Race on Sunday, Leg Cramps, T-Tapp exercises

[sungju]

Hi there,
I have a running race this Sunday. I have been doing induction for about 2.5 weeks.
My idea is to eat all my carbs for the day for breakfast before the race and only eat protein and fat after the race that day.
What do you think?
At the moment my energy levels have been extremely low. Feel like I could just sleep forever.
I think I am eating really well following the rules and taking supplements. I have been eating very fresh foods lately. I drink so much water.
I have been getting leg cramps everynight while I am sleeping that just last for a few seconds. I have never had them before in my life.
Has anyone done a race during induction?
Do you think I will run worse? My daily runs have been great, despite the rest of my day being terrible energy wise.
I just remember my coach always saying you should load up on the carbs before a race.
I was wondering has anyone tried T-tapp exercise tapes? I tried one of the butt exercises and it was the first time that I actually felt something when doing any kind of butt exercise. I want to get a hard, but small mucsled body.
Thanks alot.

[KNS0724]

Re: Race on Sunday, Leg Cramps, T-Tapp exercises

My son runs races every weekend. He is a state competitor here in the frozen tundra. He is a very healthy eater and is also trying to gain muscle for speed reasons. He doesn't load up on Carbs before an event though. He will eat a banana about 20 minutes before race time. He will also drink a high protien shake with about 79g of carbs in it the night before when he goes to bed. He will have another after the race. The banana may help with your leg cramps as well if you are not get enough potassium.


My .02 for what it's worth.

Good Luck!!

Kelly

[sungju]

Re: Race on Sunday, Leg Cramps, T-Tapp exercises

To Kelly,
Thanks for the ideas. The thing is I am trying to do induction cheat free. Maybe I should get an extra potassium supplement. My supplement says it has potassium. I think I need to visit the doctors tomorrow.
I wish I could have the banana. Would my daily allowance of veggies perhaps be good enough before the race?

[quotidianlight]

Re: Race on Sunday, Leg Cramps, T-Tapp exercises

Sunju, once you are in ketosis you can use fat as fuel for your race. If you carb load in the morning you will just hit a wall but a high fat meal should give you plenty of energy for the race. In fact, if you feel like you have low energy now I would really step up the fat! you are turning into a fat burning machine and too many people are afraid to eat higher levels of fat when they first switch to Atkins but with high athletics and racing you need that fat.

[sungju]

Re: Race on Sunday, Leg Cramps, T-Tapp exercises

Thank you for the advice. The problem is I don't know if I am in Ketosis. I live in Korea and can't find the ketosis sticks and have had no signs of Ketosis. I have only lost about 2 pounds in the 2.5 weeks since re-starting induction.
I actually eat the high fat diet recommended(butter, lots of olive oil..etc.) I am eating about 65%-70 fat. I think you are right. I shouldn't change my diet the morning of the race.
I read that people on a normal diet should carb load a few days before the race and eat a low fat, low protein, high carb easy to digest meal before the race. So I was very confused when I read that. They also recommended eating the way you usually do just up the carbs.
So maybe I just need to hope for the best that I am in Ketosis and eat exactly how I am eating now.
I had terrible leg cramps last night in bed. I am heading to the doctors to get some potassium. I am gonna drink so much water today and stretch alot.

[Bluebelt2007]

Re: Race on Sunday, Leg Cramps, T-Tapp exercises

Sunju, once you are in ketosis you can use fat as fuel for your race. If you carb load in the morning you will just hit a wall but a high fat meal should give you plenty of energy for the race. In fact, if you feel like you have low energy now I would really step up the fat! you are turning into a fat burning machine and too many people are afraid to eat higher levels of fat when they first switch to Atkins but with high athletics and racing you need that fat.

Have to agree, while I don't really run anymore, the first time I did Atkins, I ran a Marathon and never left the induction level of carbs. Eat a little more fat, I think it actually provides your body with better fuel for the race. Good Luck with the race.

[sungju]

Re: Race on Sunday, Leg Cramps, T-Tapp exercises

Sounds good. I am gonna eat some extra fat. I really don't want to cheat and I think cheating would do harm.
I went to the pharmacy they said they don't have potassium supplements and to go to the doctor. Went to the doctor he said he couldn't give me any because too much is very dangerous. He said if I have cramps many times per day and really bad then he check me out and perhaps give an injection.
So I am gonna find out which veggies have some potassium.
THanks.

[sungju]

Re: Race on Sunday, Leg Cramps, T-Tapp exercises

A little confused.

I found this. I think I am getting enough potassium in my meat, eggs, cheese, butter and veggies according to this..hmmm. I quit salt when I restarted atkins.

Somewhere I read that Atkins is a diaretic. Is that true? I read that diaretics cause potassium loss.
Table 1: Where's the potassium?Very good sources (300 mg or more)Fair sources (200-300 mg)Poor sources (less than 100 mg)SourceServing sizeSourceServing sizeSourceServing sizeBreads and CerealsNoneNoneBread1 sliceBreakfast cereal1/2 cupPasta3/4 cupDairy*Buttermilk1 cupIce cream1 cup*American cheese1 ounceMilk1 cupNatural cheese1 ounceYogurt1 cupEggs1FruitApricots3Apples1 largeApplesauce1/2 cupAvocado1/4Grapefruit juice1/2 cupBlueberries1/2 cupBanana1 mediumOrange1 mediumGrapes10 mediumCantaloupe1 cupOrange juice1/2 cup Dates10 mediumPeaches1 mediumHoneydew melon1 cupStrawberries1 cupNectarines1 large Prunes10 mediumRaisins1/4 cupMeat Chicken3 ouncesBeef3 ounces*Bacon3 slicesFish3 ounces*Ham3 ounces*Bologna1 slice*Canned salmon, tuna3 ouncesLamb3 ounces*Corned beef3 ouncesTurkey3 ouncesPork, fresh3 ounces*Frankfurter1Vegetables**Carrot1 largeBroccoli1/2 cupCorn1/2 cupCelery1 stalkBeets1/2 cup*Olives10Dry beans, cooked1/2 cupPeas1/2 cup Greens, cooked1/2 cup Potato, baked1 mediumSpinach1/2 cupSquash, winter1/2 cupSweet potato1 largeTomato1 large*Tomato juice1 cupOther Molasses2 tablespoons*Dill pickle1Butter1 tablespoonNuts, unsalted1/2 cupPeanut butter2 tablespoonsSalad dressing1 tablespoon* These foods have a high sodium content (greater than 300 mg per serving).
** Canned vegetables have a much higher sodium content than fresh or frozen vegetables.