The world witnessed a remarkable feat when Sabastian Kimaru Sawe shattered history with a sub-2-hour marathon time. But what propelled him to this extraordinary achievement? The answer lies not just in his shoes, but in the intricate science of nutrition and the role of a revolutionary hydrogel.
The Super Shoe and the Super Fuel
While Sawe's Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo3 shoes grabbed attention, it was the man and his inner workings that truly mattered. His breakfast of bread, honey, and tea hinted at a deeper story. Sawe's body, pushed to its limits, demanded more than just food; it required precise nutrition.
Enter Maurten, a Swedish company with a game-changing hydrogel. This gel, when ingested, binds with gastric acid, forming a protective shield that delivers carbohydrates directly to the small intestine. It's like a secret weapon, ensuring efficient fuel delivery to the body.
A Revolution in Performance Nutrition
Maurten's hydrogel has revolutionized endurance sports, particularly elite distance running. Since 2016, it has fueled every major marathon winner, both male and female. The company's head of sports tech, Joshua Rowe, emphasizes the role of nutrition in training and race day performance.
Sawe's fuel plan, meticulously crafted by Maurten, involved consuming 160ml of their Drink Mix 320 every 5km, along with a Gel100Caf100 at the 20km mark. This plan was not just about energy, but also about training the gut to absorb specific amounts of carbs during intense runs.
Training the Gut for Optimal Performance
Running diverts blood flow towards muscles and skin, causing the stomach to function at a lower capacity. The hydrogel eases this process, but the challenge remains due to the intense nature of marathons. Maurten's scientists worked closely with Sawe, conducting tests before and after training sessions to perfect his fuel plan.
In the months leading up to the Berlin and London marathons, Sawe's training included workouts that simulated marathon speeds over 30km. Maurten's biotech experts developed a fuel plan for each session, aiming for 105gm of carbs per hour in Berlin and increasing it to 115gm by the London marathon, with a total race goal of 220gm.
The 0.001% Club
Maurten's research focused on a very specific demographic - the elite of the elite. Rowe describes them as the 0.001% of the population. Even within this exclusive group, Sawe stood out with his extraordinary physiological and psychological capabilities. From his marathon debut in Valencia, where he set the year's fastest time, he has been an unstoppable force.
The Future of Marathon Running
Sawe's achievement has sparked conversations about the potential performance limits of marathons. Rowe believes we could see a 1:58 marathon time within the next few years. With runners like Yomif Kejelcha, Jacob Kiplimo, and John Korir pushing the boundaries, the future of marathon running looks incredibly exciting.
As we reflect on Sawe's historic run, we realize that it's not just about the shoes or the fuel; it's about the perfect combination of human potential, innovative technology, and precise nutrition. The marathon revolution has begun, and the world is eager to see what comes next.
