Frankenfood

There's three possible reasons for you reading this blog; 1) you're bored and are trolling the net for untold reasons, 2) you're looking for Mike's Pastry joint, or 3) you're a runner.  I suppose you could also be a perverted, bored runner with a pastry craving, but that would be a total coincidence.  I'm gonna assume you're a runner.  I'm going out on a limb here, but I'm also assuming you're a distance runner.  If I'm correct, continue reading.  If I'm totally off base and Mike's Pastry Joint sounds more inviting than a run around the block then click here.

Distance running is a beautiful thing.  The downside is the liver can only hold so much glycogen and refueling enroute is a necessary part of the game. Without a constant source of glycogen our muscles simply run out of fuel, or to use the running vernacular, you bonk.  To quote wiki ...   the condition can usually be avoided by ensuring that glycogen levels are high when the exercise begins, maintaining glycogen levels during exercise by eating or drinking carbohydrate-rich substances, or by reducing exercise intensity.
I bonked in Chicago last October and it's not fun at all.  Stop, run for three seconds, stop, run for 5 seconds, stop, run for 4 seconds stop.... with 6 miles to go this can seem like an eternity.  The only solution is Frankenfood.

Trouble is -brace yourself for language warning- I hate the s*** (sheesh, I can't bring myself to say the "s" word online.  I'm such a wimp.).  I've tried it all, but I keep returning to GU gels (chocolate) and Gatorade.  The GU's are disgusting (especially when they get heated up and run down your cheek, yuck ... and stick to your fingers, yuck)  and the Gatorade is like sweetened battery acid and makes me retch.  The combination of the two shaking about in my belly makes for a nauseous Mike.  In Chicago I tried to vomit, but nothing was there... imagine craving vomit and not a drop to be seen!  PowerBars work well, but again, the taste just doesn't sit well with me.  I've written about nausea and running in a previous post.  Go here.  

My amazing niece and all time super vegan marathoner, Laura, sent me a package of Brendan Brazier's VEGA natural plant based performance drink.  As a "no meat athlete"  (see next week's blog) I'm intrigued with the plant based alternative energy drink.  Here's hoping it'll do the trick!

Then again there's alway's Mike's Pastry Joint.....  mmmm.....

By the way, if you haven't already, please drop by Connie's new blog, The Joy of Running.  It's a great blog that all runners, especially those training for their first marathon, will enjoy.

It's a good day to be alive... cold but good.  Unless your reading this in Mexico (right Jan :>)

Mike