Wednesday, April 4, 2012

When Running Is Like Going to a Movie

Tomorrow I have a 14-mile run on tap.

Do you know how long it  has been since I’ve run 14 miles all at once? Almost a year - at the Boston Marathon last April. Pathetic, I know. What the hell have I been doing with my life? Taking care of children? Drinking too much wine? Blogging my heart out about farts? Stalking Dolvett? image

Tomorrow I am trying a new fueling strategy. Instead of eating a whole gel at the hour marks, I’m going to eat little bits every mile or two. My fuel of choice for tomorrow are Shot Bloks. Strawberry.

P1120470

I am slightly disturbed at how much these things cost. $2.00 a pack. I thought running was simple and cheap. That’s why I started doing it. But, instead I've got:

1 pair of shoes: $100
1 fuel belt: $40
2 packs Bloks: $4
1 running skirt: $40
1 bra: free (see yesterday's post)
1 shirt: $25
1 pair of socks: $10
Cab fare: $20
Condoms: $5

That adds up to about a million dollars. So, when Sam got a little gift in the mail today, I got an idea. (Actually it was Emma who got the gift in the mail for her birthday, but their aunt is nice enough to send the non-birthday kid a gift as well. It all has to be fair. Every child needs a trophy. Self esteem is at stake I tell ya!).

Anyway, Sam’s little gift was this:

P1120472

I may have told you how much I love Dots. People who know me very well know this about me. I usually store them in my nightstand for late night eating in bed. It is not uncommon for me to find one stuck to my sheets, my underwear or my hair in the morning. I do like my Dots soft, but I will eat them hard and old if need be (TWSS).

When I saw Sam’s Dots on the counter next to my Shot Bloks, I got curious. Could Dots, at a one-third of the price of Bloks, fuel me on a run? Why, yes they could. I know this is not genius, in fact I have written before about substituting fruit snacks for pricey chomps and chews. But, Dots! Dots never occurred to me.

Just 12 Dots gives you 35 g of carbs. Perfection. The only thing lacking is more sodium and potassium, or as we like to call them – electrolytes. I’ll have to find another way to get those. Also, Dots have more sugar than Bloks. Mmmmm…sugar. Homer Simpson would be proud.

image

So, in the interest of being frugal and supporting Tootsie Roll Industries, makers of Dots (mmmm…tootsie rolls) I’m going to give this little experiment a try. Plus, the whole time I am running I will feel like I am at the movie theater, another wonderful place to ingest 4,593 Dots all at once.

The lowdown: Dots vs. Shot Bloks

      Dots – Serving size 12 Dots                                               Shot Bloks – Serving size 3 Bloks

image

image

 

Do you ever substitute “regular” candy for sport’s candy (like chews, chomps, Bloks or Sports Beans)? I’ve done jelly beans and fruit snacks before. Works great. If it is really hot and I am out there a long time I might take a couple endurolyte tabs to get the extra electrolytes. I don’t like to mix sport’s drink and sugary snacks. Makes me crap more than usual.

What’s your favorite way of fueling on a long run? Do you eat little bits often, or larger amounts at certain points? I usually do gels at the hour or so mark, but with this trail marathon training I am experimenting with different foods and times of eating since I will be out there much longer and don’t want to bonk.

SUAR

PS: Don’t forget my Champion sports bra giveaway!

64 comments:

  1. I head Swedish fish and for electrolytes I used HEED in my water bottle!! So yummy! Ashleyrperry.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I do regular candy, cookies, ect because buying Clif Shots gets too expensive. If it is a really long, tough run, like 20 or above then I will bust out the expensive stuff. Otherwise, its oreos, swedish fish, skittles, ect. I get the electrolytes from my water.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I order cran-raspberry clifshot blocks on amazon through subscribe and save so they are a little cheaper. $3/pack at dick's is insane.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I eat those portable apple sauces for long runs. Other crap gives me stomach aches.

