Help wanted re food for endurance?

[whojamaflip]

Hi all, bit of help wanted please

I am planning to have an attempt at the 3 peaks challenge in 3 weeks. Training has been going well and I'm quietly confident.

Wondering about maximising my energy levels and what I need to be eating in the run up to the big day - I've heard of something called carb loading that long distance runners use and was thinking of doing the same but not sure what it entails.

Anyone have experiance or suggestions? Tia

Carb loading as I used to understand it involved buying Sainsburys out of pasta the night before a competition and eating enough of it to feel a bit sick. I am sure that there are more complicated ways of doing this, but the main thing is to have eaten plenty of carbohydrates. Another thing is that if you are feeling nervous too much meat or fat might just feel as though it is sitting on your stomach.
For during the event, energy bars or gels can be quite convenient although test them beforehand in training to make sure you like the taste and don't forget that you might want a bit of "real" food too - sandwiches or a banana. Good luck!

Increase you're volume of carbohydrate a bit in the days prior to the challenge. Not too much because you will end up feeling sluggish and uncomfortable.

When I did a marathon I just introduced a carb based afternoons snack and ate carb based meals I knew wouldn't affect my digestive system.

During the event, as you are walking (hope I'm right) you may find proper food is more enjoyable and your body will be able to digest it if you aren't running. Things like banana's, malt loaf, flapjack. Nothing too rich. Gels arebok, I use them when running but you have to find the ones thatbwork for you. I can't use gels with caffeine in because they give me the trots digestive disturbances

Good luck, sounds like fun!

Thanks guys - I have been and bought a couple of gels today and will try them when I'm feeling brave

Just want to know I will have the energy to finish - I'm raising money for our local pre-school for a sensory garden and there are too many people I will let down! If the weather beats us thats fine but if its cos I physically can't take it then that will be really crap iyswim.

(Yes I'm walking - no way would I be able to run )

Bang Goes the Theory tonight says beetroot juice.

NHS page about it

I did a Princes Trust challenge last year and ate malt loaf & flapjacks all weekend! Gels might affect your stomach if you're not used to them so test them out first ( best to test on a training walk). Good luck with the 3 Peaks!

You need to train with the gels now - never try anything new on race day, spend some time going as hard as you will in the race eating the gels to make sure you can digest them. They will help, but only if you aren't sick from having to digest whilst working hard. You need to train your stomach as well as the muscles and heart. As others have said, other high calorie food may be better tolerated.

Carb loading can help a bit, but not a whole lot, don't go too crazy, just make sure you eat a little more carbs. There are other ideas to maximise it, but carb loading doesn't help that much, and over the length of time you're out of three peaks not particularly worth it. (~1-2 hour event worth it, shorter or longer probably not as you can either eat enough and not suffer the bloating from the carb loading or not need the extra calories.)

You definitely need to test the food you will be taking with you on a walk so you know whether it works for you or not. A few suggestions here of a what 'proper food' one ultra runner uses to keep energy levels high over long distances, might give you some ideas if the gels don't agree!

That's a challenge and a half Gene thanks for linking to it.
I had another thought. When I did the vasaloppet they gave out soup (well more of a thin broth) at the feeding stations. It was so nice to get something savoury for once as most energy drinks are so sweet that you need to shave your teeth by the end of a race.

Thanks for the answers - given me plenty to think about.

i was told before the marathon to eat carbs in the days leading up to the marathon but not too many as you wont be doing as much exercise in these days and you don't want to eat too much that you feel heavy and sluggish.

have a big carb lunch (such as pasta) the day before and a lighter carb dinner the night before (jacket potato). i was also told to decrease the amount of protein in the run up as the more protein you eat the less carbs you can get in.

i too recommend the energy gels. Asda sell the Lucozade ones for 80p. they really helped me through training and on marathon day. i alsoo found the lucozade energy tablets are really good and they are really cheap too

Carb loading is complex and something that should be practiced in training. If you a walking take wholesome foods and eat on the way round, you will not need to load before. Hydration and electrolight placements a more important. Gel's will make you crash they are not ideal for walking, and can upset your stomach especially if they contain caffeine. The general rule is done try something new, you need to know how your body is going to react to foods, stick to the foods you have had whilst training. Good luck :-)

I swear by beetroot juice, training for a marathon at the moment and noticed a HUGE difference when I started to use it.
Carb loading however means upping your carb intake for the week before the race/challenge.

The link about the beetroot juice won't load.
Can someone explain briefly?
Please