For the past several weeks, I’ve been having the same evening snack. I really think it plays a big part in the quality of my run the next morning. I say this because I skipped the ritual several times in the last week, and my runs have been mediocre. Last night, I returned to this ritual and I had a great run this morning. Here’s what the ritual entails:
About 1 1/2 hours before I go to bed, I take a small handful of frozen blueberries and place them in a large coffee mug. A take a large handful of frozen raspberries and place them in a bowl. I let both defrost for about an hour. Then, I pour Kashi 7 whole grain nugget cereal (think organic grape nuts) over the blueberries with some milk and eat that. Once I’m done, I pack the defrosted raspberries in my juicer and juice them on low speed. I then pour organic apple juice into the juicer. This cleans the remaining thick raspberry juice from the juicer and thins the juice cocktail. I consume a glass of this raspberry/apple juice cocktail.
Then, I retire for the evening. No matter how stressful the day has been, this juice cocktail puts me right to sleep. It’s usually a very deep, dream filled sleep. I almost never toss and turn when I’ve had this cocktail before bed. The cereal gives me the extra calories that I need for a strong performance in the morning. It may sound crazy, but it works.
Planned workout
8 minutes warmup
4 miles at 9:15 pace
5 minutes cool down
Actual workout
9 minutes warmup
4 miles at 9:06
10 minutes cool down
This morning, it was cool and humid. There was a breeze and rain was threatening. I ran the first two miles at about 10:00 minute pace. The third mile was about 8:45 pace, and the final mile was even faster. I took no walk breaks and I cruised through the last half mile at almost 7:30 pace. I felt like I had another mile in me too. It was a great feeling after Monday’s mediocre run. I wonder if the difference was the evening ritual. Sunday night, I didn’t have the cereal or the juice cocktail. Monday night I had both.
You’re making me hungry. Bastert. 🙂
I’m actually starting to carry something in the car or my purse, for nights when I’m stuck on the bridge! I’m a big believer in eating within the 1st half hour after a run, and it’s frustrating to be stuck in traffic. Last night, I had a Kashi bar that someone had given me, and it was heaven. If I’d had it Friday, when I was stuck for 1.5 hours in traffic, I would have been *much* happier. 🙂
Don’t think less of me but adding a little Cap Morgan to that would also do the trick, probably about two shots would do. run long
Well, I think I’d add Sailor Jerry instead, but same theory.
Do you use any nutritional supplements ?
I have been taking a multivitamin for a while but am curious if there are any that are worth while to help me get stronger and give me more endurance too.
No, I don’t use any nutritional supplements right now. I try to stay as natural as possible.