Following our evaluation of Honey Stinger Gels, we reached out to some people nearer to the Honey Stinger Hive to get their viewpoint and a few insights about their vitality gels. We have been tremendous excited to get a response from non apart from two time the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier and up to date document breaker of the Quad Rock 25 mile path run in Fort Collins, Colorado – Ashley Brasovan. Ashley has been crushing information since her days in highschool and is a specialist at races within the 50k vary. You’ll be able to take a look at a bit extra about her working historical past and fervour for the atmosphere on this iRunFar profile or in Leo’s Studying video interview.
We performed the interview by way of electronic mail and centered the dialog on fueling methods but in addition ventured somewhat bit into different subjects.
Right here is our Q&A with Ashley.
I learn that you simply not too long ago broke the 25 mile Quad Rock document in Fort Collins Colorado – Congrats!! How did you gas for any such race? Something particular pre-race, throughout and post-race? (Instance: Are you able to give us a rundown of what you ate and once you ate them?)
Thanks! This was a REALLY scorching day too so fueling & hydration was positively the first focus for me. Here’s what the day regarded like from a fueling perspective:
~90min pre-race: Toast with banana slices and peanut butter. I wish to have one thing that I’m used to and digests simply.
~60min pre race: 16oz of water with 1 nuun sports activities pill (love the orange-mango taste with somewhat caffeine)
Throughout Race (~4 hrs): For gas, I usually do 1 gel each 30-40 min. My favorites are the fast burn gels for the marathon distance which is usually Honey Stinger Acai Pomegranate & Honey Stinger Strawberry kiwi (consists of caffeine).
I alternate between caffeinated and non-caffeinated. For hydration on scorching days, I attempt to get in ~15-20oz of water per hour and can change to sports activities drink or no matter is obtainable on target if I begin feeling any type of cramping approaching (particularly the final hour or so).
Publish race: I attempt to get in actual meals and a variety of water ASAP. Today I had a veggie burger with watermelon after which 2-3 cans of glowing water inside 60min of ending to hurry up restoration!
As each an achieved marathon runner and path runner – is there a distinction in how you intend and execute your in-race fueling technique?
Undoubtedly! Fueling seems to be utterly completely different for various races. For cooler climate, I usually want much less water and electrolytes than I might on a warmer day. I additionally take a look at elevation acquire within the race and altitude.
For races with extra vertical acquire or larger up in altitude (above 9,000ft), I gas extra steadily than flatter or decrease altitude races. Additionally, if I do know a giant climb is coming then I’ll attempt to time a gel about 10min earlier than to have the glucose hit proper as I’m going into the large climb and have discovered that efficient. Numerous various factors so I positively evaluation and examine the course previous to deciding on my gas technique for the day and ensure to observe my diet throughout coaching.
How did you get began with Honey Stinger?
I first was in a position to join with Honey Stinger at just a few native occasions again in 2017. It was neat to see a neighborhood Colorado firm based mostly in Steamboat that had a give attention to mountain athletes and had a workers of athletes.
I began utilizing the merchandise and actually liked the fast burn vitality created from sustainably-sourced honey and the number of merchandise – pre, throughout and publish racing and coaching. I utilized as an Ambassador for the 2018 season and have been with the corporate ever since!
What’s the connection like with the model? Do you get to strive any of their prototypes? Do you’ve any enter into their future merchandise?
Honey Stinger has been an awesome and collaborative model to work with. I’ve gotten to check and supply suggestions for a number of the prototypes previous to these going to market.
They do consider actual suggestions from athletes previous to going to market with a product. I’ve been in a position to collaborate with the model on a number of the sustainability initiatives this yr which has been thrilling since I’ve 10+ years of expertise within the sustainability business. It’s nice to work with a model that acknowledges and leverages your talent units exterior of simply working.
In your athlete web page on the Honey Stinger web page they’ve listed your favourite merchandise as GF Salted Caramel waffles & Coconut almond protein bars – are these nonetheless your favorites; What’s particular about these?
Sure these are nonetheless two of my favorites for pre and publish exercises! The flavors are nice and I like the diet profile for coaching and racing. The third one which I might add can be the Acai Pomegranate gel to gas me throughout exercises & races.
Do you’ve any suggestions for different athletes seeking to get some working help from massive manufacturers?
I might say 2 issues.
1) Be sure you just like the merchandise of the model that you simply need to work with and that these merchandise truly be just right for you. Generally I hear that individuals simply desire a sponsorship however haven’t tried the merchandise long run or in any respect. You need this to be a mutually useful relationship.
2) If you wish to work with a model, begin small. Attempt making use of to an envoy program first to get a really feel for what the model and workforce is like and to make sure that you’re aligned on morals, values, and teaming. Networking throughout races and at athletic occasions on-line or in-person may also help to start out get you engrained with a model as nicely.
Outdoors of racing, what’s your method to diet and food plan?
I keep a balanced method to diet exterior of racing. Most of my food plan is plant-based with a give attention to getting sufficient energy for my exercise stage. I combine a variety of complete meals (non-packaged) and beans, yogurt, tofu and eggs to get satisfactory ranges of protein, carbs and fat.
I noticed in your Leo Studying interview that you’re a self-admitted document holder for coping with stress-fractures. Do you’ve any suggestions for athletes on the subject of overcoming such adversity, and particularly do you assume diet performs a task in that as nicely?
Vitamin, total stress, and restoration play an enormous position in accidents and stress fractures. I’ve had 6 femoral stress fractures over the past 12 years and had a extreme consuming dysfunction in highschool that led to osteoporosis by age 18. Underfueling actually put me in that place so my focus over the previous few years has been getting in sufficient gas and the precise stability of fats, protein and carbs which has GREATLY lowered my damage charges. I’ve additionally overcome osteoporosis and now have wholesome bone density by focusing extra on diet.
Lastly, it’s peak summer season proper now and runners everywhere in the world are coping with making an attempt to handle working and coaching within the warmth. How’s the climate in Colorado today? And, do you’ve any suggestions for athletes coaching in a world that’s more and more getting hotter?
Local weather change is unquestionably creating hotter summers throughout the globe. We now have had just a few toasty 100+F diploma days in Colorado this yr and some record-breaking days. The few items of recommendation I’ve are to:
- Practice early if attainable to beat the warmth and keep away from dehydration threat.
- Get in loads of fluids and electrolytes over the summer season when it’s scorching out.
- When you begin feeling mild headed or dizzy, seek the advice of with a medical skilled, cease exercise and get inside to gas up, settle down, and get additional hydration.
Massive due to Ashley for sharing her nice recommendation and we encourage you to comply with her over on her Instagram web page.
