Advice on protein powder?

[Redcello41]

Does any one have any tips of protein powder after a run? Is it good idea or shall I just stick to natural high protein stuff like chocolate milk and stuff like that? I have bought the occasional ready-mixed protein shake that I have drunk after a run but is it cheaper in the long run to buy the powder and make your own? Basically what I am really asking is if buying protein powder really necessary? This is something that I am just exploring a bit and with Christmas coming up, I'm toying with the idea of putting it on my Christmas list maybe. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Oh and a bit of context, I'm training for the Bath Half that is happening in March! Happy running!

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

I don't think it's necessary xx

[Madge50 Marathon]

I don’t think it’s necessary either, if you have a good healthy balanced diet you shouldn’t need anything extra. I’ve always thought that stuff was used by body builders to build bulk quickly (not that I’m an expert) .......🏋️‍♀️.........if that’s what you’re after.......

Mx

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Madge50]

Yeah, it does make sense that if you eat right in the first place then you shouldn't need any supplements, and my brother also said that body builders use the powder for muscle growth too.

[Deals1 Metric Marathon]

Mmmm.... I got some given my a pal who bought the wrong stuff and tbh I don't really like it! It's chocolate and wayyy to thick and gloopy for me and I don't like the texture (but that's maybe just me) so I can't really comment if its made a difference or necessary as I've only tried it once. I'm thinking of halfing the mixture next time

Anyway I'd say no it's probably not if u eat right.... But I'm no expert

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Deals1]

Yep, as I said to Madge50, you probably don't need any supplements if you eat a healthy diet anyway.

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Deals1]

Some choc milk is sugary and oily. Galaxy used to do two sorts! One of which was judged healthiest in a study. Unfortunately Galaxy changed the recipe but not for the better 🙄. I don’t drink it. I’d make it at home with cocoa and maybe a tidge of honey, if I fancied it. I usually have a strong coffee or cuppa tea.

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Yep I think going home-made is the best way to go. Even the sainsburys own brand chocolate milk has a lot of sugar in it! I tend to avoid anything caffeinated before I go on my runs though because it makes me need the toilet very quickly! 😃

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Redcello41]

Yes, you have to be careful. “Go” before you go 😃👍

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Yes very true hahaha! 😃

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Plus caffeine can sometimes make me feel anxious for no reason at all, so I definitely don't need those extra nerves!

[Sadie-runs Half Marathon]

I have never felt the need to use it, to be honest. I did increase my protein intake a bit whilst training for my half though - always had an egg after my morning runs, and added in nuts and more pulses (I love chickpeas!) and high-protein yoghurts alongside my normal diet. I am pretty sure you can get all you need from food, which has got to be better (and cheaper!), right? 👍😊

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Sadie-runs]

Yes that is so true! I was talking to my brother about this last night and he said exactly what you just said, that it's better to get what you need from natural food not manufactured food/supplements if that makes sense? He even discouraged me about using gels and other manufactured stuff for refueling mid-run and he said to use natural proper food like bannanas and home-made high-carb flapjacks (less sugar content too than the shop-bought stuff!) instead! I find this sort of thing really interesting actually because it has really made me think if we really do need manufactured stuff like powder or gels, isn't better to just use natural food as energy sources? What do you think about all this?

[Sadie-runs Half Marathon in reply to Redcello41]

I completely agree. The cynic in me thinks that all these powders, energy bars and gels are all just money-making schemes, and yes, we can get all we need from natural foods. Bananas, oats and dried fruits are a runner’s best friends! I have used Tailwind though, I must admit - during HM training and the half itself, but mostly because my stomach doesn’t like solid food on long runs, and Tailwind is a drink that contains carbs and electrolytes. But anything under 12k I just fuel before and take water. The sugar content in gels and energy drinks is quite horrifying though! 😱

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Sadie-runs]

Yep, nothing is better than what mother nature provides already! I am still in the early stages of my HM training so I need to experiment with what my stomach can tolerate on long runs too. I used a gel during my 8.4K long run last week and it did help but I am definitely veering towards trying to find natural foods for fuel during my long runs! And yes, the sugar content is shocking not just in gels and energy drinks but also pre-made natural food like granola and stuff! So I'll definitely be making a lot more home-made things for my runs I think! I am going to experiment with Tailwind (the uncaffeinated one though!) because I find it hard walking and eating at the same time, so not sure how that's gonna work with running hahaha!

