Hills for breakfast, hold the gnats

January 12, 2025

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Location:

Snoqualmie,WA,

Member Since:

Jan 31, 2008

Gender:

Female

Goal Type:

Boston Qualifier

Running Accomplishments:

Marathon PR: 4:17 at Portland Marathon, Oct. 2007

5K PR 24:37 2009

10K PR 52:58 2010

Have run 22 marathons to date.

No injuries, ever. :)

Short-Term Running Goals:

Qualify for Boston (4:05 for my age/gender) - or, perhaps, to use my desire for a BQ as a way to get in the hated speed work so I don't just get slower and slower over the years. This goal is "under (re)construction" right now, until I figure out whether it is truly what I want. :)

Long-Term Running Goals:

To continue learning about myself and about running, and to enjoy being a fit, happy runner for life. To always know why I am running and the best way to get the most (both mentally and physically) out of my runs. To keep a sense of humor and remain optimistic about myself as a runner. To enjoy running more and more with every passing year.

Personal:

Baby boomer generation. Jogged a little in my 20's and 30's. Started running seriously in 2002. Low-carb runner since January 2010.

I love long runs and cold, cloudy weather. I don't believe in "junk miles." I am an optimist. I adore dark chocolate, fog, my family, and knitting -- not necessarily in that order.

"As every runner knows, running is about more than just putting one foot in front of the other; it is about our lifestyle and who we are." -- Joan Benoit Samuelson

Favorite Blogs:

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Miles:	This week:	0.00	Month:	0.00	Year:	0.00
Brooks ST3 Lifetime Miles:						891.35
Vibram Five Fingers KSO Lifetime Miles:						23.77
Brooks ST3 II Lifetime Miles:						965.17
Lunaracers II Lifetime Miles:						198.23
Mizuno Wave Universe 3 Lifetime Miles:						104.14
Asics Piranha Lifetime Miles:						536.83
RunAmocs (Softstar) Lifetime Miles:						16.23
Piranha II Lifetime Miles:						219.53

Mon, Jun 01, 2009

Easy Miles	Marathon Pace Miles	Threshold Miles	VO2 Max Miles	Total Distance
3.61	0.00	0.00	0.00	3.61

Upper 50sF, mostly clear. Active recovery run.

Hello June! My legs did NOT want to move this morning. At all. I just walked briskly the first 5 minutes. But I love how a recovery run like this goes from "cripple" to "stiff" and finally to "weak but functional."

It was such a busy weekend, and I have a light, happy feeling this morning from having got through it all. I meant to mention yesterday that we saw an amazing show Saturday night. (Great fun, the only challenge about it being the noise & crowds in the arena - hard for me.) It was the touring Lipizzaner Stallions. Wow. Incredible.

I am ready to share my fuel recipe now. I used it again yesterday for my 20 miler and it worked well. I often have difficulty with nausea when it's warm, no matter what I eat or drink. There was just a bit of heat nausea around mile 18, but not too bad at all. So I doubt the gel was a problem. I would be curious to hear if anyone has comments about any of the ingredients, like "good grief, don't eat that while you run." I would also like to say how much I love not having to deal with the trash and mess of those little gel packs. The flask is so easy, and it fits really well in the skirt pocket. Without further ado...

BACLAVA FLAVOR ENERGY GEL

Amounts are approximate. Mixture is for a 6 oz. fuel flask. To be consumed WITH WATER.

Fill flask ~1/3 with water

Add dry ingredients to water:
A bit less than 1 scoop (scant 1/4 cup?) Whey Factors protein powder (vanilla flavor)
1/2 t cinnamon powder
Contents of 2 “Salt Stick” electrolyte caps (open the caps)
1/8 t ginger powder

Shake vigorously to mix before adding next ingredients. The powders will not mix easily with the thicker ingredients...

Scant 1/3 flask Agave Nectar
Scant 1/3 flask Honey (more or less honey to nectar ratio depending on taste preference)
1-2 drops vanilla extract
1/2 t walnut oil

Shake vigorously again, and before each time you drink some.
Store in the refrigerator.
Take a swig WITH WATER every 30-40 minutes of running.

Blue Nike Triax 12 Miles: 3.61

Comments

From Carolyn in Colorado on Mon, Jun 01, 2009 at 11:06:36 from 71.229.164.25

Hmmm. I would have to do some shopping as I have not several of those ingredients lying around. When you say cinnamon powder, are you just talking about the cinnamon I have in my spice cupboard?

Perhaps I will give it a try if I get around to acquiring things such as protein powder, electrolyte caps, agave nectar, and walnut oil.

From JD on Mon, Jun 01, 2009 at 11:25:26 from 64.65.159.206

Sounds like a tasty energy drink. Is it a pretty thick consistency?

I like recovery runs too in that starting out is always painful, but by the time you're done it's clear that it's done your body good.

I too am challenged by noisy, crowded arena's. Thusly, my rock star ambitions have been thwarted.

From snoqualmie on Mon, Jun 01, 2009 at 12:56:37 from 67.171.56.164

Carolyn, The cinnamon is what you've got, yes. I also recommend those electrolyte caps on their own.

JD, I was wondering why you're not touring. That explains it. But seriously, I used to be able to handle crowds and noise and now it's like torture. The gel is kind of the consistency of a shake. You can make it thicker with less water if you want to go hard core! I adore honey. I used to buy "Honey Stinger Gels" but they contain vitamin B, which has a stimulating effect on my kidneys - more sitting and less running.

From april27 on Mon, Jun 01, 2009 at 13:34:48 from 143.43.10.145

is it sweet tasting? does it taste more like honey? or the agave?

From allie on Mon, Jun 01, 2009 at 15:03:46 from 208.110.151.113

sounds good. thanks for sharing!

i downed a honey stinger gel before a race last year and it was the first and only race i had a POP stop---3 to be exact. my conclusion is that the gel manufacturers also owned the POPs and they wanted to see them being used to the fullest extent.

From snoqualmie on Mon, Jun 01, 2009 at 17:00:38 from 67.171.56.164

April, It's VERY sweet. That is why you should always take it with water. I taste the honey mostly. Agave Nectar doesn't have much of a distinctive flavor, imo.

Carolyn, BTW if you buy walnut oil, refrigerate it. It goes rancid easily in room temp. Great stuff - omega 3s. Good for salad dressing.

Allie, That must be it! lol!

From kelli on Tue, Jun 02, 2009 at 16:21:39 from 71.219.83.192

I am so going to try that!!!

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