Wondering how best to fuel during the marathon? If and when to start carb-loading? How to keep properly hydrated in the marathon?
ASICS Pro Team Nutritionist Ruth McKean will be here on Friday 14 February (Valentine’s Day!) from 1pm – 2pm to talk about all things nutrition.
To join in, post your marathon nutrition questions below, or join us on the day for the webchat.
Comments
have the questions got to be re marathon or can they be regardiung any training or race......
Hi Seren, the web chat is aimed at marathon runners as the timing fits Paris and London, but I am sure Ruth will be happy to answer a general running nutrition questions, so post away.
i run with a number of people who suffer from sensitive/irritable bowel issues. Gels appear to cause them particular problems. However doing the full 26.2 without anything (at race speed) is difficult. Can you advise on anything that is easier on the bowel?
Hi Ruth, what are your thoughts on chia seeds? They seem to be very popular since "Born To Run" but see there are potential side-effects. It would be great to hear your view on them!
Related stories:
Explanation: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17476690
Warning on side-effects: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byS0vL1B078
Many thanks, Gurjit
I am running London this year, having broken my marathon cherry in Edinburgh in 2012.
I struggled during the race, and with a subsequent marathon later the same year, around the 20mile mark and I am pretty sure it was due to insufficient fueling ...
I am most interested in when I should start to 'fuel up' in the days running up to the run and the best options food wise.
For the day itself, I have been experimenting and have found a breakfast routine that suits (porridge & banana) and my race fueling is looking like clif shot blocks as I find them easy to take on the run, easy to digest and they seem to provide the right energy at the time.
My issue just seems to be eating in the run up to the big race
thank you
Karen
Dear Ruth,
I have the same question as Karen (above). I know we're all different and there's no perfect fit but what can I do to best prepare, food wise, in the days before a marathon? I tried to carbo load for a marathon last year (my first one) and just felt uncomfortably full and heavy before the race.
It's a huge topic and the answer probably varies from person to person but any snippets of advice would be gratefully received. I'm preparing for Paris right now!
Many thanks
Ralf
Hi Ruth, I'm running London in April and this will be my first marathon. Any advice on what to take in the final 3rd of the race to give me that extra energy I'll need to get me to that finish line. Thanks. Darren
Hi Ruth,
I am training for a marathon and have found that SIS Gels work really well for me, but all energy/sports drinks that I've tried make me feel sick and don't sit very well on my stomach!
Is it ok to run a marathon with just water and gels? I have read elsewhere to take a gel every 35/40mins which I have been testing out on my longer runs and I'm fine with, but wasn't sure if I could take that many if I'm aiming for around 4:30 marathon? Only the caffeine ones say on the back to only take 4 in a day, but I usually mix between normal and caffeine.
Many thanks,
Jo
Hello Ruth
I too am doing the London Marathon this year. Last year during the Edinburgh marathon I suffered cramping in my quads, it was an unusually warm day after all the horrible usual British weather so was a bit of a shock to the system. All was going to plan but at mile 16 the pain in my quads was quite unnerving, I had High 5 Gels (in 2 bottles on my waist belt) with me and the High 5 Zero tablets, all of which had no effect, the cramps didn't stop me running but made for a very uncomfortable last 10 miles.
I am currently trying Dextrose Glucose tablets which I place in my cheek and let dissolve whilst on my long runs. I'm also trying a pre-run smoothie of bananas, honey, almond milk, almond butter and oats. I also carry High 5 Zero tablets to hydrate me. Can you give me any advice to prevent the cramps returning at London please.
thanks!
Dawn
Hi Ruth - is it a good idea to take a gel or equivalent just before the start of the marathon, or does that mess with body's ability to burn fat needed for the duration of the race?
Hi Ruth
Long or hard runs give me the shits. I can usually prevent this by avoiding fibre for a day or two before a race or hard workout. This means my fruit, veg, and wholegrain intake is not as high as I'd like during marathon training. I have 3 questions (greedy so-and-so, I am)
1. Should I take a multi-vitamin to make up for not getting my 5 a day? If so can you recommend one? (I have history of IDA so take iron supplements and vit C)
2. What fruit/veg etc should give me best nutritional bang for my fibre/pooping-farting-making buck?
3. Is there such a thing as low GI, low fibre, high carb food?
Thanks!
I'm keen to understand how glycogen requirements vary by runner and by training.
Is it the case that if you train yourself to burn fat efficiently (e.g. by doing long runs in a glycogen depleted state), then your glycogen stores won't deplete as fast?
Whenever i read about how much energy you're required to take on in a marathon it takes a one size fits all approach (e.g. x grams of carb /y kg of body weight). But surely the requirements should vary depending on fast/slow you burn through your glycogen?
My query is similar to Marrows' - He phased it so well.
I would be interested in any tips on reducing the need for 'comfort breaks' during training, but particularly during the race. This has always been an occasional problem for me in the past, but usually manageable. However, following advice on these fora, I've started having breakfast (porridge & dried fruit) before long runs and this has been causing me regular problems.
What 15West asked. Many people take a gel 5 mins before the start, and I've seen others drink a bottle of Luco Sport in the first mile. But other folk say this is a big no-no for the fat-burning reasons mentioned. Interested in your thoughts re that. Thanks!!
Oh dear - I think a lot of us have issues with hedge-bottom (or in my case dyke-bottom) stops on our long runs; I'm ok until I couple distance with speed! I would like some advice on fuelling without causing these problems. Again, like so many others, I fade during the last 10k of the marathon and I'd love some help with that; my training has been going so well this year.
