Maple Endurance Recovery Drink

I credit my brother for providing me with the motivation to dive back into running last August (I put my some shoes in the picture so you know its “legit”). Through the winter I ran a fair bit, and did a ton of work in the woods chasing maple sap. With that portion of the season behind us, and the real need to be outside in the woods, I’ve been channeling my obsessive tendencies toward running dirt roads and the trails of Hi Tor near our farm. With relatively intense aerobic exercise on back to back days, there is a bunch of stuff out there endorsing chocolate milk as a superb recovery drink when consumed soon after exercise. Google it if you want, or take my word, and try this out on yourself. Admittedly I have made the leap that milk sweetened with all natural maple syrup is as good or better for this purpose than the high fructose corn syrup and weird thickeners found in most chocolate milk. What I have read is to consume adequate calories with protein and salt in the 30 minute window right after you are done with your activity to replenish muscle glycogen and aid rebuilding muscles. I use regular milk. I’m sure it would be great with a bunch of milk alternatives, but pay attention to getting some protein in there as well since that seems to play a role. This isn’t a substitute for re-hydration, pound the fluids also!

You will need:

1 pint mason jar or similar favorite drinking glass

2-3 Tbs maple syrup

1-1/2 cups of milk

Dash of salt (I vary amount based on outside temperature and the amount of sweating going on)

Add maple syrup, milk and salt to glass. Stir up and enjoy. I’ve been pleasantly surprised after some really hot runs recently that this goes right down and feels great.

Update: Cousin K commented that it has a taste set similar to salted caramel. I’m a big fan of that too!