GI issues

First time it's been this much of an issue.  Better now, but it took 3-4 hours...

Hmmm. So GU with water only?  So what's OK with Gatorade?  Hmmm...

Not trying to freak you out or be over-reactive, but last spring I had similar issues.  Except my "reactions" were more like intense attacks of pain in the solar plexus area.  Anyway, they led me to see a GI doctor and by Sept. I was tested for and diagnosed with Celiac Disease/Gluten intolerance.  I'm not saying I think you have that, but my point is that if you are concerned you should see a doctor because there is lots of stuff it could be that you don't even know about.

I go with gel and water most of the time. At Timberman last year I had GU and HEED during the run, which seemed to work fine for me. Problem is that most races have gatorade.

I like to lay off dairy products becuase it causes me to have stomach issues.  I switched from regular milk to soy milk.  Cream cheese, chocolate, milk, icecream, cereal- sounds like a lot of dairy if you ask me.  I wouldn't be able to handle all that, but everyone is different and some people wouldn't have issues eating those things.

Were you hydrated enough?  Lack of hydration can also be a cause. 

Thanks!

  Never had problems with lactose before.  Someone else made a good point about an hour + without water or anything, then chugging a glass of milk - probably not too swift... :-)  Thanks for your thoughts!

Thanks, Joe.  That as good a WAG as any, I guess...I've learned a lot from you here, so I really appreciate the response.   Looks like a trial and error thing with this time being the (hopefully one) error! 

Hey Loose,

Thanks for your concern.  It doesn't sound like we're dealing with the same thing here, although I appreciate your response.  I basically just couldn't stray more than 20 feet from the bathroom for about 4 hours... No intense solar plexus pain or anything like that.  Hope you're dealing with your Celiac disease OK.  It sounds like fun!?!!?  Thanks! 

Yup,

I believe Keith at Endorfun will be serving the Gatorade Endurance Formula at all three of his NH events this year (my 3 "A" races -as a matter of fact)  I'll have to pick some up soon, and experiment a little.  I can use my 1 (Grrrr) free gift card to get me started.... Thanks HB!

Great point!  that IS a lot of dairy in a 16 hour span.   Maybe I should be keeping a closer eye on the dairy intake near workout t imes.  I can't imagine no dairy at all, though...

And yes, I've got to get a fuel belt or something... Now that hour plus runs are becoming more regualar, I've got to find a way to rehydrate.  Sunday was cooler, so I didn't get thirsty, but we all know that by the time you're thirsty, you're already dehydrated...Thanks!

He he.  Well said, Jeanne!  When you put it that way - duh!! 

Yup, looks like a fuel belt will be in order asap.  I'm usually pretty good about salads, and fruit etc...but not so much this past weekend...My wife usually cooks up good meals, but wasn't able to last weekend - so, of course, with me doing the cooking, it's Tuna helper night!    It's a wonder I even lived through my single days... Thanks for your thoughtful reply!

Rick,

Great point! I'll have to check out those articles.  Now that I'm getting into HIM workouts, I can't "fake it" anymore with my nutrition.  Thanks!

This is very interesting... We need some more expert input here....Excellent question!  Thanks, Dennis...

I think Rick nailed it. Anytime I eat (whatever it is) too close to a long/hard workout I end up having bad GI issue (read my half marathon race report at FL ) Ever since I figured that out I ALWAYS eat at least 2 hrs before and I try to avoid heavy/grease food. I am not a the best athlete following super healthy diets as more often than not I end up eating some comfort food, BUT the few simple rules I follow are: eat 2 hrs before any workout (the harder/longer the workout the more calories I eat and vice versa). I try to drink 24 oz of sports drink 1 hrs before workout and continue drinking while exercising. ALWAYS, take a recovery drink after long/hard workouts or just hydrate with sports drink after short ones. When possible it is better to eat actual food over recovery drinks (more nutrients) and as general diet I try to avoid processed, fried or food with a lot of saturate fat.

I don't have the right references with me at the moment but at the USAT certification one of the speakers was a great nutritionist and she mentioned that the reason to consume gels with water was due to the fact that water helps to absorb those carbs faster in the body. Since we cannot replenish the same rate of carbs burned as energy when working out and the ones we drink/eat one to one, it is better if we allow/help the body to absorb it faster. She also mentioned that when consuming gels and sports drinks at the same time might cause for the stomach to work harder to process the high concentration of carbs and this might cause GI problems. I am sure I am not making a good job explaining this as lucid and clear as she did but it is something like that, HA!