The Great Barrow Challenge

This Wednesday myself and my 2 friends Charlie and Ian start our long awaited 4 marathons in 4 days. It’s been a long time coming filled with lots of gruelling hours out pounding the pavements but the week has finally arrived! Personally I feel very ready. I haven't done as much long distance work as I would have liked but I did manage a full 26.2 miles 2 weeks ago and I have been training hard consistently. I know Charlie and Ian have been really going for it too. Obviously the 4 days are going to be filled with a number of big challenges for us. But for me one of the biggest ones we will face will be to make sure we consume enough food, and the right food to keep us going. The last 2 or 3 marathons I have done, I have used about 3500 calories each race. So we must make sure we are eating plenty pre and post race as well as during.

My plan is to start the day with a big bowl of porridge...and yes I will add sugar!!! This is a good slow realising carbohydrate that will give me plenty of energy throughout the race. I will probably have 2 large bananas as well a good energy drink before we start. Throughout the race we will need to keep topping up our energy levels as well as making sure we stay hydrated. I am genuinely Ok until I get to the 12 miles mark but then my body usually tells me it’s time for a top up. I make sure I have plenty of energy gels and sweets for that quick hit of simple sugar that is great for a pick me up when I am feeling tired. From 10 - 12 miles this is happening on a continuous basis. This will usually be enough to get me through the race. But once I have finished the 26.2 miles I know my body will be crying out for food. It’s a hunger I cannot even try to explain! If you have done any form of long distance endurance event you will know exactly what I mean! I have to admit any form of healthy eating will now go totally out of the window. Foods such as pies, sausage rolls, spag bol and pizza are the sort of thing I will be craving. Basically lots of stodgy foods which are high in carbohydrates, fat and calories. It’s not something I'd normally promote but running the distance us guys will be running will leave our bodies so hungry and famished we will need all the calories we can get. (I must admit that's the bit I'm most looking forward to!! Ha ha...)
 
It is also vital we stay hydrated throughout the 4 days so I will be drinking as much water as possible before, during and after the race and will avoid too many high caffeine drinks. (Caffeine acts as a diuretic meaning it will make you lose fluid from your body.) I must stress that every single person is different when it comes to what foods help them when taking part in an endurance event. I personally find that eating the foods I mentioned really help me but others may well find its other things that give them the energy that they need. I have also packed plenty of plasters, Vaseline and Sudafed cream to ease any blisters and chaffing that will no doubt occur.
 
I'd like to say thank you to everyone who has kindly sponsored us. We have raised a great amount for 3 great charities and we hope to continue to raise more. I will be updating my blog every day after each race letting u know how we are getting on....
 
For any advice on long distance training whether it be the training itself, what you should eat or even what should wear please do not hesitate to contact me.
 
Glenn