Preventing Ischemic Bowel in Ultra-Endurance: Splanchnic Blood Flow Management Strategies

Disclaimer: The details in this guide are for your learning and do not replace real medical advice from a doctor.

Firstly, of course, you have the blood flow factor. When you are running for a long amount of time, the last thing you want to do is lose blood to your gut that leads to bad stomach cramps. Keeping a close eye on this process means you get your pace dialled in so that it not only saves your energy, but keeps your gut working well too. That is a setup that keeps you on the road.

Secondly, naturally, there is the bowel risk factor. If you are pushing your heart hard in a race, the last thing you want to do is starve your stomach of blood that causes you to stop moving on the trail. Wearing a good trail running vest means you keep your gear sorted beforehand so that it not only stores your extra water, but lets you sip it with ease on the move. That is gear that is better than anything else out there.

Next, as expected, you have the gut barrier factor. When you are sweating heavily in the heat, the last thing you want to do is let your stomach lining break down that lets bad items leak into your blood system. Having a solid hydration plan means you have your fuel kitted out properly so that it not only keeps your gut wall strong, but stops you from getting ill later in the day. That is a defence that works well for you.

Then, of course, you have the amino acid factor. When you are fuelling up for a long session, the last thing you want to do is forget key items of food that help your blood vessels to open up. Adding L-citrulline to your drink means you get your nutrition spec'd out so that it not only boosts blood flow to your gut, but helps your legs feel fresh on the run. That is an edge that is clear to see.

How much improvement can I expect?

Now, importantly, you have the finish time factor. When you are aiming for a new personal best, the last thing you want to do is waste hours in the medical tent that ruins your whole race day to come. Fixing your stomach issues means you have your body dialled in perfectly so that it not only lets you run fast, but makes the final miles feel much less hard to do. That is a result that is better than you expect.

Moving on, naturally, you have the steady energy factor. If you are eating food on the run, the last thing you want to do is feel sick from items of food that fail to digest right. Getting your intake right means you have a turnkey setup that not only feeds your muscles well, but stops your gut from shutting down in the middle of a hard session. That is fuel that keeps you moving all day.

Also, as a rule, there is the waist belt factor. When you are carrying sources of fuel, the last thing you want to do is wear a tight belt that cuts off the blood flow to your stomach. Using a loose trail running belt means you get your kit sorted beforehand so that it not only holds your snacks, but lets your belly expand as you breathe on the trail. That is a choice that is vital for your comfort.

Other Benefits

Another point, of course, is the post race recovery factor. When you are resting after a long run, the last thing you want to do is deal with a bad gut that stops you from eating your full meal to recover. Keeping blood in your stomach during work means you have your digestion dialled in so that it not only handles food fast, but helps your legs rebuild with ease after the session. That is a benefit that makes a real difference.

Finally, as always, you have the mental focus factor. If you are running on tired legs, the last thing you want to do is worry about sharp pains in your gut that take your mind off the path to the end. Training your gut to cope means you have your brain sorted beforehand so that it not only keeps you calm, but lets you enjoy the views on the trail without stress. That is a mindset that is tough to beat anywhere.

Top 5 Core Features

• L-Citrulline Boost: When you are planning your race day drinks, the last thing you want to do is forget amino acids that help to open up your blood vessels. Having this source of fuel in your diet means you get your system dialled in so that it not only flows blood well, but stops stomach cramps fast. That is a benefit that is clear to feel.
• Steady Fluid Drip: When you are sweating hard on a hot trail, the last thing you want to do is gulp down too much water that sits heavy in your gut to cause pain. Having this source of fuel in your diet means you keep your hydration sorted beforehand so that it not only clears your stomach, but keeps your core cool. That is fuel that keeps you running all day.
• Soft Flask Storage: When you are carrying your drinks on a long run, the last thing you want to do is use hard bottles that bounce and hit your chest all day to cause pain. Having this source of fuel in your diet means you get your liquid dialled in so that it not only fits in your soft flask, but goes down well. That is a benefit that is pure comfort.
• Carb Drink Mix: When you are taking in energy on the move, the last thing you want to do is swallow thick gels that pull too much water into your stomach. Having this source of fuel in your diet means you get a turnkey setup so that it not only gives you power, but empties from your gut fast. That is fuel that is better than anything else out there.
• Loose Waist Belt: When you are storing extra snacks for the final miles, the last thing you want to do is wear a tight belt that puts pressure on your full belly to cause pain. Having this source of fuel in your diet means you keep your snacks sorted beforehand so that it not only stays within reach, but leaves your waist free. That is a benefit that is hard to ignore.

