TIART: Feed me Seymour!

This is part of Take It and Run Thursday's on the oh-so wonderful blog at Runner's Lounge. This week's topic is food.

When I was in my early 20s and finishing my degree my father insisted that I attend my university commencement. I didn't want to go. It didn't mean much to me. Still doesn't really. "Passages, Natalie, passages." He likes the rituals, the things we do because they mean something if only to us. My father also really loves great food and fabulous wine. If you'd asked me before I started running what traits I shared with my father, I'd have said a love for fabulous food. Since I've put in my miles on the pavement, I can tell you that I honestly tell you that I love my rituals. In fact, it turns out I have running food rituals. Yes, Dad, I am my father's daughter. (Except for the running bit, he really doesn't understand the running thing. At all.)

The thing is this, from time to time I will have stomach/colon issues during a run. I live in the city, ain't a lot of good pooping bushes along my running routes. Well there are plenty, they just happen to be in front of houses. (Don't picture it this scenario, you'll go blind.) So I have learned to be careful.* But I do love good food. Unfortunately, it doesn't always like me. There are some food that never let me down -- like cookies. (Hi Amy!)

Fundamentally, I will run an extra mile if it means I can have more cookies. Many times, I just have cookies anyway. Because if there were ever a food that should grow on trees and be good for you it's cookies. I love cookies. Cookies are the perfect runners food, come home from work grab two** cookies (homemade chocolate chip is the best) a glass of milk, 10 minutes later, you are good to go.

But cookies aren't a ritual -- just motivation. When I have a "my god you've gotten fat" phase. There are no cookies (and life is much harder.) However, cookies are a lovely way to plan, start, end, blog, or think about running. Go get one. See. It's the world a better place? Cookies and running. The undiscovered link. Passionate about running because I am passionate about cookies.

But I do have food running rituals and they all have to do with the long run.

Pizza is a long run ritual. The supper before a long run, I usually have pizza. In fact, I made The Boys have pizza pre-Shamrock because it's what I had to have before a long run. Not designer, flat bread pizza (although it is very yummy.) No old school doughy pizza. The greasier the better. No beer. Water. Maybe some chicken wings, but it must be pizza. Not fancy pizza either -- pepperoni, green pepper and mushroom and maybe some bacon.

Then the morning of the long run, I like a bowl of Go Lean Crunch with some sort of fruit but NOT an apple. (Preferably berries or a banana.) Then I wait 30 minutes before I run. It must be at least 30 minutes. (I am still working on this ritual.) Oh and coffee. Lots and lots of coffee. (Then I pee a lot. But that's another post.)

During this 30 minutes I will pack my running supplies. For long runs I am fussy. Fundamentally I don't like gels and many gels don't like me. It's Chocolate Outrage or Chocolate Mint Gu. Espresso Love makes me want to barf. Vanilla Orange or Strawberry Kiwi CarbBoom is good but the Apple Cinnamon... I had to stop because of the heaving. Jelly Belly sports beans work but take a long time to eat. (See I'm fussy.) I usually stick to Gu. (I was just thinking that if there were ever a food that was as far away as you could get from good food, sports gel would be it.)

For a drink, always Gatorade. Why? Cytomax and Accelerade although I love the taste sit there. It's like they don't move. I feel "whooosh, whoosh whooosh" when I run. I hate that whooshiness. Whoosh! Then it cramps and then I wonder about knocking on doors 'cuz I gotta go. Not fun. So plain old Gatorade (not powerade.)

And I pay great attention to packing it all up. Always on the same side. And making sure it's just right before I head off onto the road and start earning my cookies.
______
*I have no clue if my father has poop issues. He would discuss such things. Some things are better left unsaid.
** Quantities may vary... in this case two sometimes means four. I was never all that good at math.

Comments

[Marcy]

What? You drink coffee before you run?!? My stomach can usually handle it if I give it a good hr before going out but forget that. I'm not waking up at 4am just to have a cup LMAO!

[Runnin' Ragged]

Great post. Sometimes I think "If you run one more mile you can have one more cookie!" (or substitude whater crave I happen to have at that moment).

I have the same "Wait 30 min before run rule"...I think it somehow came over from the "Wait 30 min before you swim after you eat" rule. But hey,it works!

[Marci]

I all about the running for food. Great post!

[Eileen]

Great post! Love the part about the other sport drinks and the "whooosh" feeling. I so understand what you mean!

[Tootie]

I share your love of good food - and cookies! :)

For me, I run for chocolate cookie dough ice cream. (The best of both worlds - ice cream AND cookies :)

[Betsy]

I drink coffee before running, too. Marcy is just crazy. :)

[AK]

A banana is usually perfect for me. A banana with coffee would probably set me off. I too have colon/stomach problems if I'm not careful... I live in the country, but not far enough off that I can go on the side of the road.

[Amy]

Hi Nat!

I am convinced that we are twins separated at birth. I run for cookies - until my fatness overcomes my urges.

And pizza is a must.

And I am a Gu girl - no woosh, woosh for me either.

Nat - always a pleasure to read your posts - it is like a special treat. Almost as good as a cookie!

[Viv]

I love that when things were outta whack you were missing cookies...

I am a fan of the G@ for the runs know what you mean about the sloshing with other products. For Cytomax is purely on the bike.

[Laurel aka Lily]

No cookies, nor Gatorade for this chickie, bleck.

Pre race run...hmmmm, coffee, Vector, banana, orange juice....

run at night, chicken, salad and a beer...yes, I said beer, carb loading, yes I am!!!