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My running friend from where I used to live described this podcast as "delightfully self-aware." She also said I was adorkable, so not sure I should quote her here. I had told her that I avoided my recent habit of "show up and blow up," so that might have something to do with it. It's hot here, my dog kept me up all night, and I have solved the fashion dilemma. Priorities.
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The Masters Messed Up My Run, Siri Hates Me, and Is This a Soft Launch of Only Fans?
Episode 17
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 • Duration 08:56
What a week! Vintage shoes and Siri are both out to get me. Marathon Handbook made me do it. The Masters is taking over. I still do not want to run a road marathon.
beginner ultra marathon training, first ultra marathon training plan for beginners, training for an ultra in your 50s, how to start ultra running with no experience, ultra marathon mindset for beginners, running over 50 tips, endurance training for older runners, female runners over 50, starting running later in life, foot care for runners, preventing blisters while running, how to protect toes during long runs, best socks for blister prevention, healing damaged toes from running, running recovery footwear, recovery shoes vs sandals for runners, best post-run footwear, toe socks for running, Birkenstocks for runners, long run nutrition, best foods for long runs, trail running snacks ideas, natural running fuel, dates for endurance running, trail running vs road running, benefits of trail running, why runners prefer trails, running for stress relief, mental health benefits of running, endurance running mindset, running during stressful times, running technology issues, problems with Siri while running, using Apple Music on runs, listening to the Marathon Handbook Podcast, marathon media coverage issues, how to improve race broadcasts, watching the Boston Marathon, comparing marathon coverage to The Masters Tournament, following professional running, how to watch marathons live, Olympic marathon buildup, trail running and camping lifestyle, running in state parks, planning long runs while traveling, running community building, connecting with runners online, running podcast growth, beginner runner identity, hobby runner mindset, imposter syndrome in running, confidence for new runners
Bras, Bunions, and Bruises: No, Really, It's All from Ultramarathon Training
Episode 16
Tuesday, March 31, 2026 • Duration 05:15
Welcome back to Momma Runs an Ultra! Today’s episode is a slightly bemused look at the realities of training for an ultra marathon, especially when you’re pushing into new territory later in life.
The miles are getting longer than ever before, and so far, things are going surprisingly well.
My recurring theme is preventing problems. Finding the right gear for me following the sudden and rather unfortunate demolition of my favorite running bra has turned into an ongoing search for a unicorn.
Someone suggested friction reducing stickers on the inside of my shoes where my wacky high arches are rubbing. Thank you! I've never heard of this product before. I'll let y'all know how they help.
Finally, I am trouble shooting this weird inner arm bruise, I guess from the seam on my shirt. It doesn't hurt, but it looks terrible, and I would like to avoid getting more. I didn't think about inner arm seams on shirts!
Life Comes at You Fast, or Ferris Beuller's Worst Couch to 5k Day
Episode 15
Monday, March 23, 2026 • Duration 07:24
In this episode of Momma Runs an Ultra (where a 50-something runner trains for her very first ultramarathon), I get a sharp reminder that not all training risks come from mileage or missed workouts. Sometimes, they come flying at you…in the shape of a sofa.
What starts as a routine 2nd long run on a rare, glorious stretch of sidewalk turns into a near-miss story I won’t forget: an unsecured couch launches out of a pickup truck and literally bounces towards me mid-run. It’s equal parts absurd, terrifying, and darkly funny, and it completely reframes my idea of what “staying healthy for race day” actually means.
Beyond the chaos, I reflect on the hidden hazards runners often overlook, like traffic patterns, loose dogs, and the false sense of safety in familiar routes. There’s also a candid look at my mindset: the adrenaline spike, the surprising calm afterward, and the realization that some risks are simply out of my control.
It’s a quick, entertaining episode with a serious undertone: even the most disciplined training plan can’t account for everything. So stay alert, expect the unexpected, and maybe don’t trust a double-wide sidewalk as much as you think you should.
I Ran So Far Away...That I Fantasized About Soft Pretzels
Episode 14
Tuesday, March 17, 2026 • Duration 07:55
Summary
This episode of Momma Runs an Ultra is all about the real-life process of getting ready for my first ultra marathon, especially pushing past distances I’ve never run before. I share what training has been like as I prepare, including the surprises, struggles, and little wins that come with stepping into completely new training.
