Fluid during marathon?

2 watchers

Watford Wobble Jun 2014 9:08pm, 27 Jun 2014 3,526 posts	0 Watford Wobble I made the mistake thinking I need drink 'loadz' during and prior to a marathon. Experience has shown about circa 300 ml during a warm marathon at the most.
mblnFERCr Jun 2014 8:20am, 28 Jun 2014 636 posts	0 mblnFERCr How do you digest your gels then? Without water they won't cross your stomach barrier....
Velociraptor Jun 2014 9:14am, 28 Jun 2014 30,019 posts	0 Velociraptor Gels aren't an issue for me. I don't use them, and have never had a situation arise in a marathon where I've thought, "I could do with a gel." But yes, if you use gels you need to drink enough to allow them to be absorbed.
FR Jun 2014 9:37am, 28 Jun 2014 1,863 posts	0 FR Last night I was out for around 3:35 and drank about a litre. Took three gels. One every hour. This morning feel slightly dehydrated. But I'm a big unit and sweat like a fat lad in a chip shop.
Ultracat Jun 2014 9:39am, 28 Jun 2014 10,986 posts	0 Ultracat I Don't use gels either and tend to take sips of water during a marathon, I don't bother for anything shorter unless it's a warm day. Probably drink about a medium glass of water in all. If I drink to much I just end up needing the loo.
jacdaw Jun 2014 10:24am, 28 Jun 2014 875 posts	0 jacdaw I used to use gels and sports drinks, but they seem to stop me absorbing water, so I seemed to end up carrying a lot of water in my stomach. Sloshing. Not helpful.
FR Jun 2014 10:43am, 28 Jun 2014 1,865 posts	0 FR SiS gels really seem to work for me. Although I did try a maxifuel viper gel with no adverse effects, unlike ghastly Luzocade gels, yuk!!!
Curly45 Jun 2014 11:34am, 28 Jun 2014 2,333 posts	0 Curly45 I also don't take gels. I chewed a shot block once, but spat it out. Yuck! I have still never tried a gel...they look disgusting. I train on empty generally, so I have a very early breakkie on marathon day and that seems to see me through. I don't feel dehydrated on finishing, a bit thirsty, but am usually fine an hour later. Hungry, but fine. The day after a big race I eat like a horse mind!
FR Jun 2014 11:41am, 28 Jun 2014 1,866 posts	0 FR Sad but true I love the taste of the SiS gels with the huge exception of the caffeinated ones. They are disgusting. During training I never eat prior to a run and for upto two hours don't take anything with me.
Velociraptor Jun 2014 11:50am, 28 Jun 2014 30,025 posts	0 Velociraptor I like Shot Bloks, but that's because they're cubes of sweet jelly and I've got the palate of a toddler. But I'm getting through fewer and fewer of them because I've broken the habit of popping one in my mouth at the start of a run or carrying a couple with me in case I get grumpy and need sweetening up.