The Running Thread --2025

[The Expert]

Catching up a bit...

ATTYQOTD: I love the rD expos and find it's a great way to kick off a race weekend! Though I have club access and don't even have to venture up the hill, I still go up and check out the vendors, people watch, grab a cider, meet with friends, etc. I recall the RnR Vegas expo being a bit of a dud and Peachtree was just CRAZY crowded.

ATTQOTD: For fuel, I discovered Untapped when I moved to Vermont and am hooked! It is all natural, maple syrup based, and they make it about five minutes from my house. I use their hydration mix (ginger) during training and post-race, and their gels (love the Raspberry salted) and waffles during long training runs and races. I have a gel every 3 miles or 45 minutes, alternating regular and salted. I'll throw in a waffle when I start to feel hungry.

 

[KCO5988]

ATTQOTD: For training runs, anything less than 10 miles is just water and when it's hot an electrolyte drink. If I'm going to be doing 10 miles or more, I fuel every 35 min or 4ish miles. I've started using gels on this training cycle after using chews and sports beans for years because I can't take the chewing anymore. So far, they're working for me. Currently using honey stinger fruit punch flavor gel and also liked the Gu raspberry lemonade. GU blackberry flavor made me

 

[Naomeri]

I'm snickering at the first song on that playlist. I'm sure I've recounted this before, but it still makes me (and my son) laugh.
For tunes I used to use a Creative Labs Stone, which was a tiny mp3 player with an external speaker that I clipped to the back of my collar. I start the playlist and just let it play during the race. I have pretty sensitive hearing, so I keep it turned down low and the effective listening radius is only a few feet, based on the reactions of runners near me.
I'm in one of my first rD races, and right as I go to pass a couple of, um, wide bodied women, here comes Queen with Fat Bottomed Girls.
Gads. Great moments in bad timing.
I think that wound up being one of my faster miles as I got myself out of there....
(TBH, it was on one of the wider parts of the course, and they may not have heard anything at all, but I didn't want to take that chance)

To be fair, that song is pretty positive about Fat-Bottomed Girls

ATTQOTD: if I actually bring something edible with me on a run or a race, I've settled on fruit snacks. I also chew gum while I run, so I avoid any flavored drink options and stick to plain water, because peppermint doesn't taste good with many other flavors.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

Another thing rD has going against it, why is everything so spread out and such a hassle. Just let me collect my bib & shirt and leave.

Because rD races are where the gift shop is at the beginning of the ride....

 

[Herding_Cats]

ATTQOTD:
I like to alternate between huma (raspberry or lemon) gels, maurten gels, and stroopwaffles where the gels have caffeine and the waffles do not. At rundisney races I also grab a powerade at every stop it's offered. In races where I have to "self-support" for electrolytes I put liquid IV into soft flasks if it's a brand I'm unfamiliar with (as an example, one race used "hammer" products for the on-course fuel and electrolyte drink, so I did not use them because they were new to me.)

I will not use skratch again because the one and only time I used it, I got a massive headache and was sick immediately post-run.

 

[nancipants]

ATTQOTD: I fuel for runs over 1:30 minutes, which in training is around 6 miles. I use one scoop of Tailwind in a Nathan handheld that holds about 18 ounces of water, and generally refill around every 3 miles or 45 minutes. This works out to every other water stop at Disney races. I alternate between Tropical (caffeinated), Naked, and Berry. I can't do gels and I don't like the texture of gummies or fruit snacks, and Tailwind is easier for me to carry and consume than bars or waffles or any other type of snacks. For really long runs, like 8+ training miles or a half/marathon race, I supplement with applesauce pouches and on-course bananas.

