Brooks Pure Cadence 2 Shoe Review

I bought the second version of the Brooks Pure Cadence line because I was really happy with the first version. You can read that shoe review Here. 

I wanted a shoe that I would use specifically for tempo runs or faster. I really like the shoe, it's light and comfortable. I haven't gone over 7 miles in them because I do feel as I became more and more tired and my form suffered it was causing come stress on my achilles tendons became tight and were sore for a few days after. A new design on the Pure Cadence 2 is a ‘burrito’ style attached tongue that is essentially a part of the lateral upper that wraps over the medial side of the foot is what I didn't like. I feel like I have to tie my shoes really tight in order to feel comfortable in them, even that sometimes I feel like I'm sliding in them. 

As far as the new design, I really like how Brooks moved their logo from the side of the shoe to the front/top of the toe box. It really looks pretty awesome. 

Overall I really still like the shoe. I'm a little under 100 miles, but they still feel good.

The shoes are on average for the price $100-$120.

Submitted by Miles

Jelly Belly Sport Beans Review

After getting tired of eating energy gels during a race, I've now decided to go with the Jelly Belly Sport beans. As of now they are pretty easy to get down during a run. The one thing that I would say is to make sure to have the package open before you head out because it can throw off your concentration a little trying to tear off the tab while running.

Carrying Ability: Easy to carry multiple packs during a run. They are pretty light and won't bounce around much in your shorts while running. (8 out of 10)

Does it work: You're not going to get any real energy shot, but do feel like they help with a little energy during the run. They are easy to get chew and get down without any water. I did have to drink a little water as my run gets longer and I'm chewing them, but I'm sure that would be the case for anyone. (7 out of 10)

Overall Thoughts: I'm happy with the product and I would recommend this to anyone interested. There are about 15 jelly beans in the back and I like putting about 5 beans and in my mouth at a time and chewing them. I usually eat a package about every 30-35 mins if I'm headed for a longer run.

Taste: The assorted package contains lime, orange, fruit punch, and berry. Overall (7 out of 10)

Submitted by Miles

Product Review: Organic Honey Stinger Waffles

During a few of my training runs I used the Honey Stinger Waffles. I really liked the flavor of the two that I tried(vanilla & strawberry). They were a little difficult to eat while on the run due to the fact that they'll crumble easily. I ate the waffles when I felt sluggish during my long runs rather than a quick energy boost. I did feel like they helped me carry through the finish. Also I did find them a little on the sweeter side, but I've never been a person to like sweets. I did need some water to get them down. I haven't seen any other products on the market like this one. For the taste I give them (7 out of 10)

Carrying Ability: They are a little big, but they are thin(think iphone). They aren't exactly easiest to carry in a pocket during the run. (5 out of 10)

Does it work: I did feel like it replenished my body a little of what I lose on the run. I would use them only for your "longer" runs. I don't think you'll need more than 1 with you. (7 out of 10)

Overall Thoughts: I liked the flavor, I did feel like they work. The waffles were a little on the sweet side for my personal taste. You'll have to adjust the way you eat them due to the way that it will crumble, but I will definitely buying be more and using them again for my long runs. I'm happy with this product 

Submitted by Miles

Product Review: Kickbutt Amped Energy Ballz

After a race(half-marathon) while I was using some gels and things like that to fuel me during the run I thought that I should try some different types of products and start to write a few reviews on each.

I found these while shopping online for some supplements I needed. The name caught my eye right away. I figured these would get me during a difficult grinding run.

I have to say that the "ballz" have a soft center and are easy to chew, but the flavor is questionable. (3 out of 10) You get a little hint of chocolate that I could describe would taste like a tootsie roll, but once you get past that they are pretty tough to get down. 

Carrying Ability: If you are the type of person that doesn't like the feeling of carrying things, this one might not be for you. They are a little bulky, I don't have a problem carrying items, but with these I had to carry my pouch to hold more than 1 or 2 packs. (3 out of 10)

Does it work: This energy balls are caffeinated and I didn't feel a boost(as a runner I'm looking for a more "sustained energy" feeling). I thought that they were just okay, but I did have to choke them down with some big sips of water.

