My Paris Marathon 2023 Experience: Nutrition, Hydration, Kit, and Race Breakdown

[@stevebailey1682]

Stephen...you are not an average runner. Given your age (~50), your ability to endure large (and hard) training loads, and your results...I'd say you are way above average. You inspire me to do better. Thanks for your videos.

[@jennysmith8835]

Top 3% of the finishers, awesome,

[@FilmMyRun]

Oooh was I top 3%? Nice, thank you.

[@FilmMyRun]

Thank you Steve, that's kind of you to say. I don't think I'd want to do much more than I'm doing now. Max week of 100 miles is enough for me in terms of practicalities and fatigue. But running most of it nice and slow definitely helps. What do you have coming up Steve?

[@stevebailey1682]

@@FilmMyRun Hi Stephen...the only thing I really have coming up is to keep running without injury. I too just enjoy the process of running. Cheers

[@ZirothTech]

Well done, great achievement! I look forward to watching the full race film!

[@FilmMyRun]

Thank you. I'll be editing that this week. Much more footage from my wife's run than mine unfortunately, but we'll make something of it.

[@amygreen1015]

Once again a brilliant effort Stephen. A great summary of how you made it all happen. Love it, well done !!!

[@FilmMyRun]

Thanks Amy x

[@jennysmith8835]

Congratulations on your run, it is so great when it all comes together on the day after all the dedicated training, marathons can be a fickle beast, really pleased for you. I agree about gels and hydration on a cool day, if we are hydrated properly each and every day and train fasted then our bodies can cope. I go back forty years and all my training runs, well the long Sunday run were done fasted and without water, we never dreamed of carrying anything, i do feel that running has become over complicated to a degree in particular fueling, but accept many folk feel differently and if you find something that works then great, happy post marathon recovery, your afterglow of a pb will match the Easter sunshine, best wishes Jen

[@FilmMyRun]

I guess what works for one person may not work for another a vice versa. I just remember years ago trying gels because that's what I was told to do. I tired all sorts of stuff after that but have eventually found that I can run relatively fast without anything much at all. But that may not be the same for everyone of course. Yes, thank you, I'm going to live off this PB for a good few months!

[@simonhodgson4941]

Just come across your channel, Fascinating video. Gives me extra ideas when I embark on my first full marathon in Manchester next April, maybe beautiful Paris next if it goes well??😂 Doing my second Great north run in two weeks and very excited. Just subscribed👍

[@FilmMyRun]

Aah thank you so much Simon. Great to have you on board!

[@PeterRemnemark]

Love how you framed story and it was interesting to take part of. The way you manage to keep running at elder age is truly inspiring and gives a good perspective of what is possible if you are committed. Thanks for sharing Stephen!

[@FilmMyRun]

Thank you so much Peter! When you say 'elder', you know I'm only 25 right?? ;-)

[@PeterRemnemark]

@@FilmMyRun of course and it’s difficult to compete with those youths in their lower 20ish 😂😂 Hope the Easter break treated you well. Have an awesome week 💪🏼

[@mattb6873]

Brilliant work. I’ve got Manchester in 10 days and cannot wait

[@FilmMyRun]

Good luck Matt. Manchester is nice and flat so potentially a PB course! Just sayin'....

[@mattb6873]

@@FilmMyRun thanks! First full training block since 2017 so it “should” be a PB. Never a guarantee though

[@ianl4518]

Never doubted it Stephen, you executed a great build up and took us along for the ride, Congratulations. 💯

[@FilmMyRun]

Thank you so much 👍 I hope you enjoyed the training series. There's bound to be another one on the way when I decide to attempt 2:50!! HAHA.

[@gerrybesworth7762]

Thanks Stephen, really interesting , comprehensive look at your inspiring race. To be running smoothly so soon afterward is also a testament to your fitness. I assume you won't be getting any sponsorship from gel companies!

[@FilmMyRun]

Haha, I’m guessing not!!

[@milliejake2]

Nice debrief Stephen 😀.

[@FilmMyRun]

Thanks as always Tina

[@paulpro2010]

Great effort Stephen. Pleasure to meet you on the Champs elysee... I think you was a bit exhausted at that point. I was using the first 5k as a reference for pacing and I was bang on 21 and 42 for the first 10k. Spot on about the pacers they were about 3mins too hot in the race. Was a great race though felt like you was in the tour de France at times. I do think you made an error not checking your watch, I was using power so had a steady reference. All in all that was a very good run from you, a true testament to the training you put in. Its been awful winter for us out there at times. Chapeau 👏👏👏

[@FilmMyRun]

Great to meet you Paul. I do like it when the crowd closes in on you like the TdF. Makes it feel very exciting. Pacers really are a lottery. Sometimes you'll get a good one. Other times they can be rubbish. The watch thing is an experiment set by my coach/friend Stu. He wants me to stop being tied to my watch as he feels it restricts you. Without the watch you can run free and often you'll run faster. On this occasion I was being a bit lazy I think! Normally I am all about even splits and checking the watch constantly!

[@michaelcultra4496]

Huge congratulations on your time Stephen you have inspired me to get out and make an effort

[@FilmMyRun]

Well done Michael. Do you have anything planned? I usually find that putting something concrete in the diary gives me something to focus on.

