As a runner who likes to dream big I am all about trying to find the next best thing that is going to help me get an edge during training. In order to achieve my dreams I can’t just rely on running miles to get there. I need to think about my nutrition and hydration strategy as a key component to realizing my 3:05 dream!
No matter how hard I try to stay hydrated it is something I struggle with. If you want to read about what happens to me when I am not hydrated during a marathon check out my race recap from Boston Marathon 2011. After that race I took hydrating seriously. It’s not enough to think about it just during the race. You need to be thinking about it leading up to runs and post-run. I am very picky about what containers I like to drink out of when it comes to plain water and, I’ll be honest, the only time I crave just water is when I am running. During the day or post-run I have to force myself to drink water. Hence my constant struggle with hydration/dehydration. I’m more likely to drink something other than water before or after a run.
I had heard of other runner friends drinking coconut water to stay hydrated but wasn’t really sure what the big deal was or why this was any different than other drinks on the market to help you stay hydrated. But I’m always willing to give a product a try to see. I expected ZICO coconut water to taste like coconut milk — it doesn’t. It’s light and refreshing. I didn’t think there was any way that I would noticed a significant difference in how hydrated I felt after using ZICO. I was wrong. After a couple of weeks of just OK runs I started drinking ZICO regularly before a run and immediately following. I would drink about 1/2 of a bottle before and an entire bottle after. Recently I ran 10 miles pushing baby C who, at 18+ months, is really no longer a baby. I had no great expectations for the run.
- Mile 1: 8:11
- Mile 2: 7:27
- Mile 3: 7:51
- Mile 4: 7:35
- Mile 5: 7:51
- Mile 6: 7:41
- Mile 7: 7:41
- Mile 8: 7:19
- Mile 9: 7:49
- Mile 10: 7:31
Umm hello what? Sub-8-minute-miles for 10 miles pushing 23lbs of stroller and 30+ lbs of kid? I’ll take it. The cynic in me (and maybe you) is going to say well maybe you just had a good run. Maybe I did BUT I know that I have the best runs of my life when I am fully HYDRATED. So yes maybe there were other factors that came together for me to go on an easy run and have great paces while pushing Colton, but I do fully believe that being hydrated had a lot to do with it.
Remember the post I did not too long ago about my spirit lifting 16 miler? ZICO coconut water was consumed before and after that run too! ZICO according to ZICO:
- more potassium than one banana
- supports rapid hydration
- 5 electrolytes – potassium, magnesium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus
- supports rapid hydration
- gluten-free
- lower acidity than sports drinks or juices
- zero fat, zero cholesterol and zero added sugar* (*except for the chocolate)
Fun facts about the packaging (again according to ZICO)
- bottle made from 30% recycled content which means a reduced carbon footprint.
- #2 100% recyclable HDPE bottle
- recycled 40x more than Tetra cartons
My children love copying what I do, so when they asked to have some ZICO I figured sure, why not? I did not, for one second, think they would like it. Baby C drank an entire bottle of the chocolate the first time he tried it. He loved it! I’d rather give my kids coconut water any day than another artificially sweetened juice box!
While poking around on the ZICO coconut water website I found some fun recipes using ZICO. Check them out HERE. 
Note: I found that all four flavors I tried — natural, pineapple, mango and chocolate — taste better chilled. I packed them with an ice pack in a smaller cooler bag to keep them cool in my car during a run.
BlogHer is giving away $100 gift cards and a case of ZICO to two readers of Mile Posts! Who couldn’t use $100 and free coconut water? That buys a lot more ZICO coconut water or pays for the entry fee to that race you have been wanting to run!
Sweepstakes Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 6/4 – 6/30.
Be sure to visit the ZICO brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!
Runner, dreamer, marathoner x24, mommy of 3, Women's Running Magazine cover model, published writer, Saucony contributing blogger, running coach, and lover of all things running. I Run This Body. 
My tweet: https://twitter.com/oceanskater/status/209599868484861952
I’m not sure how to leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt
But I’m certainly interested in trying the water. The only time I’ve had this type of water is at races 
Can’t wait to try it! I, too, have issues with being hydrated.
Tweeted – @jovansjourney
I would love to try Zico!
leaving a comment to enter – great giveaway!
my Twitter entry: https://twitter.com/poiseinparma/status/209613333123444736
Thanks for offering this. Comment to enter!
Awesome giveaway! I’m a big coconut water fan, and I used it when training for my half earlier this year.
I just recently had Zico and absolutely love it! II’m not a fan of anything coconut. But I tried this anyways and I suddenly love it.
I have been using coconut water post-run and love it! Will have to try it pre-run too!
Wow. Can’t wait to try this out!! What a great giveaway
I tweeted the giveaway https://twitter.com/NattieRuns/status/209623140786122753
I absolutely LOVE coconut water but have never tried all those flavors. The chocolate sounds really yummy! Love this giveaway!
