wallpaper paste
As it would seem that I really am running a marathon in 12 weeks’ time, I think it’s time for some of the technical stuff.
One of the benefits of all this running is that instead of thinking about dieting I’m thinking about diet.
I’ve been out for a run having eaten nothing (bad idea, got wobbly legs and came home after a mile with a headache), I’ve been out after drinking too much wine the night before (even worse idea: never run with a hangover) and I’ve learned that revolting as it is, nothing sets you up for a run like a bowl of porridge. I’m ashamed to admit that despite being Scottish, I think it’s utterly disgusting. It’s like eating lumpy, congealing wallpaper paste. But I force it down, because I know it works. I’ve tried adding fruit, cinnamon, raisins, maple syrup…it’s still gruesome.
I’ve also been doing some research into gels, which are lovely energy-giving little packets of gloop which you force down enjoy during long runs. I tried the orange flavoured Lucozade Body Fuel, because Lucozade have drinks stations every 5 miles on the marathon route. It had the consistency of PVA glue and tasted of orange-flavoured medicine. Then I discovered the deliciousness that is the Powerbar Strawberry & Banana Gel, which was so yummy I could just hoover it up as a snack (bad idea, given that it’s just sugar and electrolytes).
But oh no, disaster – it’s made by That Company I Boycott* so I’m still on the lookout for a non-disgusting gel without artificial sweeteners.
Alternatively, I can take my blogging friend Karyn’s lead: she did her first marathon fuelled by granola bars. Her finishing time was 3:37, qualifying her for the Boston Marathon, which is pretty impressive. Think it’ll take more than granola bars, though, otherwise I’d be fab at running already.
Luckily Karyn has some brilliant advice on her blog on pre, post and during race nutrition. She and carpeviam are my two favourite marathon bloggers – both of them could probably run two marathons in the time it’ll take me to do one, but they’re inspiring and have encouraged me from the very beginning.
In other news, I drove 24 miles to visit a friend today, and every single mile I was imagining how I’d be feeling by that point. I think I’m getting a bit obsessed.
thanks for the shoutout
and i love the uk way of spelling things. i sometimes read your posts aloud in a fake accent haha
is porridge anything similar to oatmeal? i’ve never had it before (and have no idea how to prepare it) but i think that adding more water would help with the pasty consistency.
and you totally should try granola bars. i used chewy ones because i was afraid i’d choke on something harder but i didn’t like any gels because, like you said, they are disgusting!
I am still peeing myself laughing at the idea of you reading my posts in a fake accent! Porridge is the same as oatmeal. I’ve been given a tutorial on twitter by my friend, so I’m hoping I might be able to make it less disgusting. (That wouldn’t be hard, mind you – it is gross!)
oh wow, I can’t believe your marathon is only 12 weeks away! For some reason, I am cowardly about gels. I haven’t figured out the logistics of using them and I’m all paranoid I’m going to end up with sticky gel mess all over myself. But I suppose I shall have to overcome this one day.
Have you heard of Chocolate 9 (http://www.chocolateenergygel.com/)? It’s just agave and cocoa. I plan to try it out someday b/c I also want to avoid artificial sweeteners.
How about medjool dates? It could all be in my head but I feel like when I eat one before I go out for a run, my energy stays nice and level.
Maybe also look at the book Thrive by Brendan Brazier?
I wondered about the sticky too – they are really, really gloopy – and can you imagine if it was hot and there were wasps?! Urgh.
Dates are a great energy source that I hadn’t even thought of. I’ll look up the book – I’m always up for reading as many books as I can!
Hi Rachael – do you remember doing twenty miles with a fell pony called Robin underneath you? Well Robin is still going strong at age 29 and would love it if you stopped for a cuddle if you ever run through Hillesden!
Bl**dy good luck!
Mandy
Ooh, hello! D’you think that Robin would be up for a sneaky 26.2 with me in top? I can’t believe he’s 29 and still going strong! Thank you SO much for the sponsorship! I’d love to pop in and say hello – I did take a drive up that way a wee while ago, but couldn’t remember which one was your house and didn’t want to start stalking innocent villagers. I’ll email you!
Helloo! I’m running London mara for 1st time this year too, I’m v. excited! May be a stupid question, but do you make your porridgw with water or milk? Much, much nicer than with water, and you can put extra in which makes it less paste like. Unless you don’t drink milk, in which case my advice is useless!
Also, have you tried Science in Sport (SIS) drinks and gels? They are very effective, and not too vile (recommend citrus PSP which is hi carb drink). I think they have sweetener, but they do quite a range, so it maybe worth checking their different products.
Good luck with your training x
Hi Kath,
I’ve made it with milk this morning, and it’s slightly less like gloop! Still disgusting though, but all this running turns you into a food processing unit anyway, don’t you think? I seem to spend all my time eating things because they’re good for me, rather than because I want to! I think our local running shop sells the SIS gels – I’ll give them a try. Thanks for visiting the blog! x
Terrible spelling and grammar above, poss due to too much running! Was recommending porridge with milk, just wanted to clarify!
I just came across your blog. A lovely read.
I don’t know how you can force down the power gels. Oh and the oatmeal – can’t stand it. They make me gag! So far I’ve gotten by with granola bars and sport beans.