Happy Friday! I am enroute from DC (warm) to Jacksonville (warm). This week is the Gate River Run 15k – eeks! Of course I’m coming down with a cough, so we’ll see how Saturday goes. Today I am linking up with Mar, Courtney, and Cynthia and the theme is food and drink. I thought I would share five food/fuel items I would like try while training this year.
1. Honey Stinger Energy and Protein Bars
Image: Honey Stinger Energy Bar
I currently use Honey Stinger Waffles and Honey Stinger Energy Chews before/during my runs. I did not know Honey Stinger also sold protein/energy bars. Would like to try them out.
2. Dates, Raisins, Fruit
I would like to experiment with real food during some of my training runs this year. Would be interested to see how my body responds and if I like it. Sometimes I find my chews or blocks too sweet.
3. Energy/Protein Balls
A couple of weeks ago I made chocolate chip cookie dough protein balls. I would love to make some more of these for pre/post workout snacks. This apple pie energy ball recipe by Every Last Bite is at the top of my list.
Image: Every Last Bite
4. Nuun Energy – Mango Orange Flavor
Nuun introduced a new flavor to their Energy line – Mango Orange. Doesn’t that sound delicious? I haven’t tried any of their tablets with their new formula – I’ve heard mixed reviews. What do you think?
5. Tailwind
Image: Tailwind
One of my colleagues (who has participated in multiple 70.3 and an Ironman Cozumel) recommended I try Tailwind. According to their website, “Ditch the gels, bars, chews, and pills and go all day with just Tailwind.” It would be nice to have less items packed into my belt and only carry my handheld waterbottle (esp for a 10 miler or half).
Have you tried any of the above products? What do you think?
Is there anything you would like to try this year?
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy
March 11, 2016I’m always trying stuff! I love trying stuff.
I started off with Honeystinger bars for post race, but now I find them too sweet for my tastes. Sometimes I’ll do a waffle prerace. During I usually use a homemade date almond bar.
Run Jenny Run
March 11, 2016The homemade date almond bar sounds great – do you have the recipe on your blog? Thanks for your input on the bar.
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home
March 11, 2016I fuel with Tailwind for any distance 13.1 and up. I love it. I have a sensitive GI tract, and it’s the only fuel that doesn’t bother me. In fact, I was chosen this year to represent the brand! I’m so excited!
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Run Jenny Run
March 11, 2016Congrats!! I’ll let you know if I have any questions about the product. Good to hear it has been working for you.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running
March 11, 2016I’ve heard a lot of people rave about Tailwind but have never given it a try. Maybe something to consider for the future/
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Run Jenny Run
March 11, 2016Same. I’ll probably get some closer to the end of spring/beginning of summer. It looks like a big bag, so I’ll scoop you some to try when I see you at Fit Foodie 🙂
Amy Lauren
March 11, 2016I don’t really “fuel” for runs because I just do half marathons and shorter, but I have some ultra friends who really like tailwind. When I did do gels my favorite was Hammer. I think if I did use anything, it would have to be fairly low sugar.
Those protein balls look really delicious! Cool way to have something sweet while recovering and refueling for the next workout.
Amy Lauren recently posted…Weekly Rundown February 29 – March 6
Run Jenny Run
March 11, 2016The last batch came in handy when I was on the go after a workout, otherwise I found my self starving by the time I returned home.
nathasha
March 11, 2016I love the honey stinger waffles, too! Tailwind sounds interesting… may have to try that one out. Good luck and have a great time in Jacksonville! You’re gonna do great!!
nathasha recently posted…Hatfield-McCoy Double Half Marathon Training – Weeks 2 + 3: ups and downs
Run Jenny Run
March 11, 2016Thanks! Once I get it, I’ll give you some to try.
Chaitali
March 11, 2016That new Nuun flavor does sound delicious! I want to experiment a bit more with natural foods for fueling during the run too. I used to use raisins but I started needing things with more salt.
Chaitali recently posted…Friday 5 – RnR DC Goals
Run Jenny Run
March 11, 2016That is true, I tend to crave salt towards the end of a run. I wonder if there is something with peanut butter and dates that would be a nice balance (although…potentially messy).
Lesley
March 11, 2016There’s an energy ball recipe I pinned years back and never made, with pistachios. I really should dig that up and see what it takes to make them.
Run Jenny Run
March 11, 2016That sounds delicious! Hope you post it if you make it 🙂
Jennifer @ Dashing in Style
March 11, 2016I’ve heard a lot of good things about Tailwind. I’ll be interested in your review if you try it. Have fun and good luck at your race!
Jennifer @ Dashing in Style recently posted…Five Healthy & Delicious Lentil Recipes
Run Jenny Run
March 11, 2016I will definitely share a review once I try it. I will prob around May/June when the longer runs begin. Thanks, Jenn! Have a great weekend.
