This weekend I was flying solo for my long run. I was back home visiting my parents and the schedule called for 16 miles. The change of scenery from my usual Richmond Park route really made a difference and I quite enjoyed plodding along by myself, singing out loud at points hoping nobody would come the other way and think I was shouting at them. Overall the run was pretty good until the last two miles where I had to dig deep.

I also debued my hydration backpack as Lazy Boy wasn’t around to offer me refreshments this time. I’ve run with my Inov8 Race Pro 12 backpace on my way home from work and found it really good. I’m of quite small build and it still fits me snug enough not to move around while I bounce along the road.

This weekend was the first time, however, that I had put the drinks bladder into it and I didn’t know what to expect. But I’m pleased to report that I hardly noticed that anything was attached to me and having a tube to sip on as and when I needed was much easier than carrying a bottle. So far I’ve only tested it out with water as I’m not too keen on having to clean it out after sticky sports drink has been in it – but that’s just me being lazy.

Another product I tested this weekend was SiS energy gels. I’ve had a difficult relationship with gels in the past. While training for my half marathon I tested out Lucozade gels in preparation for race day and found them to be fine. So when the big day came I chomped down three and (admitedly I should have drunk more water than I did) got stomach cramps.

Although it was partly user error I don’t think I can face Lucozade again in the same way that I can’t face Tequilla after one bad experience several years ago. On recommendation from a couple of people I thought I’d give the SiS version a go. Blimey did they do the trick. They’re a lot less thick than the others that I’ve tested so they were much easier to swallow. I took two during my 16-miler – the first at 6 miles and the second at 10 miles. Both times I glanced down to my Garmin shortly after to see that my pace had picked up by about 40 seconds per mile. Magic. I’ll definately be packing a couple of these when I head out for another 16 miles this weekend.