Thursday, October 23, 2014

The Friday Five - Race Fuel

It's time to start linking back up with the DC blogging trifecta, Courtney @Eat, Pray, Run DC, Mar @ Mar on the Run and Cynthia @You Signed Up For What? for the Friday Five.

My topic this week - race fuel.

With my biggest race this year drawing closer, I have spent the last few weeks experimenting with different fueling options.  I like to take advantage of this during my long runs (13 miles or longer) because I am not one to advocate trying new things on race day (advised in many legit places).

So here are my favorite 5!

#1 UCAN


This is probably my favorite *new* find.  After being encouraged to try it by many of my MRTT friends, I finally gave in and used the sample I was given at one of the Lifetime Fitness runs.  It was flavored orange, so instead of mixing it with water (which I had heard can give it a very chalky texture), I mixed it with a bit of orange juice.  It pretty much taste like a sugar free orange dreamsicle - yum!  UCAN is basically pure starch for sustained energy (needed when running marathons).  Over the weeks I've started adding more than one scoop into my pre-workout drink and have had great results!  Instead of having to rely on gels during a half, UCAN gets me through the entire race without feeling low on energy or even hungry.

**Side note - If you have a Sprouts grocery store in your hood, this stuff is 25% off right now.

#2 Powerbar Gel - Orange


Sensing an orange theme?  One of my friends and inspiration, Janelle, from my hometown gave me a TON of these when I visited her and her husband's gym this past summer.  Besides actually tasting WAY better than GU, they don't sit like a brick in my belly.  I feel like it may be due to the viscosity of this particular gel.  Instead of being thick and gooey, like GU, it's rather thin and you can actually drink it.  These will be a must carry for all of my marathons this year.

#3 Sports Legs



You know that lactic acid burn that you get during your first couple of miles in your legs that makes you want to basically quit after one mile?  Sports legs help to eliminate the discomfort.  I read about this on another blogger's site.  I was a little leery going into using these regarding whether they would actually work.  They had decent reviews on amazon.com, so I figured why not.  Well guess what?  They worked.  I take 3 tabs about 30 mins before my long runs and then 3 every two hours there after.  I've noticed when I use these I have very little DOMS.  Score!

#4 Vega Sport Pre-Workout Energizer


I was given the opportunity to review these through Sweat Pink earlier this summer/late spring and although I don't particularly like the acai berry flavor (I'd really like to try the lemon lime), but I really like the burst of energy it gives me during my shorter distance runs.

#5 Optimal Nutrition Vanilla Ice Cream Whey Protein

I LOVE this stuff and have been using it for over a year after a recommendation from friend Seallie (she was using it too).  It taste sooooo good mixed with fresh or frozen raspberries & milk (like birthday cake ice cream with raspberries at Coldstone) or with peaches, mangoes and OJ (my other favorite).  Each serving is packed with 24g (more if you use milk) of protein that actually tastes good.  This is great for post work out or just as a way to get some extra protein in your diet. It comes in several other flavors as well, but the ice cream is definitely my tried and true.

So that's what is going to get me through 2014-2015's SIX full marathons (that and a whole lot of support from family and friends & funny race signs)! What is your favorite fueling source?

3 comments:

  1. I've used the Vega Sport pre-workout energizer after getting the chance to review it but I really don't like the taste. I really want to try UCAN after hearing lots of great things about it! I need to get my hands on some samples!

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  2. I have never used sports legs. But it came in my stridebox this month so I may have to give it a try before my next long run. -L

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  3. I picked up some Powerbar gel packets like the ones you listed above today at packet pick up! Gonna give em a try for tomorrow's half! Good luck with your half too! I'll be thinking of ya! :-)

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