Long Distance Runners

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Sometimes I can't seem to catch my second wind...

Krisydee103
Krisydee103 Posts: 416 Member
in Social Groups
Its really hard not to feel drained after a long run like that. (8.5km) It's not that it's difficult, it's actually getting a lot easier I just don't know how to catch my second wind. Though sometimes I do get the "runners euphoria" when I've been running for a while. I've heard of this substance (or snack-like packs) with different flavours for runners during long-distance courses. What is it? Where do you get it? and what is it exactly?
TIA!

Replies

  • RunFarLiveHappy
    RunFarLiveHappy Posts: 805 Member
    I fuel with HoneyStinger.com products; they make gels, waffles, chews, bars, etc. They make my races and super long runs more enjoyable! ????
  • Will_Thrust_For_Candy
    Will_Thrust_For_Candy Posts: 6,109 Member
    When I was doing 10k training last year I would feel that way too...at about 8k....and then I started adding electrolytes to my water and it made a world of difference :)
  • mjpTennis
    mjpTennis Posts: 6,165 Member
    Perhaps run a little slower. All of my long runs are on my first wind. If I push it too hard, the rest of the run always suffer.
  • Linli_Anne
    Linli_Anne Posts: 1,360 Member
    When I was upping my mileage, and getting to 7 and 8 mile runs I would start to get very drained. I started to mix in my water bottle 1/2 water and 1/2 Gatorade. That really helped me.

    I also find that what I eat even 2 days before a long run can really affect how I feel.

    There are gels/gummies/beans/bars/chews etc. out there that offer up carbs and electrolytes - I've been experimenting with them during training to see what I'll use for my full in June. I LOVE the flavour of the Honey Stinger Cherry Cola chews, and the Powerbar chews are good too.. I find GUs to be a bit too thick for my liking, I did like the Powerbar Café Latte Gel but not the Strawberry Banana one. I am sticking with the chews for my fuel - but, won't use them again until the marathon.
  • heel_striker
    heel_striker Posts: 32 Member
    From what I have been told by my dietician if you are running under 1 hr you shouldn't need gels/gus etc. Everyone is different though, so you might. What do you eat before your run? Are you getting in enough carbs before hand? ( I try to eat at least 100grams of carb, more if my run is more than 15km about 1-2hrs before my long runs) I would try to make sure you are getting in enough carbs before you run, try that first before you go to the gels. They are generally gross in my opinion and all sugar which can cause stomach issues if you have a sensitive stomach. If you can't handle the gels etc like me then I would suggest eating candy during the runs, its essentially the same thing. I like sweedish berries because I can have a few every 10 mins, so I'm not giving my body 35grams of sugar in one go.

    You might just have to slow down a bit too and pace yourself. So much trial and error with running! Good luck!

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