RE: Atkins WOE & Running

[buffy67]

Hi Friends:

I'm training for a marathon in Feb 08. (Breast Cancer Marathon, Jacksonville, FL)

Anyway, we had a running clinic Sat and the nutritionist and other experienced marathoners were saying that your body needs carbs for energy during runs and that we should be eating 80% carbs.

Someone on the board said that Dr. A advocated that on the WOE the body is used to burning fat?

What is y'all's opinion and views on this topic.

Thanks in advance,

Buffy

[Richt]

Re: Atkins WOE & Running

My brief views (bearing in mind its not 12:30 on monday morning and I should really be going to bed) are -

I have managed to run close to 300 miles so far this year, and last year I ran around 250 miles. In the last 10 months I have entered, ran and finished 9 half marathons. All whilst doing Atkins.

Got to go to bed now. But wanted to give you my brief thoughts.

Rich

[Grant]

Re: Atkins WOE & Running

Found an interesting article you might want to look at. Speaks directly to the issue of "carb-loading" and Atkins.

http://www.carbwire.com/2006/10/01/r...fuel_not_carbs

[BigRunner]

Re: Atkins WOE & Running

The need for 80% carbs and running is BUNK.

Betty has run multiple marthons with no carb loading.

I ran my last one on less than 40 carbs (I'm on OWL, rung 9) per day and had my best marathon to this point, 4:36. My current training is going so well that I'm probably going to shoot for 4:15-4:20 or so for the Chicago Marathon in October.

Most runners have had the "must eat carbs to run" mantra shoved down their throats for so long that they take it for gospel. Same thing as the "low fat" culture out there. They're both wrong.

Keep doing what you're doing and you will be successful.

Just a word of caution: If they're is a more compassionate (zealous?) group of people than runners, I haven't met them. As much as I believe and follow this WOE, arguing with runners on eating carbs is one battle I don't get in the middle of. I know they're wrong and am content with that.

RichF

[Outback Jess]

Re: Atkins WOE & Running

ok, so what do you eat in training??? and on race day?????

[ttdriver]

Re: Atkins WOE & Running

ok, so what do you eat in training??? and on race day?????

You should be eating more protein and alot of healthy fats to fuel your running. Complex carbs are good too, but nothing refined or processed. Personally, I would avoid fiber on the days leading up to race day. Stay well hydrated, particularly if you train in the summer heat/humidity (trust me on that). I drink an electrolyte replacement when I run more than 6 miles. Excess sweating combined with the humidity can and does cause cramping and diarrhea (again, trust me)...I've "done what the pioneers did" several times during trail runs before I learned my lesson.

As for carbo loading/running, I totally concur with Rich. You'll never convince carb-loading runners that its bunk, so don't even try. Eat right and run right by 'em....

Here's an interesting article I think you should read.

http://www.second-opinions.co.uk/athletic_diet.html

Betty

[buffy67]

Re: Atkins WOE & Running

Betty,

That article was awesome. It cleared up many questions that I had.

Very, very interesting.

Thanks for sharing,

Buffy