Review: South Coast Triathlon, Seaford - 18 August 2012

Yesterday, I did my very first triathlon--the South Coast Tri in Seaford. I wanted to do a sprint triathlon in preparation for London and this race seemed ideal: a good one for beginners and just a short drive away from Brighton.

One of my biggest worries about my first tri was the weather. I'm a very inexperienced and fearful cyclist, so the last thing I wanted to deal with was cycling on wet roads. Luckily, it turned out to be a beautifully sunny day! Almost too sunny...

The sprint tri had a very civilized start time of 11:45, but since it was my first and I didn't know what to expect, we left the house at 9:00 to leave plenty of time. By the time we arrived at 9:30 some of the other races were in full swing, and I could see cyclists and runners out on the course. No wait to register, just collected my race packet and had my number written on the side of my arm and leg. I also picked up my goodie back which included a bottle of Gatorade.

After running to the loo (I'd been hydrating to prepare for the heat) I headed into the transition area. With other races in progress, it was busy and crowded with bikes and lots of kit. I finally found a spot to rack my bike and lay out my stuff. Lots more to think about and prepare for compared to my usual running races, but pretty soon it was time to get into my wetsuit and head over to the swim start.

Review: Speedo WomenOnly Swim, Dorney Lake, Eton - 10 June 2012

Yesterday, I 'raced' in my first ever open water swim! @rowenanews and I are both training for triathlons, and a few months ago she suggested we do the WomenOnly Open Water Swim at Dorney Lake. I'd just done the Maxifuel Half there, and a women's only event sounded just right for a first-timer so I happily agreed! There were three distances available and I signed up for the 1500m event.

Up until a few weeks ago I was focused on the Edinburgh Marathon, so I didn't have any huge expectations for this event. I'm comfortable with swimming and I knew I could finish, but not really race. My goal was to stay comfortable, get some experience with open water swimming, and see what it was like to swim in a wetsuit.

We left Brighton at 6:45am and got to Dorney Lake by 8am. The weather was cool, but at least it wasn't raining. It was quite a long walk from the parking area to the Boathouse, but when we finally arrived it just took me a few minutes to register, get my swim cap, stickers, and timing chip. Unlike most running races that I've been to there was no queue for the loos so I quickly popped in and tried to figure out what to do next. It was all feeling very unfamiliar! I decided that I'd better try to get my wetsuit on in case I got stuck.

Luckily for me, BodyGlide made a real difference, and it didn't take me very long to get suited up. From there I went to the Boathouse balcony...and happily found @rowenanews and @becsowengardner! It was so great to finally meet both of them, and then the very nice @windsorAndy arrived to cheer us on.

View of the lake from the Boathouse balcony. The race start was by the left landing,
left of the yellow buoy. The bike racks were set up for the triathlon later in the day.

Review: Edinburgh Marathon - 27 May 2012

This is a few weeks late after traveling for work last week....but I just HAD TO review my first marathon!

After a rocky return back to the working world and long hours the last few months, Edinburgh Marathon really snuck up on me. While I was able to get my 20 mile runs in, my overall mileage each week wasn't very consistent and nothing compared to what I was running before March. But it was my first marathon and all I wanted to do was finish. I wasn't as nervous as I could have been because I had no pressure to beat a time. A nice feeling after struggling to break 2 hours in the half.

Hubs and I flew to Edinburgh the day before the race and were greeted by beautiful sunshine when we arrived. We had a great pre-marathon day. We wandered around the city and then gave my legs a rest by watching 'The Avengers Assemble' in 3D. That evening we had an early dinner (spaghetti and meatballs for me!) before chilling in our room and an early night.

The Edinburgh Marathon started at a very civilized 10am (the half marathon started at 8am) so I was up and eating breakfast at 7am. It gave me enough time to relax a bit in the hotel room before getting geared up for the race. Our hotel was just off the Royal Mile which meant a very short walk to the start line at Regent Road.

Review: Brighton Half Marathon - 19 February 2012

I first ran the Brighton Half in 2010. At the time it was my second half marathon and I was just hoping to improve on my first. It poured rain for the entire race and there were a few organizational issues, but I had a great time. After I missed it due to injury in 2011, I was excited to run it again this year.

