Fun Facts Friday - All About Energy

This morning the alarm went off way too early for my liking. I had a very restless night, something I've noticed happening the night before my long runs. So when the alarm went off, I was already awake, but just didn't want to get up.

But I did. I rolled out of bed and stumbled into the bathroom to get ready. It does help that I set out all of my running gear the night before so there's not thinking involved. I went downstairs and had half of a banana and a serving (12) EnergyBits.

Source

I was fortunate enough to receive a sample of EnergyBits to try and review. They are made from algae (spirulina and chlorella) and are full of minerals, vitamins, and amino acids. According to their website, "Spirulina is nature's equivalent to an energy drink." 

Some benefits of spirulina are:

• Helps stop fatigue
• Helps improve athletic performance
• Provides physical energy
• Provides mental wake up

And you know what, I believe it. Especially the mental wake up and the energy. 

Source

I tried EnergyBits Tuesday before my leg workout. Honestly, I didn't really feel any more energized for that workout. However, I tried them again Wednesday morning and again today. And I truly do believe that they provided me with more alertness. 

I felt very much awake, clear-headed, energized. I wasn't groggy from waking up so early and heading straight out for a run. It was like I had been awake for a few hours actually - but very different feeling than caffeine. A better feeling that's hard to explain. 

So would I recommend them? Yes, actually I really would, and I will definitely be taking them again for my next morning run. 

*Please note that I received this sample for free but all opinions are my own as they always will be. I will never recommend a product that I do not fully support. 

Now, I don't know if it was the EnergyBits or if it's just coincidence, but I had an amazing 10-mile run today. I actually wanted to keep going for 11, but I knew Jason wasn't having the best run. Apparently I transferred my bad run vibes to him today.

But, if you want to know how bad it was on a scale of crappy - he said, "I don't think my crappy run was as crappy as your crappy run." We use big words ;-)

We've had cool fronts moving through, but they didn't bring the cooler air I was expecting this morning. Apparently that's tomorrow. But it was about 6 degrees cooler than last week, but same humidity. There was a cooler breeze at least. But for whatever reason, the temperature didn't seem to be an issue for me nor the humidity for my breathing.

In fact, today's run was definitely what I needed in terms of confidence. Even with a changed up route that seemed to include hill after hill, even trying to avoid them, I never felt like I was struggling to just put one foot in front of the other - like last week. I felt energized, alive, happy. It was a wonderful feeling. 

In fact, we ended up taking on a different bridge to get back across the river. For some reason I thought it seemed less intense than the other bridge we usually cross. Boy was I wrong. Apparently I blocked that stretch out of memory (hello runner's amnesia) from the half marathon because it was like this never-ending hill. 

But I felt strong today. I didn't feel the urge to stop. In fact, I had a stupid grin on my face because I was tackling the hill and it didn't seem so horrid for a change. Nice feeling. 

So, 10 very good, very strong miles done = one happy runner.

While we're (I'm ) on the subject of energy, and because I couldn't think of anything else for Fun Facts Friday, I thought it might be fun to share where we've reached for energy either now or in the past. I will definitely say that my choice of a boost of energy has changed significantly over the years. 

• MiniThins - Oh yes, I did take these to stay up late when I was about 20 years old. 

• Mt. Dew - Haven't had in years, used to take with MiniThins, weeeeeee.

• Coffee - only 1 cup in the morning M-F every once in a while on the weekends but only mornings.

• Apples - read that they help, they tend to make me hungry though.

• 5-Hour Energy - I do take this occasionally, caffeine free, mostly B vitamins.

• B Vitamins - I take my vitamins at lunch so this sometimes is an afternoon boost.

• Moving - just getting up for a walk or workout wakes me up sometimes.

• EnergyBits - new to me and love the idea of the spiraling

So, there you have it. The good and the bad and the really disgusting. Have you stooped to lows to get a boost of energy? What's your energy source of choice (other than food mind you)?

Daily To-Enjoy List:

Morning run

Friday

Lower temps (only 90 today)

Relaxing evening