Running with paper tissues flapping

[Teresa1632]

I ran the HM distance for the first time today. It certainly wasnt pretty!

At mile 10, I was starving and my stomach was rumbling. Plus blood sugars were going low (I'm a type 1 diabetic). So I had a gel.

Now, the effects of the gel being juggled around for 10 miles, (albeit at a funeral pace), must have affected it. Some went into my mouth. The rest, a sticky mess, went all over my fingers. No, I dont carry wet wipes on a run.

A mile later, I needed to blow my nose. Well, you can guess the result. Fellow runners, completing the distance with bits of tissue paper flapping from your fingers is...ahem...unusual.

Still, it would be a memorable photo at the finish line. I hope to avoid such a photo when I do the real HM next week.

[SaskAlliecat Half Marathon]

Oh boy! I hear you! I’m not a fan of gels since I wore more than I ate (and I find them too sweet) so I use Tailwind instead for my fuel. I remember someone posting on here in the winter time using paper towel instead of tissue paper in the winter - it held up better. I’ve started using it in the summer because i’m so sweaty the tissue paper just disintegrates when my sweaty little hand touch them. It is a little bulkier to pack around but is much sturdier and holds up better. It might have survived the sticky gel fingers better too 😂

[Teresa1632 Marathon in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Ooh, I must try both. Tissues always disintegrate. I was getting to thinking of wiping my nose on my sweaty running vest - urrrgh!

[backintime 10 Miles]

Congrats!! I hope to follow in your footsteps before March. (The distance not the "gel incident" )

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon]

Well done! I can't bear gels 🤢🤮 but it's important to get your fuel in before you feel hungry, on a HM aim for halfway at least for some form of fuel.

That's quite an amusing image though... 👍🏻🤣

[Teresa1632 Marathon in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Yes, I learnt that the hard way eeek!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Congratulations and well done Teresa! The tissue thing made me laugh and the gel thing made me gag 😩 I've never tried one and don't intend to, they sound dire. I once sipped some gel infused water at a race and my tummy started to complain immediately and it wasn't good even though it was only a sip. Many of us make our own flapjacks so at least you know what goes into them.

[Teresa1632 Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

I make my own flapjacks too. Never considered them for a run I might try that!

[misswobble Marathon]

I take a big cotton hankie under my wrist sweatband Serves blowing and wiping purposes and doubles as a bandage 😃

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Oh dear! 😊😊😊 There are thicker gels on the market: Gu and Clif are the ones I'm aware of - they need to be chased down with a drink of water, but they're a lot easier to eat!

Anyway, huge congratulations for reaching the HM distance!!! I will give you your badge xxx

[Teresa1632 Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Oooh, I do like a bit of bling thank you!

[Hidden]

Aagghh gels! I’ve landed up with fingers stuck together on a hot day. I use Tailwind instead now and carry naked bars on a long run. Your post gave me a real laugh though. Good luck on the 29th

[Teresa1632 Marathon]

Yep, I'm going to have to find something else. Tailwind might not work for me as I'm diabetic and dont want to be taking on sugar for the first hour, as my body wont metabolise it. And I'll end up with no energy in.my legs. Plus needing to pee...

Wine gums, jelly babies and a low cal sports drink will probably work. (And kitchen paper instead of tissues. 😁)

[Sqkr Half Marathon]

I inevitably get gel everywhere when running, usually half down my trousers and half in my hair. They're horrible things, but do the job they need to do very effectively so I persist with them.

I do hate tissues though, I run with a big white grandpa hankie when I've got a cold. I shove it down my towelling wrist thing so it's always ready to go!