[Madge50 Marathon in reply to Redcello41]

Ha ha, that’s me too, I can’t run and eat/drink at the same time, also I’m a bit anti anything too ‘dry’ in case I get a coughing/choking fit...😂, I do use gels (only because I’ve got some free ones and I don’t like waste!😂) alternately with jelly babies.

I sometime use an electrolyte/rehydration drink after a run if it’s very hot or ‘very’ long - in my terms that’s 10 miles or so plus....

It’s just finding what suits you really, a bit of trial and error....

Mx

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Madge50]

Yep, I may just go for some form of liquid fuel just because eating while moving about is difficult already but am willing to experiment through trial and error as you say. 😃

[Madge50 Marathon in reply to Redcello41]

It also depends on what your stomach etc., will tolerate......😳.....🤢.....e.g, there’s one brand of gel I avoid......

Happy testing! 😉

Mx

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Madge50]

Yeah I'm just going to experiment and see what works. One thing I am definitely avoiding is anything caffeinated because it makes me need the loo really quickly and it just makes me feel anxious too

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

I use it sometimes. When I first started to run longer distances I lost too much weight. This wasn’t good for me as I’m slim anyway and I couldn’t afford to lose weight! I just couldn’t eat much after long runs or weights and lost my appetite. So I started adding protein powder to my home made chocolate milk. I found it filled me up well and it was easy to digest.

Anyway, I’m now a great weight for me, I’ve got the long running thing settled and my tummy is used to it now. The protein powder really helped give me a boost when I needed it.

I occasionally still take it especially after long runs or heavy weights but mostly stick to my chocolate milk.

Ps I’m running the Bath Half too! Hope your training is going well 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🙂

[Redcello41 Half Marathon]

Ah that's cool! I've noticed that I've lost weight too now that I'm running longer distances and people keep on mentioning it too! I'm still exploring with long runs and seeing what my body tolerates food-wise because I'm only into week 3 of my training.

It's great that you make home-made chocolate milk, it's a much healthier option than the shop bought stuff because they have a high sugar content! I'm thinking of making homemade granola too because there is a lot of sugar in shop-bought granola, I've noticed! Can I ask how you make your chocolate milk, I'm on the look-out for new recipes at the moment?

So exciting that you are running the Bath Half too, have you run it before? This is my very first time and I'm very much looking forward to it! How is your training going?

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

I make chocolate milk with whatever milk you want (I used full fat when I needed to put on weight) two teaspoons of good quality cocoa powder (I use Green & Blacks) and a sprinkling of vanilla essence although you don’t need this it just adds a bit of flavour. Occasionally I’ll add half a banana.

Try this recipe for flapjacks, it’s a big favourite here and I use these on my long runs.

healthunlocked.com/bridgeto...

I haven’t done the Bath Half before although I entered it four years ago but had to pull out due to injury 🙄 It’s flat and two laps and a scenic route where the crowd support is amazing and there are bands along the route. I know this much 🙂

cheekychipmunks is doing it too. We must arrange to meet up there!

My training is going well. I’m doing my own thing and not following a plan although I’m now thinking maybe I should.......🤔

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks for all that, that's so helpful and will definitely be making those flapjacks and that chocolate milk!

I actually live in Bath so I've watched it a few times in the past few years and the atmosphere is great! Looking forward to running instead of watching it this year! Yes, I would totally be up for meeting up on the day, that would be so cool!

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Redcello41]

The peanut butter power bars recipe on here is brill. I always make them and keep them in the freezer for longer runs. I don’t defrost them as they’re thawed by body heat 😋

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

I love the fact that they are freezable too, just makes it easier and more convenient! 😃

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Redcello41]

It’s a stunning city, I love it 🙂

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Yeah Bath is a beautiful city, I love living here and there's plenty of hills to train on hahaha! 😃

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Redcello41]

Those flapjacks are great. Once cut up I wrap them individually in foil and put in a bag in the freezer. No need to defrost as they do that during your run. Also I’d be eating them between runs if they weren’t hidden in the freezer. 😋

Oops sorry miss wobble said that too

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Hahaha thanks! 😃

[Whatsapp Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Chocolate milk is your best bet for post workout. Much cheaper than protein drinks too. independent.co.uk/life-styl...

