In a fit of "something " I signed up for a 50k trail race for February. Training runs have stagnated a bit, especially past mile 17. I find this hard to fathom since I finished by first IM this summer feeling OK and am generally a good runner. I don’t think I’m running too fast, I’m 2:15 slower than my 5 k pace and HR is always low. I’m thinking that my fueling is subpar and am looking for advice. Today’s plan was breakfast (oatmeal), 600 cal of drink and 1 clif bar for 2:45
thoughts?
Based upon what you said, there isn’t enough info to say what your specific issue is. If you think it is fueling, why do you think it is fueling? Are you bonking or bored?
Personally, I think a lot of us stagnate this time of year. Short days, lots of “other stuff” going on, and the majority of the people around us are eating and drinking a lot. Going for a long run on a cold, dark day doesn’t exactly sound wonderful compared to a warm recliner, room temperature porter and a plate of Christmas cookies. Speaking of which I need to get back to my Double Chocolate Raspberry Porter.
Sarge
Based upon what you said, there isn’t enough info to say what your specific issue is. If you think it is fueling, why do you think it is fueling? Are you bonking or bored?
Sarge
^^This. Whats going on after that 17th mile? Mentally and physically. Are you following a regiment like you did for your IM or are you just kinda winging it bc you think you’re good to go after being IM ready? I know if I dont have a plan I feel like I’m all over the place and training sessions are subpar etc etc. What else have you tried as far as fueling?
last spring i ran rim to almost rim to rim of the grand canyon (highly recommend this) for my first ultra run. practiced fueling on my long runs (typically 20-22 miles on sat and 10-12 on sunday).
during R2R2R i tried to eat and/or drink something every 25-30 minutes. fuel ranged from gu’s, shot blocks, pb&j cut up in small bits, cubed boiled potatoes dipped in salt (my fav), perpetuem or sustained energy (in a handheld w/ water and nuun tablets in my nathan pack). i got to the point where food just wouldn’t go down and the liquid calories were a life saver. i turned around 3/4th of the way up the north rim to ensure i’d make it back in a happy mood and still covered 35 miles.
find out what they will have at the aid stations of your event and bring some of those items along on your training runs. also find a run partner, which helps make the miles go by faster. good luck
first of all, lets hear more about double chocolate porter.
secondly, I’m pretty energetic overall these days, just the legs feel wooden on the long runs . In fact, I’m missing the focus of last summer’s IM build.
As for fuel , I have been trying different fuel options, based on what worked for IMLP. Today it was oatmeal with honey and coconut oil for breakfast then run with
600 calories of mostly maltodextrin +1 clif bar
total 850 cals for 2.75 hours. I’m 157# these days
see below, but tell us (me) about double chocolate porter. Maybe my issue is my recovery drink. I’ll gladly dump protein shake for porter.
Muskoka Brewery Double Chocolate Cranberry Stout. Called Winter Beard. It comes in a 750ml bottle. 8% alc/vol. Definitely a seasonal favourite. Mmmmmmm. Good recovery drink for sure.
Sarge
In a fit of "something " I signed up for a 50k trail race for February. Training runs have stagnated a bit, especially past mile 17. I find this hard to fathom since I finished by first IM this summer feeling OK and am generally a good runner. I don’t think I’m running too fast, I’m 2:15 slower than my 5 k pace and HR is always low. I’m thinking that my fueling is subpar and am looking for advice. Today’s plan was breakfast (oatmeal), 600 cal of drink and 1 clif bar for 2:45
thoughts?
In my 50 mile trail run last month, I took Infinit custom blend for about 125 cal/hr for the first five hours sipping every 10 min or so; at that point I think my brain says “enough” and I switch over to the real food offerings (PBJ sandwich is good) at the aid stations. I had some minestrone soup at one stop and chicken broth (extra salty) was good too. Cola was also used. I added it up in my race report and it came out to about 1200 cal over just under 11 hours. It was plenty. What you listed above is about 300 cal/hr by my reckoning and way, way more cal/hr than I have ever consumed while running. Of course, I am averaging 13 min/mile here and I have no idea how hard you are going.