Man, I am having a hard time working out my long-run nutrition and I'm running out of weeks (6) to experiment before my marathon. I normally have an iron-stomach – can't even count the number of times only S has gotten sick from a meal we both ate – and never had an issue with energy drinks/gels in years' past, so I was really expecting to be my typical low-maintenance self.
But... it seems I'm now having a rough adjustment. So rough, I watched Bridesmaids the other night and identified too much with the horrifying bridal shop scene. In an "I don't care which dress, I just need to get off this white carpet" sort of way.
I guess it was presumptuous to think I'd just translate my habit of cranking-out-a-tempo-run-30-minutes-after-eating-tacos into the ability to eat-and-drink-whatever-a-race-provides. I've now tested (one at a time) all
the on-course products for my marathon and even next year's IM (what can I say, I'm curious), plus most else I can pick up without driving too far, and have yet
to find any winners (and my standard for "winner" is now simply "not a laxative").
Moving forward, my initial urge is to nix all these processed things altogether and try some real food, only I'm not confident enough in my knowledge to balance salt/energy/hydration. So, I get the feeling it's time to start ordering some fancier products, it's just that, ick, I don't want to be fancy. I want to be simple, adaptable, no-fuss...
But... I also want to stop being such a regular at the one business on my route that's open before 6am + has a clean bathroom + doesn't require begging for a key even though I didn't buy any gas. I suppose it should be a wake-up call to me that I had to plan my 20-miler Sunday as:
2 miles to McDonald's
continue out 4 miles to turnaround
4 miles back to McDonald's (go back to your biscuits, just passing through)
head out 4 miles to turnaround again
4 miles back to McD's (we're familiar enough for nicknames now)
continue 2 miles home.
Why yes, that is the saddest running route ever.
Nonetheless, I'm sure I'll find something to work well enough, and might even toughen up over the next few months so I can eventually defeat some of these troublemakers. For now though, this testing process is not nearly as fun as it sounds.
2 comments:
I have an iron stomach too, and don't worry too much about nutrition. If I were doing an IM, I'd probably pack a couple sandwiches or something for after the bike. Eat a full meal probably.
Cool weather helps all kinds of things with fueling. Remember after a while though all gels seem gross. Especially when it is hot.
Not that I know a lot, but from my limited experience.
Hey, there is a lot to be said for that kind of running route!
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