Tag Archive for: endurance events

Maximize Your Performance with GU’s Expert Nutrition Planning

Months of training lead up to your pursuit of a personal best at the 3M Half Marathon. To support your efforts, GU Energy Labs, the Official Energy Gel and Chew of the 3M Half Marathon, offers scientifically designed products to boost your energy levels when you need it most.

Revitalize at the GU Energy Zone at Mile 7

Be sure to visit the GU Energy Zone at Mile 7 for a burst of energy! Here, you’ll find GU gels and chews:

  • Strawberry Chews (with caffeine)
  • Lemon Sublime Gel (caffeine-free)
  • Chocolate Outrage Gel (with caffeine)
  • Salted Watermelon Gel (with caffeine)

Remember, your pre-race preparation is just as crucial as your race-day strategy. Let’s explore some tips to optimize your performance.

Fueling Tips Before Your Half Marathon

In the week leading up to the race, focus on hydrating and increasing your calorie intake, especially carbohydrates. Hydration is key – You can supplement your water intake with nuun hydration, available at all aid stations, to make sure you are getting the electrolytes your body needs to be sufficiently hydrated come race morning.

10 Low carb hit SvV | Voedingscentrum | FlickrThe Science of Carb-Loading

The Mayo Clinic recommends starting carb-loading a week before the event, increasing your carbohydrate intake to 8 to 12 grams per kilogram of body weight. When you combine carbohydrate loading and tapering your workouts, you can store more energy in your muscles which will give you more energy sources during your event.

Carbohydrate-Rich Foods to Consider:

  • One slice of bread
  • A 6-inch tortilla
  • 1/2 cup mashed potatoes or 1/2 medium baked potato or sweet potato
  • 1/3 cup rice
  • One small apple or two tangerines
  • 2 tablespoons raisins
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 3 cups green beans
  • 1 1/4 cup milk or yogurt

Image of GU Energy Labs' half marathon nutrition plan. GU is the Official Energy Gel and Chew of the 3M Half Marathon. Click on this image to download the nutrition plan that can help you perform your best on race day.On race morning, aim to eat 2-3 hours before starting to avoid a heavy stomach. If you oversleep, opt for a lighter meal with liquid or gel carbs.

On Course Fueling: Personalize Your Nutrition Plan

We understand that planning your race nutrition can be daunting, so we recommend utilizing the GU Half Marathon Nutrition Planner. This tool helps you customize your nutrition plan based on various factors like your body size, the race’s intensity, and personal preferences.

Here’s how to use GU’s Nutrition Planner

    1. Pick your goal finishing time and find out what your average pace will be
    2. Use the table to determine your total nutritional need for the event
    3. Mix and match your favorite products and flavors, then calculate your totals
    4. Make sure your plan meets your body’s demand for each nutritional element

 

As you count down the days to the 3M Half Marathon, remember that your nutrition is as vital as your training. By following these guidelines and tailoring them to your personal needs, you’ll step up to the starting line with confidence, knowing you’re well-prepared to tackle every mile. Whether it’s your first half marathon or you’re a seasoned pro aiming for a new record, the right nutrition strategy can make all the difference.

We’re thrilled to support you on this journey and can’t wait to cheer you on as you cross that finish line. Remember, the 3M Half Marathon isn’t just about reaching the finish line – it’s about the exhilarating experience, the personal achievements, and the story you’ll tell after conquering those 13.1 miles.

Here’s to a race filled with energy, strength, and unforgettable moments. See you at the finish line!

Whether you’re an experienced runner or a first-timer taking on 13.1 miles, it’s important to fuel your body with the right nutrition both before and during your race. In this post, we’ll look at some of the best fueling options, so that come race day you can be sure that your energy levels will stay high and that you have all the nutrients necessary for a successful finish line ahead!

Following GU’s nutrition planner can help you perform your best

You train for months to chase your 13.1-mile PR at 3M Half Marathon. GU Energy Labs, the Official Energy Gel and Chew of 3M Half Marathon, is here to help you perform your best! Their products are scientifically proven to give you the energy you need.

