Training Tuesday: Long-Run Fueling Strategies

Yep, I dreamed of this moment

Nom

Gah, there's only 40 days until the marathon. I can tell you that I, for one, am totally confident in my ability to finish the race and am feeling cool, calm and collected.

Fake it 'til you make it, right? In all seriousness, positive self-talk and visualization is important to any type of success, be it weight loss, athletic events or career goals. I spent a decent amount of time before my first triathlon picturing a seamless swim, mentally walking through smooth transitions and imagining completing the race strong. It worked, as I finished the race exactly as I pictured, triumphant.

Sweaty, but stylish, post long run

Here's hoping it works for the marathon, too. In the meantime, I have two long-distance runs left: a 19 miler this weekend and a 20 miler two weeks after that. And it's taken me all these months to finally figure out a fueling strategy that works for me. I've posted before about what I eat on days that I go long, which is interestingly enough one of my most popular posts. I added gels to my running when I got ready to tackle my first half marathon, but I haven't quite found the sweet spot for fueling the long-distance runs required for marathon training.

Last Friday, I had the day off and set out at the obscene hour of 4 a.m. for an 18-mile run.  Before I ran, I ate a piece of whole wheat bread with peanut butter and sugar-free preserves, a mini Luna bar and a graham cracker.  That held me over for the first five miles.  Then, I ate one shot block every other mile until the turn around point. At mile nine, I took a gel, then repeated the shot blocks at mile 11, 13 and 15.  That seemed to work out well for me because I was able to finish the run without walking (other than to fill up my water bottle).

This week's motto: Good things come to those who work for it. Go get it.