    ReplyDelete
  5. That is certainly interesting! I haven't experimented too much with different candies but I know a ton of runners who swear by certain candy! (mostly sweedish fish!). I can't wait to see how it goes for you!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have done beef jerky on long runs.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'll do a GU about every 45-60 minutes. But when my stomach starts growling then I have to eat something "real". I will cut up a Cliff bar and take half with me to make my stomach think it's getting something substantial. I'll sometimes throw fruit snacks down before a shorter run if it's been a little while since the last time I ate. Now, if Junior Mints wouldn't melt in the heat then I would be set!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I've been considering gummy bears.... God I love gummy bears.
    ;)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Yes!!! My favorite is Starburst jelly beans, only available around Easter. I buy them like crazy and store them for the year. At one of last year's half marathons, I tucked a bunch in the pocket of my fuel belt and they started dropping out of my pack down my backside as I ran along, so I'm sure I looked like I was pooping jelly beans (was just glad I hadn't decided to put chocolate eggs in there! ha!). I usually grab a few in the early to mid miles. Also, love your review of how "cheap" running is. I've always said the same thing - a pricey sport for one that supposedly only requires a pair of shoes. Please! I must put on 10 pounds by the the time I don my sunglasses, head phones, ball cap, iPod, RoadID, Garmin watch, fuel belt...definitely a high maintenance runner! Laura

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOVE Starburst Jelly Beans!!!! I usually use Jelly Belly Sport Beans, but this is so much better! Thanks for the idea and the funny visual! I have to eat small amts along the way or my stomach gets annoyed.

      side note:
      I like NUUN for my electrolytes that way no more added sugar....I wonder if all that sugar is what gives Beth the runs,lol!

      Delete
  10. I've done fruit snacks and rice krispie treats pre-run. For race day, I've found that lots of chewing was tough, so I'm working out a new strategy now...

    ReplyDelete
  11. Swedish are the way to go. I used to do sport beans but Swedish fish are so much more tasty. The only disadvantage is the chewing part.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I use orange slices and fig newtons. Yummy and my stomach doesn't complain.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I don't do a fuel belt I have a 22 oz Nathan's hand held. It has a pack to hold "snacks". I like fig newtons. I also add jels to my water.. one or two for longer runs and sip every 10 minutes. I have never run a 26.2 but my long runs..up until 3 weeks ago I got sick were 14.5 miles. Shot blocks at the beginning of the run and the h2o mix works well for me. I am also addicted to 15 minute cold bath soaks after a cool down. Trail runs are my favorite. Good luck on fueling.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I bought some snack size packs of mini oreos the other day. I want to give those a try during a run (maybe on my long run on Sunday) and see how well those work.

    ReplyDelete
  15. So far I've stuck to gels, as I have a hard time chewing and running at the same time (so not coordinated!).
    You should check out this article...
    http://www.marksdailyapple.com/dear-mark-marathon-fuel-muscle-cramps-and-another-dr-oz-miracle/#axzz1r6rLSbo7
    Mark talks about making your own sports drink, so you could control the sugar (and eat your Dots!!!).

    ReplyDelete
  16. I pay one of my kids $30/week for coconut water (that is about $2.50USD) so that is my electrolyte source and use some candy I found on sale locally. We got a number of boxes of these candies for about $10-50 (depending on the sale) and there are 16 packages (at 55 g each) in each box, so we ended up paying 63 centavos to $3.125 each (about half a US cent to .26 US cents) package. Since each package packs 200 calories over 55 g, it is quite a savings over having someone mule down GU. they are gummy (gomitas) and I figure pretty much the same as what you all are using up there.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I just fueled a 12 mile run with nuun and gummy worms. One worm at mile 4 and then a worm every two miles. Worked great! (I didn't plan it, just forgot to pack gu. I do believe I'll try it again though.)

    ReplyDelete
  18. I've used gummy worms and jelly beans, but my favorite is candy corn. Not as hard to chew on the run and lots of sugar!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh man I would LOVE candy corn but I've only very rarely seen it here.

