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Twenty mile Accel trial-NYMC training run (Long)

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01 / Original postTwenty mile Accel trial-NYMC training run (Long)Mrsg · 24 Oct 2004 02 / This pagePosts 1–11Page 1 of 1 · chronological order 03 / Latest replyPost #11Anthony · 25 Oct 2004

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General fitness, health and nutrition
Published
24 October 2004
Last activity
25 October 2004
Original author
Mrsg
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Taper and peaking

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  1. Original post
    Mrsg
    Archived post
    #1

    Wow! Accel made a tremendous difference! This is not an advertisement for
    Accel gels, just a report from a slow marathoner trying to improve her times
    while struggling with blood sugar issues.

    Last weekend I crashed and burned at the ten mile mark of a half marathon.
    After discussing what happened with several rec.runners it was suggested
    that I try Accel gels. I've never used gels before because they are
    typically nothing but carbs which would not work with my blood sugar
    problems. I was told that Accel contains 5g of protein per 20g of carbs
    which is in line with what my endocrinologist prescribes to keep my sugars
    level throughout the day.

    The difference in my final twenty miler before the NYMC marathon was
    unbelievable. I used the gels at miles 5, 10 and 15. I had no stomache
    upset which had been a concern, and there was also a new experience for me.

    I've been running for ten years and marathoning for five. Yesterday was the
    first time that I have ever run that far and felt clear headed the entire
    time. Normally I'm in a bit of a mental fog for the second half of the run.
    I didn't realize how significant this was until it was absent. Even if my
    times aren't faster, which I think they will be, my marathon will be
    improved because I'll actually be fully aware of what is going on around me.
    What a bonus that will be for my first New York City race in two weeks!
    Thank you, thank you to all who advised me last week.

    By the way, the training schedule I'm using requires that I run the four
    twenty milers at an "easy" pace in the 9:40 to 10:20 range. In the first
    two runs I forced myself to run the 10:20 pace, and it sure didn't feel
    easy. My third one was done at 10:08 and felt easier, but I still had to
    push. Know that I routinely do a 50 minute 10K, so I'm noteably faster at
    runs under an hour. The blood sugar problems seem to kick in at about that
    time.

    Yesterday with the gels I ran the twenty at the 9:40 pace with ease. I
    actually made myself slow down a bit when I saw that I might go under the
    recommended speed otherwise. This run was done in the rain going into a
    strong wind, so the conditions were worse than the first three twenty
    milers. Forgive my length in writing here, but I wanted you all to get a
    clear picture of what a real difference the gels made for me. I actually
    feel that I have a chance at improving my times at the half marathon and
    beyond now.
    Michelle

    Report
  2. Dan Stumpus
    Archived post
    #2

    "Mrsg" <[email hidden]> wrote

    Quoted message said:

    Wow! Accel made a tremendous difference! This is not an advertisement


    for

    Quoted message said:

    Accel gels, just a report from a slow marathoner trying to improve her


    times

    Quoted message said:

    while struggling with blood sugar issues.

    Quoted message said:

    ...I've been running for ten years and marathoning for five. Yesterday


    was the

    Quoted message said:

    first time that I have ever run that far and felt clear headed the entire
    time.

    Great discovery -- maybe this group is useful after all!

    While I don't seem to have severe blood sugar issues, I discovered since
    hanging out with the ultramarathoners that I feel much better with a mix of
    carbs, protein and fat on my runs.

    I don't get nauseated, and I stay clear headed. A small amount of fat helps
    settle the stomach, at least for me.

    I nibble on things like chocolate chip cookies (homemade with spelt flour),
    which have a bit of everything (especially chocolate...). I used to use
    gels along with a bit of cheese (for the protein/fat balance), but shifted
    to pretty normal food.

    Have you tried the accelerade drink? It has the same mix of carb/protein --
    I use it on most of my long runs, and bring some along for my races when
    practical.

    I find I do well drinking a couple hundred calories an hour of accelerade
    (probably the equivalent of 2 gels), *and* eating another one to two hundred
    calories/hour of balanced snacks.

    Another thing which can cause nausea is getting low on salt (or drinking
    more water than you lose in sweat). If you're low on salt, your stomach
    won't empty well, acids build up, and it goes downhill from there... There
    have been a few contentious threads on that topic lately...

