The Horrie and Belinda Show

Thanks to everybody for their support and encouragement as it is this that keeps you going when your body is having other ideas. A few of you have asked questions about carbo loading, hydration/fuelling during the race and chaffing/blister management.

As for carbo loading, I didn't carbo load that much prior as I would normally do before a marathon. I did watch my diet in the week prior and made sure that everything I was eating was going to be of some benefit. I also made sure I kept my fluids up but this is par for the course for me ever since my dehydration debacles of early last year.

Hydration/fuelling strategy during the race was to drink every 15 minutes and eat/drink every 30 minutes. Every 15/30/45 minutes, I drank 150ml of diluted Gatorade which was half Gatorade/half water. On the half hour, I ate bananas, creamed rice and honey sandwiches. On the hour marks, I alternated between half a Power Bar and a big cup of water and half a packet of salt and vinegar chips and a big cup of coke. This was to make sure I was refuelling my body as I went along, making sure I was getting enough carbohydrate, salt and caffeine to maintain my energy levels.

Pacing strategy was to run at a comfortable pace so I couldn't hear my breathing. If I could hear my breathing, it meant I was going too fast. I also made sure I walked at every hour mark so I could consume the bigger snacks and to give my legs a bit of a break.

Chaffing/blister management was managed by wearing my RaceReady tights. I did put a bit of bodyglide between the legs but probably wasn't needed as running in these gives you a free feeling and you aren't aware of wearing shorts at all. I also apply bodyglide under the arms as well as the nipples. I changed singlets at the 5 hour mark and reapplied the bodyglide to the nipples and underarms at this point. I did plan to change into the Tri Top at 10 hours but the sun was coming up and I felt comfortable so decided not to. As for blisters, I did bring a couple of spare pairs of socks but didn't need them. I didn't notice blisters until the end and I had 2 under the second and third toes on the right foot, which is where I usually get them running a marathon. My feet felt very sore and bashed up straight after the race but an hour wading in the rock pool at Avoca Beach had them feeling a lot better to the point where they were not even sore a day later.

I hope this answers all questions but if there are topics I haven't covered, please just leave a comment and I will address it.

Once again, thanks for all your support and encouragement.