Energy Zone: Located at Mile 7 GU will have an energy zone stocked with:

  • Gels and chews: Lemon Sublime, Salted Watermelon (Caffeine), Vanilla Bean (Caffeine), and Orange Energy Chews.

But it is not all about race day. What you do in the days leading up can also impact your performance on the course. Below we will provide some tips and information that you can do before the race.

Fueling Before Running a Half Marathon

During the week before you run a half marathon, you need to focus on both hydration and providing sufficient energy/fueling.  Your calorie intake will be higher than usual and you will increase your carb load. It is also important that you hydrate in the week leading up to race day. You can supplement your water intake with nuun hydration to make sure you are getting the electrolytes your body needs to be sufficiently hydrated come race morning.

When you combine carbohydrate loading and tapering your workouts, you can store more energy in your muscles which will give you more energy sources during your event.

The Mayo Clinic suggests that carb-loading begins one week before the event with another additional increase 1-3 days out. ” Increase your carbohydrate intake to about 8 to 12 grams of carbohydrate per kilogram of body weight. Cut back on foods higher in fat to compensate for the extra carbohydrate-rich foods. Also, scale back your training for three to four days before the event. The combination of eating more carbohydrates and tapering activity appears to boost muscle glycogen stores.

For most athletes, 5 to 7 grams of carbohydrate per kilogram of body weight daily is right for general training. (Note that 1 kilogram equals 2.2 pounds.) Endurance athletes may need up to 12 grams per kilogram.”10 Low carb hit SvV | Voedingscentrum | Flickr

To give you an idea of carb counts, these foods have 15 grams of carbohydrates:

  • One slice of bread
  • One 6-inch tortilla
  • 1/2 cup mashed potatoes
  • 1/2 medium baked potato or sweet potato
  • 1/3 cup rice
  • One small apple
  • Two tangerines
  • 2 tablespoons raisins
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 3 cups green beans
  • 1 1/4 cup milk or yogurt

On race morning you will want to rise early so that you can eat at least 2-3 hours before your start time. This will allow you to digest and not have a heavy stomach. Oversleep? Don’t panic, go with a lighter meal with supplemented liquid or gel carbs.

On Course Fueling Advice & Half Marathon Nutrition Planner

Image of GU Energy Labs' half marathon nutrition plan. GU is the Official Energy Gel and Chew of the 3M Half Marathon. Click on this image to download the nutrition plan that can help you perform your best on race day.Here are some tips for making sure you’re giving your body what it needs so you perform your best on race day. Planning what to eat during a race can be overwhelming. With so many variables, it’s hard to determine what the “right” answer is for you. When deciding what to eat and drink, we think it’s helpful to break it down by looking at the nutrients your body needs.

A successful nutrition plan takes into account the number of calories your system can handle in an hour. It should also factor in your body’s need for electrolytes, amino acids, water, and protein. When thinking about your nutritional need for a race or training session, it’s important to remember that everyone is different. Every day is different. For example, body size, air temperature, activity type, intensity, and personal preference will affect your nutritional needs.

That’s why we recommend mixing and matching products to find out what works for you. For example, if you prefer to drink your calories, you can bottle up your fuel using ROCTANE Energy Drink. We developed a half marathon Nutrition Planner to help you dial in your plan for race day. We all know things can change on race day, but it helps to start with a plan! Download the Nutrition Planner and follow the steps below.

Here’s how to use our Nutrition Planner

  1. Pick your goal finishing time and find out what your average pace will be
  2. Use the table to determine your total nutritional need for the event
  3. Mix and match your favorite products and flavors, then calculate your totals
  4. Make sure your plan meets your body’s demand for each nutritional element

Thousands of participants, friends, and family celebrate plenty of PRs at the finish line festival in downtown Austin

Start time temperature in the mid-30s quickly gave way to a cloudless sky and slight tailwind at the 26th annual 3M Half Marathon presented by Under Armour on Sunday, January 19th. Nearly 7000 participants, the second most in event history, traveled to Austin from 47 states and 22 countries. They ran Austin’s streets on one of the fastest 13.1-mile courses in the country. The unforgettable day was highlighted by plenty of PRs and the event’s first 3-time female champion. Everyone celebrated the day at the massive finish line festival that showcased live music, a beer garden, and local food trucks.

