Each month when I receive my StrideBox, I am honestly like a kid on Christmas morning. I absolutely cannot wait to rip into my box and see what kind of goodies await me.
It is no secret that I am a sucker for snacks. Between work, running, the gym, and trying to have somewhat of a personal life, I am on the go A LOT and I am trying to do better avoiding vending machines and drive-thrus, so I try to have healthy snacks with me for when I get a little hangry. I am always looking for new snacks to throw in my purse, gym bag, or desk drawer to keep me fueled and ready to go. I train hard and I don't want all my hard work to be thrown out the window with bad food choices, so Square Organic Protein Bar is a great solution for a mid-day snack. Plus, it is cookie dough flavored WITH chocolate! |
I have tried Sport Beans by Jelly Belly in the past at race expos and liked them. Sport Beans have carbs and electrolytes in them to help you maintain fluid balance but also has vitamins and caffeine to give you an extra boost of energy on the run. I am definitely excited to have these back in my life as I do not like "traditional" running fuel such as gels. Each 1 ounce bag is has vitamins B, C and electrolytes and caffeine to keep you going on the run to sustain your energy levels. |
Sword is a hydration and fuel "all-in-one" product that uses all natural ingredients for a blend of fast and slow release carbohydrates from fruit for sustained energy on the run. I have my favorite electrolyte replacement hydration, so I am not too inclined to really switch things up at this time. Typically when I find electrolyte mixes in my StrideBox I pass them along to friends who might be interested in the product. I do have to say though, the ginger flavor seems quite interesting... |
Amino VITAL is an amino acid drink mix for fast muscle energy and nutritional hydration. Packed with powerful plant-based amino acids and electrolytes, Amino VITAL Action helps continuously hydrate, fuel muscles, and fight fatigue before it sets in. It also contains NO caffeine and NO artificial sweeteners, colors, or flavorings. The blueberry flavor seems light and refreshing for summer, so I will likely give this a try soon. |
One of the things that I learned from my first marathon was the importance of taking care of my feet. After suffering from blisters the size of quarters basically covering the entire balls of my feet and heels. The goal of Body Glide's products are to create a rich, anti-chafing barrier that resists rubbing and in turn prevents chafing, blisters and raw skin. I have been a fan of BodyGlide products for a few years and always keep some in my running bag, but this mini size is perfect to throw in my running belt or hydration pack for long runs where I might need to reapply mid-run. |
While I love the nutrition products and samples in each StrideBox, they always include some kind of gear in the box. These always rock my socks and I have never been let down by these. This month, the StrideBox included a pinpoint gel bead hot/cold pack. This is a great piece of gear to have on hand because as runners (or just being human) you never know when those "boo-boos" will happen. The pack is a hot/cold pack so you can use if for whatever use you have and it is the perfect size for most injuries (foot, knee, hip, shoulder, etc). |