Tag Archives: Hiking

Tailwind Nutrition Review

Posted by hellyontherun in Running and tagged with , , , , , , , ,

Rock ‘n’ Roll Madrid is getting closer and closer and I’m starting to get really excited. I think what has me looking forward to this race is that it’s a no pressure race. I’m not looking to PR having reached my goal at RnR Arizona–quite honestly, if I never beat that time I think I’ll be okay lol. With Madrid, I want to enjoy being in a different country with my husband doing what we enjoy doing: running

What I am concerned with is that when I get back from Europe May 3, I have that dreaded mandatory Death March 17.8 mile run/hike the next morning. With jet lag and the exhaustion from being gone a week, I think I’ll be a good representative of that hike’s title. My running group leader has been getting on us to make sure we’re prepared telling us that temps at the bottom of the canyon can go up to 100+ degrees. Fueling and hydrating is super important and because of that, I’ve been trying a few things.

I tried Energybits a few weeks ago (my review) and during Sunday’s 14.75 mile hike I tried Tailwind Nutrition for the second time. Tailwind is a mix you combine with water and it comes in several flavors–all the ingredients are natural and organic. The berry flavor I tried was amazing . (I’m one of those that when I hear natural and/or organic, I automatically assume I won’t like it (I know, dumb) ). It was sweet but not overly sugary and had zero aftertaste but it def gave my water a little extra yummy oomph.

Berry amazing :)

Berry amazing 🙂

Having not eaten anything before the hike–I usually eat a Nutrigrain bar but my daughter snagged the last one the morning before– Tailwind surprisingly kept me full the whole time. I was really worried I’d be starving during the run/hike but I starting drinking about 15 minutes in and throughout the entire way and was perfectly fine. In fact, I sucked my hydration pack dry by the time I reached the end lol! It was really really yummy and actually very satisfying–it’s advertised to meet your calorie, hydration, and electrolyte needs so no need for gels.

I’ve also tried the lemon flavor (yum!) and have yet to taste the Mandarin Orange. They also have a flavorless mix. I’ll keep you posted on the last two.

Tailwind came recommended from a buddy in my running group who swears by it and I’m glad I gave it a shot. Here’s the website: www.tailwindnutrion.com I love how they offer single packages (the berry flavor is on my weekend buy list).

Let me know if you decide to try it. So far it’s a winner in my book.

–What do you use for fuel?

–Do you like mixing things in your water?

I was sent my package of Tailwind free to test, however, my opinions on the product are my own. I do plan to continue using the product because I truly like it.

 

The Next Big Thing

Posted by hellyontherun in 5k, Family, Half Marathon, Race, Running and tagged with , , , , , , , , , , ,

Well, there’s a few…

I’ve hinted at having some pretty awesome things coming up. My marathon was a big, big race but it was only the beginning 🙂

1. I’m finally going to see my family in Ohio. My mom, brother, and sister live in Ohio and it’s rare when we go visit them. Luckily, one of them manages to make it down here to Arizona–my sister not so often as she’s got her clan to travel with. My husband, Ben, was the one who suggested us making the trip up there this time and he had zero reservations from me 🙂 We’ll be heading out there in a few weeks and it just so happens to be right before my little girl’s 2nd birthday. So, she’ll be having her birthday party with her cousins; I’m we’re so excited!!

Of course, I thought about whether I could squeeze in a race while I was there. I found a local 5k close to my sister’s place and signed Ben and I up. My sister is a runner so it wasn’t too difficult to get her to join in as well. But guess what?? My non-running, 6’2, 280 lb brother signed up too!!!! This will be his first race and our first race all three of us have done together!! I’m so ridiculously pumped about this.

He texted me this yesterday: “3.5 mile fast walk done!”

I had the biggest smile all day from reading that.

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2. Rock ‘n’ Roll Madrid, Spain anyone?

Ben and I were looking at spring/early summer races and considering Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego in June. We looked at the website at what other RnR races there were around the time frame we wanted and we saw Madrid. What if we did something crazy like that? We are not very spontaneous people and doing things like just isn’t normal for us. But, we were in a moment and we decided to go for it! We’ll be taking a week long trip to Europe late April starting in Spain, then going to Italy, and going home from France. I don’t think it’s fully registered that we’re doing this.

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3. Grand Canyon Rim 2 Rim

Living in Arizona, going to the Grand Canyon is a must. I went with my family when I was 6 and don’t remember a thing 😦 It’s been on my to-do list for quite some time and when my run club told me they do a yearly hike in the canyon I jumped at the chance. There was a pretty long waiting list but after a few months of waiting, I made it!

I’d be doing it alone with my club though and hiking the canyon was something I would have loved doing with my husband. But, this was an opportunity I wasn’t sure I’d get again. The dates to hike are mid to late May and since I’ll be going back to work (more about that another time), those days are blackout days. I couldn’t pass this up.

So on May 17th I’ll be making a 23 mile hike down the canyon and then making a 25 mile return back up. Sounds like fun, right? I’m so freaking excited about this!!!

Now that my marathon is over, I’ll be doing a lot more trail running and branching out a little from my usual pavement/treadmill runs. I’m looking forward to doing different things and can’t wait for this challenge.

Want more info on this? Go here to read about this awesomeness that is Rim to Rim.

So there you have it! I have other races sprinkled in between, but these are the next big things 🙂

–What’s on your race radar?

–What are some cool races you’d want to do? (I still have quite a few things on my wish list lol!)