Nutrition while running

[Anonymous]

I'm a long-time runner, but only recently began running longer distances and am training for a half. I've never eaten anything during a run before, but have read that if you're going longer than an hour, you should take in something. So, my question is, any recommendations?

[Anonymous]

Usually a power gel like gu.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Usually a power gel like gu.

+1

I like the ClifShots or PowerGel better than GU, but a lot of people prefer the latter. Get a few different ones and try them out while you run. You definitely want to practice eating while you run to see how your body handles it. You probably wouldn't need more than two for a half.

[Anonymous]

I hated the "goo" and felt ill when I did a 16 mile run in training for a marathon. I preferred the shot block gels.

[Anonymous]

so much colorants and fake stuff. Try the vega-sport gels.
The nuun tablets will give you colorant and sugar free electrolyte drink

[Anonymous]

I have done a couple of ten mile races and never ate during those - I would drink some gatorade toward the end of a long run on a hot day, though. I would imagine that gatorade would be enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have done a couple of ten mile races and never ate during those - I would drink some gatorade toward the end of a long run on a hot day, though. I would imagine that gatorade would be enough.

Same here!

My problem is having to go poop if I run more than 10 miles. How do you half/full marathoners do it?? I'll have to start a new post I suppose.

[Anonymous]

Up to 10 miles I will sometimes get by on a power drink but over that point I take gu. Its a matter of trial and error to find what works for you. I like the vanilla gu -- it has a little bit of caffeine.

If its hot I lean toward drinking more gatorade and eating less but the two accomplish the same thing in terms of ingesting fuel.

[Anonymous]

I would experiment and find what works for you, then be prepared to adapt over time. I used to take Gatorade on any run longer than 7 miles and gu on any run longer than 12. Now I that I run 13-14 every Saturday, I don't bother to even take water unless it's hot.

[Anonymous]

As a former marathoner and current racer/frequent runner, I have tried most of what's on the market. My favorites are the Clif Beans (like jelly bellies) and the Clif Blocks. I also like Honey Stinger gels if I have to do gels, but you could also do honey packets. I hated the texture of most of the gels.

[Anonymous]

Agree with PPs that recommend trying differnt types of nutrition. I personally like Cliff gels- I think that they taste the best out of all the gels. They are also easier on my stomach. I like the taste of shot blocks and sports beans better, but I don't like to chew when I'm racing. Whatever you opt for though, definitely don't try anything for the first time on race day! Do some tests on long runs leading up to the race.

[Anonymous]

I find that chewing the blocks or jelly beans messes with my breathing if I'm doing a fast run. Again, this is very individual.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would experiment and find what works for you, then be prepared to adapt over time. I used to take Gatorade on any run longer than 7 miles and gu on any run longer than 12. Now I that I run 13-14 every Saturday, I don't bother to even take water unless it's hot.

Agree. There is no right answer. You have to play around and figure out what works for you. When I'm doing a long training run or a marathon, I eat something (usually a half a banana and a half of a bagel with peanut butter) about an hour before I head out. I'm usually feeling like I need to eat again somewhere around mile 21. The gels work. But for me, they aren't any better than a couple of bites of banana or a fig neuton.

To stay hydrated, I drink mostly water. The only time I add a sports drink is if it's really hot or I'm running more than 12 miles. Even then, I alternate between water and sports drink.

As far as having to go to the bathroom - We've all heard of the runners trots. It it hits, it hits. There isn't much you can do other than adjust your diet.

[Anonymous]

if you're worried about pooping on your long run, you can take an immodium (anti-diarrheal) when you get up. it'll keep you from getting the runs, and shouldn't make you constipated. I do this before long runs.

[Anonymous]

I've never been a power bar or gu fake food kind of runner, and i do long runs most weekends. I just eat a good breakfast before I head out. That's enough to hold me through a run.