#229: Drink up this Hydration Podcast!
The dynamic duo of Sarah and Dimity dive into a conversation about hydration with Vishal Patel, the in-house nutritionist at Nuun. Vishal shares how he and his team develop new flavors—and why Nuun won’t be introducing cayenne- or wasabi-flavored electrolyte tablets anytime soon. He talks about why replenishing electrolytes are important for race performance, and he posits an intriguing theory about seasonal changes in hydration needs as well as post-run headaches. Find out how to mitigate what this endurance coach thinks is the top fear among first-time marathoners. Listen as Dimity gets in his grill about the discontinuation of her beloved Kona Cola flavor and find out how she parses out her precious remaining K.C. Nuun tablets. And what AMR hydration talk would be complete without some TMI talk: Vishal serves it up!
*To save 20% on Nuun goodness, visit the Nuun website and use code: hydrateAMR
*For more details about Hyland’s homeopathic remedies, visit Hyland’s website.
*If you’re digging our podcasts, we’d be super-grateful if you’d take a minute (because we *know* you have so many to spare!) to write a review on iTunes. Many thanks.
**Also, the quickest way to get our podcasts is to subscribe to the show via iTunes. Clicking this link will automatically download the shows to your iTunes account. It doesn’t get any simpler than that. We’ve also joined the Acast podcast network, download their app to hear our podcast and many others like it!
Role Mothers Get Real About Running With Their TMIs
Let’s be honest: We all love a little TMI. It means we’re all human; it means we all push ourselves because we love running. You may recall Melissa’s special moment, which involved a Disney marathon and a heavy flow (“Day TWO, people!”). She can’t really top that one, so she’s off today’s TMI list, but the rest of AMR’s Role Mothers are bravely revealing the TMIs of their running careers. Props to them to opening up and telling it like it is! Read below and, should you feel so forthcoming, add your own in the comments section.
Sarah, the triathlete
In college–no thanks to a crummy diet–I developed a chronic case of “runner’s trots” (google it for the graphic definition). While there were days when my stomach, it seemed like the longer–and harder–I went, the worse off I was. Pretty soon, I began carrying a roll of toilet paper with me on longer runs, just in case I had to dip into the woods to “relieve” myself. While annoying and painful, there was one good thing to come of it all. My sensitive stomach forced me, for the first time ever, to really look at my diet and pay attention to how I fueled before and after running. It took me a few years to figure out, but I was able to pinpoint the type of foods that irritated my stomach, and in turn, I started to eat a more balanced, proper diet and became much more in tune with my body and digestive system. Though I’m not immune to the occasional sour stomach, those panic-induced sprints into the woods are a thing of the past.
Beneath that polish lies…the black toenail
Ashley, the beginner
Once my mileage started increasing, my feet started to take a turn for the worse: I got black toenails! I tried all different remedies, from tying my shoes differently to new socks, but they’re here to stay. I’ve upped my pedicure game to them up.
Nicole, the regular runner
I sweat. A lot. If I could create a TMI-solving product, I would make some ultra-magical wicking running underwear and bra set. The damp, sweaty feeling once the run is over is so not my favorite.
Pam, the grandmother
What I’ve learned about my body since running is that I sweat a lot, pee a lot, and the hemorrhoid you developed when giving birth some 30 years ago doesn’t like running long distances, it started bleeding on long runs. And if you mention this to your doctor he will advise you have a colonoscopy even if you just had one when you turned 50 and weren’t due to have another for 5 years or so. And the really fun thing they found on said colonoscopy was that I had a small anal fissure. So now I have a “special prescription” that I use to heal said fissure and I am now that person who adds flavorless fiber powder to her morning coffee and her evening cup of tea.
Tania reacting to her own post-run scent
Tania, the sputterer
I really stink after a run. I mean, I know people smell some after sweating and working out, but it’s kind of ridiculous how bad I smell. I think it’s gotten worse the older I get. I’m not sure if it’s because I sweat more or old lady hormones or what. But it’s embarrassing when I have to pick up the kids from the bus stop after a run.
What’s your TMI?
BONUS Running Podcast: Racing Wisely with Sage Rountree
A shot from Flat Samantha, who ran the Happy Girls Spokane Half-Marathon
This bonus running podcast was recorded live from a workshop session at the 2016 AMR Run + Refresh Retreat that just wrapped up in Spokane, Wash. Host Sarah Bowen Shea sits down with endurance coach and noted yogini Sage Rountree to discuss how to run a race wisely—from pre-race goal-setting to accepting “increased intensity.” Many of the sage advice Sage suggests is from her book Racing Wisely. Sage and Sarah also answer Retreat participants’ questions at the end of the session.
Heart rate trainers out on the half-marathon course with hands-in-the-air Dimity
Your Running Retreat Social Recap Is Right Here
Couldn’t make it to our Run + Refresh Reatreat this weekend in Spokane? We’ll have a full update straight from SBS tomorrow (we need to give her a *small* break to come down from her co-hosting duties), but in the meantime, check out the action from our Instagram feed:
SBS and Dimity ready to kick off the weekend
The first wave of attendees hits
Did someone say “live” podcast?