We talk a lot about fueling during long runs and the trial-and-error that goes into figuring out what actually works. That’s meant experimenting with some unexpected carb sources like mashed potatoes and soft pretzels, because sometimes I just cannot look at another sweet.
I also get into the realities of training in humid conditions and the never-ending search for the best ways to prevent chafing on those really long days. Overall, it’s an honest look at the physical and mental side of ultra training, and a reminder that figuring it out as you go is part of the process. If you’re curious about ultras, currently training for one, or just love hearing about the journey, this episode is for you.
Chapters
00:03 - Beginning the Journey to My First Ultra Marathon
01:48 - Preparing for the Ultra: Nutrition and Strategy
Slip Slidin' Away: It's Not Awkward for Runners to Talk About Their Favorite Lube
Episode 13
Tuesday, March 10, 2026 • Duration 06:44
Summary
If you know the liquid fire of a post-run shower, you might have chafed. In this episode, I talk about the moment it hit me that chafing can be just as painful as poor fueling. Turns out, nutrition isn’t the only thing you need a strategy for.
I share some of my personal trial-and-error with different anti-chafing products, including how well they hold up when humidity decides to join your training run. Some survive, some melt like cassette tapes on a dashboard.
Since I’m still navigating the adventure of training for my very first ultramarathon, this episode is a pretty honest look at the small challenges that come with stepping into longer distances. I also invite listeners to share their go-to anti-chafe solutions, because when it comes to ultrarunning, the best advice often comes from the community that’s been through it before.
As I keep moving toward that first ultra, one thing is clear: every long run teaches a new lesson, and sometimes that lesson involves a lot more lube than you expected.
Chapters
00:12 - Introduction to Ultra Marathon Training
01:59 - Exploring Anti-Chafe Solutions
02:59 - Exploring New Running Products
04:07 - Exploring New Products for Comfort during Runs
As I dive deeper into ultramarathon training, I keep hearing the phrase “take recovery seriously.” Sounds simple, right? But what does that actually mean?
Massage? Naps? Yoga?
I’m currently following a structured plan with an awesome coach, checking the boxes, hitting the workouts, yet I still find myself wondering if I’m really recovering the way I should. In this episode, I open up about the real-life juggling act of hard training, sore legs, second-guessing myself, and trying to strike that sweet spot between pushing limits and not completely wrecking my body.
I share what I’ve been experimenting with, the advice I’ve been given, and the challenges of slowing down when everything in you wants to keep grinding. Because let’s be honest, running more feels productive. Resting? Not always.
So let’s talk about it. What does “prioritizing recovery” actually look like in the middle of big goals and ambitious training blocks? And how do we know if we’re doing enough…or maybe too much?
Tune in, and then tell me: what does recovery mean to you?
Chapters
00:06 - Introduction to Ultra Marathon Training
01:08 - Trusting the Process in Ultramarathon Training
Anna Gibson is the gateway inspiring a late 50's hobby jogger to run her first ultra marathon. Momma discovers that 11 feet of elevation does not count as hill training. After running her town’s one bridge approximately eleventy zillion times, she accepts her fate, if she wants “triple-digit vert,” she’s gotta leave the swamp.
Cue state park field trips and back-to-back long runs with actual hills. Gasp.
Meanwhile, the Winter Olympics introduce her to Ski Mo (ski mountaineering), which is basically: ski uphill, rip skis off, sprint upstairs in ski boots, ski again, and casually launch off a jump. Completely unhinged. She’s obsessed.
Training update:
Block one DONE
Block two WTH
Looking ahead at the full plan? Absolutely not.
Momma's running by effort, ignoring her humbling paces, dodging sketchy gym-bro advice, and kindly requesting five-star reviews because that’s how podcasts survive.
Vert is here. Momma is nervous and talking a little too fast. But she’s running it anyway.
