How do you know if you need to fuel mid race? I ran my first half marathon today and I didn't fuel at all. But everyone seemed surprised about this after the race. They ALL seemed to think I could have run better if I were fueling.
Are there any specifics signs that will tell me I'm needing fuel? I mean, my legs got real tired the last few miles but I assumed that was just bc I've never run that far that fast, and because I came out faster than I should have.
Depends a lot on how long you're out there. I wouldn't fuel for a 70 minute half. If you're closer to 2 hours, something would help. I get a general "out of it" feeling when I go too hard or too long without fueling.
Depends a lot on how long you're out there. I wouldn't fuel for a 70 minute half. If you're closer to 2 hours, something would help. I get a general "out of it" feeling when I go too hard or too long without fueling.
My time was 1:55 something so way over 70 mins. I just don't know what "out of it" feels like. I felt tired... but who doesn't feel tired after running as hard as they can for 2 hours?
I was pretty concerned at the end when the race volunteers kept asking if I was okay. LOL. I felt fine so I wondered why so many of them asked me that but I assumed they just asked everyone. My daughter did mention my lips were purple but I wonder if that was just bc it was 30 degrees the entire run.
halfs shouldn't need any food unless you are slow, just the electrolyte drinks will be enough. full marathons need gels or whatever they are giving out on course (banana, watermelon).
Depends a lot on how long you're out there. I wouldn't fuel for a 70 minute half. If you're closer to 2 hours, something would help. I get a general "out of it" feeling when I go too hard or too long without fueling.
My time was 1:55 something so way over 70 mins. I just don't know what "out of it" feels like. I felt tired... but who doesn't feel tired after running as hard as they can for 2 hours?
I was pretty concerned at the end when the race volunteers kept asking if I was okay. LOL. I felt fine so I wondered why so many of them asked me that but I assumed they just asked everyone. My daughter did mention my lips were purple but I wonder if that was just bc it was 30 degrees the entire run.
To answer your first question -- Kelvin Kiptum.
While there is plenty of evidence that fueling is useful, it's not like you can't run without it. Unfortunately, many people have become rather obsessed with the snacks.
Several months of consistent mileage, as you have done, matters a lot more than what flavor of gu is best for early/mid/late race.
Now consider doing a week of easy 30 minute runs following your HM.
My time was 1:55 something so way over 70 mins. I just don't know what "out of it" feels like. I felt tired... but who doesn't feel tired after running as hard as they can for 2 hours?
I was pretty concerned at the end when the race volunteers kept asking if I was okay. LOL. I felt fine so I wondered why so many of them asked me that but I assumed they just asked everyone. My daughter did mention my lips were purple but I wonder if that was just bc it was 30 degrees the entire run.
To answer your first question -- Kelvin Kiptum.
While there is plenty of evidence that fueling is useful, it's not like you can't run without it. Unfortunately, many people have become rather obsessed with the snacks.
Several months of consistent mileage, as you have done, matters a lot more than what flavor of gu is best for early/mid/late race.
Now consider doing a week of easy 30 minute runs following your HM.
Yeah, you would certainly benefit from a gel or two if you're running 1:55.
The first time I did a half, I can remember feeling really flat in the last 3kms; a kind of low blood-sugar type feeling came over me. I ran 1:31 that day, and have continued to take a gel midway through every half marathon, even though I'm down to 1:19 now.
I probably don't need it anymore, but I'm not gonna risk it.
A lot of posters here feel it makes them tough to not eat or drink during a run.
If you’re running a 1:55 half it will ABSOLUTELY HELP to fuel. If you’re going to train for another half, start taking a gel every 45 minutes or so during long runs that go over 90 minutes or are especially tough.
I think you should even get in some fuel for a 70 minute half. You're still burning more than 1k calories & losing electrolytes. There was a pro race recently where sub-1hr guys were fueling. You don't need to fuel but you can run stronger if you do.
For ~2 hours I would pop a gel + take in some fluids at maybe 8k & 15k, something like that. For 70ish minutes, something around halfway could have you feeling a lot better, a caffeinated gel maybe.