Long run nutrition/energy food? (Read 1664 times)

Anyone...Bueller...? Hubby thinks even some simple chewy granola bars might do the trick--and they're quite a bit cheaper than the bars dedicated for sport fuel (taste a helluvalot better than things like PowerBars, too--those suckers are nasty). I remember Trent recommended StarCrunch bars a long time ago. I did try those, but didn't like the taste. I'm not sure chocolate would sit well with me on a hard/long run, either. So I'm more interested in fruity-flavored stuff. Would even something like fruit leather be useful...? k

During a long hard run, the only thing you can absorb are simple carbs, such as you find in goo. If you are running at a lower effort, you can usually digest slightly more complex foods. Ultrarunners eat a lot of things like PB&J, M&Ms, other candies, simple granola bars, boiled potatoes or potato chips. For me, 2-3 hours, it's goo or nothing. And gatorade. I DID NOT like the sports beans. They made me very thirsty. You may also want to try out the cliff blocks. They are like gummies.

You may also want to try out the cliff blocks. They are like gummies.

BTDT--I gave them to DH. I don't like the texture of those AT ALL. Not really slimy, not really chewy...just kinda like eating worms or something...blech! k

Try it.

Or, just dried figs...

grrrr.............I typed out a long response and lost it! Long story short, Runner's World has an article today about refueling during runs with regular food. Orange slices, honey packets, Fig Newtons, dried fruit, Graham Crackers, Jelly Beans, and Gummy Bears. So far I've tried Fig Newtons and Graham Crackers, and dried fruit. The crackers and newtons were a bit crumbly, and I've found in general that I don't like chewing during a run. I always end up with GU, because of the portability and it's easier for me to choke down. Once training starts again, I want to give Jolly Ranchers a shot. I've heard they work well, and seem like they would be a convenient, constant inflow of carbs.

As far as weight loss and running, I found that when I was heavily training my weight loss stalled or I even gained a bit. I got hurt at the beginning of November, and had to take 10 days off from running (this was peak training time). In those 10 days I lost 6 pounds. Granted, much of it was water due to what my muscles retain because I exercise so much, but it was also just a chance for my body to rest. That was the long way of saying that trying to lose while in training is really hard for me. It happens in the beginning when I ramp up my workouts but inevitably I stall out because I have to eat more to fuel my runs. It's hard to find the balance between 'just enough' and 'I'm starving'. Now my main problem is that, since the marathon, I've gained weight because I continued eating the same amount while exercising less. Bad combination, but hard to change after being 'allowed' to eat so many calories for so long. Anyway. That was totally off topic.