A blog to help you optimize your full-body and life performance

Spring is here, and that means race season is in full swing; after months of enduring winter training, it's finally time to put your hard work to the test! Whether you're looking for a better result the next time you toe the line, an edge over the competition, or even a shiny new PR, your biomarkers can make all the difference. Here's how some of the key markers we test can help you have your healthiest and strongest race season yet.

Known to be one of the most grueling tests of endurance and the oldest 100-mile trail race in the world, the historical Western States 100 is set on technical trails and terrain from Squaw Valley to Auburn, California. As the countdown to race day continues, we had the opportunity to chat with a few athletes about how they’ve used InsideTracker to help get them to the start line prepared to tackle 18,000 feet of ascent and 23,000 feet of descent over 100.2 miles... all in (mostly) one day.

From product updates to team member achievements and countless medals around the necks of InsideTracker Athletes, 2017 was quite a year for us. Here’s a highlight reel of the top moments of the past year.

The Boston Marathon. The most storied marathon there is, and it just so happens to be in my backyard. I grew up watching it, and had ran it once before. But this time was different. I trained for a specific goal. A lofty goal of sub 3:00. A goal I thought was well within reach.

I was feeling great about my fitness. My strategy was honed. I was on the right track. So what happened?

With fall marathon season in full swing, I've been getting a lot of questions lately as folks begin planning for their race weekends. This year, I've set my sight on a new PR of 3:07 at the Philadelphia Marathon in a few weeks.

Being that I've asked these same questions myself, I decided to share 10 big tips I've picked up on my own journey to help you reach new records.

Whether or not you’ve optimized all of your endurance-related biomarkers (hello ferritin!), and whether or not you've tested with InsideTracker during a peak week or in the taper to measure the efficacy and volume of your training and nutrition, the following last-minute tips can make all the difference come race day!

The Boston Marathon. The most historic marathon in the country. This 26.2 mile course leading from the suburbs into the heart of Boston has been run each year on Patriot's Day for 120 consecutive years. Yet, unlike other traditions which grow old, this one seems to renew itself each year with even deeper meaning. Being a Boston-based company, we'll admit that we're a bit biased. But, even those who have run marathons all over the world agree, there is something truly special about this historic race.

This year, we couldn't help but join in the revelry, and threw not one, but two parties to celebrate. The first, a shakeout run led by ultramarathoner, Mike Wardian. While you might think a 3-mile run would be nothing for someone who regularly runs 50+, he ran it completely blindfolded! The second, lunch and conversation with Mike Wardian, nutrition and fitness expert, Tawnee Prazak, and the co-founder of November Project, the free and fun fitness craze, Brogan Graham.

Many of you may know me as the Sales Manager here at InsideTracker. What you may not know, is that when I'm not at my desk, I can frequently be found hitting the pavement alongside many of our users. I run to and from work most days, actively participate in November Project workouts (more on that later), and have run 3 marathons with another on the horizon.

Having recently spent a week in Los Angeles leading up to the Olympic Marathon Trials, I wanted to share the top five lessons I learned from the best marathoners in America, many of whom are InsideTracker users!

The 2012 Boston Marathon is almost here! On April 16th, more than 20,000 runners will participate in the oldest annual city marathon in the world, occurring every year since 1887. The race, which attracts roughly 500,000 spectators, is one of the country’s most prestigious marathons due to its long history, challenging course, and competitive qualifying times. In order to be eligible to participate,

I would not consider myself your typical graduate student.  I am a 22-year-old who recently relocated from North Carolina to Boston to study nutrition at Tufts University.  I run marathons, work out every day, give blood regularly, and am a picky, but healthy eater.  I will not lie and say I do not enjoy my victory pizza or a pint of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream after a successful marathon because I do, but when I follow a strict daily food routine, I consider that my reward.