The end of a bad running joke?

I can't even recall how many times I've posted about my issues with running fuel - gels, blocks, drinks, drink mixes, etc.

If you missed it, long story short: GI distress. Often. As in, avoided eating hours before runs (even short ones). Had evenings where I just wanted to curl up in the bathroom floor and cry from the pain.

BUT NOT TONIIIIIIIIIGHT! :)

I've been a subscriber of Kona Kase since July (more on that later), and last month one of the items was Skratch Labs hydration mix ("with lemons and limes").

Typically I avoid mixes unless people REALLY rave about them. This time was no different - I can't stomach lemon-line Gatorade anymore. Those stomach cramps were... A nightmare. A violent nightmare. Guess I thought that would be the same, and that there was really no hope for me, with the exception of the post-race Powerade runDisney has. THAT I'll drink. Go figure 😉

Anyway, this month one of the items in the Kona Kase was a Skratch Labs mix - in PINEAPPLE! Oh, how I love pineapple.

I mixed it with some water 20-30 minutes pre-run and tried it. To my surprise, it actually had flavor. And it wasn't a faint flavor, either!

Sorry, NUUN lovers. NUUN is a fabulous product, but there's not enough flavor for me.

Says the girl who uses two packets of apple cider mix per 6-8 ounces. That reference help you understand my plight a little more? Don't smite me 😉

I had a little of the mix pre-run, a little mid-run, and a decent amount post-run.

And about twenty minutes ago I picked up the bottle to drink some more. To my shock, I realized that not only was I still drinking it, I wasn't sick! I wasn't in pain! I wasn't curled up in a ball on the floor! (Although now I feel a little off, but I blame that on eating Fruit Gushers post-run - even nearly two hours later. Darn tasty things, I couldn't stay away).

I'm now feeling really good about this. I'm even a bit excited to try the Skratch with lemons and limes.

Of course I still have that flavor apprehension. I don't see that going away. But now I'm actually interested in trying other products (or at least more Skratch), with a lot less of the terror and fear that I'll be wasting my money!

I feel pretty good right now.

And to top it all off, I'm in my footie pajamas, so I'm pretty content.

Cuz that wasn't random, huh?

Basically, I like the feeling I have now.

Not like, love. This is what it should feel like post-run, not avoiding everything but water because I'm afraid I'll get sick.

Oh, and to top off my running day?

I pulled a double. They were short, due to time constraints, but I worked my tail off! 5-10% incline for a mile this morning. 2.25 miles this evening, running the last 1.75 miles of it - and finishing at 7mph! (8:30mm).

I started off with the mindset that I would wear a motivating shirt:

Nailed it 😉

I like to think I did Dumbo proud tonight!

Alright, enough of my rambling. Have a fun and safe night, everyone. Peace! 💋

Welcome to the Unsavory: Another Look at RunSpiration

Well, hello, ladies and gents! I'm baaaaaack!

It's only been, what, a month and a half?

(Whomp whomp whooooooomp)

I owe you all a few race recaps, and I have more races coming up soon. But, sadly, I'm lazy when it comes to getting the pictures off of my cameras.

But pictures there will be! Just not now, because I'm on my phone, and I don't really have squat for race pictures on my phone - for Dumbo Double Dare I had a point-and-shoot in my hand, and the hubs had the SLR.

A little bit ago I got to thinking: what are reasons for running?

Sure, there are those who run for charities, for loved ones, for the fun of it, etc... But there are some less savory ones out there.

I admit it, I have some less-than-savory reasons for running. I mean, sure, I started running because I wanted to prove to myself I could. I wanted to see what the big deal was about people doing races, and I was a little jealous that others were doing it and I, well... Wasn't. I also enjoy the satisfaction of completing runs - I'm not going to finish first, but that doesn't make it any less amazing to me.

But thinking about family and Thanksgiving coming up and all (that's a whole other long story) got me thinking. And I realized that I definitely have some less-than-savory reasons for running - although I'm not quite sure about calling them "unsavory", not just yet 😉

The fact is this: I'm afraid of getting fat.

Bet you weren't expecting that bomb, huh?

And professionals everywhere and those who deal with ED just died a little on the inside, with a part of them screaming "ANOREXIA!!!!"

(Sorry, but I really like food, I try to pay attention to nutrition, vomiting makes me cry so why would I intentionally do it?, and I prefer not to speculate over other methods of purging and such... Just to name a few.)

Part of it is vanity. It's a bit embarrassing to admit. But I also equate part of it to along care of myself, and being a casual runner has helped with that for over a year and a half now.

On the other side... Most of my family is overweight or obese. Some things stick with you over time - my increased risk of diabetes due to genetics (relatives with diabetes, as well as being black), the lack of encouraged physical activity, the heart problems, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, knee replacements related to weight, family history of cancer, family history of stroke... It terrifies me, especially when I see how much of it is weight-related.

And it doesn't help when you have memories of people jokingly saying "You don't have a butt! You'll get one when you gain some weight like everyone else in the family!"

I know it was a joke, but I've always been a little sensitive.

And I don't want that for myself.

Oh, and I'm lazy and don't want to have to do any more clothes shopping 😉

Do you have any "less-than-savory" reasons for running? Better yet, what ARE your reasons for running? (I know some of you like to celebrate with beer/wine/chocolate!) 😉

To end on a slightly more positive note... Some pictures from Disneyland:

(You know, just a little preview of goodies to come. A picture's worth a thousand words, right?)