Monday, August 31, 2015

The Best Thing I Ever Put In My Mouth (almost)

I debated whether I wanted to drive 4 hours round trip this weekend to experiment with one of the runs I will be doing for our upcoming ultra relay. Georgia Pass, baby! This is to be a 12.9 mile run up and down a mountain. I kind of wanted to know what I was in for so I could either be really confident or really terrified.

So…I got up at the ass-crack of dawn and drove to Jefferson, Colorado, which consists of a gas station, a school house and a ice cream/burger stand. I remembered that when we first moved to Colorado over 20 years ago I stopped at that gas station once with Ken’s VW Jetta and tried to put diesel in the car. Ken probably would have divorced me, but we weren’t married yet. That was the total of my experience with Jefferson, Colorado.

My friend, Julie, lives in Breckenridge, so she met me at the trailhead for Georgia Pass. While waiting for her to show up I downed this, which may be the new best thing I have put in my mouth (twss). Crazy good. I might have to put it on ice cream in the future.

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Oh, and I had not felt these temps since last April.

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When Julie arrived, I made a run for it.

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I seriously had to poop for the last 50 miles of driving. Always feels good to unload before a big run. No need to carry extra poundage up mountains. And, good thing you can’t clog a pit toilet.

I didn't know what to expect from this run.

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I knew it was 2,100 feet of elevation gain and 6 miles to the summit.

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Here’s Julie heading above tree line.

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We took our time, and it was an hour and a half to get to the top. The views were amazing. I could not breathe, but NBD. Breathing's over-rated.

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What a damn ugly place. I need to move.

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This was the timer shot I attempted.  Hey look! It’s the sky!

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I brought q-tips:

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This is my “take a picture of me for the blog while I pretend to run” shot (because a few have asked: this is the Nathan Firecatcher Hydration Vest. Goes for about $57 on Amazon):

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We finished a bit before lunch time. And, then there was this, because there had to be (kind of weird no Colorado brews..):

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Saw this sign at the place we had lunch. If they knew I was coming, they would charge $25.

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12 miles. 2,150 feet of gain. 2:45 minutes

When I do the actual relay I will be going up and over the pass, not up and back like I did this weekend.

Glad I did it because now I know I can do it. This will be my 3rd of 6 legs for the relay. I have decided I will fuel with only salted caramel GUs for 39 miles.

 

Favorite GU/Gel flavor?

Favorite post-long-run meal? EGGS in any form. Or a burger. Or pizza. Or anything with calories and cheese really.

SUAR

Brought to you by ShutUpandRun at 3:35 PM

57 comments:

  1. Salted carmel is the only GU I can stomach! I buy it by the case!!

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  2. MMMmmm, salted caramel is good but I'm going to have to go with caramel macchiato for the win.

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  3. Anything eggy and/or cheesy are the best post run. I didn't like it the first time I had it, but I had a mandarin orange gu yesterday and it was amazing. No matter what flavor is my favorite I always buy the variety pack because I like to try new things, and if I don't like a flavor I can usually find a friend that does!

    PS Your comment regarding the capacity of a pit toilet made me laugh - I've had the exact same thought....

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  4. What trail shoes are you wearing?

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  5. I'm someone who asked about the vest! I've been wanting that one for awhile but I was worried it might not fit a bladder or fit snuggly enough for runs (as opposed to hikes). But it looks comfortable, and I've tried it on in store and it's SO light. Maybe I'll finally give in and get it!

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    1. It's great, but it doesn't carry as much water as some of the larger packs. But I like how compact and light it is and it has holders for 2-10 oz bottles in the front as well.

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  6. Huma strawberry gel is my favorite gel for longer runs. Favorite post run meal is an egg sandwich.

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  7. Beer. Actually, I'm working on a post about beer. My non-running homebrewing husband and I are arguing about that as we speak. What is the best beer after a run? He has his ideas...and I have mine....

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    1. It's a tough call. At some CO races we have really good beer like Fat Tire or some awesome IPA. It always tastes good. But sometimes a lighter beer, really cold, like a Corona, hits the spot. I like beer. All beer.

