Chocolate Milk as a Recovery Drink?

I thought my wife was off her rocker when she told me she read an article about chocolate milk and how chocolate milk as a recovery drink after a long run has the important ingredients to refuel your muscles.  It sounded too good to be true, and then there was the side of me that thought, “She’s not a runner, how could she possibly know what a good recovery drink would be!”  I decided I had to check it out though, because after all, who doesn’t love chocolate milk!  I waited a while, hoping she would have forgotten about the article.  Then I could tell her about it pretending that I had discovered the article.  It wasn’t hard to research and I found articles from numerous sources such as coolrunning.com, active.com and trainingpeaks.com.  My findings revealed that chocolate milk as a recovery drink is an excellent source of proteins and carbs which are both essential to refuel your muscles after a long run.

According to a study done by Joel Stager, a Professor of Exercise Physiology at Indiana University Bloomington and the Director and Professor at Counsilman Center for the Science of Swimming, there is a small window after a long run to refuel your muscles.  Chocolate milk as a recovery drink should be used within 45 minutes to one hour after a long run or work out.  There is also a specific formula for the perfect protein/carb mix to refuel your muscles.  It should be a 4:1 ratio.  To figure it out, divide the amount of carbohydrates by the amount of protein.  The closer the ratio is to 4 the better the chocolate milk as a recovery drink.
 
Last year when I began my Chicago Marathon training, I made sure that I told my wife about my research and asked her if she could get me some chocolate milk and being the wonderful wife that she is, she made sure the refrigerator was always stocked.  She had even bought enough so I could share with the rest of the running group.  It got to be a routine as we did our marathon training.  And I have to tell you, after a long run, the chocolate milk sure does taste good!
 
I ran the Carmel Half Marathon, in Carmel, Indiana as part of my 2012Run12 and at the finish line besides your usual water, Gatorade, and bananas there was chocolate milk.  After setting a new PR at the Carmel Half Marathon, I chose the chocolate milk as a recovery drink and it tasted even sweeter!

LOOKING FORWARD TO THE CARMEL HALF MARATHON

The Carmel Half Marathon in Carmel, Indiana will be my 4^th half marathon in my 2012run12 campaign to Run4NF and raise awareness and money for Neurofibromatosis (NF).  I’m really looking forward to the Carmel Half Marathon race for many reasons. 

The Carmel Half Marathon could be the race for me to set a new PR (Personal Record) and with Mother Nature working hard in favor of the runners, it just might happen.  As of today, it looks like the temperature will be about 48 degrees at the start of the race, and in my opinion that’s just about perfect.  Carmel, Indiana is one of the fastest growing cities in Indiana and in 2010 it was voted #14 in Money magazine’s “Best Places to Live”.  The half marathon course boost picturesque views the country, park trails and neighborhoods.  When you put that all together, you have the reasons why I am looking forward to a great race and being a part of the community on race day.

When we were mapping out our plans for 2012run12, there were almost 40 half marathons to choose from throughout the state of Indiana.  It was the community of Carmel, Indiana that seemed very appealing and was the reason we chose the Carmel Half Marathon.  I am also looking forward to seeing how Carmel has made use of roundabouts instead of stop lights.  Now, I may have a different opinion after experiencing them, but by replacing 78 stoplights with roundabouts certainly has got to save a lot of energy, and for that, Carmel should be applauded.

So far, each of my 2012run12 half marathons has been memorable and when I cross that finish line at the Carmel Half Marathon and I am given my medal, it will be a reminder of just how fortunate I am just to be able to Run4NF.  Neurofibromatosis is a genetic disorder that affects 1 in 2500 births.  Neurofibromatosis does not have a big name spokesperson or a big budget.  Its goal is to support families with Neurofibromatosis, create awareness, improve treatments and promote research.

I became aware of Neurofibromatosis, because John, a former student of mine has the disorder.  John’s success and determination in facing every day challenges is what has inspired me to choose to Run4NF.

Every donation big or small will make a difference.  If you are interested in supporting my campaign to Run4NF to raise awareness and money for Neurofibromatosis, please visit my donation page.

http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/michaelblaha/nf-midwest-run4nf