Chapters
00:01 - Introduction to Ultramarathon Running
00:46 - Training for My First Ultra Marathon
03:58 - Introduction to Ski Mountaineering
06:24 - Entering the World of Ultramarathons
08:54 - Starting a New Journey in Ultramarathon Training
Momma's in her first official ultramarathon training block, and things are getting real. Back-to-back long runs? Check. Experimenting with mashed potatoes in a Ziploc mid-run? Also check. (Sweet gels, sometimes we need a break.) As she navigates fueling flails, lopsided pistol squats, and the humbling realization that some “lost skills” were never there to begin with, the ultra journey is serving up equal parts grit and comedy.
But the real plot twist? A full-on obsession with the Black Canyon Ultras livestream. Eight hours of desert running, elite women crushing it, and shockingly good coverage, better than the Chicago and Tokyo Marathons. Trail running entered the chat with drones, commentary, and vibes.
From desert cacti to her new word "vert," Momma's falling hard for the ultra world, while also spiraling (just a little) into Olympic ski mountaineering fandom. Foot care books are on the way, shoe decisions loom large, and the quest for “vert” while living in a place with 11 feet elevation change is officially underway.
It’s midlife, miles, and mashed potatoes, and she’s saying all the quiet parts out loud.
Chapters
00:12 - Beginning the Ultra Journey
01:03 - Transitioning into Ultramarathon Training
03:52 - The Transition to Trail Running
04:39 - Experiencing the Excitement of Trail Running
Tubthumping: Great for Playlists, Terrible for the People Running Near You
Episode 8
Tuesday, February 10, 2026 • Duration 08:44
Summary
Are we really runners if we don't talk about either barf or poo? Join me as I apply my ultimate nerd hack to the wonderfully weird world of ultra-marathon fueling. As I train for my very first 50K, I share my sticky history with sports nutrition.
What starts as casual trial and error quickly spirals into full nerd mode, complete with a meticulously organized spreadsheet ranking gels by flavor, texture, and how likely they are to make my stomach file a formal complaint. Spoiler: the winners were not what I expected, and some fan favorites did not make the cut.
Along the way, I share hard-earned lessons about why “I’ll figure it out later” is not a valid fueling strategy when you’re hours into a run. With a few cautionary tales and plenty of laughs, this episode is a friendly nudge to fellow newbies to experiment, plan ahead, and find the fuel that actually works for them. Because when it comes to ultras, your legs may carry you forward, but your nutrition decides whether you finish smiling…or swearing.
Chapters
00:16 - Embarking on a New Challenge
02:10 - Exploring Sports Nutrition
03:13 - Finding the Right Fuel: My Experience with Energy Gels
ultra marathon training, running tips for beginners, chafing prevention for runners, best running bras, running gear for women, ultra running injuries, managing running discomfort, high arches running solutions, sports massage for runners, running clothing advice, first ultra marathon experience, preventing running bruises, running vest benefits, comfortable running clothes, ultra marathon podcast, running tips for older adults, managing running gear issues, footwear for ultra running, running comfort solutions, advice for female runners
Mentioned in this episode:
Dive Bar Music Club, the Low Key, High Taste Music Podcast
A rotating cast of The Regulars gather to chat about the music they're currently listening to.
02:16 - The Bridge Incident
03:26 - The Dangers of Debris
05:25 - Adventures in Ultramarathon Training
06:04 - Reevaluating Safety in Running
Recommended If You Like
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Transcript
Speaker A
00:00:01.280 - 00:06:39.870
And what I did not consider was the fact that a sofa could possibly kill me. Welcome to Mama Runs an Ultra. I'm a runner on the downhill side of my 50s who decided to train for my very first Ultra marathon.
And this podcast is me saying all the things out loud of what the hell am I thinking?
So when I first was interviewing coaches for transitioning to my very first ultramarathon, one of the things that I made really clear was that my hope through training was to show up to the start line health. My second hope was to be able to finish in one piece.
And up until this weekend, I pretty much attributed all of those things to training and decisions over which I had full control. And what I did not consider was the fact that a sofa could possibly kill me. So let me back up if you're new to Mama Runs An Ultra.
I live about 15 minutes away from a small town and because I live out in the county, I live in a place where we have to take our own garbage to the dump. And it's a really flat place.
So trying to get enough elevation for my training without having to drive an hour and a half means I can basically run one bridge over the interstate or this one neighborhood with a man made dam. Either way, I'm getting like 25 to 35ft of elevation max in any one incline.
