Strawberry Banana Energy Gel

Okay, all runners know that nutrition and fueling is key. It has to be on point or you bonk/hit the wall aka run out of gas and energy, or you get sick...There are so many different types of gels, gummies, beans, etc. and they are so expensive. It is ridiculous. But I buy them. I feel like I keep Honey Stinger in business.

So as I have been delving more into ultra distance mountain/trail running, I need more than just some gels and gummies. I need real food. Sure a marathon is 26.2 miles, that is a long distance, but it is over in less than 3.5 hours and less than three hours if you are my husband. So we can get by with just gels. But for when we did King's Peak which was just shy of 30 miles and we were running/hiking for 8 hours and 15 minutes with a total of 9 hours on the trail, gels just don't cut it. We took some, however they were homemade.

This summer I've been delving into making my own energy gels. Mostly because we were getting sick of the ones on the market and were sick of how much of our paychecks was going toward energy gels. So, I did some research and found this recipe on No Meat Athlete. I liked it, but my husband wasn't crazy about it.

Fast forward, I used that recipe for about a month and I ran great on it. But it is now the day before our King's Peak run and I need more...People always say don't try anything new on race day. Well, this wasn't going to be a race, just a really really long run. So I tried something new and I don't regret it.

These energy gels are so good, so easy to make and CHEAP. Seriously, I had all the ingredients in my kitchen but let's say it probably cost $1.50 to make the equivalent of 9 gel packets that are normally $1.50 EACH. $13.50 vs $1.50 easy math and everything in it is real food. Nothing synthesized in a lab so it was easy for our bodies to digest plus they don't have a gross aftertaste. And, they are something I don't need water in order to take. Normally energy gels are so thick and potent that if I'm not at an aide station or have my own water, I can't suck them down. I do not have that problem with these. And if that isn't enough, my husband also approves of this recipe.

Ingredients 2 tsp chia seeds 4 T water 10-12 strawberries, hulled 1/2 banana 1 T lemon juice 1/4 tsp salt 1/8 tsp baking soda

Directions 1. Combine chia seeds and water and stir. Let thicken. 2. Combine strawberries, banana, lemon juice, salt, and baking soda in a food processor and blend until smooth.

*Taste it. Depending on sweetness of your berries, you may need to add more to combat the taste of the baking soda.* 3. Stir in chia seeds until well combined and not lumpy. 4. Divide into whatever you want to carry it in. I use reusable baby food pouches. (Each of my pouches is about 2.5 little gel packs) 5. Have a good adventure.