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Ducks Fan · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 9:09 pm Post subject: Fuel for long runs?

I recently read on a marathon site (pretty sure it was Pftizinger's) that it's good to not eat any carbs before a long run because it teaches your body to use fat for fuel. Is this a good idea? It seems good to me, but this was the first time I'd heard of such a thing. Obviously you would carbo-load for races so I'm not questioning that.
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Dan · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 9:14 pm Post subject:

Great, now fad diets have entered into marathon training. Rolling Eyes

Dan
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Ducks Fan · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 9:29 pm Post subject:

Fad diets? Please explain.
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Dan · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 9:35 pm Post subject:

Sounds like a variation of the Zone or Atkins diets.

If you want evidence of just how hokey the reasoning is, look at the diets of some of the most aerobically athletic cultures such as the East Africans and Chinese. I think you'll find it to be nearly the exact opposite of the low-carb fad stuff. Food is a way of life (survival) in such places, and they seem to be doing pretty well with all their carbs.

Dan
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Ducks Fan · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 9:47 pm Post subject:

It's not like he's recommending you go on the Atkins diet. You just don't eat carbs one day before one workout. Seems pretty reasonable to me.

How many miles does the 'carbo-load' help you with in the marathon?
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graeme · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 10:30 pm Post subject:

That's the first I've heard of that idea. Did you happen to get the reasoning for why it's bad to get your body used to using fat as fuel? or how this person thought you'd still have sufficient energy?

Not arguing, just curious.

Ducks Fan · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 11:18 pm Post subject:

Finally found it.

"Finally, a great way to ensure that you will deplete your carbohydrate stores on these long, slow runs is to not eat any carbohydrates immediately before or during the run. Any carbohydrates ingested will be used by the body for fuel, and we don't want this. We want to deny the body carbohydrates in these runs so that the muscles will become better at sparing the carbohydrate stores and more efficient at burning fat. Now, many people think I'm crazy when I say this, but it works. It takes time to get adjusted to it if you have always been carbing up before and during your long runs, but with time and practice you can do it. I will note, however, that it is important to drink water throughout these runs so that you don't get dehydrated. I also recommend carrying an energy gel with you just in case you run into trouble (like taking a wrong turn, having to run longer than expected and getting a little woozy)."

www.mcmillanrunning.com

As I read it again, I guess it's something you have to get used to. It sounds pretty clever to me, but I'm not exactly an expert in the field.
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Dan · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 11:24 pm Post subject:

Sure sounds like the same reasoning as the Zone/Atkins diets. I'll leave it at that.

Dan
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Paul · Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 3:21 am Post subject:

Will, I think you may be jumping to conclusions, here. Greg says to not eat the morning of the long run, not a full day before. He runs first thing in the morning and has not had anything except water since the evening before. This is his very slow extra long run workout as you see. This article must also be read with the nutrition article (#3) to get the full effects of glycogen supercompensation. I have a new article on carb loading immediately following this kind of workout from "How To Win" that calls for 25 grams of carbs every 15 minutes for something like two straight hours following the workout. If I can find it, I will post it.

Paul
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graeme · Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 7:38 am Post subject:

Where on McMillan Running is that quote? I can't seem to find it.

I have a routine very similar to Greg's recommended recovery with slim-fast and I've found it very effective.

Paul, I'd like to read that if you can find it.

Dan · Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 9:46 am Post subject:

Paul, that makes a lot more sense. Still a bit questionable, but at least semi-believable. The other way, you're vastly limiting training potential in order to possibly increase the metabolism. Not a good tradeoff.

Dan
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Ducks Fan · Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 11:51 am Post subject:

http://www.mcmillanrunning.com/Running%20University/Article%204/marathonlongrun.htm

about 10th paragraph down
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Micah Ward · Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 2:13 pm Post subject:

Those ideas sound reasonable. I like that fast long run idea. A progressive run for the marathon!
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