This post is sponsored by WatermelonBoard.org, however all content, opinions and enthusiasm remain my own. Thank you for supporting watermelon farmers!
The last six months have been different, to say the least, when it comes to running and working out. For many of us, including myself, we’ve had to dig deep to get off the couch, we’ve had to look for ways to lock in that accountability, find creative ways to keep making fitness fun, and get used to getting high-fives, positive vibes, and goals accomplished virtually. 
I’ve been entering virtual runs and workout competitions, attending online fitness boot camps, and exercising at home with whatever “equipment” I can round up (check out my Full-body Watermelon Home Workout). This past weekend, the time of year I usually start ramping up marathon or half marathon training but not a “real” one on my calendar as of yet). So, I thought it would be good for my spirits to step out the door for a run with no worries about time, or distance or even competing – just having fun and challenging friends virtually to do the same! I’m calling it the Virtual Watermelon Woggle “Walk-Jog-Run Any Distance” 2020 – are you in?! Keep reading to find out more and also nab my recipe for Concentrated Watermelon Electrolyte Ice Cubes – – a must-have for fall-season running when the weather is still screaming summer.
So, the Virtual Watermelon Woggle “Walk-Jog-Run Any Distance” 2020 is strictly for fun – you can run as far or near as you desire, at the pace you choose (technically a “woggle” is walk-jog, so NO STRESS), and can be done solo or with socially distanced friends. There are NO RULES, just walk, jog or run . . . and drop me a comment about your accomplishment if you choose to play along. Also, for a bonus point, you can DM me a photo to @thefitfork on Instagram or email to jennifer@thefitfork.com and I will share in my Instagram Stories. Additional bonus points for wearing watermelon, eating watermelon or drinking watermelon. If I get enough people woggling with me by the end of September, I’ll round up a fun prize for one or two random participants! 
Look at this sweet admirer I found on the course cheering for me!
So, what’s the deal with watermelon and walking, woggling, and running? Basically, watermelon is a superfood for runners – natural carbohydrates for quick energy, 92% water to keep the body hydrated, plus vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that athletes of all levels need. For example, watermelon is a good source of the amino acid, L-citrulline, which makes it a Heart Happy fruit that supports vascular health and promotes blood flow. Additional studies in athlete populations suggest that L-citrulline in watermelon could also possibly play a role in the lessening of Delayed Onset Muscle Fatigue – that is a plus for me! And, watermelon just tastes amazing, am I right?!
Packed with water, natural sugars, and other important minerals and vitamins essential for an active lifestyle, it only makes sense that watermelon juice would make a great sports drink. Because I’m all about making my life as efficient as possible (and ensuring I can have watermelon 365 days a year), I came up with a way to make a watermelon electrolyte sports drink to have on hand at all times, even when the peak of watermelon season has passed.
So, let me introduce you to Concentrated Watermelon Electrolyte Ice Cubes for Runners and teach you how to make these little functional nummies – aka. watermelon run fuel. The frozen cubes are concentrated with a little extra salt (both Himalayan pink salt and baking soda because they do different good things for you), in addition to pureed watermelon with a little extra natural sugar added from maple syrup. The idea is that when these concentrated electrolyte cubes melt down and dissolve away into a bottle of water, you have an effective and tasty sports drink top off your tank and keep you going! 
You can check out the Story Pin on how to make Concentrated Watermelon Electrolyte Ice Cubes for Runners for more visual details on the preparation.https://www.pinterest.com/pin/165155511325553099/https://www.pinterest.com/pin/165155511325553099/ But it is a very easy process, even if you don’t like being in the kitchen. 
Just puree watermelon, add the fresh juice of limes and lemons, add maple syrup for more quickly, easily digested sugars, pink Himalayan salt (which is not stripped of trace minerals like traditional table salt) and baking soda (aka, sodium bicarbonate, an alkaline salt which may help your muscles keep contracting and producing energy when they are tired ).
Then pour mixture into ice cube trays (or even mini muffin tins like I did) and freeze overnight. Pop out of trays and store in a zip-top bag in the freezer for year-round use, summer through winter. In fact, you need to be very cautious about hydration levels in the winter because the cold plays tricks on thirst. Even on the coldest days, you are still sweating, but more significantly, also losing fluids due water vapors escaping in every breath. So, when heading out on a run or workout intensely any time of year, add 2 to 4 frozen watermelon electrolyte cubes per 16-ounce bottle of water and you get a effective, natural watermelon sports drink.
Each cube has about 21 calories and 25g sodium, so you can tweak the amount of added electrolyte cubes to suit your personal sweat rate, the distance, and the weather. 
When I’m super depleted of electrolytes, I’ve also been known to suck on these salty little frozen watermelon cubes straight out of the freezer for faster relief.
I hope you get a chance to make this beneficial, completely safe, natural and legal ergonomic aid for runners and endurance athletes. Let me know what you think! Also, don’t forget about the 2020 Virtual Watermelon “Walk-Jog-Run Any Distance” Woggle and let me know what you did!
Make these frozen cubes ahead, and then let melt into your bottle of water for a natural and effective sports drink that will help keep you hydrated and may lessen cramps and help promote quicker recovery. Use 2 to 4 cubes in a 16-ounce water bottle depending on the weather and your rate of sweat.
- 4 cups approx. seeded watermelon cubes (to yield 24 oz. puree)
- 2 limes, juiced (about 2 oz.)
- 2 lemons, juiced (about 2 oz.)
- 1/2 cup real maple syrup (4 oz)
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon Himalayan pink salt
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Chop fresh watermelon or select produce department prepped watermelon chunks.
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Add to blender and process until liquified. Do NOT skim off pulp.
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Add lime juice, lemon juice, real maple syrup, baking soda and Himalayan pink salt. Stir or shake until combined.
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Pour watermelon mixture into approximate 1-oz ice cube trays or mini muffin tins. Should yield about 36 total cubes.
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Freeze overnight, or until solid. Pop out of molds and store in heavy zip-top plastic bag. Store in freezer.
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Add 2 to 4 (or more depending on sodium needs) watermelon electrolyte ice cubes to 16-ounce bottle of water. Allow to dissolve into water, or can me munched on frozen .
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Makes 36, 1-ounce cubes.
