Marathon endurance advice

Hi everyone--

I haven't posted on OH at all in a while, but this is my first time on this forum. I guess I lost interest in the OH community, but then I remembered there is an exercise group. I haven't felt much of a connection with the WLS communtity b/c at this point I feel pretty normal.

I have one thing I was hoping anyone could help with though. I had a RNY in Nov 2007 and have lost (and kept off over 210 lbs). I generally float between 205 and 195 (I'm 6' 3"). I got into running after surgery and have just gotten better and better,

I have done untold number of 5ks, 8ks, and 10ks. I have 7 half marathons under my belt (3 of which are sub 2 hour--including one here on Saturday), five sprint triathlons, and two full marathons. I am great for about two hours of an endurance race but I just die in the 3rd hour. No matter what I try my legs are jelly. The last full marathon I did was a month ago here. I was at 18m in under 3 hours and then had such bad leg cramps I had to limp to the line at 5h.

Is there anyone else post op who runs marathons and how do you deal with the nutritional issues. I find myself eating hourly in the week leading up to the race. I carry Hammer gels b/c they are low in sugar and start them pretty early. And I keep hydrated. At least as best I can.

Here is a link to a before and after pic btw:

Hey Congrats and thanks for Posting.

There are several people here who done Marathons and should be able to give you some advice.
Right now 1/2 marathon is my longest distance so I can't talk to the full marathon question.

Just wanted to welcome you to the board.

Scott

 you're going to fit right in here :)  

Welcome!!!! I think runners are absolutely nuttier than squirrel poo! I know a guy who does marathons and he said that when we cramp, we usually have low electrolytes (Usually sodium). If you have completed the distances already, and the only thing that hindered you was cramping, I would say stick with what has worked, and maybe just add in 1-2 Enduralytes or salt tabs to help the cramps to stay away. Congrats on everything and again, welcome...

How far are you going on your long runs leading up to the race. Now that you are over two races, I think that you can start to really increase your training distances. I agree with the sodium and I assume that you are getting in enough liquid. I passed a kidney stone after my last full and boy was that a miserable few hours. Usually drinking is an issue for me as I typically have to balance liquid intake with not having explosive diarrhea. fun fun!

Thanks for all the kind welcomes all.

I usually peak out at a  20 miler on my training. I know I am an odd bird b/c I could do 10 miles 4 or 5 days a week. But there is just something about 20 miles. That is my wall and in both fulls I have done, that is when the legs died. The last one here in Virginia Beach was worse b/c it was 70 degrees by noon and I knew I was so dehydrated that  I was cramping.

i guess my challenge is getting enough in before the race to build the glyogen. I try and sneak in carbs by eating curries (that help me slide in the rice) or Pho (for the noodles). But I just bank out.

BTW, here is a pic from my Satuday run.

http://orders.racephotonetwork.com/QPPlus/PreviewImage.aspx? O=26429571&R=00006&F=0084&pcx=0&pcy=0&pcw=1&pch=1

I think that you have to get in some longer training runs leading up to the race and you have to take in more during the race to keep yourself going. 

I carry water/gatorade mix with me in one of those bottles that you can kind of strap on to your hand.  I've not done a marathon, but so far, so good.  My pal GU gives me a pick up too, or the chews made my Cliff, I think they are called Shot Blocks.

I'm not a runner, but just wanted to say welcome and I hope you stick around! Great before and after pics, by the way. Congratulations!

Jenny

Congrats on your success. As Jenny said, great pics! Thanks for sharing and for the input!

Kathy