I ran down the street in my underwear this weekend.
It was Christmas underwear…. which makes it totally acceptable…
Atlanta holds a Santa Speedo Run every year. I’ve always been curious and had friends who’ve run… but this year curiosity killed the cat. I paid money to run down Peachtree Street in my undies. Thankfully, it was a pretty warm day and the “race” was only 1.5 miles. And it was for charity! It was a fun way to stay active and donate to a good cause on the holidays!
Prior to the race, Vegas and I went to my gym for glute camp and upper body. After 2 hours of exercise, we needed a quick refuel! That’s where GNC and their new PUREDGE line come in to play. That and a little pre-planning.
I’ve mentioned before that Vegas has an affinity for Red Velvet. It just so happens that one of my favorite post-workout treats is a healthy take on a red velvet-flavored delight. I mixed these up before we left for the gym and stored them in the freezer there while we worked out. We were glad to have them for the ride home when about half an hour before we were done we both looked up and said “I’m hungry!”
With their new PUREDGE line, GNC is making it easier make the most out of those holiday workouts we’re all pushing to fit in… and you can still be festive! The nature-based product line includes: Complete Protein powdered formula, Complete Protein bars, Energy powdered formula, and Complete Amino powdered formula.
I’ve been leery of brands like this in the past, but I was legit impressed with the recognizable ingredient list in these products!
So how’s the powder? First and foremost, it smells (and tastes) like brownie mix. Mixed in with my veggies and some additional cocoa, you’d think you were eating a brownie mix shake. Complete with the creamy texture!
Nutritionally, it has great stats. It provides 20g protein and one full serving of fruits and vegetables to help meet daily nutritional requirements. It also packs in over 5g of amino acids including the branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) leucine, isoleucine and valine, essential for protecting, repairing and fueling muscle. All of this makes for one fantastic post-workout, pre-speedo run snack.
I made ours even more healthy by adding a serving of greens. Just add a cup of kale or spinach to any shake for an easy, taste-less way to add greens! It’s also topped with hemp seeds and raw oats for some healthy carbs and fat.
GNC was also kind enough to send some of their new Daily Energy, which naturally energizes with a combination of carbohydrates, herbal teas, fruits and vegetable extracts. I liked using it in my morning cocktail for a boost first thing (I’m not a big coffee drinker). Their protein bars were also included in my special delivery. Check out the chunks in the peanut butter cookie dough!
PUREDGE products are now available nationwide in GNC stores and at GNC’s website.
Red Velvet Protein Shake
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
- 1/3 C beet (or 1 tsp beet powder)
- 1/2 T cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 C kale (optional)
- Orange liquid stevia, to taste
- Ice and water (adjust according to thickness preference)
Toss it all in the blender and mix until smooth.
Inhale. But not too fast or you will get an ice cream headache. Not that I would know.
***
Thanks to GNC sending me their new PUREDGE line to try! As always, all opinions are my own.
Would you ever do a speedo run? It’s a marvelously festive run.
Do you add greens to your shakes?
Love the underwear run! How fun. Though it is nice that it was a pretty warm day :-).
Nature based formula sounds like it just might be vegan. Is it? Sounds like a great way to get in extra protein.
It’s not… it had whey. 🙁 My favorite vegan is still the Growing Naturals!
That run looks amazing- I think thy have a Santa one here too- I think! Vegas is the most epic name ever. In your terms, #strangebutgood. Any protein bar with visible chunks get an A-ok in my book.
I don’t know how I feel about the phrase “visible chunks.”
Ah kudos on doing the run! I’m not sure I would have the guts but it looks like it was a laugh and a half :)! I’m still on the fence about adding kale to my smoothies but love adding in spinach!
I think the trick to the kale is to use a high speed blender and put the kale closest to the blade. That way you aren’t left with awkward pieces.
Now that’s a holiday themed run!! What fun!
I would run in a speedo or underwear if all the other cool kids were doing it 😉 But I have yet to do an underwear run
SEE?
now this is a race Id do!!!!
You’d have LOVED it! Come next year! 🙂
LOL! So fun. I don’t know if I could do it though 🙂
I load my smoothies with spinach!
