Probably quite a niche one!
I am gluten free. I’m not diagnosed as coeliac (I don’t want to go through the pain to get all the tests) but I know that it doesn’t agree with me. I was getting the most horrendous stomach cramps, like being in labour and since cutting out gluten these don’t occur so that’s good enough for me.
Being a gluten free runner doesn’t mean that I can’t have carbs, it just means that I need to be more organised, plan better and be more mindful as to my fuelling. It does mean that I can’t just grab and go a lot of the time and, yeah, that is sometimes super frustrating and sometimes I get caught out.
I eat gluten free bread/bread buns, gluten free pizza, gluten free pasta and gluten free cakes. The offering has improved significantly in recent years. Yes, there’s still some stuff that’s grim, there’s still some stuff that’s produced as ann free from “catch all” so also ends up dairy free and vegan ~ I love proper cheese BUT it’s just about experimenting. Likelihood is that you are going to kiss some frogs before you find the perfect ones!
It’s also more common to find things for the gluten free runner in restaurants.
The one time I got super caught out was the night before a 100km race. Like jeez!! Why didn’t I plan that one better. I presumed that I would be able to find something to eat for my pre race meal but we were in a tiny little place and I got caught out. Since then I’ve been much more tuned into where I’m going, searching online menus, calling ahead and just being more organised.
The other thing I do is that I take my own sweet treats from a local cafe for the end of a race. I schedule it into my diary to go buy my gluten free goodies the day before travelling to a race.
In ultra races I also need crewing in a lot of instances. I can’t just grab off the aid tables.
BUT I can still be a well fuelled athlete, with carb levels really high and glycogen stores fully topped up whilst also being gluten free.
Shout up if you want anymore top tips for the gluten free runner…
My Top Tips As A Gluten Free Runner
✔️ Day to day, in training, make sure you’re not getting a carbs aversion
✔️ Try different gluten free offerings, some a grim but some are amazing
✔️ Take a look around your local bakeries etc to see whether they do any gluten free options.
Race Day Tips For The Gluten Free Runner
✔️ Get organised – make sure you know you have options, what are you going to eat the day before?
✔️ Make a dinner reservation if you need to (and have a good idea of their menu)
✔️ Take snacks
✔️ Take treats for after a race
