Bonjour Monsieur, Comment allez-vous?  Moi, aujourd’hui, Je ne me sens pas très bien.  Je suis malade.  C’est mon genou and mon estomac.  J’ai mal au genou ET j’ai la diarrhée.  Aussi, J’ai vomi.  Pourquoi?  Je cours beaucoup ET j’ai mangé des gels.  

I think that would be enough information to get my message across to the Doctor don’t you?

“Où sont les toilettes?”  / “Where is the bathroom?”  I said to my running partner (in English) as I ran the last of the 15 planned miles.  “C’est loin, et ce n’est pas proper – voulez-vous marcher?” / “It’s pretty far away and not that clean – do you want to walk?”  He replied.  “Non, mais courir vite!” / ” No, but run fast.”  I said half heartedly.

Marathon Fuel Test:

Rewind to 2011 and my first full marathon.  The 2011 marathon training plan had me fueling about every three miles with what runners call GELS.

Most runners love these little energy packed pockets of nutrition, scientifically formulated to fuel you on the run and easy to carry.

Running fuel is big business.  Fueling early and regularly helps to keep the body’s energy level where it needs to be – up, up, up.

By the time I was done with the 2011 marathon, I was nauseated and had severe intestinal cramps.  No after party for me.  A few more similar experiences and I stopped using gels.  I tried several brands, some with caffeine and some without.  I experimented with different brands and thicknesses and drank the correct amount of water, but for whatever reason these pockets of energy continued to upset my stomach.  I have friends that this is all they use – with no problems.  It’s just my stomach.

I’m super impressed with the ingredients and some are even organic.  I’m just not able to use them, so for the last six years, I’ve fueled with real food and plain water only.

I know if I could just use these products I could run farther and faster – there’s always hope right?

Back to now – While prepping for the 50 miler, for some strange reason, I thought it would be okay to try a new gel.  The 50 miler in November is a LONG run and I want my body to have all the help it can get, thus the fuel test.

During the run, I used 2 gels…and drank plenty of water.

About 10 miles into the planned 15, I knew I was in trouble.  You’ll be happy to know, I made it back to the car and back to the house but I was sick for the rest of the day and drained literally and figuratively.

OK – that’s never going to happen again.  I also missed the second 15 miler of the weekend (not too sad about that one).  I used the time to practice my French lessons.

I’m glad I tested the fuel, I’m not glad I got sick.  I wanted to see if anything had changed with MY stomach.  NOPE, and now I know what NOT to do on race day.

I’ll continue to test fuels – but it’ll be real food fuel.  Thinking baguettes, dark chocolate, water and sea salt.  Maybe some marshmallows and baby food.

Boring, but should keep my stomach from falling apart, while still providing the carbs and sugars I’ll need for the 50 mile trot.

Marathon fuel test was a big fat FAIL!

Ne paniquez pas!

Marathon Sock Test:

Rewind to the August eight hour endurance race and la ampoule issue.  The remnants of Hurricane Harvey came through my area on fuel and toe sock test day.  Which was perfect for testing the new moisture wicking toe socks.

Fantastique!  Parfait!  J’aime mes nouvelles chausettes. / Fantastic!  Perfect!  I love my new socks.  My feet felt great.  Thank goodness!  With the stomach issues, the last thing I needed was une ampoule.  

I had heard about toe socks, but never tried them.

After 2.5 hours of running in the rain, my feet were wet, but not blistered and actually in pretty good shape.  Not the most attractive piece of running gear – but definitely effective.  I’m a toe sock convert.  I have to admit all the amazing things I’d heard were true.

Toe sock test was a GIANT success!

Knee Update:

J’ai mal au genou. / My knee hurts.  Oddly enough, mon genou / my knee was fine on the 15 miler, but a few days later on a 5 mile run it fell apart.  Mileage wise,  I have the base I should at this point and I’m not worried about the runs I missed this week (yet).  And I know my knee issue comes and goes and seems to be related to tight calves and age.  I even read increased joint pain could be associated with hormone levels and a women’s cycle.

I’m going to continue to train and pray that on race day – it’s a GOOD day for the knee and not too closely associated with a certain woman’s cycle…

It is what it is.

Knee Plan:  Continue with good nutrition and hydration, calf massages, hip strengthening exercises and joint supplements.  And to stay on soft surfaces and monitor the wear and tear of my shoes.

Ne paniquez pas!

Suz

P.S.  Today we are runnng a 13.1 mile trail race in the hills of east-central Kentucky – Red River Gorge.  I won’t be testing fuel!  I will be wearing toe socks and a knee sleeve.