It's been unusually cold these last few weeks so I was worried about the weather. Although rain is always a bummer I was more worried about gusty winds...since on the seafront it usually means running directly into the wind at some point! But after a rainy Saturday we had beautiful sunshine, even if it was still freezing!

We only live a few miles from the race start. I wanted to get there by 8:15 so Hubs just took me in the car and dropped me off. I hopped out near Old Steine and Madiera Drive, and it was exciting to see all the runners heading down from all directions.

The queue for the first set of public toilets was already pretty long so I immediately joined in. As with last time it was a long wait, and by the time I was done it was already 8:45.

As I headed for the starting pens the warm up was already starting. It was really crowded and I felt like I was being shuffled along in a giant sea of people. I only saw a sign for a 1:45 goal time but no others after that. It was hard to see where you could enter since most openings were unmarked and there were so many people. But I finally found a gap in a barriers and squeezed in. After a few words from the announcer we were off!

The race route was different to when I ran it before, but familiar since I run most of the course every weekend. It was reasonably crowded at the start as we headed up and around Old Steine, before heading east toward Rottingdean. Past the Marina was a little hilly and narrow at some parts, but I didn't think it was too bad for passing if needed.

After the turnaround I new it would be pretty straight forward from there--east towards the Hove Lagoon before heading back along the Promenade, and from there about 3 miles until the finish. There were lots of people cheering along the most of the course which gave the event a great atmosphere.

I usually carry my own drink but the water and Lucozade stations were as advertised, and I thought having bottled water was a nice touch. Easy to drink from and you could take it with you if needed.

The finish line was a little disorganized (at least I was able to cross it this time!) but as you walked through you could pick up a foil blanket, medal, goodie bag, bananas and Lucozade. I don't expect a goodie bag but feel if you offer one some effort should be made. Mine didn't have anything except a voucher and an advertisement. What's the point?

The medal was a nice one, though:

When I crossed the line my Garmin clocked 13.52 miles. It had been off compared to the mile markers since mile 5 or so...but since GPS can be inaccurate I assumed the mile markers were right. But soon after the race there was lots of grumbling about the course length, and it may have been the cones were incorrectly placed at the turnaround.

Brighton Half says they are investigating now, but I wonder whether they will actually 'fess up if they made a mistake. For now I will just stay that if it really was too long, I'm disappointed that the organizers could have made such a basic error.

So I've run 2 Brighton Halfs now and both had basic organizational issues. In 2010, I couldn't cross the finish line because it was too crowded--organizers had placed people removing timing chips too close to the line--and now this year the race may have been too long! I'm think I'm jinxed when it comes to this race.

However, as my local it's one I'll keep going back to again and again. I love running on the seafront, and despite any organizational issues the support you get from the crowds just can't be beat. Here's to a better race next year!


Overview
A mostly flat seaside course with lots of PB potential. Still seems to have some organizational issues year to year despite being a well-established race, but the great atmosphere and support from the crowds makes it an event worth running.

Stats in 2012:
Date: 19 February
Entry Fee: £29 unaffiliated
Number of runners: 7000+
Timing chip on race number
Goody bag (without any goodies)
Medals for every finisher

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Review: Southern California Half Marathon, Irvine, CA - 7 January 2012 (+ meeting a running hero)

It was December and I had my first race of the year all planned....the Brighton Half in February. Then my sister innocently told me that there was a half marathon nearby when we were visiting just after the new year. Hmmmm....another half? The seed was planted and I just couldn't say no!

The Southern California Half Marathon is a race in Irvine, now in its 21st year. One of the official warm up races for the LA Marathon, it is organized by Woodbridge High School to raise funds for their athletics program as well as other participating schools. Irvine is about 15 minutes away from where my sister lives, so it was an easy choice. Plus, there was no cap on participants when meant I could register for the race on the day.

The time change between London and LA is one I'll never get used to. Some visits are better than others but this time I struggled--probably because we were still recovering from Abu Dhabi when we left. I'd been waking up early but the night before the race I just didn't sleep well. I woke up at 3am and couldn't really go back to sleep. Too much excitement!

Plan was to leave at 6am to give us plenty of time to get there and register. I had my usual toast and peanut butter for breakfast and then we were off. Traffic was light that time of morning so we got there about 6:20. The race was near the freeway and sign posted, and we were quickly directed into the parking lot.

