Mon, Nov-06-06, 15:33
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Senior Member
Posts: 4,932
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Plan: Atkins
Stats: 225/143/155
BF:38%/21.4%/24.9%
Progress: 117%
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There are some threads in the Intense exercise forum on this topic, but I have found the transition pretty easy. I actually hit the wall LATER on very low carb than when I would "carb up" before races and long Saturday runs during training season. While I don't consider myself an "elite" athlete, several of the people I marathon and train with function well on low carb, though they still cling to the belief they need pasta the night before races. I find I'm okay up to ten or twelve miles, then I need to supplement with small pieces of a protein bar, sugar-free Gu or Hammergel, and an electrolyte infused drink. I typically dilute Gatorade with three parts water or make my own, sf version (stolen from forum user mike_d). I don't worry too much about carbs from Gatorade while running, merely because those glucose molecules are used instantaneously.
I will admit the transition was easier for me than most since I didn't start seriously running and training until AFTER I had started low carb. I didn't marathon officially until after two full years on Atkins. I know of studies that have been done where elite endurance athletes have trained successfully on low carb, but the sources escape me now.
I did bonk one time at about 8 miles, but I didn't eat enough protein for breakfast; what I did eat I ate too close to the gun time, and I didn't pace myself enough. Not only did I bonk, but I also cramped and tossed my cookies. It was only a ten mile road run, but I felt pretty pathetic crossing the finish line at a turtle's gait, looking pale, ill, and like I'd never run a day in my life.
Hope that helps!
Amory
Last edited by AmoryBlain : Mon, Nov-06-06 at 15:36.
Reason: punctuation hinkypunks
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