Maybe the conditions weren’t ideal what with the rain, wind and cold temperatures, but approximately 800 youngsters ran to their best of their ability at the Nike Team National Northwest Championships. United Dairymen of Idaho, on behalf of Idaho’s dairy farm families, was a sponsor of the event, which was held at Eagle Island State Park on Saturday on November 10.

Once the races were finished, the runners enjoyed chocolate milk to help refuel tired muscles. A study in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism reports that chocolate milk is a strong alternative to some commercial recovery aids in helping athletes recover from strenuous, energy-depleting exercise. Chocolate milk contains an optimal carbohydrate to protein ratio, which is critical for helping refuel tired muscles after strenuous exercise.1

Not only did individuals run the 5K race, but teams from across the northwest participated. This was the first time the event was held in Idaho. According to the event coordinators, Nike and the National Scholastic Sports Foundation were impressed with the atmosphere of the course and the setting at Eagle Island.

Nike awarded teams placing first overall. United Dairymen of Idaho provided awards for Idaho teams that placed first among the Idaho teams competing in their respective divisions.

1 Karp JR, Johnston JD, Tecklenburg S, Mickleborough TD, Fly AD, Stager JM. Chocolate milk as a post-exercise recovery aid. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism. 2006;16: 78-91.