3 Reviews: Training, GU and tights...

I know this post is a tad bit late, but here it is anyway...

Last week my training plan required me to do a sprint session consisting of 1200m, 1000m, 800m, 600m and 400m, with 200m rest intervals. Sadly i did not complete this session. I did, however, get in a 7km run, an 11km tempo run, a spin class and an 18km LSD run. The spin class was a killer but I loved it.

After my 18km run

This week, week four or marathon training, will be a little interrupted with a 4 day trip away, but as long as I can get in my 3 run sessions I will be a happy camper.

I need to complete a speed session of 5 x 1k repeats, a 9k tempo run and a long run of 17km... Not too bad. So far I have done none of them but I will head out for my speed repeats this evening.

New things review...

Last week I tried two new things...
1. TIGHTS!! I have always been a shorts girl, never tights. I think I have never liked the look of my thunder thighs in tights, thus have worn looser fitting shorts. But it was time to get over that...

Being winter and all, I have begun to suffer from 'cold burn thigh syndrome'. Ok, so I totally made that up, but it's when it's so cold out your thighs go red and get that cold burn feeling on the outside. So I thought I would try tights.

I had some rebel sports vouchers and they had a HUGE sale so it only made sense. I got these NIKE ones:

Here they are in this pic and the pic above (although a little hard to see). They are great. Plain black with two pockets, aka saddle bags (can you see the slight bulge on my left leg - that's GU, I promise, or is it cellulite??). One with a zip and a waterproof layer of fabric which I put my phone in. The other a nice deep one for some gels or your teddy bear, or whatever fun things you take with you on a run.

I think I have been converted to tights - there was no cold burn thigh syndrome going on wearing those bad boys. I still love my shorts but the tights really are great for the cooler weather and those early morning runs.

2. GU chomps

Blueberry and pomegranate flavour... YUM!

I had never tried these before, I have always used drinks such as powerade or gels to fuel my long runs. I know I am only in the shorter distances of long runs at the moment but I wanted to try some different types of fuels early and see which one I want to use for my marathon in November.

What I loved about the GU chomps...

• They are delicious - like a lolly (candy) with electrolytes and vitamins
• They are easier to carry than gels or drinks
• They are not sticky and hard to consume like a gel

The downsides:

• The GU chomps don't contain caffeine (well some do but not the range they have at rebels, or the ones I tried).
• They are a lot more expensive than gels and drinks

You also still need to wash them down with water as they are very sweet and will dry out your mouth if you don't.
All in all though I loved them and will consider them for my fuel for the upcoming marathon.
View more products by GU here.

How was your week of training?

Are you a shorts or tights person? 

What fuel do you use for your long runs? Any recommendations?