[@michaelcultra4496]

Am doing the Ultra trail Mourne way 168k in June. Its northern irelands version of utmb , just not as epic lol. Will be doing belfast marathon as part of my traing for it, hoping for a relatively comfortable 4hrs.

[@emilyanderson8300]

Fantastic result Stephen! And great video! 😀🙌🏼

[@FilmMyRun]

Thanks Em👍 I always try to shout at you when I see you in local races! But you are usually miles ahead of me these days!

[@laurippt]

Congrats! Great video!

[@FilmMyRun]

Thanks Lauri. Nice to see your name in the comments.

[@Merritt7278]

Again well done and I'm with you on the not eating gels, I hate gels and try and run without fuelling in a race,if I have to eat after say 16 miles then I would just try a chocolate biscuit. All the best Marc.

[@FilmMyRun]

Sounds about the same as me Marc. As long as I have something around 16-20 miles I seem to be ok.

[@TheBramptonValleyRunner]

Congrats on the time, I agree about gels

[@FilmMyRun]

Thanks John. Appreciated.

[@TumoRuns]

Well done on the race time - it’s a fabulous effort. I would take umbrage with your points around gels and not able to break them down, etc., as numerous research studies have shown that the human body can only hold enough fuel for roughly 90 minutes, person dependent, which for most people would not be enough to sustain them for the marathon. What I would say is that everybody has different ways of fuelling; this might work for you, but I would be very wary of discouraging people from taking fuel during these races…

[@FilmMyRun]

Thanks Ben! My point is that gels are not the only fuel. They work well for some but many many others suffer from gastric distress during long runs mainly caused by undigested gels sitting on the stomach. If gels work for you then of course keep doing what works, but there are other ways to fuel and one way is to use the fuel we already have plenty of stores in our bodies, which is fat. It takes longer to metabolise which is why we need to train our bodies to do it faster. I know my views are in the minority and it’s a controversial subject, but I’m speaking with a growing track record of success with this method in ultra distance and now also shorter distance races such as the marathon.

[@neilcavill1884]

@@FilmMyRun your views on fasted training and fat adapted runners are not in the minority. Dr Dan Plews would be a super starting point for this info.

[@TumoRuns]

@@FilmMyRun fair response, and I would definitely say your ability to fuel from fast adaptation rather than consistent topping up of carbohydrates puts you in the minority for that, as that takes years to take to and generally works for what would be deemed as lower levels of exertion; this would suggest either you’ve built this up over a long time, or you’re potentially working well below your capabilities! I’d definitely say over the ultra distance, working at those lower levels will 100% make it easier to stomach other foods, and you see this at pretty much every ultra going; and at the marathon distance you also definitely need to find something that works for you, as I can certainly attest to not all gels going down the same haha!

[@neilcavill1884]

@@TumoRuns Your comments make no sense.

[@TumoRuns]

@@neilcavill1884 and yet people seem to have liked the comments? 🤷🏼‍♂️ going to offer any rationale as to why you think that, or just make a sweeping statement?

[@cherries4life387]

Really interesting and detailed video Stephen. As a trail (and trail only) runner, this almost makes me want to try a road marathon, almost! I've seen so many of your videos but can't remember if you take gels on your ultra races or not. I remember you talking about your solid foods for Lakeland 100. I agree that most take gels because it's the popular way of doing things, but also solid food is difficult to chew and swallow at marathon pace. Personally, I never have gels during ultras, but then ultras are at a slower pace, so food goes down easier.

[@FilmMyRun]

Totally agree. You certainly couldn't carry solid food and run fast in a road marathon. Although in Paris there is plenty of solid food available at the aid stations. My wife particularly liked the ginger cake!! I've tried lots of things ion the past like ShotBloks and Glucose tablets. But I think I've found what works for me, certainly up to my latest speed. Whether I'd need more carbs if I ran faster, who knows?!

[@PoetWithPace]

Bloody brilliant Stephen! Fascinating what you say about gels, which is risky against mainstream and all influencers sponsored by Maurten. In fact one top KZbinr said fat adapted runners are slow compared to a carb burner 🤔

[@FilmMyRun]

Thanks Donato. I hope you're well. I think we are on the way to proving fat adapted runner can run fast, although that does depend on your definition of fast! What's next for you?

[@PoetWithPace]

@@FilmMyRun indeed depends on parameters and what product is being sold. Next i have a pizza/pasta later today...race wise London 🙂

[@SebRunning]

I love you Stephen 🥹

[@jamesroberts2147]

Just amazing time, congrats 🎉

[@FilmMyRun]

Cheers James. Question is, do I now try and go faster at some point?!!

[@jamesroberts2147]

@@FilmMyRun your super strong at moment, maybe target a pb at Beachy head marathon and I see you again going passed me.

[@FilmMyRun]

@@jamesroberts2147 problem is I have a ton of 100 milers now for the rest of this year. Ultras and speed do not mix!!

[@namits3775]

Such a great achievement. Absolutely agree, if well trained, you don't need all the "marketing" nutrition nonsense.

[@FilmMyRun]

True, a lot of it is just marketing nonsense.

[@Ligerpride]

Great running. Well done.

[@FilmMyRun]

Thank you very much. I appreciate your comment.

[@alasdaircampbell1863]

💪

[@FilmMyRun]

Cheers Alasdair

[@TwoCombs]

Only tried gels once…..never again!

[@FilmMyRun]

Haha, yea, took me a few races to decide they weren't for me.