I haven’t been running since getting pregnant. Part of the reason is that it just doesn’t feel good for me during pregnancy, but also–let’s be real–running and I are kinda on a break right now.
It’s not that running did anything wrong…I’ve just been clicking with other kinds of exercise lately. Like barre (any and all kinds). And PiYo. And most recently, my own prenatal circuit creations.
But there’s one big part of running that you just can’t get anywhere else: racing.
It’s hard to compete with the race experience. It’s exciting, scary, thrilling, challenging, fun, hard, and just crazy awesome. (Sometimes more crazy than awesome, depending on the weather…)
If you want to hear me go off about racing even more, check out this post.
After a couple years of racing, I got to the point where I wasn’t satisfied with just doing it for the experience. I wanted to PR, like, EVERY. TIME. Which meant I had to be in my absolute optimal condition (ie not pregnant) to pursue so much as a 5K.
And then there was the money factor…man, those things are expensive.
Turns out that if you take away the racing piece of the puzzle, you’re left with just…running. Without the Garmin and the training plan and the bibs and the race day jitters. In that world, I’m a little lost.
So while I still like the idea of running, I think it’s racing that I’m truly into. The actual feet-on-pavement part is easily trumped by “fun stuff” like torching my quads with tiny little 1-inch movements at the barre or working out with drumsticks.
All that said, I know I’ll run again. Maybe I’ll even win the lottery and be able to purchase a double BOB someday, for optimal kid-friendly running.
But for now, my treadmill usage is limited to incline walking (which, let me assure you, can be puh-lenty challenging for a lumbering pregnant woman).
Which is why, when the kind people over at Clif offered to send me some of their SHOT products, after I’d professed my love for them in this PopSugar article, I politely declined.
Then I said: but can I give some to my readers??
And so, this giveaway was born. Clif even offered to shower 3 WINNERS with Shot product care packages, which include:
– SHOT BLOKS
– SHOT Energy Gels
– SHOT Electrolyte Hydration Mix
– SHOT Protein Recovery Drink Mix
As I mentioned in the PS article, I was so obsessed with the bloks during marathon training. I had Amazon send me a box every month, and my biggest challenge was keeping my hands out of them when I wasn’t running.
In case you’re not familiar, Shot Bloks are carb and electrolyte chews. They have a gummy-bear-like texture, but I personally don’t like gummy bears so I’ll say that they taste much better. The cran-razz flavor was my ultimate weakness.
Also in the winning care packages, you’ll find CLIF SHOT energy gels (undoubtedly just as good, although I’ve never tried them) and the two newest additions to the CLIF SHOT line: the CLIF SHOT Electrolyte Hydration Drink Mix and CLIF SHOT Protein Recovery Drink Mix, which provide athletes with hydration during activity and fast-absorbing protein to aid in post-activity recovery.
And if you win, you get to TRY THEM ALL!
To enter the contest, use the Rafflecopter below. I’ll announce the 3 winners next Friday.
Have a fabulous weekend!
xoxo
Kim
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
I usually go for Peanut Butter GU. Last year I was training for an ultra and at a ton of Twizzlers!
Running and lifting are my main loves, but I go in and out of phases with which one i love more. :-)
I’ve started using turkey jerky and dried mango – a good combo of sugar, salt and protein and carbs! So good.
For some reason, I always feel sluggish if I eat before working out, so my only fuel is getting rest. I have an on-and-off relationship with running. I have always hated it, but I started once I got injured on my weight loss journey. Running helped me to get in shape, and I plan to run my first 5k this year and also complete 500 miles…I took the 2nd half of 2013 off to focus on lifting, so I’m still trying to get back into the groove.
Khaleef @ Fat Guy, Skinny Wallet recently posted…CLEAN Program Elimination Diet – Week 2 Update
I agree, the cran razz blocks are awesome!
Katie recently posted…Peace Perspective XIV: Waiting
I use Gu when racing.
I’ve just recently discovered my love for running and I’m getting that feeling to always beat my PR…but I keep challenging myself with other kinds of workouts to always find the motivation to run. I’ve never tried CLIF products before but I’ve heard the SHOTS are really good for energetic runs!
I love Quest bars for long bike rides!
I’ve been fueling with amino acids lately, but would love to win this for the long bike rides we’ve been taking!
Lisa @ Lisa Living Well recently posted…A Nasty Fall
I love shot bloks! Mountain Berry is my favorite!
Heather @fitncookies recently posted…Meals and Fitness 5/18/14
My fuel of choice is a banana but for longer walks I need a Clif Shot.
Kay Lynn recently posted…Weekly Chronicles: Boston Edition
Really the only thing I eat as fuel before my workout is steel cut oats.
I love shot blocks and sharkies.
Hot yoga! Love-hate relationship!
I use Clif Shot Bloks on my long runs! They strawberry ones are super tasty. I have a hard time chewing while I run, but these are a good texture to suck on.
Karen recently posted…bronchitis and a minor league mascot
My fuel of choice is Gatorade g chews, but I like shot blocks just as well :)
I am definitely a runner and love the discipline of training for a race. It definitely gives me the motivation I need. I usually use SHOT BLOKS or GU on my long runs.
I love gu’s or regular old jelly beans for long runs!
I prefer margarita and cran-razz shot bloks, but there are lots of flavors I’ve never tried yet! I’d love to try them all!
Caroline @ Fighting For Wellness recently posted…Friday Facts
I LOVE Clif Bloks and they are the only thing I use during training runs because they taste good and don’t upset my stomach. So far during half iroman training they have been the only things I have been using too, but I would love to try out all of their other products. Have a great weekend!
Katie @ Daily Cup of Kate recently posted…Fitness Friday And My New Puma Gear!
The closest thing I’ve really had for a workout “fuel” is carbo loading the night before a race. After a race, I drink my Gatorade and snack on bananas and other healthy goodies to replenish my body.
I like to eat some oatmeal with peanut butter and nutella after a big workout. Fills me up quickly.
I guess the closest thing I’ve ever had to a workout fuel of choice would be a spoonful of peanut butter or a banana, but have always been curious to try something like the Bloks and Gels. Perhaps this would be a good way to try them! :-)
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