Question for those at least 1 year post op who are very active

One of the reasons I want this surgery is to be able to be really active again.  My ankles currently say no to running (knees are just fine)  I had to quit a few years ago even though I was running with the Running Room and even did a 5k race.  Though I really want to do the Ruff Mudder run this summer if it doesn't interfere with surgery (its a 5k mud run with your dog!)

How is eating for athletics working out for you?  If anyone runs marathons, how do you get enough calories when training?  It seems like an odd question :) when at this point I need to eat less.   But if I get down to where I want and take up running again (running at least a half marathon is on my bucket list) will that be an issue?

If you look up Kellybelly she has done marathons and an ironman!

I have done triathlons marathons and I am training to do a ultra marathon  which is a 50k race. We do eat carbs when we have a long run to do. Your body needs the carbs.  When I did around the bay first few times and my half I would set the alarm during the night have a bagel with peanut butter beside my bed and eat part of it and go back to sleep I would do this 4 times through out the night to get it into me and than banana in the morning. As time goes you can eat more so not so much a problem. The hardest thing is to figure out what your body can handle in food that allows you to run without have bathroom issues and what gels you can use on your run without upsetting your stomach. It has taken me 4 years to find a gel that my stomach can handle. I also take two Imodium on race. Some type of pasta the night before the race. There is no getting around it. As my trainer said to me if you have a car and do not but gas in it will it run without gas. well your body needs the carbs to do those long runs. You have to remember there is good carbs and bad carbs. The only time I go with carbs is when I am doing long runs and the rest of the time I stay away. Not sure if this is of help. have questions ask me.

You can do a half if you train for it. if you do 10 and 1 and train you will finish. Road to hope is a real good race for a first timer. Go for your dream you never know where it will lead you

Thank you! That is exactly the sort of information u was wondering about. And wow go you! 50k is insane (and I mean that as a compliment) 

You are welcome. Everyone says I am insane for doing a 50k trail run but I will fini**** even if it takes me 9 hours. Go for your dreams and if you do walk and run breaks you will do it. Eat right and just remember stomach can be tricky when running so when you start to go for your runs plan route where you know there is washrooms. A lot of runners have issues with stomach and bathroom not just people who have surgery and yes gels are gross and you will need to keep trying them until you find one that you can handle.Takes time believe me 4 years to find the best for me. Any questions just ask good luck

That is amazing.  I was doing 10 and 1s when I was running with the running room.  Wasn't super fast, lol, but got job done.  I was super stoked when I raced the one time.  I was smack dab in the middle of my age category.  I passed skinny people.  Of course I have no idea what issues they were overcoming, but it felt good as the fattest person there that day.

You don't have to be fast and I am no way a fast runner. Working on speed and if I get faster great if not that is OK. What matters if crossing the finish line upright and smiling. If you need help with your training let me know willing to share advice that my trainer gave and gives me

Thank you so much! That means a lot.  It's nice to know there is someone out there who has been through the same things before me and is doing some of the things I want to do.

My nutrition is different from Barb's, and mine and Barb's nutrition is different than other WLS Athletes. It is really tricky figuring out nutrition. For 5k racing I maybe would add a banana before a run. I did not start adding too many calories until I was at goal weight (one year out). I also didn't train for my first 1/2 marathon until 2 years out, because running hurt too much until then for me. Now it hurts differently. 

Later on when you are marathon training, if that is your goal, then you will figure out ways to get in your nutrition. I have oatmeal, I have bananas and peanut butter. I can do the GU gel, which I had to work up to, and during Ironman training I learned to use Gatorade (full sugar, and NOT recommended for much of anything else!) It is all what you can tolerate, and not what you "use" as a reward for training. That can be the crazy road people go down. Until training is intense, there is no need to replenish calories. 

With that said....I do enjoy chicken wings after each race I do. My own tradition, and it is a food reward, and after almost 15 hours of swimming, biking and running, I deserved that!! 

Enjoy your training with your new body!!