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9 Humid Miles and GU Brew to the Rescue

Seitan Wraps for Friday
Last night we had a good time meeting up with some friends for happy hour. We just visited and caught up for a few hours. A nice way to unwind after a really long week. Normally we would have gone home and made pizza for Pizza Friday. But my sister is coming up today and has requested pizza for dinner. I can definitely forgo Pizza Friday for Pizza Saturday with Sis ;-)

Instead of pizza, I had made up some Blackened Seitan before we had left for happy hour. I used that in whole-grain lavash wraps for a really tasty Blackened Seitan Wrap with baked sweet potato fries.

While I do love my pizza, it was sort of a nice change. Plus, my second love is sweet potato fries.

9-Miles
This morning I was up really early for a Saturday thanks to Maddie's antics. She started banging around in the kennel around 6. I finally decided to go ahead and get up at 6:20. I was planning on running anyway, and I knew I should get started sooner than later because of the temps.

While we enjoyed almost a week of below-average temperatures and humidity levels, that all changed this week, and we're back to hitting 100 degrees with very uncomfortable humidity and dew point. I got to the Big Dam Bridge right at 7 am and it was already a very humid 84 degrees. I didn't get started right away either because I ran into someone I knew and we chatted for a few minutes.

It was surprisingly packed at that hour. I guess everyone had the same idea - get it done as early as possible. I decided to take the same route as last week so that I could pass back by my car to refill my water bottle and towel off. This time, however, I did go a little farther down that new route.

There is a new bridge that connects the trail to another park across the river. I actually went over that bridge today and circled around that side. I was pleasantly surprised to find a very nicely shaded, forest-like path. The air was a little stagnant, but at least it was totally shaded. Definitely a nice change of scenery, and a very pretty sunrise.

I made it back to my car at 5 miles into the run, the perfect point to refuel as well. So I refilled my water and took in a GU before heading off to finish the run. This is where the run started to really get difficult for me. The first 5 miles, while hot and humid, were pretty good for the most part. Now if only I had gills, breathing would have been a cinch. At 6 miles in, I really started thinking about lapping back and calling it done at 7 miles. But then I started thinking, "no, I wanted 9, I'm doing 9."

It was a struggle mentally and even physically today. It was really hard to breathe. Normally my asthma is very controlled, but the humidity was doing a number on me. In the end, I did it - 9 solid miles. I am definitely proud that I didn't quit. I just had to dig deep today.

I couldn't wait to get back to the car so I could towel off (total sweat fest), get more water, and also try a new electrolyte product. Normally I have Gatorade, but I honestly hate the taste. Recently, I received GU Brew Tablets from Swanson Health Products to try. I used the GU gel, so was excited to try another product.
Before I left for my run, I had put one tablet with 16 oz of water so the tablet had ample time to dissolve. Then I stashed it in my handy cooler for post-run. While I liked the flavor so much better than Gatorade, the fizz was a little harder to take for me. I was wanted to chug it, and really couldn't. But, it has a much lighter, more refreshing taste. I felt quenched, as if I had also had water. When I have Gatorade, I feel thirstier actually. So, I would recommend this, but also warn you not to try to chug it down ;-)

*Please note that I received this product free to review. Opinions are my own and, as always, completely honest.

Are you interested in getting some free Swanson Health Products goodies to review on your own blog? Then check out the Swanson Health Blog for all the details.

Sister Saturday
After I got home, I rolled on my Triggerpoint kit and stretched out for a good 30 minutes. I definitely felt this run more than I did last Saturday.

Next on tap is to do some house chores like sweeping, laundry, dusting. Not only is my sis coming over and staying the night, we are also having some other friends come over for some pool time. I am most definitely looking forward to lounging in the pool and being utterly lazy. I feel as if I've earned that for the day.


Happy Saturday!

Daily To-Enjoy List:
  • Morning run
  • Time with sister
  • Pizza Saturday
  • Pool time 
  • Hanging with friends

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