When I head out the door for a hot and humid run, I don’t want a lot of water sloshing around in my stomach or creating a pit stop (that’s why I drink most of my water as soon as I wake up and an hour or so before heading out the door). However, I do need a little refreshing pick-me up before hitting the trail, track or pavement, and my Salty Tart Cherry Shooter (with Collagen and L-Carnitine) for Pre & Post Run is a great solution.

This 3-ounce drink tastes great and will keep you from feeling bloated with liquids – plus the ingredients are concentrated to provide a boot of nutrients to help optimize your running performance and recovery. Read on to get all the details and easy recipe:

I’ve started with a base of tart cherry juice, potent liquid pressed from the flesh of cherries (there are over 50 cherries in 8 ounces of tart cherry juice). Tart cherry juice is known for their anti-inflammatory properties and natural pain-relieving properties. A recent study suggested that runners who drank tart cherry juice bounced back more quickly post-marathon and had less muscle soreness that those drinking a placebo. In my opinion and experience, this benefit is translatable to all endurance activities!

This  Salty Tart Cherry Shooter for Pre & Post Run recipe calls for 2 ounces of cherry juice, and the tangy sweetness cut with 1 ounce of hydrating coconut water.  As I’m sure you know, coconut water is the bomb when it comes to natural electrolyte drinks – it’s full of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. Your body can’t self-make these minerals which are necessary for the healthy balance of water in cells (which prevents cramping), so they need to come from diet. Since this recipe just uses a bit of coconut water, I’ve also added a ¼ teaspoon of sea salt for an electrolyte boost.

In addition, for added endurance benefits, I’ve added a teaspoon of liquid L-carnitine as it’s reported that L-carnitine can help prolong the time it takes athletes to reach exhaustion. L-carnitine also helps regulate blood sugar, protects muscles from damage, and promotes good brain function. This amino acid can be found in proteins we eat, like beef, fish and chicken, but it’s nice to be able to get a little boost with the liquid supplement (I get mine from NOW Sports). If you can’t find this ingredient, the Salty Tart Cherry Shooter recipe is still completely awesome without it.

Finally, I’ve mixed in a half-serving of collagen hydrolysate powder to up the shooter, to speak to my tired and overworked ligaments and joints. Collagen helps protect the joints and ligaments all over my body and also helps to preserve my lean muscle mass – something I’m really concerned about as an aging, yet still competitive, athlete. Anywhere I can sneak a little protein into my diet, the better! 

My brand of choice is from Great Lakes Gelatin – it’s a bovine collagen and the powder is ground so finely that it dissolves instantly in both hot or cold liquids. There is absolutely no clumping, gelling or shaking endless for good results. Another thing I love about the collagen hydrolysate from Great Lakes Wellness is that it is completely tasteless making it a versatile ingredient for so many foods and beverages. However, on occasion, I do like to substitute one of their other products into this  Salty Tart Cherry Shooter for Pre and Post Run – Collagen Endurance Plus. This product has a few extra calories to support energy output on a run and also has vitamin B complex, Vitamin C, other antioxidants and caffeine.

Note:: the nutrition info based on using Collagen Hydrolysate from Great Lakes Gelatin. If using the optional ingredient, L-carnitine, add 7 calories, add 7 calories.

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Salty Tart Cherry Shooter with L-Carnitine and Collagen

Prep Time

5 mins

 

Course: Drinks, workout

Servings: 1

Calories: 52 kcal

Ingredients

• 2 ounces tart cherry juice
• 1 ounce coconut water
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoon l-carnitine liquid I get mine from NOW foods
• 1 tablespoon collagen powder I get mine from Great Lakes Gelatin

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients together in small juice glass, drink!