Got fuel?

I am on vacation in Fort Collins, Col. this week, working on some high elevation training. Ok, it’s only about 5,000 feet above sea level here, but rather than admit I’m being weighed down by the extra calories of vacation eating, I’m turning to the elevation as my reason for struggling with my training.

I wanted to share a message I got from a friend about her training. April is a friend from high school and has been a runner for as long as I’ve known her. Here is what she told me about how she got her start in the sport:

“I started running in ninth grade to get in shape for basketball. Then I kept running to stay in shape and because I liked being different. Then, when I started running marathons, I really started to love running. I found myself looking forward to the weekend just so I could pack a water bottle and a snickers and run for three hours or so. So, now I run because I love it. I like leaving the house and running for a couple of hours without my phone or school or anything. It’s a simple lifestyle.”

I have really enjoyed reading all of your stories about what running means to you. It has been very motivating for me, so thank you for opening up on our comments.

I am getting ready for my first half marathon in a few weeks. I am nervous about fueling myself properly both the night before and throughout the race. April told me she prefers Snickers to Gu and others have told me lifesavers are, in fact, life savers.

Do you have tips or strategies that work well (or that don’t work at all) for you?