The half marathon is a tricky distance when it comes to fueling. You absolutely need fuel, but how much, what type and how often depends on a number of factors; like the amount of time you’ve been running long distances or how fast you can complete the race.
For those targeting their first half marathon, knowing when to fuel, how much to eat, and what to consume can be confusing. Ok fine, even after running them for years a lot of us are still trying to figure what we need!
Having a good half marathon fueling strategy could be the final piece to hitting your next PR. I’ve seen this in so many athletes that we’ve coached over the last 10+ years. It’s the thing that helps to put your training to work.
So let’s break down some half marathon fueling questions and strategies to make it easier for us all, shall we?<
Do I Need to Fuel During a Half Marathon?
Your body relies on two primary sources of fuel to feed the muscles during long runs—fat and carbohydrates.
Since fat breaks down slowly, it’s not the most effective source of quick energy, however it’s what your body will use more on during base building and long easy runs. This is what people refer to when talking about being fat adapted.
That’s great, but DOES NOT MEAN that you don’t need…