 

[Zutroy]

ATTQOTD: I’m generally pretty bad at fueling during training. I got a Naked running belt during my marathon training last fall, and it really helped me bring what I need with me. For most runs between 5-8 miles I don’t eat anything before and don’t bring anything with me. Between 8-13 miles I’ll eat maybe a poptart or toast, and bring a 500 ml soft flask of water or Gatorade/Tailwind. For 13-20 miles I’ll eat the same, bring 1 l of water/electrolyte drink and one packet of GU chews. I’ve tried the Clif Bloks and find them too big and chewy. My favorite were the Gatorade chews, but sadly they’ve been discontinued. Oddly enough I don’t use chews for races and only use Maurten or SIS gels.

 

[WillRunForPizza]

ATTQOTD: I have recently been learning about the benefits of higher-carb fueling, so I've been testing a variety of higher-carb gels over the past few weeks/months. I liked Precision and Victus. Carbs Fuel is kind of gross, but at $2 for a 50g gel, I will live with it. Trying to do 60-90g of carbs per hour gets expensive! However, I do find that I recover better with more fuel during my runs.

 

[marty3d]

ATTQOTD: Less than 10 miles, I usually only use water/ Powerade. Anything greater than 10 Miles, I usually fuel about once every 5K (nothing special about 5k other than it's an easy reminder for me to take something). I usually stick to gels though for longer runs I need some solid food like an energy bar.

And of course, if its a rD marathon I do need to hydrate with a hoppy beverage to get me to the end

 

[Novatrix]

ATTQOD:
Training: I don't really eat or drink anything if it's less than 2 hours. Greater than 2 hours and I'll bring Nuun/water if the temperature is warm (>85) and a couple of Gus (espresso love and birthday cake flavor.)

Races: Just Gu (by feel but usually every 4 miles) and whatever hydration is available on course. Throw in 2 packs of Stinger gummies for a marathon, since if I don't have something solid during the run my stomach will start growling by the end.

 

[Stitch&Co.]

ATTQOTD:
I stick with the isotonic gels since I don't drink enough water to properly absorb carbs from regular food or gels. For my first marathon last year I focused on the amount of carbs/grams per hour and it really got to be too much. I was only using Maurten and I can now only barely tolerate the flavor and texture.

For the marathon this year I used SIS gels (multiple flavors), non caffeinated (not allowed). I'd take one about 20 minutes before starting, one at 2.5 miles, one at 5 miles, and then every 3 miles after that. My theory with this is a bit of front loading of carbs. I have to say this worked out really well for me. I never felt a crash and finished strong at the end. Having multiple flavors also helped.

 

[jmasgat]

For fuel, I discovered Untapped when I moved to Vermont and am hooked! It is all natural, maple syrup based, and they make it about five minutes from my house. I use their hydration mix (ginger) during training and post-race, and their gels (love the Raspberry salted) and waffles during long training runs and races. I have a gel every 3 miles or 45 minutes, alternating regular and salted. I'll throw in a waffle when I start to feel hungry.

I had no idea they made stuff other than just plain old maple syrup. May have to check this out.

I am generally a "nothing for under an hour" kind of person, i.e. no water or fuel. In summer, I will amend to make sure I drink some water. For longer training/race, I have generally been a gel person, and during races will supplement with what's on offer at the table--Powerade or whatever.

I will say that I sort of expect something to bother my stomach at some point in training/racing. But have I taken the time/money to try and optimize fueling? No. And I don't race much anymore, so I'm not highly motivated at this point to dial it in.

 

[LSUlakes]

And of course, if its a rD marathon I do need to hydrate with a hoppy beverage to get me to the end

My last marathon I did was a while back was at WDW. I was undertrained by a lot and it was hot! By the time I got to AK I was over the day and stopped at the bar next to EE and got a Elephant Foot IPA. Spent the rest of AK portion sipping on 16oz's of deliciousness! A Day or so later someone on here tagged me and said is this LSUlakes. Apparently I made the local news walking in AK drinking a beer lol. That was the highlight of that race, oh and I guess finishing lol. Long story short, beer can help the race day experience!

