Jen, I love this blog idea!!
Hello everyone, my name is Heather Shenkman. I'm a 32 year-old cardiologist living in Los Angeles. I've been doing triathlons for a little over two years. I have a blog called VeganHeartDoc, where I talk about medicine, heart disease, vegan diets, and my triathlon training.
My goal for this year is to complete my first half-ironman race, Vineman 70.3 on July 20, 2008. Yesterday, I ran the City of Angels Half Marathon.
So here's the first question for the blog: For longer distance races, do any of you have any suggestions of how to keep from getting gastrointestinal upset during the race? Yesterday my stomach felt awful halfway through the race and even for the four or five hours after finishing. Ideas??? I would hate for this to happen during my 70.3.
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I'd like to know more about this, too, especially for longer races like 1/2 IMs. I've heard athletes talk about things like fiber-tapers??? How does this work? Is it really a good idea? (Seems to me like it could be, er, counterproductive... )
Congrats on the 1/2 Mary.
There are so many reasons this can happen. Experiment with nutrition throughout your training.
One thing to consider during a longer race is sodium intake. You need to replace your salts or no fluids will be absorbed after a while. This will cause problems for sure.
With the fiber reduction I just switch to white stuff(Bagel, pasta, rice and so on). I also cut down on high fiber like broccoli and beans. I found lentils to provide good protein without the duck calls.
Dave Scott has mentioned Sushi to run clean the night before a race.
I assume since he was vegan when he raced, he ate veggie rolls.
I have done a couple of half IMs and one IM and I didn't have many problems with my intestines. I used Gu gels and Clif bars and LOTS of Gatorade/sports drink. When you start doing long bike rides and runs, try out different methods. I've never done the fiber reduction, but it seems like a really good idea. I'll look into it. I love this blog!
You know how many omnivores balk at the idea of a vegan diet, and wonder WHAT WOULD I POSSIBLY EAT? That's my reaction to a fiber taper. I generally consume whole foods, many of them raw, and the idea of switching to white flour pasta & such days before what's going to be the most physically challenging event I've ever done feels so counterintuitive. Seems to me that maybe the "quick exit" approach is the way to go - lots of fruits and greens and such. But I don't know.
Crystal, How did you go about providing all your own Clif Bars throughout the IM? I'm assuming it's not what the race was officially handing out, since it seems like Power Bar is their bar of choice. Any tips on that front? (Gee, that might be a post in its own...)
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