    Many ultramarathoners suppliment salt on a 1 - 2 hour basis. (Our races
    typically take from 5 to 28 hours to run).

    Good luck!

    -- Dan

    Report
  3. SwStudio
    Archived post
    #3

    "Dan Stumpus" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

    Quoted message said:


    "Mrsg" <[email hidden]> wrote

    Quoted message said:

    Wow! Accel made a tremendous difference! This is not an advertisement


    for

    Quoted message said:

    Accel gels, just a report from a slow marathoner trying to improve her


    times

    Quoted message said:

    while struggling with blood sugar issues.

    Quoted message said:

    ...I've been running for ten years and marathoning for five. Yesterday


    was the

    Quoted message said:

    first time that I have ever run that far and felt clear headed the entire
    time.

    Great discovery -- maybe this group is useful after all!

    While I don't seem to have severe blood sugar issues, I discovered since
    hanging out with the ultramarathoners that I feel much better with a mix
    of
    carbs, protein and fat on my runs.

    I don't get nauseated, and I stay clear headed. A small amount of fat
    helps
    settle the stomach, at least for me.

    I third this notion. I have experimented with many fuels
    on long runs over the year and find the combo of various
    items rather than simple sugar alone is much better.

    I do best with the milky-type drinks such as Boost or
    Ensure. A pharmacy company here (Rexall) makes a
    cheap version. The main ingredient in these drinks is
    always conn syrup, which sounds gross but seems to
    work well for me. No spikes or sudden drops in energy
    later on like Gatorade drinks. I find those types to be a
    little harder on my stomach as well as tricky - once I
    start on it in a race, it seems like I have to be careful to
    'maintain' the gator-boost with very continuous refills
    from then on, or crash spectacularly.

    cheers,
    --
    David (in Hamilton ON)
    www.absolutelyaccurate.com
    www.allfalldown.org

    Report
  4. Dot
    Archived post
    #4
    Mrsg said:

    Wow! Accel made a tremendous difference! This is not an advertisement for
    Accel gels, just a report from a slow marathoner trying to improve her times
    while struggling with blood sugar issues.


    ....

    Quoted message said:


    Yesterday with the gels I ran the twenty at the 9:40 pace with ease. I
    actually made myself slow down a bit when I saw that I might go under the
    recommended speed otherwise. This run was done in the rain going into a
    strong wind, so the conditions were worse than the first three twenty
    milers.

    Good job! Sounds like you found something that works for you. I suspect
    you might be getting a double effect also - your training is kicking in
    (you'd expect your 4th 20 miler to be easier than your 1st, even after
    several marathons) *and* you've found something to get beyond the blood
    sugar issue, at least for these durations and temperature conditions.
    (sometimes things work differently in hot and cold weather, at least for me)

    Quoted message said:

    Forgive my length in writing here,

    This is one of the things the group is for - to share the "ups" (as well
    as the all too frequent "downs"😉!

    Quoted message said:

    but I wanted you all to get a
    clear picture of what a real difference the gels made for me. I actually
    feel that I have a chance at improving my times at the half marathon and
    beyond now.

    Good luck! It sounds like you've got a handle on your previous limiting
    factor, and your training is going well, so should be some enjoyable
    races for you in the future.

    Dot

    --
    "So many people get stuck in the routine of life that their dreams waste
    away. This is about living the dream." - Cave Dog

    Report
  5. Tony
    Archived post
    #5

    Mrsg wrote in message ...

    Quoted message said:

    Wow! Accel made a tremendous difference! This is not an advertisement for
    Accel gels, just a report from a slow marathoner trying to improve her


    times

    Quoted message said:

    while struggling with blood sugar issues.
    ..........
    I've been running for ten years and marathoning for five. Yesterday was


    the

    Quoted message said:

    first time that I have ever run that far and felt clear headed the entire
    time. Normally I'm in a bit of a mental fog for the second half of the


    run.

    Quoted message said:

    I didn't realize how significant this was until it was absent. Even if my
    times aren't faster, which I think they will be, my marathon will be
    improved because I'll actually be fully aware of what is going on around


    me.

    Quoted message said:

    What a bonus that will be for my first New York City race in two weeks!
    Thank you, thank you to all who advised me last week.

    It's fun to experiment to make your runs better. I've learned a lot from
    the rec.running regulars also. If you got rid of the mental fog you'll
    surely enjoy your long runs (and of course your marathon) so much more.
    Hope it all works well on race day and that you have a great and enjoyable
    race!