Hi Ruth - I will be running Paris in April and this will be my 5th marathon. Regardless of how I have fared in each of my previous races I seize up with cramp every time at the end in both legs and it is pure agony. My father used to run marathons and suffered in a similar way. Is there anything I should be adding to my diet that will help here? I am fine after long training runs (18-22m) and always ensure I am well hydrated and take gels during races. Thanks
I am reading a book called "Mastering the Marathon: Time-Efficient Training Secrets for the 40-Plus Athlete", and the author seems to be taking quite a few gels and energy drinks the morning before his marathons. I kind of thought that the gels were for use during the race to help you at the end. he also has what sounds like a standard pre race breakfast. So isn't this kind of over loading on carbs?
Hi Ruth, I have two related questions that I hope you might be able to answer. There's a lot of talk during marathon season about getting lean and reaching your ideal racing weight but I wondered whether there was any guidance on minimum BMI or how to know whether you've gone below an 'ideal'?
I'm 5ft and currently weigh 6 and half stone. Last year, I started to feel unwell when I dipped below this weight in marathon training although I was diagnosed with iron-deficiency anaemia at the same time. I've since been diagnosed with a vitamin B12 deficiency and still take supplements for both deficiencies as I eat very little meat (particularly red meat as it triggers IBS symptoms).
I'm starting to feel drained again but find it hard to tell whether it's due to weight or dietary deficiencies. I'd be interested in any tips for topping up on iron and B12 without eating red meat.
Many thanks!
Hi Ruth. Could you give any tips for a first marathoner, aged 49, and diabetic please? I have been educating myself. I am an experienced runner and have so far ran up to 18 miles...
Right......
I'm doing a multiday event which will see me doing an ironman a day every day for several days.....
what foods do you think would be the best to keep the energy levels up to keep going for around 18 hours a day for continuous days...
Hi Ruth,
I have seen a new range of sports nutrition focused on energy and recovery products for the over 35s.
Do the over 35s need something different to the *ahem* younger athlete? And if so does this continue to change as one gets older?
Hi all
Thanks for all your question! I will try my very best to answer these as best I can.
Ruth
Sean Cassey, Marrows, Lou diamonds , Miss Kovich, Debby Mullier
You all have similar questions so I hope you do not mind me doing a group post then I can add few comments to each of your posts.
Exhaustive endurance exercise such as the marathon can lead to stomach problems such as a feeling that your stomach has shut down and it becomes a real struggle to take on fluid or solids and often with other symptoms such as heartburn, burping, nausea and/or vomiting, cramps and diarrhoea. Not nice but having an understanding of why this happens can help understand the strategies to reduce the severity of symptoms. During exercise there is a reduced efficiency of the stomach: 1) the rate at which your stomach empties is delayed 2) the contents of your stomach can much more easily come back up your oesophagus hence the vomiting for some3) secretion of acid which helps digest your food is decreased, 4) blood flow to your digestive system is slowed as blood is diverted to the working muscles. If it is very hot and humid the body needs to move even more blood to the skin to help cool you down, also decreasing blood supply going to the gut to help digestion. The blood supply can decrease so much to your digestive system it can cause bleeding of the bowel in some cases.
What makes the above symptoms worse is dehydration (which can also cause cramps in the stomach and other areas of the body). If you are dehydrated you have less blood volume for your digestive system to spare and the harder it is to absorb fluids. The less fluid you have in your stomach the less well the stomach empties – a vicious cycle when you need fluid most. Another example of stomach problems can be very concentrated sugary foods when you are already very dehydrated this is because water has to move into your digestive system to help neutralise the sugar before it can be absorbed. Therefore it may be more important for those with gut problems to drink more than others who do not have gut problems but I not suggesting aggressive intake of fluid but little and often starting early.
So what I advise :
Hi Marrows
You are doing exactly what I would recommend to avoid bowel issues – lower fibre two days before a race. My advice would be not to take a multi vitamin and mineral – generally a waste a time! Instead on the days of long runs when not racing only reduce fibre for a day and also consider introducing low residue fibre foods – residue refers to the undigested part of the foods so if you avoid high fibre stringy veg, skins & chew food ready well. So you should actually eat some fruit and veg but choose from the following.
FOODS TO CHOOSE : vegetables
Potato and sweet potato, (without skins) pumpkin, squash, root vegetables: carrots, parsnip, swede, turnip, beetroot, celeriac,
lettuce, peeled cucumber, skinned & deseeded tomatoes, cauliflower & broccoli florets (no stalks), peeled marrow, aubergine, courgette.
All vegetables must be well cooked. Remove skins and seeds where possible.
Vegetables not allowed on days before race:
Potato skins, pulses – peas, beans (including baked beans) lentils, celery, sweetcorn, peppers, raw vegetables, French or runner beans, mange tout, radish, onions,
Quorn, green leafy vegetables for example cabbage, artichokes
Fruit allowed:
Fruit without pips, seeds and skins, ripe banana, canned fruit (not cocktail), stewed fruit, avocado.
Fruit to avoid but only on days before race
Dried fruit, fresh fruit with peel or seeds, unripe banana, strawberries, raspberries, rhubarb,
You could also try the liquid meals in the morning before a long run as mentioned above as liquid empties from stomach quicker and may help feel like you are running on an empty tummy.
Point three – I guess a chocolate bar would fit into this category for example a mars is low –moderate GI, low fibre and high carb but also very high calorie!