Doing my first 1/2 Marathon on Sunday and tummy issues with gels

So, I had a gall bladder attack last week, and since then my tummy has been very temperamental. I get gassy really easy now. I will be having it removed, but that's probably months away, as they didn't deem it an emergency.

I did 14k last weekend and brought my gels, and suddenly it hurt my belly. What else should I use for fuel?

Did you use jus****er or some other kind of liquid? I have issues when I mix GU and Gatorade.

So, I have water with Mio Sport mixed in, every 10 minutes. Then at 40 minutes I take half a gel (no water at that time), then back to water every 10. I felt icky after the gel (which i've had no prior problems with).  

I have used fig newtons, jelly beans, fruit snacks, peanut butter crackers. If you're going to use something new, you'd better try it on a run very soon, although I imagine you're tapering and won't have any run of any significant length.

Honestly, if it were me, depending on the level of pain and how you thought it would affect you for the remainder of your race, I'd stick with the gels for this race since they only caused discomfort and not diarrhea/nausea/vomiting, especially since you have used them before with problems. Then, if you have pain during your race you will know that you definitely need to think of a new nutrition strategy.

Maybe somebody wiser and more experienced will come along and have some tried and true advice!

 

Good luck with the race, be sure to come back and tell us about it!

Yeah, trying something new isn't really on my list of great ideas! However the discomfort slowed me down. I ran 5k this morning on a bit of water and nothing else, and was fine. Which is fine for a short run! Oh well, we'll see what happens on Sunday!

Hi-Sorry no suggestions for the belly issue, but wanted to wish you well on your 1st 1/2 Marathon!!
 

Thanks Bill!

Maybe carry some kind if liquid energy - gatorade or some of the sports drinks - that way you can get some nutrition in and stay hyrdrated at the same time. Hopefully they will have enough aid stations with plain water you can drink. 

Thanks. They have a good amount of stations. I can't wait!!

Congrats and good luck! I'm 2.5 yrs post op and have run 3 marathons since. I think your discomfort may have been because you said you took the gel without any water. You should drink water when taking them or it sits in your stomach. At least that's my experience. I would also say stick with your gels as its worse to be without nutrition than to be a little gasy. You risk cramping badly if you don't have enough electrolytes or else get hypoglycemic which has also happened to me. Just my 2 cents. Have fun!