Nutrition check please?

 I appreciate all the advice you've given me so far on nutrition in preparing for my half marathon in July (is it really only 6 weeks away?).  So I'm starting to practice my nutrition.

Last week, we did 9-10 miles.  I had a banana for breakfast, then spent the first half of the walk with my water with Nuun added.  Around the 5.5 mile, I had half of a Pure Protein bar.  It sat like a lump in my pouch all the way back, and of course, I had to wait an hour to drink.  Ugh.  Won't do that again.

So I'm thinking of having a banana in the morning before the walk, because that seems to go down really well and get me started.  Then water with Nuun for most of it.  But just in case, I thought I'd pack some almonds and maybe dried cranberries for a snack on the route.  I think walking, it will take me about 4 hours.  And it will be hot out in Napa.  Or should I just stick to drinking during the walk and eat afterwards?

What do you think?

Thanks.
Jan

mm protein not recommended for the run/walk

I have two different drinkis I created from Infinit.  The bike has protein in it, but the run does not.
Both of them run right around 300 calories.
Protein doesn't digest very easy and can sit like a lump.  Same thing with too much fiber.

You want something that is easily digestible.

Drinking will probably be your best bet.  There have also been a couple studies that show that you actually absorb more of the sugar/carbs from liquid than you do from solids.  We had a doctor do a presentation at our triathlon store.  He basically relayed the research that was presented to him when he was working the medical tent at Kona for the world championships.

You could try gels, they may or may not upset you, try one at home and see.  Then try one when you go out for a walk.  I mix mine down.  I dilute them in my water bottle, that way I get the extra carbs without having the problems with dumping.

 Thanks.  So almonds are out?  I thought they were a good source of energy.  I admit I've been afraid to try the gels.

I use infinit and have had many discussions w/Michael Folan, the owner. The types of sugars/carbs used in his product will not cause dumping. Personally, I would not eat solids. They'll sit like a lump. Yes, almonds have energy and nutrients, but I don't think they're great for sporting.

Another product you might want to consider is EFS drink or their gels from www.firstendurance.com Those sit well w/me and are gluten-free

 Thanks.  I'll look into them.

Yeah nothing solid like that.  You don't want to be fighting to digest the food and trying to run at the same time.

There are a lot of different gel manufacturers out there, and even flavor to flavor from the same company I have found some I can take with no issues at all and other just don't sit right.  They don't make me dump, but they make the pouch feel funky.

Besides that, like I said you can mix them with water or other liquid and reduce the amount of sugar you are getting since it will be delivered over alonger period of time.... Unless you guzzle it all down at once.