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Can gut issues derail years of training?

For many endurance athletes, stomach problems are one of the biggest performance limiters, and even the most experienced ultra runners aren't immune.

In this episode of the VOOM Performance Podcast, we sit down with ultra runner, author, speaker, and co-founder of Black Trail Runners, Sabrina Pace-Humphreys, for an honest conversation about the reality of racing when your nutrition plan falls apart.

After battling severe nausea during races including Ultra-Trail Snowdonia and UTMB, Sabrina shares how she's rebuilding her approach to fueling, hydration and gut health. From measuring sweat rate to rethinking carbohydrate intake, she explains why going back to basics has become the key to moving forwards.

More importantly, Sabrina opens up about the value of vulnerability in sport, reminding us that even elite athletes continue to learn, adapt and face challenges.

Whether you're training for your first marathon or your next 100-miler, this episode is packed with practical takeaways that could transform your race-day nutrition.

In this episode we cover:

• Why gut health is one of the biggest performance factors in ultra endurance events.
• Sabrina's experiences with nausea during Ultra-Trail Snowdonia and UTMB.
• How perimenopause and hormonal changes can influence endurance performance.
• Measuring sweat rate and understanding individual hydration needs.
• Finding the right carbohydrate intake instead of simply eating more.
• Sweet vs savoury fuelling, and why listening to your body matters.
• Why gut training should be part of every endurance athlete's programme.
• The importance of leaving your ego behind and returning to the fundamentals.
• Why honesty and vulnerability make stronger athletes and a stronger running community.

Key Takeaways

✔️ Gut training is just as important as physical training.

✔️ Hydration is highly individual and understanding your sweat rate can significantly improve performance.

✔️ More carbohydrates aren't always better; finding the amount your body can absorb is key.

✔️ Hormonal changes can have a significant impact on endurance nutrition and recovery.

✔️ Sharing setbacks helps normalise the challenges every athlete faces.

Resources & Links

Learn More About Voom Nutrition

VOOM Nutrition creates science-backed sports nutrition products designed for endurance athletes, helping support energy, hydration, recovery, and performance across training and racing.

Explore the full range of products at:
https://www.voomnutrition.co.uk/

Whether you're training for your next ultra, marathon, sportive or open water swim, Voom Nutrition helps you fuel smarter so you can perform at your best.

About Sabrina Pace-Humphreys

Sabrina Pace-Humphreys is an accomplished ultra runner, author, public speaker, mother of four and co-founder of Black Trail Runners. She began running to overcome postnatal depression and has since completed some of the world's toughest endurance races while inspiring thousands through her honesty, resilience and advocacy for greater diversity in trail running.

To order Sabrinas book Start Where You Are - An easy to follow, 10-week training plan to get you to 5k.

 https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/start-where-you-are-9781399423311/

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Have you ever struggled with gut issues during training or racing?

Let us know your biggest challenge and the strategies that have worked for you, we'd love to hear your experiences.

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