Diane @runninrocker
March 11, 2016I love the Honey Stinger waffles (although they are so sweet) but didn’t know about the protein bars. I did run a half marathon while eating dried tart cherries and I like it and would probably do that again. I love love love energy bites for everyday. I eat them for breakfast and after my workouts. I have been having to make double batches because they are just so good. I did buy Tailwind because I hear nothing but good BUT I keep forgetting to try it!
Run Jenny Run
March 11, 2016Oh I will have to add dried tart cherries to the list to try. Curious to see how you like it.
Meranda@Fairytalesandfitness
March 11, 2016I love all things Honey Stingers so I would love to try those bars too. I haven’t seen those before. Where do you buy them?
Run Jenny Run
March 11, 2016I haven’t seen them in my local running stores, only online. I’ll let you know how they go!
HoHo Runs
March 11, 2016I won some Tailwind and I am very excited to try it a try. Good luck and most importantly have fun at the Gate River Run!
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Run Jenny Run
March 11, 2016Looking forward to hearing what you think about it. Thank you!
Alaina @ The Simple Peach
March 11, 2016Like you I want to pick up some tailwind. I used to fuel with dates and it worked really well for me then I started using gels. I need to get back to dates and maybe dried apricots or mango? I would really like to practice using them.
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Run Jenny Run
March 11, 2016Dried apricots and mango sound great. Have a good weekend.
Sharon
March 11, 2016Mango Orange Nuun sounds yummy! I am looking forward to try that. I also love honey stinger waffles and chews but have not tried the protein bars. I’m now intrigued by Tailwind. There are so many new things to try. My sister recently tried beet boost and that is another thing I’d like to try!
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Run Jenny Run
March 11, 2016So much out there! I never heard of beet boost – intrigued haha 🙂
Pam
March 11, 2016I wish the new Nuun flavor was not orange flavored, but I do love Watermelon, strawberry lemonade and the Kona Kola. Several people I know use Tailwind, but Gu works for me so I just keep using that.
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Run Jenny Run
March 11, 2016I do love the watermelon flavor as well. I just stocked up on some grape this week.
Sun
March 11, 2016I haven’t tried any of the products you listed but Mango Orange Nuun sounds right up my alley! I love Fruit Punch and Grape and pretty much all of the Nuun flavors so I’m sure I will also love the new one 🙂
Run Jenny Run
March 11, 2016Grape is my favorite. I wish there is a huge expo soon, so I can try all the new flavors 😉
Helly on the Run
March 11, 2016I love Tailwind and is my choice of fuel on my longer runs!
I did not know Honeystinger made protein bars–thanks for the heads up! Good luck this weekend 🙂
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Run Jenny Run
March 11, 2016Good to know! Thanks, Helly!
April
March 11, 2016Check out Picky Bars. I really like them. I found I like multiple textures during a long run, so I use a combo of Shot Bloks, Picky Bars and Gu (caramel macchiato, yummm!) . I usually eat 1/4 – 1/3 of a bar at a time. But I ingest something every 15-16 minutes on a long run.
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Run Jenny Run
March 16, 2016Thanks! I hear they have a new flavor. I like the Oh Fudge Nuts and Cookie Doughness. For some reason, they started not sitting well in my stomach before a run. Afterwards – im aokay.
Coco
March 11, 2016I’d like to try the Honeystinger Bars. I got their gingerbread flavor of the waffles at the Army 10 Miler expo and it was fantastic!
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Run Jenny Run
March 16, 2016Flavor to add to the list! Thanks 🙂
Stacey
March 12, 2016I’ve never heard of tailwind-will have to check it out! On the bike I like to carry grapes and pretzel sticks. Cottercrunch.com has a ton of healthy bites recipes (they are like energy bites) and they are amazing!
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Run Jenny Run
March 16, 2016Pretzel sticks – good idea! Thanks for cottercrunch, her healthy bites recipes LOOK amazing!
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner
March 12, 2016I have not tried the honey stinger bars but I do love the little gel bites and the waffles are really good too. They don’t bother my stomach at all. Good luck with your race!
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Run Jenny Run
March 16, 2016Thanks Deborah! Good to hear. Hope to see you at Cherry Blossom in a few weeks.
Ali @ Hit the Ground Running
March 12, 2016I’ve heard good things about Tailwind. I’ve been testing out UCAN myself, but I think they’re kind of a similar product/idea. I like UCAN a LOT and found it really did help; I wasn’t hungry on my long run and was able to fuel less when I use it beforehand.
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Run Jenny Run
March 16, 2016I just heard about UCAN this weekend. Good to know that it has worked for you – I will need to read about that as well 🙂
Karen @ Fit in France
March 20, 2016Cliff bars, pretzels and dried apricots have been my go to fuel for my long runs. Seems to work for me. I have not heard of Tail Wind…. maybe it has not come to France yet.
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Run Jenny Run
March 21, 2016I like the idea of pretzels and dried apricots. My mom and Cliff also carried pretzels for me when I saw them later on in the marathon – they were great. I’ll have to give apricots a shot 🙂