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Hydration Review: Nuun

Posted on July 8, 2009 by Jill Will Run

I have a hard time if I ingest too much sugary stuff while running, it just doesn’t settle right. I need to get in my electrolytes… especially with how hot things are here and I am an especially salty sweater. So when I learned about nuun it seemed like the answer to my needs.

nuun tablet containers

nuun tablet containers

nuun are tablets you can drop into a bottle of water. The tablet dissolves with an effervescent action, kind of like alka seltzer… but tastier. This makes a drink with a blend of electrolytes to help replenish your body and to keep you from cramping. The resulting drink DOES NOT contain any carbohydrate, thus allowing you to take in carbs in whatever form you prefer (gels, candy, pretzels, etc.) without worrying about how they will mix with your sport drink.

I bought a tube of lemon-lime flavor and found it to be lightly, flavored. I don’t really like the intense sweetness of most sport drinks, so this really suited my palate. I did get to taste a little bit of the kona cola flavor at a marathon expo and liked it, it seemed like flat cola to me. My mom did not like the cola flavor at all though. But since they have several flavors (5 or 6… they have a limited time banana flavor right now, so I’m not entirely sure of the line-up), there should be something for most taste buds.

I really like that you can carry a tablet with you in a race or a long training run to refill your drink. It’s a lot smaller and more convenient than trying to deal with powders on the run. Plus when you buy it they come in a small plastic tube that contains 12 tablets, so when mixing it into your own reusable bottle that means 12 fewer plastic bottles end up in a landfill.

I did have one complaint though… When I used it in my Amphipod handheld bottle, it seemed to build up excess air in the bottle. Even when I tried letting it dissolve in the bottle for a good 20 minutes before using… the moment I started running and shaking the bottle it built up pressure that made the bottle expand. This expansion caused extra pressure on my hand between the bottle and the strap. But even worse than this was when I put the bottle up to my mouth, bit down to open the valve and it exploded all over my face and down my throat. Nothing’s more refreshing than choking yourself on the move!

I still really like the product and want to try flavors beyond the lemon-lime. I just need to figure out how to use it most effectively on the move. I’m sure it works better INSIDE me as opposed to ALL OVER me. If nothing else, I could sip on it all day after a long training run to help replenish.

I bought my tube at REI and I believe it was about $6.50. So that’s a pretty good deal, considering it’s basically 12 bottles of sport drink right there.

The nuun website has a lot of information on the science behind their product if you’re interested in learning more.

Filed under: Reviews, hydration | 8 Comments »

Molly is “Bad to the Bone”

Posted on July 7, 2009 by Jill Will Run

Badwater takes place next week. I just wanted to share this article about my friend Molly who will be running in the event. She’s amazing.

Photo by Justin Yurkanin/View Molly runs through Devil's Cornfield in Death Valley National Park

Photo by Justin Yurkanin/View Molly runs through Devil's Cornfield in Death Valley National Park

Some excerpts:

Molly Sheridan, 52, said she partakes in extreme running for the fun of it. She’s run a total of 20 ultramarathons to date.

“My favorites are the 100-milers because you’re running through the night,” she said. “The moon’s out and you’re just running. It’s an incredible experience.”

To prepare for an ultramarathon, Sheridan logs up to 65 miles a week and cross-trains with swimming and bike riding. For events in humid climates, a sauna helps her acclimate easier. Sheridan trains year-round.

“Last year, she did 18 races,” said Jimmy Gabany, who is part of Sheridan’s ultramarathon crew and an ultra runner himself. “So she knows what she’s doing.”

Sheridan later gained a mentor in Helen Klein, who retired from running ultramarathons last year at age 85. They both had a good laugh at Sheridan’s doctor’s admonition. The best piece of advice gleaned from the elderly runner?

“She told me to be totally relaxed when I run and just ‘move through space,’ ” Sheridan said.

There’s an ulterior motive to her running: Sheridan uses the events to raise money for Boys Town, a nonprofit that was started in 1917 by the Rev. Edward Flanagan as a small home for homeless boys. It now provides direct care to more than 400,000 children and families each year through its youth and health care programs across the country.