Jess Harper became the 3M Half Marathon female champ for the third year in a row. The 2020 3M Half Marathon presented by Under Armour provided plenty of PRs!

Jess Harper is the back-to-back-to-back 3M Half Marathon female champ!

“3M Half Marathon is my favorite race to start the year and shake off the holiday cobwebs,” said Austinite Jess Harper, 2020 3M Half Marathon female champ (1:13:41) and back-to-back-to-back (2018 – ‘20) female champ. “I love the race-day support from the running community and am ecstatic to win for the third consecutive year!”

Elites complete final Olympic Marathon Trials tune-up

Austinite David Fuentes (1:06:31) won the 2020 3M Half Marathon in his final tune-up before the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials. Ryan Normand of Pflugerville, Texas, finished in second place (1:08:23). Wrapping up the men’s podium with the third-place finish was Nicholas Sterghos of Boulder, Colorado (1:09:47). Phillippe Rolly of McLean, Virginia, was the male Master’s champion (1:10:33).

David Fuentes is the 2020 3M Half Marathon champ. The 2020 3M Half Marathon presented by Under Armour provided plenty of PRs!

Fuentes cruises to victory in his final tune-up before the Olympic Marathon Trials.

“The goal of today was to feel confident, to feel in control, and to make this a great dress rehearsal for the Olympic Marathon Trials (Feb. 29th),” said Fuentes, who is also a 3-time Austin Half Marathon champ (2010, ‘11, ‘15). “I love racing in Austin because I love racing in my city and winning is very important. I’m proud of today’s victory!”

Harper (1:13:41) was the female champion for the third time in as many years. Bolivia’s Tania Chavez Moser, (1:14:32) and Elizabeth Northern of Fort Worth, Texas, (1:15:42) finished second and third respectively. Austin’s Michelle Cleveland (1:24:29) was the top female Master’s finisher.

Carlos Jaramillo earned his half marathon PR at the 3M Half Marathon. The 2020 3M Half Marathon presented by Under Armour provided plenty of PRs!

Jaramillo is pumped for his half marathon PR!

“I’ve been trying for years to run sub-90 minutes for 13.1 miles and it finally came together today at 3M Half Marathon,” said Carlos Jaramillo, who crossed the finish line in 1:27:59. “I’ll never forget what I accomplished at my favorite race in Texas!”

Despite chillier than normal temperatures, thousands of spectators lined the Austin streets. They cheered thousands on the point-to-point half marathon course. Their energy carried participants from north Austin and to the finish near the Texas State Capitol. Spectators hosted parties, played musical instruments, and handed out additional nutrition and hydration. The festival atmosphere stretched from the start line to the finish thanks to the on-course support of Austinites.

2021 3M Half Marathon

For those planning ahead to January 17, 2021, next year’s registration is open and set at the low price of $79. This amazing deal will be available until Wednesday, January 22nd. Don’t miss out on one of the faster half marathon courses in the country. Participants receive the best packet in the industry, full of useful 3M products. Participants can see their results on the 3M Half Marathon website and continue to share their memorable experiences on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Runners can expect their FinisherPix race day photos to be ready in 24-48 hours after the race.

Members of Rogue Running pose for a picture at the 2020 3M Half Marathon. The 2020 3M Half Marathon presented by Under Armour provided plenty of PRs!

Tell your teammates to join you and register for the 2021 3M Half Marathon!

The 3M Half Marathon would like to thank the volunteers, spectators, and participants who made the race so special. In conjunction with the 2020 3M Half Marathon, 3Mgives will donate $68,000 to this year’s beneficiary, Austin Youth River Watch. The following sponsors and partners made this successful race day possible: Under Armour, Fleet Feet Austin, Ascension Seton, SPIbelt, GU Energy Labs, Austin Sports Commission, H-E-B, nuun hydration, Heavenly Care Moving, Dole, Oskar Blues Brewery, Goodwill Austin, Hilton, Camp Gladiator, Austin Massage Company, Chameleon Cold Brew, City of Austin, Austin Police Department, Department of Public Safety, CapMetro, and Travis County EMS.