Hi

Has anyone started to do any long distance running after being banded? I would like to do a half marathon but am not sure how I would get the proper nutrition and hydration. I am currently at my sweet spot but can not gulp down water the way I want to after running. Any suggestions?

Thanks

I took up running within weeks of being banded. I've done a half marathon a little over a year ago.

I didnt have any trouble at all but I dont keep a tight band. The other thing is, I'm in Australia, and we dont do "protein first", that whole Protein thing just isnt a craze here like it is there. Nevertheless, I've been curious and tried it on occasion and I can tell you, I run like CRAP when I eat a diet heavier on protein and lighter on carbs. I need my bread, cereals, rice, fruit and veg to be able to run well. I've never had a single problem losing weight on a more carb rich diet - as long as we're talking good wholegrain carbs, not white, sugary ones.

These days, I run lesser distances, not usually more than 10kms - the half was a challenge I wanted to achieve, but for me personally, training for that distance took the joy out of running a bit. I just found the trainign boring boring boring and with my 10k distances, I've never had an injury, but when I started going further than about 14, the niggles started, and I was always hurting somewhere. I was glad to get it over and done with, say I'd done it and settle back into more enjoyable distances. For 10km runs, you dont really need to eat any differently than the next person, but if you're regularly doing them, you also dont have to lose weight on a piddly 800 calories a day - I ate 1500 a day or so the whole way through and lost weight at the average 1 to 2lb a week level and never lacked energy.

Hi, I was just banded last week but was a distance runner in my 20s. My best advice would be to buy a waist holster, bring a Water bottle and sip it frequently throughout your run. It's kind of a pain but you'll get used to it, and gulping water (even without a band) can make you nauseated.

Sometimes on really long runs I'd drive the route and stash a couple of water bottles along the way to pick up while I ran so I wasn't starting out with a jillion full bottles.

You could also try buying a Camelbak thing and sip continuously. Then you wouldn't need to use your hands. I'm not sure how annoying that would be bouncing around on your back, though.

Happy running!

Edited January 12, 201016 yr by moxie
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I started running immediately after banding. I began running marathons a year later. Ive been up to 25-30 miles a week and I have been able to maintain nutrient levels and hydration. I should add however I do not think I was restricted very well as I am now. I can feel some no a lot of phatigue lately running 12-16 miles a week with a new fill. I think I will adapt and over come. Ill get back to on it if you'll remind me via PM.....