A while back I posted about 5-hour energy and Gels....well, I'm here to report that I am now up to 9 miles and using 2 gels during my long runs. The gel that works the best for me (since I dump) are the Cliffs brand...they are 90% organic and do not kill my stomach. So happy that these still work for me as I have a few half marathons planned and now I don't have to worry about losing fuel.

Watch out...those little suckers are good. I've tried most of the flavors' date=' but the chocolate paradise are exactly that to a chocoholic like me. I'm going to put 2 in my pocket to eat mid run on my next long one.[/quote']

I got my little chocolate paradise energy squares from nuts.com yesterday. Should I eat 2 before the run, 2 during the run or 1 before and 1 during? I want to see if eating these good carbs will help me run 1.5 hours at an average of 5.4 mph ( my running baseline speed that targets fat zone). So excited to see if adding the good carbs is going to do this!

I got my little chocolate paradise energy squares from nuts.com yesterday. Should I eat 2 before the run, 2 during the run or 1 before and 1 during? I want to see if eating these good carbs will help me run 1.5 hours at an average of 5.4 mph ( my running baseline speed that targets fat zone). So excited to see if adding the good carbs is going to do this!

I've never used those, but I would recommend eating one within thirty minutes of your run and then the other somewhere in between the middle of of eating the initial one and the end of the run.

let us know how things go!

I've never used those' date=' but I would recommend eating one within thirty minutes of your run and then the other somewhere in between the middle of of eating the initial one and the end of the run.

let us know how things go! [/quote']

I had one about 10 minutes before run (I will try 30 m next time) and one at 30 minutes. I ran for 1 hour and 6.5 miles. I did not bonk, as BTB would say, at 30 minutes like I usually do. 30 minutes is my average for 5 k. I stopped at 1 hour not because I was tired or fatigued, but because I was getting left shoulder pain, chest was tightening a little and my lung capacity was diminishing. Wish I could have gone longer because I had the energy to. Anyone know why I was getting the pains in my shoulder, chest and diminished lung capacity? By the way, chocolate paradise energy squares are really good.

I had one about 10 minutes before run (I will try 30 m next time) and one at 30 minutes. I ran for 1 hour and 6.5 miles. I did not bonk at 30 minutes like I usually do. 30 minutes is my average for 5 k. I stopped at 1 hour not because I was tired or fatigued' date=' but because I was getting left shoulder pain, chest was tightening a little and my lung capacity was diminishing. Wish I could have gone longer because I had the energy to. Anyone know why I was getting the pains in my shoulder, chest and diminished lung capacity? By the way, chocolate paradise energy squares are really good.[/quote']

Was it shoulder pain like you're shoulders were not relaxed? I see people with their shoulders almost touching their ears, they are so tense. Or was this more like a heart pain? If so, take it easy young man. Your body may have been sending you a message. Did you by chance check your pulse when this was happening? Since you're so low carb I can see a large intake of stimulant like caffiene or sugar causing your heart rate to race but 2 of those little squares is really not that much sugar unless you're really sensitive to sugar.

I had one about 10 minutes before run (I will try 30 m next time) and one at 30 minutes. I ran for 1 hour and 6.5 miles. I did not bonk, as BTB would say, at 30 minutes like I usually do. 30 minutes is my average for 5 k. I stopped at 1 hour not because I was tired or fatigued, but because I was getting left shoulder pain, chest was tightening a little and my lung capacity was diminishing. Wish I could have gone longer because I had the energy to. Anyone know why I was getting the pains in my shoulder, chest and diminished lung capacity? By the way, chocolate paradise energy squares are really good.

Im glad to hear that the energy squares worked out! As for the physical ailments. I've had problems similar to that when running outside at a higher elevation or in really cold weather (25-35 degrees). Was it muscle fatigue from running tightly? Were you running at a pace faster than usual? Did you recover fully from your previous run? Could this be left over crud from when you were sick? Hmm. I would take all of these things into consideration and I am curious to what others have to say.

