LOLZLetter 297 | How Julianna Fuels Marathons on Candy, Maple Syrup and Uncrustables
Welcome,
Whew, this weekend was a blur! My husband competed in a 50-mile mountain bike race down in Escondido and did really well. He missed first place in the single-speed division by about two minutes but finished 30 minutes faster than he anticipated. Afterward, we headed up to Malibu for a very pricey 5k. The base price for the 5k was over $70, and with an additional $30 to mail the bib, it ended up costing more than $100. The kicker? It only took $1.77 in postage to mail the bib! While chatting with the first-place woman, she shared the same frustration but laughed, saying, "Yet, we still pay for them, LOL!"
But I digress...that’s a topic for another day. Now, onto the newsletter!
For the next couple of weeks, I’ll be adding a mini-series on athletes who have fueled with nontraditional items, and it just worked.
Up first is Julianna Biedenfeld from Des Moines, IA. Whether it’s Uncrustables, candy, or maple syrup, there are plenty of alternative options for endurance events that aren’t gels. While I realize this approach is more common in trail races, it’s fascinating to see how some people are fueling road events this year.
To see previous fueling newsletters:
Running wasn’t always part of my life, but like many people during COVID, I was drawn to it as a way to improve my health without the need for a gym. Running had such a low barrier to entry, and (contrary to what you might see from “runfluencers”) you don’t need those $200 running shoes to start out 🤣. I began with a couch-to-5K program — a couple of times, admittedly — but it helped me build up to running a couple of miles at a time. Fast forward to today, and running has transformed into a social outlet with friends and a key part of my life. Since 2022, I’ve completed a half marathon, two full marathons, and two 10Ks, with many more races on the horizon!
Taking on the Marathon Challenge
In 2022, a close friend asked if I’d join her for a marathon. At the time, I had only raced in 5Ks, but for some reason, I agreed! With just a few races under my belt, I had a lot to learn, especially about the unique demands of marathon training, like proper fueling. Initially, I relied on the bare minimum of gels during training, but I didn’t enjoy their taste (and they’re pricey!). Just before my first marathon in 2023, I stumbled upon an expo booth offering maple syrup packets from Anderson’s Maple Syrup. To my surprise, I loved the taste, and the nutrition was on par with traditional gels. It was too late to incorporate it fully into my first marathon plan, but I kept it in mind for the future.
Trying Out New Fuel: Maple Syrup, Candy & More
For my second marathon, I decided to get creative with fueling. Besides maple syrup, I experimented with different high-carb snacks that were more budget-friendly and, quite honestly, fun to eat. I’d heard that some endurance runners used candy like Skittles, so I tried Nerd Clusters and gummy worms. I even included applesauce pouches and Uncrustables for the longer runs to add some variety and actual food to my fuel lineup.
Training with these unique fuel sources went surprisingly well. I found that I felt better after my long runs, which I attribute partly to experience and partly to my new fueling methods. Beyond providing the nutrition I needed, these snacks made long runs more enjoyable. Having something tasty to look forward to encouraged me to fuel more frequently, which kept my energy up.
My Fueling Routine: Candy, Maple Syrup & Hydration
During my training, I try to remember to take a drink of water every 10 minutes, with a sip of syrup or a piece of candy every 20 minutes in addition to every mile. Being a slower runner (12-13 minute/mile pace), this approach gives me some fuel at least every mile, with a little extra in between. With the syrup in a soft flask, it’s easy to grab a sip, just like taking a drink of water. Sometimes, grabbing candy out of my Ziploc bag is a bit of a struggle, but that brief challenge gives me something else to focus on for a few seconds 😂.
I space out Uncrustables and applesauce pouches a little more, about every 4 miles. The longer I run, the more my stomach can turn; eating an Uncrustable at mile 20 just doesn’t sound good, so I try to have those earlier in my 4-mile splits. Applesauce pouches fill in the gaps, being easy to digest and consume, making them a great snack for later in the race.
How I Carried My Non-Traditional Fuel
Carrying this unconventional fuel was a little tricky at first, but I found ways to make it work. I kept my maple syrup in a reusable soft flask that I tucked into the pocket or waistband of my shorts. Though it would warm up during long runs, the taste was pure bliss — it felt like a little sip of breakfast! I counted out a few Nerd Clusters or gummy worms per mile, packed them with Ibuprofen in a small Ziploc bag, and slipped it into my pocket or hydration pack alongside applesauce pouches and the occasional Uncrustable. Not only was I getting the energy I needed, but it also helped break down long runs by giving me something to look forward to every mile.
What’s Next in Running?
For now, I don’t have any long-distance races planned, so I haven’t thought much about trying new fueling options. However, I’ve heard that some runners use pickles for their sodium content, so I’d love to experiment with those in the future! My next planned race is a 10K in April 2025, and I’ll likely run another half marathon sometime in 2025.
My Fueling Advice for Long Distance Runners
For fellow long-distance runners who struggle with gels, I highly recommend exploring alternative options! Running is so much more fun when you have candy or breakfast treats at hand. Giving yourself a small treat every mile or so not only fuels you but can mentally break up those grueling miles. Just remember to test any new fueling methods early in training to make sure they work for your body.
Thank you Julianna for your time and you can follow Julianna on instagram.
What is keeping me entertained?
Brooks Glycerin Max Shoe Review
Who Gets the TikTok in the Divorce? The Messy Fight Over Valuable Social Media Accounts: Not a running article, but this was fascinating.
SEC Reducing Cross Country and Track Rosters: I don't see how having a cross country roster of 10 makes any sense? It is easy for 3-4 high level cross country team members to get injured in a season.
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I get the slow running, that’s all I can do now . New hip and such . But that stuff is just junk . Bad fuel . … or is it;))) . Go run ! Enjoy . Banana or a candy bar ? Candy bar!! Yes