First Marathons???

[quotidianlight]

Okay, I know a few of you have run them and while I could go to a running board I figure since we are all low carb it's probably a good idea to ask here as well since it might be different for us.

How long did you train before running your first marathon and how long had you been running before you started training?

What adjustments if any did you have to make since you are low carb? I am assuming since we run on fat we would hit the wall a lot less but I'm wondering if I will need to tack on extra time for training to build endurance or anything. What do you use as far as energy drinks, goo etc during your long runs? I was thinking about creating my own low carb version.

What training program did you use for you first marathon?

I want to run the Napa Marathon next May and Big Sur Half Marathon in November. I think I have enough time to build up my mileage and complete a training program in time for Napa but Big Sur I'm not so sure about. I'll be at 25mpw by August 14 so I'll only have 2.5 months to get to get through a half training program.

[ttdriver]

Re: First Marathons???

[quote=quotidianlight;906482]How long did you train before running your first marathon and how long had you been running before you started training? I ran my first marathon in February, 2006, after running consistently for 18 months.

What adjustments if any did you have to make since you are low carb? None. I eat alot of lean protein and fat and that combination has always given me enough fuel. I ran my first marathon on 2 eggs and 3 link sausages.

I am assuming since we run on fat we would hit the wall a lot less but I'm wondering if I will need to tack on extra time for training to build endurance or anything. Yes, you should have a solid mileage base before attempting to run 26.2 miles, whether low-carbing or not. IMO, if you want to run a marathon, you should be able to run 22 training miles without stopping during training.

What do you use as far as energy drinks, goo etc during your long runs? I don't do "energy drinks" or gu. I did use the Cliff Shot Blox during my last marathon but that was because the temps were approaching 90 degrees before it was over. If the weather is cooler, you should be fine without any supplements... just lots of water.

What training program did you use for you first marathon? I used State of the Art Marathon Training

I plan to run my third LC marathon this coming February. I will use Hal Higdon's training plan starting this October. Right now, I run 30+ miles every week, but I'll be cranking that up soon.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU!



Betty

[quotidianlight]

Re: First Marathons???

Thank you so much Betty. I've seen some of the training programs with really small long runs and they look like a recipe for disaster. Do you think it takes people eating LC longer to build up to a marathon than non-LC'bers?

[ValidRouge]

Re: First Marathons???

http://www.network-admin.net/?p=407

here's a video Kent did about running.

[ValidRouge]

Re: First Marathons???

Here's another good article The Correct Nutrition for Athletes - Second Opinions, UK

I ran my half marathon in January after training/running about a year and a half (from couch to half marathon). I sorta-kinda-tried to follow Hal Higdon's training program. I low-carbed the entire time. The night before the race, I had a low-carb dinner of a HUGE salad with some sort of meat (I don't really remember what it was). The day OF the race, breakfast got screwed up at the hotel and all I had was a measly boiled egg. I did have a larabar during the race, but in all honesty I could have done it without the larabar...and probably SHOULD HAVE. After the race I had a very very nice fatty meal. Literally, fried pork fat (chicharrones) and veggies.

[quotidianlight]

Re: First Marathons???

Thank you for the links!

[ttdriver]

Re: First Marathons???

Do you think it takes people eating LC longer to build up to a marathon than non-LC'bers?

No, I don't. IMO, EVERYONE needs to build up to a marathon. Simply put, no one could or should attempt a marathon until they can run for 4 hours non-stop. More is better. You simply MUST be able to endure the pounding that a marathon will put on your body and there's no other way to do it than by racking up the miles. Like I said, you should be able to run 20-22 miles during your training without stopping, whether you're a LCer or not.

The recipe for disaster in my opinion is INSUFFICIENT TRAINING.

Betty

[quotidianlight]

Re: First Marathons???

Thanks, I was afraid it would take me three times as long between LC and my Asthma. There is a super long training program that takes you through a half marathon to a marathon over about a year that I think would be good for me. But the long run is only about 20 and I have an acquaintance that says when she started doing an occasional 27 or 28 mile long run her marathons became super easy and she stopped getting hurt so I may go that route would would add another 6 months to the project.