Btw, great time 6.5 miles in an hour! My best official 10K time was 59 minutes and change in San Francisco. It was a tad bit hilly. You are going to be fast when you are at the height of your training. Keep up the great work.

Was it shoulder pain like you're shoulders were not relaxed? I see people with their shoulders almost touching their ears' date=' they are so tense. Or was this more like a heart pain? If so, take it easy young man. Your body may have been sending you a message. Did you by chance check your pulse when this was happening? Since you're so low carb I can see a large intake of stimulant like caffiene or sugar causing your heart rate to race but 2 of those little squares is really not that much sugar unless you're really sensitive to sugar.[/quote']

I am very relaxed when running. I believe my form is good, but I did run yesterday also 5 miles. It could be that two longish run days in a row was too much for where I am at in my training. I am also still recovering somewhat from a very bad bout with the flu last week.

Was it shoulder pain like you're shoulders were not relaxed? I see people with their shoulders almost touching their ears' date=' they are so tense. Or was this more like a heart pain? If so, take it easy young man. Your body may have been sending you a message. Did you by chance check your pulse when this was happening? Since you're so low carb I can see a large intake of stimulant like caffiene or sugar causing your heart rate to race but 2 of those little squares is really not that much sugar unless you're really sensitive to sugar.[/quote']

As for sugar, I have not had any carbs that are not in my protein or green vegetables in about 8 months. I do drink coffee almost every day so think my body is accustomed to caffeine.

Im glad to hear that the energy squares worked out! As for the physical ailments. I've had problems similar to that when running outside at a higher elevation or in really cold weather (25-35 degrees). Was it muscle fatigue from running tightly? Were you running at a pace faster than usual? Did you recover fully from your previous run? Could this be left over crud from when you were sick? Hmm. I would take all of these things into consideration and I am curious to what others have to say.

Btw' date=' great time 6.5 miles in an hour! My best official 10K time was 59 minutes and change in San Francisco. It was a tad bit hilly. You are going to be fast when you are at the height of your training. Keep up the great work.[/quote']

I was running inside so not cold and am near sea level. I ran yesterday for 5 miles also so could be that I did not recover long enough. I agree with you it could still be leftovers from my flu. I still have junk in my chest.

I had one about 10 minutes before run (I will try 30 m next time) and one at 30 minutes. I ran for 1 hour and 6.5 miles. I did not bonk' date=' as BTB would say, at 30 minutes like I usually do. 30 minutes is my average for 5 k. I stopped at 1 hour not because I was tired or fatigued, but because I was getting left shoulder pain, chest was tightening a little and my lung capacity was diminishing. Wish I could have gone longer because I had the energy to. Anyone know why I was getting the pains in my shoulder, chest and diminished lung capacity? By the way, chocolate paradise energy squares are really good.[/quote']

Way to go honey!

I did it!!! Today I ran a 13.6 miles which is the distance of a 1/2 marathon. I can't believe it. When I stopped my legs felt like rubbery noodles and I had terrible leg cramps. Afterward, I sat in ice Water for 5 minutes, took 3 Aleve, put Biofreeze all over my legs, drank a huge electrolyte drink, ate a Protein bar and stretched, stretched, stretched. My legs feel great, but tired. In fact, I'm at Monster Jam with my husband and child.

I'm finally excited about my 1/2 marathon on the 23rd of this month. I know now that I can do it. I came back from my injury and did it. Woo! Hoo! I'm on cloud nine!!!!

Congrats to all of YOU who made some goals this week. All it takes is one foot in front of the other and we can achieve anything. Yay us!!!!

