Marathon Weekend 2026

[marty3d]

SAFD: I completely agree that you should not be trying anything new on race day. Since I like to carry as little as possible during a race, I try to train using the same hydration as will be provided on race day - so for me that means water and Gatorade/ Powerade with mostly gels for longer races. I know I could do a lot better with my feeling so I'm really interested in reading some responses here (and in the running thread) as maybe I'll change it up this training cycle.

 

[Herding_Cats]

SAFD:
Has anyone mentioned to practice fueling during training runs?


Kind of tangential to this, practice carrying the amount of fuel you're going to need for the long races (HM or M.) How will you carry it? Will that carrying method interfere with bathroom stops? Do you get new or worse chafing when you really load up your belt/vest/pockets?

Work your way up gradually if you're planning on trying to hit a higher carbs/hour goal.

Know if your fuel source is best "washed down" with water (GU as an example) to prevent GI upset vs fuel sources that don't need you to drink water (I think the word is isotonic?) such as SIS gels or Maurten gels.

Practice fueling while moving. Can you run or walk and chew/swallow at the same time?

 

[marty3d]

SAFD:


Practice fueling while moving. Can you run or walk and chew/swallow at the same time?

This is a good one - I actually cannot chew and run- for marathon distance I need occasional solid food - whether it's a power bar or a banana or sports beans. I need to eat during a walking break.

 

[RuntheMouse]

SAFD: I’ve been pretty lucky with fueling over the years. I don‘t tend to get digestive distress, but more of an ache if something isn’t sitting right so the learning curve isn’t so steep! What I’ve learned over the years is to have some good solid stuff onboard before I run. So always oatmeal with blueberries before every run.

For long runs, I add in a Nature’s Bakery Fig Bar and some Cranberry Juice about 30 minutes before I head out. As far as fueling during the run, I’m having really good luck with Huma gels, Welch’s fruit snacks, Pure Organic Layered Fruit Bars and UnTapped, really love the coffee infused one!

Hydration wise, I always carry Liquid IV mixed @50%. Most if the races I do locally provide Nuun on course and I seem to tolerate that pretty well even though I don’t train with it which is great!

 

[Disneyhanna]

SAFD: I use my long runs to practice fueling. I like Huma gels for races and will often take 1-2 on a long run but too expensive to use all the time. I usually buy honey stinger chews at a discount from Sierra ($20 for a pack of 12) and use those along with applesauce pouches for 10+ mile runs. I will eat before a run (toast or bagel) and occasionally bananas.

Recently I started adding tailwind to my electrolytes (Nuun endurance or Skratch). I’ve liked this as it means a few less gels needed during the run. I don’t usually use applesauce for races as they’re too bulky to carry and I prefer not to use a vest.

I do not like the taste of Maurten, way too sweet for me and I prefer some flavoring (though the unflavored is my favored tailwind flavor). I liked Spring Energy awesomesauce until their big scandal lol.

 

[Barca33Runner]

SAFD: I get massive migraines when my hydration is out of balance so I am constantly on alert about how my body is feeling both during workouts and during everyday activities. Depending on the length and effort of the workout/run, I know if I need additional electrolytes to help moderate my hydration. I use several different options and all are good. I’m particularly fond of the white peach sugarless Liquid IV.

I typically only fuel during training when I am testing for race viability with my stomach but I’m pretty locked in with salted watermelon clif bloks as my primary. They are double sodium which helps me to skip the wildly uneven sport drink mixes on course and stick to water most of the way. I never carry drinks with me, but I keep a cold insulated jug of electrolyte mix in my car for afterward to help with recovery (as I have yet to develop the extra six arms and hands I need to successfully manage all of the things they expect us to carry after the race).

Outside of fueling, really excited to have a new treadmill this week. My old one was awesome, but I bought it in 2011 and the electronics have been sputtering off and on for a couple years and nothing makes it easier for me to skip a workout than malfunctioning equipment. I’m not sure what the psychological assessment would be but I have a very hard time running outdoors because of social anxiety/embarrassment/I don’t know what. My treadmill is tremendously important to me as a result. I can already feel the difference once again having a reliable machine is making.

 

[Stitch&Co.]

SAFD: My advice is to get as much advice and information as possible and then try out different fueling techniques. That’s why these boards and discussions are so great. I’ve learned so much about recommended carbs per hour, the amount of water you need to absorb the carbs properly and other various strategies that people use.

For me, I need isotonic gels because I don’t get in the amount of water to properly absorb the carbs from regular gels. Chews take to long to get in and figuring out mixing powders just seems too complicated and I prefer plain water when I go out anyway.

For my first marathon I used Maurten gels exclusively and focused on getting in a certain amount of carbs per hour. While mathematically it made sense, it wasn’t the best long term strategy. I ended up making adjustments on the fly during the marathon anyway because I lost one of my pouches with a bunch of my gels in it. I took my last gel as we were leaving HS and could barely get it down. The taste had just gotten to be too much.

