Pomegranate Rehydration Drink

This week marks a year since I began running. I've come along way from huffing and puffing to get through a mile and a half.  With support from friends, family and even some of you lovely readers, I participated in the AIDS Marathon training program last summer to run the Chicago Half Marathon. This weekend I am running a 10 mile race that will bring my year total to 570 miles -- And I am signed up to run the full Chicago Marathon this October (don't worry, no fundraising this year).

I'm not one to use fancy sports drinks on a regular basis, but for longer runs they certainly help. Yet, at nearly $2 a bottle for artificial dyes and high fructose corn syrup, the cost is a bit hard to swallow. A few weeks ago, Lifehacker pointed me toward a recipe for rehydration drinks on WebMD and I decided to give it a try as I increased my mileage.  I don't think I will ever go back to the store bought brands again.

Pomegranate Rehydration Drink

(Please note that, according to WebMD, these drinks are only for adults and all ingredients should be measured precisely to prevent adverse effects. In the recipe below I decreased the sugar and water and added fruit juice. Please reference the original recipe and use your own judgement to make your drink.)

Ingredients

.75 quart water

.25 quart Pom Wonderful juice*

.5 tsp baking soda

.5 tsp table salt

.25 tsp salt substitute** 

1 Tbl sugar

Method

Combine all the ingredients in a 1 quart mason jar.  Screw on the lid and shake to combine.  I leave my mason jar of energy drink in the refrigerator and sip on it after my runs throughout the week.

(*The lovely folks at Pom Wonderful sent me some of their juice to try recently. You could use any type of juice here, but I would try to avoid juices with additives and lots of sugar. **Make sure it is potassium-based.  I had to search around a bit, but eventually found a brand called No Salt at my local Whole Foods.)

Comments

[Joelen]

What a great drink recipe and good luck in your future races!!

[Sassy Molassy]

Yum yum! Transplanted Baker's Siri sent me your link. Cheers from one runner to another. I like buying Knudsen juices occasionally as they aren't all artificial and taste good too! http://www.knudsenjuices.com/products/natural_juices

[tbillini]

Awesome!

Do you plan to carry it with you during the ChiThon? I have often wanted to train with some of the home-made / natural drinks, but fret at the idea of carrying it with me on race day. Thoughts?

ALSO - I made a honey / nutmeg energy "gel" that is FTW!

-Tim

[Meghan]

I'm definitely going to try this! I hate sports drinks, but found Function's Shock Sports to be essential to my summer running last year.

P.S. Have you noticed how I've logged almost ZERO runs in the past two weeks. I think I'm chickening out on the Chicago 13.1!!

[Mandy Burrell]

Fun post! I didn't know you were a runner. More things we have in common. I did the '00 Chicago Marathon, but haven't run one since. I'm contemplating the September half. Are you signed up for that?

[Gemma]

Thanks Joelen!

Hi Sassy Molassy- I like Knudsen juices for the same reason. I will definitely be using them in this recipe as the summer running season gets underway. Good luck with your running!

Hi tbillini- I'm not sure about carrying it with me. I carried my own drink during my half marathon last year, but I was considering ditching my water-belt this time around. I'll have to mull it over as it approaches. That is awesome that you made your own energy gel! I'll have to try it.

Meghan - I'm getting worried about the 13.1 race too. I don't know how I am going to find the time to get from 10 miles up to 13 in the next few weeks. I don't think I want to run in Argentina alone - but maybe it will make sense to once I get there. I hope we both make it!

Hi Mandy, I did the Banco Popular half last year and I am signed up for the new Chicago 13.1 in a few weeks. But I might add another one in if it makes sense with my training. This will be my first full. It feels a bit daunting, but I'm excited.

[Marie]

Good Luck on the marathon. My son is running in it too, his second time.

[gemma]

Good luck to your son Marie! I wonder if the second time is any less nerve-wracking?!