Marathon and Triathlons - Energy??!

For those who have trained for, or done any sort of long distance training...what do you eat/drink during a long race? I can manage up to 12k without needing anything, but was feeling fatigued by then, and i'm sure if I properly carb-loaded (which seems so wrong, but actually necessary), I could have gone farther. Any help? Highlandbear?

When I was getting ready for my MS ride I found a great forum of runners and athletes http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/fitness/. They were great at giving useful advise

Thanks for this link. I just ran my first 5km and have a bunch of questions!

I should have mentioned that I worry about my hypoglycemia too. It seems very under control, but what the heck do I fuel myself with when I shouldn't have any sugar?? And when and how....this thread will help, i'm sure!.

I have not trained for a super long run (yet at least!) My girlfrind that has NOT had surgery does carb load also eats sugary things while running. I know a lot can't handle high sugar things but th closest item I have found that is all sugar from fruits that I can tolerate are Sun Rype Fruit Source 37g bars. They are 100% fruit and no added sugar but 28g of sugar all from fruit. I find them good as my go-to sweet thing and carry one with me in my purse. I think they are close to my girlfriends jubjubes.

Yeah, I think it will be a lot of pre-trying things out. I couldn't have something (even from all fruit) with that much sugar. I can't even eat grapes on their own.

Hi I can not run with food in me. If  I do I am off looking for a bathroom.  For my big huge runs I eat about 4 hours before and go back to bed and get some sleep. For the marathon I did bagel. I had part of it around 2 the other part at 4 race at 8. There is nothing wrong with carbs when you are planning a long run. Remember your body needs the fuel. It took me a long time to learn and except that carbs can be ok. An hour before the run I do yogurt and banana and 1/2 hour before run I drink  Vega sport performance protein. For 18k run you should be taking in some fuel. Go and buy some gels and ediscs tablets. They will help. You could try the blocks also but my stomach will not except it. Have those and need bathroom. You will need to play around I have found orange juice with some water helps me.  I have water, gatarade and orange ju**** with me and than my gels and tablets. I know it sounds like a lot but as my trainer says think of your body as a car. If you do not put  gas in will it go. Well if you do not put fuel into your body it will not go. I will never forget when I tried to give up carbs for a week. I lasted 3 days and my trainer told me if I did not go home and eat some carbs not to come back to the gym until I did. i am learning carbs are not  bad when you use control. Sorry this is long but I hope it helps. Any more questions just ask

Thanks so much. I have to eat something at least 1/2 hour before I exercise, or my sugars will get too low. So, did you to a whole marathon without eating? I def can't do that, I will be on the ground. It is hard getting used to the understanding that I need carbs for fuel. I suppose if I remember that I'm using it as fuel, then i'm good. Don't want to go down that slippery slope.

So now it's to figure out what to eat before (1/2 bagel with cheese or peanut butter is probably good) and then what to eat during. I would think I would need something once an hour.

The gels or the blocks is your fuel. That is what runners will use on long runs. The 1/2 bagel with peanut butter is better than the cheese. The gels,blocks, gatarade will get you through the run and keep your sugars up. That is how I got through the marathon. Next year I hope you will join me in a marathon. You can do it

I hope I can too!! With my sugars though, anything actually sugary may spike them and quickly drop. If that happens, I have to get sugar in me again and then follow it with protein. My levels have been pretty good lately. I have heard some people say they can level themselves out after awhile. Almost like some people get hypoglycemia for a bit and then it works itself out. Who knows really?