Having a little fun
We found our pacer at the Happy Girls races
Heart Rate Challengers ready to put their skills to use at the Happy Girls Half
Happy Girls indeed
Nothing like a little post-run recovery yoga with Sage Rountree
Check in tomorrow for more details on the weekend!
#228: Live From the Spokane Run + Refresh Retreat
Sarah and Dimity are back together in person for a live show from this year’s Run + Refresh Retreat in Spokane, WA. Talking in front of a packed house at Fleet Feet Spokane, they reminisce about starting the podcast and recap the retreat so far. Then, Molly Williams joins to discuss #foundchange, followed by renowned yoga instructor and endurance sports coach Sage Rountree, who talks about posture, form, and getting the core strength you want. Finally, they cap off the show with a Q&A session with members of the audience, which includes topics such as Sarah’s most popular writings, favorite pre-race breakfasts, and rebounding from injury.
*For more details about Hyland’s homeopathic remedies, visit Hyland’s website.
*If you’re digging our podcasts, we’d be super-grateful if you’d take a minute (because we *know* you have so many to spare!) to write a review on iTunes. Many thanks.
**Also, the quickest way to get our podcasts is to subscribe to the show via iTunes. Clicking this link will automatically download the shows to your iTunes account. It doesn’t get any simpler than that. We’ve also joined the Acast podcast network, download their app to hear our podcast and many others like it!
Dry Martini: Under the Tuscan Run
This would have been a great place for an early morning run.
I really had the best of intentions.
Really.
But let me back up.
When last we spoke, I was looking at a 17 mile long run, which went well, thanks. After my Rice Chex Incident, about which we will not again speak, I kept breakfast simple by just having a bagel with some strawberry jam. I made Rice Krispie treats the night before and managed to have enough left after my husband and son attacked them to pack a chunk for a mid-run nosh. The first 13 miles went by as easily as they could, then Kate, a local running buddy who I infrequently run with because she is an overnight nurse on a maternity ward, met me for the last few.
Since we don’t get to run together all that often, I’d forgotten how quickly miles can pass when you’re chatting. Rather than my usual end of a super long run irritation with pretty much everything, I felt almost peppy. Almost. Let’s not get crazy.
Later in the week I worked in my last run before our trip overseas and I was dreading it. Not because I was daunted by the five miles — it’s amazing how training for a marathon changes your perception of what “long” means — but because two of those miles had to be ten seconds faster than my usual half marathon race pace of 11:25. What with packing and planning and plotting, I struggled to get my behind out of bed to get it done before we had to leave for the airport.
Pretty much how I felt the entire trip, full of joy but really happy to sit for a few minutes.
And then I got started — and felt surprisingly good, so good that I churned out those two miles at 11:13 and 10:51 (!). It was hard, mind, but not too hard.
Yeah. I was shocked, too.
Then I got home, showered, finished packing (I’d already packed two sets of running clothes for the trip), and got in the car. Then a plane. Then another plane, which left five hours late. And after an amusing-only-in-hindsight incident involving luggage, we were in Italy.
I was also completely wiped out — and remained so for pretty much the entire trip.
Even though the jet lag was a kick in the head, it wasn’t the main force for me not lacing up and getting out. Instead, I was done in by all of the walking. We walked around Florence. We walked up and down mountains in Tuscany. My husband and I managed to ditch the kids with relatives and make a lightning-fast trip to Venice, where we walked some more. Every night, when my head would hit the most convenient pillow, I had zero energy left.
Near our villa in Volpaia and spotted on a ramble in the countryside
And, for the record, if we weren’t walking, we were eating. Miraculously, the walking managed to cancel out all of the eating and I didn’t gain any weight — but totally should have because, OMG. The. Food.
Also for the record, I’m a little bitter that I’m back home, jet lagged, and gelato-less. Please keep me in your thoughts during this trying time.
#thestruggleisreal
After a super-fantastic trip — no, really, it was pretty much amazing from start to finish, even with all of the travel irritations and kid moods and sore feet— we got back late, late, late on Saturday. On Sunday at 4 a.m., I was wide awake and unpacking, because when your body is convinced it’s mid-morning, you might as well be productive. My 100 percent un-sweaty running gear was right in the suitcase where I’d packed it ten days previous.
I did what any sensible BAMR would do. I went out for a run. “I’m going to shoot for six,” I told my husband as I was leaving. “Or five. Or maybe four? But definitely three.”
For not having run in longer than I’d like, the first 2.5 miles felt wonderful, like riding-a-unicorn-while-eating-gelato-on-the-verge-of-hallucinations great. Then the whole lack of sleep thing caught up with me and I spent the scamper home trying not to barf, pass out or both simultaneously. As one does.
Mile three, after the magic wore off.
This morning’s easy four was much better — and remarkably zippy for me. We’ll see if I still have that same zip on Sunday when I tackle 18. Coach is of the opinion that my training isn’t completely de-railed by my lack of running. I waffle between thinking it’s not that big a deal and convincing myself that I’m doomed. Anyone else care to weigh in?
Next weekend, I’ll be in lovely Corning, N.Y., woman-ing the Wineglass Expo and running the half. I’m not gunning for a PR this time and, instead, plan to just enjoy a long run with water stops and port-a-potties. Stop in if you’re in the area and say, “howdy.” Or, you know, whatever you’d like to say. I don’t want to limit your creativity.