Going Long Again and Advice Needed

...bullet style

*  Once again, Kathleen and I ventured out for another long bike ride.  We decided to meet a little later b/c of the cold temps, but it was still cold enough for ear warmers, arm warmers, jackets, and knee warmers.  Brrr!  The ride went really well for the most part.  However, after about 4hrs, the winds started picking up.  It was so strong and we ended up having to ride in a headwind for over an hour!  Ugh!  But, we finally made it to our cars 5 1/2 hrs. and roughly 90M later!  Woohoo!

*  After we got to our cars, we went our separate ways.  Kathleen had a little longer to ride, and I needed to do an hour run.  I was cold after I got off my bike and completely sick of the wind and debated whether or not I wanted to do my run.  I called my husband and told him I didn't know if I was going to run and he said, "Go for your run.  You need to do it.  It's good training for you."  He was right, of course.  Thanks to his words of support, I headed out on my run.  I had my tri top on and arm warmers, but I was still sooo cold!  The winds were crazy and blowing me all around.  I felt good on the run, but after 40min. I called it quits.  I was freezing and just done.  

*  For my brick I had on a pair of tri shorts that were probably 5 years old.  My other ones were dirty (With all this training I just can't seem to keep up with the laundry!), so I figured they would be fine.  WRONG!  On the entire bike ride, my shorts kept riding up and up and up and I was constantly pulling them down, which is not easy to do while riding.  It was sooo annoying!  Then, on my run, they did the same thing!!  I was so sick of those shorts, which is another reason why I cut my run short.  As soon as I got home, I threw the shorts in the trash!!!  I don't know how long tri shorts are supposed to last, but I figured getting 5 years out of them was good enough!

* On Monday I had my long run: 2:45.  Although I have my nutrition figured out for the bike for IMAZ, I have been stressing over what to do for the run.  I have been training with water, EFS, and gels, but I've also been using my Nathan 4bottle waist belt where I'm able to carry all my nutrition with me.  I know I DO NOT want to wear my hydration belt for IMAZ, so I've been trying to figure out what to do.  I have a little 8oz. handheld that I'll be using, but it's just not enough to make it to the run special needs bag to refill my EFS.

SO....I experimented on my long run yesterday.  What I decided to do was just use water and take an Endurolyte pill every 30min. and a gel every 45min.  IT WORKED PERFECTLY!  I did not miss the EFS at all and in fact, I had the BEST run of my entire training plan!  I felt strong and smooth, and felt I could keep going!  It was awesome!
So, I need some advice:  Do you think that's a good plan?  Is there anything wrong with just using water and Endurolytes for the run?  I figured I could always get a cup of Perform/coke if I felt I needed it during IMAZ, and I am still planning on having some EFS in my 8oz handheld to start and in my special needs bag.  So, what do you think?  Any advice/ideas/etc. would be greatly appreciated!

*  I have a new love...Strawberry Banana Mix 1.  I have a REALLY hard time eating anything after my long bricks and long runs.  Sometimes I can't even get chocolate milk down.  BUT, I won a case of Mix 1 drinks a month ago and they are AWESOME!  They are the perfect recovery drink for me after my bricks/runs.
Here are some facts about them:
~ It is an all natural protein drink
~ Free of lactose, gluten, soy, and caffeine
~ Has 3 servings of fruits/veggies
~ Full of antioxidants

They are kind of pricey, but I only use 2/week, so I figured it was a good investment because it allows me to get something into my body to help recover from my long workouts.  Plus, they are super yummy!!  I love them!!  Do any of you drink Mix 1??