Protein drinks are really for strength workouts where you need to build muscle. And as has been said a Western diet allows us ample protein Running is more cardio so carbohydrates are important fuel. Again not too many, you don't burn off a lot - we are efficient running machines!

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Whatsapp]

Ah yes, my brother mentioned how protein is good for strength and how carbs are important for running. It's just difficult navigating all these things when you I have only been a runner for 6 months hahaha 😃

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Hi Redcello! I am indeed doing the Bath Half so it would be fantastic to have a VRB meet-up. It’ll be so exciting and it’ll be my first half. Longest race to date has been the GSR. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

As regards protein drinks, I don’t bother with those. In fact, as others have said, I tend not to do anything different to normal on runs up to about 12k - just a banana beforehand. I do carry jelly babies if I need an extra boost and if I do, I start from 9-10k and have one every kilometre or so. I love them (but keep ‘em dry - they turn into jelly slugs if they get wet! 😅)

I was also sipping Tailwind on my longer runs during the summer, and took some along for the GSR. No idea if it worked, but I quite enjoyed it. I also had plain water as I find Tailwind isn’t particularly thirst quenching.

So basically it’s all personal preference. I agree, it’s far better to stay as natural as possible. 😀

See you in March! 👏👏👏

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

So exciting that you are doing the Bath Half too, yes we really must organise and meet up on the day! How's your training going? 😃

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Redcello41]

It’s going well thanks Redcello. Currently trying to do an intervals run, parkrun and a long run each week. So far, so good! 👍🏃‍♀️

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Glad it is going well for you! I'm taking each run easy for now because my hips hurt every now and again so I don't want to over push in the early stages of training! Am enjoying experimenting with paces though recently! 😃

[misswobble Marathon]

Nah, you don’t need it. Real protein will suffice 👍

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

I have come to the realisation that this is very true hahaha 😃

[AnnaKarenina Metric Marathon]

Another vote for finding something else for your present wish list. I have never bothered and just have something natural comprising protein within 30 minutes-hour of getting back. Works well for me (so far)

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to AnnaKarenina]

Yeah I don't think I will bother either to be honest, I've got plenty of other running things that I am going to put on my Christmas list! My birthday list was made up of all running gear apart from one thing which was a purse hahaha! 😃

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

I've never used it! I have tried a couple of recovery powders - samples - but hated them. Anything with an artifical sweetener sits really badly with me for the rest of the day. I do like chocolate milk (again, I'm careful to only buy ones with no artificial sweetener) or a hot chocolate after a long run though - probably anything of 10 miles or more. I also try to eat something which is naturally protein rich after a long run.

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Yeah I think I am going to just experiment with natural sources of protein and see what works best for me. The more I think about it, the more I realise that I don't need manufactured protein powder 😃

[Decker Ultramarathon]

I’d agree that it’s not really needed. Occasionally I will have a fruit smoothie with a vegetable based protein powder (vega sport) and milk which is delicious, but only after very long runs. A bowl of cereal with milk or peanut butter on toast works for me otherwise.

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

Yeah I usually have a muffin with peanut butter and jam for my pre-run snack and then I am experimenting with a few smoothies for my post-run snack/recovery. 😃

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Redcello41]

That’s a good plan. For long runs beforehand I will do a peanut butter/ Nutella tortilla rollup. Super sweet but packed with calories and quite stable for my stomach. Also very quick to make

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

Oooh that sounds delicious, am definitely going to try that! I love tortillas and nutella anyway so will add some peanut butter too! And I bet it's much quicker than toasting a muffin too and you can make it the night before of you want to! Can't wait to try it! 😃

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Redcello41]

I got the idea from my daughter. It’s her go to breakfast these days

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

Yeah and it is so easy to make! I have sadly run out of peanut butter and nutella so will have to get some when I next go food shopping! 😃