The Orange Conspiracy
By Pigglies
@Pigglies (9329)
United States
November 29, 2009 7:51pm CST
I think there is a conspiracy going on with oranges. Yes, the fruit. Let me explain...
At the end of one of the 5K races I ran, we were given oranges. It was the best orange I had ever had in my entire life. That is, until the 10K. At the end of the 10K we were given orange slices, and these topped any previous orange slice I have ever received.
I think orange growers and race directors have a conspiracy going. The orange growers put the oranges into categories: marathon oranges, half marathon oranges, 10K oranges, 5K oranges, and oranges for the general public. So my theory is, at the half marathon if I am given an orange, it will be even better than the 10K orange. And if I never run a marathon, I will never taste the best oranges on the planet. Normally I don't even like oranges that much, but wow, race oranges taste awesome.
1 person likes this
4 responses
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
30 Nov 09
Hi Pigglies, I've noticed that with oranges too. Like you I'm not a great orange fan but have discovered different types over here and straight from the tree there are some really tempting ones. There's an old man in the mountains who has the best most unique oranges ever which come from a tree he has, I could eat them forever but it only fruits for a short time and one orange each is the most you get which makes them the most tempting ever.
I expect you're being tempted with better grade oranges but I wonder how much of it is to do with the anticipation of them after your run.
2 people like this
@syndibee (799)
• United States
30 Nov 09
haha I love this theory!!!!
what about the ultra race oranges??? where you run 40+ miles. When do you reach the highest quality orange there is out there?
I agree though, I absolutely love the oranges after a race. After about 6 orange slices a piece of raisin cinnamon bagel is to DIE FOR.
Gotta love race foods :)
1 person likes this
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
1 Dec 09
OMG, how did I overlook the ultras? Yes, those must be awesome! Especially the ones for that 135 mile ultra! That has to be the ultimate highest quality orange.
Mmm, bagel sounds good too. They usually only give us one orange slice out here. Some races don't give out anything. And others have given an orange slice and half of a banana. I like that combination.
@GardenGerty (160908)
• United States
30 Nov 09
It sounds like the harder you work, the better the fruit tastes. I hope you meet all of your racing goals. You can be proud of yourself.
1 person likes this
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
1 Dec 09
Thanks!
Yes, I think you are right. I was sort of joking about the actual conspiracy. ;)
So far I've met my racing goals for this year. Next year my goals are to make it under 2:20 on a half marathon, under 5 hours on a marathon, and under 25 minutes on a 5K. I'll probably throw in a 10K somewhere too I'm sure.
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
30 Nov 09
Well, that's an interesting conspiracy theory but do you realize how many oranges are produced every year? I live in Florida and there are hundreds of thousands of acres of orange groves here where I live. I do believe that organizers of these races are buying high quality oranges, which is fitting since the participants are working so hard. There are different grades of oranges but the really crappy ones are used for juice.
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
1 Dec 09
Yes, tons of oranges out here too... not that many like Florida, but there are a lot. I think part of it has to do with that after you've gone running, anything would probably taste better than average. Interesting about the worst ones being the juice oranges. I always thought those had to be extra nice and juicy.