So it takes a lot to get the kind of elevation that I need to be properly prepared for my race.
So I didn't feel like driving out of town for my second of my back to back long runs this weekend and I thought I'll just go run the bridge, it'll be fine. And it's one of the few places in this area that has sidewalks. It's actually like a double wide sidewalk right there. Fantastic.
We don't have this sort of infrastructure around here, so it's a huge deal. I love running there, A, because it's convenient and B, sidewalks. Did I mention sidewalks?
So when I run, our South Carolina laws are that feet face traffic, wheels go with traffic, feet face traffic. Former teacher here. Like those little sort of mnemonics.
So I am fanatical about feet face traffic to the point where the people I run with are like, really all we're doing is crossing the street. So I am super, super particular about it.
And the only place in town where I do not follow that rule is on the bridge because it's a double wide sidewalk. Surely that's a place where you can go with or opposed to traffic as long as you're up on the Sidewalk.
And I have never given this a second thought until this weekend when I was at mile nine and a half of a ten mile run and I hear like a weird wooden sound and then honking and I could not figure out what it was. And all of this happened in a split second.
And I turned around and a ginormous black sofa was bouncing towards me on the sidewalk, on the road, back onto the sidewalk, back onto the road. Because sofas don't bounce in a predictable manner.
It had flown out of the back of a white pickup truck on the way to the dump who had chosen not to secure their load. Now this is an absolute pet peeve of mine. I live on the road that goes to the dump, so there is debris in our roads constantly.
And I don't just mean like a little 2x4 or, or a piece of sheetrock. I mean entire loads of garbage, cans full of yard waste, entire chopped up trees. There is stuff in the road constantly. It absolutely is my pet peeve.
Between that and the burning, those are probably the two things. Why, if I could move away from here, I would in a minute. People just have zero concern for other people around here.
It's all about whatever works for them at any given time. Just no thought for the greater good whatsoever. So, yeah, I was almost killed by a sofa yesterday on my run.
And had it bounced so it went like left, right, left, right, left. I guess had it bounced one more time to the right, it would have gone over the bridge of the interstate and killed someone down below.
So thankfully I was uninjured. I just found what my max heart rate is. No need to pay for an expensive test that didn't take much.
And then this idiot backs up down the hill into the lane of traffic to pick up his sofa. And when I mentioned this to a few friends, one of them is like, why didn't you say something to him? I was like, what am I going to say?
I probably would have ended up in jail because I would have been fist fighting some idiot in the middle of the road on the way to the dump. So no, I kept going and I got in my car and I went home.
But I never considered the fact that a sofa bouncing down the road might be the thing that takes me out and running. And can I tell you how mad I would be if I had actually been injured?
Anyway, I'd probably be on the news because of also getting arrested for going after the person. I don't know, I'm like, I'm like a hothead in the aftermath.
But at the time, like, first my heart rate spiked, truly probably the highest number I've ever seen. And then I was like, bizarrely calm to the point where I was, like, kind of concerned about myself because I was so calm.
So anyway, there's no point to this other than, yeah, watch out for flying sofas. They might take you out on your training for your first ultramarathon. I don't know.
And the weirdest part is right before that, I was a little bit shaken already because I went by, you know, the biggest concern where I run is loose dogs. And it's a huge problem where I live. My husband has been bitten multiple times. I've only been bitten once.
But we have a friend who was killed by a dog that the person's going, hey, sweet as it murdered her. So, like, I have zero patience for dogs who are not under the proper control of their owners at any given time around us.
And I went by this one house that had two dogs who were jumping higher than the fence.
And having had dogs who were fence jumpers in the past, it was clear that had those dogs decided to clear the fence and come after me, they very much could have. And they were not happy...
ultra marathon training, long distance running tips, running nutrition for ultras, carbs for endurance running, back to back long runs, hydration strategies for runners, electrolyte balance for athletes, chafe prevention for runners, running gear for long distances, soft pretzel snacks for runners, mashed potatoes as running fuel, overcoming self-doubt in running, running in humid weather, confidence in endurance training, training for your first ultra, running in your 50s, notes for ultra marathon training, East Coast running advice, fueling strategies for long runs, running podcasts for women
Transcript
Speaker A
00:00:01.200 - 00:07:11.580
Hey y'. All. Welcome to Momma Runs an Ultra. I'm a runner on the downhill side of my 50s who decided to train for my very first Ultra marathon.