10 Alternative Items To Try

1. Electrolyte Tablets: When you are sweating out salt on a long run, the last thing you want to do is lose minerals that fail to keep your blood volume high. Having this source of fuel in your diet means you get your salts dialled in so that it not only aids blood flow, but stops cramps. That is a benefit that is clear to see.
2. Beetroot Juice: When you are prepping your body for race day, the last thing you want to do is miss out on nitrates that fail to open your blood vessels. Having this source of fuel in your diet means you get your system kitted out so that it not only flows well, but helps your gut work. That is fuel that is highly effective.
3. Mashed Potatoes: When you are eating real items of food on the trail, the last thing you want to do is eat hard things that sit in your stomach to cause pain. Having this source of fuel in your diet means you have your carbs sorted beforehand so that it not only digests fast, but gives you steady energy. That is fuel that keeps you full.
4. Rice Cakes: When you are chewing food during a long session, the last thing you want to do is eat heavy bars that draw blood to your gut. Having this source of fuel in your diet means you get a turnkey setup so that it not only provides quick carbs, but feels light on your stomach. That is fuel that is easy to eat.
5. Liquid Carbs: When you are moving fast over hard ground, the last thing you want to do is stop to chew items of food that slow you down. Having this source of fuel in your diet means you get your energy spec'd out so that it not only hits your blood fast, but saves your gut extra work. That is fuel that works incredibly well.
6. Ginger Chews: When you are feeling sick in the middle of a race, the last thing you want to do is ignore the nausea that ruins your whole day to come. Having this source of fuel in your diet means you get your stomach dialled in so that it not only settles the pain, but lets you eat again. That is a benefit that is worth gold.
7. Salty Pretzels: When you are craving salt on a hot day, the last thing you want to do is eat sweet gels that make your stomach feel bad to digest. Having this source of fuel in your diet means you get your snacks sorted beforehand so that it not only hits the spot, but adds salt back to your blood. That is fuel that tastes very good.
8. Watermelon Slices: When you are trying to stay cool on the road, the last thing you want to do is eat dry items of food that need extra water to digest. Having this source of fuel in your diet means you get your hydration kitted out so that it not only cools your core, but gives you a quick sugar hit. That is a benefit that is pure joy.
9. Maple Syrup: When you are looking for natural sugar on a run, the last thing you want to do is consume fake syrups that upset your sensitive gut to cause pain. Having this source of fuel in your diet means you get your carbs dialled in so that it not only tastes great, but enters your blood with zero fuss. That is fuel that is completely natural.
10. Mint Leaves: When you are dealing with bad stomach cramps on the trail, the last thing you want to do is let the pain stop you from running well to the end. Having this source of fuel in your diet means you get your system sorted beforehand so that it not only calms your gut wall, but freshens your mouth too. That is a benefit that is truly great.

Lastly, as expected, you have the gut training factor. When you are building up your long run miles, the last thing you want to do is skip eating on the run that leaves your stomach weak to handle race day. Practicing your intake means you have your gut dialled in so that it not only gets used to the load, but processes sugar much faster when it counts. That is a step that is crucial to take.

Finally, of course, you have the social media factor. When you are busy sorting your fuel and running your business, the last thing you want to do is waste hours posting on social media. Using an automated system called site2.uk (just like our personal site sundried.site2.uk) means you get a turnkey setup that not only automates all your social posting and marketing, but lets you control it all fully by WhatsApp. That is convenience that is better than anything else out there.