Sent from my iPhone using VST

I did it!!! Today I ran a 13.6 miles which is the distance of a 1/2 marathon. I can't believe it. When I stopped my legs felt like rubbery noodles and I had terrible leg cramps. Afterward, I sat in ice Water for 5 minutes, took 3 Aleve, put Biofreeze all over my legs, drank a huge electrolyte drink, ate a Protein bar and stretched, stretched, stretched. My legs feel great, but tired. In fact, I'm at Monster Jam with my husband and child.

I'm finally excited about my 1/2 marathon on the 23rd of this month. I know now that I can do it. I came back from my injury and did it. Woo! Hoo! I'm on cloud nine!!!!

Congrats to all of YOU who made some goals this week. All it takes is one foot in front of the other and we can achieve anything. Yay us!!!!

Sent from my iPhone using VST

Yay! I'm doing a happy dance over here for you!! What an accomplishment, you totally kicked butt, lady! You are going to rock that half marathon. I am so excited for you! Thank you for posting about your injury. It just shows that an injury doesn't necessarily mean the end to running. Way to go and congrats again!!

Have fun at Monster Jam!!

I did it!!! Today I ran a 13.6 miles which is the distance of a 1/2 marathon. I can't believe it. When I stopped my legs felt like rubbery noodles and I had terrible leg cramps. Afterward' date=' I sat in ice Water for 5 minutes, took 3 Aleve, put Biofreeze all over my legs, drank a huge electrolyte drink, ate a Protein bar and stretched, stretched, stretched. My legs feel great, but tired. In fact, I'm at Monster Jam with my husband and child.

I'm finally excited about my 1/2 marathon on the 23rd of this month. I know now that I can do it. I came back from my injury and did it. Woo! Hoo! I'm on cloud nine!!!!

Congrats to all of YOU who made some goals this week. All it takes is one foot in front of the other and we can achieve anything. Yay us!!!!

Sent from my iPhone using VST[/quote']

You, and all the rest on this topic, excite me about running. You are so inspirational and it drives me to keep setting goals and meeting them. This is so great to have a group of runners to learn from.

Thanks Danyell and Fiddleman. You all inspire me.glad to have the support.

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I did it!!! Today I ran a 13.6 miles which is the distance of a 1/2 marathon. I can't believe it. When I stopped my legs felt like rubbery noodles and I had terrible leg cramps. Afterward, I sat in ice Water for 5 minutes, took 3 Aleve, put Biofreeze all over my legs, drank a huge electrolyte drink, ate a Protein bar and stretched, stretched, stretched. My legs feel great, but tired. In fact, I'm at Monster Jam with my husband and child.

I'm finally excited about my 1/2 marathon on the 23rd of this month. I know now that I can do it. I came back from my injury and did it. Woo! Hoo! I'm on cloud nine!!!!

Congrats to all of YOU who made some goals this week. All it takes is one foot in front of the other and we can achieve anything. Yay us!!!!

Sent from my iPhone using VST

That is remarkable. Go you. Was it an organized run or did you just do it on your own? Where is your half marathon going to be? Here local? Good luck, you will do great.

We runners are few but we're proud.

I just realized today I am burning 1000+ calories when running for an hour (6.5 miles again today). At least that is what the treadmill told me when my weight got entered today.

Overall, felt OK but am wondering about my caloric intake because it is low. I eat between 100 and 150 calories a meal for 5-6 means a day, mostly Protein. I try and eat veggies where I can for 2 of the meals. Thanks to BTB, my second meal is a pair of energy squares 30 min before run. After the run, I have another Protein shake.

How many calories should I be targeting per day with this much training?

I have noticed my shirt and shorts size has dropped from a men's L to a M in the last month and am comfortably wearing size 34 jeans. Almost done with weight loss- getting a few lbs from175 lb goal. Still keeping the lean muscle with high protein and strength training on alternate days( will not need any skin surgery).

I want to keep running for an hour every other day to work on my 10 k training. 5k is getting pretty good at average between 28-30 min when running 10 k distance, but I do some active recovery by knocking the speed down for a couple minutes at the 30 m mark.