Pre-race meal? Ice cream and candy

Palm Coast Observer
Opinion

Pasta and carbs are the ideal pre-race foods. But I'm not the ideal eater. And I also like to keep things interesting.

I’m not much of a runner these days. In fact, other than running in the FL.ROC mud run a few weeks ago, I haven’t run much since December 2011, when I ran a marathon.

And so, when an office email went out last week asking us to participate in LuLu’s Oceanside Grill’s fun run on Tuesday, in Ormond Beach, it took a little convincing.

I’ll be honest, I don’t like the sound of a fun run because, well, is it really that fun? If I’m going to run 3.1 miles in the heat of the Florida summer, I’m probably not going to have a lot of fun. Really, the only reason I would run is if I was able to win something. And I’m not talking a ribbon or a participation trophy. I want something big, like a new car.

But when I found out a complimentary tank-top was in the prize bag for participating, I was in.

LuLu’s, located at 30 S. Atlantic Ave., in Ormond Beach, holds fun runs once a month. For $10 (or $5 if it’s not your first time), you get to run a 5K with no pressure, you get a post-race beer and snacks, and you get to hang around with fellow runners and possibly win some prizes in the post-race raffle.

The only downfall — at least this week — was the course included running the Granada Bridge. That thing is a beast.

And perhaps eating a bag of peanut M&Ms and a Nestle Drumstick ice cream cone just minutes before we took off wasn’t the best pre-race meal. But, YOLO, as they say.

But I knew it was all for fun, and so I kept it a manageable pace and had a good time. After all, it was me and two coworkers, and we were just there for some exercise and post-race socialization. And beer.

LuLu’s provides some chips, cheese, fruit and water after the race to go along with a beer. And then there’s a raffle.

Well, our table cleaned up. Three of us won prizes.

In typical Luck O’ the Irish fashion, my ticket number was called out for the grand prize. I won a few T-shirts, a water bottle and a coozy. The best part of the prize pack, though, was a News-Journal umbrella. What’s better than keeping dry thanks to the competition?

The next LuLu’s fun run will be Tuesday, July 16. I’m told this one will include people situated throughout the course spraying runners with water bottles. Maybe they can put beer or ice cream in the water guns. Just for fun, of course.

Follow @aobrien7 on Twitter.