Fuelling advice - salt lick perhaps?

[Whatsapp]

I have a HM coming up this month and it is the first time I have done a HM at this time of year. I don't know what the forcast is yet but recent weeks have been quite warm.

When I run HM in March I don't take anything with me. Water from water stations and the occasional jelly baby/ gummy bear if offered.

I also, train before breakfast and take nothing with me in terms of water or 'fuel'.

However, I am concerned given the warmer weather that I may need to take something with me. I don't want to carry water, I will get this from water stations. I'm not sure I want to take any gloopy gels from sachets either - I'm sure they are great but, not for me.

To that end I am considering taking raisons - as they wont melt. I am worried about salt loss through sweating and wondered what would be a good - given the above - food to take?

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

I always thought raisins were a bit too fiddly, prefer dried apricots 😊 But if raisins work for you, maybe mix them with some salted peanuts?

I would think you should be ok without food for a half marathon - you're running them in around two hours, right? Have something salty ready for when you've finished. Personally speaking, though, I'd have some breakfast too...

[Whatsapp Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Thanks Abi, I will be having breakfast for the race itself as its is later in the morning. My concern was more for loss of salt through sweat exacerbated by drinking water at stations on the way round.

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Whatsapp]

From what I've read I don't think you have a problem, but if you're worried about it you could give these a try:

amazon.co.uk/Saltstick-03-2...

I have not tried them, but they do look very convenient!

[Whatsapp Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

No you are right. I think my pre-run gremlins are just finding something new for me to worry about.

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Whatsapp]

I have that t-shirt! 😄

[Macmac Marathon]

I use clif bloks. They have salt in

[Lordi Marathon]

I always take the waterstation water. I haven't fuelled on past HMs but I might carry a gel or two to take next time to guard against a late energy dip from running faster (I always run much faster in races than during any training runs). Rasins sound good, keep them in a Dextrol tube/vitamin tablet tube/Smarties tube? Smarties might be even better?

As an aside, I've found a pre-race/long run super food (works for me that is). It's not health food, but is probably ok as a bit of fueling insurance. Ready salted crisps! Fat, salt and carbs..my 3 favorite things all in one I plan to munch a 200g bag (1300 cals) of kettle chips for a bit of carb stuffing the night before, plus 4 rounds of breakfast toast before my HM in May.