 

[LSUlakes]

Recently running shoes were discussed and I wanted to know, any of yall run in the carbon plated shoes? Pros and cons?

 

[Fischstick]

ATTQOTD:

I generally don’t fuel during any runs under 7 miles. BUT I always start with a bar before I run (RIP Zone Bars— Double Dark Chocolate love of my life)

For anything longer, I will eat something every 4 ish miles. Most of my training is on a looped course, so I can just stash my goodies in the car. So water and GU, Honey Stingers, or little cookies from Aldi (because the portions are pre-set) and Powerade if it’s really hot. I also like those Powerade popsicles in the summer when it’s REALLY hot.

For races, I just use the GUs because those little packs fit everywhere….pockets, bras, armbands. So easy!

 

[Zutroy]

Recently running shoes were discussed and I wanted to know, any of yall run in the carbon plated shoes? Pros and cons?

For races I’m exclusively in carbon plated shoes, except maybe a 10k where I’m in a low-stack flat like the Saucony A8 or Sinister. Carbon plates are almost always within a big stack of super foam, which is really what’s doing the heavy lifting. The plate brings a pop and energy return when loaded correctly.

Pro: getting up to speed feels much easier and sustaining speed also feels easier. The real magic comes at the end of the race where you feel much less fatigued.

Cons: the cost is not worth if you are not fast or heel strike. Also, depending on the shoe, they are more of a race shoe and have limited use outside of that. The Adidas Evo 1 costs $500, and it’s good for one marathon. Also, as in any high-stack shoe, stability is always an issue.

 

[LSUlakes]

For races I’m exclusively in carbon plated shoes, except maybe a 10k where I’m in a low-stack flat like the Saucony A8 or Sinister. Carbon plates are almost always within a big stack of super foam, which is really what’s doing the heavy lifting. The plate brings a pop and energy return when loaded correctly.

Pro: getting up to speed feels much easier and sustaining speed also feels easier. The real magic comes at the end of the race where you feel much less fatigued.

Cons: the cost is not worth if you are not fast or heel strike. Also, depending on the shoe, they are more of a race shoe and have limited use outside of that. The Adidas Evo 1 costs $500, and it’s good for one marathon. Also, as in any high-stack shoe, stability is always an issue.

Debating my speed as some would say I run somewhat fast, but I think I am not that fast. Comparison is a thief of joy. Ignoring speed I am fairly certain I am a heel strike person, while I am working on it not being the case the wear on my shoes is mid foot and heal. So this may not be the best option for me at this time. Thanks for the input!

 

[Zutroy]

Long story short, beer can help the race day experience!

Lol, this made me pull and reread a blog from 2010 where a runner drinks a beer each mile during the SF half marathon. After my first marathon I was sure I’d want a beer, but I couldn’t even stand the sight of beer in the finish-line tents. I’ll stick to Gatorade, thanks.

https://exercisingwhileintoxicated....y-mile-sf-half-marathon-13-beers-in-13-miles/

 

[avondale]

What are people's go-to pump up songs. Like get you through a really hard workout song. I'm making my playlist for my 10k and need a few more songs in case the music on course isn't "pump-upy" enough for me hahaha

"I will survive" by Gloria Gaynor. If you get the right version of it, she sings it all the way through twice and it's 8 minutes long - bonus!

 

[Novatrix]

Debating my speed as some would say I run somewhat fast, but I think I am not that fast. Comparison is a thief of joy. Ignoring speed I am fairly certain I am a heel strike person, while I am working on it not being the case the wear on my shoes is mid foot and heal. So this may not be the best option for me at this time. Thanks for the input!

The statistical validity of this experiment is somewhat questionable, but I think the Running Channel did a decent gut check video on what you can expect carbon plate shoes to do for you at different non-elite fitness levels.

Drat, youtube links aren't allowed. Look up "the running channel can super shoes make anyone faster? Carbon plate shoes 5km test".