Today has been quite snacktastic and I wasn’t all that hungry by the time lunch rolled around. I knew I wanted something to eat, but couldn’t pinpoint a particular craving, so I figured a smoothie would be a good way to go.
I blended up the following:
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 cup vanilla Greek yogurt
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1 spoonful cashew butter
- Almond milk
Dinner promises to be veggie packed thanks to another crock pot concoction.
I’ll report back on that one in the morning!
Long Run Fuel
It’s almost here!
Tomorrow afternoon I’m heading to Amelia Island to run in the ZOOMA Florida Half Marathon on Saturday morning. I am starting to get really pumped! There’s a lot to be said for pre-race energy. I feel very anxious and excited and hope I can parlay these emotions into a successful race this weekend.
I initially planned to run this race with my sister, but a foot injury sidelined her training at the end of December. Her foot is feeling a bit better now, but I’ll be running solo on Saturday. That just means my playlist better be rockin’ to help keep me motivated! I’m planning to add a bunch of songs that you guys suggested to my half marathon playlist tonight and I’ll be sure to share it soon just in case you’re in the market for some new upbeat workout music.
Also, a few of you have asked me about my long runs and whether or not I take any fuel along with me. The answer is yes!
I am a big fan of Gu Chomps and Clif Shot Bloks. I’ve tried gels in the past, but they kind of gross me out. Gu Chomps are my favorite because they taste like grown up fruit snacks. I didn’t take any fuel with me on my runs until my runs started lasting more than an hour.
I actually didn’t use fuel at all during my first half marathon and once I started hopping on the fuel-train, I realized what a difference it made for me during my runs. Playing around with different forms of fuel during my runs helped me figure out which kinds worked best for me and my stomach.
Here are a couple of interesting links to websites with information about fueling your body on long runs:
- How to Fuel Your Body During a Half Marathon (Video, Runner’s World)
- How Often Should You Fuel During Long Runs (Competitor)
Questions of the Afternoon
- Have you ever trained for an endurance race? Did you use fuel?
- If you use fuel during your longer workouts, what is your favorite kind? How often do you eat/drink it?
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I drink G2 and eat gummy bears. I have found that to work for long runs as well as tennis matches in hot weather.
The Kidless Kronicles
I really like the taste of the bloks and chomps but I can’t stand to chew on them while I run. I take GU but I have to do it sip by sip.
There are these new things called “Stingers”. I haven’t tried them but they call them “waffles”. They are all natural. I’ve never tried them but I hear good things.
My husband is a cyclist and uses them, he loves them. I think they are pretty wide and wouldn’t know where to store them on a long run unless I was going back to my car at some point, or had big enough pockets.
Stick them in your sports bra??:-)
I love honey stinger gummies in the pink lemonade flavor or cherry. They taste like candy!! I also alway crave fresh orange slices and during a marathon my husband will meet me at mile 20 with a few.
i love shot blocks! i also love the jelly bean things because they last for a long time when you only put one in your mouth and i kind of suck on it haha
I didn’t realize that GU had a version of gummies…I am obsessed with GU energy gels but I don’t love the consistency. I usually alternate between the vanilla, mint chocolate or peanut butter, but now that I know GU makes gummies I’m definitely going to check them out. Thank you for sharing what you fuel with!
Good luck in the Zooma Florida Half Marathon! I can’t wait to read your race recap!
Good luck!! I usually take 2-4 GUs when running a full marathon and 1-2 for a half! I’m all about some peanut butter GUs–you should check them out tastes just like the real deal 🙂
I cannot wait to see what is in the slow cooker!! If it involves veggies, it’s gotta be good! 🙂
It seems like a good idea to fuel during long runs, and although I haven’t trained for a marathon yet, I would like to try those products. However, I get realllllyyyy scared just thinking about how I might be cramping up! 0_0 I get indigestion quite easily and the thought of eating anything is kind of intimidating, haha. So do you feel completely fine when you pop those in? Or do you cramp temporarily?
i TOTALLY know what you mean. i cramp up SO easily. i actually only take a few gu chomps at a time… by spreading them out a bit i think my body handles them better than eating them all at once. definitely play around though to see what works best for you.
Good luck on your run!! I’m sure you will do awesome! I just finished my first full at Disney world this past weekend! I like the gu but want to try the adult fruit snacks. Yummmm
that’s AMAZING! congrats to you!!!
Julie, is there a certain mile in the race you always use the fuel or just when you feel you need it? I’m running my first half marathon this September and might need to try these out at some point! Thanks for the suggestions!
hi leah! i usually take some at mile 4 or 5 and again at mile 8. 🙂 that just seems to be what works for me, so i’d definitely experiment a bit to see what you prefer. good luck to you on your first half! woo!
When I was running longer distances, I loved eating raisins during my run- instant energy and they went down easily!
Hey there! Power makes a gel/chewy thing that is pretty yummy! I want to try the ones you posted though!
I have a question, I am running my first half marathon in about 2 years at the beginning of March. I have run 2 before, so I know what to expect but I have always had an issue with what is best to eat the night before and the morning of, right before the race. Do you have any suggestions? Would love to hear them!
Thanks girl! 🙂
i would do whatever you usually do the night before/morning of your long runs. definitely keep it consistent!
I tried Gu Chomps and gel, but really fell in love with the Cytomax Energy drops on my last long run. They are DELICIOUS and not so tough to where you feel like you’re chomping down while running.
I use strawberry Gu Chomps!
Thanks for posting the links about the half marathon training tips–I’ll be sure to check them out as I prepare for my half marathon in May. Good luck on yours!
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Done the Dallas Rock and Roll, Houston and Bryan/College Station halves. I loke the jelly beans, but really want to try something new to reinvigorate my running. Definitely agree with you on the Gels being gross. It’s hard getting them down! Good luck this weekend!
I love ShotBlocks. Taste like candy. Gu’s make me feel like a dog eating peanut butter. I just can’t do it. But for any workout that’s longer than an hour I like ShotBlocks.
So soon! Good luck, you’ll do great 🙂
My all time favorite fuel is strawberry gu chomps! I gave shot bloks a try, but they make me burp up an unpleasant aftertaste! And the gu gels were just too slimy and gross for me to handle! I typically fuel for runs longer than 13 miles, but if I’m really low energy, I’ll fuel during my halfs around miles 3- 4, 7, and 10! Half marathons I’ll pack one pack of chomps and end with 2 remaining; for fulls, I pack 2 packs and again, for some weird reason(!) end with 2 chomps 🙂
During the one and only (so far-there will be more) half marathon I have done, I used jelly beans (sour jelly bellys) and those Nike sport chews (like gummy chews). I just can’t bring myself to do the Gu’s – they kinda gross me out. I am not a big fan of gummy things either though – but these were ok. I have to go to a sports store tonight, might look at the GU Chomps to see if any of those look appealing!
The jelly beans make me super thirsty, not a fan of them at all but the Shot Bloks are definetly awesome!
Saw a few posts about Honey Stinger chews and just wanted to reiterate how awesome they are! They taste delicious, don’t stick to your teeth, are organic, and gluten free. Great company as well!!