      Delete
  19. ohhhh....I love DOTS! I may have to try that! I have eaten M&M's and pringles at the aid stations of my trail 50K in November and that was wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Sometimes I do jelly beans on a run but most of the I will use either GU Gels or Chomps. I am not sure why but regular candy makes me feel a little sick so I tend to stick with specialist sports candy. I tend to open a gel at a certain mile in the run and then take little bites so it takes about 10- 15 minutes to eat.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Good for you for remembering to bring condoms on your run! You never know when the oppurtunity may...ahem....arise or when you will need to make some balloon animals or something.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Raisins-if it's not too hot, yogurt covered raisins.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I loovvee Dolvett!! I use candy corn and frosted pop tarts...all sugar...! Condoms? What am I missing?:)

    ReplyDelete
  24. I used my kids fruit snacks (probably dinosaurs) before I found sports beans. My stomach can't tolerate sweet very well so now it's just water and Mojo bars. I think next time I'll try my homemade granola bar but swedish fish sound so much better.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I used my kids fruit snacks (probably dinosaurs) before I found sports beans. My stomach can't tolerate sweet very well so now it's just water and Mojo bars. I think next time I'll try my homemade granola bar but swedish fish sound so much better.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Freaking love it.
    Where do you buy your condoms....apparently I'm getting raped at my store.

    I use twirzzlers a

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I make my own condoms. Best value but limited effectivness.

      Delete
  27. Ugggggg
    Twirzzlers?!
    Whatever. Damn iPhone.

    Twizzlers ...all the time & sour patch kids when peanut isn't looking.
    Rock your 14!!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I usually have GU but last weekend I tried shot blocks since I had them. I really liked them for just this reason, you're not committed to eating them all at once. I should try candy! It's already my favorite food!

    ReplyDelete
  29. It's all about the sugar coated sour gummy bears from the bulk bin at the natural food store. I'm pretty inexperienced at long runs, and totally bonked on my marathon, and both 1/2s I've run, so I guess I just need them more often? I like chocolate clif shots a lot.

    And I can't believe it took you that long to get to TWSS - there were like two others right before that one.

    Good luck with your dots.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I guess having something stuck in my underwear would qualify as at twss!

      Delete
  30. Dots and some potato chips...carbs AND electrolytes! Tuck in sports bra so they're soft :)

    Tootsie rolls could also work, couldn't they? Why not?

    ReplyDelete
  31. I have often thought about jelly beans or gummy bears in place of sport beans. Maybe this time around.

    The Kidless Kronicles

    ReplyDelete
  32. starbursts fueled me through my austin half in february. i choose candy over gels any day. yum!

    ReplyDelete
  33. I use Shot Bloks as well as I don't like gels (texture thing). I only use them in really long runs and in marathons. On some long runs, I'll just stop and eat a sweet and salty bar or something else. I have never substituted candy but sounds like a good idea. If you eat candy and drink gatorade perhaps you get the bet of everything? PS Love Dolvett as well

    ReplyDelete
  34. I took a cue from Skinny Runner and started using Swedish Fish to fuel my training for the half marathon and the race itself. They worked like a charm for me, though now that I'm going to start training for a full I might have to cave and try out some gu (shudder).

    Before I had been using the Clif Shot Blocks (which I love, by the way) but they have an EXPIRATION DATE, which annoyed me because I bought them in bulk and now half of them are "expired".

    ReplyDelete
  35. I don't use candy. The only non-running specific fuel I take with me is a piece of candied ginger since I tend to feel sick when I stop running.
    As for fueling during the marathon, I try to take a gel every 5 miles. If I need more, I have sports beans or chomps to keep me busy.

    ReplyDelete
  36. I've done fruit snacks, too. Works just the same and way cheaper.

    ReplyDelete
  37. strawberry shot blocks are my favorite! but dots sound like a fantastic idea. let us know how you work in the electrolytes, won't you??

    ReplyDelete
  38. Someone I know uses Swedish fish. Personally, I do peanut butter and chocolate chips, but that is more of a PowerBar substitute before a run. If you like candy, go for it. Sugar is sugar, right?

