No energy... - Clubhouse - Runner's World

Ratbag

pirate

19/08/2002 at 09:50

OK guys and gals.. (Sounds like Jimmy Saville) I need to get some help advice etc...

During the BB 1/2 yesterday, Mrs RB had a strange phenomenon in that she seemed to 'hit the wall' at about 4 miles!!!!!

She described it a little like hypoglycaemia (sp?) in that she was fine and dandy one minute then suddenly felt drained of all energy. So much so that even a brisk walk was out of the question. We (I?) eventually got her dragged around in about 2.27 but for her it was a nightmare.

Breakfast at around 7.30 was a cup of tea and 2 x Weetabix, followed by plenty of water. We had pasta the night before so carbs should have been up to scratch. We took Lucozade Sport with us to drink going round and a sachet of energy gel (just in case). The gel seemed to do no good at all BTW.

So the question is, what went wrong? What can we do to avoid this situation in future? For the ladies, can pre TOTM have an effect?

Any help much appreciated as we need to get something sorted before Windsor. (During the run yesterday Mrs RB said several times that she wasn't ****** well going to run ever again!!!)

I know that someone out there has an answer so let's be having you...

Many thanks,

All the best,

RB

Don Minquez

19/08/2002 at 10:00

The poor girl! I've found that altohugh really minging, gels really work for me. Is the lady in question used to doing the distance? If so, theres a chance she's oing down with something cos thats the way I feel when I run and I'm ill.

Hope she ******* gets back into running again soon!

Jon

Snoop Dogg

19/08/2002 at 10:34

Probably too much nooky the night before, leaving her shagged out.

Suggests she ditches her boyfriend and gets back together with you again for a bit of peace and quiet...

Giant Haystacks

19/08/2002 at 10:46

PMT, RB, much less of a mouthful than pre TOTM! Yes, I've found that PMT can have all sorts of strange effects from migraines to not been able to drink! Perhaps, Mrs RB, should get herself to a GP, though, to be on the safe side. I'm no doc, but does sound like some sort of blood sugar level fluctuation, possibly overload - but I have no idea. BTW, well done to her in getting round in 2:27 if she felt like that at 4 miles. Of course, she'll do Windsor!

Don Minquez

19/08/2002 at 10:57

Snoop! You've come back! Nice photo Dawg! Word up!

Wolf with Runs

19/08/2002 at 11:19

OK, here's a couple of thoughts from someone who also suffered at BB....

1) get blood iron levels checked. females are usually lowere than males and a work colleague of mine had a huge prob with fatigue and it turned out to be this. iron tablets did the trick

2) check training (which i am doing as we speak). 13 miles is no small distance and although some of the more optimistic amongst us, might think that it's do-able on an low training mileage (ahem), i reckon that to really finish comfortably it needs a fair bit of investment in pre-race training. i actually reckon that your 30+ miles/week is about on target RB for about 6 weeks min.....what's mrs RB previous longest to today , what's her weekly mileage.

the training thing for me has always been binary - lots of training=good run; lo training=bad run......

...an elegant logic that was borne out in spades yesterday morning

Don Minquez

19/08/2002 at 11:33

WWR- So... I can realistically run 10 miles before getting completely pooped, run 30+ per week but as the Windsor 1/2 website I've got 41 days and counting!!!!!!!

Don Minquez

19/08/2002 at 11:33

Forgot to ask if thats doable?!

Wolf with Runs

19/08/2002 at 11:36

jon

your laughing: but i'm in real trouble mate.....

in 13 days i hope to run (swim???) the budapest half marathon

in 34 days the new forest half will find me out

in 41 days i will regret entering the windsor half

and in 48 days the henley half will take its toll

OH dear me ...what have i done?

Dustin

19/08/2002 at 11:37

For a half marathon in 6 weeks , your long runs now should be up to about 15 miles.

Wolf with Runs

19/08/2002 at 11:38

there you go.....

Dustin

19/08/2002 at 11:40

WWR - Good luck , at least Budapest Zoo hasn't lost any animals - I read today that Prague is still missing a hippo....

Jon - I was only joking about the 15 miles by now.You'll be fine at Windsor within the swathe of blue and yellow URWFRC vests....

Don Minquez

19/08/2002 at 11:43

YOU LITTLE OIK!!! I'll get you for that! Mind you, it probably should be about 15 miles but what the hey!

PS. Glad to see that Jim Rosenthal was onyl really interested in the Grand Prix yesterday. He said something like "there's flooding everywhere else, but atleast the track's dry"!! PRAT!

19/08/2002 at 12:15

WWR- Budapest sounds like an interesting option. Are you fitting it in around a holiday. Hopefully the weather won't ruin it. By the time to get to Windsor you'll have done so much running BB will seem a distant memory. Thanks for the recommendation of the Crown, it was a great choice for BK junior.

Dustin- re 15 miles. Should you be running this distance in training before a Half. I got up to 11 before this one

Don Minquez

19/08/2002 at 12:28

I think the idea is that you go over the distance required in the race so you are 110% ready for it. I was reading the RW Race Prep schedule the other day and it said, for a sub 1:40 that you should be doing 1:50 easy run... I'm sure I could do that, but I'm so bloody impatient that I always go hell for leather in my runs, which is why I've only done 10 miles!

19/08/2002 at 12:37

You and I have a similar problem there. I think I'm going to get some 15 miles in before Windsor and see if it makes any difference

Don Minquez

19/08/2002 at 12:40

I'm going for a long 'un tonight, see how I feel, but I really think I should get back ot it! Just seen my name on the Windsor list! No. 11654

Redhead

19/08/2002 at 13:08

Hi RB,

Poor Mrs RB.

I've had that feeling too...with me it's down to PMT and it hits me suddenly and I feel as if I just can't carry on. Totally empathise with the 'not ******* ever going to run again' as you feel like ****! Don't know what you can do to counter it. Perhaps V-rap will offer some advice.

I think she did really well to get round at all and definitely deserves some chocolate/other prezzie from her caring hubby!!

Ratbag

pirate

19/08/2002 at 13:09

Dear all,

Just to bring the thread back a bit to the original question... thanks to those who gave helpful suggestions. I'm not so sure about Snoop's reply. Maybe a little upset about my pointing out your 'slight' weight gain???

Anyway,

I definitely think we need to up the mileage and frequency of training. The fact that Mrs RB has been taking it a little easy due to a niggle in her knee may well have been a contributing factor.

If anyone else has any thoughts I would be glad to hear them.

All the best,

RB

Ratbag

pirate

19/08/2002 at 13:11

Hello Redhead,

I think we cross-posted.

Thanks for your thoughts. Maybe the PMT is part of the problem as Snick's also mentioned it. I'll sort out the prezzie asap.

RB