Good luck Molly! I know you’re going to do awesome!

Excerpts from: Bad to the bone – Ultramarathoner gears up for 135-mile dash through Death Valley by Jan Hogan in the Summerlin View News

Filed under: motivation | 5 Comments »

The Heat Is On!

Posted on July 4, 2009 by Jill Will Run

Wow… I’ve had some warm runs over the past week! Whew…

Last Sunday was hard, I already wrote about that. I ran Tuesday and Wednesday in the evening, around 7:00 PM. It was 107 and 104 each of those evenings. But at least the sun was lower in the sky.

On Thursday I had plans for dinner with a friend, so I ran at 4:30 PM. As I was working it got cloudy around 3 PM. I have one of those crazy weather things in my office with a sensor in the backyard and it dropped to around 95 degrees as the clouds moved in, so I thought I’d be okay. Naturally, the clouds rolled right out and the temps rocketed back up to 105 by the time I headed out for my run.

Last summer I ran early in the morning on weekdays, at about 4:30 AM. I would just get up, throw on some running clothes and head out. But lately I seem to have some terrible stomach cramps if I just get up and run without putting something in my belly first. I have to be working by 7:00 AM, so I don’t have a ton of wiggle room in the mornings. So in an effort to avoid the stomach cramping, I ran in the evenings this week. But I do miss the early morning, sunrise runs. I need to figure out a fix!

Today I was excited to get up early for my run. Yes, excited to wake up at 4:00 AM because I could hopefully get the chance to run in the mid 80’s. (That’s kind of a weird thing to be excited about, huh?) If I get up that early, I can pop my thyroid pill, take the time to get dressed and get stuff together before I eat, then let that settle a little and be out the door by 6:15 or 6:30.

I ran 13.5 miles this morning and it felt pretty good overall. Yes, it was still pretty hot. And I learned that I should wear a hat whenever I run. The system of barrettes and a headband combined with sweat and distance made my hair look a little like that crazy Nick Nolte mug shot.
jillnicknolte
Hats are now required until I can wear my hair in a ponytail.

I had to take a few walk breaks. And this run was a little bit too long to go without finding an alternate source of liquid. I just carried my handheld Amphipod (with the new insulator sleeve) and should have planned a couple of loops with a stop at my house in between to refill. Warm liquids still hydrate, but they don’t really refresh!

I think I’m still acclimating to the heat. It seems to be slower to happen this year than it did last year. Bummer…

So I have a question for all of you… how far in advance do you have to get up in the mornings before you can set out for a run?

Filed under: Training | 7 Comments »

Cozy Sports Bra

Posted on July 3, 2009 by Jill Will Run

I’m not really the target market for this product (I’m not that um… endowed), but I know there are many women in the world looking for a sports bra that can support them comfortably. And since the inventor is based out of Las Vegas, I’m willing to help give her a little extra exposure.

Cozy Sports Bra and Compression Vest

Cozy Sports Bra and Compression Vest

The Cozy Sports Bra was created by Cozy Stone, a personal trainer and athlete, after recognizing a need from many of her clients. She set out to create a bra that would support those who are amply endowed as well as those who have undergone reconstruction. The bra is designed to be used in a multitude of activities, but can also be used in everyday life or in recovery from surgeries.

The bra has compression aspects and she also makes a compression vest for men. Compression tops can be useful for both sexes because of the back support and the way it promotes proper posture. It has been proven that keeping your core engaged and upright while running makes you a more efficient runner.

Cozy had this to say about her product:

My bra was designed for women with “C” cups and larger. So far, I’ve sold to a K cup! Everything after a C cup bounces and all of these women need to protect their breast tissue.

The bra is sized according to dress size and Cozy said that most women order a size smaller than their usual dress size. Her web site details all the information on the bra and the sizing aspects. All styles are zip front to make them easier to get on/off, especially those using the product for recovery purposes.

The bra is made from a blend of neoprene and nylon. It is machine washable and comes in a variety of colors.

You can learn more at the Cozy Sports Bra web site

Filed under: Clothing | 3 Comments »

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