The Running Thread --2025

[GollyGadget]

Fuelling question ahead of marathon weekend. I've got my fuelling down, but I'll be running with a friend who has a slower pace. Should I be changing by fuelling frequency? For reference, my marathon pace is 9:18, my training runs where I've fuelled has been at a 10:08, and her expected pace is 15:30.

I also have no science or experience but I would follow @marty3d strategy. You’re going to be using less calories/carbs per hour so it makes sense to me to fuel based on distance.

 

[PrincessV]

Fuelling question ahead of marathon weekend. I've got my fuelling down, but I'll be running with a friend who has a slower pace. Should I be changing by fuelling frequency? For reference, my marathon pace is 9:18, my training runs where I've fuelled has been at a 10:08, and her expected pace is 15:30.

I think this falls into the “we’re all an experiment of one” arena, based on other replies so far. I fuel based on time - a gel every 50 minutes. And I’m way closer to that 15:30 pace than a 9:18 pace. But I also battle chronically low blood sugar. I think I’d err on the safe side and bring some extra fuel so if you start feeling low, you’ve got it.

 

[WillRunForPizza]

Fuelling question ahead of marathon weekend. I've got my fuelling down, but I'll be running with a friend who has a slower pace. Should I be changing by fuelling frequency? For reference, my marathon pace is 9:18, my training runs where I've fuelled has been at a 10:08, and her expected pace is 15:30.

I think because your output will be relatively lower (i.e., you're not working as hard), you might need a little less fuel, and you might even want to have more than just carbs since you'll be spending a lot longer on the course than you're used to. (But maybe try that one out in advance if you want to do it in the race!)

I do highly recommend fueling by time in general because your paces might vary based on how you feel but time will be the same regardless of your pace. But in this case potentially spreading your fuel out a little more could be fine. And I like @PrincessV's suggestion to bring extra fuel just in case.

 

[nancipants]

I fuel based on time, but I use Tailwind, so I’m constantly sipping. I do use applesauce pouches to supplement, and plan to take them whenever they hand out the sport beans. (Will eat the on-course bananas, too.) With Tailwind I trained with 4 scoops per two hours.

 

[accm]

I think because your output will be relatively lower (i.e., you're not working as hard), you might need a little less fuel, and you might even want to have more than just carbs since you'll be spending a lot longer on the course than you're used to. (But maybe try that one out in advance if you want to do it in the race!)

What do you mean as more than just carbs?
Something I also hadn’t considered until just now is how the extra time on the course, and potentially more fuel could impact my stomach…

I do highly recommend fueling by time in general because your paces might vary based on how you feel but time will be the same regardless of your pace. But in this case potentially spreading your fuel out a little more could be fine. And I like @PrincessV's suggestion to bring extra fuel just in case.

I always bring extra fuel just in case. I can’t help myself but worry about somehow loosing fuel during the race.

I think I’ll try to do a hybrid of time/distance, and maybe fuel at a slightly higher frequency than if I was going strictly by distance, but not quite as frequently as by time.

 

[WillRunForPizza]

What do you mean as more than just carbs?

Just that you could potentially include protein and fat sources in your fuel as well if you want. Because that'll be a pretty relaxed effort for you, your body likely won't struggle to digest other macronutrients the way it would if you were working harder, and the variety could be helpful since you'll be out there for a while.

 

[Herding_Cats]

Chiming in as someone who usually ends up in the 15:30 pace range for the marathon! I try to fuel about every 3 miles OR 45-50min. I drink a powerade at nearly every stop, and a water at every stop. I get both bananas (and eat those in place of a packaged gel, etc.) If I get to a fuel interval and strongly feel "EWW! No!" then I'll wait a little bit and see how I feel. I also bring a variety of textures and flavors for fuel so that I'm not getting flavor fatigue (stroopwaffles, huma: raspberry or lemon, nerds gummy clusters, and a maurten for an unflavored option)

Edited to add: I have also carried individual packets of peanut butter for a fat source like WillRunForPizza is suggesting, but I would 1000% test that in a training run because it can be really dry and stick to the roof of your mouth.

 

[KCO5988]

Fuelling question ahead of marathon weekend. I've got my fuelling down, but I'll be running with a friend who has a slower pace. Should I be changing by fuelling frequency? For reference, my marathon pace is 9:18, my training runs where I've fuelled has been at a 10:08, and her expected pace is 15:30.

I always fuel based on time and have heard similar from sports dieticians. If your body is used to fueling every 20, 30, 40, etc minutes I would do that even if your RPE is lower. Bonus - fuel is generally easier to absorb at lower RPE. If it were me, I'd bring enough gels to fuel by time the whole marathon. Start at that frequency and you can always back off if it feels like too much.

 

[GollyGadget]

To clarify my earlier comment, my advice to fuel based on distance is because the anticipated pace is ~50% slower than @accm typical pace.

I know several folks have a marathon pace of 15 min/mile and those folks should stick to the normal 45-75 carbs per hour recommendation.

I also agree with @WillRunForPizza on the alternative fuel ideas. Your body will naturally burn more fat and less carbs at lower intensities.

 

[FFigawi]

Fuelling question ahead of marathon weekend. I've got my fuelling down, but I'll be running with a friend who has a slower pace. Should I be changing by fuelling frequency? For reference, my marathon pace is 9:18, my training runs where I've fuelled has been at a 10:08, and her expected pace is 15:30.

I wouldn’t change your frequency at all. That’s what you’ve trained for, so stick with it. I wouldn’t change the amount you’re taking in either. You’ll be burning less carbs & calories at a slower pace, but you’ll be out there for a much longer amount of time. Those two will probably even out in the end.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

I also agree with @WillRunForPizza on the alternative fuel ideas. Your body will naturally burn more fat and less carbs at lower intensities.