Overall Thoughts: Kickbutt Amped Energy Ballz left me with something to be desired. If you work well with caffeine these might help, personally I wouldn't recommend them. As a runner they are too tough to be carrying around and if you're in a race they aren't easy to get down if you don't have any water or anything available.

Submitted by Miles

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 13 Shoe Review

I can now say that I've become a Brooks shoe fanboy. Every shoe that I currently run in are Brooks. I've owned the GTS series since the 11's. You can read my review about Brooks GTS 12. I use to run in the most trendy shoes out, not really caring about how many miles I would put in them. Since I started getting serious over the past 12 month about my running I know now that I need a shoe that can carry me well. 

Contrary to most running literature. I knew that it wouldn't be smart to take a new pair of shoes out for a race, but that's exactly what I did. I bought them and took them out for a short run, then the next day I ran the Rock'n Roll Las Vegas Half-Marathon. These shoes worked perfectly. 

Now before you think that I'm speaking so highly of Brooks, go back and read Brooks Trance 11. The Trance where one of the worst pair of shoes that I've tried. 

I've put in about 100 miles in these shoes and I can say that I love them. If you go back and read a few of my other shoe review, you'll know that I'm a heavier runner and that I need shoes to hold up to the pounding I put them through.

Submitted by Miles

Brooks Trance 11 Shoe Review

This shoe was recommended to me by a local shoe store.

Let me start this off by saying that I love Brooks running shoes, that being said in my opinion the Brooks Trance 11 are the worst pair of shoes that I've purchased in my almost 3 years of running. The reason that I got the shoes was that when I tried them on at the store that seemed to feel good and I needed a pair of shoes that would hold up for the race training that I'm currently doing. The Trance 11 also was said to have more cushion throughout the entire shoe then my now all time favorite shoe the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 12. I like the GTS 12 so much that I got a second pair because they were on sale. You can read the review for the GTS 12 Here.   

The Brooks Trance 11 have nice cushioning throughout the entire shoe. The Trance 11's are suppose to be the cadillac shoe of Brooks. I couldn't have been more disappointed with this shoe. They were no where near the price they can charge for them which can be as high as $140. The shoes feel heavy and feel stiff in the middle of your foot. I developed a big blister down the center of my foot where I've never had one before. The pain in my right foot was so intense that I had to actually stop for a bit. I know that this could only be exclusive to me due to my body structure and my gait. The problem with that is that a #CheFit teammate who is at average weight for his body type had the exact same problem I did. He is tall and has a slender body type. I'm a heavy runner and I read that this could be the shoe for me. I put in 30 miles in these and I do have to say that those were some of the toughest miles. I could say that it could have been do to leg fatigue, but as soon as I put on another pair of shoes the miles have been a breeze.


Submitted by Miles

Music: Power Songs October 1st

Some song suggestions to hype up your workouts, Enjoy!!!
1 - I Don't Even Like You - Eva Simons
2 - Die Young - Ke$ha
3 - Around My Way - Lupe Fiasco
4 - Watch You ft Pitbull and The Disco Fries - Clinton Sparks
5 - Louis XIII ft King T and Tha Alkaholiks - Xzibit

Brooks Pure Cadence Shoe Review

This shoe was recommended to me by my local shoe store.

I needed a light shoe for my tempo runs, this shoe designed for more of a mid-foot strike runner. The shoes a light, breathable, and comfortable. They also have a band in the shoe that makes them feel snug and secure. That being said, I would recommend this shoe for a lighter runner or if you’re a heavier runner I would recommend using them on your short runs. I’ve used them on speed/tempo runs of 4 miles or less and they feel great. I’ve also taken them on longer runs 6+ miles and they start to make my legs hurt a little, since I’m a heavier runner. These would be a good shoe to have in addition to your everyday running shoe.

