Long Run Fuel, and Jee, Em!

5/24/2014

Today is my official rest day of the working(out) week, and I've been following that pretty much to the letter. It is hot, hot, hot here (like a Balinese, super humid, sweaty kind of heat) today, so after a few quick trips out into the oppressive heat, I'm relishing being back in the beautiful air conditioned apartment, ice-cream soon to be in hand.

I've just been planning what I'm going to take on my long run of the week tomorrow morning, and I found these awesome looking tubes/squeezie packs of what I THINK is some kind of fruit jelly in the local shop. Check them out:

So, if all goes well with them tomorrow, these could be my very-non-technical substitute for Gu or some other fancy gels. We'll see! So, these two small packs together with some water and a sports drink will form my 'fuel' during tomorrow's 32km run. Runners, what do you think? Is this on the money? Too much, not enough, or about ok fuel for said distance? I still feel my fuel and eating/drinking while running is somewhat lacking (and I'd prefer not to until I finish a run, but I know with a 50km trail race, or even a long training run, this will not be possible.)

Speaking of fuel, or, FOOD, here's a question for you: What is your take on GM (genetically modified or engineered) foods? Do you live in an area where they are banned? Do you read/see much about them in the news? I'm curious to know, especially as today marks the date for a massive international march/protest against infamous chemical company Monsanto (and their recent foray into pushing GM foods in a bid to 'save the world', hmmm...).

For those having a long weekend (everyone in America and Australia I think, you lucky buggers, haha), have a wonderful weekend!

12 Comments

dawn @ running the dawn link

5/24/2014 12:56:30 am

good luck on your run tomorrow! hope that the fueling all works out :) it's always tricky to find the right formula....

Lou link

5/24/2014 06:24:08 pm

Thanks heaps Dawn! Yeah, I know, and I always doubt myself unti lI try it (I hate eating on the run). But yep! All worked out well.

Cheers! Lou :)

Kim link

5/24/2014 01:40:00 am

I have absolutely zero advice on the fuel - I don't use anything which is my problem in trying to complete a 50! I just prefer to run on a completely empty stomach.
Good luck figuring it all out!

Lou link

5/24/2014 06:25:57 pm

Thanks Kim! I hear you - I don't like running while eating (and if I eat within 3 hours ish of a 'normal' run then I feel all sick/heartburn-ish during said run), but with the long distances I just have to. You are a machine for having zero fuel! Wow :) Do you drink much water while running? :)

Kristina link

5/24/2014 02:33:13 am

I think those little packets could act like GU -- just getting in the calories in an easily digestible form is probably all you need other than electrolytes. But since you've run a marathon before and I haven't I really am not the person to give advice on that! :D

I sadly don't know enough about GM foods. I avoid them because it just doesn't seem right, but I've heard pros and cons. I think largely we don't know yet how they will affect humans and the ecosystem in the long run...? I do think everything should be labelled and that there needs to be more education for the general public about the potential effects on the body and the environment. I also have heard that through hybridization we can likely achieve many of the same goals that GM aims to help with, and I would much prefer to see that happen. I really need to read up on all of this -- thank you for the prompt to do so!

Lou link

5/24/2014 06:35:00 pm

Thanks Kristina! Yeah, I know - you'd never know I'm a qualified nutritionist, oh yeah, and have run a marathon before (where the last one I had NO problem with fuel during), so I don't know why I am doubting myself so much for the fuel for the 50km?? Maybe because it is the unknown and a little bit daunting? I need to remind myself that I have fuelled ok during my previous races, so all should be ok with this one too.

Thanks for answering the GM question! I am just really curious as to what others know and think and if there is much coverage about them. I see and read alot about them mainly due to alternative news sites and social media, and I saw a really good (and brief) talk about them the other day - I will try and find the link and send it to you if you like. The main horrifying facts that resonated with me are: 1) they are not tested and are not required to be tested, so basically it is is one huge, ongoing live human experiment (and there is understandably dramatic correlations with rising food intolerances/allergies and cancers since the introduction of GM into the food supply; 2) some of the genes spliced into the main corn crops they sell/push are HUMAN genes/DNA, amongst many others; 3) Monsanto is the chemical company who made Agent Orange and other nasties, who are now making billions (or what's the next one up from billions? gazillions??) in profit from GM (untested, and on the whole, unWANTED - i.e. why won't they label their products and give people a choice to buy them or not?); and 4) loads of Indian farmers were duped into buying GM (and all the patents and legal ramifications, i.e. can't save seeds and use for a future year/crop as they have done for generations) are now broke or have committed suicide. Anyway, sorry for rambling. I think the general consensus from scientists is that there is no positive aspects from then ,and no need for them either. But I will try and find the talk as it was much more eloquent than this mini essay! Haha....

Cheers Kristina! From Lou :)

Kristina link

5/26/2014 02:01:54 am

Hi Lou, I would love to read the article if you find the link. After your post I did a little bit of research and the points you brought up are horrifying. Monsanto is disgusting and I would question anything they are involved with. I had not heard about the Indian farms which is just awful!!! >:(

Lou link

5/26/2014 11:49:21 am

Hey Kristina! I still need to find that talk I was writing about. I will have another look and hopefully will send it through this arvo.

Here are a few links that may interest you in the menatime (but you may have read these already):

http://www.ensser.org/media/0713/

http://www.psrast.org/

http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-seeds-of-suicide-how-monsanto-destroys-farming/5329947

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/04/03/gmo-crops-affect-farmers.aspx

Cheers, Lou :)

Karen link

5/24/2014 07:44:36 am

I have a pack I ran with today and I took a little less than an liter of water. I can't take too much in or I get a cramp, but I am learning how to manage that and enjoy water when I am done. I have never run anything close to 50km so I am not sure what to think...you are really speedy, do you have a time expectation you are trying to hit?

Lou link

5/24/2014 06:38:35 pm

I know what you mean re: the water and enjoying it at the end. This is usually my tactic! But for long, slow (and crazy hot and humid!) runs I've been carrying two small bottles (one water, one sports drink) in a small backpack. So far, so good!.

Hmm, no time expectation for the 50km - I just want to finish and not be wrecked at the end!

I have a half marathon coming up in July where I am trying to beat my last time of 1:34 though. So, would love to PB for this one. (however, guess it depends on how I go with the 50km first).

Cheers Karen! From Lou :)

Karen link

5/25/2014 09:59:02 pm

1:34 is amazing!

Lou link

5/26/2014 11:50:05 am

Thanks Karen!! :)

Long Run Fuel, and Jee, Em!

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