Fueling Question

[VernRDH]

I am training for my 3rd half marathon (DL) and have been working on speed, weight loss and mental fitness. I have had trouble with fueling and am trying to find what really works for me. As far as drinks, I am now using Cytomax, which does not seem to give me GI upset like Gatorade or Powerade do. I have never used the Gu or gels since I cannot get past the texture of them. I used the Sport Beans the first two half marathons and they were ok (at WDW I had a hard time swallowing them, felt like I was going to throw them right back up). I have also tried the shot blocks/chomps etc and they have only been so-so.

So I tried something new today on my long run. I ate my pre run snack (half a pb & j) and only took the Cytomax with me. I ran 9 miles in 1:36, and drank 15 oz during the run. Weather was beautiful, low humidity. I felt the best I think I have on a long run ever. Was this a fluke or am I one of those people who can do fine without the other stuff? My coach is telling me I need to have other fuel after an hour, but I have to say that all the things I have tried really haven't done anything for me, except make me feel worse or having to burp a lot.

Any suggestions or advice appreciated. I am planning to try only the Cytomax again on a long run and see what happens. Thanks!

 

[Steffwalks]

Every body is different. Things that work for one, don't work for another. I have found that real food works for me, whereas gels and drinks don't do it. My fav is a donut!

 

[John VN]

Every body is different. Things that work for one, don't work for another. I have found that real food works for me, whereas gels and drinks don't do it. My fav is a donut!

I totally agree.

My 50 mile cross training bike ride today was on an Eggbeater sandwich and some chocolate milk about 3/4hr before starting, then water, 1/2 pb&j sandwich and a banana during the 3hr ride. This combo works great for me. Tomorrow's easy pace 15 mile walk will start the same then just bananas and water while walking.

Since I am new to walking I will experiment with the available energy stuff on the market to see if they help. Trial and error will show me the way.

 

[jmasgat]

Since "fueling" means carbs and Cytomax has carbs, then you may be okay. I don't know it's makeup of carbs/sodium/potassium, but if it's working stick with it. After you do some longer runs, or runs in different weather conditions (hot/humid) you will have more data.

As others noted--everyone's different. For me it's PowerGel Strawberry Banana (After trying lots of different things)

Maura

 

[cewait]

Vern

You are fueling... but I would agree with your coach and say that you may end up carb light even at the end end of a half marathon. You took on 100 KCal for you 90 minute run, just on the verge of minimalistic. Saying this, you may well run fine with Cytomax only.

Look at other brands of gels. Try half gelling at a water stop by taking half the gel, rolling the top over until the next water stop, then taking the last half the gel. Alsoways a small sip, gel, the a cup of water to clear the throat.

 

[VernRDH]

Thanks Coach Charles. We are going to try pb & j, just trying to think of how best to carry it. I may try those Uncrustables kids sandwiches since they are pre packed and start out frozen. By the time I needed it, it should be thawed but not mangled hopefully. I thought about a banana as well, but he still thinks its not enough.

I really wish I could do the gels, but I just gag on them. Its the texture more than the taste.

I have 9 more weeks until DL, so time to experiment and see what works. Thanks everyone for the advice!

 

[MikeofRose&Mike]

Fuel is just sugar. This is the opportunity to eat candy and call it training!

Read the ingredients, you don't want artificial sweetners, since you are trying to get calories not avoid them. I would look for real sugar, not high fructose corn syrup, but that's just me. I routinely train on mini bagel and banana before and then water during for 90 min plus runs. It's whatever works for you.

Mike

 

[FFigawi]

Have you tried the Sport Beans or Shot Bloks? Either of them might have a better and more agreeable consistency for you than regular goo.

 

[VernRDH]

Have you tried the Sport Beans or Shot Bloks? Either of them might have a better and more agreeable consistency for you than regular goo.

I have tried both, the blocks seem to make me burp a lot and my last experience with the beans was less than stellar. I am thinking about "real food" as Connie suggested.

 

[bunnyfoo]

Before any long runs (7 miles+ for me), I'll eat a 1/3 cup of oatmeal with milk & water and a scoop of brown sugar and blueberries, half a whole wheat bagel with natural peanut butter and jam or Nutella and a small apple. If my run is longer than 10 miles, I'll take some Clif Blocs or Sharkies (and water) with me and have one every 3 miles or so.

 

[Bephus]

Hey Veronica!
I know that coaches prefer the gels and such, but I am like you and hate the texture. I either use candy (my fav is jolly ranchers) and fruit especially bananas and oranges. Real food is fuel and as long as it works for you, go for it. I have run 3 marathons with zero gels.

 

[escape]

At one of the Rock 'n Roll races, a panel of "experts" (race medical doctor, Greg Meyer (last American male to win Boston), Frank Shorter & someone else (?)) said that you really don't need to use goo for a half-marathon - no matter the pace; your pre-race meal/snack should carry you through, provided you can drink some type of sports drink & water during the race. That being said, it's all an individual thing. You just have to experiment to see what works for you.

