The Banana Boom

I got this in my STWM newsletter. Thought I'd share it with my fellow runners who weren't aware...

The banana boom

Some of us like using gels for additional carbs on the run, some of us don't. Sport drink does it for many, not for everyone. Sport beans & jelly beans work for some. Energy bars work for some. Everything works for some, not for everyone. Except the banana.

The banana is the perfect 'fuel' for runners. Full of carbs (39g!) and natural sugars, easy to ingest, easy to digest to get the carbs working for you, and it even comes in its own yellow carrying case to prevent it from getting sunburned.

High in potassium and magnesium, the banana replaces electrolytes vital to muscle movement. The only thing missing is sodium, also needed to keep muscles moving. So maybe you pop a few sodium tablets or sport drink to go with the banana. Mix it up!

And bananas are way cheaper than gels, they're natural, you know you can stomach them, they even taste good! Yes sir, your running is really going to improve when you start carrying bananas with you on long runs.

They're becoming so popular as a 'fuel' that Fuel Belt is adapting its belts to hold up to 6 bananas. Water belts are getting banana holders - yeah, so you can attach a bunch of them! Races are adding 'banana stations'. Dole and Chiquita are vying for race sponsorships. Even the little pocket inside runners' shorts is being lengthened to accommodate a banana.

Such a simple food, who would have thought it would become the little fruit that COULD!