    -Tony

    Report
  6. Doug Freese
    Archived post
    #6

    "SwStudio" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    "Dan Stumpus" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    While I don't seem to have severe blood sugar issues, I discovered
    since
    hanging out with the ultramarathoners that I feel much better with a
    mix of
    carbs, protein and fat on my runs.

    I don't get nauseated, and I stay clear headed. A small amount of
    fat helps
    settle the stomach, at least for me.

    I third this notion. I have experimented with many fuels
    on long runs over the year and find the combo of various
    items rather than simple sugar alone is much better.

    I'll fourth this notion and whi use Clip since it has carbs, protein and
    fat.

    Quoted message said:

    I do best with the milky-type drinks such as Boost or
    Ensure.

    FWIW, I've been using Slimfast.

    Super news that something worked for you!!!!!

    -DF

    Report
  7. Brilliant One
    Archived post
    #7

    << once I
    start on it in a race, it seems like I have to be careful to
    'maintain' the gator-boost with very continuous refills
    from then on, or crash spectacularly.

    cheers,
    --
    David (in Hamilton ON) >>

    What kind of spectacle
    Is your crash?
    Do Hash, too?
    Please explain to me:
    What is Hash?
    For what do they dash?

    _______
    Blog, or dog? Who knows. But if you see my lost pup, please ping me!
    <A
    HREF="http://journals.aol.com/virginiaz/DreamingofLeonardo">http://journal
    s.aol.com/virginiaz/DreamingofLeonardo</A>

    Report
  8. Brilliant One
    Archived post
    #8

    << Good luck! It sounds like you've got a handle on your previous limiting
    factor, and your training is going well, so should be some enjoyable
    races for you in the future.

    Dot >>

    What is a limiting factor?
    How best to handle?

    _______
    Blog, or dog? Who knows. But if you see my lost pup, please ping me!
    <A
    HREF="http://journals.aol.com/virginiaz/DreamingofLeonardo">http://journal
    s.aol.com/virginiaz/DreamingofLeonardo</A>

    Report
  9. SwStudio
    Archived post
    #9

    "Doug Freese" <[email hidden]> wrote in message >

    Quoted message said:

    "SwStudio" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    "Dan Stumpus" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    While I don't seem to have severe blood sugar issues, I discovered since
    hanging out with the ultramarathoners that I feel much better with a mix
    of
    carbs, protein and fat on my runs.

    I don't get nauseated, and I stay clear headed. A small amount of fat
    helps
    settle the stomach, at least for me.

    I third this notion. I have experimented with many fuels
    on long runs over the year and find the combo of various
    items rather than simple sugar alone is much better.

    I'll fourth this notion and whi use Clip since it has carbs, protein and
    fat.

    Quoted message said:

    I do best with the milky-type drinks such as Boost or
    Ensure.

    FWIW, I've been using Slimfast.

    I think I remember looking at it once and noting it was
    a NutraSweet drink. I am not claiming Boost or Rexall
    or Ensure (or whatever) is full of savory goodness, but
    I've always hated Sucralose/Nutrasweet/Aspartame/etc.
    and always draw the line there.

    cheers,
    --
    David (in Hamilton ON)
    www.absolutelyaccurate.com
    www.allfalldown.org

    Report
  10. Mrsg
    Archived post
    #10


    Quoted message said:


    Have you tried the accelerade drink? It has the same mix of


    carb/protein --

    Quoted message said:

    I use it on most of my long runs, and bring some along for my races when
    practical.

    I have not yet tried the drink. I may at some point in the future. The
    gels just seemed more convenient to carry.

    Report
  11. Anthony
    Archived post
    #11
    Mrsg said:

    Yesterday with the gels I ran the twenty at the 9:40 pace with ease. I
    actually made myself slow down a bit when I saw that I might go under the
    recommended speed otherwise. This run was done in the rain going into a
    strong wind, so the conditions were worse than the first three twenty
    milers. Forgive my length in writing here, but I wanted you all to get a
    clear picture of what a real difference the gels made for me. I actually
    feel that I have a chance at improving my times at the half marathon and
    beyond now.
    Michelle


    Great to see that you had such a confidence inspiring run. Enjoy the
    taper and good luck for New York.

    Anthony.

    Report

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