Supplements.  As I get more and more into the fitness world and that of endurance running, I find more and more information about supplements is available.  But do I want to take these items?

While you may not think of it as a supplement, I even was hesitant on drinking Gatorade or a sports drink.  I would, for years, run with just water as a replenishing drink.  This is great when I am running four or five miles or back when I was walking as much as I was running during a workout.  I could get enough potassium in the fruits and vegetables I was eating to help with muscle cramping.  Then, I upped the distance and the pace and the cramps.  I had to look at a new way to provide my body with nutrients and electrolytes I was depleting.  I started with G2 – a low calorie Gatorade.  I did not go for the low calorie because I was worried about how many calories there are in regular Gatorade.  I did it because the sugar in Gatorade made it too sweet for me.  I will admit – not that I drink soda very often – that I haven’t drank regular soda in decades.

Then came my first half marathon.  On top of G2, I had my first GU.  My youngest still sticks up his nose when I say the word GU.  Usually, that is followed by an “eww gross.”  The first I ever had was chocolate but it was cold out and the GU was not gel consistency.  I swore I wasn’t going to try another one.  I did.  I have gotten to the point where I love the berry flavors.  I haven’t tried other forms of energy gels but will as I train for the October marathon.

I have been trying various electrolyte items throughout the spring and summer.  There are so many it is hard to say what is good and what isn’t.  I do have to say that I seldom follow the “directions” on the package.  Even on GU, the package says one 45 minutes before beginning and one every 40-60 minutes of exercise.  I usually just take one about half way on a long race.  As I up my mileage on my long runs, I may have more than one but I have yet to reach that point.

Another item I have tried are Sports Beans.  These are from the makers of Jelly Belly jelly beans and are that size.  They have electrolytes in them.  While the ease of a gel is that you do not have to chew it, I like eating as I run – at least something small like a jelly bean.  I have been known to stick dates in a zippie bag and take those with me as I run.  Sports Beans are a yes for me but not for everyone.

Probably the most common supplement would be a daily multi-vitamin.  We all know it is nearly impossible to eat all the daily requirements of every vitamin every day.  I have taken the daily one pill version.  I have taken a packet version formulated just for women.  I am considering finding a new one for women of a “certain age,” as my mother always calls it.

Today I started a new supplement.  I am going to try it for two weeks as I have a two weeks supply here.  It is called FRS and was heavily promoted during the Tour de France.  I am not sure how I will like it but I guess I will find out.

Do you take a multi-vitamin?  What about other supplements?