Food/hydration

Food and water are essential to your running performance. You need to make sure you drink enough water before and after event and eat the right foods to replenish your body. Below are recommendations for my favorite foods, drinks and hydration systems. 

Water bottle: I really hate running with a water bottle, but when I start getting into distances over 8 miles it’s a necessity. I prefer water bottles with a strap that attach to my hand as opposed to the belt systems. Look for handheld bottles that are molded to the shape of your hand and have pockets to store energy bars or keys. Belt systems should fit snug around your waist and not jostle. The bottles should be easy to remove. Many bottles now come BPA free.

Fluids: Water is not the best fluid when you are exercising and sweating for more than an hour. Yes, you need it, but you need a beverage that replenishes minerals and electrolytes lost during training. Look for drinks that contain potassium, electrolytes and carbohydrates. I’m a Gatorade girl, but there are plenty of other sports drinks out there. 

Snacks: For exercise under an hour, there’s no need to worry about recharging during your run. I do recommend eating a light snack, such as a banana, toast or Saltine crackers prior to exercise. Make sure you choose LIGHT snacks that are easy to digest, low in fiber and contain carbohydrates to help fuel your workout. For instance, nuts, an apple or a burrito will come back to haunt you on your run. If you are training for a distance or endurance event, you’ll need to fuel up while exercising. I prefer animal crackers that I store in sandwich bags and stick in my sport’s bra. They’re soft, require no chewing and provide a good amount of sugar (or carbs). You can try Gu or Powerbar, too, though both are too hard for me to digest while running.