Bitten by the Marathon Bug!

Last weekend, I completed my second marathon - the Mercedes Marathon in Birmingham, AL. Despite an unfamiliar course, more hills and a concussion three days before the marathon, my official finish time (chip time) was 3 1/2 minutes faster than my previous marathon time. Only in Alabama can you fall and hit your head on the ice and three days later, run in 60-degree weather during a marathon:)

Best of all, I felt much better during the race and afterwards!  The recovery was shorter and I didn’t have dehydration and potassium loss issues.  Ongoing training obviously helped, but I really think that tweaking my hydration and electrolyte plan accounted for most of the improvement.  For the Mercedes Marathon, I made two changes:

• I used Nuun tablets (available in Fleet Feet) instead of water and gatorade. The Nuun tablets (mixed with water) offer quicker absorption and a higher sodium content. I used four of them before and during the marathon, filling my water bottle at most aid stations.
• Instead of salt tablets, I used S!caps.  These capsules provide the major blood plasma electrolytes – sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, and phosphate – needed to get through a grueling long-distance run.

If you are struggling with distance runs, don’t give up.  Keep trying different hydration and electroyte options, along with recovery (ice baths vs. warm epsom salts baths) and running shoes. What works for you at one level, may change as you add mileage or speed. I had to change running shoes and inserts when I began training for my first marathon. One of the best ways to find what works best for you is to do your long training runs with others to see what works for them.  If you have a running specialty store in your area, the employees can be a wealth of helpful information. I couldn’t function without our local Fleet Feet staff! 

Running Web sites provide great information ranging from upcoming races to training to gear and hydration. My favorites include:

http://www.runnersworld.com/

http://www.active.com/running

http://www.runningtimes.com/

So what are you waiting for…get out there and get moving!  Before you know it, you’ll be sporting a 26.2 plaque on your car:)

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