I may be the only person in the world who sometimes gains weight while running marathons. My appetite goes through the roof after a run, especially a long run, and these cravings last for days. So I eat. I try to eat healthy, and in fact, I do eat healthy. Meaning I eat whole grains, low fat meat, lots of fruit with yogurt, always go for some post-run recovery foods, and drink plenty of water.
But, I also eat unhealthy (Huh?) meaning I love pizza, a nice Five Guys Burger, ice cream, chocolates, and diet coke. My favorite is pizza followed by Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream. All that leads to gaining weight at times while I am training. I really think there is an ideal 'running weight' Yes, I hate to see the emerging middle-aged guy paunch appearing, my little baby bump. (which I often rub and tell my kids it's their little baby brother MAX who is on the way) but what I mostly hate is lugging around the extra few pounds on my gut during races. While you would think 4 to 5 lbs doesn't' make a difference, ask yourself what 2 pounds in each shoe would feel like.
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| Bates Burgers |
I understand about all the negative spiral of eating sugar and fats and thus craving sugar and fats, and I am a great victim.
On a related note, I had a REI member yearly rebate and a 20% off coupon, so went and grabbed a ton of supplements, some proven and true, but others just as an experiment. FRS energy chews and Gu have been staples in my training diet, but I have never tried Hammer Recoverite, Gu Chomps, and Hammer Gels. The Hammer Gels are supposed to be more natural without the sugar and thus no sugar spikes.
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| My stash from REI |
After trying them all, the Recoverite did show a noticeable improvement for recovery over chocolate milk so I am a believer. The chomps are dangerously yummy like fruit snacks but it's difficult to tell if they helped my run. Both of these I will try again. However, the Hammer Gu's made me throw up in my mouth. And I am not talking about the "wow, what you said was so gross I threw up in my mouth" but the kind where you think "wow, I have bile in my mouth while running and now it needs to go back down the hatch."
So, I was thinking about doing a giveaway for the two Hammer Gels I have left. I can mail them to you in an envelope, but my guess is they would be smashed before they arrive, and surely you might suspect I had mailed the bile and not the Gel, cause in the end, there's not much difference is there.
"The Jade Rabbit" - $3.99 on Amazon
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3 comments:
You're not the only one who gains weight. Me too! I really have to watch myself. In the last several weeks, I have gained 4 pounds and lose it again. It's so frustrating to run 20 miles and then gain weight. Send me what pace you had in mind for Saturday - I'd probably be at 9:30 which might be too slow for you.
Actually, I don't mind the Hammer gels... I really like the Apple cinnamon flavor and they are the only gels that don't make me sick. I went without them in Boston though (it was Endurolytes that I took along with Perpetuem which I have used for a long time).
Thanks so much for all of your kind and supportive comments on the blog lately. They really mean a lot and I really appreciate them. :)
No, NY is not my "next". I have Utah Valley in 8 weeks, then Pocatello and Denver in September, then NYC. I would love to meet up at the expo or before or after the race. :)
Okay, you are a running robot. I'm worried about 2 in 4 months and you're doing like 5 in 8 months.
yes, I would definitely like to meet up in NY as well.
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