Thank you again! Were on a mission to empower athletes at all levels to achieve their personal best, and reach beyond their own expectations. You hear, 5 Steps to Nailing Your Best Half-Marathon Race Pace. Save 10% on all UCAN products by using this link. If you get an upset stomach, try eating a little bit less during the next training session. How To Fuel For An Ultramarathon? - YouTube Consuming these carbohydrates boosts blood glucose and energy levels rapidly, but theres a downside the subsequent crash. At Marathon Petroleum, we know that community is important. An Inside Look at How Sara Hall Fuels Her Training (Sponsored) 2023 Nutrition for Running. Dont try anything new on race day. For all but the last 30-45 minutes, use the Strategy 2 regimen above. Although the packaging a bit bulky compared to others. The longer you run, the more calories you will burn. Do I perform best on 1 serving per hour of UCAN, 2 per hour, or something in between? An average marathon runner, for example, may target 30-60 grams of carbohydrates consumer per hour during a marathon. For some, the gels available at most aid stations will suit their needs. Rather, your body weight should stabilize as your training load and performance increase. It wasnt until earlier this summer that I took a closer look at what I was taking for endurance fuel and how a handful of those options affected my gut and performance. My favorite flavors are Berry and Watermelon. This is especially important during a marathon when you want to be able to access carbohydrates as quickly as possible. It has been a game changer for me in terms of recovery. So, runners learned that we need to fuel during the marathon and this research coincided with the boom in the sports drinks industry. The amount of UCAN you take at each point during the race will vary based on the individual, but most people will consume a total of 1-2 servings during the race. No matter what the distance (5K-Marathon) I drink the Maurten Drink Mix 160 starting 3 hours before the race. Liquid sources of calories are best for marathon training and racing because of the pounding effects of running. Whether you have time for a whole morning meal or not,you should be fueling with 20-50 grams of carbohydrates 15-30 minutes before the race starts. Marathon Nutrition Blueprint - Runners Connect The Guaranteed Formula To Never Hit The Wall Again GET MINE NOW - $79 This is a one-time payment and you get lifetime access, so you can get custom race fueling plans for any future races from the half marathon to the ultra. UCAN Partners with San Francisco Marathon to Fuel Runners Sugar-free Weight loss is not always a good thing. Coach Greg McMillan joins Generation UCAN for a webinar on the top 3 marathon fueling strategies! The main reason for the frequent dosing is that as the carbohydrates are quickly absorbed and raise the glucose in the blood very quickly, the brain senses this (and remember I said it tightly monitors the blood glucose level) and triggers the release of insulin to lower the blood glucose level to keep it from going too high. Marathon Fuel Before Running This one is kind of given, you need to make sure in the days leading up to the race, you are only eating those foods you know sit well in your stomach. The advantage of Maurten is that it allows you to take in more calories and carbohydrates over the course of your run, which has shown to enhance performance. Low-calorie electrolyte mixes not only provide fuel and hydration but also increase absorption of carbohydrates. And I would much rather do so without constantly stuffing gels in my pie hole. Many runners start out running HS Track or local 5k road races where nutrition during your runs isnt necessary. This last strategy is becoming very popular and I suspect will be the go-to strategy for most runners in the future (unless some breakthrough product/strategy is discovered). UCAN is the first thing that goes into my system immediately after a hard workout. Unfortunately, most runners simply stop ingesting as much fuel since their GI system is upset and this leads to under fueling and often a slow down. Maurten uses a hydrogel technology that makes the fuel super easy to digest and quickly accessible as you run. Thanks to MTA coach Lynn Grieger for helping me get to the finish line! So it's important to train my body to digest those gels. SuperStarch exits the stomach quickly and gives you steady energy without the heavy feeling. What works best for me is to take about 2 servings before the marathon starts. Then finally after learning from these experiences and tweaking your plan, you can feel very confident that you have the best strategy for you. Fueling for a marathon involves looking at many factors, which we will discuss in this post. Most sports drinks and gels also include electrolytes. Super simple. Dathan Ritzenhein's Marathon Fueling Journey - PodiumRunner LEARN MORE ABOUT RECOVERY NUTRITION FOR RUNNERS. In fact, I have even gobbled up one of these from time to time when I am need of a snack during the day. Most first-time marathon runners will be out there for at least 4 hours, so fueling before and during your run is critical to performing your best and feeling good doing it. Today we show you how to fuel for an ultramarathon with special guest, and UCAN expert Coach Mario Fraioli. Thanks for reading the blog and your question. You may be carrying some food, but you should also know what will be available at the aid