One of the many things that I love about running is that in my almost 7 years of exclusively running, I have never stopped learning about, experimenting with, and perfecting my running routine.
Take GU for example. I had my first experience with GU during my first marathon. I had trained using Clif Shotbloks but had not brought enough with me for the race. Around mile 22 I started to feel like I needed something more and I grabbed a GU when they were handing them out later in the course. I think I might have had the entire thing, I’m not sure, but I do know that it did not sit well. I’ll never know whether it was the GU, the excitement of running my first race, or the fact that I was sick that caused the GU to come right back up shortly after I finished the race.
The above picture is post throw-up. Trust me, I was not smiling before.
After that experience, I didn’t want anything to do with gels. I trained for races using shotbloks or dried fruit and never thought twice about trying a GU again… until this fall when Zappos sent me a runner’s care package with an order of Brooks Adrenalines. In the package, they sent a sample of GU and for the first time, I was curious to see how I’d do. I waited for a day that I was running long on the treadmill and brought the GU with me. I took just a little at a time and found that it didn’t bother my stomach at all AND it really helped my running. Crazy!
A few weeks later, I am now a gel convert (although I prefer the Clif Shots with caffeine) and can’t believe I’ve gone so long without using them.
Well, today I tried my new injinji socks and I have to say, I’m super impressed with them! Injinji socks are performance toe socks that aim to strengthen muscles in your leg and foot, wick sweat away, prevent blisters and hot spots, and help with gripping and balance. Until Saturday, I’d never heard of injinji and then when I did, I thought that I’d be incredibly uncomfortable running in toe socks. To be honest, the only thing drawing me toward the socks was the idea of preventing blisters between toes <– I happen to get a lot of these.
This morning I wore my injini’s on a 7 mile recovery run and my feet felt great. I couldn’t even tell that I was wearing toe socks, my toes didn’t rub, and my feet stayed super warm. Injinji FTW!
I don’t know that I’m a complete convert yet (I will still wear my old boring, normal socks) but I do plan on buying another pair or two of injini’s to wear on treadmill runs or during races when I’m particularly blister prone.
Sometimes changing up old routines can lead to even better new ones!
So tell me, what’s one new thing you’ve tried or one way you’ve experimented with a running/work out routine?
Glad to hear you like the Injinji socks. I am such a low maintenance sock person. I wore the cheapos from target or the socks I stole from my mom (sorry mom, I steal socks even after I moved away from home…) for years. I bought my first pair of actually running socks a year and a half ago. I can’t really tell the difference between socks to be honest. However, I am curious about these because they seem very different.
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Haha thats funny, socks are one of the few things I’m pretty high maintenance about. I basically only wear running socks and they’re all the same brand and style.
I have never tried Injinji but everyone I know who has tried them has loved them! I got pairs for two of my girlies this holiday and I am excited to hear what they think of them. I want to try gaiters for trail running
I used to take real food with me on runs. Lately I have been lazy and grabbing a GU
What kind of real food did you take? I’m always curious to hear.
I love those Cliff shots. Tastes almost like frosting!!!!
I’ve experimented with fuel a lot and have it down. My biggest struggle is running in the heat. I just can’t get my hydration right!
Katie @ Livehalffull recently posted..My Second Service Project
Running in the heat is tough, I’m with you on that one!
Those are some interesting socks. I don’t know how I’d like them. I’m pretty particular but maybe I should give them a try!
Sarah @PickyRunner recently posted..A letter to my future self
They’re worth checking it out!
I’ve always thought toe socks were exclusively for Vibrams or something like that…never even considered wearing them with regular shoes, interestingly enough. I’ve never really done much experimenting with my running in general, now that I think about it. I guess I’ve tried new things (running with a water bottle, taking G Series chews), but once I started doing those things I never stopped doing them. I’m so nervous that something would go wrong that I think it scares me away from finding out if there’s something better for me out there. Probably not the best method for making me the best runner I could be, though. Hm.
Bethany @ Accidental Intentions recently posted..Playing Hotel
It makes sense though- if something works why change it?
those socks are simply too cute!
