My Interview with Jared from Subway and Gift Card Giveaway

His real name is Jared Fogle, but most people call him “Jared from Subway.” We all know Jared  lost an astonishing 245 pounds by eating Subway twice a day for one year back in 1999. What  you may not know is that Jared, age 33, will be running the New York City Marathon on November 7 – his first marathon ever! I caught up with Jared today for a telephone interview about his upcoming race.

SUAR: It’s one thing to lose all that weight, it’s another thing to decide to run your first marathon. What motivated you to make that choice?

Jared: Running a marathon has been on my bucket list for years. I started to really think about it last year, just to shake up my fitness routine a bit. I knew it would be hard, and I was concerned how being heavy in the past would affect my training. I worried about my knees. I started with a great trainer, Ryan Harbor (of St. Vincent Sport Performance). I saw a podiatrist and my family physician and was cleared to train. I jumped in head on. I had some IT band issues a few months ago, but that’s it.

SUAR: What advice do you have for people who are intimidated by running?

Jared: I don’t know if it went back to my childhood, but I had a mental block when it came to running. The perception of runners is that you have to be extreme with it and you can’t do it for fun. I’m trying to get the message out that it doesn’t have to be like that. You have to believe in yourself. If I can run a marathon, anyone can. The key is starting slow and pacing yourself properly.

SUAR: How much of running is mental for you?

Jared: I think most of it is mental. The vast majority of people would be fine running and training once they got into it. You just have to get over those mental humps. There are days you don’t feel great and don’t want to run. On one of my 18 milers I had a head cold but I gutted through it. I tell myself, “It will be over soon” when it gets tough.

SUAR: How did you train for this race?

Jared: I trained for about five months. I had goals along the way like doing a 5K, a 10K and a half marathon (in June). Given my travel schedule, I ran three days per week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I would do my long runs on Mondays. After the half marathon, my long runs started at 12 miles. Each week I would add a mile or two, then scale back on the fourth week. My Wednesday and Friday runs would be tempo runs. On my long runs I do about an 11 minute mile pace. For my tempo runs I would do between a 9:30 and 10 minute mile pace.

SUAR: How was it training with some famous athletes like Meb (Meb Keflezighi, winner of the 2009 NYC Marathon)? Was he able to keep up with you?

Jared: (laughing) Yeah, I left Meb in the dust. I really didn’t know what to expect from Meb. I was in awe because the guy ran a marathon in 2 hours and 9 minutes. Last year that number meant nothing to me, but now I know what an incredible feat that is. He was such a humble and nice guy. One thing he told me was to make sure that I did not get so focused on my pace during the marathon that I forgot to enjoy the race – to take in the scenery and the sites.

SUAR: What do you eat before along run?

I do my long runs in the mornings. I get up two hours beforehand and have a big bagel with some reduced fat peanut butter. I also have some yogurt and coffee for the caffeine and energy. While running, I take GU every three miles. I love those things (his favorite flavor is espresso). One thing I love after a long run is Rockin Refuel, a post-run sport’s drink from Shamrock Dairy.

SUAR: Ever have stomach problems when you run?

Jared: No. I try to cleanse out first.

SUAR: How has your view of food changed with your training?

Jared: I now view food as fuel. I also realize that every lost pound helps you run faster and more easily. I lost about six or seven pounds while training and I think I’ve gained muscle.

SUAR: What is your goal for the marathon?

Jared: Completion! If I could get in under five hours, that would be awesome.

SUAR: Do you think you’ll do more marathons?

Jared: I love to run but I don’t see myself doing more marathons. I will continue doing 5 or 6 mile runs because they don’t leave me so exhausted {as the long training runs} where the day is shot. Before this year, I had never run a mile in my life. I am excited to do this once, but I’m not sure if I like the long distance.

Thanks, Jared. We’ll be stalking you on November 7^th.

As a thanks for participating in all the Commit to Fit stuff and reading this interview, Subway would like to give away a $25 Subway gift card to one reader.  Here’s how to enter (comment for each):

1. Have you been successful at losing weight and keeping it off? How?
2. Tell me something you learned from this interview.
3. What is your best tip for someone training for their first marathon?
4. Write about this giveaway on your blog, FB, Twitter, etc. +1 entry
5. Follow this blog or let me know if you do already + 1 entry
6. Enter Subway’s FB sweepstakes HERE and let me know + 1 entry

Giveaway ends November 5.

The fine print:

• Per FTC guidelines: Subway provided the Subway gift card. They also gave me a second gift card for my personal use. I did not pay anything for it.
• Contest only open to US residents. Sorry! 
• The winner will be chosen at random by Random.org
• Check back November 5  to see if you won!
• If I don’t hear back from the winner within 2 days after posting that they’ve won, I’ll Random.org another name

For more information about the Commit to Fit program and for a chance to win up to $26,200 please visit the Subway Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/Subway.

