

 
            CROSSING THE FINISH LINE
                            YAHOO

After we got some chocolate milk  and Ibuprofen in us , we headed to the car to get into something dry and warm.  We also got our signs  that we made for Amanda and Steph that were running the marathon. We found some  Kybos  around mile 25,  and decided that was as good as any place to plant our butts and wait.  We had so much fun cheering on the runners as we were waiting for Steph and Amanda.  We held the signs up and were cheering  them on as they ran by us.  When we caught up to them at the end. Amanda  said she had never had someone at a race to cheer her on and she said it brought tears to her eyes. Steph said they were struggling to make it to the stop light were they turn the corner to the finish line. We gave them that extra motivation they  need to finish this marathon.  This was Amanda's 2nd  and Steph 10th marathon. 

Stephanie and Amanda on the last mile

Amanda and Stephanie

Amanda,Me,Tree,Stephanie and Rachelle

This was Ashten and James first Half Marathon. They had an awesome finish.  Jason and Julene, this was their first Marathon.  Julene was pretty nervous going into this marathon.  She hadn't gotten all her long runs in, due to sickness in the family.  We walked back to Gray's Lake to bring her and Jay in.  Jay was ready to run to the finish, but Julene was pretty tired. So we let Jay take off to the finish and we walked with Julene.  When Julene saw the finish line banner, she was able to run it in. I'm so proud of, all these guys. They did an awesome job. 

 

James,Asthen,Julene and Jason

My next race is the Living History Farm Race November 17, 2012

Do you remember how you felt when you crossed the finish line to your first Half or Full Marathon?

What is your next race?

Harvest / Color Run / IMT Des Moines Half Marathon

We started harvesting  about the second week of September, that is pretty  early for us. We  normally don't start till around the first week in October.   We new going into harvest it was going to be a hard one. We were farming more land and the boys were both going to college.  Thank goodness Parker was going to a community college and living in Des Moines which is only about 20 miles away from home.  Parker was able to come home on the weekends and help  with harvest.  It's been a very long harvest, normally we would have some  raining days and than we could get caught up on all the paper work and the bills, Not this year. The bills,  they never stop just because your in the  field.. We didn't have one rain day the whole harvest, so that meant that we had to do the paper work or bills when we got in for the night. Most nights we were out to around 10 pm or later. One night we didn't get to bed till 2:30 in the morning, because we were at the field that is about 9 miles from our home, it's the farthest farm away  from our home that we own.  We  finished this field  around 11 pm and hubby wanted to  get every thing moved back closer to  home.  Moving equipment from farm to farm doesn't just take 30 minutes it can literally take anywhere from 15 min to 2 hours, just depending on where the farm is from where you have to move all the equipment. I was pretty tired the next day, but we still had to get  up early get chores done and get the equipment moved to the next field so we could get started for that day.  Harvest has taken toll on my good eating habits and  my workout/ running schedule.YAHOO BABY!  We finally got done Oct, 9, thank GOD. I love my hubby, but things can get kind of intense sometimes when we are trying to get the crop in.  I understand why he gets stressed and I usually do really well with keeping it together for him and me, but this year with not having any rain days and staying up late, it was taking a toil on both of us. 

Last year at the Farm Progress Show I saw this  Pink John Deere Hat.  I told my hubby that a farmers wife should have a Pink John Deer  hat to help on the farm.   So, when I got home one day from working at the Insurance Company what was sitting on the  island in my kitchen.  It was a Pink John Deere  Hat. YAHOO!

Loving my Pink Hat

COLOR RUN 5K



I was able to  do the Color Run 5k a week or so ago.  It was just what the DOCTOR ordered for me.  My stress level was rising and I needed to just go run and have some fun.  It was pretty chilly the day of the race.  The race didn't start till 1,but we wanted to get there early so we could get a good place to park and line up.  We lucky enough to get into the  first wave.  As we were running up the long hill to the finish line we went by all the runners  that were still waiting for their wave to start.  Their  was a Hell of a lot of people at this race.

Tree, Me and Liz . Waiting for race

Liz,Tree and Me.  Were all lined up and  having a little fun wasting time.

We made it .  It was a great time.  Just what the Doctor ordered for me.   Some running and having fun with some great girls.

The trees that line our driveway are finally turning, they're pear trees.  They seem to always be the last tree to turn into it beautiful fall colors.   I like to sit in my  hubbies office an look out the window at the beautiful colors of all the  trees  this time of year.

 














I was finally  able to get back to Nxtbend Fitness and workout with my Nxtbend buddies.   OH, how I've missed them. I feel like since harvest my body has went to pot.   It's funny how it seem to take a long time to get your body into shape,but not a long time for it to turn to jello.  I've got some Major work to do.  

This Sunday I'm running the  IMT Des Moines Half Marathon.   Am I  well trained or ready  for it, NOT.  I'll do my best and have a heck of a lot of fun doing it.  Normally I'm able to train without to much of a problem, but this year with harvest earlier it made it a lot harder to keep  up with my running schedule.   I knew it would be hard with both boys away at college, but  I didn't think it would take away time from my running time.  You never know what to expect from year to year when it comes  to farming.   I've had to learn to  go with the flow.  However,  I'm very lucky to have amazing running partners, that totally get when harvest comes around  I might not make a run here and there. So glad I didn't sign up for the Full this year.  

                                      How has your fall been?

                 Have you ever done the Color Run 5k