The registration tent was nearby and I was surprised to find them manned by students! I had forgotten that the race was organized by Woodbridge High School. The teenagers directed me to the various places and then I picked up my goodie bag and t-shirt.

After getting my shirt, one of the parents overheard me lament, "This is a small?! It's still so big!" and laughed. He said that there should be some Youth Large sizes around and very kindly exchanged it for me! Still big but less like a sack on me now!

There were lots of portaloos and no queues.....was able to pop in twice, no waiting!

By then it was the moment I'd been waiting for. No, not the race start...but my first tweetup! I was going to meet not just any running tweeter, but the amazing @runlikeacoyote! When she heard I was doing the SC Half she said she would do it, too! She's not much bigger than me, and she looked so fresh considering she had just run her first ultra only a week ago. I got to walk with her to the start line and start the race with her!

As @runlikeacoyote and I waited for the start, we noticed there were a lot of students. I hadn't really thought about it but they seemed to be everywhere, many of them wearing 'Students Run LA' shirts. I almost felt left out. I later learned it was a program for at-risk kids to train for the LA Marathon--so cool. But I did feel like I was one of the older participants!

After some fanfare (including the singing of 'The Star Spangled Banner'), the race started. Before the gun I told @runlikeacoyote that I was thinking about racing it. But I knew things were iffy given my jet lag and general lack of sleep. From the moment we set off I knew I was tired because I didn't feel that usual spark at the start of the race. So I immediately decided to try and keep a steady, comfortable pace...and go for it at the end if I felt okay.

When I signed up for the race I could see part of it was on closed streets, and when it said "SD Creek bike trail" I thought it would be a little bit like the canal path in Richmond. Turned out the San Diego Creek is dry this time of year so it was more like a reservoir or flood control channel. A large part of the race was spent going back and forth on paved bike trails to each side of the creek. Not the most scenic place, and I lost count of how many times we went around it.

I was able to stay steady for most of the race, and felt good enough at mile 10 to pick things up a little. I decided to increase my cadence by singing 'Son of a Preacher Man' to myself over and over again in my head. At this point other runners and students were getting tired and I started passing people. This always spurs me on and I kept telling myself...THIS IS WHAT I TRAIN FOR!

Once I saw the finish line I sprinted as hard as I could and crossed the line. I already knew that I was not under 2 hours but was happy to finish in time of 2:03:04.

Overall, I was really happy with my run. I felt like it was a good effort considering how jet lagged I was...and that I entered the race at the last minute. Hopefully this means I will be more than ready for Brighton!

I had fun during the race and while I generally don't mind looped courses, I found this one to be very repetitive. I didn't really like running up and down the "creek". Also, while it was great to see so many students out there they kept cutting in front of me to shout at their friends or stopping at inopportune places!

So glad that I did the SC Half, if only to meet @runlikeacoyote. Who by the way zoomed on her post-ultra legs and finished in 2:11!


Overview
The race had a lot of energy with a high number of student participants. Well-organized. The route is repetitive with lots of ramps and turns, with few people cheering. Some sections were busy and narrow enough to make passing difficult. Registration fee a little pricey. Worth thinking about if you happen to be in California.

Stats in 2012:
Date: 7 January
Entry Fee: $65 (~£43)
Number of runners: ~4000
Timing chip
Cotton T-shirt
Medals for every finisher

Review: Clif Builders vs. PowerBar Protein Plus

This year, protein has become a big part of my recovery after long runs or any other hard workout. I find that if I have a protein bar or shake immediately after I get back from my run, I feel a huge difference in my legs the next day. The Running Times has a great article (see it here) on protein which also has a formula for calculating how much carbs and protein you need post-run.

Most of the time I don't really feel like eating right after my run, so I've tried a few different products to see which I can get down quickly AND don't bother my stomach too much. Nowadays I alternate between bars and shakes for variety, but today I'm reviewing two protein bars:

• PowerBar Protein Plus in Cappuccino Caramel Crisp
• Clif Builders Bar in Chocolate

PowerBar Protein Plus
PowerBar boasts proteins from 3 difference sources: whey, milk and soy. The bar is covered in chocolate, and most of it is a soft, nougat like-layer. There is a crispy layer on top but it's very light--almost like a very thin layer of Rice Krispies with a little bit of caramel.

