Runners- do you eat DURING a 1/2 marathon?

8 miles to first gel is pretty standard advice (and you see it echoed here in this thread), so I don't get where you feel you can call me on giving bad advice. Why don't you start dogging some of the other posters in this thread who posted the same advice I did? :ohwell:

I knew a couple of old school deprivation runners. I guess I just met a couple of more. Wonders never cease! LOL

BTW - to the deprivation runners: I never 'stop' when I hydrate or eat something. It's all done on the fly. You might want to try it some time. Your body (and running times) will thank you for it!

ETA: because: Derp!

I deprivation train too. I've done 22 milers with no food or fuel. One point to make though, I would never attempt this if it's going to be 70 or above. I'll take water in that case. But with cooler temperatures, the only time I'll ever take fuel or fluids is if I am testing for race day.

Actually, I can see doing it without fuel, if you are hoping to train your body to rely less on glycogen stores. But to do it without water doesn't make any sense that I can tell, except to stress your body unnecessarily.

running 13.1 miles without fueling up with anything, including water, does not stress the body. you stated previously that running anything above 8 miles would require the body to refuel. that is false information. my body most definitely feels zero stress when i complete a 10+ miler without stopping for a water break. perhaps you should push yourself more, and test your abilities.

Thanks, but I am a veteran runner, and know my capabilities. I run with a heart rate monitor, and keep myself comfortable. Getting too dehydrated gets my HR elevated, and my time suffers. I am also prone to bonking, so I always carry gels. Really, it's so easy to keep yourself hydrated and fueled, I honestly don't feel the need to do deprivation training.

8 miles to first gel is pretty standard advice (and you see it echoed here in this thread), so I don't get where you feel you can call me on giving bad advice. Why don't you start dogging some of the other posters in this thread who posted the same advice I did? :ohwell:

Out 'cause the derp!

.. Ive run 12 miles routinely with nothing, not even water, no issue. Ran my last 1/2 in 1:50, no water, gels or nothing. I don't know. It's an academic argument, really. I say that, because people do it constantly all the time. So, it's not really an issue for people that do it. It might be an issue if you can't do it. But, then I would ask if you've tried. The body is freaking amazing. You don't need glycogen stores. You can run on fat. if you don't have fat, then I don't know what happens. But, people do it all the time.

they used to not have gels. Those are a pretty recent thing. What did they do in the 1850's, or the 1970's?

You were doing so well until you got the the bold part, which is just not true. Hitting the wall in the marathon is because the body's stores of glycogen are nearly depleted. When it gets to a certain level, the body starts reserving what is left for essential brain function. So, it's impossible to have completely depleted the glycogen store making your statement that you can run [only] on fat incorrect. Long runs train the body to use a higher percentage of fat than glycogen but we never go to 100% fat. If we did, then weight loss would be a breeze!

I don't buy it. I don't think a 1/2 marathon will cause a human being to complete deplete their glygogen stores. I think this is more academic since people do it all the time. I have done it, others have done it. i don't see why it's being argued. We do it. So, no, you don't need gels and water for a 13.1 mile run.

In a marathon, yes, the "wall" is well-known. I have never studied what that is, but assume it's where you run out of energy. But, people finish marathon all around the world all the time. So, I'm not sure where this "wall" lies. While I don't think the wall is imaginary, I also think it is overcome by the mind.

I know that it's common for marathoners to eat or at least do the gels during a full marathon, but how about a half? I'm signed up to run my first 1/2 in Orlando next weekend. Do I pack a bag of almonds? A Clif bar? Gel? Nothing? I haven't been training with any food, but I've also only run up to 10 miles at the longest.

Any advice?

I'm with you. I hate the oldskool push yourself to the wall brand of assvice. So, I need to take nutrition starting at around mile 7, bfd! N

You must be confused. Deprivation training doesn't mean "run till you puke" or "no pain, no gain". My runs are comfortable even without fuel or fluids, If you are running to the the wall as you describe, then you are either running faster or farther (or both!) than you are capable of and slowing down or going shorter would serve you far better than a banana and a gatorade.

Goody for you! You have my heartiest congratulations. :drinker:

I really detest being called confused and incapable. How effing patronizing.

I sincerely apologize if you felt that I was being patronizing. That is not, and never will be my intent. That's what I get for trying to fire off a quick post will working on Thanksgiving dinner for tomorrow.

Let me rephrase.

Please don't confuse deprivation training with the old school, run to you puke theory because they are not the same. Easy runs are run easy, just without fuel or water. Workouts are done at the correct pace for the runner's (I will use "runner(s)" instead of "you", because my comments are not intended to be about you, but rather runners in general) current level of fitness. If a runner is hitting the wall regularly in workouts, then they are most likely running their workouts at paces or a distances which is beyond their current ability level.

That is what I was trying to say and I'm sorry that you interpreted it as a personal slight, because it was not intended that way.