A Passion for Running

This is part four
Part one is here
Part two is here
Part three is here
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I had several comments asking me various questions about my fueling and hydration strategy for the race.

Pre-Race

Hydration: I drank a litre of Gatorade and a litre of water in the four hours leading up to the marathon.

Fueling: A big bowl of Kashi Organic Flakes & Berries cereal and a banana.

During the Race

Hydration: I drank water at most of the stations which were placed every 3km on the course. I’m terrible at running and drinking so I would grab a cup, drink one or two gulps down, and resume running. I never stopped running for more than a few steps at the water stations.

Fueling: I did not fuel during the run. I did not drink Gatorade or Gels or anything else. Why? During my entire training cycle, I trained without fueling during runs. My intention was to train my body to supply the fuel (glycogen and then fat). The idea is to train the body to burn fat and, if you introduce gels etc, it interrupts the body’s transition to what I (and Andrew) feel is the proper source of long distance fuel. My opinion is that gels do nothing but cause glucose spikes that energize for a few minutes and then leave you worse than before you took them. You also run the risk of getting ill due to your stomach not being able to handle the fuel that late in the marathon.

Without taking fuel, I had to rely 100% on my training and I think it paid off because I’ve never run so strong.