There’s something oddly exciting about getting new running stuff – especially when it involves snacks and drinks. I recently treated myself to a stash of goodies, and I have to say, it’s the weirdest mix of lame and thrilling. I mean, who else gets excited about tiny packets of goo and powdered drinks? Oh, right… runners.

First up: my new Honey Stinger sample pack. These little packets of energy gel, chews, and bars are basically the adult version of candy for “serious athletes” (or at least, people like me who are trying very hard to be serious). They’re made with honey, which sounds so wholesome, right? Like something you’d give Winnie the Pooh after a long run. The idea is simple – squeeze one of these down mid-run, and boom! You’ve got instant energy to keep going. It’s a bit like mainlining sugar but with the justification of “this is for my performance.”

Then there’s LMNT electrolyte drinks. I’ve been hearing about these, so naturally, I had to try them out and see how they compare to Liquid IV, my go-to hydration buddy. LMNT promises to be packed with electrolytes (and salt – so much salt), but without the sugar, which means you’re left with this weird sense of being healthy and virtuous while drinking something that tastes like ocean water. Meanwhile, Liquid IV is like sipping on a tropical vacation – a much sweeter, more sugar-forward experience. So now, I get to decide: do I want to feel like I just licked a salt shaker or took a sip of a sugary island cocktail? Decisions, decisions.

I know it’s totally lame to get this excited over running fuel and hydration powder, but hey, when you’re out there running miles on end, these little things make all the difference. Plus, it’s a great excuse to experiment with “nutrition” while convincing myself that trying new flavors is a productive use of my time.

So, here’s to my new stash of running goodies—keeping me energized, hydrated, and ridiculously excited over things most people would never think twice about. Because nothing says “I’m a runner” like geeking out over sports gels and salty drinks!