Rest Day Review: Old Deer Park 10K, Richmond - 20 November 2011

On Sunday I ran the Old Deer Park 10K in Richmond.

It's been a while since I've run a 10K as I've been focusing more on the half marathon this year. But when a friend of mine suggested Old Deer Park I thought it would be a nice "fun run" do to after the half in Bexhill. Plus it looked like it would be a flat course in a beautiful setting.

For most races in or near London parking can be an issue. Luckily there is a car park just across from the Old Deer Park, and on Sunday it's free until 1100. We arrived about 45 minutes before the race and had no problems finding a space.

The registration tent and race start were just a 5 minute walk away in the park. I had to pick up my timing chip and while the queues felt a little chaotic, it only took a few minutes. There were about 20 or so port-a-loos near the start--more than enough for the size of the race with minimal waiting times.

After several mild and sunny days in London it was a cold, very foggy morning with little visibility. I tried to stay warm as I waited for the start at 9:15.

Runners trying to stay warm near the registration tent

Rest Week Review: Poppy Half Marathon, Bexhill-on-Sea - 13 November 2011

On Sunday, 13 November, I ran my 4th half marathon: the Poppy Half Marathon in Bexhill-on-Sea.

I had been looking for a half marathon on a flat road course near to where I lived in either Brighton or London. The Poppy Half fit the bill, and after seeing the late start time I knew it was the one for me! The fact the race helped to raise money for the Royal British Legion was icing on the cake.

The race start was at 1230 but I needed to pick up my race number and timing chip. Bexhill is only 1 hour away from Brighton but since we'd never been there before and I wanted to leave plenty of time, we decided to leave around 1000. Very civilized! There was no traffic all the way there and despite stopping for petrol, we were there in no time. Race info said that there would be plenty of free parking near the race, and how right they were! We had no problems finding a spot just a 10 minute walk from the start on the seafront.

Race HQ was set up right next to the Sovereign Light Cafe. There was no waiting for either my number or my timing chip. Easy peasy! It took seconds to pin on my number and then attach my chip using the neoprene and velcro strap.

No extra toilets were set up but the public toilets on the seafront were more than enough for a race of this size. After the shortest queue ever, almost no traffic, and quick registration-- I was ready to race with 45 minutes until the start at 1230.

Luckily it was a beautiful day in Bexhill, so I just tried to relax and enjoy the sunshine.

Rest Week Review: National Lottery Half Marathon, Dublin - 17 September 2011

On Saturday I ran my 3rd half marathon in Dublin. The race was suggested by my colleague and running buddy who has family there. It was near the city center and I'd never been to Dublin before so I thought....why not?

Not a huge amount of contact from the race organizers before the race, as the half is just part of a race series leading up to the Dublin Marathon in October. But I got my race number on time the week before the race, which is all I really worry about!

The race was held in Phoenix Park, a walled park at the edge of the city center. Our taxi driver told us that it was the biggest walled park in Europe. There was a shuttle for runners from Parkgate Street, which is near the park entrance, to the race start. Since our hotel was about 2 miles from the park, we took a taxi and asked the driver to take us as close to the race start as possible. Unfortunately they had started to close off some of the roads in preparation for the race. So while we made it into the park, we and others who had parked their cars nearby were left with a good 15-20 minute walk to the race.

The race had a good atmosphere with everyone trying to keep warm in the chilly temps. I headed straight for the toilets and while there seemed to be at least 30 or 40 port-a-loos, it was a good 20 minute wait. By then I had just 15 minutes to get to the race start about a 5 minute walk away through a field.

Runners arriving near the start in Phoenix Park

There were 3 waves for the race: 1) sub-100 minutes, 2) 100-120 minutes, and 3) 120 minutes plus. The 'pens' were clearly marked with the wave times and there was more than enough spacing in between. It was great not to feel like you were being squashed in. No pre-selected pen assignments--you could just find the wave that suited you best. My buddy and I decided to start at the back of wave 2.

Then we were off! The start was a little late but it didn't take us too long to cross the starting line. As always it was quite crowded in the beginning but thinned out after the first few miles. About 8,500 runners meant it wasn't too crazy but consistently busy from start to finish.

