As a mom to six year-old twins who are beginner readers, it pains me to spell words like the one in my title incorrectly. In fact, I don’t hide my frustration when the kids are reading something (which is everything these days!) and they don’t know the word “night” because it’s spelled “nite.”
But, I own this space, which no child should ever read, and my reasoning behind the hideous spelling is because I’m talking ELECTROLYTES today and yes, they really can light up your running life.
I have sung the praises of EnduroPacks in this space before, as they helped me recover faster after starting one of the most rigorous training regimens of my career – the World Championship Duathlon in Spain. We all know how well that turned out so I don’t have to sell you on the product. However, if you need more then my word, you can ask elite Saucony runner Tina Muir, who doesn’t train without their products.
Racing to the finish of the 2014 World Championship Duathlon race in Ponteverdre, Spain.
My interest in EnduroPacks was rekindled after the debacle that was the New York City Marathon. As you may recall, I figured out why I hit the wall so very hard at mile 19. Lack of electrolytes. One small mistake screwed up a major race goal and turned 26.2 miles into a death march.
The people at EnduroPacks used my NYC marathon story as a cautionary tale on their blog. Not exactly how I want to be recognized but, if it helps someone else then it was all worth it. Ok, not really but you get what I’m trying to say.
Don’t make the same mistakes I did!
What Are Electrolytes?
Electrolytes are minerals found in bodily fluids and, at the right levels, keep muscles functioning properly.
Runners mostly lose these precious minerals (mainly sodium and potassium) though sweat and need to replace them. They are most commonly replaced with sugary drinks like Gatorade or Body Armour, by many runners or recreational athletes.
If you have an electrolyte imbalance, it can lead to this:
Electrolytes prevent this.
What Are the Benefits of Electrolytes?
What they say: “Supports blood flow and muscle contraction.”
What it means: Your muscles won’t cramp when you need them most, say in the last 7 miles of a huge marathon.
What they say: “Proper brain function”
What it means: You will be able to think clearly toward the end of a race or hard training session and make good decisions like to press on or cut it short. You can also probably more clearly calculate if you’re going to PR or not, toward the end of a race. < – – I can never seem do this even if I’m swimming in electrolytes.
What they say: “Facilitates energy production”
What it means: You will have the energy to train hard for consecutive days, recover better in between hard training sessions, and race well on the day of the big event. < – – I mostly found that I was able to recover quicker in between hard efforts.
What they say: “Enhances the body’s digestion of vitamins, minerals and proteins.”
What it means: Your stomach won’t cramp and you won’t have to use every port-o-john from the start of the race to the finish. Or the woods. You will also have more pairs of gloves. < – – if you’re not a long distance runner you may not understand that one. Let’s just say in the winter there are no available leaves to use as toilet paper.
I keep it in my in box so I remember to spray it into my water!
Benefits of EnduroPacks Electrolyte Spray
It’s portable. Tina Muir told me she even sticks the bottle in her shorts during races so she can spray some as needed though out a race. Genius!
It’s sugar-free. I cannot stand the sweetness of most sports drinks especially since I’m usually already taking in sugary Gu’s or Cliff shots. It’s sweetness overload which leads to a pretty angry stomach. With the spray, you just spray 10 times into your water bottle and hardly notice it’s in there. #LikeMagic
It lasts. One bottle contains 30 servings!
So, do you want one? Did I mention it has a $26.50 value?
I was given two bottles of electrolyte spray from the good people at EnduroPacks (one to keep and another to give to you!) but even they are a little embarrassed about all the honest praise I bestow upon them. Obviously all opinions are my own.
Do you train with electrolytes? Have you ever used Enduropacks products?
Do you get frustrated by words spelled incorrectly for “fun?”
Apparently Ive become the walking halfmarathon woman.
which is GREAT except when it is TexasHot.
I wonder if Id love these during the race when it’s summer??
It would be perfect! Seriously. You will definitely need to replenish in the hot sun…when walking…for hours.
I’m a huge Enduropacks fan! Although I must admit that I didn’t use the spray as much as I should when training. And the wrong spelling of everything drives me nuts…even before kids!
I love how convenient the spray is. Having to wait for a tablet to dissolve is clearly too time consuming.
You’re so right. I hated that before kids too.
I am so excited for these electro lites! (Lol!) no seriously I think I need to try these for sure–the fact that it lasts long and prevents all the Castro issues I tend to have after mile 15 or so is a winner for me!!
LOL! Yes Nellie – this is for YOU!
I am glad then I can find different ways to add electrolytes to my water…tabs, chews, sprays; they all add up to me feeling better throughout my training 🙂
I’m not a big fan of the tabs but love the spray and pairing it with gu or chews works really well. Thanks Lindsey!
I have tried the EnduoPacks whole kit and caboodle once and was VERY pleased with the results. I felt like I recovered quickly and was in the best shape of my life at the time. However, a free months sample only last so long. Ha! The only reason I haven’t continued with them is due to cost and as I am not a “pro” runner (now that’s a joke) I couldn’t justify the expense. HOWEVER, in 2016 I’m really REALLY aiming to run a BQ time. I missed it by 11 minutes last spring and then the fall marathon turned into a half marathon… I’d love a shot at having everything I can for a solid training season and race!
I hear you on the cost but, since you know it worked for you and you have this BIG goal… Maybe hint at a gift…or two?