    ReplyDelete
  39. Ohhhh, might have to try Dots, too--haven't had them in a long, long time (no children at home to steal them from these days). I like Power Bar Energy Blasts, they are less sticky than Shot Blocks yet I can still have just one or two at a time whenever I want. I use gels, too, when I'm doing a half, but they are too messy for the most part and I HAVE to drink a lot of water afterward. I should experiment more with fruit snacks and stuff, but the Energy Blasts work well and less than $2 a pack when I buy a box. Now get out and rock that run!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Dots and Kool-Aid.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Raisins and not the ones in bras are also a good substitute for those shot bloks.

    ReplyDelete
  42. I ran out of gels last year, so filled my small gel flask with honey. Works Perfectly, and honey is great for you. For electrolytes, Nuun in the water works pretty well, Gatorade works too. I can't only drink that stuff, so I need to use a Fuel Belt or other device with more than one container so I can have plain water also.

    ReplyDelete
  43. We discovered this with Mike & Ikes around Christmas and it worked pretty well. I like coconut water for electrolytes. Gels are pretty damn spendy.

    ReplyDelete
  44. I often use raisins. I wrote an article on it on 2/21/2012 at http://www.garycohenrunning.com/Articles.aspx literally, 'food for thought.'

    ReplyDelete
  45. I've been digging strawberry Shot Bloks recently. I take 2 every 3-4 miles or so. I should probably take more...hmmm. I've substituted Swedish Fish before because I was desperate and had them around. They worked pretty well. I'd rather eat candy thank gels or shot bloks any day!

    ReplyDelete
  46. I substitute all the time- mostly because Ill forget to pick up the usual stuff. But I have tucked a dark chocolate and sea salt square into my pouch several times- I really really like chocolate. And gummies with stuff inside that they sell at trader joes. MMM yum

    ReplyDelete
  47. I don't like chewing and running, but I will use the Bloks (I got for Valentine's Day, instead on chocolate) on my track days in between sets. I'll use the Gu on long runs and races. I've made my own Gu with honey for some extra vitamins, but then what? How do you "safely" package that for a long run ...esp. on a hot summer day?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Since we are on this theme: Package it in condoms?

      Delete
  48. Good luck! I eat a pack of blocks for breakfast, eat 1 roctane 15 minutes b4 my run and 1 after every 3 miles. No poop probs since my first half a year and a half ago. Marathon #3 coming up at end of this month. Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Before heading out on my AM run I eat 2 raspberry newtons with a swig of water. They're really easy to digest. I tried taking newtons on a run once but they got super crumbly and messy. Any suggestions? It totally gunked up the pocket on my fuel belt.

    I love sports beans b/c they're not as sweet as straight up candy, but if I forget to buy them (also $$!) I go with gummy bears or kids' fruit gummies in lieu of the expensive stuff. But those + gatorade makes me seriously queasy, so I substitute in Nuun even though I'm not a big fan of it (I know -- I'm like the only person on planet Earth that doesn't like Nuun!!).

    ReplyDelete
  50. I eat a gel or gu every 7 miles and drink a little bit of water with it. It works very well for me!

    ReplyDelete
  51. I haven't found ANYTHING that doesn't make me sick to my stomach and poop my brains out! Pepto Bismol is what I take every 3-5 miles, or so, and I know this is why I crash. Still trying to find the fuel that works for me.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Kathleen- Try little pretzel sticks. I did a combo of pretzels with a few gummy bears for my first marathon and alternated sport drink and water and didn't bonk at all. The pretzels sat surprisingly well and after chewing for just a moment they basically dissolve in your mouth if you just let them sit there for a bit. Plus they are salty! The sweet gets to me after a bit but the salt tasted soooo good!

    ReplyDelete
  53. PEEPS! You can do a mad indoor trainer ride on five Peeps. Plus the are pure, fluffy sugar deliciousness.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Excited by the essayist's capacity to write in this brilliant way.
    brian holm lawyer san diego

    ReplyDelete
  55. It is in truth a commendable perfect work of art.
    https://123moviestube.io

    ReplyDelete