The park provided lovely views throughout the run, but unlike street races there weren't too many spectators along the course. Around mile 4 there was a mildly ascending but relatively long hill...and there was also another one in the final mile just before the finish. Otherwise the course was mostly flat with some downhill sections. Water stations were every 3 miles as advertised.

Lots of crowds and cheering at the finish. After we crossed the line we were led through a finishing area where we collected a goody bag, technical t-shirt, bananas, water and gels. The same shuttle buses were available to take runners back to Parkgate Street after the race.

Overall I thought it was a great race. My only small quibbles were:

1. Organizers could have more clearly stated the distance to the race start from the park entrance (we would have taken the shuttle if we had known it was such a long walk to the start)
2. There were no race medals! Not the end of the world but always a nice souvenir
3. Getting an Asics technical t-shirt was great but unisex sizing means mine is actually too big for me to wear!

Overview:
A well-organized race in a beautiful park, close to Dublin city center. Looped coursed on paved roads. Not a hilly race but a long hill in the first half plus a hill in the last mile to the finish. Worth considering if you are looking for a race just a short plane ride away.

Stats in 2011:
Date: 17 September
Entry Fee: €20
Number of runners: 8,500
Timing chip on race number
Goody bag + technical t-shirt - no medal

Rest Day Review: PowerBar Fruit Gel vs. Kinetica Energy Gel

Now that I'm finally doing long runs again, I've started testing energy gels. I've used a variety of different gels before, but I'm always interested in trying new ones. And luckily, I've never had any stomach problems...yet! A few weeks ago, I reviewed the High5 Isogel with Caffeine and since then I've also tried the PowerBar Fruit Gel with Guarana and the Kinetica Hydrating Energy Gel.

PowerBar Fruit Gel with Guarana
I've used PowerBar gels before and they've always worked well, so I thought it would be nice to try the new fruit gel. Mango Passion Fruit sounded yummy, and the fruit gel is supposed to have a slightly thinner consistency than the regular.

I used this gel on a 13 mile run--my second gel at the 8 mile mark. No problems with the package, and I though the mango passion fruit flavor tasted really good. As with other PowerBar gels I find they are a bit saltier than some, but this doesn't bother me and is probably due to the higher sodium levels. It has been so long since I've used gels that I couldn't tell if this one was actually thinner than the other PB ones. However, to me they are definitely thinner than some of the other gels out there (eg SIS GO gels) and the small pack size (41g vs the typical 60g) means there is less to go down anyway. You do have to take this gel with about 150ml of water.

I felt an energy boost soon after taking the PB gel, and feel like it gave me extra energy through the final miles. I didn't feel too full after taking it and had no stomach issues.

Rest Day Review: Craft Action Vented vs Nike Dri-Fit Embossed - which t-shirt is better for a petite runner?

There's been lots of blogging and twittering in recent days after Runner's World published an article called 'Fastinista'....a surprising debate on what's acceptable to wear when running. I'm amazed that there are some women who feel so strongly that wearing skirts is wrong! Personally, I wouldn't wear a skirt to run but I think people should wear whatever makes them feel good!

I feel good in technical running wear that ACTUALLY FITS. Maybe this has never crossed your mind because it's never been an issue, but it can be challenging for someone who is 5'1". Everything is frustratingly long! So today I'm going to review two running t-shirts to see which has the best fit for petites: the Craft Action Vented T-Shirt and the Nike Dri-Fit Embossed T-Shirt.

Craft Action Vented T-Shirt: I bought this t-shirt during the great sale at Sweatshop Online for only £9. That alone was enough for me to give it a try. I picked this shirt because the cut seemed fitted, and it had raglan sleeves (sleeves without the shoulder seam). I find that raglan sleeves accommodate my broad (yes, broad!) shoulders more comfortably. Like is says in the name, this t-shirt has strategically placed vents to help keep you dry--on the upper back, under the arms and at the bottom. It's a very close-fitting shirt--clingy but not compressive--and the neckline is high but not uncomfortable. While the length of the shirt is still longer than I would like, it's not too bad and I think the tight fit stops the shirt from hanging down two low.

Craft Action Vented T-Shirt

Rest Day Review: Oakley Asian Fit Flak Jacket sunglasses

I've been wanting a pair of sunglasses for a long time, especially since I often look directly into the sun when running on the Brighton seafront (when the sun's out that is)! After a little research I thought I would give Oakley Flak Jacket sunglasses a try--seemed to have great reviews and good for both running, cycling and other sports.

