Running "Things" that ain't my gig

How about a Keeping-It-Real tell-all on a few things that are #NotMyGig?

Yes, I'm a runner (I have been for 16+ years). I love lacing up and hitting the streets. I know the importance of fueling, hydrating, and re-hydrating after a long run or an especially hot/humid day.

But, there are several things most runners embrace that I have to turn my back on and take a pass. Trust me, there's no FOMO (or not much LOL). After all, running is a pretty individual thing.

Care to hear a few? 

Beer.

Okay, don't anybody smack me down for this, but I don't drink beer. I don't even like the stuff. Cheap beer, expensive beer, craft beer...they all taste the same to me. And they all make my tummy feel like crap (no pun intended). But, in recent years, the hard ciders have come into vogue, and those are a much better fit (at least for my palate). Actually, in all honesty, I much prefer a cold Pepsi or Coca Cola after a hot run (or bike ride). 

Look closely, I'm drinking a soda while the others are enjoying a post-long ride brew

Bananas.

Another popular delicacy that most runners LOVE, is a pre (or post) run banana. I've never liked bananas, but I did eat them, on occasion, with cereal (but not until my adult years). With my second pregnancy, though, I developed a huge aversion to them, and have not eaten any since (BTW, my son will be 24 years old next month, so the aversion still holds). The good news? I do like banana bread (or muffins). But if anyone tries to sneak bananas into a fruit salad or dessert of any kind, they run the risk of seeing me projectile vomit. That is not an exaggeration.

banana bread (with blueberries) for the win!

Coffee.

Probably the biggest #NotMyGig running nuance is my distaste for coffee. Right? And I call myself a runner. As I have said in many a blog post, I love the aroma of coffee. When I step into a coffee shop, the smell of all the blends and brews of the various beans is nothing short of paradise. I've tried (in vain) plain coffee, flavored coffee, gourmet coffee (all with, and without, a repertoire of sweeteners and cream), and I'm still not a fan. But you know what? I'm alright with my ill-fated destiny as a coffee connoisseur. As long as I can find other hot beverages (no matter the season), I'll be just fine. End of story.

Give me a hot chai latte' and no one gets hurt

Pickle juice.

A less obvious, but equally appalling, #NotMyGig thing would be pickle juice. Ugh. Gasp, gag, choke (and spit). Pickle juice has been touted as a great recovery vice for cramping or aching muscles, and I have seen it many races, both on-course and at the finish line. At the Cannonball Marathon (recap), I came upon an aid station near the 22-mile mark. There were numerous mini cups with (what I thought was) blue and yellow Gatorade. As I was gulping down my second cup of the blue stuff, the volunteer told me the pickle juice (the actual yellow stuff!) had not been a very big hit. Whoa! That was a near miss! 

**Side note - I love the fragrance and flavor of fresh dill, but once you start adding vinegar and cukes to it, it's all over.

My Garmin.

...and finally my Garmin. Most runners own some kind of running watch, and many wear said watch for every run. The wealth of information, available on one's wrist, is pretty sweet, convenient and valuable. I cannot deny that. For myself, though, all those stats are a bit overwhelming, especially if I'm just doing a routine run on a familiar route. Of course, I do wear the Garmin for all of my races (except for a select few when it's been accidentally left at home). I also wear it for most of my long runs, but more for the GPS feature than to monitor my on-going pace. Recently, I "had" to wear it for those 1-mile time trials. But do I bother with it for the short, routine runs? Nope. 

Well, this kind of turned into a bit of a runfessional disclosure. There have been times when I've felt a bit of a poser-in-running-shoes as I watched (what seemed like) everyone else indulging in a banana and/or post-race beer. Most of them have also (probably) had a cup (or two) of coffee prior to the start line. It's a good thing we get to do this running thing on our own terms or I'd be in trouble.

So, talk to me...are any of the "things" mentioned above part of your running ritual or routine?  

I'm also linking this with Michelle, Renee, Darlene, Jenn and Zenaida for the Fit Five Friday Link-up.

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