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  8. It seems you'll need to bring lots of quarters. Have fun!

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  9. Salted Caramel gu my favorite pre-race gel shot! Generally I'm a hammer fan, but I love this flavor!!

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    1. This is the same comment I would have left! Been a Hammer Gel user for years, but that Salted Caramel Gu wins!

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  10. I'm also a big fan of eggs after a run. Eggs and club soda are where it's at.

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  11. Salted caramel was my motivation for the second half of my last road marathon. But have you tried the root beer? My goodness.

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  12. Salted watermelon is my favorite. I also like pizza after a long run...yum!

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  13. I like the taste of the Honey Stinger original gels, but still trying to decide if they are what is making me nauseous towards the end of my long runs (I don't get that feeling when I take in only water).

    Best food after a long run? A really good, juicy cheeseburger. Or my favorite local cafe for pancakes, country ham, and scrambled eggs.

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  15. Wow, you are my hero! The sceneries are also amazing!

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  16. Gorgeous views!

    I'm a big fan of the margarita Blok Shots, but just received some salted caramel GU that I look forward to trying this weekend.

    After a long run I am ready for hot chana masala and cold beer, or hot veggie pizza and cold beer, or almost anything and a cold beer.

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  17. My favorite Gu is Espresso Love followed by Caramel Macchiato. I also like to mix in some Clif Margarita shot blocks.

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  18. I have salted caramel Gu on monthly ship from Amazon!!!

    I always have Jimmy John's after a long run/race. :)

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  19. Georgia Pass is such a gorgeous run, I'll be up there with you on the relay. I've been up there several times and can tell you the western side is perfect running trail with supple, pine needle covered dirt.

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    1. I didn't realize you were doing GA pass too. Awesome. A mtn biker at the summit told me the trail going down into breck is really technical and rocky?

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  20. Post long run food - anything that is probably not the healthiest. Hey...I run to eat. I can't stomach GU. I'm a shot blox girl.

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  21. I love the Salted Caramel but lean toward chocolate and/or chocolate/peanut butter. I have a question about the mountains behind you. Are the bare spots ski slopes (asked the girl from Georgia)?

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    1. Yes, they are. I think that one might be either Keystone or A-Basin ski resorts.Not sure which.

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  22. Peanut butter GU!!!

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  24. How is the vest compared to the hydraquiver? Just more capacity for longer runs? I really can't stand any of the gels I've tried but I'm tempted to try the salted caramel. Usually I use GU chomps but starting to need some variety in my long runs...

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    1. Exactly. I love the hydra quiver, but if I am gong to be out there for more than an hour or so and it is hot I need more water.

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  25. I've never tried a GU I didn't like, but a couple recent favorites are PB and Chocolate, and Root Beer! I definitely have to try the Salted Caramel.

    I agree with your post long run/race foods 100%.

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  26. I never pay attention to GU flavors. I just down them and pray that I don't end up with GI issues.
    I love a big breakfast after a long run. All of my long runs are early morning so when I get back I shower and either run out for grub or my wife makes pancakes, and eggs and Turkey Bacon. I can eat breakfast all 3 meals.

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    1. Agreed. Breakfast for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

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  27. The maple bacon Gu tasted a lot like the salted caramel. I still prefer the salted caramel.

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  28. I love the salted caramel GU. It is my fav. The signage on the trail is pretty entertaining.

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  29. Favorite post long run meal-grits with cheese!!!
    bakingrunner.blogspot.com

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  31. The salted caramel GU is the best...it tastes just like candy to me. Second best would have to be the salted watermelon GU.

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  32. I tried the salted caramel Gu and loved it, so then I thought: well what about just plain caramels? Like the Kraft caramels that come in a bag for $2 for THE WHOLE BAG! Since that epiphany I have fueled marathon training runs and an Ironman bike leg with plain old caramels! :) And turned several friends on to the habit along the way...

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  33. Salted Caramel is the only flavor I buy.

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  36. Caramel macchiato is just as good as salted caramel. Also a fan of salted watermelon.

    I don't like the texture of gels, but with the caramel flavoured ones, it doesn't seem too bad.

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    ReplyDelete

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