Jess @ JessieBear What Will You Wear recently posted..Liebster Award
Haha I love the color!
During marathon training over the summer, I started getting really tired of eating so much food in gel or gummy form (shots, shot bloks, GU, etc) so I started experimenting with real food – pretzels were a real win for me. I think I liked the saltiness and it was solid and I found it would really settle my stomach during races.
Glad you like the Injinjis! I do all of my running in them, unless I’m wearing novelty socks
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I’m a big fan of salty things while running or right after so I can see how pretzels would work!
I love using Injinjis. Started using them with VFFs a few years ago and still use them now with regular trail shoes. They are definitely the best during long runs to prevent blisters between toes. Those are the worst!
I know! I’m going to invest in some more injinjis so I can wear them more frequently. I tend to get blisters a lot.
I bought a pair of injinji’s this year and I really like them. I am also prone to blisters especially between my toes. I hate wearing regular toe socks, but once I am running in these I don’t notice them and I definitely have fewer blisters!
I’m not a huge fan of Gu’s, but I will eat them when I am running. For biking I usually opt for gummies or real food because I like those better.
I am always trying new sports bras for running, but sometimes that really backfires on me and I get terrible chaffing.
Alyssa @ Don’t Look Down recently posted..Illinois Marathon Training Recap Week 4
Ugh chafing. I chafed really bad a month ago with a new sports bra that had a clasp and it literally cut into my back. Now I have scratches that keep getting irritated with different sports bras. So annoying!
That gu and flavor is my favorite! Something I’ve learned after running my first half: make a slit at the top so it’s easier to rip it open while running. My hands were so sweaty it was hard to open it! This came back to bite me in the butt, though…for my second half I cut a slip at the top and it oozed all over my spibelt!! Need to find a happy medium, haha
Megan @ runnningonjava recently posted..Power in slowing down
That’s a great tip that I will most likely need racing in Florida– thanks
those socks look awesome – i’ve been having some weird issues with curling my toes up while i run (no idea why – it’s driving me crazy and the more i think about it the more i do it) and i wonder if these might help that. i might look into these!
molly @ heart, sole & cereal recently posted..what have i been up to?
Do it
! They’re super comfy and kinda cute!
Love this and so true. You can never stop experimenting with running. i actually really like those gels too with caffeine. I find during long runs/races they really help! I don’t like the texture of chomps and such.
HollieisFueledByLOLZ recently posted..Raindeer Run 5k (19:04)
Chomps get stuck in my teeth and then I spend so much time trying to get them out of my teeth. No fun in that. Gels are just a little bit easier!
I have the hardest time opening the Clif Gels…a mocha one exploded on my during my Halloween half, it wasn’t pretty
How many gels do you consume during a marathon?
I never train with fuel, so each race is a new fueling experiment for me!
last marathon I had 2- GU’s…and they didn’t cause me to cramp or feel bad during the race, I actually think they helped a lot…but I felt so sick afterwards. I’m still not 100% it was the GU’s fault, but it’s been 2.5-weeks post-race, and I still have not been able to eat anything sugary without an ick stomach feeling…
I just received a new type of gel (an all natural Chia-gel!) that I’m going to use in my January marathon, I’m hoping I don’t feel the same side-effects I did after GU at CIM.
I’m getting excited for you and your Goofy-challenge, I hope training has been going well!!
xoxo!
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During a marathon I’ll probably have 2, maybe 2.5 if I feel like I need it. I don’t like to overdo it… I don’t know how some people can have 4-5 during one race!
Let me know how the chia-gel is!
I love trying out new things especially new gear! I did not care for gels when I first started running the textures and flavors were a no, but on my two longest runs and the marathon itself I loved them. It was exactly what I needed when my energy was dipping. I still love my Honey Stinger chews, but something about the Clif gel hit the spot during those long runs.
Neat socks – glad they worked out for you
Thanks! It’s weird how preferences can change so much. I’ve never tried the stinger chews but maybe I should?