stations along the marathon course. Keep them frozen as long as you can because they will melt, especially the chocolate/peanut butter bars (which are my fav)! The general recommendations are to consume 30-60g of carbohydrates per hour (some people need more, especially if fueling for an ultra-marathon) after the first hour of exercise. Please note that affiliate links {such as Amazon} may pop up on RTTF from time to time. If you are traveling for a race, make sure to bring some of your usual pre-workout fueling options as well as plan ahead and search the area you will be staying in to find some options for pre-race fueling. BCAAs and creatine are not necessary supplements if one is getting enough protein in the diet. I was so excited when the Edge gels came out but they were a flop for me. Thats been a win-win for me and many other runners. Another big plus is that the regimen on race day is much simpler. Sign up to get 20% off Training Plans and get weekly tips from Greg himself! UCAN Edge - - Long run fuel 70 calories (less than half of most gels) with 19 grams of carbohydrates and 55mg of sodium. Sub-threshold. You have steady energy for the bulk of the race and avoid the GI issues found with the fast-acting carbohydrates but then get the big energy burst in the home stretch. For Hammer gels, the top three were maltodextrin, water, apple juice concentrate (apple cinnamon) or tapioca syrup (for the chocolate variety). Manage Account I use Maurten in long runs when I want to "practice" my race fueling. That said, no coach will recommend running a marathon at marathon pace prior to the marathon. Learn how to make your own electrolyte drink here. It all comes down to what works for you. This makes sense, of course, because even if you arent running a marathon, your blood glucose level will fall after 2-4 hours. It seems that marathon fueling is so individual that it simply takes lots of trial and error in training and tune-up races to find the strategy that works best for you. Third, just because its an easier method doesnt mean you wont need to experiment. Refreshing, sugar-free electrolyte drink mix. As long as there is an electrolyte drink on the course (typically Gatorade Endurance Formula) I feel that's what I'll do. You can choose either theUCAN Sports DrinkMix or theProtein-Enhanced Drink Mix. Early in exercise science, researchers found that blood glucose dropped across the marathon and a drop in blood glucose results in decreased performance. I was quickly struck by how the nutritional value overwhelmingly pointed to Ucan as a better option. Use our Marathon Nutrition Calculator to practice your nutrition strategy in training, and pay attention to your body during these sessions. -Jen M. I ran my first marathon this past Sunday and I am so proud of myself! Highly-trained runners may consume even higher amounts of carbohydrates in 80-100 grams per hour. Personally the aftertaste of this was not a winner for me. And recent neuroscience research shows that if the brain senses carbohydrates when you are feeling tired, it quickly experiences less fatigue so you can power through to the finish line. Clinically proven to help maintain stable blood sugar, LIVSTEADY supports increased productivity, sharper focus, and optimal energy levels. Increasing your fluid intake in the days leading up to the race, the night before, and the morning of is going to be good practice to reach adequate fluid status. Ultra runners have done this for years and a visit to any ultra aid stations will look more like a buffet at potluck party than the usual tables of water and sports drink (and the occasional gel station) at most marathons. The secret is out! There are no flavors: Love UCAN for pre race. I just feel like it gives me an extra bit of pep. Before longer or low-intensity training sessions, it is acceptable to consume more fat and protein in your diet. I also drink it on a daily basis just to keep my electrolytes in check in the summer months. The slow-release of carbohydrates provided by SuperStarch helps athletes and active people maintain steady energy levels without the spike & crash. Most of your hydration should come from electrolyte mixes and some water. The fueling begins 15-30 minutes before the race start. Running coach and exercise scientist Greg McMillan and Generation UCAN share the secrets to running your best marathon. Ahead of race day, you should be able to lay out your race-day nutrition with the exact amount of total calories you need for the race. I think this is probably a good product (I tried it once) but the orange flavor contains erythritol, which is a sugar alcohol that upsets my stomach. One scoop provides 25g of carbohydrates and 310mg of sodium. He is a certified coach, Cat 1 cyclist, and is a freelance writer having been published in many of the worlds largest endurance sports publications. The lighter you are and the less body weight you have, the fewer calories you will burn. But UCAN isn't just for elite runners - it's for anyone looking to improve performance and fitness in training without having . From staying adequately hydrated, to training your gut, to taking in enough fuel, these are some of the logistics that marathon runners need to consider for fueling during a marathon. Again, youll want to experiment during training for your long run fueling strategy and see what works best for you. You can learn more about this nutrition strategy in The Performance Zone: Your Nutrition Action Plan