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". 

What Happened to Sporty Dad?

It’s been a while since I have posted anything about being a sporty dad, but that does not mean I have been living the sporty dad life…(that sounds weird). Since my last Sporty Dad post, I have run a few races, did a Spartan race, and I did not run the Chicago marathon. That is the one race I was sad I did not run, but maybe I'll do it again in the future. So here is what went down last year.

How do you define aging? #DadsDisruptAging

Disclaimer: The following post is sponsored by Disrupt Aging from AARP. All thoughts, opinions and body pains are my own. 

Have you ever thought about why you do the things you do? For me, it's trying to be athletic and show my children how athletic I am, but that has not always been the story. I was never much of an athlete when I was younger. I ran around with my friends playing games like freeze tag, and hide-n-seek, but never anything too strenuous. When I went to high school, I joined a few teams, but not being physically fit, my high school athletic career did not advance at all. After graduation, I started thinking that I passed my prime. I passed my time to be fit and to be athletic, but all that changed when I had my daughter.

Fandads Holiday Gift Guide Part 2

Disclaimer: Some of the links on this post are affiliate links.

Welcome back to Part 2 of our Holiday Gift Guide. This go round we will talk about toys, books, and experiences for your children. So let's begin!

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!

The Fandads Holiday Gift Guide

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. 

It's that time of year again my friends. That time when you start looking to see what gifts you can get your favorite people in your life. We here at Fandads have compiled a list of a few of our favorite things and things that we hope we will get ourselves from our respective families. Keep reading to see how you can win a few items on our list. 

So without further ado, here is our gift guide for 2017. 

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.

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.

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!

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.

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?

The motivation I need! #PumpingIron giveaway #Sponsored

Earlier this year I did the Spartan Race for the first time.  The only real training I had before the run was my cardio.  I would run as much I could during the days and just the week before the race I ran a 5K with my wife, but that was not enough.

Giving thanks. Do it for them, not for me!

This year's Warrior Dash

When I sit down and reflect about what I am thankful for I realize that I have gone through a lot this past year.  From taking my little girl to her first day of kindergarten to not being renewed for my teaching position, I think that I have been resilient through all of this.  Whereas some people might just shut down with this type of hardship, I saw it as a way to focus on the positive of what is going on in my life.

Busy Weekend or Look at me trying to be Sporty part 6

Just like The Roots, you're probably thinking "What happened to parts 1-5?"  Well, let's just say that I have been doing a lot of runs and obstacle course races.  I have been doing so many that I have not been able to keep up with writing them on the site, but I had to share this experience with you.

I Survived the Spartan Training Workout.

As many of you have been reading on this blog,  I have been trying to be more active.  Being a father of two little ones, I want to be able to play with them everyday and not lose my breath after a few seconds.  What I did this past year was sign up for a few events to keep me active.  In the past year I did the Urban Warrior Dash, The Santa Hustle, The Hot Chocolate 5K and the Ditka Dash, my wife joined me on that one and it was her first 5K.

So this year is no different. I have decided to do a number of runs and mud runs.  Although I do a running club at my school two days a week, I feel that I need to do a little more to get in shape for these events.  So what did I do? I signed up for a free Spartan Training Workout at Reach: Beyond Fitness to see how much work I need to do to get ready.