That’s right, friends. If you checked in to the blog yesterday, you know that I completed my 20 mile run before work Monday morning! I had shifted my plans a few times and was uncertain about when I’d get my run in (refer to my short vlog about it!) and woke up this morning a bit nervous about getting 20 miles in before work. Unfortunately, I’m pretty sure I’m fighting off a flu bug – crazy stomach pains all weekend, tired, very upset stomach and some diarrhea last night and this morning…Not the best for needing to get a 20 miler in! So although I was apprehensive, I thought I’d give it a shot and I left the house bright and early after a piece of toast with some honey, a few swigs of coffee and a chug or two of water.
Oh! And I also tried something new to me from my BLEND swag: Schroom Tech supplements from Onnit. Janetha has RAVED about them and I thought a long run would be a perfect chance to try these all-natural supplements out.
Judging by the run…maybe they worked? Here’s a glimpse at the product from their website:
We wanted clean energy, ingredients with a history of use in high-level competition, and general health benefits; we believe we have found it in our exclusive combination of cordyceps sinensis mushroom, adaptogens, antioxidants, and methyl B-12. Shroom TECH Sport battles fatigue with a strategy unlike any other supplement on the market, providing cellular energy through the production of ATP rather than stimulant-based energy, and helping the body to improve oxygen utilization so you can go longer, recover faster, and set a new personal best.
The weather was gorgeous and immediately I was happy to set off on my long run. That didn’t mean the whole thing felt great; on the contrary – I now know what it’s like to run with stomach pain and need to take a pit stop along the way. Although it was rough, I felt like an adventurer as I cruised down trails in my all-black outfit with bright, neon shoes, sunglasses on and small backpack snug against my back. It’s the first time I’ve ever used any type of pack before and, to be honest, often run without water. I know it’s not smart, but drinking fountains only just opened up last weekend around the city (oh, the funny joys of living so far north!) and I’ve never bought any hydration system (all our water bottles are metal and .5 – 1 litre – way too big to run with!). So I tossed in some fuel (today it was my first ever try at Honey Stinger Chews, my keys, a debit card just in case and my Camelbak flopping around in the small pack and was off and running.
For the most part, it worked really well! It was quite weird getting used to it (only someone like me would trial-run a totally new pack carrying system on such a long run rather than a 5 miler!) and I had to keep tightening it up every so often but it did the job and I got used to the (light) weight on my back. It was great to have a pouch for my phone and to know that everything was there, not sliding out of small pockets in my capris or possibly popping off my body as I ran.
I loved the Honey Stingers (I had the Pomegranate Passion flavor – it was great!) and found another fuel my stomach can handle easily. There were 160 calories in a pack, and I usually only take in about 100 every hour and a bit (not exact science; I know you should fuel more often but I need to read up as I’m also listening to my body!) and continued to sip, sip, sip all run on my water. Little sips, especially taking care to drink water after I had some fuel, contributed to how great I felt! Amazingly good (besides the initial stomach issues from the weekend) and I know drinking water consistently for the first time made a big difference. Two thumbs up to staying hydrated!
Afterward I took a semi-cold bath (tried to do the ice bath but just couldn’t!), refuled with some quinoa, cinnamon, almonds, peanut butter, blueberries and almond milk and ran out the door (literally!) to work. Phew! So glad I got that in. Much better in the early morning than the heat of the day like my last almost-20 miler!
I know she didn’t have the race she wanted, but A huge shout-out to Happy Fit Mama who completed her first ever full marathon yesterday! I hope to learn from her recap but have now seen that you should expect the unexpected when it comes to your first marathon! Also, Bobbi rocked her 9th marathon yesterday and PR’ed AND BQ’ed – oh, and finished with a smile! Two different races but all a part of life and a major congrats from me to you two! 😀
Thanks for your support for me along this journey, guys…can’t believe the time is almost here! I am ready for a good night’s sleep and a full day of training tomorrow! 😀 Live well & be well,
Bonnie
Great work girl! I haven’t ran with a pack before either…I wondered of it would bother me. I really should here in Trinidad its so darn hot. You are going to kill your run. So proud of you!
xoxo from Trinidad
Yes – I’m sure you need it in that Trinidad heat! Thanks for the encouragement about my run!
So glad you got that 20-mile run in!!! I might try some of the fuels you mentioned – I’m always scared to try and cause I have enough stomach issues without eating when I run!
Yes – it’s all a trial-and-error kind of thing when it comes to eating on the run… Good luck!
nice run, lady! i did the shroom (1 of them) before i ran yesterday and was able to go a bit longer than usual. but i wonder how much is a placebo … 😉
haha Yeah, me too! I wonder the same about supplements and the placebo effect. Who knows if it worked or not? But I think I might still take some the morning of the marathon just.in.case. 😉
Nice job on the run! Is your Camelbak a running specific one? I have the women’s running one and love it!
Thanks, Leigh! Just read your marathon recap – WAY TO GO! 😀 And no, I didn’t run with a specific Camelbak but just stuck a generic one we have and stuck it in a small backpack. Is yours one whole unit together? Like a Camelbak in a backpack or separate like my thrown-together thing? 😉 I’d love to hear how it worked for you if you wore it on your marathon!
Yay for 20 miles!! The longest I’ve gone was my half marathon a few weeks back!
I ended up getting a waist band water carrying system which was necessary because our fountains in Nebraska only opened a month ago too! We got snow in May and even the bathrooms were closed!! It’s weird at first, but after awhile I hardly noticed it.
Who took your pics?? It looks like you had a personal photographer haha!
A waist band! Hmmm…I wish I could check that out and give it a trial run before buying something! And I took those pics on a self-timer on my phone during a quick break! If it’s for the blog, I justify the break. 😉 Otherwise, I try to keep moving!
Great job on your 20 mile run!! I can’t wait to hear all about your first marathon. I know you will do great and hopefully enjoy it. Those long runs will definitely pay off.
Thanks for the kind note! Yes, I hope to enjoy the experience and am trusting in those long runs and my training!
AWESOME! GETTIN’ IT IN!!!!! Backpack and all 😉
aren’t adventures the BEST!?!
-Juju
Haha I love your comments – so full of life! And yes, adventures ARE the best!
Proud of you Little Bonnie! Kind of good to do it when you don’t feel
good….now you know you can push through!
GREAT JOB!
mom
That’s true! I was thinking about that – I didn’t feel great and still did it. Pretty excited for race day! Thanks for your encouragement.
great job girl!!! you’re amazing!!
Thanks for the shout out girl! I never in a million years expected my race to end up the way it did. I mean it’s late May! We should have beautiful weather by now. But it goes to show that anything can happen on race day.
Great job on the 20 miler! I couldn’t imagine getting in that many miles before work. Maybe because I go in at 7:30 so I’d essentially be running in the middle of the night! 😉
I’ve loved following your journey! Glad you are back to not hobbling anymore – just read your recent post last night about life post-marathon. 🙂 Glad to share our first marathons so close to each other! And you’re right…anything can happen on race day!