And this podcast is me saying all the things out loud of what the hell am I thinking? So when I looked at my running plan, I was kind of overthinking the last couple of weeks as my long runs were longer than I've ever run before.
Now if you're new to Momma Runs an Ultra, I'm a long time roads half marathon runner.
But until about a month ago I had never more than 16 miles and that was on one of my friends birthdays when we decided to hit the kilometers of her age and we stopped for coffee. In the middle of it we took a few breaks. This is the first time I've ever run that far without stopping. Okay, one tiny pit stop for the potty.
But that, you know, doesn't really count. I didn't dawdle anyway.
I had gotten myself a little bit wound up about it ahead of time, but I did all the prep, I had all my stuff ready to roll and it went fine. Like maybe I can actually do this. I kind of did. I didn't believe I could. One of the things about ultra training is the back to back long runs.
Now for me at this point it's like long run and what I would consider a medium run. But that's rapidly about to change. I looked ahead a couple weeks to what I have coming my way and I can do this.
But I actually feel more confident about it now after that very first 16 +miler because I felt okay. I felt okay. Later on in that day, I felt okay running my medium run the next day. I felt okay that afternoon.
Like nothing hurt, nothing was sore, not good. But I'm feeling a little more confident about all of this at this point with overall mileage, we are still within range of miles I have done before.
We have not yet come close to like maximum mileage per week. So that part is not scaring me at this point. So kind of two thumbs up at this point? Sure, why not?
One of the things I've been working on since day one of this ultra training has been giving myself a variety of carbs from which to choose while I run because I have already had the experience in a number of half marathons where I could not look at one more sweet thing at all on any level. So I told y' all a while back that I had done little baggies of pre measured mashed potatoes and I gotta be Honest, they work really well.
They fit right in the little drink pocket on the vest. I mean, I don't love mashed potatoes anyway, so I don't dislike them anymore eating them while running than I would just eating them on a plate.
So, yeah, mashed potatoes are a choice. I've been trying with those. Like, one of my blocks will get the carb load from those mashed potatoes.
And then I've recently added in a new one because I got to like, mile 12 of a run. And I was like, you know what would sound good right now? You know, you're like, way in the run when suddenly you're, like, fantasizing about food.
I was like, I'd really like a big old soft pretzel right now. So when I went home, I rolled by the food line and I picked up a thing of frozen soft pretzel sticks.
I don't think I even realized they came in sticks. So they look like breadsticks, but they're like soft pretzels.
And mainly I chose those over the breadsticks because the fat content was low because, oh, I can't. I don't think, like, the fat of a breadstick is going to sit well in my stomach while I'm that far into a run.
I'm not willing to try that at this point because the soft pretzel stick totally worked. Wrapped it in a little bit of parchment paper, shoved that down in the drink pocket on my vest. It was actually really nice.
So, yeah, let's hear it for frozen soft pretzels as a carb choice in the middle of a run. I'm sure I look ridiculous, but I'm sure that was the least of the things that made me look ridiculous. I don't know, maybe I'll know these things.
I've read about people using rice balls and various rice concoctions as on their own carb choices. And I haven't gone down that road yet.
I might, but as long as mashed potatoes and soft pretzels are working, I think I'm gonna stick with those just because they're. I can get them really easily.
And the place where I am gonna be doing this ultra this summer is a bit remote, so I also mentioned that it has warmed up here. We apparently went from wintertime to summertime. Not really. We're only in the 80s. It's gonna get worse.
But I'm at the point where more than just my electrolyte fuel drink is needed.
So I thankfully keep really good notes from all of my previous training and I Went back to see what I used to use in the summer because whatever reason, it's like having a baby. I have total amnesia about the details.
So I went back and looked and I will be adding my favorite cheap electrolytes to my drink mix in the proportions that work for me. I also have those chewable salt tablets. They're like vaguely flavored.
