We all know that it is rude to just eat and run, but in the
world of runners, eating while running is a must. When I began running six
years ago I could eat nothing prior to a run and my stomach took some time to
settle down after a run. Even drinking
water before a run was flirting with danger.
If it went down too close to run time it would most surely come back
up. I eventually learned to sip water
mid-run and live.
While training for my first half marathon (read about it here) I learned that I had to eat something during longer workouts. If I did not, my legs would quit on me. So began the experimentation with gels and
fruit snacks, protein bars and peppermint candy, and gum. I settled on a combination of gels and fruit
snacks. (Yes, regular kid tested by them at the grocery store fruit snacks.)
I have been training with a new running buddy for the Fit for Life Half in Boise on July 12. I convinced her to try eating on the run and we
began experimenting again. We’ve come to
this conclusion:
Jelly Belly® Sport Beans are the best mid-run fuel because …
- They taste good.
- The packaging is easy to open.
- You can carry them in one hand and pop two or three at a time rather than consuming the whole package at a water stop.
Gatorade®Prime Energy Chews are a close second because …
- They taste good.
- They are soft and go down quickly, but …
- The packaging is difficult to open. I would recommend repackaging these before the race in snack size zipper bags.
I am still sticking with Power Bar® Protein Bars before and
after the run. My favorite? Caramel Peanut Fusion. Yum!
With any luck the mid-run fuel will help to carry us through
on Saturday. Oh, and gum. I can’t run
without my peppermint gum!
Happy Running!
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