Here’s to getting and staying fit,

SUAR

$100 Giveaway for Fitness

So what if it’s 1:58 p.m. and I’m still in my pajamas? People who use crutches should be allowed to:

• Stay in their PJs all day
• Drop f-bombs rapidly and frequently
• Hit or poke people or dogs with a crutch if they get in the way
• Drink alcohol in copious amounts
• Park in handicapped spots
• Get any Starbucks drink they want for free
• Elicit sympathy from everyone (Fedex guy, cops, etc), not just their mom (thanks for the apple pie, mom).
• Decorate their crutches 

I’m going to endorse the Urban Dictionary’s definition of crutches:

Deathly pre-evolved devices with the purpose of aiding one with an injured leg, knee, ankle, etc. May cause drowsiness, sweating, and result in massive upper-body strength. Ultimately, makes one look like a badass god/goddess capable of surviving any difficult circumstance.

I really like the goddess/badass part.

Here’s the thing. If I can sit here with crutches by my side and a fractured hip in my body and still make a commitment to a fitness goal, so can you. In fact, I am so sure you can do this, that….

In honor of Jared (Subway guy) running his first marathon in NYC in November, Subway wants to give one of you up to $100 towards your own fitness challenge of your choice. This can be anything ranging from a race entry fee, a new class you want to try (Zumba? Tai Chi?), hiring a fitness coach of some sort, you name it. So, think about how you might want to Commit to Fit, especially if you had $100 to apply towards your goal.

Me? Duh! My $100 is going towards registering for the Boston Marathon on Monday.

Here’s how to enter (comment for each):

1. Tell me what you would put your $100 of towards (this needs to be an activity you are committed to completing as a fitness challenge, not food, clothing, ipods, watches, etc)  +1 entry
2. Write about this giveaway on your blog, FB, Twitter, etc. +1 entry
3. Follow this blog or let me know if you do already + 1 entry
4. Enter Subway’s FB sweepstakes HERE and let me know + 1 entry

This giveaway will end on 10/20.

The fine print:

• Per FTC guidelines: Subway provided the (up to) $100 to be applied towards the winners fitness challenge. They also gave me a $100 to go towards my own challenge. I did not pay anything for this.
• Contest only open to US residents. Sorry! 
• The winner will be chosen at random by Random.org
• Check back October 20 to see if you won!
• If I don’t hear back from the winner within 2 days after posting that they’ve won, I’ll Random.org another name

For more information about the Commit to Fit program and for a chance to win up to $26,200 please visit the Subway Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/Subway.

Here’s to getting fit,

SUAR

Ipod Winner and Lululemon/Gaiam Giveway!

You guys really wanted an iPod!! I wish I had a few hundred to give away, but there is only one winner: #367 – Heather from the Crazy World of a Running Mom! Congrats! Email me at brisdon@comcast.net and I’ll tell you how to claim your prize.

Let’s move onto new things. Given any thought to how you are going to Commit to Fit?  What races are on your agenda for the coming months? Any new classes you’re signing up for? Are you committing to do something you’ve never done before like a marathon, triathlon, yoga class or mountain bike race?

Now that you’ve got some playlist ideas from the comments on the iPod giveaway post, it’s time to get you outfitted for your workout. Here’s the next giveaway:

1. $50 gift card to Lululemon! Be it yoga, running, or staying warm this winter, Lululemon has something stylish, yet practical, for you. And those of you with balls (yes the men), Lululemon’s got your shorts, jackets and shirts too. Or, give it to your lady. She might just give you something in return, if you know what I mean.
2. Gaiam Fitness Bag - This eco-chic bag keeps you organized. Its roomy interior features a zippered pocket, an elastic pocket and a key tether.  Includes an easy-reach outside pocket for water bottle, inside and outside holsters for cell phone and MP3 player, and bottom adjustable straps for your yoga mat.
3. Yoga mat – Made by Bean Products, Inc, this “green” yoga mat is easy to clean and good for all types of yoga. It is phthalate free, so no need to worry about extra toxins in your mat (if that’s the sort of thing that keeps you up at night).

I never said I was a fitness bag and yoga mat model (a good model would never cover up the Gaiam symbol with her arm. She would also wear a jacket that was a contrasting color to the bag):

Want this stuff? Here’s how (comment for each):

1. What would you buy at Lululemon?  No, I don’t think they sell lemons.
2. Write about this giveaway on your blog, FB, Twitter, etc. +1 entry
3. Follow this blog or let me know if you do already + 1 entry
4. Enter Subway’s FB sweepstakes HERE and let me know + 1 entry

This giveaway will be short, so get hopping. It will end on 10/13 to make way for the next one...

