When there are no local, or affordable, races on Saturday morning, I am big fan of going for a long run. It just sets a tone for the weekend and helps me relieve the stress of the week.
That’s exactly what I did today. Even though it snowed earlier this week, it was 60 degrees and sunny today!
During this morning’s ten-miler, I tested out a new-to-me form of refueling: Sport Beans.
I have seen them around before, but had never tried them. They were actually really good! I had 5 beans at mile 4 and again at mile 8. The fruit punch flavor completely hit the spot as I typically crave something sweet and juicy in the middle of long runs.
Other running fuel I have used in the past include:
Clif Shot Bloks. These are a good texture and flavor, but can a bit bulky to chew when you’re trying to breathe. I typically gnaw on about two or three over the course of a full mile since they take a while to eat.
GU Chomps. I have used these a lot. They are a bit smaller than the Shot Bloks and the flavors are not as powerful (something I appreciate the higher my mileage goes). Like the Shot Bloks, I slowly eat two or three every four-ish miles.
PowerBar. If I’m in a pinch and can’t find Chomps or Shot Bloks, PowerBars are readily available at just about every store and gas station. The vanilla crisp flavor is my favorite and I break it up into pieces and put it in a plastic bag to carry with me. They’re a bit tough to chew through if you’re in cold weather since they freeze up.
Hammer Nutrition Endurolytes (Salt Pills). It took losing my cookies and ending up in the medical tent at the end of my second marathon to learn that I am a seriously salty sweater and need to replenish accordingly. Now, any time I refuel with one of the above items, I also take one salt pill.
During runs longer than about 15 miles, I start taking two salt pills with ever refuel. They have been life saving in helping to stave off leg cramps, stomach aches, and dehydration. I highly recommend these!
The type of refuel I can’t stomach?
GU Energy Gel. The texture skeeves me out. I just can’t do it, but I know this is the fuel most people use!
RQ: What fuel works best and worst for you? What you have tried or wanted to try? What do you crave in the middle of long runs?
I’m Brooke Selb, a Personal Trainer and Health Coach specializing in helping busy moms and moms to be to easily juggle mom life with family friendly recipes, and easy exercise routines to help you achieve your fitness goals that fit in with your already busy life with sound nutritional advice.
I don’t fuel but might look into the salt tabs for some of my ultra runs coming up.
I did try some of those sports beans and couldn’t really tell if they made a difference or not.
I highly recommend the salt pills. Do you usually eat anything during your ultras?
I prefer anything that is sugary and chewy. I do not do many gels, unless I have to. I also avoid solid foods. So teh beans, chomps, and bloks are all on my go-to list. I have never actually used salt/electrolite blocks, but I have been thinking about it. After my run today (I went at noon and it was hot!), I had a layer of salt over me, so I think I need to try them.
You should try them. They have really been a life-saver for me. A friend of mine used to start chewing pieces of a bagel in her pocket in the first mile and consistently throughout her marathon training runs. I’ve always wondered about trying that.
So funny that you posted about Sport Beans! I actually had a dream last night that I was taking them before a race! But in my dream I kept popping them because they tasted so good! lol! I’ve tried the Shot Bloks and do not prefer them, even though the taste was really yummy. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the GU chomps – they are my favorite! I’m very interested in the salt pills…I wonder if you would be able to elaborate more or email me personally (runlikeag@outlook.com) to tell me more about them!!