May 2014

[Sweder]

A banana in a bum bag seemed a good idea, but when I unzipped it after an hour it wasn't a pretty sight...

I sometimes wonder what interlopers who stray here unprepared make of all this?

Anyway ... bananas in backpacks in summer weather make for bad bed-fellows. I took four during the Connemarathon (along with peanut butter and jam bagels wrapped, ill-advisedly as it turned out - in tissue paper). The last one, reached for at around 40ks, had transformed into a foul, black liquid coating the insides of my rucksack.

Peanut butter and honey on toast work a treat for me, sometimes topped with sliced banana, as a pre-run (around an hour before) snack. I carry a half-litre water bottle on a bottle-belt, usually water with a hint of lemon and ginger cordial. It tastes like it's doing me good. Of course for the longer runs (+15 miles or so) Chia Fresca is the pre-run drink of choice. You'll need to read Chris McDougall's wonderful 'Born To Run' to learn all about that.

As for the running, I'm rather worried that I'll hold you back as and when we finally get to run together. I'll have to get my big wobbly arse in gear.