So I just finished my second half marathon and I've noticed something consist with each race. About half way through, my body seems like it completely depletes of any energy stored. I don't seem to be able to store enough energy to keep me powered, my legs begin to cramp and my toes stand straight up. I don't feel like its fluids because I'm pretty well hydrated and I'm drinking both Water and electrolytes on the course.

Has any one got tips or ideas what is going on? I don't seem to have these with my sprint triathlons, which are shorter distances (at least on the running and swimming side). I'm wondering if my inability to consume enough calories because of the VSG will prevent me from running these half marathons all the way. I end up having to walk in the last 5-6 miles, which goes against my 'overly' competitive nature.

Thoughts?

It could be... I'll take a look at that and see.

I've bought some real running shoes, some Nike minimalist shoes that provide arch support and encourage my foot to have a mid-foot strike rather than the heavy heel strike I did have. I'm excited to go to the gym today, I'm going to walk for 5 minutes and then run as long as I can at a gentle pace and repeat this twice. =)

I've bought some real running shoes, some Nike minimalist shoes that provide arch support and encourage my foot to have a mid-foot strike rather than the heavy heel strike I did have. I'm excited to go to the gym today, I'm going to walk for 5 minutes and then run as long as I can at a gentle pace and repeat this twice. =)

That heavy heel strike will lead to shin splints and sore knees every time. Sounds like you are on your way!

I'm back from my Sprint Triathlon over the weekend with some observations. Spending a week and a half before the race changing my diet from Protein based to carb-based helped. I feel like I had sufficient stores to complete it and without any cramping in the legs or toes. I tried to maintain atleast 200 carbs per day and went all the way up to 400 carbs two days before the race before I tapered off leading into the race. I did gain 2 pounds before the race but I lost it during the race. oatmeal, raisins and bananas were my primary sources for carbs but also tried graham crackers (that could become a slider for me so I might avoid that in the future).

The 60 degree Water was enough to shock my system and start my heart racing at 7:30 am in the morning and the 750 meter swim kicked my butt but I made up time of the 20k bike ride and 5k run. Even with a cold (did I forget to mention that I came down with a cold two days before), I was only 2 minutes off my projected goals and most of that was because the transition area was further from the swim area than I had on my other triathlon.

I want to thank everyone for their input. It's a wild ride but now I'll include nutrition as part of my training plan and goals.

http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/gallery/image/7146-preparing-for-the-swim-portion-of-the-desert-triathlon/

My wife snapped a couple of pictures, including me grabbing a banana 45 minutes before the race...

Good job mass!!!! Glad to hear all went well! That was my biggest worry about running my first race.... A bloody cold!!! Lol!

Glad to hear the cramping went away! Looks like we might all be getting the hang of these new tummies of ours eh?

No kidding. I went for a followup with my nutritionist and she's got me reading about "Lactate Thresholds' and heart monitoring. Geez, I never had any of this information 40 years ago wen I was in high school and running. This might be TMI in the real sense of the words.

what are lactate threshholds mass?

I'm jealous that you have a nutritionist!! I've just used books and this forums so far......

I had to tell you guys... I'm all signed up for 4 more half maratons this year plus a 10k!! OMG!!

I would love to do a sprint triathalon, but my swimming sucks!! I hate sticking my face underwater so I need to get past that first!!! LOL

what are lactate threshholds mass?

I'm jealous that you have a nutritionist!! I've just used books and this forums so far......

I had to tell you guys... I'm all signed up for 4 more half maratons this year plus a 10k!! OMG!!

I would love to do a sprint triathalon, but my swimming sucks!! I hate sticking my face underwater so I need to get past that first!!! LOL

Here is the definition I was given. "Lactate Thresholds determine at what level an athlete can continue at for an extended period of time without having to slow down, usually an hour or longer. As long as the athlete maintains this effort level, his or her lactate level will remain constant. At small effort levels above this point the athlete's lactate level will rise, and he or she will be forced to stop, sometimes within a few minutes, sometimes a bit longer".

My swimming sucks too but there are two things I'm trying. First, during my swim, I ended backstroking for a lot of the swim after I sucked in Water. It's easy to get off track through and I ended up swimming probably an extra 250 meters because of that but it got me through that part of the race. Secondly, I just got a swimmer's snorkel (a front facing snorkel so I can have my head in the water, face down, without worrying about my breathing technique. This I think will allow me avoid the extra distance and it's legal according to the USAT because it doesn't assist in propelling me. It looks dorky to be the only one out there with the snorkel but I'm so past what anyone else thinks,

You might have to be careful with overdoing half marathons. Four sounds about right if they are spaced out sufficiently. I have a tendency to not let my body recover sufficiently between races.

thanks mass. The snorkel sounds like a great idea! I'll have to look into that one. The half marathons are pretty spaced other than a lululemon one on Aug. 11 and then the Disneyland 1/2 on Sept 2. I'm already planning on just enjoying the lululemon 1/2 and taking it easy as to not over do my poor body.

the schedule is as follows:

April 15- 10k sunrun

May 6- BMO half marathon

June 10- Sandcastle 10k

June 24- Scotiabank Half Marathon

August 11- Lululemon Half marathon

Sept. 2- Disneyland Half marathon

My plan is to get better times for the BMO on May 6, the sandcastle 10k on June 10, and the scotiabank on June 24. I'll take it easy and have fun for the others. Do you think I'm pushing it too hard?

My plan is to get better times for the BMO on May 6, the sandcastle 10k on June 10, and the scotiabank on June 24. I'll take it easy and have fun for the others. Do you think I'm pushing it too hard?

I think that schedule is just about right, in my estimation.