I checked out the Oakley UK website and was really excited to learn that they do Asian Fit sunglasses, modified to compensate for a lower nose bridge. With my Asian nose I'm always concerned about sunglasses hitting my cheeks so I thought these would be a great option. I ended up ordering two pairs to try out (pics not to scale):

• Women's Asian Fit Flak Jacket in Lipstick Red with Black Iridium Lenses - these didn't come in black :(
• Unisex Asian Fit Flak Jacket in Black with Black Iridium Lenses - since black is always my color of choice

I did have a few hiccups with my order and it took a little longer that expected, so I was anxious by the time they arrived. 

Asian Fit Flak Jacket vs Women's Asian Fit Flak Jacket

For both pairs I could immediately tell the difference between these and non-Asian Fit sunglasses. The nose piece is a little more narrow and bigger to prop the glasses up higher so they sit better on the face. I was thrilled when I found that both pairs sat high enough not to hit my cheeks! Both glasses felt comfortable on, but the Women's Flak Jacket was slightly smaller--a little less wide with shorter arms. They fit my petite face a little better so although I really wanted to go with my beloved black (and I still don't understand why they don't make the women's in black), I decided I could live the lipstick red.

Worth mentioning that the size difference between the two was small. If they didn't have a women's version I probably could have gotten by with the Unisex.

  

Hitting the road with my new Asian Fit Oakleys

The hot weather a few weeks ago gave me a great chance to test my new sunglasses, and overall I love them.  They are very comfortable and light, and most importantly they don't bounce at all when I run--that was my biggest worry. There was no uncomfortable rubbing or headache caused by the arms, and the seafront looked crisp and clear through the lenses. Despite the heat and sweat the lenses didn't fog up at all. The nose pieces are rubberized but despite that there was some slipping after I started to sweat, and I'm sure my sunscreen didn't help! But I think this would be the same with any pair (more to do with my nose than fit) and it didn't bother me during my longer runs. I also wear over-the-ear headphones, and the sunglasses sat comfortably on top of them and I had no issues with either as I was running.

The sunglasses also came with:

- Hard case

- Soft case that also acts as a polishing cloth

- 2nd pair of nose pads in a different size

- Hydrophobic Pen for treating lenses

The lenses are removable and you can purchase different colors to be used in various conditions. The black iridium lenses work just fine for me now so I'm not planning to purchase other ones, but nice to know I can if I start doing other activities.

THE VERDICT: I would definitely recommend the Flak Jackets to any runner (they also come in a 'regular' fit), but in particular if you're looking for an 'Asian-Fit' option. They've been great so far for my petite face and nearly non-existent bridge, and I'm looking forward to using them for many years to come!

Rest Day Review: High5 Isogel with Caffeine

Now that my long runs have hit 10 miles (and will continue to get longer these next few weeks) I've started using gels again. Since it's been about a year since I last did long runs, I figured it was a good time to start testing what I should use for the big race day in Dublin.

The first gel I ever tried was the SIS GO Gel in blackcurrant. Happily running along I ripped off the top, put the packet into my mouth, gave it a big squeeze....and almost choked! I was expecting something like a lightly flavored blackcurrant jelly, but it was just a super thick, very sweet goop. After the initial shock it took me a long time to get the rest of the gel down, and by the time I drank enough water all I felt was a very big weight in my stomach! Luckily it didn't make me sick, and with practice I learned to take the gels more slowly and I used the GO gels during my first half-marathon.

Since then I've continued to try new products in a quest for the perfect gel. Like most people I want a gel that is:

• Not too thick (so it goes down easy and doesn't make me feel full)
• Tastes good, eg not too sweet
• Doesn't have any adverse side effects

On my long run yesterday I decided to try the High5 Isogel with caffeine. I was excited to give it a go because it was supposed to be more like a liquid and best of all, you could take it without water! No trying more trying to gulp down both the gel and 150 ml of water, too!