This year I switched over to SIS gels which gives me more flavor choices so I can have more variety. Even the Neutral flavor is better than Maurten. I also changed up the timing of when I take my gels. Instead of focusing on X number of carbs/hour, I go by distance. Since there is a longer period of time between breakfast and the start of the race I take a gel about 20 minutes before I expect to start. Then I take the next at 2.5 and 5 miles. Then I switch to every three miles after that. I kind of think of it as front loading my carbs. It worked well in training and on race day even if there isn’t any scientific proof that it works. The only downside to the SIS gels is they are large packets.

For hydration I carry a small water bottle on me with just plain water. It’s mainly for a backup as the water stations usually are all I need. I prefer plain water to other drinks just for simplicity’s sake.

 

[SimbaMufasa321]

SAFD: I usually fuel with a combo of dates, banana bites, fig bars (only on runs over 18 miles), and then huma gels. I find that I really can't have more than 3 gels per race, or I start to feel nauseous. The combo of real food/easy to process sugars work well (and are also cheaper) I also sometimes use honey stinger chews occasionally.

If its hot on long runs or for races I will use salt tabs but generally just stick to water and have electrolytes later if needed

I definitely recommend trying different combinations. I really thought I couldn't tolerate gels until I found a brand I liked and realized I needed to alternate with real food.

 

[BigEeyore]

SAFD: After years of trial and error I am pretty locked in with my marathon fueling of sipping on Tailwind + grabbing water at the stations on course, and Clif bloks. I can't stomach gels. Pre-run is a Clif bar and some coffee.

But honestly what has made the biggest difference to reducing my GI upset during long runs has been getting dairy out of my life. I went vegan 7 years ago and it made a huge difference. Not for everyone, I know, but it worked for me.

Quick story - at the Tokyo marathon, they don't let you carry your own hydration. No bottles, no vests, nothing! So you HAVE to drink what is on course - water and their electrolyte drink Pocari Sweat. I ordered some Pocari drink mix from Amazon during training so I could train with it, and thankfully my stomach held up. But now I have a whole box of Pocari sweat to go through....

 

[sandam1]

But now I have a whole box of Pocari sweat to go through....

Or just find someone else who is doing Tokyo for the first time that wants to try it out.

 

[sandam1]

SAFD - People have covered a lot of my tips already, but I have a few tricks that I've learned.

1. If you want to try a new fuel, go to The Feed website and they sell single servings of almost everything. And if you get on their mailing list, you can sometimes get free shipping although they've actually been doing free shipping for the past month or so.

2. Don't forget about trying "real food." I use applesauce, maple syrup, pretzels, goldfish and rice krispie treats. But the best thing EVER for me is a bottle of Coke. The quick shot of water, sugar, and caffeine late in a race is - chef's kiss - perfection.

3. Consider using different flavors. By late in a long run, I'm often completely over the sweet/fruity flavors so I try to also use some "tart" flavors (for me, it's cola and root beer flavors).

4. I prep my fuel to make it easy to consume. I use gummies, but I cut them into quarters to make them easier to chew. (Did you know that gummies and jelly beans can freeze? - don't ask how I found this out!) I also use Tailwind, but I put enough to fill one water bottle in small ziploc bags from Michael's (they are in the jewelry department) to make it easier to carry and mix.

Oh, and in case anyone missed the memo at this point, nothing new on race day. And don't wait until November to start figuring out a fueling strategy. Start trying things now!

 

[Naomeri]

SAFD: I have no advice to give. But I use fruit snacks for fueling during long runs/races. I'm too picky to waste money trying to find an actual fuel that I'd like. And for pre-race food, I get pre-packaged brioche waffles. At Disney, I eat one at the lightpole, and one in the corral, shortly before everyone decides to stand up for no reason; at home, I only eat them before races longer than 10K, because breakfast will hold me through shorter races.

 

[KCO5988]

SAFD: Aside from the fueling during the race, practice fueling before the race too! So, find a good pre-race breakfast that works well for you and figure out the timing that works best for you too. I usually have a bagel w/pb about 1.5hrs before a race, so I do the same thing on all my long runs. Also make sure that whatever you choose will be available to you if staying in a hotel. The same goes for the night before meal. Make sure that whatever you are eating the night before all your long runs will be available to you if staying in a hotel. And especially for those doing a challenge, the same goes for after each race. When doing your weekends with practice longer runs back to back, make sure you practice a good re-fuel strategy in between runs. Again, checking in with what options will be available to your if staying in a hotel so you can practice with similar foods.

 

[nancipants]

2. Don't forget about trying "real food." I use applesauce, maple syrup, pretzels, goldfish and rice krispie treats. But the best thing EVER for me is a bottle of Coke. The quick shot of water, sugar, and caffeine late in a race is - chef's kiss - perfection.

My husband met me at Animal Kingdom and I had a few sips of coke and it was AMAZING. I finished it after the race and it was the only thing I wanted at that moment. After Princess Half I had the same craving, but I was by myself and didn't think to pack a coke in my gear bag. That was when I learned that the grilled cheese truck on the way back to the parking lot has cold soda cans, and I gladly paid way too much for one.



