Sporty Dad takes on the Spartan Stadion at Wrigley Field

A few weeks ago my children and I ran the inaugural Spartan Stadion at Wrigley Field and had a blast. What makes a Stadion race different from a regular Spartan Race? Well, let me tell you about it and our day in the "Friendly Confines". 

Setting Big Goals for 2018

Disclaimer: The Fandads were provided with the Tom Tom Adventurer by our friend Little Tech Girl in exchange for a review. All thoughts, opinions and bruised body parts are our own. 

You know that feeling when you accomplish something that most people say is impossible? You know, like running a marathon, watching your children while you are sick or building a HEMNES all by yourself and not having any parts left over? Yeah, that is such a great feeling!

Just Keep Running, Just Keep Running! (Sporty Dad 110)

On October 8th I joined about 45,000 other runners to run the city for the 40th Bank of America Chicago Marathon. The marathon has gone through a few different name changes, but the goal of all the runners is the same: to finish. Whereas last year I trained like a machine to run the marathon, this year my training was not up to par and I was nervous about how things were going to turn out. 

Pushing myself to the Limit (Sporty Dad 109)

In mid-June I did something that I did not think I would ever do: I ran the Spartan Super and Spartan Sprint on the same weekend. Completing these two races is a big deal for me because there was a few times during the Super that I just wanted to stop and not do it anymore, but I had a goal for myself and that was to finish no matter what. Not only was finishing these races important to me, but I felt I had to prove something to myself.

Father's Day Gift Guide

(Disclaimer: Some of the items on the list are affiliate links but all thoughts and opinions are our own.)

It's that time of year again. That time where you start seeing the "Dads and Grads" (why are these two always combined?) signs everywhere and you start wondering what tie you should get your father this year.  Well, if you are in that particular dilemma right now, put down that tie and check out our list of things that dads would like for Father's Day.

Getting the sleep I need thanks to the Beautyrest #SleepTracker monitor.

Disclaimer: The Fandads have teamed up with Life of Dad and Beautyrest for this campaign. All thoughts, opinions and good night sleep are our own. 

Parents, remember the good old days when you really did not care about sleep? Those days where you used to go out all night with your friends and sleep in the next day until the afternoon?

How many of us wish we had all those missed sleep opportunities back? I, for one, wish I could sleep again like I used to in my pre-children days. It's not that I don't sleep enough, it's just that I think I need healthier habits for my sleep routine.

It's time to start running again!

Last year's Shamrock Shuffle

Next Sunday, April 2, I will be running in my fourth Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle. I will be running with thousands of other runners throughout Chicago's downtown area and celebrating the beginning of the running season. Last year I ran the race in a pair of Lee Khakis just because they were so flexible and comfortable. This year, I don't know how I'll dress, but if you follow us on Instagram, you will probably see a picture or two of the run.

So why do I run? Why would I wake up early on a Sunday morning and run 5 miles? Well, one reason is: "Why not?" Why not take advantage of the time you have on this planet and go out and do something new and different that you have never done before. I like the notion of running on these busy downtown streets without the worries of cars hitting me when I am crossing the streets. It is also exciting to see all the people cheering you on as you run through the city and getting that rush when you cross the finish line. Yeah, I can't wait for that moment.

A Healthy Resolution with Groupon

This is a sponsored post. All thoughts, opinions, bumps and bruises are my own. 

With the beginning of the new year, everyone makes a resolution to start doing something different for themselves. Whether it is to lose weight, eat healthier or stop smoking, we all look to change ourselves for the new year.

As for myself, I decided that I am going to start saving money on some of the things I love doing: running and obstacle races. Every year, I spend around $300 or more dollars on entrance fees to do some of these events, but I realized that I can cut down on these expenses if I started using Groupon more.

The Many Faces of a #RussellDadlete. #sponsored

(Disclaimer: Russell provided the Fandads with one of their Premium Fleece Hoodies in exchange for this post. All thoughts, opinions and household chores are our own.)

In October I wrote about being a #RussellDadlete with Russell Cool Performance underwear. Back in those days, I was in pretty great shape, due to running every day as I trained for the Chicago Marathon. Since running the marathon, my running routine has dwindled down to the point where I hardly run anymore. Now how is a dad going to maintain the title of #Russelldadlete if he is not taking care of himself?  Let us look at what his options are.

I ran the Chicago Marathon and I feel fine!

