Energy Favorites

This is a much-anticipated day for me. It has been a long-time goal of mine to pursue running once I was done having children. Well, that day is here and my dream is about to be realized. I am at the peak of my training, and in just over 4 weeks I will be competing in my first-ever half-marathon. As with anything else in life, I take on a holistic approach when it comes to running. My training consists of much more than just going out and running; it requires preparation of the mind, body, and even the soul. As I have learned in childbirth, to be successful you must make the mind run the body and not the other way around. You must start with the end in mind. I have been a health-conscious person my entire life, and running has given me the opportunity to explore products from a new venue. Being that I am Mormon and do not drink coffee, it has been a bit of a challenge to find energy from natural sources, but it is a challenge that I welcome. I have always been a naturalist and consider it a privilege to discover the health benefits of all the bounty God has placed on the earth.

The first product I discovered is Gu. I have not had much of a chance to develop a relationship with it as of yet, but as I get into the longer runs of 10 and 12 miles, it will be essential to have a quick, readily-available energy source that will not be heavy in my stomach. Gu is just that. It provides 100 calories and just enough sodium to aid in that second wind. I have experimented with it on my 4 and 5 mile runs, and will definitely be packing it in the coming weeks. I hear it is provided at aid stations along the race course.
Another favorite: kale. I prefer the local, organic farmer's market variety. My favorite way to consume it is in a smoothie, usually paired with soy milk and almond butter for protein. I have a green smoothie after every run which provides excellent recovery and rejuvenation. After I injured my knee and had to take two weeks off, I would imagine the healing properties of kale going straight to my knee and it worked! Dark green, leafy kale has so many energizing nutrients.
This is a new one that I hear is gaining rapid popularity: chia seeds. Remember the ch-ch-ch-chia gardens that people used to grow in the 80s? Yes, these are the ones. Who knew the chia seed had such amazing health benefits? Apparently they retain water, keeping you hydrated longer, maintain the electrolytes in your body, and give you a feeling of fullness. They're said to have more Omega-3s than salmon, more calcium than spinach, and are antioxidant-rich. They digest easily and do not need to be ground up like flaxseed. They are endurance-enhancing and are known as the "Indian Running Food." Apparently they were also used by the Aztec warriors during conquest. I'm not quite sure how I'm going to store them yet, but you can bet I'll be tossing back a handful of these on race day.
Aaahhh, coconut water. Transport me to a tropical oasis. Coconut water is more hydrating than regular water, contains sodium and electrolytes, more potassium than a banana, and is like a mini vacation for your tastebuds. I love coconut water as a recovery drink after a long run. (The best price I've found on it is at Trader Joe's, although if you can find it with mango puree the taste is so much better.)
Okay, so Mate has been a favorite of mine for about two years. Revered in Argentina as "the drink of the gods," Mate is the most popular drink in South America. It is entirely herbal yet packs about half the caffeine of a cup of coffee. I find it to be a very "clean" energy high without jitteriness. It awakens the senses and is used as a "carrier" for other herbs. It contains many nutrients and can be enjoyed year-round; I like it hot with cream and agave in the winter months, and enjoy it iced with milk for a mate latte in the summer.