David Gillespie - Marathon training without fructose

25 Mar 2012 7:01 AM

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Message # 867807

Deleted user

Hi everyone. My husband and I have been cold-turkey on fructose-intolerance since October 2011. My husband is approaching his big 40th birthday, so he has decided to not only lose weight, but also complete, not one, but two marathons in 2012. All this coming from someone who has never been a runner in his life...

He is in full training, which requires a long run once per week (longer than 20km). He's struggling with energy levels during the last third of the long runs. Traditional running advice would be to get a sugar hit via sports drink or lollies about half way through the run. He's tried carb loading with pasta the night before a big run, which has had some helpful effect, but is still struggling. He also needs a nutrition plan for the race, when he finally gets there.

Any hints for fructose-free nutrition for marathon training?

26 Mar 2012 12:35 AM

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Reply # 868280 on 867807

Anonymous member

I guess you could try glucose sweetened drinks or snacks? Probably have to make your own, there are some recipes in one of David's books ( Sweet Poison the Quit Plan I think?)

In the book he says that Lucozade Original is a glucose-only drink, ie no fructose. If that is still the case it could be useful for sportspeople. He did specify the original flavour and not any other Lucozade. Hopefully the information on the label makes it clear.

Good luck! best wishes, Sandra

Last modified: 26 Mar 2012 12:36 AM | Anonymous member

27 Mar 2012 4:04 AM

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Reply # 869308 on 867807

Anonymous

I have a friend who is into dragon-boat racing. Before each race the team wops down a handful of glucose tablets to provide them with extra energy.

You can buy them in the chemist's for about $2 for a pack of about 30 tablets. Could be the way for hubby to go :-)

27 Mar 2012 7:11 AM

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Reply # 869367 on 867807

Deleted user

There are actually quite a few fructose free energy gels on the market. I run marathons and have recently discovered I'm fructose intolerant. Apparently Shotz brand of gels contains no fructose - just glucose. I haven't yet been able to find them in any bike shops in my area but their website has a list of places that sell them. I have just found another type from a local health food shop. They are "Balance Endurance Energy Squeezegel". They contain maltodextrin and flavours with no fructose. They have same level of carbs as more well known gels and are much cheaper. I haven't yet tried them (have been too lazy to run lately) so can't tell you how they taste. I have never eaten lollies during a race - just use water and gels.

27 Mar 2012 7:15 AM

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Reply # 869368 on 867807

Deleted user

Look at coolrunning.com.au for great running advice. But standard advice is consume 1-2 gels and lots of water each hour and dont wait to eat or drink when you get hungry/thirsty because by then it is too late.

28 Mar 2012 4:48 PM

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Reply # 870974 on 867807

Deleted user

Thanks for your help, Sandra, John and Anthony.

We'll chase up the sugar-free gels, although will have to check the substitute sweeteners, if they use them. Lucozade Original seems to be difficult to find at my local supermarkets, which are of course full of high sugar "sports" drinks...

Cheers,

Loral and Dom