Someone saw my picture of the GU that I normally bring on my runs, and asked “Why GU?” Hmmm….why do I use GU? I guess because that’s what is normally provided during the races, and they are easy to carry. However, I don’t really like GU. I sort of have to choke them down. I have no idea what is actually in them?

My friend Annie and I had a 17 mile run on Saturday {I miscalculated the route, so it was more like 16 miles, but oh well!}, and I decided to experiment with my food. Meaning, I didn’t bring any GU.

I’m also trying to eat more food before, during, and immediately after the run. Sometimes I’m so tired after the run that the last thing I feel like doing is making anything to eat. {I just want to shower and crash on the couch.} Normally, I drink chocolate milk or blend up a smoothie instead of having a real meal right after a run.

C-ch-changes!

Eat More Before The Run

I had a big bowl of oatmeal with pecans and a banana about an hour and a half before the run. The nutritionist said to eat 100-200 calories for every hour of running before heading out the door. I also drank about 16 ounces of water.

At the start of the run, I had a half a white-bread sandwich with jam. For runs over an hour, she said to try to take in about 25 grams of high glycemic carbohydrates ten minutes before the run. Essentially, you want to avoid fat, fiber, and protein. Hence the white bread.

Eat & Drink On The Run

I brought crystallized ginger and dried apricots on the run instead of GU. Loved eating the apricots, probably more so than the ginger. I found them easy to carry and chew.

I also decided to make my own homemade sports drink with a recipe that the nutritionist gave me.

So easy!

Water.

Orange juice.

Squeeze of lemon juice.

Sugar. I had to double-check other recipes, and yes, they all call for 1/4 cup of sugar which sort of seemed like a lot to me.

Salt.

Filled up my fuel belt bottles. I didn’t use all of the sports drink, so I saved the reserves for next time.

Homemade Sports Drink

Ingredients

• 3 1/2 cups water
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• squeeze of lemon juice
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

Mix all together and drink!

Eat More After The Run

The nutritionist said the best time for my cookies (love my cookies) is immediately after finishing a run. She also encouraged me to make my carbohydrates count and play with healthier options. She said molasses is really good for baking. The night before I made soft molasses cookies from King Arthur Flour. They are awesome! I had a few as soon as I walked in the door after the run.

Within the hour, I had a fried egg sandwich.

Lunch was after the Japanese tea ceremony. {At the ceremony, I ate daifuku, a rice cake filled with a red bean paste made from azuki beans. Very interesting!} I had leftover pasta with roasted veggies and some chicken. By that time I could barely move from the couch, so no picture. However, I felt like I had a steady stream of energy on the run. Success! I kind of like experimenting at this stage in my training with running fuel.

Bernd Heinrich, a biologist, professor and ultramarathoner at the university, wrote a book Why We Run. I haven’t read it, but a few friends read it a while back. I believe another friend even took a class with him? Anyway, the book chronicles Heinrich attempting his first ultramarathon in his early 40′s, as well as attempting to break the US record at the distance.  He studied different animals and how their bodies are built for endurance {everything from moths to camels}. He then uses what he learned from them in his own training, what he calls an experiment of one.  I never found out if he discovered the best method for endurance running? I guess I’ll have to read the book. However, some of the experiments he did sounded pretty crazy. I believe he tried to drink one beer each mile for 18 miles. Other experiments involved running and honey or olive oil or hamburgers. Ha!

I won’t do anything that crazy, but so many options…..