The shoes are on average for the price $100-$120.

I log on average 35+ miles a week and I've put about 70 miles in these shoes.

*bonus - The shoe laces have little ridges in them to help them stay secured without coming undone.

Submitted by Miles

Power Songs #2

Here are some of our current power songs we use to get pumped up while hitting our #CheFit workout. ENJOY!!!

LIKE us on FaceBook #TheCheFit


Madonna - Give Me All Your Loving (party rock remix)

Ellie Goulding - Lights (bassnectar remix)



WZRD - High Off Life

Wu-Tang - C.R.E.A.M.

3-6 Mafia - It's a Fight

Slipknot - Wait and Bleed

Linkin Park - Faint

Flo Rida - Good Feeling

Saucony Men's Powergrid Hurricane 14 Running Shoe Review

This shoe was recommended to me by my local shoe store.

I needed a comfortable and durable shoe for the number of miles that I log and being a heavy runner and landing on my mid foot. I tend to wear out my shoes quickly and this shoe has some cushion, but not too much where it doesn't seem natural. Once I was able to break these in they've felt wonderful. These are one of my favorite pair of running shoes to date. The shoes look bulky, but they  don't feel that way, they're also light enough to be able to do a tempo run here and there. These shoes would be best for the everyday  run.

The shoes are on average for the price $140.

I log on average 35+ miles a week and I've put about 125 miles in these shoes, they have held up nicely.

*bonus - they have a slot on the shoe tongue to hold a single key. It's come in handy for me a couple of times

Submitted by Miles

Power Songs #1

Here are some of our current power songs we use to get pumped up while hitting our #CheFit workout. ENJOY!!!

Alex Clare - Too Close

Linkin Park - Crawling

Swedish House Mafia - Greyhound

Avivii - Levels(Cazzettes NYC Mode Mix)

Ludacris Ft. Waka Flaka - Rich and Flexing

Skrillex - First of the Year

Kid Cudi - Pursuit of Happiness(Steve Aoki Dance Remix)

Die Antwoord - I Fink U Freaky

Join The #CheFit Movement!!

Beginner Runner

We want to start this off by saying that you’re not going to see results over night. It’s going to take time, dedication, and motivation to continue with this journey.

The best thing to do is get out there a couple of days or get on a treadmill. If you’re going to do the treadmill, make sure to put it on an incline of at least 1% to simulate being on the pavement. Make sure to just put in a couple of miles at a time only a few days a week. 8 to 10 miles a week should be enough to start out with over 3 to 4 days. If you can’t get out that many days a week, do 2 to 3 miles in any given day. The most common mistake beginner runners do it push too hard to soon. If you feel like you can do a little more, go ahead and do what your body feels. The point of this is to try to create a routine of constantly logging miles, and getting your body adjustment to the stress being put on it. 

We would also recommend getting some comfortable shoes, these shoes should only be used for the purposes of walk/running. The reason is because if you use them for anything else, your shoes will breakdown in different ways and can cause some injuries. The shoes don’t have to be top of the line or the coolest looking shoes, they just have to fit your walking motion. We recommend going to your local specific running store in order to get fitted to your body mechanics.  You don’t have to get the shoes there, but you will know what type of foot pronation you have. What is pronation? http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-240-319-327-7727-0,00.html 

If you get out and  walk, walk at a faster pace than you normally would in order to get an aerobic burn. At first don’t be overly concerned with the time, get a good week or two of miles and then you can work pushing up the time.

**Things that we can’t stress enough is to get a good stretch before and after and to always be properly hydrated


Good luck and be careful


Submitted by Miles

#CheFit Then and Now Picture

This is just a quick Then and Now Picture.


In my future posts I can try to explain how I feel about each picture. I just felt like I wanted to get something up as quick as possible.

This Picture is from February 2010, right before I started my Journey.

This Picture is from March 2012.

I tried to use a similar pose


Submitted by Miles