Those are actually great because they're gross, but so, like, you're not gonna just eat them. But they're easy because you just sort of chew them up and stick them on the side of your mouth. I don't want to know what they're doing to my teeth.
It kind of actually makes me nervous. But they're really easy to deal with. And you know, 88 degrees and 90% humidity, which we're already in, got to have a little bit of salt available.
Even if your drink mix is not quite enough. Want to be able to get a little more specific with that when necessary.
I am a salty runner and it's kind of funny because the way I first realized this was that my legs are coated. It looks like I rolled in sand. If I am not good about the amount of electrolytes that I'm taking in while I run. So feeling pretty good.
This week's training is pretty similar to last week, honestly. Maybe even a few fewer miles. Few viewers. Sure. Less. I don't know. Fewer versus less....
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Mentioned in this episode:
Sleep with Rock Stars
Sleep with Rock Stars, the Gen X sleep podcast. You deserve a good night's sleep...or whatever.
ultramarathon training, recovery strategies for runners, trust the process in training, running in your 50s, half marathon training tips, hilly running routes, sleep and recovery for athletes, coaching for ultramarathons, strength training for runners, managing running injuries, training plans for older runners, how to take recovery seriously, running motivation for older athletes, endurance training for beginners, tips for better sleep as a runner, heart rate training for ultramarathons, back-to-back long runs, running community support, benefits of ultramarathon training, managing workout volume for runners
Mentioned in this episode:
Dive Bar Music Club, the Low Key, High Taste Music Podcast
A rotating cast of The Regulars gather to chat about the music they're currently listening to.
ultramarathon training, running in your 50s, first ultramarathon tips, ultramarathon preparation, elevation training for runners, long distance running, running hills, ultramarathon coach, trail running advice, South Carolina state parks, running routes, running heart rate training, ultramarathon nutrition, running gear recommendations, overcoming running challenges, hill training for ultramarathons, ski mountaineering, ultramarathon community, running motivation, female ultrarunners, Anna Gibson, skyrunning, skimo, golden trail, subultra
Mentioned in this episode:
Sleep with Rock Stars
Sleep with Rock Stars, the Gen X sleep podcast. You deserve a good night's sleep...or whatever.
ultramarathon training, trail running tips, ultra marathon nutrition, back to back long runs, desert running events, running coverage comparison, fueling for ultra marathons, ultramarathon for beginners, ultramarathon coaching advice, running and nutrition, marathon coverage issues, trail running for newbies, ultra marathon gear, how to run an ultra, best foods for running, ultra marathon training plan, ultramarathon experiences, running techniques for older runners, ultra marathon community, ultrarunning podcasts, Leah Yingling, Mountain Outpost, Hilary Yang, Hillary Yang, Molly Seidel, Des Linden
Mentioned in this episode:
Dive Bar Music Club, the Low Key, High Taste Music Podcast
A rotating cast of The Regulars gather to chat about the music they're currently listening to.
ultra running, endurance training, sports nutrition, race day tips, hydration strategies, energy gels for runners, best running gels, fueling for endurance events, running in your 50s, half marathon training, marathon running tips, gels vs. liquid nutrition, training for a 50k, running gear advice, hydration packs for running, ultra marathon preparation, nutrition for long runs, running fuel preferences, best flavors of energy gels, common running mistakes, Gu, Maurten, Honeystinger, honey stinger, maple syrup, SIS, science in sport
Automated Transcript
Speaker A
00:00:02.640 - 00:07:53.190
Hey, y', all, this is Mama Runs an Ultra.
I'm a runner on the downhill side of my 50s who decided that I would run my first 50ish K. Now, I've run a whole bunch of half marathons over the last several years, but I've never run more than 16 miles. And as I dive into training, I spend a lot of time asking myself, what the hell am I thinking?
So, a few episodes ago, I was telling y' all about my first half marathon, the one that I don't even remember running other than I burst into tears at the finish line and I had the police escort court because I was the last person. Yeah. Okay.
So in the years since then, I have started doing a little bit more study of the craft and learning what you ought to be doing before you get out there for endurance events. And especially in those early days, a lot of it was that I just plain didn't even know that I didn't know.