One of my problems with eating something or taking a goo shot is that I tend to feel a little queasy (and had indigestion) afterwards, especially in warmer weather. The expert panel suggested I take something like over-the-counter prevacid or zantac before the race. It really has made a difference in the way I feel after taking in goo or food during a race. I also feel better when I finish the race.

 

[APrunner]

I agree with escape, and the advice from the panel of experts. For a half marathon, you do not need to consume alot of "stuff" during the run. When the weather is cool, I consume nothing during a 15 mile run. Only when it gets hot do I consume a small amount of sports drink during a run. I know everyone is different, but I think the tendency is for people to try and consume more and try different products without stepping back and asking whether or not they really need any of it.

Now getting into a full marathon is a different story...

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

For race day, I have found that in addition to my regular breakfast of two bags of oatmeal, and a banana, that eating a bag of Gu Chomps right after and again right before the start of the race (they are like gummy candy) and then taking a Gu Roctane gel (I like the Orange Vanilla) around the 8 mile mark of a half marathon to be most effective for me. Do I do any of that during my training? Nope. I stick to the PB&J, PB and Honey sandwiches, etc. As far as electrolyte drinks, I like the Gu Brew - Lemon Lime and have that during all of my workouts. It isn't too strong of a taste and honestly, I would try the Gu gels if I were you - just try the different tastes. There are some I cannot stomach like the Chocolate (who wants pudding like gel when you are running) or the regular vanilla. I find that the Roctane flavors are a lot better. I don't try to savor the flavor at all - I take them when we hit a water station and approach it like taking a pill. If I think about it, then the gel texture does gross me out! Good Luck!

 

[HockeyKat]

Haha, I love the chocolate roctane! It's the only one I can stomach, actually. I guess I like cake frosting while running.


But on a serious note, I don't fuel much at all nor drink much during training, unless it is super hot/humid. I find that the fluids make my stomach sloshy and like you said, I burp and feel rather icky.

I don't drink or eat anything during an hour or less workout for the same reason. However, I hydrate a lot every day - min of 64 oz.

I make sure to hydrate a ton the days leading up to my long run (96-120 oz of water), and to hydrate a lot after. I have coffee and half a special K breakfast bar about 30 min before we start. Also, immediately after my run I drink a 32 oz Powerade Zero and eat a 140 cal high-protein (8g) south beach bfast bar.

On runs over 10 miles (which for me are over 1:45 since I am SLOW), I do use some Gu. However, I just take little bits of it with about 2 oz of water or less, and I try to drink no more than 10oz of water per hour even when hot (which is the recommended amount from what I have read).

During the one race I have done, I had a little bit of Gu with a few sips of water or gatorade at every water stop after mile 2 and it seemed to work great for me.


FWIW, I am also balancing the fueling a workout while still being weight-loss conscious.

 

[K80K]

Something I have found that works really well for me are Honey Stingers. They are like shot bloks, only not as sticky, so you don't have as much of the stuck in your teeth factor. They aren't as sweet as the Sports Beans which can make the easier to get down after many miles. They are also all natural. You can find them at REI if you want to try them. I usually order them off of RunningWarehouse.com.

 

[disney_mommy]

Something I have found that works really well for me are Honey Stingers. They are like shot bloks, only not as sticky, so you don't have as much of the stuck in your teeth factor. They aren't as sweet as the Sports Beans which can make the easier to get down after many miles. They are also all natural. You can find them at REI if you want to try them. I usually order them off of RunningWarehouse.com.

I agree with Katie - the Cherry Blossom Chews are awesome! When I first tried them, I said they tasted way too good to be true. They remind me a little bit of gummy bears, but not as sticky. Very mild and yummy. Give them a try.

 

[VernRDH]

Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions! I am going to try the pb& j first and see how that goes.

I have to say that I felt fine with just the Cytomax on my 9 mile run, but I don't know how going 4.1 more miles will be on just that fuel. I don't want to get crazy with stuff either.

When I start training for my first marathon (which will be WDW 2013) I will have to revisit this issue, but for now I will see how it goes.

 

[MikeofRose&Mike]

I was thinking some more about this during my long runs. Slower than Kats slow runs by the way, so I get more time to think. I agree with Kat that GU Choclate is like cake frosting, I think the fruit ones are too sweet. If you like sweet packets of honey or catsup from a restaurant may be an easy way to carry food.
If you look on the Runner's World site there is some information on the benefits of not eating before or during a training run, it teaches your muscles to metabolize a higher percentage of fat vs carbs while running.
Hope you find something that helps you.

Mike

 

[VernRDH]

I was thinking some more about this during my long runs. Slower than Kats slow runs by the way, so I get more time to think. I agree with Kat that GU Choclate is like cake frosting, I think the fruit ones are too sweet. If you like sweet packets of honey or catsup from a restaurant may be an easy way to carry food.
If you look on the Runner's World site there is some information on the benefits of not eating before or during a training run, it teaches your muscles to metabolize a higher percentage of fat vs carbs while running.
Hope you find something that helps you.

Mike

I could go for more metabolization of fat for sure since I still need to lose 35 lbs. This week was my "easy" week, so I didn't take anything with me today. I will try the pb & j next week. I will also check out the article at RW.