Many KCE runners — including our newest BRAG crew — will be running Four on the 4th this Saturday. I won’t be able to join you, but that hasn’t stopped me from dreaming about the ice-cold treats I’d want after a hot race. Here are my top 3:
Easiest: Watermelon
I love watermelon after a run. It’s cold and refreshing, plus research suggests it may help with recovery. Its high water content can help quench your thirst, and it contains electrolytes that your body needs after a sweaty run. Eating watermelon is also a healthy way to replenish your body’s glycogen stores.
I’ve been known to pack a bag of watermelon cubes to have right after a Saturday long run. I also remember going straight from running to buying a watermelon at the Overland Park farmer’s market, where the farmer was nice enough to slice off a big chunk for me on the spot. Yum.
Healthiest: Green Smoothie
Sometimes it’s just too hot to eat after a hard race or long run, but I know I really should have something healthy. On those days, green smoothies always sound so good. I don’t actually drink them too often — because that would require sweating all over the kitchen floor while I drag out the blender, fruits, and veggies — but I need to remember they can be made ahead.
Of course, green smoothies are an easy way to eat your veggies, stay hydrated, and get a load of other health benefits too. If you haven’t tried them yet, this is a good one to start with. None of the ingredients are too weird, and it tastes great.
Mango Green Smoothie
(From Green for Life)2 cups of water
5 oz. frozen mango
1 banana
½ apple
2-3 cups fresh spinach leaves
Most Decadent: Glace!
I’d probably have to wait a few hours for this one, but I’m thinking Glace all-natural ice cream might be just what I need by mid-afternoon on race day. I could try to make a case for its nutritional benefits (runners need calcium, right?), but really, it’s just delicious. It’s also local and comes in crazy flavors like this week’s grapefruit hibiscus sorbet. I’d likely end up with fleur de sel caramel, but I might need to taste a few others along the way.
Whatever your favorite treat is, take time to celebrate your efforts this Saturday! I’ve tried the streamlined, on-to-the-next-race approach, and it doesn’t work in the long run. So, if Glace sounds good to you, go for it. You earned it! And you’ll be back on the course soon enough, training for that next milestone: the Plaza 10K. Good luck and have fun at Four on the 4th!
By Meredith Lai