What feeds when running

[rolysmate]

After a bit of advice on what feeds etc to use when completing longer runs and possible side effects.

So far I have used raisins.

[Anniemurph Half Marathon]

I didn't bother until my runs got to more than about 14k but then found that it was helpful to have something. When I was working up to my HM I started using Clif Shok Blocks alternated with an Aldi muesli bar every 3km and I put Sis Go Electrolyte powder in the water I carried. No idea if it actually helped or if it was just the psychological value

[C3PO Marathon]

On my longer training runs, I've generally had a gel at the half-way mark, then a jelly baby every 2 km. During my recent marathon, I thought this was too sickly sweet (only side effect), and switched to cheese cubes halfway along. This worked really well. No side effects.

[GoogleMe]

I am informed that Colin the Caterpillar sours from M&S or the Iceland equivalent if you don't mind gelatine are jolly good.

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to GoogleMe]

I like the sound of those!

[Millsie-J]

Dates ....... full of carbs 👍🏼

[ancientrunner Half Marathon]

Polo's!! Get a sugar boost and don't upset my delicate insides.

[misswobble Marathon]

Date bars! I makemy own energy bars but they are dead calorific so you can only justify em if you're doing some serious distance

A few Jelly Beans (you can get good ones!) in your pocket. I really like Lidl Eridanous Greek range snacks, eg pistachio or sesame bites, they've just started doing peanut bites now as well. They are in store now as it was their Greek week last Friday/Saturday. You get a load of these individually wrapped snacks in a big bag. cos they are wrapped in cellophane I just snip the end as they;re tricky to open with sweaty hands. Just one or two of those spaced out on your run. you might need water, or you stash them in your cheek and they start to dissolve. LOL

I have posted a pic on here of them before, so just do a search and it'll come up. You can manage with just an energy drink maybe, such as the Zero ones. or there's the 280 cal (I think) TAILWIND powder sachets which give you complete nutrition in a small sachet of powder that you add to 600ml of water, and sip on that and nothing else required, according to the blurb. I used them for my first marathon and got along just fine but I did eat too as there was scrummy grub on offer

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

I am becoming a fan of the Fig Roll - very portable! Also Mars Bar Bites, and the oft-mentioned Jelly Babies, oh and chocolate-covered espresso beans And I like Lucozade Sport a lot, although you can make your own sports drink with orange squash and a pinch of salt. I have also used Gu gels, which are good because they are very thick so they don't spill all over the place, and I found them ok once I got used to them. I haven't noticed any problems with any of these foods, although the gels to me have an unpleasant after-taste, and I have given up using them.

Also, have a good meal 2-3 hours before you go - just eat what you like to eat, but experiment. Some people find that foods high in fat, for example, do not sit well during exercise. You have to find out for yourself what works for you. If you get the pre-run food right you may well find you don't need snacks.

But whatever you eat on the run, you will probably find you need to have some fluid with you to wash it down

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to roseabi]

chocolate covered coffee beans! Must try those soon

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Decker]

I got the idea from Dean Karnazes - have you read him? It's my favourite running book

amazon.com/Ultramarathon-Ma...

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to roseabi]

no I have not read any running books just yet - I just love that combo though. Years ago, I used to keep a pack in my car glove box for really long drives. Dean Karnazes looks to be something far beyond merely mortal - Thanks for the link!

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to roseabi]

just picked up the audio book from the library - listening to it now

[rolysmate Half Marathon]

Thank you everyone for your responses

[Rignold]

I used to make little balls of sushi rice with a glob of either miso paste or plum jam in the middle. But have never bothered with food on anything under 2 hours.

I do put a couple of scoops of BCAA powder in my 2 litre water bottle though whenever working out.

[Whatsapp Half Marathon]

I have not used any foods or engergy drinks, or even water for that matter on any of my runs so far. And so far I have not needed them.

Whilst training for a H/M I have been expecting to find that when I move up to the longer distances that I will fee lthe need to - I train around where I live so am always nearby to pop ohome if I needed it). So far, I'm glad to say this has not been the case. Good to see that there are plenty of option to try should I find myself needed sustanance on a run.

[AndyD Ultramarathon]

I think that you can read 100 posts and probably get 100 answers. I've tried lots of different things and I'm never really sure whether one thing works better than another or at all... Perhaps I ought to try taking nothing (bar water) and see what happens and then try things out one by one....