Hope everyone had a good long weekend. Feels like a fitting time to talk about eating and drinking, since it's probably still fresh on your mind from all the holiday grilling. Not the most glamorous topic, but it's the difference between a good day out there and a rough one. No hard rules here, just a few things worth thinking about before October.
Practice Now, Not on Race Day 🍌
Whatever you plan on eating and drinking out there, try it on a long run first. Race day isn't the time to find out a new gel doesn't sit right with you. If you're out for a few hours at a time in training, treat it as a dress rehearsal for your stomach as much as your legs.
Know What's at the Aid Stations 🥤
New this year: alongside our usual Tailwind Endurance Fuel for calories, we'll also have Tailwind Rapid Hydration on hand for your electrolyte needs. The race guide has the full rundown of what you'll find at each aid station, so it's worth a look to know what to expect and what you might want to carry yourself in between.
Plan Your Pace (and Your Fueling) 📊
Both of these let you download GPX/TCX files and print maps -- knowing roughly when you'll hit each aid station makes it a lot easier to plan what you'll eat and drink along the way:
Everyone's stomach handles a long day differently, and what works for the person next to you might not work for you. If something's not sitting right out there, it's okay to slow down, walk it out, and figure it out rather than push through.