As I was approaching the Charity Block Party at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, I could feel the energy from the tents of all the participating charities. My legs were starting to get tired but the energy and support from these tents gave me an extra boost to continue for a few more blocks.

I say a few more blocks because my thighs were starting to hurt, they were not cramping up, but it sure felt like it. I tried to block it out and keep running, but the pain was too much that I signaled to my running partner to keep going, hoping that I would catch up with him eventually. I started walking to soothe my legs and started thinking to myself "Why are you doing this?" "Do you think you can really finish?" I knew as soon as those thoughts started coming into my head I was in for some trouble.

This Fandad becomes a #Russelldadlete and it's pretty cool...down there.

(Disclaimer: The Fandads were provided with a pair of Russell CoolForce Performance Underwear in exchange for this post. All thought, opinions, tired legs and sweaty body parts are our own.) 

Ok, I know the title might be a little weird to you right now, but it will all be explained in due time. 

Lately, I have been running a lot. I am training for the Chicago Marathon so everyday I have miles to log for my training. With my daughter going back to school and my wife having a week off of work, I knew it would be the perfect time to log those miles after I dropped her off in the morning. 

Walking to school and prepared to run. 

Run like the wind or Look at me trying to be sporty 104

I know that is not how the songs goes, but it would have been strange to title this post "Run like the wind, Bullseye!" because I am not a fast runner like Bullseye the horse was. Since our last episode, I am still training for the upcoming Chicago Marathon.

The program I am on has me running 4 to 5 days a week and it has not always gone as planned. There have been a few hiccups here and there, but what has been bothering me lately is my running playlist.

Conquering the Spartan Race or Look at me trying to be Sporty 103.

See that photo above? That's the look of victory! That's the look of accomplishment! That could also be the look of me saying, "Ow! You're standing on my toe!" In actuality, that's the look of redemption, at least for me. If you remember my post from my last Spartan Race I was on a mission this time. A mission that I prepared for and felt confident with at the starting line. A mission that took me almost four and a half hours to complete. Yep, four and a half hours!

I ran how many miles? or "Look at me trying to be Sporty 102"

First off, as you can see, this episode of me being a Sporty Dad is sequentially numbered from the previous ones. I felt that I needed to start doing this, because with the numbers going everywhere, I did not want people to think that I was traveling through time doing all of these events. So from this day forth, the numbers will be in order. 

Running in my Khakis...Yeah, it Happened! "Look at Me Trying to be Sporty #101"

Last month I wrote a post for Lee Jeans about their new X-Treme Khakis. In that post I wrote about how comfortable these khakis were and that "I am seriously thinking about doing my next run while wearing them." Well, my next run was the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle and here's my story of how I ran it in my khakis. 

Running "on your left" in Washington D.C. or Look at me trying to be sporty #100.

Last week I posted the above photo to our Instagram page and asked the question "What does this have to do with being a #FitDad?" We, let me answer that question for you, it is actually the beginning of a new way of life for me. If I want to return to the Spartan Race and finish this year I must take my training seriously.

Running the Polar Dash or Look at me trying to be sporty again.

If you remember in my last sporty dad post, I wrote about the Spartan Race that I ran and did not finish. After that day I said to myself that I will train harder, go back and complete the race. I decided that I am going to chronicle this return to Spartan and share with all of you my process in getting ready for that day.  So here begins my #RoadBackToSpartan

Why do I torture myself?

See that picture above? That is the only picture taken of me during the Spartan Super that I ran last weekend on August 15, 2015.  While I may look like I'm doing good in that picture, things did not turn out that way. Look at me. I'm covered in mud. I look out of breath and I could probably pass out at any minute, so why do I do this to myself?

Tame Your Cravings with EAS AdvantEdge Carb Control Shakes #PowerinProtein #Ad

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PowerInProtein #CollectiveBias

When I lived at home with my parents I used to run a lot on their treadmill. It was my daily routine; three miles a day. My exercise routine soon diminished due to school and work and it was just regulated to walking my dog at night. I started missing that feeling. That feeling of being tired after a work out, but yet still feeling good, so I decided to change that. 

STOUFFER'S® Fit Kitchen Steak Fajita #PowerfulProtein

(Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PowerfulProtein #CollectiveBias) 

As a father of two children sometimes preparing a home cooked meal is something that is not practical. After driving my wife to work, playing with my kids all day and trying to squeeze in a run, when it comes to meal time, there are days when I need something that is quick and easy to prepare. What is a busy dad to do?