Running and eating

SG27

VestanPance wrote: »

For your eight mile run I'd be tempted to push hard on that for pace and then make sure you take your weekend long run easier. If you can fit that run in each week then maybe you can alternate between doing it at target pace one week and a fast session the following.

To be honest 1.5 mile runs aren't going to help much with marathon running. It won't be doing you any harm, but ten minute fast as you can sessions won't help you prepare for running 4+ hours.

Personally I'd suggest forget worrying about your time and just try to enjoy the experience. You will learn a lot about yourself and your body on that first marathon. Just be careful though, many like me entered on a I'll do it once and end up running dozens of them!

Did although it's quite a hilly route so hard to pace but it felt good and was a good time. If I run this at marathon pace I won't feel like I've really worked hard enough to make a difference? It would just feel too slow.

kerri_gt

I've never eaten anything on training runs ( up to 13 miles) and only drunk on an actual race (1/2 marathon). Then again I have also been known to top up with a red bull before a run and scarf Pringles after so I'm prob not the best example. As a fun runner I just go with what works for me, ok it's not exactly a health food ad but if I'm running those distances, I don't think I care.

All the best with the marathon, you have my greatest admiration.

VestanPance

SG27 wrote: »

Did although it's quite a hilly route so hard to pace but it felt good and was a good time. If I run this at marathon pace I won't feel like I've really worked hard enough to make a difference? It would just feel too slow.

If you feel strong enough to push the pace on it then do that.

If you're still minded to run for a time at the marathon do include a few tempo sessions in your training. In the early stages of a marathon it should feel easy and that's something you want to be comfortable dealing with mentally, as a runners instinct will often be to go faster.

Mark_Sanders

Malt loaf is good, also fig rolls, Kendal mint cake for rapid energy (cheaper than gels and I've never heard of it giving anybody digestive upsets), flapjacks, mix of raisins, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds, and pretzels. For training runs in the 25+ mile range, I like to have some proper food such as a cheese sandwich, wrap or pastie.

warriorsq

+1 for Kendal mint cake as Mark above said. Used 2 bars a run in my early days of 26+ mile training runs and as he say's never heard of anybody in the ultra community who has had bad guts because of it

SG27

I don't like kendal mint cake! Might take some flapjack though for some carbs. Don't think I'll bother with gels.