Long Distance Running + Low-Carb

[msuchio]

Traditionally, long distance runners consume massive amounts of carbohydrates to "fuel" their runs. Particularly the two days before a race date, runners begin "carbo-loading" which includes consuming super rich carb-dense foods.

I'm running a 1/2 marathon in November and not certain about the right nutrition. I'm finishing up my 2nd week of induction and have noticed that incorporating daily jogs has really left me a little more tired than usual in the evenings. Perhaps things will change as I continue on the Atkins diet??

Really my main concern is nutrition before race day...if there's another distance runner on the boards I would love to hear their experiences. Thanks!

[BigRunner]

I've run 6 marathons. Number 7 is in October. I don't carb load to run marathons.

I'd give it a couple of weeks past induction and you should have your old energy again.


RichF

[msuchio]

Thanks Rich! I planned to maintain the Atkins diet while training and evaluate after a month. Good to hear from someone else that's done it. Good luck in October!

Robin

[ttdriver]

Originally Posted by BigRunner

I've run 6 marathons. Number 7 is in October. I don't carb load to run marathons.

I'd give it a couple of weeks past induction and you should have your old energy again.


RichF

Rich is right on ! What he's too modest to tell you is, last January, at Disneyworld, he ran the GOOFY CHALLENGE (half marathon + full marathon) in two days ... Ahem .. hope you don't mind me sharing that, MR. MARATHON MAN !! And he did it all without carbloading. NUFF SAID!

I've run 2 marathons on nothing more than 2 eggs, 4 sausage and water. I run 30-35 miles a week, 52 weeks a year OUTDOORS in Florida summer heat/humidity ... on less than 50g of carbs per day (that's my maintenance level).

I do, however, raise the protein and fat .. I eat A TON of fat .. its what keeps the burners burnin' !!

Goodluck with the half marathon! Let us know how it goes ! WE LOVE POST RACE REPORTS !

Betty