Heading out for a sandy run.

Hello from cool and rainy Florida!  We escaped to visit some family for a few days and despite the fact that it is unseasonably chilly and rainy here, it was a welcome sight.  I will take the rain and 50º F.

We arrived to a massive rain shower and some awful turbulence (neither of us really love flying).  But when I walked outside and saw rain, grass, oh and palm trees I was a happy lady!

After a nice 4:30am wake up with some flights and short layovers we finally arrived.  Not long after settling in, I took my husband for a nice 8 mile run along the beach to show him all the sights I grew up visiting every spring break as a young girl.  It was pretty fun because I haven’t been here in over 10 years and it is always interesting to see what has changed and what stays the same.

After our run I got to try out a new product that I picked up at REI a few days ago.  Coco Hydro is a plant based electrolyte powdered drink mix.  I have mentioned before that I am not usually a fan of Gatorade because it actually makes me even more thirsty and is pretty sugary, but I do know the importance of replacing those necessary electrolytes.

I wanted to try this because I have been reading about how great coconut water can be for you, but both my husband and I have tried it and basically gagged.  I thought getting the benefit of electrolytes after a run and coconut would be a great one two-punch.  I tried the pineapple flavor and the verdict was that it was pretty tasty.

This powder mix is supposed to go into 12 ounces of water, I used it in my 32 ounce Nalgene because I was a bit nervous that I would hate the taste.  It was diluted but still pretty delicious.  I even tried it on my husband who hates coconut water and said that he would definitely drink this again.  I will try it again soon with the recommended serving and see how it goes, but we both think it will be just fine.

I was really hoping this would work out because I wanted to find a healthy recovery drink that would have some health benefits.  This has only 80 calories, tastes great and has lots of vitamin C, zinc, magnesium, potassium and calcium.  I also tend to come home from a run dehydrated and abuse the fridge with mistaken hunger instead of quenching my thirst.  Something like Coco Hydro will help hydrate and get some nutrients into me while filling my belly with something that also tastes good.

At just $1.75 a package Coco Hydro has all the nutrients of 2 full coconuts and is gluten and soy free.  This is a pretty health conscious product.  I wouldn’t use this for my short or medium runs but would definitely try this again when I start marathon training and long mileage combined with hot summer heat starts sapping my body of those needed salts.  Definitely check this product out.

Happy running!