for Greater Endurance & Sports Performance, by John Ivy and Robert Portman. Hes the only athlete in history to win the New York Marathon (2009), the Boston Marathon (2014) and an Olympic Medal (Silver Medalist, 2004). I, myself, made the switch to this strategy a few years ago and found it to easily overcome the issues I had with the spike/crash and GI upset in marathons (from using Strategy #1). Soups, broths, salted nuts and nut butters, dairy, breads, crackers, and pretzels can be great to incorporate in your overall diet to help improve sodium intake. Low-calorie electrolyte mixes not only provide fuel and hydration but also increase absorption of carbohydrates. Then once that is dialed in, try it in a tune up race. Ucan is definitely the way to go for me. Consume the serving over a 5-10 minute span rather than sipping on it slowly like a traditional sports drink. Write us an e-mail : sales@generationucan.com.au, EXPRESS SHIPPING If you order before 12am, your package will be received within 2 days. You also need to practice your calorie intake in pre-race training sessions in order to train your gut. Load up with multiple servings of UCAN pre-workout if youre training for over 90 minutes and want a longer burn of energy. water or sports drink, 10-20 minutes before activity drink 10 oz. Agree with what Trevor said about the Ucan bars including chocolate/peanut butter being my favorite too. Long-Lasting Energy, Hydration & Protein Products | UCAN I pored deeper into my look at these fueling options and was further emboldened with what I discovered. Depending on the marathons start time, you dont necessarily need to consume a full breakfast before the race. All Rights Reserved. The amount and frequency of carbohydrate fueling depend on the length and intensity of the event, as well as the runners body weight. At least for UCAN, a good protocol is 2 servings 45-60 minutes before your run then a serving every hour across the run. Hydration Before A Marathon 2-3 hours before activity drink 20 oz. If you start experiencing stomach distress, yet all your calories are coming from liquids and bottles, the risk becomes two-pronged. water or sports drink, Begin exercise in an adequately hydrated state, Drink a couple sips or gulps (approx. In the Combo Strategy, you use the slow-acting method (Strategy #2) for the bulk of the race but then add fast-acting carbohydrates (Strategy #1) in the last 30-45 minutes of the race. Check out the handy chart on the left to see how UCAN simplifies your nutrition for races of any distance. Before discovering Maurten, I always had the UCAN Energy Powder 30 minutes before the race. They recommend one every 60 minutes. Some questions you might ask yourself, and test in training, to dial in your UCAN usage: You should use the nutrition that you plan to race with for your training as well for the following reasons: All of these reasons are best covered during a race simulation day where your intensity level and length of workout is as comparable as possible to what you will actually do on race day. My favorite flavor is Lemon and I have tried them all. These carbs can be in the form of a sports gel or energy drink, and liquids are best. -Sharon W. First marathon in the books! Though it should be noted that you still must work out the amount to ingest so your blood glucose level doesnt drop. Like any other muscle in your body, your gut needs to be trained to take on and absorb heaps of carbohydrates in the middle of a hard run. Los Angeles Refinery | Marathon Petroleum Refineries Adding salt to foods is also a great way to increase sodium intake to meet higher needs. Many people rate UCan as a great product for sensitive stomachs. Or only in training runs? For half and full marathons I end up drinking the entire serving during the 3 hours leading up to the race. heat exhaustion. Thanks, Deena! UCANs breakthrough complex carbohydrate, LIVSTEADYTM, delivers consistent energy and helps maintain stable blood sugar. Instead, it is best to prepare a meal plan that contains a mix of carbohydrates, healthy fats, and protein to fuel your workouts. -Emily H. VERY FIRST MARATHON! HOW DOES SUPERSTARTCH WORKS FOR DELIVER STEADY ENERGY? 1 serving of Energy Powder has 20g of LIVSTEADY carbs and delivers 60-90 minutes of steady energy; 1 serving of Edge has 15g LIVSTEADY and delivers 45-60 minutes of steady energy. For years, I watched well-trained runners fail because of the nasty effects of sugary gels and chews, says Coach Greg McMillan, whos worked with all levels of runners from Olympians to first time marathoners. GO SHOP! When it comes to marathon training, most runners focus on the running itself but fail to also focus on the fuel that your body needs to perform and recover. UCAN PRODUCTS. Adjusting your fueling based on your run intensity in training is essential. Here are some tips on fueling with UCAN during a workout: Consume 1 serving Edge every 45-60 minutes during exercise. It is recommended to mix this with 20-24 oz. I tried two of Ucans five flavors chocolate and cinnamon swirl. The development of SuperStarch evolved from the, LEMON ENERGY POWDER (30 SERVINGS) BEST ENERGY BOOSTER UCAN, PLAIN UNFLAVOURED ENERGY POWDER (30 SERVINGS) BEST ENERGY BOOSTER, UCAN Watermelon Hydrate Electrolyte Powder Drink (Jar). I am practising with UCAN bars before and UCAN homemade gel during my race, off to Berlin Marathon in 2 weeks. Hey MTA! Were going to answer all those questions and more in this article.