You totally could! Being a hot mess is half the fun. 😉
Ha ha there is a similar race here around Valentine’s Day-not sure I would have the guts to run in my undies though! Fun!
Ohhhh… Valentine’s is even better!!!
That is awesome that you ran down Peachtree in your underwear. You’re braver than I am!
You should do it next year! The people watching alone is worth it.
A protein powder that tastes like brownie mix? Sign me up!
You have guts for running around in your underwear, but if I had your legs I probably would too!
Whatever! You’d rock that run.
My luck would be that it’s snow on the day of a speedo race if I signed up 😉
Haha, that is totally a FUN run! I’d do it!
Where can someone find such an amazing pair of panties! haha, love it!
Target! Where else? 🙂
You know that I would totally be up for this race. I wouldn’t even stop ater 1.5 miles. I would run along and sing some carols in my undies. Maybe I would make it into TV? 🙂
I need to buy spinach for my shakes! a handful of spinach, always.
Next year we’ll do it when you come for Christmas. 😉
that race looks SO FUN, and actually? so very Portland!
Right?! Reminds me of the naked bike ride. But we’re not THAT Portland… yet.
Recognizable ingredients list. Smells like brownie mix. Sounds like a win win. Love the santa run pictures!
So awesome! There was an Undies run that went by our neighborhood in Houston… I never had a chance to run it but it seems like one of those things you should do once, right?
You’d be done so fast no one would ever see you! 😉
You are the bravest! Running in your undies, not sure I could/would do that. But it looks like a lot of fun!
Also browniessssss I suspect this may end up under our tree as a co-present for me and my husband 😉
Props for running in your underwear! That rocks!
I haven’t been adding greens as often anymore, since I have spirulina to mix-in and my powders already include servings of green. Cheating! 🙂 And I love that you did the undy run – looking good!!
I’m kind of surprised there isn’t one in Denver! Maybe I’ll start on e when I move. 😉
we have one of those runs in Kona. Although people wear a lot of thongs. It’s not the prettiest but hey, who cares. You’re ass would be a great perk! 😉
i’m going to call you red velvet from now on. RV for short
Thongs?! OMG. No one needs to see that. LOL!
RV. I love it.
I always struggle with making protein shakes or smoothies ahead of time because they melt by the time I want to drink it. I like the idea of freezing them until you are ready… how long do you leave it in the freezer? does it completely freeze or is it drinkable when you take it out!?
I blend it with ice, so it’s pretty thick. When I get to the gym I put it in the freezer during my workout…. so 1.5-2 hours.
Hahaha that might be the best idea for a fun/charity run ever. I’d do it!
Come to ATL next year and we’ll do it! 🙂
You say red velvet and I am so there lol. This shake looks divine. On the go Dessert.
Love the idea of this race and that you participated. Any chance to go pants free eh?!
Pants are for pansies.
“It was Christmas underwear…. which makes it totally acceptable…” Man, I need to use this line in my life somehow, someday! Too funny!
LOL! Seemed legit at the time… 😉
Lol about the race! There is a Cupid’s Underwear run near me but I haven’t been bold enough to do it. Plus is is in the Winter and Michigan Winters are pretty dang cold!
Oh man… I’d have to pass in Michigan. Or have like 5 shots beforehand. LOL!
Haha that speedo run is so cool 😛
But even cooler is that protein shake, it screams Christmas to me!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Wait. Since when is running down the street in your underwear NOT acceptable? Oh wait, perhaps running isn’t acceptable because you need to WALK so people can appreciate your goods!
An excellent point… next year I’ll power walk.
No undie runs for me! 🙂 I just love seeing you happy!!!! 🙂
Thanks Jody! 🙂
Such a fun idea. I’d worry my thunder thighs would rub together and chafe. I might have to wear long underwear;)
HA! It is a little perilous, but it’s only 1.5 miles!
chocolate and beets is just a match made in heaven! Love the flavor and the color too 🙂 I always throw in some greens, I actually can’t remember the last time I had a shake without some sort of greens in it. I just can’t help it, I looooove my greens even more than I love chocolate 😀
That Santa run looks like so much fun. A little cold though!