Maybe pack a pastrami sandwich.

I'll see myself out...
(Serious answer: agreeing with some of the earlier comments about not only carbs, maybe have an Uncrustable mid-way through. Or will someone be spectating that can hand you a protein shake? Or even a mozzarella cheese stick or half of a protein bar would do the trick. IMHO, do that at the halfway point and otherwise do your regular fueling. Just a couple of thoughts.)

 

[GollyGadget]

Happy New Year’s Eve Eve Everyone! Like a lot of folks, I find the end of the year to be a particularly reflective time and in that spirit, I bring you a QOTD: What’s a running accomplishment from 2025 that you’re proud of? What lesson(s) did you learn?

ATTQOTD: For me, I’m most proud that I squeaked in 1000 miles for the 5th consecutive year. I took most of the summer easy trying to relieve some hamstring pain and threw all my goals out the window but it’s nice to see my consistency was enough to hit that milestone.

As for lessons learned, still trying to figure out when it’s time to ask a professional for help. All I did by taking the summer easy was prolong the hamstring tendinopathy. It’s still not perfect but finally getting better after 4 dry needling sessions and lots of stretching & strengthening.

 

[Herding_Cats]

ATTQOTD

Accomplishment: training for, and completing my 50k trail run. Training got really rocky at the end, but I'm really proud of myself for going for it, showing up on race day, and completing the distance within the allowed time.

Lessons: a 50k is too much for me. It was too much training, too many miles, and my body definitely paid the price. I mentally burnt out on running, and that has spilled over 4 months later into MW. I also learned that I *need* to do strength training. Being in PT for 2 months (and running out of visits that insurance will cover) and seeing improvement, but not solving the problem was eye-opening.

I also learned that having people to "help" get through a race is a great motivator for me and an enormous distraction.

 

[Dopey 2020]

Attqotd
Accomplishments were a marathon PR right out of the 2025 gate at last Januarys Dopey, my first 50K in June, and another year of 100+ miles/month.
Lesson learned is I really need to concentrate on my fueling, I am running out of steam at every distance it seems. I need to get more fuel and hydration in more often.

 

[The Expert]

Happy New Year’s Eve Eve Everyone!

AKA my BIRTHDAY! Looking for a quick gift? Donate $5 or $10 to the Chicago Marathon fundraiser in my signature!

QOTD: What’s a running accomplishment from 2025 that you’re proud of? What lesson(s) did you learn?

ATTQOTDs: My accomplishment was actually enjoying my third Dopey. I was properly trained, properly dressed, the weather was perfect, and right when the marathon was becoming a slog, Herding_Cats and I found two more friends to finish with.

Lesson learned is that I need a coach. I had really lost the joy of running the last few years. and I was doing races to just see friends and tick the races off the list. For some reason, a few months ago, I decided it was time to figure out what I could do if I actually applied myself, so I signed up for Chicago and found a coach. It wasn't the work that was the problem, it was doing all the work to figure out what the work should be. Now that I have someone telling me exactly what to do and holding me accountable for it regularly, I'm LOVING running -- really for the first time since I started 10 years ago. I know I'll hit speed bumps with the long road to October (and MW and PW in between) but I have the confidence now to know that those are just bumps.

 

[Herding_Cats]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY @The Expert

 

[marty3d]

Happy Birthday @The Expert !

ATTQOTD:
Accomplishments:
Dopey #3.
Ran a 10 Miler PR in the Broadstreet 10 Miler (which will hopefully result in B corral for Goofy)
Finished the NYC Marathon - my first non-Disney Marathon

Lessons Learned:
I think I learned 2 important lessons this year as I've become more consistent with my running. The importance of proper fuelling- not just for the race but for how I feel afterwards. Also incorporating more strength training. I've been guilty of dropping strength workouts when the mileage increased- which is exactly when I need to be consistent in my strength training. I've also learned that if I absolutely need to cut something out one week, it's better that I drop a run than drop strength training.

I also learned that it's a lot easier to train for a November Marathon than a January one. I was much more consistent in sticking to the plan for NYC than I had been for MW with winter weather and holidays thrown in. This year knowing that I really just had to maintain fitness for MW over the holidays has taken a lot of stress out of the training.

 

[Naomeri]

ATTQOTD: I didn't die at my first Dopey!

 

[DianaMB333]

AKA my BIRTHDAY! Looking for a quick gift? Donate $5 or $10 to the Chicago Marathon fundraiser in my signature!



ATTQOTDs: My accomplishment was actually enjoying my third Dopey. I was properly trained, properly dressed, the weather was perfect, and right when the marathon was becoming a slog, Herding_Cats and I found two more friends to finish with.

Lesson learned is that I need a coach. I had really lost the joy of running the last few years. and I was doing races to just see friends and tick the races off the list. For some reason, a few months ago, I decided it was time to figure out what I could do if I actually applied myself, so I signed up for Chicago and found a coach. It wasn't the work that was the problem, it was doing all the work to figure out what the work should be. Now that I have someone telling me exactly what to do and holding me accountable for it regularly, I'm LOVING running -- really for the first time since I started 10 years ago. I know I'll hit speed bumps with the long road to October (and MW and PW in between) but I have the confidence now to know that those are just bumps.

Happy Birthday!

 

[FFigawi]

AKA my BIRTHDAY! Looking for a quick gift? Donate $5 or $10 to the Chicago Marathon fundraiser in my signature!

Happy birthday!