We live in the city of Buffalo along the waterfront, and one of the things I think is cool about being a runner is figuring out routes based on how much mileage I need to cover in that day.

I love getting to know a place by running down streets I have never been down before. Even though I have been a Buffalo girl my whole life, we have only lived in the city proper for 2 years and half of that time was spent in China.

Most of the time I run within the city limits, but today I was having dinner with my in-laws at their home in the suburbs.

Which was great, because they are 12 miles from my condo…the distance I wanted to run! So I was excited to run a different route out of the city.

Gummi Bears as Fuel

One of the things I wanted to test out on this run was using gummi bears for fuel. I wanted one more fueling option for the marathon, and gummi bears have the carbs I needed to round out my plan using NOKA pouches as the main source of food fuel.

I am also using the home-made sports drink I have been using with great success.

Gummi bears are, you know, CANDY…so they taste really good! At least when I’m just sitting around doing nothing. Several things I have tested (like raisins and pretzels) are not so wonderful after a lot of mileage.

The day was cool, but pleasant for running. It was warmer the more I travelled into the suburbs, since we get a nice breeze (or freezing wind) by the water.

I waited about an hour before I started in on the gummi bears. I ate two at a time, and enjoyed the boost of energy from the sugar! My stomach didn’t give me any issues, so I used the bears every 15 minutes or so to make sure.

The run was nice, some stretches had no sidewalks but wide shoulders so I wasn’t anxious. Don’t you feel like cars are playing chicken with you sometimes?

These gummi bears have 33 grams of carbs (18 of those are sugar) and 140 calories per serving (17 bears). Carbs needed during the marathon range from 30-60 grams per hour (after the first hour). This translates to up to 250 calories.

Carb needs are based on weight, and someone who weighs less will need less. After practice, I think I will need about 35-40 grams per hour to keep my energy up. My plan is to make sure I am getting a pouch of NOKA smoothie (19 grams of carbs per pouch) and then eat about 12 gummi bears. Probably a big slurp of smoothie and 3 gummi’s per 15 minutes.

The run was actually getting hot by the time I approached my in-laws house, but I felt good. They must have seen me running down the street (plus no car pulled up to their house, lol) and probably thought I was nuts.

People who don’t run often think I am nuts, but that’s ok! I think most people who know me thought that even before I became a runner…I have 5 kids after all!!

I am thrilled the bears worked so well. I really felt the energy boost from them!

Once in a while I popped two in my mouth and didn’t feel like chewing, so I kept them to the side of my cheek like chewing tobacco. They would slowly get softer and melt a bit until they were less “gummy”.

“Run the Mile You’re In”

I can not believe the marathon is in three weeks. Back when I started training, it seemed like I had all the time in the world. Now, the weeks are racing by (haha) and I am starting to get nervous!

The biggest fear is not being ready. This is my first marathon, and the longest run was 23 miles. So I have never run 26.2. As the marathon draws closer, that seems crazy.

When I run a distance like this 12 mile run to the suburbs or a half-marathon like last weekend, I can not believe I will have to double the amount to finish! It can seem so overwhelming.

The funny thing I have found with running long, is you run can run what you set out to do. On runs that are 8 or 10 miles…I am done when they finish and I have no desire to go longer.

When I have a distance of 18, 20 or more…I still finish. Even though the week before I thought 12 or 13 was difficult.

I have learned that the phrase “run the mile you’re in” is so so true! You can do what you have to do. It is such a mental thing. Just like a lot of things in life, you can do what you set out to do one step at a time…even if the day before you could barely do THAT day.

The older I get, the more I am amazed at what our bodies and brains can do when we let them go and do it! Whether it’s running, starting something new, moving to a different country…our mental and physical selves have so much potential!

Have you ever met two people the same age and one is “old” and the other is “young”? At 50, I am in better shape and more active than at any other time in my life. I want to be in the “young” category.

I never “got” living a lifestyle where exercise and eating healthy(ish…I will always have an “ish” there!) was a priority. Now I do. I love getting out for a run, or even just walking somewhere instead of driving.

Four out of my five kids are married and living nowhere near me. I also travel with my husband quite a bit. Not being home can be an excuse (and used to be for me) for not getting some movement in.

Training for the marathon has taught me that I can get up before anyone else and get my runs in. Even in beautiful Antigua I can fit an 18 miler in! And getting out there and getting it done gives me an energy that translates to having more fun during the day with my family. I also get to eat more, lol!

Grab some Goals and GO!

Anyway, all this rambling to say…don’t let being a certain age make you “settle”. Set goals and find out what you need to do to reach them. Write them down and visualize what it will look like when you finish the 5k, run around the block, lose 5 pounds, whatever the goal may be.

Then add to it! Keep advancing and changing and learning! I promise it will give you more confidence in yourself and your abilities. It will push you forward and you will want more of it!

Keep advancing and changing and learning! I promise it will give you more confidence in yourself and your abilities. It will push you forward and you will want more of it! Click To Tweet

All you have to do is start where you are. Run the life you are in.