Conditions & NutritionAugust 21, 2026

Fueling for the Trails: A Complete Nutrition Guide

Stop hitting the wall. Learn how to calculate your carbohydrate needs for endurance trail running.

Fueling for the Trails: A Complete Nutrition Guide
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Avoid the "Bonk"

Nutrition on the trail is highly individual, but the underlying science of glycogen depletion is universal. Once your body runs out of stored carbs, your pace drops off a cliff.

The Math: Grams per Hour

For any effort lasting longer than 90 minutes, you need to actively ingest carbohydrates.

  • 1-2 Hours: 30g carbs/hour
  • 2-4 Hours: 45-60g carbs/hour
  • 4+ Hours (Ultras): 60-90g carbs/hour

Real Food vs. Gels

While gels are highly efficient, gastrointestinal (GI) distress is common.

Pro Tip: Practice your nutrition during your long runs, not on race day.

Try mixing complex and simple carbs. Boiled potatoes with salt, dates, and bananas are excellent natural alternatives to synthetic gels.