Do you even pre-workout?

My experience of supplements etc doesn't really stretch any further than the occasional protein shake after a long run or work out. But when the lovely people at USN offered to send me some of their Hyperlean Two-In-One pre-workout to try, I thought I'd give it a bash.

Here are some of the benefits that they say Hyperlean can give you:

• Can improve nitric oxide generation
• A great energy source
• Can contribute to muscle recovery
• Promotes weight control and lean muscle maintenance

I've been trying a serving of Hyperlean about 40 minutes before I go to the gym - I don't really like the feeling of drinking a lot before a run.

Once you've shaken it up, the pre-workout is a slightly weird pinkish colour. My only criticism of it is the taste - I really dislike the 'fruit fusion' flavour and have on occasions had to hold my nose to force it down! However this is something that's very much down to personal preference. I often struggle to find flavours of things that I like (Nuun has finally solved this problem with about nine million different flavours!) so I'm not really surprised that this was a sticking point for me.

'Fruit fusion' just isn't the flavour for me :(

I definitely feel like I have the energy to work out for a bit longer when I have some of the pre-workout - bizarrely one thing I particularly noticed it in was when I did the plank! 

I've also been feeling less sore and DOMS-y but then I've also been a good girl and doing my foam rolling after working out too so that may be a combination of both. 

While I'm not sure a pre-workout is something I'd use regularly, if you fancy a really intense workout or need a bit of a boost then it certainly can't hurt!

Harris x

Do you ever use a pre-workout? Do you struggle with finding flavours you like?

Dear Running, I'm sorry I cheated on you

Dear Running,

I'm back. But I guess I should explain where I've been.

We've been having problems for a while now. I know you've felt it too but I didn't know how to address them. And so I cheated on you. With the gym.

I was seduced by those shiny machine, that loud music, those promises of a toned body (also the steam room...mainly the steam room). I forked out my money. And I really do like the gym.

I felt guilty about it, but I didn't want to face up to it and so I stopped blogging. You can't have a running blog without any running right? I've even been avoiding reading about you because it made me feel guilty.

But now it's time for a reality check. It's only nine weeks until the Liverpool Rock and Roll Half Marathon. And you and I need to be able to go the distance. 13.1 miles to be precise.

The gym is still important to me, and probably quite good for me. But it's time to focus on you and me now.

We've always had a love-hate relationship (often a lot more of the hate part) but I sometimes forget how much you've done for me. Without you, I'd be in a very different place right now. I'd be in a very different dress size too probably.

So I'm sorry Running. I'm sorry I abandoned you and cheated on you. Things are going to be different from now on.

Harris x