Since I was doing a 10 mile run I decided just to use 1 IsoGel and take it at the halfway point. I ended up taking the gel just before I got to mile 5. It took two pulls to take the tab off (the first attempt left it dangling at the end) but thought this was similar to other gel packets (of course, it could just be me). I put the packet to my mouth and very slowly squeezed not know what to suspect, and was very happy to find that not only was it more like a liquid--it WAS a liquid! It was like drinking juice from a packet and I was able to get in down in just a few gulps. Packaging worked well and even through the IsoGel was so thin, I didn't get it everywhere and had no problems handling it. I had the Citrus flavor, and it was nicely tart and not at all sweet. It was very much like drinking lemonade!

Since IsoGel touted the fact you did not have to take it with water, I didn't. I had an initial psychological boost, but I didn't really feel it kick in until about 15-20 minutes after I took it (around 6.75 miles). After that I felt like my energy levels stayed high until the end of my run. Next time I would probably take it a little bit earlier, and time it to when I'd like to feel the benefit.

The IsoGel Citrus flavor is the only one with caffeine, and I decided to try it after reading a few articles on how caffeine can improve athletic performance. Since I'm a tea and coffee drinker I wasn't worried about side effects, but I'm not sure I felt a real difference compared to a gel without caffeine. I did feel a little bit sharper after I took the gel, but that could have been a placebo effect. I will try the non-caffeine IsoGel next week to see if I feel a difference.

I had no stomach issues at all with the IsoGel. Listed below--the nutritional info and ingredients:

Nutritional information per 60 ml sachet of High 5 Isogel -
Energy - 88kcal
Protein - 0g
Carbohydrate - 22g
Fat - Trace
Fibre - Trace
Sodium - 0.03g

High 5 IsoGel Plus Citrus
Water, Maltodextrin, Glucose, Fruit Juice 10% (Lemon, Orange), Sea Salt, Caffeine, Preservatives (Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate)


Overall, I really liked the IsoGel--not only did it taste good, but the fact that it's a liquid and doesn't require water was a big plus for me. I know that every runner is different but if you struggle with the thickness of gels then would recommend giving the High5 IsoGel a try!

I'm always interested in learning about new products so please do share your favorite gels!

Rest Day Review: Nike Tempo vs Pacer - which shorts are better for a petite runner?

I spend a lot of time trying to find running gear that fits my 5'1" frame. While I want the best technical features (breathable, flat seams, quick drying), as with other clothes I want to wear things that are the right proportions and help my short legs look longer! I have yet to find a manufacturer that makes good, technical running gear in petite sizes (if you know of any please let me know!) so I tend just go with the usual brands--Nike, Adidas, etc--and buy whatever they have in an XS.

With the warmer weather these days I'm sure we've all been wearing shorts! Running shorts are tricky for me because they are usually too long and make me look dumpy. I generally go with the shortest shorts I can find (that still leave me looking respectable)! Nike is one of the brands I wear often because if the length is okay, the overall fit of the XS is usually fine. I recently bought 2 styles of Nike running shorts - the Pacer and one I've seen a lot of ladies wearing, the Tempo.

Pacer running shorts - Currently £20 on the Nike website. The inner brief and wide waistband with tie on the outside make these really comfortable, and the rise doesn't feel too high. It's the perfect style in the hot weather when you don't want to wear something too clingy. The inseam of the outer short is 4 inches and it hangs a bit below the inner brief. I think these fit really well and the length is just about short enough. My only quibble with these is that there is no pocket for keys or other bits and pieces!

Tempo Track running shorts - These were on sale at Sweatshop Online for only £12 (vs £16 non-sale price) so I thought I would give them a try, especially since they seem so popular at the moment. Like the Pacer short, these have an inner brief but have a traditional elastic waistband with inner tie. While they are comfortable and the brief fits fine, overall the Tempo feels a little bit "poofier" than the Pacer. And although the inseam of the outer brief is shorter than the Pacer short at 3.25 inches, they hang lower so look a little bit longer.

Nike Pacer Running Short (L) and Nike Tempo Track Shorts (R)

THE VERDICT: Pacer Running Shorts WIN! Both shorts are comfortable, but for me the Pacer is the best choice for my short legs. The wide waistband was super comfortable, and the overall fit and length worked much better on my petite frame.  The Tempo shorts are going back....

Other petite runners out there, I'd be interested in hearing what shorts work for you!

(Apologies for being a little camera shy!)