I also use Tailwind to fuel, because I cannot stomach (haha) gels. The Expert was kind enough to give me some Untapped packs to try, but I haven't had the opportunity yet. Otherwise, I use applesauce pouches to supplement the Tailwind, which are overall great but I wish were smaller. During my next round of marathon training I want to try to concentrate the Tailwind more so I can refill my handheld less. It's a lot easier to do that during a race because of the water stations, though! I might have to try a short loop around my neighborhood so I can mimic the water station placement and recruit my husband to stand outside our house with a water cup whenever I run by.

 

[jrsharp21]

I agree with everyone who has mentioned having some Coke when you are starting to feel like you are on E. That sugar and caffeine can start your motor up again. Also, that ice cold fizziness is also a nice pick me up. My plan for this past marathon was to stop at the Coke machines outside of HS for that last boost of energy. I had my credit in my phone case for that. I knew I was pressing up against my goal time, so decided not to stop. But what I learned from someone on the board is that the medical stations have Coke. Just have to ask for it. I will definitely be utilizing that for MW 2026.

 

[Herding_Cats]

But what I learned from someone on the board is that the medical stations have Coke. Just have to ask for it. I will definitely be utilizing that for MW 2026.

I could be wrong, but I feel like that could be more of a thing for people who may be having blood sugar issues? At least that's how I feel about it.


The Expert's husband met us by BLT during the marathon with mini cokes (the security staff was NOT happy that she was crossing the median to hand off a layer and grab those from him and she was thoroughly scolded) and they were soooo helpful. Breaking up all of the gels at the midway point with something I could sip on for a mile or so was great.

 

[pluto377]

SAFD: I use chocolate GU every 3 miles. It's what I started with when I began running back in 2001 and I've never changed, even though I'm sure there are "better" products out there now. I learned last year during the half that taking in more Gatorade helps me feel much better later in the race. What I hope to work on this training cycle is not sipping throughout the long runs. I would like to mimic race conditions more and only take in liquids every mile. I really don't want to carry anything/wear a vest in January.

Totally agree with the advice to practice practice practice. And don't neglect thinking about pre-race food (not just day of, but day before too) and after race food. Have A, B and C options if possible just in case your preferred food isn't available at your hotel/in the parks.

 

[sandam1]

That was when I learned that the grilled cheese truck on the way back to the parking lot has cold soda cans, and I gladly paid way too much for one.

OMG, I also grabbed a Coke - and a grilled cheese sandwich - there after Princess and it was heavenly!

Otherwise, I use applesauce pouches to supplement the Tailwind, which are overall great but I wish were smaller.

I actually discovered that the two of the pouches fit quite nicely in one of my running belt's bottle holders. My belt has a stretchy band that wraps around the top to help secure them. Alternatively, I have a refillable baby food pouch that is larger and also fits in the holders.

My plan for this past marathon was to stop at the Coke machines outside of HS for that last boost of energy

I stopped at those machines during Marathon Weekend! I had planned on getting something before leaving Animal Kingdom, but couldn't find anyplace that sold bottles.

But what I learned from someone on the board is that the medical stations have Coke. Just have to ask for it. I will definitely be utilizing that for MW 2026.

I've been kicking myself since someone mentioned that a few months ago. I knew this and it never occurred to me when my AK refuel plan fell apart.

 

[sandam1]

The Expert's husband met us by BLT during the marathon with mini cokes

This reminded me of something else - if you have a family member or friend spectating, use them as a refill station/have them carry extra supplies that you might need. I usually text my friend what I need/want and she has it ready. Don't have a dedicated spectator? Ask here and someone might be able to help you. Personally, I'm going to be spectating for the 2026 marathon and plan on being the "supply sherpa" for as many people as I can coordinate with.

Also, for a challenge like Dopey, I can't express how important it is to have an overall food plan for the weekend. One thing that I never thought of was asking "what does my hotel's quick service options look like? Are they things that I want to eat and do well in my stomach?" I can virtually guarantee at some point during a challenge weekend, I'm going to have at least one "I need to eat something quick" moment. Knowing that there is someplace easy to get a meal is wonderful. I also do a grocery store stop and buy a couple of things that can be used as snacks or light meals too.

 

[nancipants]

Also, for a challenge like Dopey, I can't express how important it is to have an overall food plan for the weekend. One thing that I never thought of was asking "what does my hotel's quick service options look like? Are they things that I want to eat and do well in my stomach?" I can virtually guarantee at some point during a challenge weekend, I'm going to have at least one "I need to eat something quick" moment. Knowing that there is someplace easy to get a meal is wonderful. I also do a grocery store stop and buy a couple of things that can be used as snacks or light meals too.

Uncrustables are a godsend for this. I brought one with me to the Expo and had it as a mid-afternoon snack. Also brought one to the mini-golf and HH outings.