Hello, hello!
T-minus 2 days until FitBloggin!!! EEEEEPPP!!!
And I just learned today that one of my faves, Lindsay at The Lean Green Bean, is going to be there on Saturday!
I’m totally going to be that starstruck girl standing there trying to stammer out an intelligent word. #dorkproblems
Got my business cards in the mail yesterday!
They’re plain jane because, well, honestly, they were a last minute thing! I hadn’t even considered needing them and I was emailing Lena about getting stuff ready for FitBloggin and she asked me if I had them. Um, no, cuz I’m a big clueless dork! So I had to quick order some from VistaPrint. Paid more for the shipping than the actual cards because I had to have them rushed to me! I was totally overwhelmed by all the choices so I took her advice again and just went with the plain ones. Once I’m back and I have time to think, I’ll probably design my own. But, for now, watch out – it’s bizness time!
Oh, wait. Don’t get the wrong idea. FitBloggin isn’t THAT kind of conference.
Aaannnnd, moving on.
So, I’m learning that running a 50k is a little more than just running 5 more miles than a marathon.
I mean, I knew that but still. I have to learn a whole bunch of new things to be successful!
I have to learn how to use and run with a Camelbak (okay, fine, I don’t actually HAVE to run with a Camelbak but I’m pretty sure I don’t want to wear a fuel belt with bottles of water bouncing around my hips for 31 miles – I don’t even like them for 20 milers. Can you say chafing?) and I have to learn how to eat on the run!
And no, by eating on the run, I DON’T mean going through the drive-thru and grabbing a quick burger.
I’m not quite sure how that’s going to go.
The most solid thing I eat now when I go for long runs is the Honey Stinger Waffle.
Otherwise, I usually carry Hammer Gels with me because they don’t make me feel like I’m going to vomit.
I’m waiting on some Ignite Naturals Reload Gels to come in so I can try those. I’m really excited because they’re made from real food – figs, brown rice and fruits – instead of artificial stuff like processed sugars and preservatives.
(OH! Don’t forget, if you want to try any Ignite Naturals products, you can get 10% off with this code: IN00344.) 🙂
But, I don’t usually take any of the food that’s offered during races – unless it’s an orange wedge. Love me some orange wedges! – because I’m afraid of it upsetting my tummy. 
I know that I’m going to be running slower than I normally would in a marathon – my thoughts right now are trying to keep a 10:00 – 10:30 pace throughout. we’ll see how THAT goes. – so I know that I’ll need more fuel to keep me on my feet and moving that whole time.
According to the race website, the aid stations will be stocked with pb&j squares, fig bars, salty snacks, candy, and fruit.
I’m not sure how my tummy will handle pb&j and salty snacks like pretzels.
But, I’m pretty sure if they offered me some jelly beans or some Swedish Fish, I’d probably be okay with that. #sweettooth
So, I guess I’m going to have to pack some pretzels in a small baggie for my next run. Or maybe some Fig Newtons. And a gallon of water. And someone to carry all my stuff.
Talk to me: If you’re an ultrarunner, what sorts of things do you eat during a run? How long did it take you to figure out what works and what doesn’t? Have you ever rolled up a whole pizza like a burrito and eaten it while running, a la Dean Karnazes?
– jennifer
A Hungry Runner 
OMG, I LOVE that song by the Flight of the Concords 🙂 🙂 🙂 That and a lot of other songs by them.
I’ve actually been thinking about playing this one at some of my indoor cycling classes but can’t decide if that would be appropriate for my population 🙂 Probably not 🙂
Okay, you’re probably sick of hearing me type by now, but I’ll add one more thought. It looks like you only have 5 miles between aid stations. I would recommend either a small waist pack (think Ultraspire or Ultimate Directions), or a hand held. A pack is likely overkill.
I see where you’re coming from with the waist pack or the hand held but I don’t want to carry a hand held for 31 miles. It wears my shoulders out. As for the waist packs, I have a couple that I use and, while I like them, I don’t prefer them – they bounce, get loose and bounce some more and I’m always yanking on them to tighten them back up and then I end up with chafe spots. In the small of my back. Not my favorite thing. Plus, I want to run my long training runs with the pack instead of a waist belt. Unless you’re going to set up aid stations every 5 miles for me. 😉 But, I do like the looks of the products from both of those companies so I’m definitely going to be looking into what they each have!