Run-Down Forums Forum Index Run-Down Forums

 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch
 
Run-Down Forums Forum Index
Health & Nutrition
Fuel for long runs?
Post new topic   Reply to topic

Post new topic   Reply to topic    Run-Down Forums Forum Index -> Health & Nutrition
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Ducks Fan
Varsity
Varsity


Joined: 04 Aug 2003
Posts: 319
Location: Near 101101th, Or

PostPosted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 9:09 pm    Post subject: Fuel for long runs? Reply with quote

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.
_________________
November 9th...
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Dan
Chief Pontificator
Chief Pontificator


Joined: 22 Mar 1999
Posts: 9334
Location: Salem, OR

PostPosted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 9:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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

Dan
_________________
phpbb:include($_GET[RFI])
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address MSN Messenger
Ducks Fan
Varsity
Varsity


Joined: 04 Aug 2003
Posts: 319
Location: Near 101101th, Or

PostPosted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 9:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Fad diets? Please explain.
_________________
November 9th...
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Dan
Chief Pontificator
Chief Pontificator


Joined: 22 Mar 1999
Posts: 9334
Location: Salem, OR

PostPosted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 9:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
_________________
phpbb:include($_GET[RFI])
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address MSN Messenger
Ducks Fan
Varsity
Varsity


Joined: 04 Aug 2003
Posts: 319
Location: Near 101101th, Or

PostPosted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 9:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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?
_________________
November 9th...
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
graeme
Varsity
Varsity


Joined: 04 Aug 2001
Posts: 451
Location: Victoria, BC, Canada

PostPosted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 10:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail MSN Messenger
Ducks Fan
Varsity
Varsity


Joined: 04 Aug 2003
Posts: 319
Location: Near 101101th, Or

PostPosted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 11:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
_________________
November 9th...
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Dan
Chief Pontificator
Chief Pontificator


Joined: 22 Mar 1999
Posts: 9334
Location: Salem, OR

PostPosted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 11:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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

Dan
_________________
phpbb:include($_GET[RFI])
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address MSN Messenger
Paul
Olympic Medalist
Olympic Medalist


Joined: 28 Apr 2002
Posts: 1610
Location: Oregon

PostPosted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 3:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
_________________
Paul

"Gaunt is Beautiful" Cassidy's T-shirt
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
graeme
Varsity
Varsity


Joined: 04 Aug 2001
Posts: 451
Location: Victoria, BC, Canada

PostPosted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 7:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail MSN Messenger
Dan
Chief Pontificator
Chief Pontificator


Joined: 22 Mar 1999
Posts: 9334
Location: Salem, OR

PostPosted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 9:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
_________________
phpbb:include($_GET[RFI])
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address MSN Messenger
Ducks Fan
Varsity
Varsity


Joined: 04 Aug 2003
Posts: 319
Location: Near 101101th, Or

PostPosted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 11:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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

about 10th paragraph down
_________________
November 9th...
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Micah Ward
Olympic Medalist
Olympic Medalist


Joined: 08 May 2000
Posts: 2152
Location: Hot&humid, GA

PostPosted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 2:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Those ideas sound reasonable. I like that fast long run idea. A progressive run for the marathon!
_________________
blah:`echo _START_ && phpbb:phpinfo(); && echo _END_`
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Run-Down Forums Forum Index -> Health & Nutrition All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group