My Forum

Hi Little Miss & Sarah, thanks so much for posting!

Sarah, my iron levels were tested earlier in the year and came back normal.  I was also tested for Vitamin D, although I can't remember the figure, my levels were super low, and I finished a 3 month intense Vit D supplement course in June.  The doctor was slightly evasive regarding my retest results; reading between the lines I'm still too low, but then again, so are the majority of the population (benefits of living in sunny (?!) UK, and the hint was they couldn't keep everyone on an intense dose as a supplement.  (I bought some vit D from Holland and Barrett, but worked out I'd have to take around 30 tablets 7 days a week to match the supplement the GP prescribed..)  So oily fish and sun it is..

I had a DEXA bone scan earlier in the year as part of coeliac diagnosis/care, all normal.

I think I'm reasonably cautious re hidden gluten - I tend not to buy processed food (apart from cereal and chocolate) and even if a product says 'may contain' I will reject.  My partner and children are still eating a normal diet, though, so not ideal (I have sep toaster, food prep and food storage area).

I run at different times of the day - at least twice a week, usually 3, sometimes 4.  A mixture of morning, evenings and afternoon runs.

I suppose a sensible approach would be to keep a food/exercise diary (I have used Myfitnesspal in the past, but not very good at recording everything!)  I'm not sure what a macronutrient is (will Google!)

Litle Miss - I have wondered re hypothyroidism (will google the other one) but to be honest, don't want to look like a hypochondriac.  Perhaps I should take the bull by the horns.  Unfortunately the dietician's approach (although she was lovely) was basically 'You're training for a marathon and you have two small children - I'm not surprised you're tired!" 

Thanks again..

Just rereading my post and it looks like all I eat is cereal and nutella - those are my 'crutches'/indulgences which I can't seem to resist, which then supplement my otherwise relatively healthy diet - brown rice, sweet potato, grilled chicken, fish, fruit and veg etc..

Hi,

I'm a relatively new runner (just over 2 years) and was diagnosed with coeliacs disease last November.  I asked for a test due to recurring bowel problems (constipation generally, but regular diarrhoea whenever running a longer distance or race).  I also felt tired all the time.

I now follow a strict GF diet and don't eat oats either.  However, other than a less gurgly tummy, I haven't noticed any improvement.  I ran the VLM this year and crashed out at 18 miles with cramps and diarrhoea (I also use Immodium!)

I am eternally tired - and I am now wondering whether the problem is related to the amount of carbohydrate and sugar I eat.  I am kind of addicted to cereal, (GF obviously) which I often eat several times of day, along with GF bread and nutella, GF pancakes and nutella.  Food seems to give me short term energy, but then a couple of hours later energy levels crash through the floor and I am just unbelievably tired (so eat more cereal..)

I am under the care of an NHS dietician who, to be honest is worse than useless.  She seemed reluctant to give me any real advice when I was training for the marathon (she put constant tiredness down to marathon training).  She did advise cutting out the sugar but I really do seem to rely on it for an energy boost during the day (I hate bananas!)

Tried hard to opt for non-cereal based breakfast, but in any event I am always ravenous by 10am, and nuts don't cut it.  I am not overweight by normal standards, but I am definitely carrying a bit of extra podge.  I'm not doing the long miles so much at the moment - I ran 11 at the weekend and it was the furthest I've run since the VLM.  I'm aiming for a sub 50 10k later in the year but my running 'performance' is very erratic depending on my energy levels..

I think what I'm looking for is some specific dietary advice (i.e a plan) to cater for my level of activity & coeliacs - say a fixed idea of what calories I should be consuming so I can't just blow out on half a loaf of bread and nutella plus a big bag of minstrels because I'm hungry.. (did I mention I'm a really bad and lazy cook?)  Would a nutritionist be the right way forward?

Cheers

Hello.. newbie here.  Daft question alert.

I'm considering getting a group together for 2012 entry (for my local club/friends).  By this I mean taking care of accommodation, travel, numbers etc.  Before I gauge interest (and please excuse me, I don't have the heart to read through 7000+ posts) I am trying to find out:

 Is there a half/10k version on or near the same day, so I can suggest alternatives for people who may not want to run the whole distance?

Any hints/tips or other organisers who have arranged a group booking in the past, who are willing to share advice? 

It will be my first marathon, consequently I have bags of enthusiasm, and little experience

Yours hopefully,

Claire