Good luck chasing a BQ this year!
Ok….as it is getting to down to crunch time, I think maybe I’ll order a bottle and try it on the next couple long-ass runs! I have to confess that sometimes I like it when things are spelled creatively…..and I also like made-up words like runsanity:)
Made up words don’t count and I agree they can be awesome like “runsanity” which is obviously one of my favorites.
I hope you try it (maybe think about trying the whole system) and let me know if/how it works for you!
I’m definitely a fan of Enduropacks and have been very impressed with their products. It definitely made a difference! And oy, my kids’ spelling! Especially with the youngest one – he has to read his stories to me because I have no idea what he’s saying sometimes!
LOL on the storytelling! I also love that their teachers still let them spell on their own. They come up with some very interesting ways of spelling some big words 🙂
I know you’re already a fan. I hope you can get back into a good groove with running and will therefore need some electrolytes!
I love Nuun water! I love the fact that it isn’t sugary and settles well with my tummy. I also like the fact that my kiddo loves it too! I am always game to try new products though!
I’m not a huge fan of NUUN but I do agree that most of their flavors are not sugary and, you can control how many tabs as well as the amount of water. It’s also good to have choices so you can mix things up!
Thanks Cassondra.
Tina’s tips about stashing that bottle in a pocket for a race/long run is genius. Part of my problem at my last marathon, I realize, was stomach issues exacerbated by lack of electrolytes – I tried to rely just on my GUs for electrolytes, which was a bad idea, and fortunately the Ultima on the course saved me from an awful race. I used to use Nuun, but the sorbitol and my stomach are not always friends and I want to move towards something a little more natural. I’ll definitely be checking these out!
Sounds like we had very similar problems! And yes, when Tina said that to me it was a total lightbulb moment. I hope you win or can try out the spray. I think it’s a great solution!
Besides what’s already there, I find it difficult to imagine that ANYTHING in your shorts can be comfortable, I cringe at the thought:( To me that’s like throwing a rabid rodent in there- think ‘Willard’. For swim and bike, no problem, for the run I’m leaning towards a ‘lite’ [pun intended] camel back.
I’ve known of Electrolytes for decades and finally discovered them as a matter of survival this past semester to get through the brutality of training with the Swim team (total case of not heeding your preaching!). I’ll never be w/o EL again, training or racing!
Frustrated by ‘nite’, yes because the kids don’t know the difference yet, hopefully the adult role models do? Amazed however at the preponderance of the seemingly confused who can’t discern between to, too, and two; their and there, then and than, effect and affect, etc.
Confounded and consternated though with the proliferation of having to use ‘whom’ in every instance when simply ‘who’ will suffice. This usage seems to have evolved along with Political correctness, not sure of the correlation?
What’s happened to the English language, the reporters and media can’t even get it right, even government websites? Whatever happened to proof reading before publishing?
I don’t use gloves (you’ll get this if you’ve been in the military).
Great enlightening and entertaining post as always:)
Enlightening and entertaining comment as always Claude 🙂
So glad you found the importance of electrolytes all on your own and yes, they are a matter of survival!
Tina wears the Saucony bullet shorts (I have them) and, if you saw the pockets you would understand why it works. They are spandex material and the pockets are BIG and on the lower portion and sides of the shorts so the spray is riding along at mid-quad level and is tight to the body. I have yet to try this, since I have the same shorts, but I absolutely will.
Don’t even get me started on all the bad grammar! That is an entire post. Maybe two. And, you forgot “you’re” which is probably the most misused…or NOT used when needed. But, I’m sure you know this.
I do not get the glove reference since I have zero military background so I will need to Google. Thank God for Google!
Thank you Cluade! Have an amazing day!
I’ve used NUUN before and find it’s easy on the stomach. The elecotrolytes in a spray form is perfect for a flip belt.
YES! And I love my flip belt 🙂 Thanks Laura.
My nickname is Electrolyte… Because I support blood flow and muscle contraction… If you catch my drift!
You know I do.
I’m going back to browse those wood watches now…
I actually train and use Tailwind Nutrition for my distance races. It’s an ultramarathon fuel and I’ve had really good success with it! I use NUUN for recovery. I’m curious about this electrolyte spray.
I’m curious about Tailwind. I have never heard of them so thanks. I will be Googling for sure…
Oh yea, I love electrolytes! Definitely helps to refuel me, and I usually drink electrolytes after tough workouts. I haven’t tried EnduroPacks before though!
It is also great for recovery for sure! Thanks Nicole.
I have had conversations about this with Tina and I need to get a bottle asap!! This sounds awesome and just what I need for training and racing. I have been a single mom all week, so I am just on overload with kids, homework, volunteering, Christmas, baking, letter stuffing and spelling words.
My kindergarten daughter is very much into reading these days and she loves to make up stories. I don’t even know why I am talking about this, so I am going to go now 🙂
Yay Enduropacks!!!
LOL!!! Don’t worry, I was talking about kids and spelling so you were not completely off base with that comment. Solo parenting is so very hard so hang in there. In fact, you could probably use the spray just to get though that!!
Stay strong 🙂
I usually just drink a lot of water or drink Vitamin Water drinks. I really need to try something better.
Sounds like this is perfect for you! I hope you try it…
Woman, I just love you in that first picture. It is EPIC! I honestly look up to you. Seriously.
You are so awesome. Thank you for saying that!! Seriously.