Tweeted!
https://twitter.com/EatDrinkClev/status/209626274870734848
I keep looking at the coconut water in the stores, but have yet to try it. I just might have to give it a go now!
Tweet!
https://twitter.com/lauramlook/status/209629556355764224
I need all the help I can get in the hydration department! Hope I get picked : )
I’ve never heard of this brand. Hope I get a chance to try it and thanks for the chance to win!
I was first introduced to coconut water when I was living in Brazil. I’d love to try ZICO!
Wow! I’d really like to try some! Especially the chocolate!
I really love coconut water, and I’ve heard good things about the ZICO chocolate flavored one!
I would love to try ZICO! I’ve heard about it in the past but have never tried it!
Wow! This is an awesome giveaway! Never tried before but would love to. Sounds like it is the real deal!
Great after a workout.
melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com
I love Zico Coconut water! Especially the chocolate!
I have always wanted to try Zico! Have heard great things =)
I couldn’t find the official sweepstakes prompt to respond to, so I’m leaving a general comment. I would LOVE to try the coconut water. I enjoy coconut milk in my coffee (not the heavy coconut milk in cans, the stuff in cartons in the refridgerated section), so I’m sure I would enjoy the water, too!
Hydration is key to great performance! Love Zico products
This stuff sounds amazing and I would love to win the sweepstakes… would love to try that water!
Great giveway. Definitely interested in trying Zico. I have not had that brand previously!
Tweet… Tweet… Tweet…
https://twitter.com/jimmclark/status/209646273589018624
I love Zico! I have started using it as my Pre-race drink. I love the pineapple and chocolate flavors best!
I got some Zico at the Miami Marathon Expo and thought that it worked well. Here is my tweet. https://twitter.com/Locker_29/status/209646089891098627 BTW: Glad that you enjoyed the OBX! Pictures looked relaxing. If you get a chance stop by my blog and read about and see some pictures of a great little race in Durham, NC. The Running of the Bulls 8k . . . It finishes on the 3rd base of the old Durham Bulls Athletic Park where the Movie Bull Durham was shot. Really fun and well organized little race.
Love coconut water! I had some before my race yesterday (which i normally do NOT do) and I totally PR’d! I would love to attribute that to better hydration pre-run! I’m tweeting this!!!
I’ve always been interested in trying coconut water! It looks SO refreshing!
Hence, my comment to enter ;D
*fingers crossed*
would LOVE to try it out!! my tweet – https://twitter.com/runKaitrun/status/209649780748599296
Also posted to Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/love2Bre
@love2Bre
I love coconut water – I completely agree with you on it helping to stay hydrated! A case would help me through my fifty miler at the end of the month…
I just bought by first bottle of Zico the other day!
Thank you for the recommendation! I always end up training with Gatorade because that is what they provide at NYRR races, and I like to get my sensitive stomach used to it. But I would love to give Zico a try! Consider this my entry.
Mmmm I’d love to try it!
Chocolate Zico has sooo become one of my favorite treats!
I tweeted! https://twitter.com/EpicuriousRunnr/status/209658682286415873
I’ve tried Zico before and really enjoyed it. It makes a great post race drink for me. I love the idea to make little cocktails out of it.
Would love to try it!
I would love to win!
I tweeted! https://twitter.com/RunWithJes/status/209662584494899201
Hope I’m one of the lucky winners. Your stroller runs at the sub-8 pace continue to amaze me! Incredible.
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/lesliew323
Dang it now, I gotta something new again. Thanks dorothy for letting us in on a bit of hydration help. Hope I win.
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/alexbridgeforth/status/209665399841755137
The chocolate sounds great!!
My husband picked up a couple bottles of Zico at an expo that we recently went to and he loved it! I was able to snag a few sips before he took it back (he wouldn’t share! hehe). I have trouble hydrating too and go in cycles of getting really bored with water and wanting something different that isn’t loaded with calories and sugar. This sounds like a great option!
I tweeted this giveaway: https://twitter.com/SarahCanney/status/209666847786803202
I would love to try this! Looks yummy.
I’ve used ZICO on a regular basis for the past few months. Enough so that I have a standing order with Amazon to ship me two cases every month. It goes great in my coffee in the morning and tastes great in the shower after my long runs. For those that don’t like coconuts or coconut water/milk, I highly recommend the chocolate flavored version. Tastes great!
I’ve never tried this, but I would like to!
Always on the hunt for better ways to hydrate. This sounds promising!
The chocolate flavor sounds good.
tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/209694544852299777
I think the chocolate flavor sounds delicious and would be a great replenishment after my long runs!
our team, action jackson, drank zico during the keys 100 relay from key largo to key west a few weeks ago. we felt very hydrated throughout the entire race and finished in 13hrs 43minutes. @thaREALmeredith @teamactionjxn
I would love to try Zico coconut water! Thanks for the giveaway!
I am still getting used to the taste of the “natural” coconut water, but love the flavored ones. I totally agree with chilling it first–tastes MUCH better.
