Anyone who has done a race above 5 miles, or even gone out for a run in a hot day, has, at the very least, some appreciation for the role that hydration can play in a physical activity like running. Anyone who has done a long run has come home, parched, searching for an ice cold glass of water that helps to seal the accomplishment of a run and begin the relaxation of post-running bliss.
Running ultra-distance, however, takes dehydration to a new level, both physically and psychologically. Drinking water, or any sorts of sports drink, can contribute to mental stability that there is support for you, that your body has the ability to replenish itself, that there is, in some shape or form, a liquid parachute to help push you through numerous other "walls" (physical and psychological) that you may encounter. Drinking small sips of cool water is enhanced by a 100-degree day, or being in mile 25 of a 50 mile run. A gulp of Gatorade, or some other sugary-sweet sports drink can have the same caloric and energizing effect as a large of gummi worms (delicious).
Therefore, a problem that I have encountered in the past has been balancing my personal tradition of abstaining from water and nutrition during a run, and the absolute necessity to do so in longer races. Much in deference to my father and his running tradition, I was raised to appreciate running for what it truly is: a testament to the incredible endurance and resourcefulness of the human body, and the ability of the mind to push the body on beyond its perceived breaking point. This mentality has been lost over the years, as more people view the marathon distance (26.2 miles) as simply an experience to be had, a distance to be crossed. The viewpoint of simply completing a marathon without physically exhausting yourself beyond your perceived breaking point lacks respect to the history of the marathon, in which the Greek messenger Pheidippides raced back on foot to tell of the Greek victory over the mighty Persians, crying "victory" before he collapsed of exhaustion. To respect and revere the marathon (and further distances), to honor those who have run it through trial and triumph before you, and to embrace the challenge and pain that inevitably accompanies it, is something that I have held dear since I ran my first marathon at the age of 15 in 2000 with my father.
Therefore, while I neglect nutrition and hydration in training out of tradition and comfort, it puts me in a terrible position in actual preparation for the critical support it provides in a race. Several times I have had large problems with this attitude, most significantly in two instances:
- Lake Placid Ironman (2006) - I had been told to take in at least 1 bottle of water, 1 bottle of sports drink, and an additional 200-300 calories every hour on the 112-mile bike segment in preparation for the 26.2 marathon. Instead, I took in about 1 bottle of water and 100-150 calories each hour. Needless to say, this came back to bite me during the run, and I have very little memory of the final 3 miles of the 26.2 mile run. In all, I lost a total of 17 pounds that day when they brought me into the medical tent, and I had to receive 4 liters of fluid via an IV before I was allowed to leave.
- LOST 118-mile Ultramarathon (2009) - this is my only DNF (did not finish) in my entire history of running. I dropped at mile 80 of the race, because I had taken in only about 4-5 bottles of water, and only a few hundred calories during that time. This is my largest inspiration for force-feeding myself on my training runs now.
Therefore, as I completed my nearly 3-hour run last Sunday, running in 80-degree unbreaking sunlight in Kandahar, I began to encounter the issue that I have found so many times before. Out of nutritional necessity (and the right and intelligent insistence of my wife, Erin) I am trying to work hydration and nutrition more and more into my training to ensure that I ready to take on fluids and food during the WS100. When I get home, I will begin to incorporate GU gels and sports drinks, and will soon try to use "normal food" (PB&J's, etc.) to increase variety and help train my stomach.
Will all this pay off and help me to complete the WS100 that lies ahead of me?
Hope so.
Please donate to the Fisher House Foundation Here!
Running ultra-distance, however, takes dehydration to a new level, both physically and psychologically. Drinking water, or any sorts of sports drink, can contribute to mental stability that there is support for you, that your body has the ability to replenish itself, that there is, in some shape or form, a liquid parachute to help push you through numerous other "walls" (physical and psychological) that you may encounter. Drinking small sips of cool water is enhanced by a 100-degree day, or being in mile 25 of a 50 mile run. A gulp of Gatorade, or some other sugary-sweet sports drink can have the same caloric and energizing effect as a large of gummi worms (delicious).
Therefore, a problem that I have encountered in the past has been balancing my personal tradition of abstaining from water and nutrition during a run, and the absolute necessity to do so in longer races. Much in deference to my father and his running tradition, I was raised to appreciate running for what it truly is: a testament to the incredible endurance and resourcefulness of the human body, and the ability of the mind to push the body on beyond its perceived breaking point. This mentality has been lost over the years, as more people view the marathon distance (26.2 miles) as simply an experience to be had, a distance to be crossed. The viewpoint of simply completing a marathon without physically exhausting yourself beyond your perceived breaking point lacks respect to the history of the marathon, in which the Greek messenger Pheidippides raced back on foot to tell of the Greek victory over the mighty Persians, crying "victory" before he collapsed of exhaustion. To respect and revere the marathon (and further distances), to honor those who have run it through trial and triumph before you, and to embrace the challenge and pain that inevitably accompanies it, is something that I have held dear since I ran my first marathon at the age of 15 in 2000 with my father.
Therefore, while I neglect nutrition and hydration in training out of tradition and comfort, it puts me in a terrible position in actual preparation for the critical support it provides in a race. Several times I have had large problems with this attitude, most significantly in two instances:
- Lake Placid Ironman (2006) - I had been told to take in at least 1 bottle of water, 1 bottle of sports drink, and an additional 200-300 calories every hour on the 112-mile bike segment in preparation for the 26.2 marathon. Instead, I took in about 1 bottle of water and 100-150 calories each hour. Needless to say, this came back to bite me during the run, and I have very little memory of the final 3 miles of the 26.2 mile run. In all, I lost a total of 17 pounds that day when they brought me into the medical tent, and I had to receive 4 liters of fluid via an IV before I was allowed to leave.
- LOST 118-mile Ultramarathon (2009) - this is my only DNF (did not finish) in my entire history of running. I dropped at mile 80 of the race, because I had taken in only about 4-5 bottles of water, and only a few hundred calories during that time. This is my largest inspiration for force-feeding myself on my training runs now.
All running and no water makes this Brandon dehydrated and disoriented.
Therefore, as I completed my nearly 3-hour run last Sunday, running in 80-degree unbreaking sunlight in Kandahar, I began to encounter the issue that I have found so many times before. Out of nutritional necessity (and the right and intelligent insistence of my wife, Erin) I am trying to work hydration and nutrition more and more into my training to ensure that I ready to take on fluids and food during the WS100. When I get home, I will begin to incorporate GU gels and sports drinks, and will soon try to use "normal food" (PB&J's, etc.) to increase variety and help train my stomach.
Will all this pay off and help me to complete the WS100 that lies ahead of me?
Hope so.
Please donate to the Fisher House Foundation Here!
Holy crap! Your iron man story is terrifying!
ReplyDeleteFor marathon training and marathons, I carry a hydration pack and then take water at stations if/when i run out. Be careful!!