Last Saturday, I ran my first 21-mile run in preparation for the Marine Corps Marathon. During my training season, I typically run 2 21-mile runs 3 weeks apart before tapering for a marathon. This is the longest mileage I run before the race. For 21-milers, I try to channel my inner race day as much as possible … I wear what I’ll wear during the race (weather conditions permitting). I hydrate and fuel on the schedule I’m planning to execute on marathon morning. And I minimize time at our water stops along the training route. There is always a sense of anticipation before a 21-mile training run. I don’t know why it feels different than an 18- or 19-miler. It just does. Will I feel good? Will I have anything in the tank the last few miles? Will my stomach behave?

So how did I end up answering all those questions? Here were the mile-by-mile thoughts in my head.

• Miles 1-3: I’m feeling good. I’m focused on starting slow. I thought it was going to be cooler today, but damn it’s humid. *Glance at Garmin* Wow! I guess I’m feeling good because we’re going really slow. *Eating 4 Sweedish Fish at 3.1 miles*
• Miles 3-6: Ok, still feeling pretty good. My Nathan hand-held hydration bottle feels really heavy. *Eating 4 more Sweedish Fish at 6 miles – already at 150 calories*
• Miles 6-10: It feels cooler now that I’m on this trail. It’s still a little dark. My legs are feeling good. I’m picking up the pace. I’m going to try to run some marathon pace miles during the 10 miles on this trail. Oooh! Here are some runners in another pace group running toward us. Look strong. Look fast. (Ha!) My stomach is starting to feel a little weak. I can’t wait to get to the bathroom stop at mile 10. *Eating 4 more Sweedish Fish after a quick bathroom break and refilling my water bottle*
• Miles 10-14: I’m wondering if I picked up my pace too much during miles 6-10. Even though I wasn’t running very fast my legs are starting to feel heavy. This trail seems to go on forever. Water stop, where are you? Ah, 2:00 on the dot at the half-marathon mark. Time to eat some more Sweedish Fish. A little slower than I would have liked but glad we’re being disciplined with our pace. Pretty consistent these last 5 miles. My stomach sort of feels like crap. Literally.
• Mile 15: I’m really not feeling all that hot. My legs are getting tired. I can’t wait to get to the bathroom in a mile. This feels like the longest mile of my life. Oh, thank God, there’s the bathroom. Maybe these Sweedish Fish aren’t really working after all. I think my stomach hates me. My Garmin just shut off because I’ve been in the bathroom for 8 minutes!!! Yes, running group, go ahead without me.
• Miles 16-21: Thank God my stomach has quieted down. This never happens to me. It is feeling harder to run without my group now. This hill really sucks. Oh, hi guys! They’re about 3/4 of a mile ahead of me. My legs are starting to hurt. They feel like I’m in the last 2-3 miles of a marathon. *Eating another handful of Sweedish Fish* All uphill the last 2 miles. Keep running. Keep running. I kill hills. I kill hills. Damn, I really hate hills. I think I may have been too aggressive with my goals for Marine Corps Marathon. Shut up hips, knees and ankles, we’re almost there. Why do I think running is fun? 4 more stop signs until the finish.

Done! At last! 20.7 miles: 9:13 average pace

Finishing Saturday’s 21-miler was even better than normal because früsh – a yogurt and fruit shake created by Origin Food Group – helped us celebrate. The good folks at früsh sent me an awesome tasting kit that arrived in the mail the day before my run. It included 24 bottles of their yogurt and fruit shakes in all 4 flavors: blueberry, strawberry, strawberry-banana and peach. They describe their product as real fruit and yogurt blended together with healthy extras like probiotics, calcium and fiber to create a delicious, grab-n-go super-drink.

I thought, what better way to test it out than to serve it up to a big group of tired runners in need of some recovery fuel?  Yes, I held a tasting party right there in the parking lot after our run.

So what was the consensus of our running group? We all gave früsh a thumbs up.

These were the overall thoughts:

• Everyone seemed to like all the flavors and there was no stand-out flavor favorite of the group. My favorite was peach, but others loved each of the additional 3 flavors too.
• The group was surprised by how thick the drink was. They thought it was too think to be a running recovery drink, but agreed it would make a great on-the-go breakfast or snack.
• Those who had kids raved that this would be great for their children.
• I think früsh would serve as a great base to make a breakfast or recovery smoothie, adding in additional frozen fruit, possibly some protein powder or flax seed, etc.

Below is the breakdown of ingredients and nutrition information for one bottle, which includes TruCal® (an all-natural calcium extract designed to optimize bone health) and HOWARU® (a probiotic that claims to boost immunity and aid digestion).

Want to win a voucher for some free früsh? I’m giving away 3 free bottles, 5 coupons and a frush drawstring bag. Entering is easy. Just follow the 3 super simple steps below, and I’ll select one lucky person at random a week from today (September 27, 2012 at 7 p.m. Eastern).

• Follow me on Twitter at @rUnladylike and/or like my Facebook page at facebook.com/runladylike.
• Tweet and/or post on Facebook about the giveaway, tagging me in your post. Example: “I just entered the @rUnladylike giveaway to win some free @gofrush. RT and enter too at http://www.runladylike.com/?p=791.”
• Leave a comment below letting me know that you did the above 2 things. (If you are not on Twitter or Facebook, let me know that in the comments below.)

If you’re training for a fall marathon, have you run your 20 or 21-mile run yet? If so, how did it go? Have you ever tried früsh? What is your favorite post-workout recovery drink or snack of choice?