eating on an ultra

[maddaddy]

I am planning on longer races and not sure what sort of food I should take. I usually take energy gells and flapjacks and water. But reading up on longer stuff there is talk of electrolytes, sodium, potassium and so on.Any suggestions or recommendations? One thing I don't like is energy drinks. I need to sustain myself for at least 8 hours!!Many thanks

[Stolly]

Most ultra races provide food stops so its more about snacks. The fellsman for instance is all about eating at food stops... with running bits in between

[Nigel]

It's very individual, this. I'd find it really hard to eat flapjacks when running although they're great energy food. I have used gels but don't like them. I used to love fruit leather bars (compressed fruit) - easy to carry, eat, digest etc but can't find them anymore. Jelly babies are always a favourite. What don't you like about enery drinks? They're the easiest way to get electrolytes in. I use SIS Go or Mountain Fuel but in long ones I usually have a dioralyte sachet beforehand also to make sure electrolyte levels are up. You need 30 - 60g carbohydrate per hour after the first hour as a rule and, if memory serves (check this one) 200mg Sodium - salted nuts might be good in this regard which I do but not peanuts. I find peanuts can give me bad stomach cramps which I don't get with other nuts and I've heard others say the same. I'm tryiing out Sports Beans tomorrow. Key thing is find out what works for you and practise eating on the run - and don't change anything on the day of the event.

[Dynamo Dan]

On the HPM and training for it I found carbo powder in my water, peanut butter and jam wholemeal rolls and pork pies worked a treat, along with caffeine gels and the odd mars bar.

[stevefoster]

Experiment in training with different foods to find out what you like, crave, can stomach
Nigel's already said this in more detail, sorry mate, missed it earlier.

[that_fjell_guy]

Nuun tablets are ace for fending off cramps! For the longer stuff I've done, which is limited, its been energy bars/flapjacks or similar. Trek bars from that well known highstreet health food chain...who's name aludes me. Also the gels etc. Some people do recommend eating fairly normal stuff, sarnies, bagels, crisps etc.

[runningfool]

Most ultra races provide food stops so its more about snacks. The fellsman for instance is all about eating at food stops... with running bits in between

Um, I've done quite a few ultras (5 last year) and I've never been in a race that's provided food so I'm not sure that "most" is entirely accurate.

[protodoc]

I was using shot bloks on the Hobble, they're like jelly squares of energy gel, easy to eat and full of the electrolytes you need, you might find them more palatable than gels.

[Splatcher]

I don't think you need any of that stuff, although some salt in some form's probably a good idea in hot weather (not that I've ever bothered). All I have to eat & drink is Kendal Mint Cake and water, to minimise stomach problems. It got me round the Haworth Hobble yesterday, & got me round the Joss Naylor Challenge last July.

[Hank]

As others have said, experiment and see what works for you. I go for a bag of mixed nuts (including some salted), raisins and chocolate all mixed together. That, an electolyte drink and a few gels works for me. I found I couldn't digest bread on the run, so unfortunately sandwiches are out.