So now that I have a little bit of information, I kind of have to laugh at the route that I decided to take now. Disclaimer. I am not a medical professional in any way, and I am absolutely not a registered dietitian.
And if you have needs surrounding fueling and your sport, see a professional. This is a comedy podcast. Anyway, the first time I tried to take a gel was in the middle of a race, and that is not a good idea.
First of all, I was hot and sweaty and I couldn't get the package open properly. And by the time I did, I was like, what is this horrible thing? It was like caramel something.
And that's when I realized that if I was going to be using any kind of sports nutrition during races, I was going to have to practice with it so that I did not gag or vomit in the middle of the race due to it. So I did what any logical person with an $80 credit at one of those sports nutrition websites would do. I ordered one of every single thing. Yes.
About 50 different gels, different flavors, different brands, and then I made a spreadsheet. Because that's what you do, right? Yeah. Well, that's what I did.
So I made a whole spreadsheet of them by brand, by flavor, and I ranked them based on consistency and sweetness and aftertaste and how they sat in my stomach and all kinds of things. And. And frankly, I was completely surprised by what I ended up liking. But hold on, let's back up. I'll tell you where I started.
I like, in real life, I like, like, fruity, citrusy, Flavors I like like grapefruit and mandarin orange. And I'm a massive fan of like coffee and things like that.
So I at first thought that what I was going to like was going to be all the fruity flavors of the different gels. And that could not be farther from the truth. I quickly discovered that cannot handle anything. Strawberry, raspberry, banana. Not at all. Not happening.
If it says fruit punch, forget it. So that was totally unexpected. And then there's the whole consistency factor.
All right, now I know that people like to hate on certain brands and it's definitely one of those your mileage may vary sort of situations. But I tried some of the newer runny, they call them gels, but it's more like a liquid.
I tried some of those, I tried some of the chunky ones if you know, you know. And I tried some of the old school ones and I actually ended up on old school goo. Now here's my special magic trick.
I store it in my deep freeze so that it actually changes the consistency so that it's actually a little even thicker when you put it when you take it. But for me, that actually works great. I just stick that blob in the side of my mouth and it just sort of works for me. And it's not as gooey.
But I thought I was going to be like hug a tree natural. And I tried all the different maple syrup and honey ones.
And I live, as I've said, I live in the hot swampy south and those are too runny and too sticky and they were hard nose for me. Absolutely do not work. Just ended up with like bee catcher stickiness down the sides of my arms. I was like, this is not gonna work for me at all.
Plus they were too sweet. I know that sounds weird for something that is sweet anyway, but huh. Like I love honey, but the honey ones. Oh, absolutely not.
Felt the same way about the maple syrup ones. No, no, no, not for me. So anyway, I ended up on like the, I think it's espresso flavor of goo. Maybe it's just coffee anyway.
And the vanilla one, which those both are my favorites. That's what I like.
I also like their mandarin orange one, which is kind of funny because every other orange flavor of any kind of gel was a hard no for me. But all the rest of them like lemonade. Noop. Can't do it. Limes. Nope. Can't do it. Watermelon. Nope. Can't do it.
Which is weird because I love all of those things in real life, but not as Far as gels go. But the one gel that absolutely got me was that super expensive one that's on the market that's kind of chunky.
If you know, you know, it is the only gel that when I took it, I immediately vomited all over the side of the road from the texture. That is the biggest, hardest no ever. I don't care if it's magic and will take five minutes off of my half marathon time.
That is not gonna happen for me.
So if for some reason you end up with the $80 credit from the online source that sells a lot of nutritional fuel, you too could be a complete running dork like me and go ahead and make a spreadsheet. Honestly, I'm kind of proud of myself for it because after a while I forgot which ones I'd tried.
Especially when it came down to like six different brands that all have, you know, watermelon, lime or something similar. Ultimately, I also discovered liquid nutrition and I absolutely have a favorite one of those.
And that has been the game changer for me of taking little sips of it throughout the race rather than a big old chug of it. And it works. So even on races where they supposedly have water indoor hydration mix available along the way, I take mine with me just in case.
But also I ran a race down in Charleston many years ago where they ran out of water on the course after the second mile and we still had many, many miles to go. So I'm never having that happen to me again.
