Jelly Beans, Not Just For Easter...

Think about your work day...it's about 2:00 or so when you you start crashing.  You start wondering if you have the energy to make it to the end of the day without passing out on your desk.  You want something quick to wake you up.  Most days I'll have an apple with the idea that I'm making a good food choice that won't ruin dinner later, the sugar is natural and gives me the jolt without sending me crashing down, and the crunch will wake me up a bit.  During this crash we often crave sugar but are told don't because it will bring you up and then you will end up crashing, quickly, down.  On a regular day at work, you want something that will extend your energy level....when it comes to running it's the opposite.  You want a quick surge to help you increase energy in a burst.  

On your long runs you need some mid-run energy boosts. I'm not an expert, but I think about energy boosts on runs over 7 miles.  For 1/2 marathons I did a quick chew around mile five and then around mile seven then eleven. Do I know the exact mile you should be at to get your boost, no, but you do what works for you.  Try out different energy boosters (and flavors) during your training.  You do not want to try something new the day of the race.  You don't know how it will effect your, if you like it, etc. 

Here are things I've tried and liked...
Chomps https://guenergy.com/store/chewables.html/ and
Shot Bloks http://www.clifbar.com/food/products_shot_bloks/
Jelly Belly Sport Beans http://sportbeans.com/

A few quick thoughts...1) The Chomps and Shot Bloks are pretty big.  (Big in terms of eating and storing) I found eating them and running was tough.  I was running with a mouth full of gummy stuff, trying to breath, and not choke-simultaneously.  I didn't want to leave it in my cheek either though...choking fear again.  Don't forget you have to carry these big chews on you...the pockets on your shorts aren't very big.  2) The Jelly Belly Sport Beans were much more manageable in size (in terms of eating and storing), but the flavor was ehh. 

One thing I REFUSE to use....GELS!  As I mentioned, try your energy booster before your race....

These are photos of me and Alice attempting Gels...I think the faces let you know our thoughts ha ha! The consistency, the flavor, the effects, the gross after taste and feel in your mouth...blehh

I wanted to this post up today so you can consider another energy boosting options...JELLY BEANS!  Try some regular old jelly beans that will now be on sale since Easter is over and shelves need to be cleared for the next seasonal item.  I plan to go out tomorrow and stock up!  Jelly beans are cheap, easy to carry, and you can get any flavor you want at candy stores that have Jelly Belly jelly beans.  (If you don't care about the flavor head out tomorrow for the Easter jelly beans that are on sale)  For my 1st 1/2 marathon making my Jelly Belly flavor selection was just as big as making my outfit selection! ha ha

One last quick note about these energy boosters...Remember that size matters! Don't bring the entire pack of shot blocks or chomps or whatever you are choosing to use-you won't have anywhere to carry them unless you want to wear a belt or something.  (Most 1/2 marathons and bigger will have a gel station on the course...if you like gels you're in luck...for the rest of us you have to carry all your goods)  I find messing around the belt to get my energy boosters out was annoying.  My solution that worked well...I stuffed my bra!  Ladies, don't be ashamed to stuff a little bag of jelly beans in your bra-it's easy access and doesn't really move around as you run.  Just like the energy booster...try it before your race!