Did i go wrong with my Marathon nutrition?

Injury/Nutrition Nutrition

8 years ago 05/06/2015 10:56am EDT

I just ran a marathon this past weekend and had a PR, however, i could have pushed it more if i didn't cramp starting at mile 20. I started cramping on my right hamstring, then went to my knee area, quads, and then both legs. I just kept trucking cause if i stopped, i would have fully seized up.

I did the typical 1.5 week carb loading prior to the race and had 5 GUs throughout the course at miles 5, 10, 15, 18, 22. I also had Gatorade 1st then water at every 2 miles and 3 salt tablets at mile 6, 12, 18. Did i take enough salt tablets? Did i water down the Gatorade? The temperature started at 40s in the morning and got up to upper 70s when i finished, humidity was around 80%. I sweat moderately and I am 5'9, 163lbs.

I didnt start training till 8 weeks prior to the race. I averaged 30-40 miles a week and did 3 long runs at 16, 18, 20. My long run times were around 8:45-9:20/mile while my marathon pace was 8:10.

Is it the lack of training or my nutrition that caused the cramping or both?

Thanks!

8 years ago 05/06/2015 11:26am EDT

re: baldiesrt

This has nothing to do with nutrition or hydration. This simply is a case of not being properly trained for the distance. But hey, happens to a lot of people, train smarter next time.

8 years ago 05/06/2015 12:44pm EDT

re: feldman

feldman wrote:
This has nothing to do with nutrition or hydration. This simply is a case of not being properly trained for the distance. But hey, happens to a lot of people, train smarter next time.

Best answer selected by Øbamao™.

Don't worry, I made the same mistake training to be president.

8 years ago 05/06/2015 1:32pm EDT

re: baldiesrt

baldiesrt wrote:
I did the typical 1.5 week carb loading prior to the race...

I thought a typical carb load was 1.5 DAYS? I'd be 10 pounds heavier on race instead of 5 if I did 1.5 weeks!

8 years ago 05/06/2015 1:52pm EDT

re: baldiesrt

baldiesrt wrote:
I averaged 30-40 miles a week

Found your problem

8 years ago 05/06/2015 1:54pm EDT

re: baldiesrt

I'd do what you did. I think you ran and executed well. My experience with the marathon is that by mile 20 my stomach is not happy regardless of what I'm doing and eating/hydrating is a double edged sword. I agree with the guy who said that it sounds like the best way to avoid that feeling is to simply get in even better shape for the distance next time, but I suspect you'd run just as hard and find yourself feeling equally bad, but with a faster finishing time. My stomach has never felt great during the final few miles of a marathon, but I feel like you gave yourself a good chance of doing well.

I typically do something like take .5 Gu every 3 miles. I take water near to the Gu since I don't see a point in taking double sugar. I wouldn't expect my body to be happy after a couple of hours of hard running with only getting simple sugars to replenish itself, so as far as I'm concerned mild discomfort should be expected.

8 years ago 05/06/2015 1:56pm EDT

re: baldiesrt

Next time eat a banana before the event. The potassium will clear up any cramping issues you encounter.

8 years ago 05/06/2015 2:17pm EDT

re: baldiesrt

Lack of training primarily, but carb loading should only be 2-3 days before the marathon. That also seems like a lot of salt with the GU/Gatorade/salt tab combo.

8 years ago 05/06/2015 2:20pm EDT

re: txRUNNERgirl

txRUNNERgirl wrote:
Lack of training primarily, but carb loading should only be 2-3 days before the marathon. That also seems like a lot of salt with the GU/Gatorade/salt tab combo.

Especially since salt has nothing to do with cramping.

8 years ago 05/06/2015 2:23pm EDT

re: baldiesrt

I usually like to completely empty my bowels, eat a big meal, empty bowels again (completely), and then eat a banana. After that it's just water until race time.

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