quote:<HR>Originally posted by monilark:
Yesterday, I ran 9 and did not stop for water, nor did I eat anything, and I felt fine...but, with next week's 10 miler, I was thinking I ought to try to take a Gu.
Does it really make a difference?
I am just unaccustomed to taking any kind of walk break while running, nor am I used to drinking or eating on runs (this is, obviously my first half, LOL, although I have done many 5Ks before).
I hope to finish the half in about 2 hours. Would I be crazy if I didn't even drink anything (this is only if I felt fine, obviously)? <HR>
To quote Long Run Nick "Try different things in training." Multiple times. This is what your long runs are for. (This is a major complaint I have about some of the canned pgms. They don't deal with many issues that need to be addressed.) Just because someone else "gets by with" or eats whatever (gu's, no water, pizzas) doesn't mean you will - or that you'll be able to every time. Try enough things to have options. What would your needs be at 88F and high humidity? What about 40 deg and med humidity? Will you OD on something before race day? Will it taste good at 1 hr and cruddy at 2 hr? What's available on the course (and you have confidence will really be there)? Don't forget electrolytes.
Especially when you're first starting, it's good to ask around for ideas if water or de-fizzed coke or whatever's on your grocery store shelf may not work for you. Also, learn to recognize the signs of dehyration (pee color among other things, weight loss) and hyponatremia (sloshy stomach among others, weight gain). Hyponatremia shouldn't be an issue for a 2-hr race, unless you hydrate with water for days in advance and guzzle before the race.
Depending on intensity of your run, you may or may not have to slow down or walk to drink / eat. Most of the time I drink on the run, however hr does increase while doing this. While I can eat some foods (wheat thins, clif bars) while jogging along in many-hour run/walk, I've found it works better
for me to walk while I eat and drink that stuff. Easier to breather, less likely to choke, digests more easily.
If you take something in individual wrappers, like gel packets, please remember to take a baggie for the trash or be prepared to put gooey wrapper in your pocket. Some gels come in flasks so are easier to use. If you're in a cold climate, think about trying to use the stuff in freezing temperatures with mittens. Some races will DQ you for littering. although that may be more common in trail races, rather than road races.