The fine print:

• Per FTC guidelines: Subway provided the Lululemon gift card, fitness bag and yoga mat for the giveaway. They also gave me a second set of the same items for my personal use. I did not pay anything for them.
• Contest only open to US residents. Sorry! 
• The winner will be chosen at random by Random.org
• Check back October 13 to see if you won!
• If I don’t hear back from the winner within 2 days after posting that they’ve won, I’ll Random.org another name

Good luck!

“Commit to Fit” and iPod Giveaway!

One of the perks of working from home (aside from being able to fart unabashedly and have a front row seat to my dog licking himself at all moments), is that I can plop down in front of the TV while eating my lunch. It’s the only time I turn the TV on during the day, so it feels like an indulgent few moments. Usually I’ve got Oprah or The Hills or something really classy waiting for me on the DVR, but today there was nothing. And when I say nothing, I mean nada. So, I resorted to *gulp* live TV with its commercials and nastiness (although I do really like that one dude on the Old Spice commercials, yum). I came across some supposed fitness channel singing the praises of the newest diet trend (not going to name it. Don’t want to give it any publicity). It was like rubber necking at a car accident. I couldn’t turn it off.

Here’s the deal. You sprinkle this magical voodoo powder on your food and then you lose weight. Eat anything you want! Deep friend Twinkies? Swell! Just sprinkle away! A whole Thanksgiving turkey for one? No problem, sprinkle, sprinkle. Whatever is in the powder talks to your brain and tells it that the stomach is full and then you stop eating. And then you lose tons of weight and your life is *perfection*. Right? Wrong.

Like all fad diets, it’s a tactic that doesn't work, at least not over the long run. It’s a band aid that holds in the blood for five seconds then sends a major hemorrhage down your leg, worse than if you’d just left it alone.

A short cut to losing weight or gaining fitness would be nice, but common sense and experience tell us the only way to effectively do this is by eating right and exercising. By finding balance. By treating our bodies with respect and care. It’s a lifestyle change, not some fad you do for a few weeks.

Most of you who read this blog are runners and are in pretty decent shape. Even so, at any given time many of us have goals involving weight loss, our next race, joining a gym, building endurance, speed and/or strength, starting yoga,  eating better, or a combination of a few of the above. We’re a pretty driven bunch. That said, what's your next move? How are you going to Commit to Be Fit (or continue to be fit)?

Remember Jared, the Subway Guy? The one who lost about 250 lbs by doing this?:

Coffee for breakfast. For lunch, a six-inch turkey sub with a small bag of Baked Lay's chips and a Diet Coke. For dinner, a foot-long veggie sub and a Diet Coke. On the sandwiches, no cheese, no mayonnaise, but plenty of lettuce, green peppers, banana peppers and pickles, and a dab of mustard. No snacks, and no cheating. Exercise was not part of the plan, but after a few months Jared noticed he had more energy, and started walking to class. Toward the end of his diet he was walking about a mile and a half daily.

It might not have been the most conventional diet, but it worked for him.

Guess what Jared’s doing next? After months of training, he’ll be running the NYC Marathon in November. Like I was 21 months ago, he’s a marathon virgin. Given Jared’s commitment to the run, Subway is launching a Commit to Fit program.

What does Commit to Fit mean to you? What's your next fitness goal? I’ll be doing a series of giveaways encouraging readers and myself to commit to new fitness goals, be them marathons, triathlons, Zumba classes, yoga challenges or hiring a fitness coach. I’ll also be interviewing Jared regarding the NYC Marathon, so stay tuned! I just wish I was running it too!

The Giveaway

As a kick off to this program, want to win the newest version (4th generation)  iPod Shuffle (in green/2 GB) and a $10 iTunes gift card? 

 

Here’s how to enter (comment for each):

1. Tell me five of your favorite tunes that keep you going while running or working out + 1 entry
2. Write about this giveaway on your blog, FB, Twitter, etc. +1 entry
3. Follow this blog or let me know if you do already + 1 entry
4. Enter Subway’s FB sweepstakes HERE and let me know + 1 entry

This giveaway will be short, so get hopping. It will end on 10/9 to make way for the next one...think lululemon baby!

The fine print:

• Per FTC guidelines: Subway provided the iPod and iTunes gift card for this giveaway. They also gave me a second set of the same items for my personal use. I did not pay anything for them.
• Contest only open to US residents. Sorry! 
• The winner will be chosen at random by Random.org
• Check back October 9 to see if you won!
• If I don’t hear back from the winner within 2 days after posting that they’ve won, I’ll Random.org another name

Good luck!