I haven’t tried this brand before, but am definitely looking forward to giving it a shot.
love zico after a long run!!!!
I think I might try this even if I don’t win… Running + breastfeeding = dehydrated constantly!
I’ve never tried ZICO, but i like to
freebiel0ve@yahoo.com
https://twitter.com/akronugurl/status/209704230724964353
Super awesome giveaway! I’d love to try it
I love coconut water!
I’d love to give this a try! The idea of coconut water freaked me out a bit before, but this sounds like a great rec!
I LOVE Zico! It’s my coconut water of choice! I plan on buying a case for my Ragnar Relay Napa Valley team this fall, so this gift card would go to good use!
Tweeted!
I would drink almost anything for stroller mile splits like that!
I’d love to win.
Tweeted @themrswrites
I love Zico. I use it for all my runs & races and I know it makes a difference.
I tweeted!
https://twitter.com/pace_of_laurel/status/209717283562598400
I’ve had Zico after long runs and races, and I love it!! My mom and I are big fans of Zico and coconut water in general!
Anything coconut! Count me in~!
I have always wanted to try coconut water! Thank you Dorothy for all the fun give aways you post. I hope this is my lucky one!!!!
Leaving a comment to enter! I’ve only tried zico chocolate, but it’s amazing. It’s my treat to myself once in a while. Definitely would NOT complain if I were to get some for free
tweeted (@awinner9)
Zico is a critical part of my training and is also great for staying hydrated when I travel.
Thank you for the giveaway!
I will try to ZICO. I appreciate the chance.
https://twitter.com/rosorior/status/209739768903368705
I love the chocolate flavored Zico – so good!
I’d love to try the chocolate flavor! Lululemon had a free yoga class for marathoners the day after my (first!) marathon 2 weeks ago and gave out coconut water. I definitely appreciated it!
I could totally use something that makes me more hydrated and run faster haha!
I’d love to try some coconut water!! I’ve also had people tell me that it’s great for training and racing, but I’ve never tried it myself. This would be a great opportunity to do so!!
I’d like to try it!
i didnt see a question, but I would love to try this water. Coconuts are so yummy and everyone drinks water, so the two together sounds amazing!!!
tweet
https://twitter.com/MeandBells/status/209771365287464960
I watched someone literally hit the pavement during the River to Sea relay last year…due to dehydration. Scary stuff! Thank you so much for this opportunity!
I’d love to try Zico… I’ve never had any coconut water!
I’m going to have to give ZICO a try. Thanks!
I would love to try this water!! Who doesn’t need a boost in the middle of the summer? And what better way than hydration?
this water sounds great and I’ve never tried it but id love to.
https://twitter.com/aes529/status/209787869802397697
Not sure where the sweepstakes question is….but would love to try this!
I drink Zico after I run, but now I’ll try it before I go on my long runs too!
I would love to try ZICO! The chocolate flavor sounds great!
https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/209802633144307714
Thanks for the post – I’ve been wondering about the taste. Would love to try ZICO
Yum! I have not tried coconut water or Zico yet but I’ve been curious about it. Gatorade upsets my tummy and coconut water seems like it might be easier to stomach and awesome for electrolytes!
https://twitter.com/marsh153/status/209812881674485760
I have never tried coconut water. I just added it to my grocery list for this week!!
I’ve never tried coconut water, but have heard about it. You’ve convinced me to give it a try!
I haven’t tried ZICO water before, and I would love to try it after a workout .
Link to my tweet: https://twitter.com/terri519/status/209815848003698688
https://twitter.com/Dealsfan32/status/209816378323124224
Tweeted! I am so looking forward to trying this product.
Thanks for this information! I’m willing to test this product to see how my running improves
Oh, and I tweeted this too
I’d love to try the mango flavor.. lately I can’t get enough of anything mango!!
Love coco water. Tweeted under Pahoppa
Great giveaway!!
This post really grabbed my attention. I just happened to be in the store tonight, so I grabbed a few bottles. I am looking forward to trying them pre and post run on Wednesday!
I love coconut water for hydration! Between Nursing an infant and running I struggle to stay hydrated. Coconut water helps! I only wish we could have coconut trees in our back yard…
I’d love to try it, too!
I tweeted about this amazing giveaway here! Fingers crossed…
https://twitter.com/XiomiSkerbec/status/209849952216686593
Never tried coconut water b4, but am betting I’d love it!
I’d like to try the Zico natural over ice to refresh and rehydrate after doing yard work on the weekends.
Tweet
https://twitter.com/BBirdie2/status/209867014032982016
Zico sounds awesome and I can’t wait to try them all. I love the easy recipes from their site too. Thanks for pointing that out.
Amy [at] utry [dot] it
tweeted about this giveaway: https://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/209894025770176513
Amy [at] utry [dot] it
I am down to try Zico coconut water to improve my hydration too! Very important during the summer months!