Julia has a Chia seed update, but along those lines I thought I’d mention sustenance. I, personally, am a grazer and eat frequently throughout the day. The same is true during runs. So for me, Gu has become my go-to run staple. We generally run every weekday at 5:30 except Wednesday (sleep in until 6!). For those early runs I wake up with a Jet Blackberry 2x caffeine Gu and I’m out the door and fine for 4 to 6 miles. We run longer (8-12) one weekend day, a little later, so I can have a cup of coffee, a banana (with peanut butter is best), and take 1 or 2 Gus for the road. So that’s my regimen. However, Julia’s Chia seed experience might make me rethink things a little. Here she is:

I typically wake up 45 minutes before our scheduled run time and eat 1/2 of a PR Bar with my cup of coffee while I am walking my dog.  (I am a fan of the Chocolate Peanut and the Apple Pie flavors.)  I eat the other half of the bar post run and prior to breakfast.  I save Gu for our long run on the weekend.  I am a fan of the “Tri-Berry” Gu flavor.  10 miles or less and one Gu will suffice.  When we start to run further than 10 miles I pack 2 Gu.

Today I tried something different.  I drank this:

Last night I mixed 1 Tbsp Chia seeds with 9 Tbsp water.  I put my magical concoction into the fridge for the night.  This morning the Chia seeds had the consistency of gel with little lumps.  If I drank frog eggs I would image they have the same consistency.  I was able to drink about 2/3 of the glass.  I still used Gu on the run around mile 6.5.

So, how did I feel on our 10.2 mile run today?  AMAZING!  I didn’t have my normal ravenous hunger appear around mile 8.  In fact at mile 3 I remarked to Sara, “I feel surprisingly full and wouldn’t be interested in eating a cheese pizza if it was right in front of me!”  I too, run to eat, and it was nice not to be distracted by hunger at the end of the run.  Afterward, I downed the rest of the seed elixir, the remaining 1/2 of my PR Bar, and some NUUN.  My hunger stayed in check until around 11:45, just in time for lunch!

Here is my question – how could I take the seed/water mixture on my run?  I typically don’t need a fuel belt because of our wonderful pit stops.  Thanks!